Chapter 407: Banished Immortal Descends (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 407: The Descent of the Banished Immortal (Seeking Monthly Votes)

The words had an immediate effect, and the entire hall fell silent.

A sudden commotion erupted.

Everyone watched Chen Yi with keen interest, marveling at how he could now show such regard for beauty and jewels.

"Before, he was so formidable, but now, facing General Xiao, he's no different—still dare not act. How ironic."

"Indeed."

"It seems this sparring has reached its conclusion."

"General Xiao is a disciple of the Sword Immortal; how could he lose?"

Tao Huohuo gripped his long sword, embraced it with both hands, and scoffed disparagingly: "I had thought he was a worthy opponent, but well, never mind. Such is the case."

His name was "Dongqi Swordman," and he had discerned Chen Yi's martial arts realm to be merely great completion. Compared to himself, it was like night and day.

Gu Hanjin shook his head and said, "Let's continue watching."

"It's no surprise the elder Yu took an interest in him; he must have some exceptional qualities."

Zhao Xihua, however, furrowed his brows in doubt: "I've heard that Liu Wu, the 'Dragon and Tiger,' is a master of both fist and spear. His sword technique..."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly realized.

Right, the "Liu Wu" in question used sword techniques, not his usual spear and fist.

This...

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

The old beggar twisted his fingers and muttered, "His spear technique is said to be at the complete level, and his fist technique is renowned, surely not below the great completion level."

"As for his sword technique..."

A young swordsman suddenly spoke up: "Old Hong, you missed one—Liu Wu has also displayed his step technique!"

"Hmph—fist, spear, sword, and step, four arts all at great completion, the lowest being great completion? Such a person... no wonder the elder Yu chose him."

Even Tao Huohuo, who had previously mocked him, slightly bowed his head, clearly realizing the chasm between himself and Chen Yi.

In less than ten breaths, the mockery of Chen Yi had undergone two levels of reversal.

Duke Qin Zhang Xuan looked at the two men in the hall, feeling a sense of envy: "Old Xiao, where did you find such a person?"

Old Master Xiao smiled and said, "I don't know either, but I'm aware that Liu Wu has done many things for the Xiao family. That's enough."

Chen Yunfan clearly understood the situation, seeing Xiao Zhonghui's bold words provoking Chen Yi, and secretly shook his head.

Sister, can't you see?

Yi's younger brother doesn't want to harm you.

Even if Xiao Zhonghui is strong, he doesn't believe Chen Yi will lose.

"In this world, only I can defeat Yi's younger brother!"

Liu Lang paid no heed to those around him and suddenly shouted, "Boss, General Xiao's strength is extraordinary; you don't need to hold back."

At that moment, the one seated at the forefront, Bai Daxian, smiled and said, "You two may use your full strength. In my 'changing the day and place,' there's no need to worry about your lives."

Don't need to hold back!

Chen Yi shot him a glance without a trace, unmistakably.

His restraint wasn't from fear of harming Xiao Zhonghui, but how could he strike his own wife so lightly?

Still... never mind.

Chen Yi looked at Xiao Zhonghui, whose eyes were earnest, and knew his wife's words meant he had no further need to continue.

He let out a soft breath, held his sword in one hand, and pointed it to the ground. In a deep, resonant voice, he said, "If so, General Xiao, be careful."

Xiao Zhonghui let out a cold snort, kicked off the spear, and stepped forward, her body straight as a rod.

The spear intent condensed into a single point at the spear tip, and a cold light emerged.

Chen Yi's eyes didn't blink, staring at that single point of cold light, his figure remained motionless.

Only when Xiao Zhonghui was within three zhang did he gently lift his arm, and his long sword swept upward.

Like a gazelle's horn.

Not a single ripple of the world's spirit energy.

Xiao Zhonghui looked into Chen Yi's eyes, a momentary flicker of doubt crossed her mind, and then she grew more irritated.

She thought Chen Yi was still holding back, so she decided to let him suffer.

The spear light surged instantly.

The spear intent turned into a lingering shadow, real within illusion, illusion within real—countless spear lights enveloped Chen Yi's front.

Chen Yi remained unmoved. The upward sweep, his wrist barely moved, the long sword traced an odd arc.

A single strike landed on the tip of the spear.

Ting!

A sharp, clear sound.

Xiao Zhonghui, about to use force to break skill, suddenly felt a tremendous force mixed with sword energy flowing from the spear upward.

It seemed ordinary and unremarkable, yet that single strike contained astonishing might.

Not a single ripple of the world's spirit energy.

Caught unprepared,

Xiao Zhonghui was driven backward by that sword, landing a dozen li away.

Her gaze at Chen Yi immediately changed.

She couldn't understand that sword—how could someone at the great completion level wield such a sword?

Bai Daxian saw this, was amazed, and turned his head toward Ye Qianbei.

"Did he achieve it?"

"Slight progress."

"Good, he learned that skill of mine, which is a blessing of deep affinity."

However, that young fellow is quite sluggish and his studies are all over the place; you'd find it hard to pass on the name of 'Wuying' to him.

Ye Guxian said coolly, "Never mind. He agreed to take a disciple for me."

In fact, he was quite satisfied with Chen Yi's sword.

In just three days, Chen Yi had reached this level with the Wuying sword, so he must have practiced diligently in his spare time.

On the other side, Chen Yuanji ignored the conversation, staring intently at Chen Yi, his thoughts a tangled web.

He had never noticed such potential in Chen Yi before.

Had he recognized it earlier—even a year—he would not have let Chen Yi enter the Xiao family so readily.

Yet, in hindsight, it was already too late.

At this moment, even the great immortal and all those watching were utterly stunned, rising from their seats in shock.

Most were amazed by Chen Yi's defeat of Xiao Jinghong, though they couldn't fathom the reason.

"What sword technique is this?"

"How can he repel Xiao the General when his style seems so ordinary?"

"Is this Xiao the General's chance to show mercy?"

"Who knows..."

Chen Yi paid them no mind, standing still, his gaze slightly troubled as he said, "Be careful."

There was no use in dwelling on what had already happened.

He raised his sword again.

Xiao Jinghong, noticing his move, inhaled deeply, gripping her long spear as her aura surged.

A true dantian enveloped her body, and she charged at Chen Yi.

No longer dismissing him as a fourth-grade cultivator, she unleashed her full strength.

Her spear technique, now infused with the Great Ascension method, struck down with a thunderous resonance, a long dragon coiling from the spear.

To Chen Yi, whose sword had reached perfection, this attack was as trivial as a child's game.

He swung his blade twice in quick succession.

The first strike landed squarely on the dragon's scales, where its power was strongest.

The second cleaved horizontally, sliding along the dragon's body.

The dragon-spear technique dissolved instantly.

Xiao Jinghong had anticipated this, flicking her spear to reveal three blades, thrusting them toward Chen Yi's vital points.

Chen Yi spun on his heel, evading the attack.

Then, stepping into the Youlong Dàofèng Step, he materialized behind Xiao Jinghong and delivered a single strike.

Xiao Jinghong reacted swiftly, not waiting for the spear technique to finish, and stepped forward, unleashing a backswing thrust.

*Clang!*

Undeterred, Chen Yi split into four afterimages, his sword aimed at Xiao Jinghong.

Flowers flew through the air.

His form drifted like a wandering immortal.

Sword energy and intent erupted freely, no longer contained by the Wuying sword's suppression.

Xiao Jinghong spun her spear, deflecting two blades with the shaft, the tip blocking the third, then thrusting forward.

Yet her spear passed through Chen Yi's form without a sound, no *clang* to mark it.

Xiao Jinghong's eyes widened slightly as her aura surged skyward.

Almost as she began to ascend, she felt a blade at her side, forcing her aside.

Though it didn't pierce her dantian shield, the force made her frown.

"Such a fine sword technique!"

Xiao Jinghong herself was a master of the sword path at the perfection stage, seeing not the depths of Chen Yi's Wuying sword, but discerning the details of his aerial strikes.

In truth, it came down to four words: "a mere illusion, yet a real strike."

Xiao Jinghong's expression stilled, and without waiting for Chen Yi to vanish, she swept her spear in a wide arc.

Chen Yi raised his sword to block, using the spear's momentum to gracefully deflect it, landing lightly on the ground.

"Excellent!"

Cheers erupted from all sides.

Though their duel was brief, the techniques and dantian exchanges were masterful, truly spectacular.

The great immortal watched the scene, his lips twitching as he whispered to his companions beside him, "What do you think?"

"This young man and that woman have extraordinary potential. If they grow, they might be worthy of sustaining the next hundred years."

Ye Guxian nodded slightly.

Chen Yuanji offered no answer, "We'll see when they mature."

"Oh? You fear your son won't measure up, or worry your daughter-in-law will remain a mere master?"

"Neither."

"I simply don't engage in such meaningless speculation."

The great immortal smiled, his eyes twinkling as he asked, "Are you doubting my foresight?"

Chen Yuanji spoke calmly, "The turning of the ages—who can claim mastery over fortune?"

"If Yi Ji's talents are shallow, he might perish within a short time, let alone the future."

The great immortal fell silent, then shook his head. "Yuanji, you've grown stale over the years, losing your vigor in the White Tiger Guard."

"I remember when you first came to the Rain and Thunder Tower with Mo Baiyi—you were still full of spirit."

Chen Yuanji's eyes reflected Chen Yi's recent swordplay, his voice soft, "Times change."

"Yet you sought destiny's path, going with the flow—how could you comprehend my defiance of heaven with Baiyi?"

The great immortal paused, then chuckled, "Whether right or wrong, I won't argue with you."

"I only know that three hundred years mark an era's end—heaven's way cannot be altered by mortal hands."

Chen Yuanji hummed in agreement, saying no more.

He gazed at Chen Yi in the arena, his heart stirred—if action could alter fate, why couldn't it surpass the heavens?

In the arena, Chen Yi was unaware of the thoughts of the three deities of the White Clan. He was giving his all in dealing with Xiao Jinghong.

Should he say something or not?

Xiao Jinghong, though not the most gifted, had abundant experience.

After a brief setback, she quickly regained her composure, her sword technique reaching a complete state, countering Chen Yi’s swordplay with her spear technique.

She had already gained the upper hand.

Especially after Chen Yi had used the Heavenly Flower Soaring Sword Technique once, the same moves no longer worked.

Even if he tried to incorporate the "Shadowless" into the Heavenly Flower technique, it made no difference.

In terms of sword technique, Xiao Jinghong still held the advantage.

Not to mention her cultivation had reached the second-grade realm, her breath long and powerful.

Moreover, at that moment, though both were serious, neither had exerted their full strength.

Chen Yi only used his foot and sword techniques, while Xiao Jinghong only employed her spear technique.

The battle raged on, yet neither could deliver a fatal blow to the other.

Just as Chen Yi realized this, Xiao Jinghong had also come to the same understanding.

After missing a strike, she retreated a dozen paces, stood beside the long sword, and flicked her spear from her hand:

“Your sword technique may be unique, but it still cannot subdue me.”

“Show me your full strength.”

Xiao Jinghong knew the opportunity was rare, especially with Chen Yi, whose talent and power were extraordinary. She should seek the ultimate path between life and death.

She wasn’t after anything else—only breakthrough.

Chen Yi read a hint of determination in her eyes, which stirred a slight anger within him.

Not toward Xiao Jinghong, though.

But toward Song Jin and the Cao family of Qinghe behind them.

He could discern Xiao Jinghong’s urgency, guessed she sought advancement—whether in sword technique, spear technique, or cultivation.

Why?

Besides saving Fu Wanying, he couldn’t think of any other reason.

A brief silence.

Chen Yi then also cast aside his long sword, extended his right hand, and a long spear materialized in his grasp.

“Since General Xiao has summoned me, I shall play my part to the fullest.”

Not merely to play his part.

He had already resolved to give his all.

But the outcome remained unknown.

All would depend on Xiao Jinghong’s fortune, her aptitude.

Chen Yi felt the coldness of the spear, silently thinking: “I hope my lady achieves her goal, otherwise…”

Any supreme talent who suffers a disastrous defeat would be affected by it.

If possible, he truly didn’t want such an outcome.

But…

His lady—no one else could dare to trample her!

In the next instant—

Chen Yi’s aura shifted.

He stood tall and unmoving like a mountain, his plain long spear suddenly gleaming with golden light.

The pinnacle spear technique surged to its utmost.

This wasn’t all.

His sword, blade, foot, and fist techniques, even the suppressed pinnacle realm internal skill, all radiated outward.

A rainbow glow enveloped him instantly, stirring the very fabric of the virtual world into upheaval.

Xiao Jinghong’s beautiful eyes widened: “You…”

Even with her temperament, seeing such a sight, she felt a stirring within her heart.

This level of martial arts realm was something she had rarely seen in her life.

Even her master had never spoken of such a terrifying figure.

Two, three, four pinnacle realms—those were the numbers she had seen.

But before her stood “Liu Wu,” five pinnacle realms!

If counted with his medical skill, it would be… six!

Never heard of it!

Not only Xiao Jinghong, but all the onlookers were stunned.

Though some had their suspicions, seeing Chen Yi unleash his full strength still left them awestruck.

Even those with meager cultivation gasped in surprise.

“This… there are such terrifying people in the world?”

“His talent must be the greatest of all time, right?”

“‘Dragon Tiger’ Liu Wu… in my opinion, he’s already become a coiled dragon!”

Chen Yunfan, seeing Chen Yi’s overwhelming aura, felt his own ambitions dwindle to half.

Could this younger brother of his truly be defeated?

White Deity observed all this, then turned his head toward Chen Xuanji with a slight smile:

“Now, do you still think he cannot ascend to the heavens?”

Chen Xuanji paid no heed, calmly gazing at Chen Yi.

For him, this was better!

Not considering the thoughts of others, Chen Yi, having exerted his full strength, stood with his long spear pointed at Xiao Jinghong’s side, his eyes filled with battle intent.

“General Xiao, be careful!”

Before the words had even finished, Chen Yi lifted his foot, ten zhang away, and in the blink of an eye, he was there, drawing out a dazzling human-shaped golden light.

Then the strike came—Dragon Falling Spear, Day Devouring Dragon!

A roar erupted.

As the dragon’s roar erupted in a thunderous blast, the bullet’s radiance transformed into the shape of a dragon, encircling a ten-zhang radius and enveloping Xiao Jinghong within its grasp.

In Xiao Jinghong’s eyes gleamed a crystalline light. Though her spirit had recently trembled, she would not retreat before such a strike.

The shadow dissolved into the wind, her long sword fluttering like a willow branch.

She scattered a dozen blossoms of swordlight.

Amid the crossing and weaving of sword intents, the celestial and terrestrial spirits clashed with Chen Yi’s overpowering bullet technique in an instant.

Boom!

Not the sharp crack of weapons meeting, but a deeper, more resonant boom.

When the light faded, Xiao Jinghong stood pushed back several zhang by Chen Yi’s single bullet.

Not a surprise attack this time, but pure defeat.

Xiao Jinghong steadied her form, her face cooling, her battle fervor intensifying as she raised her sword once more.

A blade of green light sliced straight through the air.

Chen Yi held his rifle, neither parrying nor retreating, charging forward with his weapon and body merged as one toward Xiao Jinghong.

Fallen Dragon Bullet—Splitting the River and Sea!

The bullet soared skyward, like a wall piercing the heavens, cleaving Xiao Jinghong’s sword in half.

Click, click, click…

A series of sharp, ear-piercing sounds erupted.

When the dust settled, Xiao Jinghong had been unseated from her sword technique, hurled sideways, a crimson smear at her mouth.

All around, the onlookers gaped, breath held in stunned silence.

Had they not been shielded by the Great Immortal, they might have fled into the wilderness by now.

Yet even so, their spirits were captivated by the duel between Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong.

Zhao Xihe gazed with wide eyes, murmuring softly, “Such people exist among our peers…”

She spoke not only of Chen Yi, but of Xiao Jinghong—the pinnacle of the Sword Path’s perfection.

Equally remarkable in their talents, beyond their reach.

“The ‘Dragon and Tiger’ duo truly lives up to their name—formidable.”

“If the general wins, we’re doomed…”

Xiao Jinghong had heard these whispers, wiping blood from her lips, her gaze at Chen Yi unchanged.

“This bullet—excellent!”

Chen Yi loosened his long rifle, a pang of sorrow in his heart, yet none upon his face.

“The general is satisfied.”

Xiao Jinghong’s battle spirit blazed anew, “Again!”

This time she no longer confined herself to sword techniques, embracing both sword and bullet paths, her spiritual might towering like the heavens themselves.

The two clashed, their styles diverging like opposing forces.

Then a gentle breeze swept through.

The “Sword Saint” Li Weidong’s ultimate art—Clear Wind Sword—manifested.

Chen Yi looked at Xiao Jinghong, now a mere shadow, and stepped forward.

A blinding golden light rained from the sky, settling upon him, encasing him entirely.

The golden radiance spread from his body outward, forming a brilliance composed of countless subtle bullet intents, growing ever more magnificent.

—Fallen Dragon Bullet—Radiant Day!

Chen Yi, now far surpassed his former self when he sparred with Liu Lang, had ascended in cultivation, his mastery of all paths complete, his celestial and terrestrial spirits naturally vast and powerful.

Thus, the breeze, upon touching the golden light, shattered inch by inch, even fracturing the long sword in Xiao Jinghong’s hand.

Yet her eyes, fixed on that bullet, held no tremor.

Resilient, resolute.

She charged straight into the Radiant Day, her body swathed in golden light, resembling a cocoon of pure gold.

Chen Yi staggered, then recovered, exhaling a silent breath as the “Spirit” meridian in his temple shifted through its four symbols.

Within his bullet’s edge, its sharpness fully revealed.

A wife’s resolve, how could a husband not aid her?

“Breaking the cocoon to be reborn—or perhaps ending here, motionless… the choice is yours…”

The Great Immortal regarded the scene with a serene smile.

“Li Shixiong, you’ve gained a fine disciple.”

Chen Xuanji finally stirred, nodding slightly, “Indeed.”

The Great Immortal was about to jest a moment or two, when the unseen Leaf Immortal spoke beside him:

“It is done.”

“Huh?”

(Chapter Complete)