Chapter 1161: The Gamble
Chapter 1161: The Gamble
The Celestial Iron Staff, originally a Seventh-Rank Magical Treasure, had an exceptional affinity with the White Jade Ape, and in its hands, it could unleash even greater power.
With the White Ape's full-force strike, the incomplete Dharma form that the Four-Armed Flame Ape had manifested crumbled like a clay chicken under a tile roof, instantly collapsing.
Guided by its mind, the Four-Armed Flame Ape spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, its face contorting in unbearable agony.
The White Ape held a crimson long staff, its eyes flashing like lightning, its expressionless face pointing at the Four-Armed Flame Ape from afar.
In the Flame Ape's eyes, it seemed to have transformed into a hundred-zhang tall Demon Ape, and it couldn't help but feel a sense of submission.
Under the endless pressure, it couldn't bear the pressure in its heart, and with a loud thud, it knelt on the ground.
"That's enough, let's stop here."
Lu Xuan's deep voice resonated in the White Ape's ear, audible to the surrounding Fire Deity Palace cultivators.
Although the White Ape was belligerent, it obeyed Lu Xuan's commands without question, and its blood-red eyes instantly cleared.
After hearing those words, it performed a staff flourish, and the crimson long staff rolled into its ear hole.
Ignoring the Four-Armed Flame Ape kneeling on the ground, it flew directly to Lu Xuan's side, lowering its head and standing behind him.
"Lu Daoist friend, this Spirit Beast is truly valiant, easily defeating the Four-Armed Flame Ape."
Flame Departure praised with a smile.
"Indeed, it's not just its physical body that can match the Four-Armed Flame Ape, but also its extraordinary staff technique."
A Fire Deity Palace Yuanling Cultivator nearby chimed in, having come to watch the spectacle.
Not far away, Zhuang Chunqiu's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of hidden embarrassment flashed in his eyes.
He had long coveted the Divine Ape's original monkey fur, and he had hoped to obtain it by relying on the Four-Armed Flame Ape's strength and talent, increasing its chances of advancing to the Seventh Rank.
Unexpectedly, such a precious treasure had somehow ended up in the hands of an outsider cultivator, obtained by a White Ape with inferior strength.
The Four-Armed Flame Ape, with its thin bloodline connection to the Fire Deity Ape, sensed the presence of that monkey fur, and jealousy welled up within it.
As the Four-Armed Flame Ape's master, Zhuang Chunqiu was equally indignant and allowed his Spirit Beast to clash with the White Ape.
In his original plan, the Four-Armed Flame Ape, fighting on home ground', would better utilize the special environment of the Fire Deity Palace. Additionally, having been at the Sixth Rank for many years, it should easily handle a Spirit Beast that had just broken through to the Sixth Rank.
However, the outcome was beyond his expectations.
The White Ape's strength was on par with the Four-Armed Flame Ape, and after the Four-Armed Flame Ape manifested its incomplete Dharma form, it even summoned a rare and precious Seventh-Rank long staff.
With a single strike, it dispersed the Four-Armed Flame Ape's four-armed shadow.
This also caused Zhuang Chunqiu's initial expectations to come to naught, and even his mind experienced a slight disturbance.
Without a word, he reached out with one hand, grabbing the Four-Armed Flame Ape on the ground and pulling it towards him. He then tossed in a faint red Spirit Pill.
Under the pill's healing, the initially listless Four-Armed Flame Ape regained some of its vigor.
It raised its head to look at Zhuang Chunqiu, its eyes filled with shame.
"Are you still here, embarrassing yourself?"
Zhuang Chunqiu spoke softly.
The Four-Armed Flame Ape instantly transformed into a fiery red spiritual light, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.
"Lu Daoist friend, as expected of someone from the Dongxuan Sword Sect, your Spirit Beast possesses such extraordinary strength."
Zhuang Chunqiu turned his head, forcing a smile.
"Just luck."
Lu Xuan replied indifferently.
"I didn't expect you to bestow such a precious treasure upon a Spirit Beast."
Zhuang Chunqiu said with a smile, his words carrying a hint of strangeness.
"How about it, Zhuang Daoyou, you don't want to give your Spirit Beast a Seventh Stage Treasure?"
Lu Xuan asked softly.
Zhuang Chunqiu couldn't help but choke.
He himself didn't have many Seventh Stage Treasures, so how could he possibly find a rare and perfectly compatible Seventh Stage Magical Treasure for a Sixth Stage Spirit Beast?
"I'm nowhere near as wealthy as you, Lu Daoyou."
"However, I've long admired Dongxuan Sword Sect's Sword Dao, which is unparalleled in the entire cultivation world."
"Today, I finally get to meet Lu Daoyou. I wonder if we could spar and exchange some spell combat experiences?"
Zhuang Chunqiu's expression was calm as he asked.
"I'm just a mere Spirit Herb Master, not skilled in spell combat. I came to the Fire Deity Palace to bring some Spirit Fruit and Spirit Brew for the Fire Deity Ape Senior. I think you've mistaken me for someone else, Daoyou Zhuang."
Lu Xuan smiled faintly.
"How about it, Lu Daoyou, as a Sword Sect cultivator, are you unwilling to accept a friendly spell combat?"
Zhuang Chunqiu's tone carried a hint of provocation.
He knew that Lu Xuan had just advanced to the Nascent Soul stage not long ago, and it would take time for his mystic arts and magical treasures to improve significantly. Moreover, Lu Xuan was a Spirit Herb Master, so Zhuang Chunqiu wanted to regain face by challenging him.
As for himself, he had been in the Nascent Soul stage for over a hundred years, and with his rich spell combat experience, his mana, divine perception, and physical body were all superior to Lu Xuan's. Thus, he was confident in defeating Lu Xuan.
"You're right, Daoyou Zhuang. I am indeed a Sword Sect cultivator."
"However, if I were to accept any random challenge, wouldn't it diminish the reputation of Dongxuan Sword Sect, making it seem less intimidating?"
Lu Xuan said coldly.
"Disciple Zhuang, Lu Daoyou is a guest at the Fire Deity Palace. Your Spirit Beasts have already fought, so there's no need to ruin the harmony."
Yan Li spoke solemnly.
"It's just a friendly spar, and it won't harm the friendship between our sects. Senior, please rest assured."
Zhuang Chunqiu said casually, turning to look at Lu Xuan.
"I've heard that you're a renowned Spirit Herb Master in the Sword Sect, with an incredible mastery in Spirit Herb cultivation, and you're obsessed with all kinds of rare and unique Spirit Herbs."
"As it happens, I have a rare Seventh Stage Fire Attribute Spirit Seed. How about we make a bet?"
"Oh? What's the bet?"
Upon hearing that Zhuang Chunqiu had a rare Seventh Stage Spirit Seed, Lu Xuan, who had originally planned to settle the matter peacefully and maintain a low profile, suddenly became interested.
"We'll have a spell combat in the Fire Deity Palace. If I lose, this Spirit Seed will be yours, Daoyou Zhuang."
"What if I win, Daoyou Lu?"
Lu Xuan asked curiously.
"I have the home ground advantage, so I won't make any demands on your bet. If I win, I only ask that you apologize to my injured Spirit Beast."
Zhuang Chunqiu said indifferently.
He held the home ground advantage and had been in the Nascent Soul stage for many years. To lure Lu Xuan into this spell combat, he was willing to offer a Seventh Stage Spirit Seed.
The conditions seemed simple, but they represented Lu Xuan's reputation. If others found out that he had apologized to a Sixth Stage Spirit Beast, it would affect his standing in the cultivation world.
"A Seventh Stage Spirit Seed..."
"You're right about me, Daoyou Zhuang."
"I can't resist this temptation, Daoyou Lu."
Lu Xuan shook his head and sighed lightly.
He had initially wanted to let the matter rest, but since Zhuang Chunqiu was using a Seventh Stage Spirit Seed to tempt him, he might as well accept the challenge.
"I'm willing to spar with you, Daoyou Zhuang."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
