Under such fierce and brutal constant pursuit and competition, their speed of progress and combat power enhancement were astonishing.
Through repeatedly chasing others or being chased by others, the pressure of living on the edge of life and death in this process was enough to ignite all the potential within their bodies, bit by bit.
In a world of great strife, the strong remain strong, and the weak perish!
...
"Fairy Wan'er, I lost last time we sparred. Shall we have another few rounds?"
In the plaza, another male prodigy named Li Liguo, who was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, couldn't resist and challenged Zhang Wan'er, seeking to redeem his past defeat.
Zhang Wan'er was initially slightly stunned, as if surprised someone would challenge her. However, she quickly regained her composure.
Zhang Wan'er smiled and said, "Since you wish it, brother, please give me your guidance."
...
Ghostly energy permeated the air, and countless spirits and vengeful specters silently appeared in the center of the plaza.
In that instant, many people's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of caution.
"What kind of technique is this? Brother Wu, do you know?"
Lan Yingxiang asked Wu Tao, a look of astonishment flashing in her eyes.
It was clear that due to the antagonistic relationship between the Taiyi Immortal Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect, Lan Yingxiang believed Wu Tao would know something about the Heavenly Demon Sect's affairs.
Wu Tao hesitated for a moment before whispering to Lan Yingxiang, "Zhang Wan'er cultivates the path of commanding ghosts and controlling souls. She practices the Extreme Yin Ghost Spirit Art, a top-tier technique of the Heavenly Demon Sect. I have sparred with her before; it was a draw."
"Is that so? Then this is truly interesting. The one challenging Zhang Wan'er is also no simple character."
"His name is Li Liguo. Li Liguo is the senior disciple of the inner sect of the Xiandao Taian Sect, a large immortal cultivation sect. He comprehended blade intent three years ago."
"We were indeed right to come this time. Witnessing these repeated clashes between the strong makes me, a woman, feel my blood boil."
After speaking, Lan Yingxiang looked at Zhang Wan'er and Li Liguo with shining eyes.
"Blade intent, huh? Heh heh, how interesting!"
Wu Tao slowly exhaled upon hearing this, realizing the boundless nature of the Kyushu immortal cultivation world and the sheer number of prodigies within it.
Stepping out of the Taiyi Immortal Sect and making this trip had indeed yielded significant rewards.
Not only had his horizons broadened, but his own experience and knowledge had also been enhanced.
No wonder so many people enjoyed venturing out for trials.
...
On the other side, Zhang Wan'er had already begun fighting Li Liguo.
A dark green light flickered in Zhang Wan'er's eyes, appearing exceptionally sinister and mysterious.
Then, Zhang Wan'er's body swayed slightly, appearing somewhat ephemeral under the sunlight.
The next moment, she instantly materialized six dark shadows, like ghosts, moving with uncanny agility.
These six dark shadows clung to him like maggots on bone, following him relentlessly as they attacked Li Liguo.
Li Liguo was no pushover. Wielding the residual treasure, the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber, his blade intent immediately surged. He let out a great shout, saying, "Power of the Five Peaks, weight of the universe, lend me your strength, and my blade shall cleave all!"
Following his words, the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber in Li Liguo's hand erupted with a dazzling purple light.
This purple light shot straight into the sky, with tiger-like roars shaking the heavens. Continuous saber shadows crisscrossed, slashing and hacking.
The dark green glow appeared extremely conspicuous amidst the continuous purple saber shadows.
A series of explosions sounded, kicking up vast amounts of dust.
Within this dust, a cold sneer and a few gasps were heard.
The six dark shadows merged into one, then instantly dispersed.
Zhang Wan'er flickered, and the next moment, she silently appeared about a meter behind Li Liguo.
Her entire body was enveloped in green flowing light and shadows, exuding a mysterious and eerie aura.
...
Zhang Wan'er unleashed a Soul Devouring Seal.
The seal devoured souls and melted bones, corroding all things.
This was one of Zhang Wan'er's finishing moves.
The Soul Devouring Seal struck Li Liguo's back. Fortunately, he was wearing the extraordinary treasure, the Silver Crystal Mirror Light Armor, which prevented any severe injuries.
...
The many prodigies watching from the stands could not help but show a hint of surprise on their faces.
Wu Tao frowned even more deeply, exclaiming inwardly, "How is this possible? Why does Zhang Wan'er know the 'Simian Flowing Light Shadow Technique'? This uncanny, wicked art."
The Simian Flowing Light Shadow Technique was one of the Heavenly Demon Sect's foundational secret arts.
To cultivate the Simian Flowing Light Shadow Technique, one had to be born with an extremely Yin and pliable nature, specifically born in a Yin year, Yin month, Yin day, Yin hour, and Yin minute – what is known as a pure Yin body.
Only women possessing a pure Yin body had a chance to master it.
However, a pure Yin body was an extremely rare constitution, with perhaps not even one appearing among a hundred thousand women.
Could Zhang Wan'er be a pure Yin body...
As one flower blooms, two branches diverge.
A chilling gaze filled Zhang Wan'er's eyes. Her alluring and captivating face, capable of toppling nations, curved into a cold smile.
A killing intent rose within her, and in her right hand, a top-tier magic weapon, the Blood-Colored Demon Bone Blade, appeared out of nowhere.
A bone-chilling cold light flashed. The Blood-Colored Demon Bone Blade tore through the air, emitting a whistling sound as it pierced towards Li Liguo's heart.
Li Liguo instinctively felt something was wrong the moment Zhang Wan'er's figure vanished. He gasped and quickly turned, using the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber to protect his vital areas.
Seeing this, Zhang Wan'er gently flicked her jade hand. Like a dancing venomous snake, she changed the direction of her thrust.
The Blood-Colored Demon Bone Blade shifted from a thrust to a slash, unleashing a green-black blade energy towards Li Liguo.
Li Liguo, holding the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber, advanced towards Zhang Wan'er step by step. With each step he took, his blade intent increased. By the ninth step, a dominant blade intent erupted towards the heavens.
The sky-piercing blade intent directly shattered the green-black blade energy, preventing it from coalescing.
"Heh heh, Brother Li seems very confident!"
A crisp laugh escaped Zhang Wan'er's fiery red lips. Her every movement exuded a unique charm, completely betraying the murderous intent from moments before.
"Hmph, without confidence, one loses a point of momentum from the outset. How dare I, Li Liguo, challenge you if I were not confident?"
Li Liguo, now in combat mode, was completely unfazed by Zhang Wan'er's beauty. He retorted firmly.
"Bang!"
Li Liguo swung the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber, launching the first attack.
The fierce and domineering saber energy, propelled by his blade intent, was like a proud tiger surveying the world, slashing heavily towards Zhang Wan'er not far away.
"Devour me!"
Zhang Wan'er took a step forward, her slender, fair hand artfully striking the saber energy.
"Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"
The slender, fair hand, seemingly weak and powerless, transformed into many eerie and terrifying ghost hands that devoured the fierce and domineering saber energy.
"Mingyi Duan Yue!"
Li Liguo roared, gripping the Yueyuan Mingyi Saber with both hands and unleashing his ultimate move, cleaving down with a single strike.
A purple saber energy, nearly a hundred zhang long, shot through the air, carrying immense battle intent as it violently slashed forth.
Its power made even Wu Tao, observing from the side, secretly marvel, lamenting that these prodigies were indeed extraordinary, their skills far exceeding others' imaginations.
"Heavenly Ghost Soul Devour!"
Zhang Wan'er's eyes grew serious. She pushed her hands forward, and a colossal Yin spirit and vengeful specter king, over two hundred zhang in size, suddenly appeared. It twisted and shattered the nearly hundred-zhang-long purple saber energy, ultimately devouring it.
"Such powerful techniques!"
Li Liguo stared intently at Zhang Wan'er and stopped attacking.
"To make me use Heavenly Ghost Soul Devour, you are indeed quite capable!"
Zhang Wan'er smiled faintly, and her alluring, captivating charm returned to her face.
The Yueyuan Mingyi Saber was sheathed. Li Liguo shook his head and replied, "I lost, I lost. There is nothing else to say."
He hadn't expected Zhang Wan'er to be so powerful after advancing to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Fortunately, he wasn't too far behind her.
Wu Tao observed all this, calculating silently in his mind.
As Zhang Wan'er and Li Liguo's spar concluded, others, unwilling to be outdone, began their own duels, including the host, Cao Yu.
Cao Yu's primary skill was Feng Shui secret arts. With his mastery of Feng Shui, he could control the universe and suppress mountains and rivers, consecutively defeating several opponents with formidable skills.
Cao Yu immediately became the center of attention, with several followers standing behind him, exuding more majesty and grandeur than anyone else.
Cao Yu possessed a towering physique like a celestial being, a gentle countenance, a tall stature, and an aura of aloofness that emanated from his entire being.
Majesty and grandeur were not merely ostentatious or useless displays.
As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and gold adorns the Buddha.
Only through majesty and grandeur could one immediately convey their status and power.
Lan Yingxiang couldn't help but say to Wu Tao, "Don't be fooled by Cao Yu's always affable demeanor; when he truly fights, he is exceptionally ruthless."
Wu Tao nodded upon hearing this.
In this world, some people wear sheep's clothing but are wolves at heart.
Such individuals, when they erupt, are far more terrifying than other villains.
Cao Yu was undoubtedly the cultivator with the best, even perfect, temperament that Wu Tao had ever encountered.
His entire being, including his body, spiritual energy, and soul, was utterly flawless, as if he were a celestial being from a heavenly palace, residing high above!
"No wonder Cao Yu commands the support of so many proud and arrogant prodigies..."
Wu Tao thought to himself, "This person presents himself too perfectly on the surface!"
"He is as perfect as a non-human existence, like an immortal, a Buddha, or a god!"
"Before those of lower status, he is a convincing, perfect leader."
"Those of higher status will also value and appreciate him due to his aura."
(New book is being updated. Please collect, vote for recommendations, and share. The more support you give, the better. Thank you, friends. Your support is my motivation!)