Daoist Competition

Chapter 1367: Chapter 70: Xuanyue Guardian Illusion Palace Ring (Part 2)

Chen Shougu bitterly smiled and said, "This humble Daoist is also not at liberty and can only defer to the elder’s brilliance."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two separated. Jin Ling retrieved a golden ring from his sleeve, tossed it into the air, and with a quick spell, it suddenly transformed into hundreds, swirling and whistling before diving downward, smashing down upon him.

In fear of the Old Daoist’s reputation, Chen Shougu was intimidated before the fight began. Seeing him use his renowned Dharma Treasure, the "Illusion Palace Ring," right away, he quickly used his tunneling light to dodge away.

He had no intent to engage in fighting with this person, planning to hold on for an hour before retreating. The opponent’s Daoist cultivation far surpassed his own, and if he could last that long, no one could fault him for his inability.

He intended to drag it out as long as he could, but the golden rings seemed to have a spiritual nature, spreading out in pursuit, multiplying until there were thousands, surrounding him from every direction, above and below, filled with the shadow of these golden rings.

Even though Chen Shougu knew some were real and some were fake, he didn’t expect the opponent’s methods to be even more formidable than rumored. Continuing like this, in no time, he would have no escape route.

Pondering strategies in desperation, he considered several but dismissed each one. Seeing Jin Ling with such a murderous demeanor, he realized if the moment came to take his life, he would show no mercy. At this thought, his anger flared.

He pulled a handful of purple beads from his Sleeve Bag, gripping them tightly in his palm.

This item, known as the "Purple Gang Bead," was made many years ago when he accidentally acquired a half-inch Purple Thunder Wood and refined it with several close friends over decades.

Since it was difficult to obtain, he only got seven beads, viewing them as a protective life-saving measure and had never used them since their creation.

However, while this item was quite powerful, if used from too far a distance, it gave the opponent plenty of time to dodge, so it was best deployed at close range.

Determined, Chen Shougu set several traps and showed vulnerabilities to lure Jin Ling closer, but the Old Daoist was exceptionally cunning, completely ignoring his provocations. Instead, the golden rings almost caught up to him several times.

Chen Shougu’s repeated schemes failed, and inevitably, he became frustrated. His energy waned, and his tunneling light momentarily slowed. This lapse gave Jin Ling an opportunity. His eyes flashed with a sharp light as he suddenly shouted, causing thousands of golden rings to surge forward in unison, descending like rain, continuously striking his Protective Treasure Light.

Though some were real and some were fake, after continuous blows, Chen Shougu couldn’t withstand them any longer. Provoked, he gritted his teeth, thinking, "Could I truly be afraid of you? Since you force my hand, don’t blame me for fighting to the death."

He took out a blood-red elixir pill and shoved it into his mouth, chewing hurriedly, then swallowing it. Immediately, hundreds of spiritual lights appeared around him, merging with his Protective Treasure Light. His entire being seemed to retreat into a dense jelly-like substance, becoming increasingly indistinct to the naked eye.

Elder Bai witnessed this and shook his head, commenting, "The Three Great Evil Sects’ harmful influences run deep. I didn’t expect such evil spirits to remain so prevalent even now."

Although the Mountain Gates of the Three Great Evil Sects were destroyed years ago, the immortal cities scattered everywhere couldn’t be conquered easily, resulting in many items refined by the Evil Sect being spread out. Some Great Sect cultivators dismissed them, leaving them for small sect detached cultivators to collect. What Chen Shougu used was originally a Protective Dharma pill refined by the Fu Yang Sect.

Jin Ling raised an eyebrow, recognizing the pill’s origins, but a mocking smile appeared on his face.

While this Dharma pill made for a difficult barrier to break through, any user would find it hard to perform Flying. He had plenty of means to deal with it.

Nonchalantly recalling the golden rings from all around, he cast another spell, causing each ring to latch onto Chen Shougu’s Protective Treasure Light. If the light resisted, he would cautiously retreat, but upon any sign of submission, he tightened the Power Dao.

Back and forth, it wasn’t long before Chen Shougu felt his mana greatly depleted, growing weary.

Yet, he gritted his teeth, enduring, his eyes bloodshot, fixed intently on Jin Ling. Holding the thunder pearl in hand, he waited for the right moment when the opponent would let down their guard.

In another moment, his Protective Treasure Light began to falter under the strain, dimming. Knowing he would have no more chances, he suddenly flung all seven thunder pearls.

Even then, Jin Ling didn’t lose his caution. Seeing objects flying his way, he made no attempt to intercept them; instead, he flicked his robe sleeve, instantly invoking a Gang Wind to escape far away.

The thunder pearls landed in an empty space, exploding thunderously with fire and thunder, as if heaven and earth were collapsing. Several nearby flying peaks were shattered, causing those below to gasp in astonishment.

Jin Ling was slightly moved, not expecting his adversary to hide such potent thunder pearls. Had he been careless, he might have faced disaster here, even as he marveled at the scene before him.

Seeing that he hadn’t injured the person at all, Chen Shougu felt a pang of disappointment. While Jin Ling had retreated far away, and unable to control the golden rings, he forced out all his mana, shook them loosely, then used all his strength to tunnel out, harnessing the Gang Wind to flee back along the same path.

But he had scarcely gone far when the golden ring spun around in the air. In an instant, Jin Ling tunneled a hundred yards, closing in, the golden ring following for another hundred yards. After three more rotations, it had reached him. Immediately after, a spell cast sent all the golden rings flying up, ensnaring Chen Shougu once again.

By this time, Chen Shougu was helpless as prey trapped in a jar, devoid of any resistance. He pleaded, "Daoist Jin Ling, spare my life."

Jin Ling’s expression remained indifferent, ignoring him entirely. With a surge of mana, the golden rings tightened in an instant, and Chen Shougu’s scream echoed before being shredded into countless pieces.

Even so, Jin Ling was not satisfied, casting a Gang Thunder to annihilate the escaping Primordial Spirit. His face bore no joy or sorrow, as though he had done an ordinary task. Looking down coldly, he asked, "Who among you is next to fight?"

...

...(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)