The clash between youthful talents would often result in the spark of an inspiration.
Such a situation occurred, notably, when two warriors of similar cultivation paths originating from different lineages clashed against each other.
However, dueling with others was ultimately a matter of winning. The higher the pressure, the higher the drive, and the higher one could squeeze their potential out or even notice their drawbacks.
âIt also takes time to reflect and accumulate.â Yan Zhaogeâs suggestion convinced Yu Ye. After contemplating for a while, she answered, âActually, ten years is a good time period. It gives me enough time to study new stuff, perfectly shape my new knowledge, and show it to senior apprentice-brother Nie.â
Or, when she encountered a hurdle, she could even correct herself through dueling with Nie Jingshen.
Moreover, the two werenât that close to each other. When dueling, the desire to win wouldnât be influenced by anything, thus allowing them to display their own talents.
If people of the same sect didnât bear a grudge against each other, they wouldnât feel any restraints to perform normally during a duel. However, they would hardly display their capabilities to the fullest.
After Long Xingquan and Gao Qingxuan married each other, they had dueled against each other as well.
However, according to him, his rewards werenât as great as when he fought against Gao Qingxuan at the Roving Jade Heavens with full strength in the past.
The Prime Clear Lineage and the Jade Capital Crag Lineage had been in dispute for thousands of years. Now, the two sides had already understood each otherâs sword arts. Innovating their old sword arts and continuing to deepen their insights wasnât an easy feat.
Nie Jingshen and Yu Ye were rare talents of the sword. As the two continued to clash against each other, the two would undoubtedly acquire insurmountable benefits.
Most martial art practitioners are competitive. Even Yu Ye and Nie Jingshen were of no exception.
While their consecutive ties allowed each otherâs attainments to improve drastically, they also strongly desired to win against each other.
Due to the previous generationâs dispute, their older generation might remain attached to the duel outcome. However, to the younger generation, every single duel was a chance to improve themselves. It would further increase their insights towards the sword, allowing them to strengthen themselves.
âWhat senior apprentice-uncle Long said was right. After my grandparents fought against each other, the quality classified as the pinnacle of sword duel had finally appeared between you two.â Yan Zhaoge smiled and said, âWeâve agreed on this beforehand. During your duel this time, we husband and wife are going to spectate from the side. Donât chase us away.â
Feng Yunsheng smiled and nodded with an interested look.
Most martial art practitioners that reached a higher realm would hold extreme passion towards martial arts.
Even if she didnât practice sword arts, and her current cultivation far surpassed Nie Jingshen and Yu Ye, interacting with other martial arts forms would broaden her horizon.
âIâm fine with it. It depends on senior apprentice-brother Nie.â Yu Ye nodded.
Her saying that meant that there wasnât any problem. As long as they wouldnât interfere with the duel, Nie Jingshen didnât mind others watching either.
Upon mentioning her duel against Nie Jingshen, Yu Ye slowed blanked out once again. The transformations of the twoâs sword arts surfaced within her mind. She thought back to their previous encounters and predicted the process of the duel happening later.
Looking at her eyes gradually losing focus, Yan Zhaoge and Feng Yunsheng couldnât help but laugh.
âI still have some preparations to make for the Nine Underworlds Evil Devils.â Yan Zhaoge decided to leave Yu Ye alone. He sent a voice transmission to Feng Yunsheng, âAccompany her here for a while, and arrange her residence. After senior apprentice-brother Nie returns, inform me.â
Feng Yunsheng nodded, âGo ahead; donât worry about us.â
After Yan Zhaoge left, he returned to his residence by the Broad Creed Mountain.
On the way back, he had already thought about what to do. As such, the instant he returned, he immediately started laying down a formation by his room.
Then, he took out the light strand acquired from the Crane Demon.
He cut another part of the stand and kept the remaining ones. Then, he wrapped the cut-off strand with a cinnabar talisman.
He took out a small bottle which contained the Devil Sealing Sacred Water.
The cinnabar talisman wrapped the strand and was placed within the small bottle. It was then soaked within the Devil Sealing Sacred Water.
He did a hand seal, and the small bottle imbued the formationâs powers. Then, the small jade bottle gradually turned transparent and disappeared without a trace.
As for the Devil Sealing Sacred Water, they transformed into cavorting embers.
Yan Zhaoge sat in a lotus position and pulled the embers closed to his chest. Then, his hand seals changed, and runes after runes flew into the ember.
A whole forty-nine hours passed just like that.
As the ember finally dissipated, only a talisman remained by the air.
The cinnabar talisman and the wrapped strand had disappeared as well.
Only the transparent talisman glittering with faint radiances remained.
Yan Zhaoge extended his palm, and the glittering paper laid flatly on his palm. Then, it disappeared by fusing with his palm.
He remained seated on the ground. Then, he adjusted his breath and continued cultivating.
After a night passed, Yan Zhaoge finally felt fatigued.
He continued cultivating in his room.
Later, Feng Yunsheng ordered a young disciple to report to Yan Zhaoge about Nie Jingshenâs return.
âSenior apprentice-brother Nie.â After seeing Nie Jingshen once again, Yan Zhaoge smiled and cupped his hands.
A smile appeared on the cold and silent teenage man in black, âHow have you been, junior apprentice-brother Yan?â
âYou even allowed my wife and me to spectate the duel between senior apprentice-sister Yu and you. Of course, Iâm fine,â said Yan Zhaoge with a smile.
Nie Jingshen nodded, âOf course I wouldnât mind.â
Feng Yunsheng laughed and said, âThen, weâll be disturbing you.â
As they were talking, Yan Zhaogeâs expression changed slightly, âThereâs news from my father and Senior Chen.â
Upon hearing that, Feng Yunsheng, Nie Jingshen, and Yu Ye both looked towards him.
They were aware of what Yan Di and Chen Xuanzong were doing. They had also been paying attention while waiting for new information reports.
âHold on...â Light blue radiances surfaced from his eyes. They intertwined with each other and formed into various complicated runes that flowed by his eyes.
After a long while, the blue lights dissipated. Yan Zhaogeâs gaze also returned to normal.
He let out a long breath and looked at everyone present.
âThereâs news regarding Chu Lili.â
Upon hearing his words, everyone became excited. After calming down, they almost asked in unison, âIs Senior Chu still safe?â
âIâm not certain as of now. Weâll have to await further confirmation.â Yan Zhaoge shook his head, âThe clue is related to the Exalted Solar Luminary.â
Feng Yunsheng asked, âShall we go over now?â
âTheyâve already gone ahead. Thereâs no need for us to rush.â Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes, âIf Senior Chu had already fallen into the hands of the Nine Underworlds, she might be a bait that serves to distract us.â
âThis implied that the Nine Underworldsâ plans had already reached its final stage. Soon, the Water Devil and the Earth Devil would make their moves together.â
Yan Zhaoge raised his hand and looked at his palm, âWe shouldnât remain a passive stance. We should take the initiative instead.â