232: Chapter 232 The Final Victory

Chen Lingyan's gaze was solemn; the Zheng Yiquan before him was clearly different from the other few.

With his strength, defeating a normal Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection would not be difficult. However, Zheng Yiquan was not only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection, but he was also not an ordinary Qi Refining Cultivator.

As for how much of a gap there was in strength between the two sides, for example, a normal Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection Cultivator possessing two First-Grade High Grade Magical Artifacts would have a combat power of one. Meanwhile, a Cultivator who had just advanced to Foundation Establishment, not counting Magical Artifacts and other means to enhance combat power, would have a combat power of roughly five. If they possessed any kind of Second-Grade Low Grade Magical Artifact, their combat power would be ten.

Then Chen Lingyan's combat power was one point five. At most, when making a Breakthrough to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Perfection, he could reach two.

As for Zheng Yiquan, paired with his First-Grade Top-Tier Magical Artifact and his own pure magic power, his combat power could similarly reach one point five, evenly matched with him.

Both sides were on the verge of breaking out; Chen Lingyan manipulated the red flying sword to attack.

Zheng Yiquan sacrificed a gold-silver shield while controlling that First-Grade Top-Tier Sky-Breaking Blade to slash out.

Clang, clang, clang!

The two First-Grade Top-Tier Magical Artifacts intersected in mid-air, continuously sparking.

Seeing this, Chen Lingyan struck out with a palm, the Flame-Incinerating Bone-Dissolving Palm.

Zheng Yiquan hurriedly drove the gold-silver shield to block in front of him, and then he continued to manipulate the Sky-Breaking Blade to endlessly entangle with the red flying sword.

It was not that he did not want to end the battle early; mainly, after his most relied-upon attack method was blocked, he could only drag Chen Lingyan down and fight a war of attrition.

Originally, his magic power was slightly more than Chen Lingyan's, but it had been consumed quite a bit earlier by that tall, stout man; otherwise, it would not be so troublesome right now.

While driving the red flying sword, Chen Lingyan continuously condensed magic power to strike out with the Flame-Incinerating Bone-Dissolving Palm. Every time he struck a palm, the magic power within his body was consumed quite a bit, but the effect was also very good.

In just two moves, cracks had already appeared on the gold-silver shield. With just two more strikes, the two sides should be able to determine the winner.

Just as Chen Lingyan was still condensing magic power wanting to strike out with another palm, Zheng Yiquan's eyes flashed. He formed hand seals with both hands, continuously casting incantations toward the Sky-Breaking Blade.

Suddenly, the rotation speed of the Sky-Breaking Blade increased several times over. Around it, the air was continuously cut apart by the wave of Qi, whoosh!

The Sky-Breaking Blade bypassed the red flying sword and went straight for Chen Lingyan.

This was Zheng Yiquan's final strike. If even this move was ineffective, he would no longer have any means to counter Chen Lingyan.

Watching the Sky-Breaking Blade rapidly approaching him, Chen Lingyan felt a chill down his back. He hurriedly manipulated the red flying sword to pursue the Sky-Breaking Blade while operating his Cultivation Technique with all his might, executing the Flame Crescent Slash.

The red flying sword carved a crescent moon in mid-air, and a crescent-shaped flame slashed onto the Sky-Breaking Blade. Under this strike, the two canceled each other out.

Watching the Sky-Breaking Blade that was hacked away and then stuck in the ground, Chen Lingyan felt some lingering fear in his heart. Just a moment ago, by a hair's breadth, he would have died.

"I lost, Brother Chen." Zheng Yiquan recalled the Sky-Breaking Blade and casually put away the gold-silver shield, his expression somewhat ugly.

He hadn't expected that in the end he still lost; what a pity.

"Thank you, Brother Zheng, for yielding. I will definitely treat you to a meal at Yixiang Pavilion later." Chen Lingyan cupped his hands in a salute to express his thanks.

"Brother Chen is being too polite." Zheng Yiquan turned around and left the arena, a trace of ruthlessness flashing through his eyes.

Chen Lingyan also intended to get up and leave.

"Hold on!" Xie Lingyun shouted.

"Hmm? Fellow Daoist Xie, is there anything else?" Chen Lingyan asked in puzzlement.

"You won, shouldn't you come and challenge me?" Xie Lingyun's Face was slightly flushed as she said unhurriedly.

"This Junior considers himself no match for Fellow Daoist Xie, so we shall part ways here." Chen Lingyan said indifferently, turning to leave.

He was here to fight, not to get married, let alone be expected to marry into the Family—what wishful thinking.

Seeing that Chen Lingyan had no intention of continuing his challenges, the passersby suddenly became speechless in their hearts. If you didn't want to marry her, why defeat everyone? Defeating them and then not marrying—wasn't this just wasting resources?

"Little friend, since you have won, why not come into the estate for a chat." The voice of that earlier Xie Family elder emanated from within the Xie Family courtyard.

"Since Senior invites, this one will naturally go." Chen Lingyan was very polite. Seventh Uncle being a Purple Palace Cultivator was true, but that didn't mean he was one. Therefore, facing a Senior stronger than himself, he was still somewhat modest and respectful.

After all, throughout history, there were many Cultivators who relied on their Family elders to give others no Face at all, only to be ambushed and killed. The key was that sometimes when they offended too many people, they wouldn't even know who made the move, and in the end, they could only silently swallow such grievances themselves.

Watching his casual appearance, Xie Lingyun felt some Life Qi and some depression.

"Hmph!" Xie Lingyun gave a cold hmph and stood up to return home.

Chen Lingwu also hurried over at this moment, entering the main gates of the Xie Family together with Chen Lingyan.

After the two walked into the Xie Family, they discovered that the Xie Family's estate was not all that prosperous; instead, it was as ordinary as worldly Mortals.

This was a courtyard with four successive compounds, yet it occupied a full thousand mu of land. Aside from being large, there was nothing else to it.

At most, there were just a few more rooms.

Xie Lingyun and those servants walked at the very front, while Chen Lingyan and Chen Lingwu walked at the back.

Neither side spoke a single word, silently walking all the way to the central hall of the Xie Family.

"Third Grand-Uncle, I have brought the person." Xie Lingyun walked into the central hall and bowed to the earlier Xie Family elder.

"Mm, two little friends, please come in." The Xie Family elder said kindly.

"Senior." Chen Lingyan and Chen Lingwu both bowed respectfully.

"I wonder why you little friends came here to participate in the martial arts competition for marriage not for our Lingyun, but for what purpose?" Xie Dexian said.

"Senior, we two Juniors just arrived in Cang Prefecture and thought of witnessing the outstanding talents of Cang Prefecture, which is why we went on stage to spar. As for marrying into the Xie Family, this Junior has no such intention. If this has disrupted the Xie Family's affairs, this one is willing to apologize here, or cede this first-place title to that Fellow Daoist Zheng." Chen Lingyan's tone carried a hint of apology.

He had truly only come to spar, but as a result, he accidentally won all the way to the end. In fact, he had originally thought of ceding first place to that Zheng Yiquan, but alas, the other party conceded defeat too quickly.

"So you are saying, little friend, that you are toying with our Xie Family." Xie Dexian's tone suddenly turned cold. Although he was somewhat wary of the two people's background, their Xie Family was also a Foundation Establishment Family. How could they allow two Qi Refining Cultivators to disregard them to such an extent?

"Senior, this Junior has committed many offenses, and I hope for your magnanimity. Otherwise, this one is willing to lose to Fairy Xie in front of everyone, which can also be considered telling everyone that I am not suitable for Fairy Xie." Feeling this chill, Chen Lingyan explained neither servilely nor overbearingly.

His previous behavior had indeed been a bit inconsiderate, but he had also provided a choice in a timely manner.

"Mm, to be able to remain so calm and composed when facing this old man, little friend, not bad, not bad." Xie Dexian withdrew his aura, his gaze carrying a trace of appreciation.

"It's just that if you do not give an explanation today, this old man cannot possibly let you go." Xie Dexian said indifferently. As long as the other party was willing to give an explanation and give Face to the Xie Family, he naturally would not continue to pursue the matter. After all, he had also investigated the background of these two people.

These two people came from that Chen Family that had just ascended to become a Purple Mansion Family.

As for that Chen Family Old Ancestor, it was rumored that in that great battle twenty years ago, he had defeated several Purple Mansion Masters. If the Xie Family could lean on them, that wouldn't be bad either.

Thinking of this, he had a decision in his heart.