Chapter 20: Crushing Force, Unstoppable Might
Two at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement and two at the eighth. One had to admit, Chang Tianhua was taking Song Changsheng seriously. Yet, to Song Changsheng, this lineup was hardly worth mentioning.
“Your Earthfire Sect favors fire-type spells, perfect. I happen to be proficient in water-based techniques. Let’s see just how much you’re worth!”
With a thunderous roar, Song Changsheng's hands wove through a flurry of hand seals. Around him, the spiritual energy of water surged wildly and in the blink of an eye, two lifelike water dragons materialized, emanating a fearsome pressure.
This was the result of cultivating the Water-Fire Commanding Technique to the great mastery, Elemental Manifestation. Though the dragons were formed purely of water essence, their combat prowess rivaled that of superior-grade first-rank spirit beasts.
“Hmph, mouthy brat!” sneered a pockmarked cultivator, baring yellowed teeth as he swung up a three-foot longsword and lunged at Song Changsheng.
“Careful!” Song Changhu couldn’t help but call out.
Unfazed, Song Changsheng replied calmly, “Stay away from the battlefield. Keep yourselves safe.”
As he spoke, he flicked his hand, a pillar of water surged forward, instantly reversing the flying sword's momentum.
“Command!” With a forceful sweep of both arms, the two water dragons shot toward the seventh-layer cultivators like unleashed vipers.
Meanwhile, Song Changsheng stepped forward to confront the two at the eighth layer alone. He curled his hands into claws and a series of orbs formed behind him, floating water spheres glistening with a crystalline sheen. With a mere thought, the spheres shot toward his enemies in a dense barrage.
“Defend together!” the Earthfire disciples exclaimed in panic, hastily raising a joint spirit shield.
But just as the spheres were about to strike, Song Changsheng clenched his fist, the water orbs exploded mid-air, breaking into a rain of fine droplets.
What seemed like harmless mist ripped through the shield like arrows, riddling it with holes. The two disciples cried out in pain as their bodies were punctured by thousands of tiny wounds. Collapsing to the ground, they lost all ability to fight.
On the other side, the two seventh-layer disciples were still struggling bitterly against the water dragons. With a single thought, the dragons suddenly swelled in size, catching the pair completely off guard as they were engulfed.
Moments later, their bones shattered from the pressure and they slumped to the ground barely alive.
Not once had Song Changsheng moved his feet, yet the four Earthfire disciples were utterly routed.
This overwhelming display stunned not only the Earthfire Sect members but also the Song Clan disciples, four late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators taken down with such ease?
“Useless trash,” Chang Tianhua cursed under his breath. He narrowed his eyes at Song Changsheng, murderous intent already rising. Geniuses must be strangled in the cradle.
The Song Clan had Song Xianming, who alone dominated Ling Province for decades. There was no way they would allow such a second figure to rise.
Clap clap clap-
Chang Tianhua began clapping slowly, a mocking smile curling on his lips. “Brilliant, truly brilliant. As expected of the number one among the younger generation of the Song clan, you do have some skill. Dare to try your hand against this young master?”
He hooked his finger toward Song Changsheng, openly provocative.
“You’re nothing.” Song Changsheng wasn’t fooled. Though unafraid, he had to conserve spiritual power, there were too many enemies. He needed to hold out for reinforcements.
“Oh? Already shrinking back?” Chang Tianhua sneered. “As expected. Like ancestor, like grandson. Song Xianming's been hiding like a turtle for over a decade, guess his grandson's got turtle blood too.”
Pushing his luck, Chang Tianhua was clearly trying to provoke Song Changsheng into attacking first, so he could cripple him under the guise of self-defense.
Song Changsheng's sharp brows rose. His eyes locked on Chang Tianhua like blades. “Are you seeking death?”
“Changsheng, calm down! He’s at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement and has multiple magical tools. You’re not his match, he’s trying to bait you!”
Song Changxiu had arrived and seeing Song Changsheng on the verge of erupting, tried to stop him despite her fear.
But Song Changsheng ignored her warning. His eyes glinted with killing intent as he pointed at Chang Tianhua. “As you wish, step forward and forfeit your head.”
“Hah! What a joke!” Chang Tianhua snapped open his folding fan and flicked it, releasing a storm of fine blue needles, each thinner than a strand of hair.
Under the blazing sun, the needles glinted with a sinister blue gleam, obviously coated in deadly poison. He wasn't holding back, he meant to kill.
“Watch out!” Song Changxiu cried.
But Song Changsheng reacted faster. With a sweep of his hand, he summoned the treasure gourd, which spun in midair and instantly expanded to shield him. The needles clinked harmlessly off its surface.
Whoosh-
In the same moment, Chang Tianhua closed in, his fan already replaced with a gleaming hooked blade, aiming straight for Song Changsheng’s head.
“Back off!”
With a roar, Song Changsheng drove the enlarged gourd forward. The gourd and hook collided in a burst of scorching energy, flattening the surrounding vegetation in a blast of wind.
The two exchanged a rapid flurry of blows, magical tools clashing violently.
Though Song Changsheng was technically a level lower and had spent significant spiritual energy earlier, his refined spiritual power ran more efficiently and made up for the gap. He fought without strain.
Chang Tianhua, however, began to falter.
Frustrated, he summoned a precious pearl and a glass mirror, sending all three magical tools to suppress Song Changsheng's treasure gourd. The pressure forced it back.
The Song Clan disciples watching nervously broke into cold sweat but Song Changsheng remained calm.
He suddenly said, “I'm also a decent artifact refiner. But do you know why I only use one tool?”
Without thinking, Chang Tianhua asked, “Why?”
“Go ponder that on your way to the Yellow Springs.”
With a flash of hand seals, Song Changsheng’s treasure gourd unleashed a colossal water dragon, its roar shaking the sky.
It smashed through all three of Chang Tianhua’s tools, leaving him stunned and before he could react, the dragon coiled tightly around him like a noose.
“Young Master!”
The Earthfire Sect disciples panicked, rushing forward.
“Move one step and he dies.”
The dragon opened its gaping maw, poised to bite. One word from Song Changsheng, and Chang Tianhua would be a headless corpse.
Everyone froze.
The Song Clan disciples were shell-shocked, he actually captured the Earthfire Sect's young master alive?
At that critical moment, a deep, aged voice rang out from the distance: “Little friend, release our young master. I will guarantee you safely leave.”
Song Changsheng turned toward the voice. At some point, a black-robed elder had appeared in the distance.
“A Foundation Establishment cultivator…” Song Changsheng’s expression grew solemn. He immediately tightened his grip on Chang Tianhua’s throat.
Despite being in dire straits, Chang Tianhua smirked with smug defiance. “You're dead now.”
Smack-
Without hesitation, Song Changsheng slapped him across the face.
The crack resounded like thunder.
It silenced everyone.
Even the Earthfire Sect disciples were dumbfounded.
“He slapped him... at a time like this? Is he not afraid of death?”
(Chapter End)