C18 ​

The Martial Practice Platform of the Profound Girl Sect was a mountain peak, cleaved into a flat surface by a single stroke. Its shape was smooth and rounded, offering a vast expanse where even a hundred people could stand without feeling cramped.

Today, Zi Chongyang and the seven elders of the Profound Girl Sect were seated in meditation on the observation platform adjacent to the Martial Practice Platform. All the disciples eligible to witness the duel had gathered around the platform's perimeter.

Gao Bing stood with his long sword cradled against his chest, eyes closed, exuding an icy aura of murderous intent. He was resolute in his goal for the day's battle—to vanquish Loong Jiaoyang!

"We've been waiting for half an hour. Why hasn't Loong Jiaoyang arrived yet?"

"Loong Jiaoyang is in seclusion at the Pill Refining Courtyard. It's likely he lost track of time while refining pills."

"Hmph, I think he's deliberately trying to forget. He's too scared to face the challenge."

"I agree. He's probably avoiding the fight on purpose. After crippling Gao Chuan, facing Holy Son Gao Bing means certain death. What chance does he have with his Human Level cultivation? He'd be defeated in an instant."

The murmurs of the Profound Girl Sect's disciples floated up to the stands above the Martial Practice Platform. An elder, unable to contain his impatience, spoke up, "Sect Master, shouldn't we send for Loong Jiaoyang? We can't keep waiting like this."

"He'll come. He made consecutive breakthroughs yesterday, triggering multiple Heavenly Tribulations," Zi Chongyang replied with serenity.

"Consecutive breakthroughs? Is that even possible?"

Zi Chongyang remained silent, harboring his own doubts. Yet, he had indeed felt the disturbances from the Pill Refining Courtyard the day before, indicating Loong Jiaoyang had faced several Heavenly Tribulations.

If Loong Jiaoyang were to hear Zi Chongyang's words, he would surely be shocked, knowing he'd have to be more cautious with his tribulations in the Pill Refining Courtyard from now on.

Although the Pill Refining Courtyard could shield Loong Jiaoyang from prying eyes and senses, the Heavenly Tribulations he invoked could still be perceived by Saint Level cultivators.

"Aunt Xuan, why have you returned? Didn't I instruct you to prevent Loong Jiaoyang from coming here?" Zi Shan asked with a frosty gaze, eyeing the leader of the Holy Maiden Protectors who had gathered around her near the Martial Practice Platform.

"By the Sect Master's command, anyone who dares to stop Loong Jiaoyang will face death without pardon," Xuan Lian replied.

With a glacial look, Zi Shan turned and glanced up at Zi Chongyang on the spectator's platform, then spun back, intent on intercepting Loong Jiaoyang herself. In an instant, Xuan Lian and Zhou Li closed in around her. "Saintess Zi Shan," Xuan Lian intoned gravely, "the Sect Master's decree forbids you from leaving this place."

"You all... very well, very well indeed!" Zi Shan seethed with rage.

Xuan Lian and the others bowed their heads in resignation, unwilling to cross the Sect Master and thus left with no choice but to displease the Holy Maiden.

Loong Jiaoyang removed the seclusion token, deactivating the Pill Refining Courtyard's Saint Level Profound Girl formation. He strode out, determined that after today's confrontation, he would depart the Profound Girl Sect to wander the lands. Though expelled from the Righteous Qi Sect and barred from joining any Righteous Dao Sect in the future, he firmly resolved not to align with the Devil Dao Sects, opting instead for the life of a solitary cultivator.

"Fellow Daoist Loong Jiaoyang, you've really emerged from seclusion?" came a voice just as he exited the Pill Refining Courtyard.

"Daoist Friend Guo Liangren, what brings you here?" Loong Jiaoyang inquired upon spotting the diminutive Guo Liangren.

With a rueful smile, Guo Liangren explained, "I'd rather not be here, but the Sect Master has sent me to escort you to the Martial Practice Platform. I had no choice but to oblige."

Then, turning his back to Loong Jiaoyang, Guo Liangren urged, "Fellow Daoist Loong Jiaoyang, make haste back to the Pill Refining Courtyard. Reactivate the formation and continue your pill refining in seclusion. Let's act as if this meeting never happened."

Loong Jiaoyang gazed at Guo Liangren, whose fists were clenched and body quivering, and with warmth in his heart, he said, "Fellow Daoist Guo Liangren, your concern is noted and appreciated. However, I cannot shy away from this battle. Please, lead the way."

"Brother Daoist Loong Jiaoyang, Gao Bing has reached the pinnacle of the Earth Stage and has vowed to slay you in vengeance for Gao Chuan. By going now, aren't you just inviting death?" Guo Liangren's voice was tinged with urgency.

"He's not the only one who's made a breakthrough." Loong Jiaoyang stepped forward confidently, the Eight Trigrams shining upon him, and the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast, the size of a human head, radiated intense heat.

"Middle Period of the Earth Stage... Brother Daoist Loong Jiaoyang, you've advanced so swiftly..." Guo Liangren whispered, astounded.

"Snap out of it, Fellow Daoist Guo Liangren, and keep up. I'm not familiar with the path."

...

An hour had passed, and the disciples of the Profound Girl Sect were growing restless with impatience. They hurled insults, branding Loong Jiaoyang a coward, convinced he was hiding to avoid the duel.

"Fellow Daoist Loong Jiaoyang has arrived. Make way, everyone."

Guo Liangren's booming voice caused all heads to turn and watch Loong Jiaoyang approach with an unyielding stride.

On the Martial Practice Platform, Gao Bing, who had been meditating with closed eyes, snapped them open and fixed a gaze filled with boundless murderous intent on Loong Jiaoyang.

Zi Shan's eyes, brimming with worry, also found Loong Jiaoyang, who approached her with a beaming smile.

"Fool Loong, why have you come? Don't you realize that Gao Bing has reached the Great Completion of the Earth Stage? Stepping up there is tantamount to seeking your own demise," Zi Shan admonished, her face a mask of anger.

"How could I not show up when I've made a promise to you?" Loong Jiaoyang replied.

"You big dummy!" Zi Shan's heart swelled with emotion.

"Daoist Zhou Li, may I borrow your long blade?" Loong Jiaoyang requested, extending his hand toward Zhou Li.

With a metallic ring, Zhou Li unsheathed the long blade and silently handed it to Loong Jiaoyang.

"Loong Jiaoyang, ascend to your demise!" Gao Bing's rage was sky-high, his murderous intent seething.

At this moment, Loong Jiaoyang chose to exchange tender words with Zi Shan, further humiliating Gao Bing in the presence of the entire Profound Girl Sect.

Loong Jiaoyang, blade in hand, leapt onto the Martial Practice Platform and declared, "Gao Bing, this is merely a spar. Let's keep it to light touches."

Gao Bing's mocking laughter filled the air. "Loong Jiaoyang, you've taken my woman, harmed my brother, and eyed the Holy Son's title, yet you have the nerve to speak of a mere spar? Once we step onto this Martial Practice Platform, fate will decide our paths. The victor claims all—the title of Holy Son and the woman. The vanquished will lie dead!"

Gao Bing poised his sword before him, yet his blade remained sheathed.

"As you wish!" Loong Jiaoyang responded, positioning his blade at his side, recalling the Great Demon Immortal Slaying Saber Technique imparted by the Pill Devil.

Gao Bing lunged, employing the Profound Girl Sect's Moon Chasing Steps, swift as lightning and elusive as a wisp. Clutching his sword, he thrust forward, creating an arc like a full moon. This arc shattered, unleashing fifteen sword shadows targeting Loong Jiaoyang's vital points.

This was the Moon-Crushing Sword Technique of the Profound Girl Sect—ethereal as an immortal, forceful as a moon's collapse, enigmatic and nearly impossible to defend against.

Unflinching, Loong Jiaoyang summoned the eight trigrams around him, the silhouettes of the Four Symbols Divine Beasts materialized, and the cry of a Vermilion Bird Fire Phoenix infused his long blade with power.

At the Earth Stage Middle Period!

In a flash, everyone discerned Loong Jiaoyang's level of cultivation!

Clang!

Loong Jiaoyang paid no mind to the myriad sword shadows lunging at him. With a horizontal strike of his blade, he met the truly lethal longsword head-on!

Thud, thud, thud...

It took Loong Jiaoyang five backward steps to regain his footing, as he quelled the tumultuous blood and disordered Spirit Power within him. The Spirit Power at the Great Completion of the Earth Stage was significantly mightier than that of the Middle Period.

"How could he possibly anticipate the reality behind my Moon-Crushing Sword?" Gao Bing brooded with a furrowed brow.

Surprise and uncertainty flickered in the eyes of Zi Chongyang and the seven elders. The Moon-Crushing Sword Technique's most elusive aspect was distinguishing between the real and the illusory sword shadows, yet Loong Jiaoyang had pinpointed them with unerring accuracy. Could this really be mere chance?