115: Chapter 114 Sparring

True Lord Qingyue originally wanted to refuse.

She had come here to hunt down Cang Xuanzi, and the faster she completed the mission, the better. She had always been impatient with this kind of socializing.

But as her gaze swept over Jiang Yueling beside her, she changed her mind.

This girl was proud and arrogant; this was the perfect Opportunity to let her see the world outside and temper her character.

"Then I shall trouble you," True Lord Qingyue said.

She turned and gave a few instructions. A portion of the people remained on the warship to stand guard, while the rest followed her off the vessel.

The Old Ancestor led the way, and the group headed toward the banquet location in a grand procession.

The banquet was set amidst a range of mountains.

It was a venue the Old Ancestor had specially created—open, flat, and with pleasant scenery. Surrounded by mountains with lush green peaks, a stream wound its way down from the heights, the sound of water gurgling. Long tables were arranged along the stream, laden with various spirit fruits and spirit cuisine, their fragrance filling the air.

Yun Ming glanced at the spirit cuisine on the tables, his eyes lighting up slightly.

These spirit cuisines were much more Advanced than the few portions he had taken from the Sunset Glow Sect back then. Just those spirit fruits alone started at the second grade, and some even reached the third grade.

The Old Ancestor had really spared no expense.

He didn't stand on ceremony either, finding a seat and reaching out to grab a spirit fruit.

He had just taken a bite and hadn't even had time to swallow when—

True Lord Qingyue stood up.

The True Lord spoke:

"I have come here not only to hunt down the madman who dared to kill a Nascent Soul of my Shenduan Sect but also for another matter—to purge the demonic Cultivators of the Ximing Continent."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. "There is a list on the warship recording the identities, Realms, and bounties of the major demonic Cultivators in the Ximing Continent. If you are interested, you may personally slay these demonic Cultivators and bring their tokens or Nascent Souls to the warship to exchange for bounties and rewards. The bounties are generous, and I do not speak falsely."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd below immediately broke into discussion.

Some were eager to try, their eyes shining. Those bounties certainly wouldn't be low. If they could slay one or two famous demonic Cultivators, they would not only get the bounty but also gain recognition before a great Sect like the Shenduan Sect, which might lead to other opportunities in the future.

But others remained impassive, silently eating spirit fruits as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

Yun Ming was one of them.

He had absolutely no interest in the bounties. Demonic Cultivators, bounties—how could any of that be as practical as the table full of spirit cuisine before him? He grabbed another purple spirit fruit and took a bite; the juice exploded in his mouth, sweet with a hint of Spiritual Qi, making him squint in comfort.

—This fruit is not bad. I'll see if I can get some seeds later to plant in the map of mountains and rivers.

True Lord Qingyue spoke again:

"Furthermore, I have a beloved Disciple who recently made a Breakthrough to the Golden Core, yet she is restless and arrogant. I brought her here to let her see that there is always someone better and to temper her unruly nature."

She glanced sideways at Jiang Yueling and said calmly, "Among those present, are there any Fellow Daoists who have also just reached the Golden Core and would be willing to spar with her? If you win, I have some small baubles to offer as rewards."

As her voice fell, Jiang Yueling stepped forward.

The hem of her long dress trailed on the ground, making her figure appear even more graceful. She lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping across the crowd with undisguised arrogance—a look as if she were not looking at a group of Golden Core Cultivators, but at a pack of stray dogs and clay chickens.

She didn't even spare a glance for the Ancestor of Qingxuan Sect sitting at the head.

"Master," she spoke, her voice crisp yet carrying a hint of pride, "there's no need to limit it to those who just reached the Golden Core. I wouldn't even care about the Golden Core Middle Stage. As for the Late Golden Core Stage..." The corners of her mouth curled into a smile, "that might be worth a fight."

The area below suddenly fell silent.

Immediately, a suppressed anger quietly spread.

Who among those who could reach the Golden Core didn't have some talent? Who didn't have their own opportunities? To be pointed at by such a young girl who had just broken through and told they were 'not worth caring about'—who could endure that?

"I'll do it!"

A young man stood up abruptly.

Yun Ming glanced at him and had some impression of him. This person had come to the Qingxuan Sect a year or two later than he had. He seemed to be a member of the Old Ancestor's secular Family, from a branch line. It was said his Aptitude was originally mediocre, but for some reason, he suddenly rose, making a comeback all the way, and only joined the Qingxuan Sect two years ago, becoming a rising star of the Sect.

He was young and impetuous, unable to take provocation.

The man strode to the center of the field, cupped his fists in a salute to True Lord Qingyue, then looked at Jiang Yueling and said in a deep voice, "Lin Xiao of the Qingxuan Sect. Please advise."

Jiang Yueling looked him up and down, her gaze indifferent, as if she were looking at an object.

"Lin Xiao?" She gave a light laugh. "A decent name. However... it won't be too late to introduce yourself after you've won."

Lin Xiao's face darkened, and he said no more.

The Ancestor of Qingxuan Sect raised his hand and waved; a distant mountain peak was suddenly leveled, revealing an open and flat arena.

"You two, please."

The two of them flew up the mountain.

Below, the crowd continued to eat spirit cuisine, but their eyes were all fixed on that distant mountain peak.

The battle was about to break out.

Lin Xiao struck first.

His figure flickered as he closed in and threw a punch. That punch was simple and unadorned, without any flashiness, yet it carried an alarming momentum—the moment the punch was thrown, the surrounding air was compressed to the extreme, letting out a low boom. Space itself seemed to faintly distort, as if it could not withstand the power of this punch.

Someone below whispered, "Good fist technique."

Yun Ming nodded. This Lin Xiao's fist technique was indeed not bad; he followed the path of using absolute strength to overcome all techniques, and its power was startling.

However, Jiang Yueling only gave a faint smile.

She shifted her body slightly, avoiding the punch with an extremely elegant posture. Her skirt fluttered like a blooming flower, indescribably beautiful.

Immediately after, she also threw a punch.

This punch was far more beautiful than Lin Xiao's technique.

Her movements were like a dance, graceful and multifaceted. Every turn and every punch carried a certain rhythm, pleasing to the eye. Yet this seemingly soft fist technique exploded with startling force when it landed on Lin Xiao.

Bang!

Lin Xiao was struck in the shoulder, his body swaying as he was knocked back several dozen feet.

He gritted his teeth to steady himself and lunged forward again. His fist wind whistled as he threw punch after punch, each one with full power. But Jiang Yueling's movement was too agile, like a butterfly dancing gracefully, weaving through his fist wind with ease. His punches missed time and again, while Jiang Yueling's fists landed on him repeatedly.

Every time a punch landed, it was like a dance.

Every time a punch landed, it made his blood and Qi boil.

Neither of them used Magic Treasures; after all, it was just a spar, and there was no need to fight for their lives. Besides, if they really used Magic Treasures, Lin Xiao would probably lose within two rounds; he didn't have a Nascent Soul True Lord for a Master.

The crowd below gradually fell silent.

Some frowned, some looked solemn, and some were lost in thought.

Yun Ming munched on a spirit fruit, watching with great interest.

This Jiang Yueling's fist technique was indeed extraordinary. On the surface, it looked like dancing, but in reality, every punch hidden a killing intent. Her movement was exquisite, her footwork nimble, and while her fist technique seemed soft, it actually contained continuous hidden force. Lin Xiao's fist technique should have been bold and open, but before her, he couldn't display it at all.

The time it took to drink a cup of tea passed.

Lin Xiao's fist momentum was already in disarray. He was panting heavily, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, and he had been hit by an unknown number of punches. The hidden force accumulated from those punches was rampaging through his body, making his Meridians ache faintly.

As for Jiang Yueling, her robes were still fluttering, and her breathing was steady.

Another punch.

This punch hit Lin Xiao square in the chest, sending him flying backward to crash heavily onto the ground.

Lin Xiao struggled to crawl up, but he spat out a mouthful of blood and finally couldn't hold on, collapsing to the ground.

Jiang Yueling withdrew her fist and stood still, her skirt falling into place, her posture elegant.

She looked down at Lin Xiao on the ground, the corners of her mouth curling slightly. "Not bad, to be able to hold on for so long. A bit better than I imagined."

After saying that, she turned and flew back to the banquet grounds, not sparing Lin Xiao another look.

Lin Xiao was helped away by several Disciples, his face ashen and his spirit crushed.

The area below was silent.

Jiang Yueling stood in the center, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with a hint of provocation. "Who else wants to come up?"