Chapter 127 - Arc 9: Disciple Recruitment | Chapter 127: Captured
Translator: Lynn
In a single exhalation, the entire onslaught of air blades was vanquished.
The arena now exhibited a tapestry of countless threads akin to silk, each spiraling and twisting with an eerie allure. These threads seemed to synchronize with Yun Lie’s intentions, escalating their power substantially.
At this juncture, Yun Lie maintained a purely defensive stance, refraining from launching his own offensive. Yet, even in this posture of steadfast defense, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s two potent assaults met with consistent failure.
Observing Yun Lie effortlessly dissolve Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s formidable techniques, Zhong Sheng’s ire ignited. Arching his arms into a contorted form, he thundered, “Earth Dragon’s Tail!” Instantly, his shoulder morphed into his elbow, as though conjuring a concentrated force. Closer inspection revealed the emergence of a dragon’s tail, rhythmically undulating as his arm vibrated.
Suddenly, with a sharp “snap!” Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng twisted his waist.
The maneuver resembled the motion of a lengthy whip, propelling the dragon’s tail forward. The sensation it generated was oppressively weighty, as though the very air around it would be crushed beneath its impact, yielding and recoiling from the assault.
The observing disciples instinctively took a step back, their expressions a medley of astonishment.
“I feel that if that move struck me, it would rupture my inner energy and demolish my foundation!”
“While I’ve witnessed several Golden Core stage cultivators, their techniques seem to pale in comparison to Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s.”
“It’s the subtle nuances that set Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s power apart.”
“Yun Sixiong is in danger this time!”
In truth, the dragon’s tail swayed gracefully through the atmosphere, extending over a span of more than ten feet. The speed of its strike was truly remarkable. The impact of such a blow would not only obliterate the dantian but also pulverize the body.
This had evolved into the ultimate maneuver.
Amid Yun Lie’s composed demeanor, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng unleashed a relentless offensive, fusing his murderous intent with his fury. This convergence enhanced the effectiveness of the “Earth Dragon’s Tail”, making it flawlessly fierce, surpassing its customary potency.
As the dragon’s tail surged forth, it appeared to elude Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s grasp. Infused with a thirst for vengeance, it sought to inflict severe harm upon Yun Lie. The potential disturbance caused by this onslaught seemed inconsequential; after all, Yun Lie held the status of a core disciple, deeply respected by the sect leader. Even if he were to sustain significant injuries from this assault, it might not lead to his demise. Moreover, the protection of his ancestral lineage bolstered him. The Sect Leader recognized the contrasting value between a defeated or deceased Golden Core cultivator and their burgeoning core disciple, allowing Yun Lie to potentially escape with nominal repercussions.
Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s reasoning was sound, etching a sardonic smile onto his face. Yet, his elation froze in the subsequent heartbeat.
Yun Lie stretched his fingers, each one resembling an impeccably sharp, frigid sword. With an inexplicable shift, these five fingers seemed to morph into a cage of blades, wide open to intercept the incoming dragon’s tail. Then, with a resolute snap, they constricted unyieldingly.
This mesmerizing sight left all the disciples in awe.
A fierce dragon’s tail swung forth, ensnared by the Sixing Officer’s five fingers. Despite its frenetic struggles, it failed to break free.
Even so, it continued to writhe violently, almost as if a spectral dragon’s head guided its movements, poised to reverse its course and devour anyone audacious enough to challenge its Dragon Tail.
However, with swiftness, the five fingers exerted pressure sequentially.
As silent as a whisper, the dragon’s tail seemed to freeze under the influence of five icy sword qi, trapped within the grip of those fingers, before shattering into fragments!
With the dragon’s tail obliterated, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng instantly experienced a counterforce that propelled him several steps backward. Under such overwhelming forces, his anger exploded, eyes reddening as he erupted, “You’ve shattered my dragon’s tail; taste my ultimate move! Earth Dragon’s Claw—”
As it turned out, due to the transcendent might of the “Earth Shade Earth Dragon Fist,” it proved incredibly challenging to control during application.
Over the years, Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng attained a measure of proficiency with the first three moves. Although he could execute the fourth move, it exacted a substantial toll on his energy and inflicted self-harm. Having seldom encountered setbacks, his once-healthy pride and arrogance had evolved into a potent driving force, verging on madness.
At this moment, all other concerns faded away as Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng unleashed a flurry of continuous grabs, driven by sheer determination.
Yun Lie finally sprang into motion. With a swift movement, he transfigured into a dark streak, materializing before Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng as swiftly as a shooting star!
Precisely as Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng initiated his Dragon Claw motion, Yun Lie surged forward with an unyielding power akin to a longsword in motion.
Within this progression, Yun Lie extended his hand once more, shattering the silhouette of the claw. His forward momentum remained virtually uninterrupted as his other hand seized Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s throat with a direct clamp!
Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng felt the immense force he had harnessed dissipating effortlessly. Abruptly, a formidable pressure tightened around his neck, ensnaring him. In an instant, his strength evaporated, his legs went weak again, and he sank to the ground, kneeling.
Before the potent might Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng had striven to accumulate could fully materialize, the observing disciples merely caught a fleeting blur before witnessing Yun Lie bring Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng to heel. The latter reluctantly knelt, submitting.
“The Ruthless Killing Swordmaster Yun Lie… such extraordinary might!”
“Just a while ago, Master Zhong exuded such arrogance, yet he was subdued so effortlessly!”
“Sixing Officers command the mantle of righteousness; even if you ponder it, the ancestors can’t meddle!”
As these discussions unfolded, Yun Lie also ensnared the void with his other hand.
The black dragon order, once used to bind Li Cai and his comrades on Jile Peak, reshaped once again into a draconic form. Guided by Yun Lie’s intention, it encircled and restrained Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng.
This black dragon order, under the authority of the Sixing Overseer, possessed intricately woven magical matrices. Those captured by the overseer, unless they exceeded the Nascent Soul stage, couldn’t break its hold.
The grip of the black dragon order held Li Cai captive, and he watched with dread as his second shixiong, whom he revered like a god, was effortlessly subdued. His face turned ashen, and gazing at Yun Lie felt like encountering the harbinger of death. A whirlpool of terror churned within him, silencing any inclination to speak.
In a mere quarter of the battle’s duration, it became clear to all disciples that Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng’s renown paled against Yun Lie’s might.
Yun Lie’s strength was scarcely matched by those in the golden elixir stage.
Xu Ziqing’s initial worries dissipated the moment Yun Lie sprang into action. His shixiong had always exuded an unwavering and unyielding aura, akin to an ancient rock unswayed by turbulent tides.
With Yun Lie now taking the lead, his presence outshone even the most audacious provocateurs. This allowed Xu Ziqing to merely appreciate the scene without burdening himself with excessive concern.
As expected, every attempt of Dragon Fist Zhong Sheng was systematically dismantled by Yun Lie. His capture was achieved with surprising ease, leaving Xu Ziqing in awe once more. The seemingly casual grip Yun Lie employed showcased astonishing power.
Inevitably, Xu Ziqing held a deep reverence for his shixiong. He could envision Yun Lie surging ahead, leaving same-level monks far behind, especially upon reaching higher levels in the future.
Although Xu Ziqing had experienced a breakthrough today, achieving some progress in Spring Rain swordsmanship, his elation was tinged with the awareness of the gulf between him and his shixiong. Nonetheless, this realization served as a potent motivator, compelling him to intensify his practice efforts.
Yun Lie took custody of the four individuals from Jile Peak, their futile struggles neutralized by the encircling black dragons. Their only recourse was to glare bitterly and spew invective at Yun Lie. Subsequently, Yun Lie seized the four black dragons by their tails, dragging them to a nearby vacant space, reserving the central area for the numerous spectators.
In the meantime, Su Xin approached from a distance. He initially cast a fearful glance at Yun Lie and then turned to Xu Ziqing, expressing gratitude, “Brother Ziqing, I’m grateful for your assistance earlier.”
Xu Ziqing modestly responded, “I played a minor role. Yun Shixiong would have upheld the sect’s rules regardless.”
Su Xin smiled, quickly changing the subject. However, after a brief pause, he inquired in a hushed tone, “Brother Ziqing, you cautioned me against entering Jile Peak. What’s amiss with that peak?”
Xu Ziqing reciprocated in the same manner, “A few days ago, I had a dispute with Li Cai. His behavior was unbecoming, and I found it distasteful. I mentioned it to shixiong, who advised me to stay away from that peak. It appears the atmosphere there is less than amicable. Thus, I thought it prudent to warn you to be cautious as well.”
Upon discovering that the caution had originated from the Sixing Overseer, Su Xin’s wariness intensified. Although a moment of hesitation gripped him, he pressed on with his inquiry, “Li Cai has been persistently attempting to recruit me into Jile Peak, but I sense there’s more to it than meets the eye. Do you have any insights?”
His previous suspicions revolved around Xu Ziqing’s potential involvement in this situation, suspecting him of plotting to use him as a vessel. However, he recognized the necessity of gathering additional information before devising a strategy to navigate this predicament.
Xu Ziqing’s brows furrowed slightly, and he responded, “I’m unsure, let me consult with my shixiong.” Su Xin couldn’t help but feel grateful and reassured by Xu Ziqing’s willingness to seek guidance from the Sixing officer.
Stepping toward Yun Lie, Xu Ziqing lifted his gaze and inquired, “Yun Shixiong, do you have any insight into Jile Peak’s intention to take Su Xin away?”
After a brief moment of contemplation, Yun Lie replied, “Decades ago, the senior disciple of the Jile Patriarch encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation. He requires a cultivator with a single fire root and a cultivation level surpassing the Golden Core Transformation stage to serve as a vessel for his breakthrough.”
Xu Ziqing was taken aback.
In this scenario, Li Cai’s plan involves offering Su Xin to the Jile Patriarch and subsequently handing him over to the so-called senior disciple. Such a course of action is reminiscent of practices followed by sects considered heretical. This realization furrowed Xu Ziqing’s brows.
Sensing Xu Ziqing’s concerns, Yun Lie understood his line of thinking and elaborated, “If the Jile Patriarch accepts Su Xin as a disciple and imparts teachings to him, it wouldn’t constitute a violation of the sect’s regulations. Such a situation would be difficult to penalize.”
While Xu Ziqing understood the situation well, he recognized the intricacies of rules and regulations. The realm of sects often harbors gaps and vulnerabilities. Given the relative prevalence of individuals possessing single spiritual roots within large sects, several such cases emerge every century. Holding a Nascent Soul Patriarch accountable for such circumstances would appear unwarranted.
Considering Su Xin’s resolute nature, a promising path lies ahead for him if he continues to pursue his cultivation. Nevertheless, his present vulnerability makes safeguarding himself a formidable challenge.
Expressing his frustration, Xu Ziqing exhaled deeply, “Given the circumstances, it seems that if Su Xin wants to ensure his safety, his only recourse might be self-exile.”
Parallel to Xu Ziqing’s apprehensions, Su Xin reached a similar conclusion. Yet both individuals struggled with the idea of relinquishing their hard-won position in the sect.
Perceiving Xu Ziqing’s thoughts, Yun Lie suggested, “More than twenty years ago, a disciple with a single fire spiritual root joined our ranks. This individual exhibited exceptional talent even before reaching the Golden Core stage. The Jile Ancestor originally intended to induct them into Jile Peak, yet their plan was thwarted by the fervent Shenhuo Peak ancestor. This fiery ancestor’s might rivals that of the Jile Patriarch and is characterized by a fierce and principled nature. If Su Xin becomes a disciple of the Shenhuo Patriarch, he may be able to evade this impending predicament.”
Xu Ziqing’s eyes brightened as he replied, “Thank you for this guidance, Shixiong. I’ll inform Su Xin without delay!” With those words, he hurried to convey the advice to Su Xin.
Much like Xu Ziqing, Su Xin was hesitant to depart from the sect. Yun Lie’s suggestion resonated harmoniously with his aspirations.
Now equipped with a viable solution, Xu Ziqing returned to Yun Lie’s side, monitoring the captive quartet while awaiting their shixiong’s further instructions.
To Jile Peak and its constituents, this episode proved profoundly embarrassing, a spectacle that concluded before the assembled observers.
Taking custody of the four detainees, Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing mounted the puppet black vulture and ascended toward the inner gate.
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