Chapter 101: The Retreat

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Yuling intercepted Gucang. Naturally, Gucang was no match for her, but Yuling had no intention of harming him; she merely blocked his path while still having enough strength to divert her attention to the duel between Qingyuan and Lu Yushuang.

Qingyuan was originally a temple acolyte of the Celestial Palace, his learned techniques mostly focused on cultivation knowledge. His combat skills were mostly derived from Taoist arts he had studied. However, when one only reaches the first or second heavenly realm, their Taoist cultivation is insufficient and their understanding of the mystical intent is not yet solidified, thus limiting their ability to fully unleash their spells. Now, having stepped into the third heavenly realm and solidified his Taoist intent, his abilities were fully realized.

By conventional standards, even a cultivator at the peak of the third heavenly realm would not be a match for Qingyuan at present.

However, Lu Yushuang was not an ordinary cultivator.

She was a direct disciple of the Lotus Blossom Pavilion, her practiced techniques profoundly advanced, rivaling Qingyuan’s mastery of the Yellow Court Immortal Scripture. All her skills were also bestowed by the Lotus Blossom Pavilion, equally formidable compared to Qingyuan’s.

Qingyuan wielded thunder magic combined with solidified Taoist intent and immense personal strength. Yet Lu Yushuang’s Taoist cultivation was deeper.

In their battle, each had their strengths, resulting in a stalemate for a time.

“This person...” Lu Yushuang was inwardly shocked. Since beginning her cultivation, aside from disciples of her own sect or genuine successors of orthodox Taoist lineages, she had never encountered an equal opponent at the same rank.

When she first solidified her mystical intent long ago, she had slain monsters at the peak of the third heavenly realm. Now, having honed her skills for many years at the third realm's summit and gained sufficient insight into the middle third realm, although not enough to rival the masters, she would not easily fall to them.

In other words, she was nearly invincible here in the third heavenly realm.

Yet this young man, who only two days ago had not even solidified his mystical intent and was easily defeated, had now quickly reached a level to stand alongside her?

Qingyuan’s flame Taoist arts erupted instantaneously, sometimes unleashing thunderous divine powers. Compared to Lu Yushuang’s sword aura, the thunder was even more fierce, allowing Qingyuan to maintain the current balance.

His iron rod swung vigorously, infused with a layer of thunder energy. Combined with his great personal strength, the fight was evenly matched.

“Mustn’t let her react...”

Within the Lotus Blossom Pavilion, superior Taoist arts were by no means scarce.

High-grade Taoist techniques carried tremendous power, but those still below the master realm of the third heavenly sphere required long periods of energy buildup before deployment. Qingyuan had once studied a high-grade Taoist art named the Eight-Headed Fire Dragon Path, which was immensely powerful. Although his current cultivation allowed him to use it, it demanded significant preparation time and exhausted his true energy.

As a direct disciple of the Lotus Blossom Pavilion nearing the master rank, Lu Yushuang might not require as long to gather energy.

That was why Qingyuan pressed his attack with all his might, not daring to relax even slightly.

Yet, though he could maintain an undefeated stance, victory was hard-earned. If the battle dragged on, Qingyuan’s relatively shallower cultivation would gradually weaken his position.

“The direct disciple of the Lotus Blossom Pavilion... I have underestimated her. Had I known, I shouldn’t have engaged in battle.”

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Just as Qingyuan pondered his retreat, the jade token at Lu Yushuang’s waist suddenly glowed.

This was a communication device used among the Lotus Blossom Pavilion.

The Pavilion had eight disciples here, all at least of the third heavenly realm, and some even masters of the fourth. Now that Lu Yushuang was already difficult to deal with, if reinforcements were to arrive...

Qingyuan frowned slightly, then suddenly struck down with his staff, which was enveloped in a red glow.

Lu Yushuang’s Frost Blossom Sword was also covered by a layer of white frost along the blade. Their clash was evenly matched.

But Qingyuan used this force to step back and widen the distance.

“Go!”

Without hesitation, Qingyuan tossed out three black iron spheres.

Lu Yushuang recognized them as Iron Divine Balls but did not know they were damaged. She swung her sword, shattering all three spheres.

At that moment, two wooden carvings wrapped in talisman paper rolled on the ground and transformed into two tiger-wolves, pouncing forward.

Qingyuan had already reached Gucang’s side. Flames ignited, forcing Yuling back.

“Quick, run!”

As Lu Yushuang cut down the two tiger-wolves, Qingyuan lifted Gucang and swiftly retreated.

Lu Yushuang was about to pursue but saw Qingyuan raise his hand and release a blue talisman that exploded in midair, sending a murky aura scattering like dust.

As she reached out to clear the dust, Qingyuan produced a wind talisman, placing it on his back.

A fierce wind blew wildly.

Qingyuan and Gucang moved at an astonishing speed.

Behind them, the fierce wind broke branches and scattered green leaves, while dust and stones swirled up from the ground.

...

“Senior Sister,” Yuling blinked, “he’s run away again.”

Lu Yushuang sheathed her sword, expression calm, and replied with a nod.

Yuling stuck out her tongue and asked, “So, are we not chasing him?”

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Lu Yushuang replied calmly, “I am here to accompany you on your wanderings. If you want to cause trouble, I’ll go along with you. Whether to pursue him now or not depends on your wish.”

Yuling thought for a moment and said, “Then let’s not chase him.”

Lu Yushuang said, “What about your little dog? Won’t you avenge it?”

Yuling bowed her head and said, “Mom just told me that little dog wanted to eat people but was weaker than others, so it was killed. It’s not really its fault. I was just upset and wanted Senior Sister to teach him a lesson... but now it seems Senior Sister can’t easily deal with him either.”

Lu Yushuang, without any desire for victory, answered frankly, “His current skills are indeed difficult to handle.”

Yuling pursed her lips and then asked, “Then shall we go find Shen Lei?”

Lu Yushuang nodded, “Good.”

In truth, she had grown quite curious about that young man. If Yuling still wished to pursue him, she would not refuse.

Yuling said, “Shall I tell Mom?”

Lu Yushuang nodded slightly.

She knew Yuling’s mother was a flower demon of Mount Fuzhong, with profound cultivation and mysterious abilities especially potent within the mountain.

Yuling always stayed close to Lu Yushuang, yet somehow could communicate with her mother in ways Lu Yushuang had never discerned.

Moreover, the Lotus Blossom Pavilion’s effort to collect Shen Lei (Divine Thunder) here had assigned personnel to accompany Yuling, partly because of Yuling herself and also due to the assistance of Yuling’s mother. Now, the Pavilion’s seven masters had collected more Shen Lei than the Orthodox Taoist Sect, becoming the greatest beneficiaries in Mount Fuzhong.

“I’ll have Mom check how many Shen Lei have appeared nearby recently...” Yuling muttered as she walked forward. Suddenly, she crouched before a flower plant and whispered something.

Lu Yushuang reached for the jade token at her waist, activated her true energy, and immediately heard a faint voice. She listened carefully and then showed a look of surprise.

Looking up at the blue sky and white clouds, the bright sunlight—

“The orthodox Taoist Sect’s formation... is indeed damaged?”

P.S.: Thank you to everyone who has recently gifted rewards. Whenever I feel lost, seeing this list gives me motivation. Regarding reward-based extra chapters, due to new book word count limits, there will be a burst of additional content after release. O(∩_∩)O Thank you.