Chapter 500: Sect Master Lu Battles Young Sect Master Lu

The battle between the two Lu Yangs raged with consuming fury.

Sect Master Lu, a master of the esoteric arts, wielded the five elemental spells with effortless grace, while flexing a profound command over the twin pinnacles of time and space; moreover, by seamlessly fusing his fist techniques with his spells, he forced the four great immortal sect masters into a frantic, chaotic retreat.

Young Vice Hierarch Lu, on the other hand, was a devoted cultivator of the sword, possessing an understanding of the blade that far outstripped his peers at a tender age, directly rivaling that of the Nascent Soul realm.

"Who do you think will win? It is said that Sect Master Lu has attained pinnacle mastery over the mystical arts and has even crafted numerous unique spells of his own. To create original magic at this cultivation realm is a feat achieved by only a rare few throughout history."

"During the Qingzhou Grand Ceremony, he fought against two opponents simultaneously, defeating both Bai Ming and Lan Ting, yet to this day, none have managed to discern the true nature of the Golden Core he condensed."

"It is truly impossible to predict the victor. Did you not hear the Young Vice Hierarch say that his own talent is so terrifyingly high that even the immortals sought to suppress it?"

Lu Yang was indeed a peerless titan of his generation, and his every single movement held the captive attention of the entire gathered crowd.

In particular, the four immortal sect masters and the First Prince, Jiang Qun, watched intently, eager to see exactly how Lu Yang was managing to execute this extraordinary feat of fighting against himself.

The moment Sect Master Lu leapt down onto the martial arena, the Immortal Fairy took the initiative to yield control of the physical vessel to Lu Yang, allowing him to command both bodies in tandem for the duel.

"Fight well, Lu Yang! You must absolutely crush that fellow across from you! You are representing our Wendao Sect in this battle!" The Immortal Fairy first rushed into Sect Master Lu's spiritual consciousness to wave banners and cheer for him, before immediately darting over into the spiritual consciousness of the Young Vice Hierarch.

"Obliterate that rascal from the Wendao Sect! This is our chance to firmly establish the grand reputation of our Heavenly Court Cult!"

"...Fairy, if you have nothing else to do, please just rest."

"Oh, alright then."

During the period when the Immortal Fairy had served as the Acting Sect Master and utilized Lu Yang's body for cultivation, Lu Yang's own cultivation base had indeed advanced by leaps and bounds, particularly regarding his divine sense, which had ascended to an entirely new echelon.

In the past, controlling two bodies simultaneously demanded his absolute, undivided concentration, leaving no room for the slightest distraction or lapse in focus.

Now, however, he could manipulate both forms with ease, even retaining enough surplus mental focus to soothe the eccentric Immortal Fairy.

To the outside world, Sect Master Lu and the Young Vice Hierarch fought to a standstill, neither side able to gain a decisive advantage as blows were traded evenly.

Sect Master Lu exhaled the Samadhi True Fire, which split into three distinct streams, each possessing a different flavor; the three ribbons of true fire flickered like searing tongues, licking the air and causing the ambient temperature to skyrocket.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, the Young Vice Hierarch unleashed three bursts of piercing sword qi.

"Three Flying Swallows!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sword qi and the true fire collided in a violent explosion, creating a thermal shockwave of blended energy that scraped against their cheeks with stinging heat.

Sect Master Lu utilized the Earth Shrinking technique, attempting a stealth assault from beneath the ground, but the Young Vice Hierarch seemed to possess precognition, evading the sudden subterranean emergence of Sect Master Lu a fraction of a second before it occurred.

Sect Master Lu stared grimly at the Young Vice Hierarch: "Foreknowledge of danger, a luminous sword heart... I heard from my Master that only those who are utterly consumed by and infatuated with the blade can achieve a luminous sword heart. Has your comprehension of the Dao of the Sword truly reached such an exalted height?"

The Young Vice Hierarch offered a light chuckle, brushing away a thin trail of blood from his cheek; though he had anticipated the attack beforehand, his evasion had still been a fraction of a second too slow, allowing the strike to graze his face.

"You are not to be underestimated either. To use the Samadhi True Fire as a blueprint to forge an entirely new variant of true fire, and that subterranean transit technique just now—it resembled earth escape but possessed subtle differences. Was that also your own independent creation?"

"To pioneer two distinct five-element spells during the Golden Core stage is something unheard of, even in the ancient eras!"

Sect Master Lu's body abruptly contracted until he was a mere three inches tall, bounding across the earth with astonishing velocity; shrouded in the Samadhi True Fire, he unleashed the Arhat Fist, and despite his diminutive stature, he exerted an immense pressure that forced the Young Vice Hierarch to rely on his blade rather than risk a direct physical clash.

The shrunken Sect Master's fist arts were formidable, resonating with faint echoes of Buddhist chants that carried a tragic, compassionate aura; his tiny fists struck the flat of the blade, ringing out in crisp, metallic clangs.

The Young Vice Hierarch's swordplay was equally lethal; pointing the tip of his blade directly at Sect Master Lu, he thrust forward three times in rapid succession, with Sect Master Lu narrowly evading each strike by the narrowest of margins.

The two exchanged a hundred rapid blows, yet neither could gain the upper hand over the other!

Every single strike was aimed to kill, where the slightest misstep would mean instant defeat, yet both possessed such lightning reflexes that they could invariably deduce a counter-strategy in the briefest fraction of a second to launch an immediate counterattack.

The intricate dance of offense and defense, laced with psychological warfare, forced the geniuses below the stage to hold their breath, their eyes glued to the spectacle for fear of missing even the most minuscule detail.

By this point, they had completely forgotten their respective allegiances, desiring nothing more than to see what further astonishing displays the two combatants on the stage could conjure.

After one hundred and twenty exchanges, both figures retreated simultaneously, panting heavily as they stabilized their breathing and recovered their depleted spiritual energy.

The intense clash just now had thoroughly drained the reserves of both men.

"It is often said that a sword cultivator can shatter ten thousand spells with a single strike. I used to doubt that claim, but seeing it today, I find it to be entirely accurate."

Sect Master Lu watched the Young Vice Hierarch's expression closely, searching for an opportune moment to strike.

"Sect Master Lu flatters me. I believe that with a single sword in hand, the world is mine to traverse; though geniuses abound, none can match the might of my blade. Yet, trading blows with Sect Master Lu today has made me realize that there are still formidable obstacles blocking my path to immortality!"

Witnessing this scene, Heavenly King Hundred Herbs could not help but sigh in a low voice that carried clearly to those nearby: "The Young Vice Hierarch has never praised anyone in such a manner before."

The four Heavenly Kings nodded in agreement: "What a proud individual our Young Vice Hierarch is; only the Hierarch and Daoist Master Dou have ever commanded his genuine respect. Who would have thought this excursion would lead him to the very opponent he has long yearned for? Truly a rare occasion."

"It is a pity our departure was so rushed. If we had brought the four Holy Sons along, I fear this battle would present an entirely different spectacle."

The four Holy Sons?

Hearing this phrase, the onlookers could not help but ponder secretly: could it be that the Heavenly Court Cult possessed another four peerless geniuses aside from this Young Vice Hierarch?

The four Holy Sons were, naturally, Meng Jingzhou, Tao Yaoye, Mangu, and Li Haoran.

Qin Yanyan was technically a member of the Heavenly Court Cult as well, though her current public identity was the reincarnation of Qin Haoran.

Lu Yang continued to trade blows with himself for another eighty rounds without resolving the deadlock, before coming to a tacit, simultaneous halt.

"Magnificent! I have never experienced such an exhilarating battle against a cultivator of the same realm!" The Young Vice Hierarch laughed up at the sky, his demeanor wild, untamed, and lawless, yet his gaze no longer held any trace of condescension toward Sect Master Lu.

Sect Master Lu replied with a calm smile: "If you and I continue this duel, I fear we will not reach a conclusion even by tomorrow. Since further combat is meaningless, why don't we call it a day?"

The Young Vice Hierarch pondered briefly before swiftly acceding to Sect Master Lu's proposition.

"Then let us conclude it here. I have indeed underestimated the geniuses of this current era; with you present in this grand age of contention, I doubt the path ahead will be lonely!"

Sect Master Lu maintained his characteristically humble posture: "Arriving uninvited is a breach of etiquette. Heavenly Court Cult, please take your leave."

Despite being asked to leave, the Young Vice Hierarch showed no anger; with a grand sweep of his sleeve, he turned on his heel to depart.

"Five Protectors, follow me."

"Understood!"

The entourage of the Heavenly Court Cult had arrived upon riding clouds, and now they departed upon them, drifting out of the Wendao Sect under the watchful gaze of the assembled crowd.

Lying in the backstage area tending to his wounds, Meng Jingzhou witnessed this conclusion and felt an overwhelming sense of injustice.

"Dammit, I got completely swindled!"

"Brother Meng, what is the matter?" Mangu inquired.

Aside from Li Haoran, the other three Holy Sons of the Heavenly Court Cult were currently concealed in this very room.

Mangu and Tao Yaoye lacked the acting skills required for the ruse and would easily expose the secret if they went outside, so they had remained backstage to watch the proceedings.

"That kid Lu Yang got to show off twice today, yet he only promised to help me show off once!"

The second update will be at eleven o'clock.

(End of chapter)