A flash of sword light, a boom of startling thunder. In an instant, the sword light took Zhao Xuhe's head. However, before the head could hit the ground, his body abruptly exploded, turning into a pile of bones on the floor.
"I wonder which fellow disciple is waiting here for this Zhao?"
After the bones shattered, a streak of yin qi flew out, finally reforming into Zhao Xuhe's appearance a hundred meters away, a trace of alarm still lingering on his face. However, before his voice could fade, the sword light arrived, sticking to him like a shadow.
Swish—!
The next second, Zhao Xuhe's head once again soared into the sky, only to turn into scattered bones again. The yin qi retreated another hundred meters, manifesting his figure once more.
"I..."
Boom!
"You..."
Crack!
"Enough!"
After dozens of sword lights filled the space and killed Zhao Xuhe more than ten times in succession, Zhao Xuhe finally managed to regroup, seizing an opportunity to dodge the sword light. Although it was only for a brief moment, Zhao Xuhe grasped it with precision.
Then, with a flick of his large sleeve, a cloud of blood-colored smoke instantly billowed out, protecting his entire body within it. He then swallowed several medicinal pills to recover his injuries and True Qi, only then sparing the attention to look in all directions.
"Lu Yang, it's you!"
Zhao Xuhe's gaze was like a torch. With a single glance, he recognized the sword light that had killed him more than ten times as the Divine Firmament Sword-Riding True Art, and immediately called out Lu Yang's identity. However, even so, the shock in his heart was hard to describe.
Because he had personally experienced the power of that sword light; it was not something someone in the early Qi Refining Realm could achieve. In just a few short days, Lu Yang had actually reached the middle Qi Refining Realm.
"This person must have had a fateful encounter!"
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe suppressed his angry expression, an inexplicable joy rising in his heart.
"Good, good, good, today is truly a day of double blessings. I'll be taking this fateful encounter!"
Outside the Bewildering Tracks Formation, Lu Yang's expression was grave.
"How troublesome..."
He thought to himself that he had been ruthless enough, yet Zhao Xuhe still managed to grasp a sliver of a chance to live. He had not been able to kill him with a single combo of moves. He had even seen through his identity.
But right now, with the Bewildering Tracks Formation confusing all directions, his true body was hidden in the shadows, attacking from afar with only his Flying Sword. If it came to a real fight, his chances of winning were still slightly higher. At the same time, Zhao Xuhe also discovered the existence of the surrounding Bewildering Tracks Formation.
Although it was just a crude trapping formation that he could easily break with a little time for deductions, with Lu Yang interfering from the side, and with his own True Qi at less than fifty percent of its peak, he was helpless against it for the moment.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xuhe's eyes darted, and he suddenly spoke: "Brother Lu, come to think of it, there's really no hatred between you and me."
"Go!"
Strike while the iron is hot. Lu Yang naturally would not reminisce with Zhao Xuhe and give him a chance to heal and recover. He immediately formed a sword art with his hands and continued to attack.
"Tsk! Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
Seeing this, Zhao Xuhe's gaze turned frosty. He immediately gave up the idea of stalling for time, instead forming a hand seal and summoning a metal seal into the air. This item was called the Primordial Magnet Gold Seal.
It could attract and capture all things made of metal in the world and was a specific counter to Flying Swords. It was one of Zhao Xuhe's ultimate secret treasures, which he had been saving for the future battlefield between the righteous and demonic sects to deal with disciples from the Jade Pivot Sword Pavilion.
Now, however, he had brought it out early, intending to restrain Lu Yang's sword light.
"Settle!"
Zhao Xuhe activated the treasured seal, precisely catching a slashing sword light. As the seal pressed down, it instantly subdued the sword light, making it unable to move or shift. Seeing this, Lu Yang's expression remained as usual.
He was still in his peak state, while Zhao Xuhe was at a low point. This kind of tug-of-war that consumed True Qi was actually advantageous to him, so he was not worried at all.
"My biggest advantage right now is hiding in the dark, concealed by the formation. Zhao Xuhe can't find my position. This way, even if he has some means to turn the tables, as long as I don't show myself, he can't use them. As long as I continue to wear him down, the victor will surely be me."
So Lu Yang made up his mind: I will not show myself. My Flying Sword? I don't need it!
Anyway, you cannot refine my Flying Sword in a short time, and you will have to expend True Qi to suppress it. That's exactly what I want. Let's see how long you can last!
Rumble!
Lu Yang stood outside the formation, circulating his True Qi. A misty white Qi floated from the top of his head, transforming into a hand seal several zhang large that slapped down into the formation from the air. This move was not particularly powerful; it was purely about overwhelming the opponent with raw force.
Seeing this, Zhao Xuhe's face instantly darkened. He knew that his scheme had been seen through by Lu Yang.
"You dog!"
Zhao Xuhe could not help but curse furiously in his heart. The man was clearly in the middle Qi Refining Realm just like him, yet he was so cautious and prudent. How was he supposed to turn defeat into victory?
Although he still had the strength for a desperate fight, even if he killed Lu Yang, he himself would find it hard to survive. How could Zhao Xuhe, who had finally obtained a fateful encounter, be willing to accept that? Seeing his True Qi being consumed more and more, Zhao Xuhe could finally bear it no longer.
He shouted, "... Brother Lu, do you know what kind of fateful encounter I obtained here on Coiling Dragon Island? A third-grade true art that points directly to the Great Dao of the Golden Core!
If Brother Lu stops now, this Zhao is willing to share the cultivation technique with you!"
"A third-grade true art?"
Outside the Bewildering Tracks Formation, Lu Yang abruptly stood up upon hearing this. True Qi was divided into nine grades and thirty-six levels. Below the seventh grade, there was no path to Foundation Establishment; below the third grade, there was no door to the Golden Core.
And now, Zhao Xuhe had actually thrown out a cultivation technique that could allow one to refine third-grade True Qi, with a promising future of reaching the Golden Core! What a great fateful encounter!
"No, wait..."
Lu Yang took a deep breath, suppressed his greed, and sat back down in his original spot.
"This person is promising great benefits, but he still wants to lure me out. If I go out, I'll fall into his trap."
"How about it? Brother Lu, can we reconcile?"
Inside the Bewildering Tracks Formation, Zhao Xuhe was still trying to persuade him, but a voice suddenly came from all directions: "Fool, if I kill you, the cultivation technique will be mine anyway!"
"Brother Lu is mistaken."
Zhao Xuhe shook his head and smiled, "As they say, fateful encounters are determined by Heaven. This third-grade true art is an opportunity this Zhao obtained by trading merit from three lifetimes of arduous cultivation. It is fated to have no connection with you, Brother Lu.
Even if you kill me, the cultivation technique will only fly away; you will not be able to obtain it."
"What?"
Hearing this, Lu Yang was stunned for a moment. His expression then became uncertain. Fateful encounters are determined by Heaven?
No fate with the cultivation technique, it would automatically fly away even if obtained? But soon, Lu Yang reacted and sneered, "If that's the case, then why should I reconcile with you for this cultivation technique?"
Zhao Xuhe hurriedly explained, "Brother Lu, you originally have no fate with the cultivation technique, but if I willingly share it with you, then no fate will become fated."
"... Alright."
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang said, "Transcribe a copy of the cultivation technique for me, and I'll let you out."
"Let's do that."
Zhao Xuhe agreed decisively. He then took out a jade casket, opened it, and revealed the two volumes of a Dao Scripture inside.
"The first volume is the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art, a Qi Refining Realm cultivation technique. It can cultivate a 'True Dragon Killing Qi,' and one's combat power can be called outstanding within the same realm. The second volume is the Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Precious Scroll, a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation technique. It can help one forge a 'Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding' Dao foundation, with hopes for the Great Dao of the Golden Core in the future."
After introducing the cultivation technique, Zhao Xuhe suddenly changed the subject: "But Brother Lu, I am currently injured and my True Qi is weak. If I just give you the cultivation technique like this, what if you turn on me and break your promise?"
"... That's simple."
Lu Yang's eyes darted, and he took the initiative to suggest, "You can give me the Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Precious Scroll first, and you keep the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art for yourself."
"I'm only in the Qi Refining Realm right now. Even with a Foundation Establishment cultivation technique, I can't cultivate it. You don't have to worry about me turning on you and taking your life."
At this point, Lu Yang's face was filled with sincerity.
"After I let you out, you can give me the Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Art. How about it?"
Zhao Xuhe thought for a moment and felt that what Lu Yang said made a lot of sense.
"It's a deal!"
Zhao Xuhe took the Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Precious Scroll out of the jade casket. Lu Yang, however, still did not reveal himself, instead condensing a large hand of True Qi to grab it from a distance. Seeing this, Zhao Xuhe could only sigh inwardly.
He suppressed the last trace of his other ideas and obediently handed the cultivation technique to Lu Yang. Lu Yang took the cultivation technique, memorized it word by word, and then grinned.
"Goodbye!"
The next second, Lu Yang sank his qi to his Dantian, directly activated the Life-Killing Curse, and brazenly self-detonated!
Boom!
A moment later, the dust and smoke that filled the sky dissipated, revealing Zhao Xuhe's face, which was filled with bewilderment.
"My cultivation technique... is gone?"
Why did he self-destruct? Never mind self-destructing, but why not do it earlier or later? Why wait until after he got the cultivation technique to self-destruct?
I have not even had time to read that cultivation technique myself!
"Lu Yang..."
Zhao Xuhe stood in the wind, looking at the Myriad Chariots Dragon-Riding Ascension Precious Scroll that had already turned to ash, muttering Lu Yang's name, his expression gradually twisting.
"You animal!"