northernbook Chapter 77 The Arena 5
Chapter 77 The Arena 5
As night deepened, the moonlight shone like water over the Spirit Plant Garden, and the spirit flowers and herbs swayed gently in the breeze, as if softly humming the symphony of the night.
Xu Xiaoxiao rested her chin on her hands, listening with great interest, and said, "Senior, your experience is truly amazing. I wish I could have such an adventure."
Lingxi chuckled softly, "Young friend, there's no need to rush. The path of cultivation is long, and unexpected encounters will come unexpectedly."
Mu Zhusheng glanced at the sky, stood up and said, "Senior, thank you for your hospitality and sharing today. It's getting late, and we should return to the inn so as not to worry our elders."
Lingxi nodded: "It's alright. If there's a chance in the future, you're welcome to visit the Spirit Plant Garden again."
The group informed their elder and returned along the same route they had come from.
The streets were quite deserted at this time, with only the lamps emitting a faint light.
Xu Xiaoxiao yawned and said, "Today has been such a wonderful day! I witnessed a contest between powerful cultivators, visited a magic weapon shop, tasted spiritual food, and gained so much from the spiritual plant garden."
Tu Minglang chimed in, "Indeed, this Immortal Spirit City lives up to its reputation; opportunities abound everywhere."
Yuan Mengyao said, "However, we cannot slack off. Tomorrow there will be a spell competition among the Foundation Establishment disciples of various sects. We must observe and learn carefully."
Mu Zhusheng said, "Junior Sister Yuan is right. This observation is crucial for improving your strength. Everyone should go back and rest well to adjust your state."
When they returned to the Yunfu Inn, several lights were still on in the lobby.
A waiter came up to them: "Sirs, you've finally returned. The elder instructed that if you come back late, I should leave some food for you in the kitchen."
Mu Zhusheng said gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, Elder. You've worked hard too."
Everyone went to the kitchen, ate a simple meal, and then went back to their rooms to rest.
Xu Xiaoxiao lay on the bed, placing the senior brother doll inside the bed. Gazing at the moonlight outside the window, she silently savored the day's experiences, filled with anticipation for her future days in Immortal Spirit City. She imagined that her senior brother would also experience the liveliness of Immortal Spirit City.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window and fell on Xu Xiaoxiao's face. She slowly woke up, stretched, and got up to leave the room.
A faint, ethereal atmosphere permeated the inn's corridors, mingling with the fresh scent of the morning.
Xu Xiaoxiao went down to the lobby and saw Mu Zhusheng sitting at a table in the corner, seemingly deep in thought.
She skipped over and greeted him, "Good morning, Second Senior Brother!"
Mu Zhusheng looked up and smiled as she replied, "Junior Sister, you're up early. Come and have some breakfast. We'll head to the magic competition venue in a bit."
At this moment, Tu Minglang and Yuan Mengyao also came downstairs one after another.
Tu Minglang said excitedly, "Today's magic competition is sure to be exciting, I can't wait!"
Yuan Mengyao straightened her clothes and said, "When we get there, we must carefully understand the subtleties involved, and not just focus on watching the excitement."
After finishing breakfast, everyone headed towards the competition venue.
Along the way, the sun shone brightly, and most of the shops on both sides of the street were not yet open, but some cultivators could be seen setting up stalls early on the street, selling various small items and simple spell talismans.
Upon arriving at the competition venue, they found a large square already crowded with people.
The surrounding stands were filled with disciples and elders from various sects, all engaged in lively conversation.
In the center of the plaza, several huge circular arenas were set up, their surfaces engraved with defensive and amplifying runes, which were now shimmering with a faint light.
Xu Xiaoxiao looked around with sparkling eyes and said, "Wow, so many people, this scene is really spectacular."
Mu Zhusheng instructed, "Everyone, stay close to me and don't get separated."
They had just found a place to sit down when a middle-aged man in a magnificent robe stepped onto the main arena. He cleared his throat and announced in a loud voice, "Fellow Daoists, the spell competition for Foundation Establishment disciples from various sects is about to begin. This competition aims to promote exchanges between sects, and we hope that all disciples will demonstrate their skills and abilities."
As he finished speaking, the two disciples who were to compete in the first match stepped onto the stage.
One was a Lingyun Pavilion disciple dressed in blue robes, holding a blue folding fan, with an elegant demeanor; the other was a Vajra Temple disciple dressed in yellow robes, with a burly build and a serious expression.
The disciple of Lingyun Pavilion was the first to bow and say, "Su Ran, a disciple of Lingyun Pavilion, please give me your guidance."
The disciple of Vajra Temple put his hands together and replied, "This disciple of Vajra Temple, Wuchen, apologizes."
As the competition began, Su Ran gently waved his folding fan, chanting incantations. Blue water ripples appeared on the fan surface, quickly spreading out and forming a small water curtain in front of him.
He said, "This is the Water Curtain Heavenly Splendor of my Lingyun Pavilion. It can be used for defense and attack, and it can also trap enemies."
Wu Chen then shouted loudly, and a layer of golden light emanated from his body, making him look like a golden Buddha.
He charged towards the water curtain, raising his right fist high with a powerful surge of spiritual energy, and shouted, "Vajra Demon-Slaying Fist!"
The fist slammed into the water curtain, producing a loud impact and causing ripples, but the water curtain did not break.
Su Ran smiled slightly, waved her folding fan again, and several water dragons emerged from the water curtain, baring their fangs and claws as they pounced on Wu Chen.
Wu Chen remained calm and composed, his feet firmly planted on the ground, and he began chanting scriptures. The golden light shone even brighter, managing to block the water dragons one by one.
Xu Xiaoxiao watched intently, then said to Mu Zhusheng beside her, "Second Senior Brother, these two's moves are amazing! The Water Curtain and the Vajra Fist both contain powerful spiritual energy."
Mu Zhusheng nodded and said, "That's right, their control over spiritual power is very exquisite. You should carefully observe their subsequent response."
After successfully blocking the water dragon's attack, Wu Chen roared, and golden light surged from his body to his fists like a tide. His figure instantly transformed into a golden streak of light, heading straight for Su Ran.
"Wrathful Vajra!" He moved his palms rapidly, striking out a series of golden palm prints in the air. The palm prints, accompanied by whistling winds, flew towards Su Ran like a flock of golden birds, covering the sky.
Su Ran's expression hardened, and the folding fan in her hand spun rapidly, forming a blue vortex of spiritual energy in front of her.
"Water Vortex Seal!" he shouted, and a powerful suction force was generated in the vortex, attempting to pull the golden palm prints into it.
The palm print and the vortex collided, making crackling sounds, and spiritual energy overflowed. The surrounding air seemed to be ignited, shimmering with strange light.
At this moment, the spectators in the stands held their breath, watching the ring with bated breath.
An elderly man with white hair muttered to himself, "The water techniques of Lingyun Pavilion and the fist techniques of Jingang Temple each have their own merits. I wonder how Su Ran will resolve Wu Chen's fierce attack."
Xu Xiaoxiao gripped Mu Zhusheng's arm tightly, her eyes fixed on the arena: "Second Senior Brother, will Fellow Daoist Su be in danger?"
Mu Zhusheng shook her head: "Don't rush. Since Su Ran dared to accept the challenge, he must have his own way of dealing with it."
At this critical moment, Su Ran suddenly closed his folding fan, quickly formed hand seals, and chanted incantations.
A huge blue circular rune appeared beneath his feet, its light shining brightly and enveloping him.
Those golden palm prints struck the rune light, but vanished instantly, like mud sinking into the sea.
"This is Lingyun Pavilion's Still Water Shield, which can convert the spiritual energy of an attack into its own defensive power. Su Ran's control over spiritual energy has improved quite a bit." An elder of Lingyun Pavilion nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing that his attack was ineffective, Wu Chen was not discouraged. Instead, he stopped, put his hands together, and began to recite a long scripture.
As the chanting of scriptures began, his body slowly rose into the air, and a huge golden Buddha phantom appeared behind him.
The Buddha statue was solemn and dignified, with two golden beams of light shooting from its eyes, directly towards Su Ran.
"This is the Demon-Subduing Buddha Light of the Vajra Temple. It is extremely powerful. Su Ran must be careful!" a cultivator who knew this move shouted.
Su Ran looked up at the two golden lights, took a deep breath, and mobilized all the spiritual power in her body.
The blue folding fan reappeared in his hand, but this time it had become enormous, and the water ripples on its surface seemed to come alive, transforming into lively water snakes that meandered across the fan.
"Water snakes dance!" Su Ran waved the giant fan forcefully, and countless water snakes flew out from the fan surface, rushing towards the two golden rays of light.
Water snakes and golden light intertwined and entwined, and for a moment, the arena was dazzling with light, making people dazzled.
"These two's moves are getting more and more amazing. Today has truly been an eye-opener," Tu Minglang said excitedly.
Yuan Mengyao frowned slightly: "Their fierce fighting has consumed a lot of spiritual energy. It remains to be seen who can last until the end."
In the battle between the water snake and the golden light, Su Ran suddenly discovered an opening. He flashed like a blue lightning bolt, passing through the area where the water snake and the golden light intertwined, and instantly arrived in front of Wu Chen.
Wu Chen was shocked and tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Su Ran lightly tapped her folding fan against Wu Chen's throat and said, "Thank you for your concession."
Wu Chen sighed helplessly, "Fellow Daoist Su is a cut above the rest. I, Wu Chen, am completely convinced of my defeat."