Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan Chapter 2143 1541: Victory and Defeat (2)
Previously on Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan...
A mutual understanding seemed to exist between Wang Qingshan and Zhao Hongyun. The instant the referee's call ended, they both unleashed their full power, forgoing any sort of probing exchanges.
Rumble——
The ensuing battle unleashed shockwaves so immense that even through the protective barrier, a terrifying pressure was felt. A sense of dread washed over many of the lower-level cultivators present.
The Earth Immortals tasked with maintaining the barrier also adopted solemn expressions, boosting their mana output significantly to prevent the shield from succumbing to the ferocity of their fight.
After all, such an event would not only be manageable for them but would undoubtedly lead to numerous cultivator casualties.
What would be the purpose of their sanctioned duel if that were to happen? It would be as effective as initiating a chaotic free-for-all from the very beginning!
Returning to the clash between Wang Qingshan and Zhao Hongyun.
One was a master of the Fire Method, while the other wielded the Thunder Method. The sheer power emanating from their divine abilities and secret techniques was formidable. Each clash erupted in a chaotic dance of lightning and fire, with neither side managing to gain a decisive advantage, resulting in a tense stalemate.
However, not long after, a moment of carelessness from Zhao Hongyun led to him being struck by a searing flash of fire. His body stiffened, a trickle of blood emerged from the corner of his mouth, and his spirit wavered slightly.
While the injury itself wasn't critical, in a battle where both combatants were nearly evenly matched, it presented a glaring vulnerability and a significant weakness.
Wang Qingshan swiftly perceived this opening. Though his expression remained outwardly calm, a flicker of inner delight ignited within him, and his subsequent attacks grew noticeably more aggressive.
Observing the unfolding scene, Li Zhirui lightly shook his head, remarking, "He's fallen into the trap." He mused that if the other combatant failed to recognize this reality promptly, he might very well face defeat.
Fu Chengguang concurred with a nod, adding, "Nevertheless, his boldness is commendable. Such a risky maneuver carries inherent dangers; a single misstep could lead to dire consequences."
"Without taking such risks, achieving victory might prove unattainable."
Among the vast throng of onlookers, it's possible that only these two discerning individuals grasped the underlying truth of the situation. The rest remained captivated by the thrilling, albeit misleading, advantage Wang Qingshan appeared to be gaining.
This starkly illustrated the profound difference in their respective insights and accumulated experience.
The spiritual fire surged with intense fervor, seemingly foretelling Zhao Hongyun's imminent downfall.
"Fellow Daoist, I concede!" Wang Qingshan declared with an air of unshakeable confidence.
"Cough, cough, again!" Zhao Hongyun, despite his worsening injuries, displayed a remarkably tenacious spirit, utterly refusing to yield.
"Should any unforeseen circumstances befall you next, do not hold me accountable for any ruthlessness shown."
"Come and fight!"
"Good, good, good!" His defiant attitude left Wang Qingshan, who clearly held the upper hand, somewhat flustered, prompting him to angrily launch another assault.
With a resounding boom, a spectral Fire Phoenix materialized, enveloped in terrifying spiritual fire. It launched itself at Zhao Hongyun with blinding speed, seeming to traverse dimensions as it instantly appeared before him.
Just as the battle neared its conclusion and he faced near-certain serious injury due to his delayed reaction, an unexpected turn of events occurred.
Transforming into a mere spark of thunderous light, he vanished from everyone's sight. The next moment, he reappeared directly behind Wang Qingshan.
"Fellow Daoist, it is finished!" Zhao Hongyun's icy whisper reached Wang Qingshan's ear.
Three bolts of lightning, the 'Thunder Stings', materialized and hovered menacingly before Wang Qingshan's forehead, heart, and dantian—his three most critical vital points. In this dire predicament, any attempt to struggle or resist would be utterly futile.
Only now did Wang Qingshan remain frozen in disbelief, struggling to accept that the tide of battle could have reversed so dramatically and so swiftly.
"How did I lose?"
"You were far too careless. You presumed that unleashing your ultimate move guaranteed victory, leaving your defenses lowered and providing me with the crucial opportunity."
Zhao Hongyun's explanation, in essence, preserved Wang Qingshan's dignity. He deliberately omitted any mention of Wang Qingshan's calculated feint, his arrogance, or his presumptuous underestimation.
"Ha!"
However, Wang Qingshan was no fool; how could he not discern the underlying truth of the situation? A self-deprecating, cold laugh escaped him, his voice laced with an overwhelming sense of desolate resignation, "I admit defeat..."
Without delay, Wang Qingshan transformed into a streak of spiritual light and rapidly disappeared from the scene.
"This duel—the victory is yours!"
The leading Earth Immortal from the loose cultivators' faction regarded Zhao Hongyun with a subtle darkness in his eyes. He remarked, "However, there is only a single Pure Spirit Grass available, and many among you desire it. I am curious as to how you intend to divide it?"
"That matter need not trouble you, Fellow Daoist."
"Hehe."
Before the words fully left his lips, the individual had already vanished.
Not every member of the loose cultivator contingent was willing to accept this outcome readily. Yet, with the strongest few Earth Immortals departing, they were left with no alternative but to acquiesce.
"After witnessing three rather gripping performances."
From their perspective, the battles involving Human Immortals and Earth Immortals were akin to mere spectacles.
Fu Chengguang suddenly inquired, "Fellow Daoist, are you interested in that spiritual object?"
Li Zhirui regarded him with a flicker of surprise. "If you desire it, I can simply seize it for you." He promptly declined, stating, "No need, I am content with my own innate abilities; there is no necessity to make an extra effort." "Since you do not want it, then we shall depart as well." The duo joined the throng, exiting the area as cultivators from the Three Mysterious Sect and other factions commenced their discussions regarding the allocation of the Pure Spirit Grass. "I can forgo competing for this Pure Spirit Grass, provided you grant me a Thunder Attribute Heavenly Immortal Rank spiritual item," Zhao Hongyun voiced first. He was acutely aware that his selection for the duel was not solely due to his superior strength and likelihood of victory, but also because his participation conveniently removed a formidable contender for them. He accepted, harboring the hope of acquiring his desired spiritual item through this engagement. "This..." "Agreed, I will procure this spiritual item. I trust Fellow Daoist will serve as a witness." While some exhibited apprehension, an Earth Immortal immediately assented. His proposition carried an unspoken agenda, aiming to utilize Zhao Hongyun's prowess to bolster their faction's negotiating leverage. "Excellent!" He readily concurred. Other Earth Immortals presented their own terms, seeking the opponent's withdrawal from the contest. Regrettably, aside from Zhao Hongyun, only three early-stage Earth Immortals, lacking any significant competitive edge, stepped aside from the contention. Following another round of deliberations, the Pure Spirit Grass ultimately found a proprietor, claimed by an Earth Immortal affiliated with the Three Mysterious Sect. To secure it, a substantial price was paid, leaving him uncertain of its true value or if future regrets would follow. ... At this juncture, the previously tranquil secret realm stirred back to life. Ultimately, it was the emergence of the Pure Spirit Grass that reignited everyone's fervor for exploring the secret realm. They discovered that even as its closure neared, precious spiritual objects were still awaiting discovery! In such moments, the potential rewards for finding and securing a spiritual object could surpass all prior gains. However, under these circumstances, ambushes and interceptions became considerably more frequent. Numerous cultivators, harboring lofty aspirations, met their end with severed heads along the way. As Li Zhirui and Fu Chengguang ambled leisurely through the secret realm, akin to sightseers, they frequently crossed paths with such unfortunate individuals. Content with their accumulated treasures and unwilling to squander time and energy on aimless wandering, their unwavering destination remained the exit of the secret realm. Throughout this excursion, a few unsuspecting cultivators attempted to lie in wait and launch an assault, only to be summarily plundered, their hard-won gains re-gifted to others. "We have arrived!" Despite their seemingly unhurried progression, their arrival at the final destination was not long delayed. Prior to their appearance, a considerable assembly of cultivators bided their time, individuals ranging from Individual Immortals to Earth Immortals, representing a spectrum of cultivation realms.