96: Chapter 96: The Duel at the Dharma Platform – The Joyful Union Sect Suffers Consecutive Defeats

The Law Execution Platform was located on Yunhai Square, on the flank of the Hehuan Sect's main peak. It was a black jade platform spanning a hundred feet, with complex protective Formation patterns engraved around it, sufficient to withstand the impact of spells below the Nascent Soul Stage.

At this moment, the platform was crowded with people. Almost all the Inner Sect Disciples of the Hehuan Sect had gathered here, and the air was thick with a tense yet excited atmosphere.

Elder Hu and the Grand Elder stood side-by-side on the viewing seats on the east side of the high platform, their expressions solemn.

On the west side, Liu Rurao leaned lazily against a soft chair covered in brocade. Fairy Caidie stood in attendance beside her, and several Meiying Sect Disciples were lined up behind them. Each one was exceptionally beautiful, their eyes naturally carrying a hint of charm as they glanced around.

“First match,” Elder Hu's voice spread throughout the field via an amplification Formation, “Ning Caihe of the Hehuan Sect versus Fairy Caidie of the Meiying Sect.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a green figure landed gracefully on the Law Execution Platform like a startling swan.

The newcomer wore a moon-white robe with sword sleeves. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his face handsome and clear, and a sense of awe-inspiring Sword Qi naturally emanated from between his brows.

This was Ning Caihe, known among the younger generation of the Hehuan Sect as the 'Azure Frost Sword.' He was at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, and his attainments in the Dao of the sword were considered preeminent among his peers.

“Senior Brother Ning!”

“With the Azure Frost Sword taking action, he will surely uphold the prestige of our Hehuan Sect!”

A burst of cheers immediately erupted from below the platform.

Ning Caihe enjoyed a high reputation within the Sect, not only because of his superb swordsmanship but also because he was an upright person who never participated in those sordid dual cultivation practices, focusing solely on studying the Dao of the sword.

Fairy Caidie giggled, her Seven-Colored Rainbow Raiment fluttering lightly in the wind. Like a true butterfly, she floated onto the platform and stood ten feet away from Ning Caihe.

“Senior Brother Ning, please grant me your guidance.”

Fairy Caidie gave a graceful bow, her eyes shimmering with a thousand charms.

Ning Caihe's expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, “Please.”

Before his voice had even faded, he pointed his fingers like a sword, and a frost-white Sword Qi shot out from his fingertips. Everywhere it passed, the air condensed into fine ice crystals, making a 'chi-chi' sound as it pierced the air!

This strike seemed simple, but it actually contained the essence of the Azure Frost Sword Art's 'Ice Condensation into Qi.' The Sword Qi was concentrated without dispersing, moving with incredible speed, aiming straight for the vital acupoints on Fairy Caidie's chest!

The Hehuan Sect Disciples below the platform saw it clearly, and many secretly cheered.

Ning Caihe's first move was a killing blow, clearly not wanting to give the Meiying Sect enchantress any chance to use her charm techniques.

However, Fairy Caidie did not dodge or evade; she just covered her mouth and chuckled, “Senior Brother Ning is quite impatient~”

At the very moment the Sword Qi was about to hit her body, her figure suddenly rippled like water. She seemed to become an illusory image, letting the Sword Qi pass right through her!

After the sharp frost-white Sword Qi pierced the illusion, it stirred a ripple on the protective Formation and dissipated without a trace.

“Phantom Body Technique?”

Ning Caihe's brow furrowed slightly. His Divine Sense spread out instantly, but he found that he was unable to lock onto Fairy Caidie's true position.

On the entire Law Execution Platform, there seemed to be countless figures of Fairy Caidie dancing gracefully. Every single one had a flowery smile, and every single one had eyes filled with spring-like moisture.

“What is Senior Brother looking for?”

A soft, delicate voice suddenly sounded in Ning Caihe's ear, and warm breath brushed against his earlobe.

Ning Caihe's heart tightened. He swung his sword back in a horizontal sweep. The Azure Frost Sword was already out of its sheath, and the chilling Sword Qi spread out in a fan shape!

However, this strike missed again. Fairy Caidie's figure shattered like a bubble and reappeared three feet away.

“It's useless,” Fairy Caidie chuckled, her hands forming a strange hand seal. “Let Junior Sister show Senior Brother what true 'happiness' is~”

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Caihe suddenly felt the surrounding scenery change!

The Law Execution Platform disappeared, and the shouts of the Hehuan Sect Disciples faded away, replaced by a hazy pink mist.

In the mist, countless graceful figures could be vaguely seen dancing. Decadent music lingered in his ears, and the air was filled with a sweet, cloying fragrance.

“An illusion!”

Ning Caihe immediately realized he had fallen into a trap. He instantly centered his mind, held the Azure Frost Sword across his chest, and silently circulated the Heart-Clearing Incantation.

As a Sword Cultivator, his mind should have been as firm as a rock, and ordinary charm techniques would find it difficult to sway him.

However, Fairy Caidie's 'Thousand Illusions Love-Lorn Formation' was no ordinary charm technique.

The pink mist was pervasive, even able to penetrate through his protective True Qi to act directly on the depths of his Divine Soul.

Ning Caihe felt those long-suppressed emotions and desires growing wildly like a sparked wildfire—

He remembered that rainy night many years ago, and the gentle woman who held an umbrella for him;

He remembered his Revered Master's expectations, his fellow Disciples' admiration, and that heavy responsibility;

He even remembered the fleeting admiration for Senior Sister Leng Ningshuang that occasionally flashed through his mind in his midnight dreams...

“No!”

Ning Caihe suddenly bit the tip of his tongue. The sharp pain brought him a brief moment of clarity. The Azure Frost Sword erupted with sky-piercing Sword Qi, attempting to tear through the illusion.

But it was already too late.

To outsiders, Ning Caihe on the Law Execution Platform had suddenly frozen after Fairy Caidie formed her hand seals. The expression on his face fluctuated—sometimes confused, sometimes struggling, and sometimes showing an infatuated smile.

Although the Azure Frost Sword in his hand was pulsing with Sword Qi, he was just slashing wildly in the air, completely losing his form.

“What's wrong with Senior Brother Ning?”

“Not good, he's fallen under the Meiying Sect's illusion!”

The Hehuan Sect Disciples cried out in alarm one after another.

Elder Hu's face turned ashen, while the Grand Elder narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, “What Fairy Caidie is using is the Meiying Sect's secret 'Seven Emotions Soul-Luring Lead.' It can evoke the deepest desires and obsessions in a person's heart. Unless one's Divine Soul strength far exceeds the caster's, it is extremely difficult to break free.”

On the platform, Fairy Caidie walked smilingly to Ning Caihe, extended a slender jade finger, and tapped lightly on his forehead.

“Senior Brother is tired; it's time to rest.”

Ning Caihe's body jolted. The last trace of clarity in his eyes vanished. The Azure Frost Sword fell to the ground with a 'clang,' and his whole body slumped down. He had actually fallen into a deep sleep, a satisfied smile still on his face.

“First match, Fairy Caidie of the Meiying Sect wins.”

Elder Hu's voice rang out dryly.

Below the platform was a deathly silence.

No one had expected that Ning Caihe, hailed as the sword Dao prodigy of the Hehuan Sect's younger generation, would be defeated so thoroughly and so... pathetically.

Fairy Caidie walked gracefully off the platform. As she passed by Liu Rurao, she raised her chin triumphantly.

Liu Rurao nodded with satisfaction and took a sip from her teacup. Her gaze swept over the Hehuan Sect members, her eyes filled with undisguised ridicule.

“Preposterous!” An angry voice rang out. Immediately after, a fiery red figure leaped onto the Law Execution Platform. “Liu Rufeng of the Hehuan Sect requests Fairy Caidie's guidance!”

The newcomer wore a crimson robe and had a face so handsome it was almost demonic. He held a green jade flute in his hand. This was the Third Senior Brother of the Hehuan Sect, Liu Rufeng.

He specialized in the Dao of melody, using flute music to control people's minds. His attainments in charm techniques were second only to Leng Ningshuang among the younger generation.

“Senior Brother Liu has stepped up!”

“Melody against charm techniques—now this is a head-on confrontation!”

Hope was rekindled below the platform.

Although Liu Rufeng was usually dissolute and uninhibited, his strength was beyond doubt. With a cultivation at the Perfection of Foundation Establishment, he was only half a step away from Core Formation.

Fairy Caidie returned to the platform, her smile unchanged. “So it's Senior Brother Liu. I've heard that Senior Brother's 'Immortal-Luring Lead' has reached the Transcendent stage. I've long wanted to experience it.”

Liu Rufeng snorted coldly and brought the green jade flute to his lips. “Then please critique it, Junior Sister.”

He said no more, and the flute music suddenly rose!

At first, it was like clear spring water flowing over stones, gurgling and tinkling, making one's mind involuntarily relax.

But in an instant, the flute music changed abruptly, turning into the sounds of armored horses and clashing weapons, as a murderous aura rushed toward her!

Even more bizarrely, the flute music seemed to contain countless fine sound blades. They were formless and intangible but specifically targeted the ear orifices and Divine Soul.

“Sound Killing Technique!”

Some knowledgeable Disciples whispered.

Liu Rufeng gave his all from the start. Spiritual light flowed over the green jade flute. Within three feet of him, the air rippled due to the vibration of the sound waves.

This was his famous ultimate skill, the 'Soul-Splitting Nine Tones.' Each tone was stronger than the last. When all nine tones were released together, they were enough to damage the Divine Soul of a Cultivator at the same level!

Fairy Caidie bore the brunt of it, her face turning slightly pale. Clearly, this sound attack technique had a significant restraining effect on her.

But she remained unhurried. Her hands quickly formed seals in front of her chest, and her Seven-Colored Rainbow Raiment moved without any wind, actually emitting a crisp 'ding-ling-ling' sound.

The sound was faint at first, but as Fairy Caidie's hand seals changed, it became louder and denser, gradually standing its ground against Liu Rufeng's flute music!

“Is that... the 'Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flower Bells'?” The Grand Elder's pupils contracted. “One of the Meiying Sect's guardian Magic Treasures was actually given to her!”

Countless illusory bell shadows appeared around Fairy Caidie. Every bell was shaking gently, and the sounds they emitted wove together into a decadent melody.

This melody was not as domineering as Liu Rufeng's flute music; instead, it was soft and seductive to the bone, like a lover whispering in one's ear or spring water rippling in the heart's lake.

The two types of melodies collided fiercely on the Law Execution Platform, leaving the crowd below dazzled and mesmerized.

Many Disciples with lower cultivation levels already had flushed faces and rapid breathing, forced to use their techniques to resist the invisible sound wave invasion.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Liu Rufeng's forehead.

He could feel that although his 'Soul-Splitting Nine Tones' were sharp, they felt as if they were hitting cotton.

Fairy Caidie's bell tones were lingering and pervasive, gradually dismantling the rhythm of his melody.

Even more terrifying was that the charm power contained within the bell sounds was counter-eroding his mind through the confrontation of the melodies!

“Fifth Tone, Break!”

Liu Rufeng grit his teeth, and the flute music changed again, sounding like a clap of thunder from the Nine Heavens, attempting to break the soft with the hard.