188: Chapter 188

Chapter 188

A month later.

"Why are there so many people at the Life and Death Stage today?"

"You don't know? Today is the day of the life-and-death duel between Li Yunshu and Senior Brother Nangong?"

"When was this life-and-death duel set? How come I didn't know?"

"I heard it was set a month ago, at the Tianyu Palace Grading Assembly. Many people were present then."

"No wonder people from the Nangong Family came this morning."

"I heard that Senior Brother Nangong has Broken Through to Earth Realm First Level, while Li Yunshu is only Xuan Ming Realm First Level. Isn't he seeking death?"

"I heard that Senior Brother Nangong hired an assassin to kill him, so he might have been pushed to the limit."

"Ah, there's such a thing?"

Nangong Chu stood on the Life and Death Stage, quietly waiting for Li Yunshu's arrival.

In this past month, he had already Broken Through to Earth Realm First Level.

This time, even if Li Yunshu continued to set up that defensive Formation, he was confident he could break it.

Today, he would become the rightful Senior Brother of Lanque Pavilion. Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled upwards.

Li Yunshu, Li Yunshu, now there's a major Realm difference between us. How can you win against me? Just with your tortoise Formation?

On the grandstand to the north of the Life and Death Stage, Nangong Nan and Nangong Tianyi had already taken their seats.

Nangong Tianyi was Nangong Chu's father, and also the City Lord of Tianshui City, a practitioner of Earth Realm Seventh Level.

Today, he specifically came to support his son.

Tuoba Canghai and Yun Jianli took their seats simultaneously at the main table, with Yun Jianli still leisurely sipping his tea.

He had been like this during Li Yunshu's life-and-death duel with He Yiming last time, and it was the same again.

Tuoba Canghai snorted coldly in his heart. With a major Realm difference, I don't believe Li Yunshu can stir up any more trouble this time.

To prevent Yun Jianli from worrying, Li Yunshu had already informed him of his Breakthrough to Earth Realm.

So he wasn't nervous at all this time, only worried that if Li Yunshu truly killed Nangong Chu, the father and son of the Nangong Family might not let it go.

Although he could stop Nangong Nan by himself, he couldn't stop Nangong Tianyi, and there was also Tuoba Canghai.

More and more people gathered on the Life and Death Stage. This time, it was even more exciting than the previous life-and-death duel, with the area below the Life and Death Stage completely packed.

"Why isn't Li Yunshu here yet?"

"Could it be that he's scared before the fight, chickened out?"

"How can you call that chickening out? That's called being prudent."

"Look, Great Master he's here."

The crowd automatically parted, creating a path. Li Yunshu walked through the crowd, stepping onto the Life and Death Stage.

"Li Yunshu, I thought you wouldn't dare to come."

"Oh, Junior Brother Nangong, after so many years of Cultivation, you've finally Broken Through to Earth Realm. Congratulations!"

Li Yunshu had long ago Broken Through to Earth Realm, so Nangong Chu found these words full of sarcasm.

"Your Realm is no longer Earth Realm, what right do you have to mock me here?"

"I wouldn't dare to mock Junior Brother Nangong, otherwise, who knows, you might spend 5000 Spirit Stones to buy my head again."

"You—"

This matter was indeed done by Nangong Chu. Last time, Night Assassin took his Spirit Stones but failed to complete the task, so he specifically went to demand an explanation.

However, Night Assassin said that for this matter, they had already lost three assassins, and one was severely injured.

They were willing to pay a penalty for breach of contract, and this order was canceled.

If he wanted to place another order, he would have to pay more.

In a fit of anger, he found Night Assassin's headquarters in the Eastern Region and placed an order for 5000 Spirit Stones.

The result was still a failure to kill Li Yunshu. Night Assassin's reply was that they had lost two more assassins.

They had already dispatched assassins from their ranking list, and the next attempt would definitely succeed.

However, Li Yunshu did not leave Lanque Pavilion for an entire month, which foiled his plans again.

But none of that mattered anymore. Killing him personally today would also save 5000 Spirit Stones.

On the grandstand, Tuoba Canghai stood up and spoke loudly.

"Today—"

At this moment, at the edge of Lanque Pavilion's Formation, the Disciple guarding the mountain gate announced loudly: "General Yuwen Chongqing has arrived!"

Tuoba Canghai muttered, what is he doing here?

Yuwen Xuanya rushed out from behind her Master and ran to Yuwen Chongqing's side.

"Daddy, I thought you weren't coming."

Yuwen Chongqing lovingly stroked his precious daughter's head.

"You wrote to me early, asking me to come today, so how could I not come?"

"Hehe, Daddy is the best."

Yuwen Xuanya followed Yuwen Chongqing back to the grandstand, returning to stand behind her Master.

Yuwen Chongqing cupped his hands and said.

"Brother Tuoba, I came uninvited, please forgive me. My little girl insisted that I come to watch an exciting life-and-death duel. I've spoiled her too much usually."

"General, your esteemed presence graces our sect. Please, take a seat."

No matter why Yuwen Chongqing came today, he could only welcome him. That was a General of the Dragon Dynasty.

He himself was a practitioner of Earth Realm Eighth Level, and he held military power. Who would dare to offend him?

"Thank you."

Nangong Tianyi stood up and said, "General, I trust you are well."

"City Lord Nangong, I didn't expect you to be here. It's been a long time since we last met."

"Today is the life-and-death duel between my son and a Disciple of Lanque Pavilion, so I came to watch."

"I see."

Yuwen Chongqing took a seat beside Yuwen Xuanya's Master.

"Brother, why are you getting involved in this mess?"

The speaker was Yuwen Xuanya's Master, Yuwen Nian, who was also Yuwen Chongqing's younger sister.

"Xiaoya insisted I come, I couldn't refuse her. Besides, I came to see how you're doing here."

Yuwen Nian turned her head and glared at Yuwen Xuanya. Yuwen Xuanya stuck out her tongue and stood behind her father.

She was worried that if Li Yunshu lost, her father could intervene and save Li Yunshu's life.

After the small interlude, Tuoba Canghai continued to speak.

"Today is a private grievance between Nangong Chu and Li Yunshu. The two have agreed to a life-and-death duel on the Life and Death Stage, and outsiders are not allowed to interfere.

Although Nangong Chu is my Personal Disciple, I will never show favoritism. All the Elders are here to bear witness."

Li Yunshu muttered inwardly, it's the same old lines.

Elder Qin, who was in charge of Lanque Pavilion's disciplinary actions, walked onto the Life and Death Stage, holding a life-and-death contract.

"Once you two sign your names, you can begin. You are responsible for your own lives and deaths, and bear no grudges against each other."

Nangong Chu picked up the pen and quickly signed his name.

"Li Yunshu, today, even if the King of Heaven comes, he won't be able to save you."

Li Yunshu smiled and said, "Just make sure you don't cry for your daddy later."

"You're seeking death!"

The Elder acting as referee said, "Alright, Li Yunshu, quickly sign your name, then you two can begin."

Li Yunshu signed his name on the life-and-death contract.

Elder Qin took the life-and-death contract back to the grandstand and announced loudly, "The life-and-death duel between Li Yunshu and Nangong Chu now begins."

Nangong Chu held a crimson longsword in his hand, staring at Li Yunshu like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

He unleashed his Earth Realm First Level Realm, casually striking out a sword.

"Such powerful strength! It seems Senior Brother Nangong has truly entered the Earth Realm."

"This must have already surpassed Li Yunshu's strength back then, right?"

"No need to say, Senior Brother Nangong has the backing of the Nangong Family, so he must have learned many high-grade Spiritual Artifacts."

Li Yunshu dodged the sword like a ghost.

At this moment, he had not yet unleashed his full Realm, but was using the Like Shadow Following Form movement Spiritual Artifact.

"This time, let's see how you dodge. Sword Lock Eight Desolations."

Nangong Chu snorted coldly, forming a hand seal with his left hand, and shaking his longsword with his right, releasing countless sword lights that flew out from the longsword. For a moment, the Life and Death Stage was filled with sword light.

Li Yunshu moved left and right, his figure flickering, and not a single sword light came close to him.

This past month, Li Yunshu had Cultivated Like Shadow Following Form. Although it hadn't advanced like Thunderbolt Flash, his understanding of this Spiritual Artifact had far surpassed that of ordinary people.

His movement technique was more fluid than before, and coupled with his fifth-level Mental Energy, all the sword lights appeared like slow motion in his eyes.

"Senior Brother Nangong, this is a fourth-grade Spiritual Artifact, right? Such powerful swordsmanship."

"Although Like Shadow Following Form is a third-grade movement Spiritual Artifact, it can move freely under a fourth-grade Spiritual Artifact. Senior Brother Ling has truly pushed this Spiritual Artifact to its limits."

"After all, he had long ago Broken Through to the Earth Realm, so his application of Spiritual Artifacts must be much more profound than ours."

"Senior Brother Nangong is only using a fourth-grade Spiritual Artifact right now, not exerting his full strength, and he hasn't suppressed him with Realm pressure."

On the Life and Death Stage, seeing that Sword Lock Eight Desolations couldn't do anything to Li Yunshu, Nangong Chu closed in, choosing to fight in close combat with his longsword.

This way, he could leverage his Realm advantage, using the pressure from his body to suppress Li Yunshu.

How could Li Yunshu not know Nangong Chu's thoughts? He formed hand seals with both hands, and Mental Energy surged out, condensing into Formation patterns.

A Qingli Tortoise Shell Formation formed around him. Since his Mental Energy had Broken Through to the fifth level, his Formation-setting speed was faster than before.

Bang—

The longsword struck the Qingli Tortoise Shell Formation, and ripples of collision spread out.

Nangong Chu had been defeated by this Formation at the Grading Assembly. As Li Yunshu's Mental Energy grew stronger, the defensive power of this Formation surpassed what it was before.

Nangong Chu sneered.

"Do you think I truly have no way against your Formation?"

His left index and middle fingers traced the sword's edge. The originally crimson longsword now emitted a dazzling red light from its blade, and a Blood Fiend Qi filled the Life and Death Stage.

The longsword absorbed essence blood, greatly increasing its power.

"That... that should be the Blood Fiend Sword, right?"

"Indeed, that is a high-grade Spiritual Artifact of the Nangong Family. If not for the Blood Fiend Qi, I would have thought it was just a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact."

Nangong Chu swung his sword again, striking the Qingli Tortoise Shell Formation.

Bang, bang, bang, one sword faster than the last.

Gradually, a crack appeared on the Qingli Tortoise Shell Formation, and after the crack appeared, it quickly began to shatter.

Nangong Chu had already swung more than ten swords, and his breathing was somewhat rapid.

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he felt that the defensive power of this Formation was even stronger than a month ago.

However, the Formation ultimately shattered.

Li Yunshu did not use Mental Energy to repair the Formation; he merely wanted to use Nangong Chu to test the defensive power of this Formation now.

"Die for me!"

It took over ten sword strikes to shatter the Formation, making Nangong Chu feel a complete loss of face.

He was facing a practitioner of Xuan Ming Realm First Level, one major Realm lower than him.

If he couldn't win easily, what was the point? Others would only ridicule him for bullying the weak.

Li Yunshu drew his Thunder Blade and held it horizontally in front of him, gripping the blade with both hands to block the heart-piercing sword.

The Thunder Blade trembled slightly, which was the fear of the blade itself.

Visible energy from within the Thunder Blade was being absorbed into the Blood Fiend Sword.

Li Yunshu was shocked: "This sword is actually so evil?"

He turned sideways, retreating a step to avoid contact with the Blood Fiend Sword.

With a bang, the Soul Crystal on the Thunder Blade shattered.

Li Yunshu didn't expect that sword to be able to absorb energy from other Spiritual Artifacts. The Thunder Blade was only a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact.

If it hadn't been for the Fusion of the Thunderhawk's Soul Crystal, that short moment would have turned this blade into a low-grade Spiritual Artifact, eventually becoming scrap metal.

"Did you see that? When the blade and sword clashed just now, it seemed like the Blood Fiend Sword could devour the power of that blade."

"That's the power of the Blood Fiend Sword! As long as its Blood Fiend Qi is activated, it can turn other weapons into scrap metal."

"I heard that the more power this sword devours, the stronger its own power becomes. The Nangong Family must have fed it countless weapons."

Nangong Chu gave Li Yunshu no chance to breathe, once again holding his sword and engaging in close combat.

Li Yunshu finally unleashed his Earth Realm First Level Realm, injecting Spiritual Power into the Thunder Blade.

Otherwise, the Thunder Blade wouldn't last many more sword strikes and would completely become scrap metal.

A powerful Spiritual Power Aura emanated from Li Yunshu's body, causing his robes to flutter.

At this moment, the area below the Life and Death Stage erupted.

"What's going on? Isn't he only Xuan Ming Realm First Level?"

"Could it be that his Realm didn't regress, and he was hiding his strength during the life-and-death duel with He Yiming last time too?"

"My heavens, Earth Realm First Level! Great Master is still Great Master!"

Even Tuoba Canghai was startled. Looking at Yun Jianli again, it was clear he already knew about this.

No wonder he looked so calm and composed. It turned out Li Yunshu had long since recovered his Realm, or rather, his Realm had never regressed at all.

Thinking of this, Tuoba Canghai shook his head again. Back then, when his Realm regressed, many Elders had examined him and confirmed it without a doubt.

The most astonished was Nangong Chu.

"This is impossible, this is impossible!

Li Yunshu, what method did you use?"

At this moment, Nangong Chu's mind was in disarray. He couldn't distinguish whether Li Yunshu's past actions were feigned or real.

Could it be that he was never poisoned, and everything was an act?

No, no, no, but Master had personally examined his body and confirmed he was indeed Xuan Ming Realm First Level.

But how could he recover his Realm so quickly within a month? Why was this?

The shadow of being the 'thousand-year second place' in Lanque Pavilion once again enveloped Nangong Chu's heart.

"Chu'er, don't panic!"

On the grandstand, Nangong Tianyi reminded him.

This single sentence instantly brought Nangong Chu back to his senses.

Even if you've recovered your Realm, now we're both at the same Realm. Why should I be afraid of you?

Nangong Chu's Aura instantly recovered.

Li Yunshu smiled. A struggling prey was more interesting.

The two rushed together, their blade and sword clashing, producing clanging sounds.

Li Yunshu felt that the Spiritual Power attached to the Thunder Blade was being absorbed by the Blood Fiend Sword. The power of this sword exceeded his imagination.