Zhongwen’s intention was not aimed at the stone tablet in the air, but rather precisely targeted at Mei Qing.
Although Tao Zhongwen did not yet know the origin of the stone tablet, judging from its single strike shattering Zhuo Wanchun’s Immortal Jade Seal was enough to imagine its immense power. Although Tao Zhongwen was confident, he wasn’t foolish enough to actually attempt a direct confrontation with such a terrifying object.
Even if Tao Zhongwen could withstand the stone’s impact, his relationship with Zhuo Wanchun hadn’t reached a level where he would risk his life for him.
Tao Zhongwen harbored intentions of treachery mainly because Mei Qing’s performance had been too astonishing. Although Tao had considered himself to have already greatly overestimated Mei Qing’s cultivation before coming here, the display of Mei Qing’s abilities during the recent battle with Zhuo Wanchun still surprised him greatly.
Zhuo Wanchun had long enjoyed a prestigious reputation, and as the saying goes, a great reputation is never undeserved. Whether in terms of cultivation foundation, magical techniques, or application of magical artifacts, he was undoubtedly a top-tier figure. Especially the recent display of the Immortal Jade Seal had left everyone present somewhat dazzled.
Yet, Mei Qing, facing this “Little Immortal” Zhuo, had shown absolutely no disadvantage, performing with apparent ease throughout.
Tao Zhongwen had come here specifically for Mei Qing. However, Mei Qing’s outstanding performance made Tao somewhat concerned about whether he could successfully subdue him.
Therefore, as soon as he saw the situation turning unfavorable, while everyone else was still stunned by the sudden turn of events, he unhesitatingly struck first.
It seemed as though Tao Zhongwen made no obvious movement, merely secretly forming a seal with one hand hidden in his sleeve, then softly shouting “Hurry!” Suddenly, high above Mei Qing’s head in midair, five multicolored orbs appeared, swirling and rolling like a giant plum blossom descending downward.
Tao Zhongwen had long been known as the national master, yet few had actually witnessed his techniques firsthand. When he displayed this move now, many in the crowd immediately recalled the challenge of the Six Plums of the Plum Blossom Sect from years ago, having seen similar techniques then. In an instant, they snapped out of their shock at Mei Qing shattering Zhuo Wanchun’s jade seal and redirected their attention to the scene unfolding.
At this moment, Mei Qing was still suspended midair. Although his earlier confrontation with Zhuo Wanchun appeared effortless, he had actually expended tremendous energy. Finally, under the immense pressure of the jade seal, he had seized the stone tablet, mobilizing all his inner energy. After placing the last thousand-jin talisman upon the stone tablet, he had no strength left. Now, if he had to face Tao Zhongwen’s attack, he truly had no power remaining.
Yet, as Mei Qing saw the five plum blossom shapes appear above his head, he showed no panic. He merely smiled faintly, spread the wings of his white crane, and followed the descending stone tablet downward in a rapid dive.
Tao Zhongwen’s face was icy cold. With a twist of his five fingers hidden in his sleeve, the multicolored plum blossom in the air immediately began spinning rapidly. The wind changed, stirring up swirling mist, flying clouds and crackling lightning, darkening the sky as if it were collapsing, chasing after Mei Qing.
Just as everyone thought Mei Qing was surely doomed this time, suddenly they heard Zhang Yuchong shout, “Swift as the decree!” Immediately, five small talismans suddenly appeared above Mei Qing, precisely intercepting the fiercely charging multicolored plum blossom.
A faint white flame silently erupted, then like a sudden gust of wind, twisted into a blazing array of flames in black and white, shining with dazzling light above Mei Qing. Amidst this radiant mist, countless snake-like tongues of fire darted about. Then a wave of intense heat burst outward in all directions, scorching the surrounding air until white vapor rose from the evaporation.
As the flames erupted, a deep rumble of thunder rolled over. Large chunks of earth and stone spewed forth from beneath the talismans like a tornado, accompanied by flying sand and dust. Countless large and small grains of stone rained down like a waterfall, intertwining with the flames that had yet to fully erupt, crashing head-on toward Tao Zhongwen.
In an instant, it seemed as if the sky and earth had collapsed. Chaotic water arrows, colossal trees, and sharp deadly weapons activated the Five Elements simultaneously, shooting out rays of various colors and shapes, emitting strange and awe-inspiring roaring sounds, merging into an endless Five Elements Formation. While exploding and colliding, it filled the entire space before Tao Zhongwen.
Tao Zhongwen was greatly startled. He immediately felt that the multicolored plum blossom he controlled from afar was on the verge of shattering under Zhang Yuchong’s overwhelming Five Elements Talismans, his inner energy nearly exploding into chaos. He quickly focused his mind, forcibly gathering the multicolored plum blossom into one mass. At the same time, his free right hand formed another seal, chanting incantations, and another five-colored plum blossom-shaped energy orb surged forward from behind to reinforce the front.
Everyone was greatly surprised. Initially, seeing Tao Zhongwen suddenly attacking from behind, although some felt shocked and others disdainful, they all thought Mei Qing was surely powerless to resist and would inevitably fall into danger this time. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yuchong suddenly intervened, and his Five Elements Talismans were even more powerful than Tao Zhongwen’s, leaving everyone astonished at Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation level.
In fact, both Zhang Yuchong and Mei Qing clearly understood that although Tao Zhongwen appeared to have struck first, only the two of them truly knew about Mei Qing’s stone tablet. They had already guessed the outcome and thus prepared in advance. Therefore, in reality, it was Zhang Yuchong who gained the advantage.
Tao Zhongwen, unaware of this, thought Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation was indeed far superior to his own, and even a casual strike could create such a display.
Despite his extensive combat experience, Tao Zhongwen was somewhat flustered. Seeing the first layer of energy orb already dissipating under Zhang Yuchong’s Five Elements Talismans, he hastily flicked his left hand, releasing another Five Elements energy orb, barely managing to resist the opponent’s attack.
Meanwhile, Mei Qing was not idle either. As his inner energy circulated, he was simultaneously recovering and remotely locking onto Zhuo Wanchun, shouting, “Yin and Yang divide, thunder arises and movement is forbidden—Freeze!”
Zhuo Wanchun had just been struck by the stone tablet, his inner energy and spiritual awareness nearly shaken out of his body. His magical artifact, the jade banner, had transformed into the jade seal to take the hit, damaging its original form and rendering it unusable. Ignoring the chaotic inner energy surging through him, he was just about to retreat when he suddenly felt his entire body stiffen, trapped in place by Mei Qing’s restriction technique.
In truth, Mei Qing was already at his limit, and this restriction technique was far less solid and powerful than usual. However, Zhuo Wanchun was in an even worse state, having already lost seven parts out of ten of his life force. His inner energy was running wild and uncontrollable. Trapped by Mei Qing’s technique, he simply couldn’t break free.
Although Zhuo Wanchun didn’t lift his head, he could already sense the rushing wind and felt cold sweat pouring down his back. He knew that if he hesitated any longer, today might be his last.
Suddenly, Zhuo Wanchun roared, and golden light burst from the top of his head. A halo resembling an infant emerged from his crown, both fingers pointing upward as he chanted, “Supreme Primordial, Three Caverns and Three Primes, Nine Bodies of Calamity, Transform Jia into Mysterious Essence! Command!”
Zhong Wen’s intention to strike was not aimed at the stele in the air, but rather at Mei Qing.
Although Tao Zhongwen did not yet know the origin of the stele, just seeing it shatter Zhuo Wanchun’s immortal jade seal in one blow was enough to imagine its immense power. While Tao Zhongwen was confident in his abilities, he was not foolish enough to engage in a direct confrontation with such a terrifying object.
To put it another way, even if Tao Zhongwen could withstand the stele’s force, his relationship with Zhuo Wanchun was not at a level where he would risk his life for him.
Tao Zhongwen harbored a hidden intention to strike because Mei Qing’s performance had been astonishing. Although Tao Zhongwen had already overestimated Mei Qing’s cultivation before arriving, the strength Mei Qing displayed during his battle with Zhuo Wanchun still greatly surprised him.
Zhuo Wanchun had been famous for a long time, and as the saying goes, “A great reputation does not come without substance.” Whether it was his cultivation foundation, mastery of spells, or use of magical artifacts, he was a first-rate figure. Especially the immortal jade seal he had just used had left everyone present in awe.
Yet, Mei Qing faced this “Little Immortal Zhuo” without any disadvantage, always appearing calm and composed.
Tao Zhongwen’s purpose in coming here was Mei Qing. However, Mei Qing’s dazzling performance made Tao Zhongwen somewhat worried about whether he could subdue Mei Qing smoothly.
Therefore, as soon as he saw the situation turning unfavorable, he seized the moment when everyone was stunned by the recent events and decisively struck first.
Without any visible movement, Tao Zhongwen subtly clenched a single palm within his sleeve and softly chanted, “Swift!” Suddenly, a five-colored light mass appeared above Mei Qing’s head, swirling and tumbling like a giant plum blossom, pressing down.
Tao Zhongwen had long held the title of “National Preceptor,” but few had actually seen him in action. When he unleashed this technique, many in the crowd recalled the time when the Six Plum Blossoms of the Plum Blossom Sect had challenged him, and they had seen this very technique. Instantly, they snapped out of their shock from Mei Qing shattering Zhuo Wanchun’s jade seal and turned their attention back to the scene.
At this moment, Mei Qing was mid-air. Although his confrontation with Zhuo Wanchun had seemed effortless, it had actually drained him significantly. Under the immense pressure of the jade seal, he had mobilized all his true essence to retrieve the stele, and the final “Thousand-Catty Talisman” he placed on the stele had left him with no strength to continue. Now, facing Tao Zhongwen’s attack, he had no energy left to resist.
Yet, Mei Qing, seeing the five plum blossoms forming above his head, showed no panic. He simply smiled faintly, spread the wings of his white crane, and swiftly chased after the descending stele.
Tao Zhongwen’s expression turned icy. With a twist of his fingers in his sleeve, the five-colored plum blossom in the air began to spin rapidly. The wind shifted, stirring up a misty haze, with flying clouds and lightning, as if the sky itself was collapsing, chasing after Mei Qing.
Just as everyone thought Mei Qing was doomed, they suddenly heard Zhang Yuchong shout, “By the law, swiftly!” Five small talismans appeared above Mei Qing, precisely intercepting the menacing five-colored plum blossom.
A pale white flame silently exploded, followed by a sudden gust of wind. In the flickering of black and white, a scorching array of flames twisted into existence, creating a dazzling mist of light above Mei Qing. Within the mist, fiery tongues like long snakes darted about, and a wave of heat surged in all directions, scorching the surrounding air until it steamed with white smoke.
As the flames erupted, a deep rumble of thunder rolled through, and large chunks of earth and stone shot out like a tornado from beneath the talismans, carrying sand and dust. Countless grains of sand and stone cascaded like a waterfall, mingling with the not-yet-fully erupted flames, and rushed headlong toward Tao Zhongwen.
In an instant, it was as if the heavens and earth were collapsing. Wild water arrows, boundless giant trees, and sharp, deadly weapons—all five elements in motion—shot out in various forms and colors, creating a chaotic, deafening roar. The five-elemental array exploded and collided, filling the entire space before Tao Zhongwen.
Tao Zhongwen was greatly alarmed. He immediately felt that the five-colored plum blossom, which he had controlled with a single palm, was in danger of shattering under the violent five-elemental talismans. His true essence was nearly thrown into chaos, so he quickly focused his mind, forcibly gathering the five-colored plum blossom into one spot. At the same time, he raised his free right palm, chanting an incantation, and another five-colored plum blossom-shaped light mass surged forward from behind.
Everyone was taken aback. Although they had been surprised or disdainful when Tao Zhongwen suddenly launched a sneak attack, they had all assumed Mei Qing would be unable to escape this calamity. They hadn’t expected Zhang Yuchong to intervene so swiftly, his five-elemental talismans even more powerful than Tao Zhongwen’s, leaving everyone in awe of Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation.
In truth, both Zhang Yuchong and Mei Qing knew the situation well. Although it appeared that Tao Zhongwen had struck first, only the two of them knew the true nature of Mei Qing’s stele. They had anticipated the outcome and prepared accordingly. Thus, in reality, Zhang Yuchong had the upper hand.
Tao Zhongwen, unaware of this, thought Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation far surpassed his own, as he could unleash such power with a casual strike.
Despite his extensive battle experience, Tao Zhongwen was somewhat flustered. Seeing the first light mass dissipate under Zhang Yuchong’s five-elemental talismans, he quickly flicked his left hand, releasing another five-colored light mass, barely managing to hold off the attack.
Meanwhile, Mei Qing was not idle. He circulated his true essence, recovering while simultaneously locking onto Zhuo Wanchun from a distance. He shouted, “Yin and Yang divide, thunder is born, movement is forbidden—halt!”
Zhuo Wanchun, still reeling from the stele’s strike, felt his true essence and spiritual sense nearly torn from his body. His magical artifact, the jade banner, had transformed into the jade seal that took the brunt of the attack, damaging its core and rendering it useless. As he tried to retreat, he felt his body freeze, immobilized by Mei Qing’s binding spell.
At this point, Mei Qing was also at his limit. This binding spell was far less solid than usual. However, Zhuo Wanchun was in an even worse state, with only thirty percent of his life force remaining and his true essence running wild. Unable to stabilize it, he was completely trapped by Mei Qing’s spell, unable to break free.
Though Zhuo Wanchun did not look up, he could feel the wind whistling past him, and cold sweat poured down his back. He knew that if he hesitated any longer, he might not survive the day.
With a sudden roar, a golden light burst from Zhuo Wanchun’s head, and a baby-shaped halo emerged from his crown. His fingers pointed to the sky as he chanted, “Supreme Purity, Primordial Beginning, Three Caverns, Three Origins, Nine Bodies’ Tribulation, Transcendence and Transformation—command!”
As the infant above his head finished the incantation, Zhuo Wanchun’s eyes snapped open, and a golden ring of light enveloped his body. With a shudder, he broke free from Mei Qing’s binding spell. His fingers danced as he struggled to complete another incantation, shouting, “Escape!” Finally, he managed to cast an earth-escape technique.
However, the stele was incredibly fast, and with Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen locked in combat, the five elements were in chaos. Zhuo Wanchun’s escape technique only moved him a few meters before he reappeared, and the golden light around him had completely dissipated. Fortunately, this movement took him out of the stele’s strike range, but the golden wind still sent him flying backward. He landed with a thud, sliding several feet before coming to a stop, unable to rise.
Mei Qing chuckled inwardly but did not pause. He urged his spirit crane to descend, and just as the stele was about to hit the ground, he secretly cast a spell to retrieve it into his dimensional space.
Mei Qing’s haste to hide the stele was part of his plan. His unexpected move had left Zhuo Wanchun in a sorry state, and this feat was sure to make him famous. Therefore, he wanted to maintain the stele’s mystery, hiding it before anyone could get a clear look, lest its secrets be revealed and its effectiveness diminished in future use.
Everyone was amazed by Mei Qing’s mysterious stone, which had delivered a decisive blow and then vanished with a wave of his hand, demonstrating such effortless mastery.
By the time Zhuo Wanchun struggled to his feet, Mei Qing had already stored the stone away, smiling at him without a word. Zhuo Wanchun, having lost his magical artifact, been beaten half to death, and forced to use his sect’s secret technique meant for future tribulations, had suffered a humiliating defeat in front of the entire Taoist community. Seeing Mei Qing’s smug grin, he felt a surge of anger and opened his mouth to speak, only to vomit a mouthful of dark purple blood before collapsing unconscious.
Meanwhile, the battle between Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen in the air continued.
Under Zhang Yuchong’s pressure, Tao Zhongwen had been forced to retreat repeatedly. His movements, embodying the essence of the Divine Firmament, were smooth and ethereal. With a flash of five colors, he would retreat several meters. His palms moved in intricate patterns, releasing one five-colored plum blossom after another. Although he seemed to be at a disadvantage against Zhang Yuchong’s aggressive five-elemental talismans, after five or six exchanges, he finally managed to extinguish all the talismans.
Zhang Yuchong laughed and said, “Master Tao, isn’t it a bit unbecoming of a National Preceptor to attack without even a greeting?”
Tao Zhongwen’s face remained as still as water, seemingly ignoring Zhang Yuchong’s taunt. After a moment, he suddenly moved again, but instead of advancing, he retreated, flying backward at high speed without a word.
His movements were incredibly fast, yet still devoid of any visible effort. After flying several dozen meters, his body suddenly became transparent and then vanished entirely.
Everyone was stunned. Had Tao Zhongwen, seeing the situation turn against him, simply fled? But given his renowned reputation and the aggressive manner in which he had arrived, how could he give up so easily?
Mei Qing was also taken aback, but then a thought flashed through his mind like lightning. He shouted, “Not good!”
Zhong Wen’s intention in making a move was not directed at the stele in the air, but rather aimed at Mei Qing.
Although Tao Zhongwen did not yet know the origin of the stele, just seeing it shatter Zhuo Wanchun’s immortal jade seal in one strike was enough to imagine its immense power. Despite Tao Zhongwen’s arrogance, he was not foolish enough to engage in a direct confrontation with such a terrifying object.
To take a step back, even if Tao Zhongwen could withstand the stone, his friendship with Zhuo Wanchun was not deep enough to risk his life for the other.
Tao Zhongwen harbored a scheme in his heart because Mei Qing’s performance was too astonishing. Although Tao Zhongwen had already highly estimated Mei Qing’s cultivation before arriving, the strength Mei Qing displayed in the battle with Zhuo Wanchun still greatly surprised him.
Zhuo Wanchun had been famous for a long time, and as the saying goes, “A great reputation does not come without substance.” Whether it was his cultivation foundation, mastery of spells, or use of magical tools, he was a first-rate figure. Especially the immortal jade seal he used earlier had left everyone present in awe.
Yet, when Mei Qing faced this renowned Zhuo Xiaoxian, he showed no signs of weakness and appeared completely at ease.
Tao Zhongwen had come with the purpose of targeting Mei Qing. However, Mei Qing’s dazzling performance made Tao Zhongwen somewhat worried about whether he could subdue Mei Qing smoothly.
Therefore, as soon as the situation on the field turned unfavorable, Tao Zhongwen seized the moment when everyone was stunned by the recent events and decisively took action.
Without any visible movement, Tao Zhongwen subtly formed a hand seal within his sleeve and softly chanted the word “Swift.” Suddenly, a five-colored light appeared above Mei Qing’s head, swirling and rolling like a giant plum blossom, pressing down.
Tao Zhongwen had long held the title of National Preceptor, but few had actually seen him in action. When he made his move, many in the crowd recalled the time when the Six Plum Blossoms of the Plum Blossom Sect had challenged him, and they had witnessed similar techniques. Instantly, they snapped out of their shock from Mei Qing shattering Zhuo Wanchun’s jade seal and turned their attention back to the field.
At this moment, Mei Qing was mid-air. Although his confrontation with Zhuo Wanchun seemed effortless, it had actually drained him significantly. Under the immense pressure of the jade seal, he had to mobilize all his true essence to retrieve the stele, and the final thousand-pound talisman placed on the stele left him with no strength to continue. Now, facing Tao Zhongwen’s attack, he had no energy left to resist.
Yet, when Mei Qing saw the five plum blossoms forming above his head, he remained calm. With a faint smile, he spread the wings of his white crane and swiftly descended, chasing the falling stele.
Tao Zhongwen’s expression turned icy. With a twist of his fingers in his sleeve, the five-colored plum blossom in the air began to spin rapidly. The wind shifted, stirring up a mist around it, with clouds and lightning obscuring the sky, as if the heavens were collapsing, chasing after Mei Qing.
Just as everyone thought Mei Qing would surely be unable to escape this time, they suddenly heard Zhang Yuchong shout, “By the urgent command of the law!” Five small talismans appeared above Mei Qing, precisely intercepting the menacing five-colored plum blossom.
A pale flame silently exploded, followed by a sudden gust of wind. In the flickering of black and white, a scorching array of flames twisted into existence, casting a dazzling light above Mei Qing. Within the light, tongues of fire darted like startled snakes, and a wave of heat surged outward, causing the surrounding air to steam with white mist.
As the flames rose, a deep rumble of thunder rolled through, and large chunks of earth and stone erupted from beneath the talismans like a tornado, carrying sand and dust. Countless grains of sand and pebbles cascaded like a waterfall, mingling with the flames that had not yet fully erupted, and rushed toward Tao Zhongwen.
In an instant, it was as if the sky had fallen and the earth had split. Wild water arrows, boundless giant trees, and sharp weapons of metal—all five elements moved in unison, shooting out chaotic rays of light, creating a deafening roar. The five elements formed an endless array, exploding and colliding, filling the entire space before Tao Zhongwen.
Tao Zhongwen was greatly alarmed. He immediately felt that the five-colored plum blossom, which he had controlled with a single palm, was in danger of shattering under the violent five-element talismans. His true essence was nearly thrown into chaos, so he quickly focused his mind, forcibly gathering the five-colored plum blossom into one place. At the same time, he raised his right palm and chanted an incantation, summoning another five-colored plum blossom-shaped light to push forward.
The crowd was also taken aback. Although they were surprised or disdainful of Tao Zhongwen’s sudden sneak attack, they had all thought Mei Qing would be unable to escape this calamity. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yuchong intervened at the last moment, and his five-element talismans were even more formidable than Tao Zhongwen’s. They couldn’t help but be astonished by Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation.
In truth, both Zhang Yuchong and Mei Qing knew the situation well. Although it seemed that Tao Zhongwen had acted first, only the two of them were aware of the true nature of Mei Qing’s stele. They had anticipated the outcome and prepared accordingly. Thus, in reality, Zhang Yuchong had the upper hand.
Tao Zhongwen, however, was unaware of this. He only knew that Zhang Yuchong’s cultivation far surpassed his own, and even a casual move from him carried such immense power.
Despite his extensive experience in battles, Tao Zhongwen was somewhat flustered. Seeing the first light cluster dissipate under Zhang Yuchong’s five-element talismans, he quickly flicked his left hand, releasing another five-element light cluster, barely managing to hold off the opponent’s assault.
Meanwhile, Mei Qing was not idle. His true essence circulated within him as he recovered, and he locked onto Zhuo Wanchun from a distance, shouting, “Yin and Yang divide, thunder arises, halt!”
Zhuo Wanchun, having been struck by the stele earlier, felt his true essence and spiritual sense nearly torn from his body. His magical jade banner, which had transformed into the jade seal, had taken the brunt of the attack and was now damaged beyond use. Struggling to control the chaotic true essence within him, he tried to retreat but found himself immobilized by Mei Qing’s binding spell.
At this point, Mei Qing was also at the end of his strength. This binding spell was far less solid than usual. However, Zhuo Wanchun was in an even worse state, with seven-tenths of his life force already drained. His true essence was running wild, and he couldn’t calm it down. Bound by Mei Qing’s spell, he had no way to break free.
Without looking up, Zhuo Wanchun could feel the wind whistling around him, and cold sweat poured down his back. He knew that if he hesitated any longer, he might not survive the day.
With a fierce shout, Zhuo Wanchun’s head suddenly radiated a golden light. A baby-shaped halo emerged from the top of his head, his fingers pointing to the sky as he chanted, “The Supreme Purity, the Three Caverns, the Three Origins, the Nine Bodies’ Tribulation, transform and transcend! Command!”
As the baby on Zhuo Wanchun’s head finished the incantation, his eyes snapped open. A golden ring of light enveloped his body, and with a shake, he broke free from Mei Qing’s binding spell. His fingers danced as he struggled to form another hand seal, and with a shout of “Escape!”, he finally managed to cast an earth-escape technique.
However, the stele was incredibly fast, and with the chaos of the five elements caused by Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen’s battle, Zhuo Wanchun’s escape technique only moved him a few meters before he reappeared, the golden light around him completely dissipated. Fortunately, this slight movement took him out of the stele’s strike range, but the gust of wind still sent him flying backward. He landed with a thud, sliding several feet before coming to a stop, unable to get up.
Mei Qing chuckled inwardly but didn’t stop. He urged his spirit crane to descend, and just as the stele was about to hit the ground, he secretly cast a spell to retrieve it back into his dimensional space.
Mei Qing’s haste in hiding the stele was part of his plan. His unexpected move had left Zhuo Xiaoxian in a sorry state, and this trick was bound to make him famous. Therefore, he wanted to maintain the stele’s mystery, hiding it before anyone could get a clear look, lest someone figure out its secrets and make it less effective next time.
Seeing Mei Qing’s mysterious stone strike with such power and then disappear without a trace, everyone was greatly impressed by his effortless control.
By the time Zhuo Wanchun struggled to his feet, Mei Qing had already stashed the stone away, smiling at him without a word. Zhuo Wanchun, having lost his magical tool, been beaten half to death, and forced to use his sect’s secret technique meant for future tribulations, had suffered a humiliating defeat in front of the entire Taoist community. Seeing Mei Qing’s smug grin, he felt a surge of anger and opened his mouth to speak, only to vomit a mouthful of dark, purplish blood before collapsing unconscious.
Meanwhile, the battle between Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen in the air continued.
Under Zhang Yuchong’s pressure, Tao Zhongwen had been forced to retreat repeatedly. His movements were swift and ethereal, with no trace of exertion. With a flash of five colors, he would retreat several meters. His hands moved in intricate patterns, releasing one five-colored plum blossom after another. Although he seemed to be at a disadvantage against Zhang Yuchong’s aggressive five-element talismans, he managed to hold his ground, and after five or six exchanges, he finally extinguished all the five-element talismans.
Zhang Yuchong laughed and said, “Master Tao, isn’t it a bit unbecoming of a National Preceptor to attack without even a greeting?”
Tao Zhongwen’s face remained as still as water, seemingly ignoring Zhang Yuchong’s taunt. After a moment, he suddenly moved again, but instead of advancing, he retreated, flying backward at an incredible speed.
His movements were so fast and smooth that they seemed almost unreal. After flying several dozen meters, his body suddenly became transparent and then vanished entirely.
The crowd was stunned. Had the National Preceptor, seeing the situation turn against him, simply fled? But considering his renowned status and the aggressive manner in which he had arrived, how could he give up so easily?
Mei Qing was also taken aback. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and he shouted, “Not good!”
Mei Qing secretly chuckled inwardly but didn’t hesitate, urging his spirit crane to pursue. Just as the stone tablet was about to hit the ground, he secretly performed a spell and drew it back into his own tiny space.
He hurriedly concealed the stone tablet for his own reasons. He had just taken Zhuo Xiaoxian by surprise, giving him a thorough beating. This move would surely make him famous. Therefore, he wanted to maintain the stone’s air of mystery, hiding it before everyone could get a good look, so no one could discover its secret. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be as fun to use next time.
Seeing how powerful Mei Qing’s mysterious stone was, delivering a decisive blow and then disappearing with a mere wave of his hand, everyone present was greatly astonished.
As Zhuo Wanchun struggled to rise, Mei Qing had already put the stone away and was standing there with a beaming smile, saying nothing. Zhuo Wanchun had suffered damage to his magical artifacts, had been beaten half to death, and had even been forced to use his sect’s secret technique originally reserved for future tribulations, all in front of the entire Daoist community. He had truly suffered a humiliating defeat. Looking at Mei Qing’s smug expression, he felt a surge of blood rush to his head. Opening his mouth to say something, all he could do was spit out a mouthful of dark purple blood before losing consciousness.
Meanwhile, the aerial battle between Zhang Yuchong and Tao Zhongwen was still ongoing.
Under Zhang Yuchong’s pressure, Tao Zhongwen had been forced to retreat repeatedly. His movement technique perfectly embodied the essence of the Divine Thunder Sect—his figure moved without a trace of effort, flashing through five colors before instantly appearing several zhang away. With alternating palms, wave after wave of five-colored plum blossom energy was released. Although seemingly always on the defensive against Zhang Yuchong’s aggressive Five Elements Talismans, layer after layer, by the fifth or sixth wave, he finally managed to destroy all the talismans.
Zhang Yuchong laughed loudly and said, “Master Dian, why didn’t you even greet me before attacking? This doesn’t seem to fit your status as a national master, does it?”
Tao Zhongwen remained expressionless, seemingly not hearing Zhang Yuchong’s mockery at all. After a brief pause, his figure suddenly moved again—but this time, instead of advancing, he silently shot backward in a rapid retreat.
His movement was extremely fast, yet completely devoid of any trace of effort. After flying dozens of zhang, his figure suddenly became transparent and then vanished from sight.
Everyone was stunned. Could it be that Master Dian, seeing the unfavorable situation, had actually chosen to flee? After all, Dian was a man of great reputation and had arrived so aggressively—how could he so easily give up?
Mei Qing was also momentarily surprised. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and he shouted loudly, “No good!”
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