Chapter 168: Lu Yang Enters the Fray

“Next up, Dao Seeking Sect’s Li Haoran vs. Five Elements Sect’s Long Xiang.”

“Is Li Haoran a fire spiritual root?” Qiu Jin’an suddenly asked.

“Yes, why?”

“It’s getting interesting, our sect’s Long Xiang is a water spiritual root. This time it’s fire vs. water.”

On the martial arts field, Li Haoran and Long Xiang exchanged bows.

“Please enlighten me.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

Both became silent, ceasing further conversation.

As the match began, Long Xiang took the initiative, striking like a dragon leaping over the sea, giving off an overwhelming wave-like momentum. He wielded two ice blades, releasing layers of cold air, causing the temperature of the entire martial arts field to drop.

“Dragon Strike!”

Long Xiang shouted, met by Li Haoran’s fist.

Lu Yang frowned; Li Haoran wasn’t a physical cultivator, so why was he fighting barehanded, not using any weapon? Even Barbarian Bone knew to fight with a weapon.

Long Xiang, unaware of Li Haoran’s bottom line, didn’t see a problem and slashed at Li Haoran.

Li Haoran’s body ignited with layers of fire rings. With a command, “Go,” the fire rings encircled Long Xiang.

“Water rises, mighty waves!”

Long Xiang executed the move, conjuring a phantom of sea waves behind him. The audience could faintly hear the sound of waves.

The phantom waves diluted the fire rings. Seeing this, Li Haoran stepped forward, his red fist marks layer upon layer, landing on Long Xiang.

Magma surged beneath Li Haoran’s feet, the result of soaking in magma for a year.

The magma and phantom waves collided. Although they were just phantom waves, they generated steam upon contact with the magma, filling the arena with thick fog, making it hard to discern shapes, with only the sounds of Li Haoran and Long Xiang colliding audible.

Li Haoran’s boxing was extraordinary, completely different from his usual demeanor. Long Xiang, not adept at close combat, struggled to respond, getting hit several times.

Fortunately, Li Haoran’s attacks lacked power, causing no severe damage upon impact.

Long Xiang raised his hand, gathering the dense fog into a water column, smashing it down on Li Haoran.

Unable to dodge, Li Haoran was struck by the water column, soaking him through.

Li Haoran once again engaged Long Xiang, this time Long Xiang gaining the upper hand. For some reason, Li Haoran’s movements became sluggish.

Li Haoran frowned, realizing the problem.

...

Seeing a victory at last, Qiu Jin’an introduced with a smile: “This is my disciple, Bai Ming, also my proudest student. He has mastered three of the Five Elements techniques, and even his fire attribute qi is close to producing real fire. In the sect competition, he swept through the Foundation Building stage and took the first place.”

The cultivation of the Five Elements techniques is extremely difficult, with potential conflicts between the techniques themselves. A slight carelessness could ruin one’s cultivation. Bai Ming, being proficient in three types of elemental qi in the Foundation Building stage, is extremely rare.

Bai Ming’s appearance gave Qiu Jin’an confidence: “Not to brag, but it doesn’t matter who they send.”

Despite losing three matches, Bai Ming’s overwhelming victory made Qiu Jin’an very pleased.

“Who will your sect send for the next match?”

“Me.”

Everlasting Fairy spoke for Lu Yang.

On the martial arts field, a figure walked slowly, with steady steps, neither fast nor slow, it was Lu Yang.

Only this Lu Yang was bald-headed and had a kind face, vastly different from the usual impression Lu Yang gave.

Bai Ming’s expression of indifference broke, showing disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

Of course, he recognized Lu Yang, the acting sect master of Dao Seeking Sect, who was sitting in the stands. So, who was this person appearing before him?!

“A clone!” Qiu Jin’an, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized the origin of the Lu Yang standing on the martial arts field.

But that seemed even more impossible. Lu Yang was just at the Foundation Building stage, how could he possibly have a clone?

In his understanding, there was no technique or qi that could achieve this!

“More accurately, it’s the clone of the Bodhi Tree.” Everlasting Fairy added.

Lu Yang used the “Tree Planting Scripture” to plant himself, and two people grew from the Bodhi Tree, one the real self, the other a bald-headed clone.

“A clone from the Seventy-Two Transformations?!” Qiu Jin’an was astounded. Other than Yun Zhi, how could any other Foundation Building stage cultivator possibly learn such a spell?

“No, it’s a wood attribute clone!” Qiu Jin’an’s mind was in turmoil. Such a spell had never existed before; this was the creation of a new spell!

Who was it?!

Was it Yun Zhi, or was it...

Qiu Jin’an’s gaze shifted to Lu Yang, his eyes twitching slightly. He had heard from people in the Dao Seeking Sect that Lu Yang had challenged higher levels, thinking it was achieved by some means.

If this spell was indeed created by him, then the matter of challenging beyond one’s level might not be exaggerated!

(End of the chapter)