Chapter 14: Mystic Powers

Tian Yici rose to his feet, scrutinizing Lin Jingyu from head to toe with a grim expression. His voice was cold and sharp, “Impressive skills! Impressive killing intent!”

Qi Hao whispered to Lin Jingyu, “Junior Brother, apologize quickly.”

Lin Jingyu, full of youthful pride, furrowed his brows and took a step forward. He turned to Zhang Xiaofan, who stood to the side, and said, “Xiaofan, I was in the wrong just now. I said we would test our cultivation, but I lost control. I’m sorry.”

Zhang Xiaofan was deeply concerned for his friend, but he managed to say, “No, it’s nothing.”

The faces of the Great Bamboo Peak disciples changed. Tian Yici’s anger surged even more, and he took a sudden step forward, a red glow flickering across his face.

Qi Hao’s face paled. Unlike Lin Jingyu, he had been in the Azure Ethereal Conclave for a long time and knew that, though the Great Bamboo Peak lineage was not as strong as the other six, Master Tian Yici and his wife Su Ru possessed astonishing powers that no one dared to take lightly.

Even the usually arrogant Daoist Cangsong, before departing, had warned him: Tian Yici has a small temper but is highly accomplished in cultivation. Additionally, his wife, Su Ru, is a renowned genius in the Azure Ethereal Conclave, respected even by the sect leader, Daoist Zhenxuan. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, they should not be provoked.

But Lin Jingyu was unaware of this. From his appearance, it seemed he wouldn’t have cared even if he knew. Despite his young age, his arrogance was profound, likely due to the doting attention of Daoist Cangsong.

Tian Yici grew even more furious at the sight of Lin Jingyu. Just as he was about to act, Su Ru appeared beside her husband, gently pulling him back. A faint smile played on her lips as she murmured, “At your age, fighting with junior disciples, what kind of example are you setting?”

Tian Yici paused, stopping in his tracks. Qi Hao quickly stepped in front of his junior brother, smiling apologetically, “Master Tian, please forgive us for our insolence, and consider my master’s respect.”

Zhang Xiaofan, seeing Lin Jingyu anger his master, felt extremely anxious. To him, Lin Jingyu, a fellow survivor from the Grass Temple Village, was like a brother.

Seeing Qi Hao plead for Lin Jingyu, Zhang Xiaofan felt a surge of warmth and impulsively knelt before Tian Yici, saying, “Master, it was my fault. Seeing Junior Brother Jingyu, no, Senior Brother Lin flying with his sword, I wanted to see his cultivation. That’s why I acted. It was all my… “

Tian Yici, already in a foul mood, forced down his rage. But seeing Zhang Xiaofan kneeling before him, babbling on, he couldn’t help but snap, “Shut up, useless brat!”

With a wave of his sleeve, Zhang Xiaofan felt a gust of wind hit him, making him feel weightless. Suddenly, a fierce wind swirled around him, seemingly stripping the air away, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

Then, a powerful force surged towards him like an avalanche, hurling him backward. He crashed into the wall of the Quietude Hall with a loud thud, then fell to the ground, feeling lightheaded and a sweetness in his throat. He spat out a mouthful of blood.

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

“Father!” Tian Ling’er cried out first, rushing to help Zhang Xiaofan. Lin Jingyu almost simultaneously dashed over, and upon seeing the blood on Zhang Xiaofan’s chest, his anger flared. If he himself had been injured, he might not have reacted so strongly, but seeing Zhang Xiaofan plead for him and end up like this, Lin Jingyu’s anger knew no bounds. Turning to Tian Yici, he shouted, “Short fat man, what are you doing?”

As he spoke, the Dragon-Slaying Sword, sensing its master’s distress, emitted a brilliant azure light.

Tian Yici’s brows shot up, nearly fuming from the insult. With a sweep of his sleeve, he vanished from sight.

Qi Hao urgently called out, “Junior Brother, be careful!”

Lin Jingyu, already on high alert, immediately raised the Dragon-Slaying Sword, enveloping himself in its azure light.

Suddenly, Tian Yici’s short, stout figure reappeared before him, ignoring the sharp azure light, which could not penetrate within three feet of his body.

Lin Jingyu’s heart skipped a beat. Tian Yici, glaring furiously, almost touched his face. Panicked, he stumbled backward, but the Dragon-Slaying Sword remained steady, hovering protectively in front of him.

Tian Yici sneered, extending his right hand, thrusting it into the sword’s aura. A crimson glow enveloped his palm, holding the azure light at bay. In a blink, he seized the Dragon-Slaying Sword.

Qi Hao rushed into the fray, shouting, “Master Tian, show mercy!”

Tian Yici did not pursue. He let Qi Hao shield Lin Jingyu, fixating on the sword in his hand. Most of the sword’s aura dissipated, but the Dragon-Slaying Sword, seemingly sentient, struggled against Tian Yici’s grip, its light flashing, turning half his body green.

Tian Yici looked up, his voice cold, “The Dragon-Slaying Sword is a divine weapon, but it is not invincible!”

With a sudden clench of his fingers, the sword stilled. Moments later, it glowed with a brilliant azure light, far brighter than when it was in Lin Jingyu’s hands.

Qi Hao gasped, “Master Tian…”

Tian Yici’s face was like ice. Without another word, he grasped the Dragon-Slaying Sword and, with a downward slash, unleashed a piercing green light, forming a towering column that surged towards Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu.

Qi Hao clenched his teeth, summoning his famous Frost Sword, which gleamed white. The moment the green light struck, Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu retreated, forming seven ice walls before them.

A series of booms echoed as the green light shattered the ice, yet the green light showed no sign of weakening. It roared like a raging dragon, charging towards Qi Hao.

Pale, Qi Hao mustered all his strength, channeling the Frost Sword’s light into a shield.

A thunderous boom rang out as the green light struck the shield, pushing it back. Qi Hao, straining every muscle, barely held the green light at bay, a foot from his body. The green light, still fierce, pressed on, and Qi Hao, unable to withstand the pressure, was pushed back out of the hall.

Outside, the green light left a deep, shocking trench in the earth. The green light continued to push them back until they were outside the hall, and the green light blazed even brighter, cutting deep into the ground.

Finally, the green light ceased, and Qi Hao, breathless, bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Master Tian, for your leniency.”

Lin Jingyu, humbled, also bowed his head.

Another whoosh sounded, and the Dragon-Slaying Sword, glowing azure, flew back to them, landing beside the Frost Sword, quivering.

“You may go,” Tian Yici’s voice, calm but cold, carried from the hall.

Qi Hao quickly responded, pulling Lin Jingyu, and they both took flight.

In the hall, the disciples, having witnessed Tian Yici’s fury, were silent, especially Zhang Xiaofan, who, despite his injury, was awed by his master’s power.

Tian Yici, hearing Zhang Xiaofan’s cry, looked at him. Zhang Xiaofan bit back his pain, bowing his head.

Tian Yici glanced at him, then at the line of disciples. They all averted their eyes, too intimidated to meet his gaze.

Sighing deeply, Tian Yici shook his head, walking towards the back hall.

Su Ru, watching her husband, turned to the disciples, “You may leave now.”

The disciples complied, and Tian Ling’er helped Zhang Xiaofan, leading them out.

Once everyone was gone, Su Ru entered the back hall, finding Tian Yici staring at the bamboo garden.

She approached him, softly asking, “Why such a fit of rage today?”

Tian Yici shook his head, countering, “When Qi Hao formed the ice wall earlier, did you see how he did it without using the Frost Sword?”

Su Ru sighed, “He didn’t use the Frost Sword.”

Tian Yici snorted, “During the last trial, Qi Hao needed the sword’s power to form the ice. I didn’t expect him to reach this level in just a few decades.”

Turning to Su Ru, he asked, “How do you think his cultivation compares?”

Su Ru replied, “He cast the spell effortlessly, at least at the Eighth Level of Jade Purity.”

Tian Yici hesitated, then said, “None of our disciples can match him.”

Staring at the wilting bamboo, Tian Yici asked, “How is the Seventh?”

Smiling, Su Ru said, “What do you think? Beaten and spitting blood by the great immortal here.”

Tian Yici’s face twitched, and he muttered, “Tonight, give him a ‘Great Yellow Pill’ to make sure he doesn’t skip meals tomorrow.”

Su Ru smiled, nodding.

Night fell, and Zhang Xiaofan slowly returned to his room. The monkey Xiao Hui and the dog Dahu, now inseparable, tumbled and barked inside.

Zhang Xiaofan smiled, sitting at the table, still in pain but thinking of the day’s events. He sighed, filled with admiration for the magical techniques.

“Why the sigh?” a gentle voice came from the door.

Startled, he saw Su Ru, looking like a celestial maiden in the night breeze.

He stood, “Mistress.”

Su Ru put a hand on his shoulder, “Sit, it’s fine.”

Zhang Xiaofan, touched, sat down. Su Ru examined him, feeling his chest, and nodded, “Nothing serious.” She took out a small bottle, pouring a yellow pill, and handed it to him, “Take it.”

Hesitating, he swallowed it, feeling warmth spread through his body, easing his pain.

Grateful, he thanked her. Su Ru smiled, “Don’t thank me, it’s from your master.”

Surprised, he asked, “Is he not angry anymore?”

Su Ru, looking at him, smiled, “He wouldn’t have sent me if he was. But are you angry with him?”

Zhang Xiaofan, startled, said, “No, Mistress, I would never…”

Su Ru gently stopped him, “Listen, Zhang Xiaofan, your master regrets his actions. But he values his pride and won’t admit it. Don’t hold it against him.”

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head, “Mistress, I don’t blame him. I only blame myself for being clumsy and upsetting him.”

Su Ro looked at him, “It’s not about you. Cultivation depends on one’s talent. Your master understands this, but he worries about the future of the Great Bamboo Peak. He carries a heavy burden, and it’s very hard for him.”

Zhang Xiaofan was silent, then said, “Yes, Mistress, I understand.”

Su Ru, standing, patted his shoulder, “Rest now.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, “Goodnight, Mistress.”

Su Ru left, and Zhang Xiaofan watched her go. Entering his room, he was surprised to see a red-clad woman by the table, her beauty incomparable.

His heart raced, and he whispered, “Senior Sister!”