287 - Elasia Saga

"Look quickly, the Palace Master is actually up against a disciple from the Tianji Pavilion this time!" On the boat of the Frost Blossom Palace, everyone's gazes naturally followed Fu Yan as she descended. Ming Xi was the first to notice Han Tong on the dueling platform and quickly spoke up. Over the past month of matches, it was evident to all that the members of Tianji Pavilion harbored a significant hostility toward them from Frost Blossom Palace. And it was precisely because of this that Ming Xi pointed Fu Yan out to the others. Upon hearing this, Yi Tu didn't seem bothered. He watched the two figures on the dueling platform with casual indifference and explained, "No need to worry, Senior Sister Ming. The Palace Master's skills have long been honed to perfection; none of us here can fully grasp them, so naturally, the Tianji Pavilion's people are no match for her." "Indeed," Liu Bei added thoughtfully, looking ahead seriously, "The Palace Master's powers are beyond comprehension, likely only a step away from ascension. No one can compare." Lu Xiao Wen once told him to never underestimate Fu Yan's strength. After hearing the two speak, Ming Xi retracted her gaze unconsciously, staring blankly at the two duelists ahead. After a long while, she innocently said, "I wasn't worried about the Palace Master; I was just saying that the disciple from Tianji Pavilion probably won't advance beyond this." Of course, Ming Xi believed in Fu Yan's strength. Her earlier excitement stemmed from that trust, not any undue concern. Yi Tu and Liu Bei: "..." It's no wonder they misunderstood; after all, as soon as they realized who Fu Yan's opponent was, Ming Xi had suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Meanwhile, Shui Liu Qing, who stood behind them, had her expression turn serious. From her first glance at Han Tong, she had immediately recognized him as the one who had aided Du Wen Xiong in stopping her and Ji Qing Jue by the Nether Heart Lake. Moreover, among those present then, only this master of the Great Unity Stage could have left a tracking mark on her without anyone noticing. Though she felt a bit uneasy and guilty about the animosity the Frost Blossom Palace faced from the Tianji Pavilion because of her, Shui Liu Qing couldn't deny she very much wanted to see Fu Yan defeat him. On the boat of Frost Blossom Palace, it was as if everyone believed that Fu Yan would surely emerge victorious in this duel. However, no one noticed Bai Yue Li in the corner, who couldn't help but furrow her brows tightly as she looked at the platform. For some reason, just as Han Tong entered the stage, a sense of inexplicable dread gripped her, and her eyelids twitched uncontrollably. It was as if something bad might happen during this duel. But with Fu Yan's capabilities, facing someone like Han Tong should definitely guarantee a victory, so Bai Yue Li couldn't understand why she felt this way. Taking a deep breath to calm her emotions, Bai Yue Li looked back at the platform, determined not to miss any movement. The disciples of Frost Blossom Palace weren't the only ones who thought so. The surrounding cultivators began to nonchalantly discuss upon seeing the duel. "I have to say, the Palace Master of Frost Blossom Palace is indeed formidable. Not even the disciples of the Ancient Buddhist Sect or those high-level practitioners from Dongying Church could stand against her. The outcome of this duel is practically set." "In the current situation, Han Tong from Tianji Pavilion indeed seems to have no chance. But anything is possible. I think it's worth watching; maybe Han Tong will turn out to be this round's biggest dark horse?" "Hahaha, I wasn't initially interested, but now I'm a bit curious after hearing that!" "......" Amidst the chattering, the two on the platform finally halted their footsteps. Fu Yan looked at Han Tong across from her; to be honest, she was somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected to encounter him as an opponent this round. However, she didn't feel much emotion; whether it was Han Tong or anyone else was the same to her. Since they met, she certainly wouldn't let him leave unscathed. "The Palace Master of Frost Blossom Palace?" Han Tong's gaze fell on Fu Yan, examining her unabashedly. He then spoke in a silky tone, "I've heard much about you. Let's see what you have to teach." "Naturally," Fu Yan replied, arching her eyebrows with a slight smile. Swish. In the next moment, Fu Yan reached out, and the sword hilt of the Constellation Sword appeared in her hand. At the same time, the signal to start the match echoed in both their ears. Seeing this, Han Tong didn't delay. He swiftly reversed his grip on his spirit sword. As the immense power of true essence swelled, their eyes blazed intensely. The battle was about to ignite. Soon, Han Tong, holding his sword with both hands, charged explosively towards Fu Yan, going on the offensive first. The mighty blade swept forward, seemingly cutting through the space in front of them. The vibrating sword cries filled every corner of the platform, and Han Tong's eyes, as he looked at Fu Yan, seemed to carry a sharp, cutting intent. However, despite the fierce assault, Fu Yan on the platform had no thought of evasion. She lightly raised her gaze, feeling the sword intent before her, then reflexively gripped the sword and leaped into the air. In the next instant, a boundless sword intent shot skyward. An overwhelming force coalesced around the Constellation Sword, and seeing Han Tong's lethal move approaching, Fu Yan didn't hesitate for a moment before sweeping her sword across. "Buzz." On the spacious platform, sword lights flared as one sword blade after another chaotically slashed from all directions. With each piercing sound, Han Tong's attacks were effortlessly shattered and dispelled by Fu Yan in moments. Realizing this, Han Tong quickly responded, focusing his gaze and rapidly forming a seal. A huge beam of light rippled outward like waves. Again, the sound of breaking echoed. This time, however, it was Fu Yan’s sword blades being forcibly dissipated by Han Tong's best efforts. But Fu Yan was unfazed by it all. She vanished from her spot in an instant, and by the time Han Tong registered it, he already felt a chill behind him. "Bam!" In the next moment, with a swift swing of Fu Yan's sword, Han Tong in mid-air was immediately struck down hard onto the platform, kicking up a cloud of dust. To the spectators around, this outcome wasn't surprising. "As expected, Han Tong’s prowess stands no chance against the Palace Master of Frost Blossom Palace!" "I recall that Fu Yan hasn't even deployed her fearsome sword formation yet!" As the dust settled, Han Tong struggled to rise again from the platform. He looked up at Fu Yan above him, wiping away the thin trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, and displayed a somewhat manic smile. In a flash, he sprang again, gripping his spirit sword tightly, and thrust towards Fu Yan with renewed vigor. The powerful essence surged forth like a tide. This time, Fu Yan, without holding back, wielded her sword decisively, unleashing an exquisitely familiar Linglong Sword Technique. Thousands of blades sliced through the sky, instantly enveloping Han Tong completely. Swish! Swish! As the sword blades pierced through Han Tong’s protective essence, he could only desperately swing his sword, attempting to block Fu Yan's swordplay by tracing in the air. However, the damaged protective essence couldn't restore quickly enough, leaving him exposed, his robes torn by each passing sword blade, and soon enough, blood-red flowers bloomed, making Han Tong's whole being appear startlingly vivid. "Ugh." With a final blow from Fu Yan, Han Tong finally lost his footing entirely, being knocked down once more. If it weren't for his quick reaction, the Constellation Sword might have just pierced straight through one of his arms. Peering down at the figure below, Fu Yan felt no hint of satisfaction, her brows furrowing almost involuntarily. The present situation indeed seemed off upon careful consideration. Despite the fact that Han Tong had relentlessly attacked since the duel began, there had been no particular strategy throughout the entire process, as if he were a brute relying solely on strength without much thought. Unless... there was something he relied on. ... Meanwhile, as the duel raged on, Ji Qing Jue from Flower Spirit Valley slowly woke from her room on the mountaintop. As the finals of their Transformation stage were approaching, Master had kept Ji Qing Jue on the mountain peak after the preliminary rounds, helping her reinforce her cultivation and practice other significant techniques. In any case, having reached the finals meant she had to bring forth her utmost strength. Thus, during the second round of Great Unity stage duels, Ji Qing Jue hadn't had the chance to watch from Yun Ni Pavilion. However, she had finally awakened from her meditation practice. Upon leaving her chamber, she saw her Master sitting nearby. In the stillness of the main hall, a clear crystal orb floated in the air. Ji Qing Jue paused, raising her eyes to see the orb reflecting the ongoing duel on Yun Ni Pavilion. Her Master's gaze was fixed on the duel between Fu Yan and Han Tong. Ji Qing Jue had come out late, only catching the moment Han Tong was knocked down. To her, it wasn't surprising. After collecting her thoughts, she stepped outside and called, "Master!" Her Master, still focused on the orb's image, casually asked, "How are things?" Ji Qing Jue responded, "Everything went smoothly. Thank you for your guidance, Master." The Master gave no further reply, continuing to watch the scene reflected by the orb. Ji Qing Jue, curious, looked on as well, expecting her Master was interested in Fu Yan's prowess. Yet, it was not quite as she imagined. Her Master’s attention seemed constantly on Han Tong instead. Ji Qing Jue knew Han Tong well. Though renowned within Central City’s Tianji Pavilion as a genius, his skill shouldn’t match Fu Yan’s. More curiously, could he truly draw her Master’s attention? This seemed strange. Pausing, Ji Qing Jue turned to her Master and inquired, "Master, is there something unusual with Han Tong?" Her Master finally looked at her, a knowing smile slowly forming, and replied, "You'll find out soon." She then mused aloud, "It seems, for this grand tournament's finals, Chaosheng Xianren is determined to ensure a victory." Chaosheng Xianren was a celestial in Tianji Pavilion and Han Tong's mentor. Hearing this name, Ji Qing Jue's eyes widened. A thought swiftly surfaced in her mind. She quickly refocused on Han Tong in the image. On the vast dueling platform, Han Tong, despite being knocked down, had steadied himself again. His body swayed slightly, but there was no urgency in his dark eyes. "I must admit," Han Tong said, stabilizing himself and smiling at Fu Yan, "Palace Master Fu's strength is formidable; few in the current continent's Great Unity stage could be your match." This was no falsehood. Han Tong hadn’t anticipated Fu Yan’s power to be so overwhelming. Hearing this, Fu Yan predicted the duel wouldn't end just yet. However, she was unperturbed, curious to see what Han Tong had in reserve. In the next moment, Fu Yan's true essence surged within her. She released her grip on the Constellation Sword’s hilt and swiftly traced circles in the air, directing her powerful essence into the sword’s intent. "Go!" she exclaimed softly. In an instant, the Constellation Sword shot forth from her hand, a perfectly aimed slash cutting through the sky, targeting Han Tong below. Although the exact power of this sword couldn’t be sensed, everyone perceived its terrifying nature. If Han Tong couldn’t withstand it, the duel would decisively conclude. Time seemed to stretch, though it was merely a breath away. "Buzz." The entire dueling platform began to quiver intensely. Blinding light radiated outward, forcing everyone to squint. No one knew how much time passed before the tremors ceased, and the explosive light dispersed, allowing all to clearly see the platform again. On the spacious platform, two figures stood, one high and one low. Oddly enough, Han Tong below was still standing upright as if nothing had happened. Until someone suddenly shouted in disbelief, "What? Han Tong is wearing... an artifact!" The revelation hit like a storm, stirring a wave of astonishment. Every gaze turned to Han Tong, even Fu Yan’s from above. Han Tong's previous robes had been utterly destroyed, replaced by gleaming white armor. Fu Yan's brows knit slightly, acutely sensing the waves emanating from this armor. It was, undeniably, a true artifact! The arena was stunned silent for a moment before someone recognized the armor: "Isn’t that Chaosheng Xianren’s spiritual armor?" This spiritual armor was a defensive artifact, making its wearer almost impervious to harm, capable of withstanding numerous attacks, even from ordinary celestials—a near-invincible defense. "Tianji Pavilion went too far; they lent an artifact for the duel, clearly tipping the scales!" "Isn't using an artifact in this tournament somewhat excessive?" In response to the murmurs of doubt, a disciple of the Tianji Pavilion swiftly defended, "What's wrong with this? There are no rules against using artifacts in the grand tournament, just like using puppets or spirit beasts." Indeed, the tournament lacked explicit rules about artifacts. Still, someone countered, "Puppets and spirit beasts are personal finds. Is this artifact truly Han Senior Brother’s own chance?" While there were no written rules, it was commonly understood to be unfeasible. Otherwise, future tournaments might see each participant wielding their sect’s celestial weapon, negating the contest's essence and turning it into a battle of celestial resources. Back at Frost Blossom Palace's side, everyone was fuming. They couldn’t have foreseen such a spectacle. The Tianji Pavilion's actions were despicable. "What now? They’ve brought an artifact into play. No matter how strong the Palace Master is, she can't harm Han Tong. If he just exhausts her true essence, he’ll win," Yi Tu glared at the Tianji Pavilion, furious enough to fight. Ming Xi, worried, exclaimed, "How could they do this? What can we do?" In the corner, Bai Yue Li frowned tightly at the spiritual armor on Han Tong, confirming her earlier sense of impending trouble was correct. The situation was indeed dire. Just then, Shui Liu Qing withdrew her hand from her pocket and hurried forward, announcing, "The commotion here has reached the celestials. They’ve deliberated and reached a decision." "What decision? They should ban the use of artifacts in the tournament!" Shui Liu Qing hesitated, her expression troubled. "They said that moving forward, they will prohibit the use of others' artifacts. However, since this duel between the Palace Master and Han Tong is already underway, it won’t be... stopped." This was the information Shui Liu Qing obtained from Ji Qing Jue, whose Master had received it firsthand. "This..." Liu Bei was wide-eyed, at a loss for words. Swish! As the group aboard the ship fumed, Lu Xiao Wen suddenly appeared among them. Liu Bei rushed over, calling, "Master!" However, Lu Xiao Wen's news mirrored what Shui Liu Qing had just relayed. Seeing Lu Xiao Wen, Ming Xi hurried over and asked, "Supreme Elder, do you have an artifact she could use against Han Tong?" Lu Xiao Wen, though possessing an artifact—having lived for two lifetimes as a celestial—could not simply pass it to Fu Yan now. "It’s just one match. There’ll be other opportunities," Lu Xiao Wen advised, looking at them. Despite their disheartened expressions, Bai Yue Li’s gaze returned to Fu Yan. Even though her heart was heavy with worry, she inexplicably chose to believe in Fu Yan. After all, Fu Yan wielded power capable of controlling the very rules of the world. ... At that moment, this decision quickly spread through all the sects and clans present. Many cast helpless glances at the duelists on the platform. This resolution seemed reasonable to all but was unfair to Fu Yan alone. "What a shame!" someone sighed. Yet, amidst the shifting tides of outside sentiment, Fu Yan remained suspended mid-air, quietly surprised that Tianji Pavilion would go to such lengths to ensure Han Tong's advancement. From the moment the news spread to when the decision was made, it was only a brief interval, and the two on the field didn’t pause in their duel. Below, Han Tong’s smile faded swiftly. He quietly gripped his spirit sword again and, staring at Fu Yan, said, “I apologize, Palace Master Fu, but now it’s my turn to attack.” With those words, he blasted forward, launching another intense assault. Fu Yan's expression finally grew serious. She had no intention of conserving her true essence and instead charged head-on with her sword. In a flash, the two were once again locked in fierce combat. Yet, the outcome was as everyone expected; Fu Yan's attacks were unable to harm him in the slightest. On the contrary, Han Tong could attack her at will, leaving her no room to breathe. Despite this, Fu Yan seemed unfazed, continuing to engage and deplete his resources. In a domain unbeknownst to everyone else, a part of Fu Yan's mind delved into her personal space. She gazed at the celestial bow and crossbow she had retrieved from the depths of Nether Heart Lake and reached out, striking it with a palm. "Buzz." The crossbow lightly shivered, and within two breaths, a towering white figure suddenly appeared before Fu Yan. Having been forcibly summoned, the White Bear stretched out its paws, yawning, then lowered its gaze to Fu Yan. After a long pause, it finally spoke, "Are we finally out?" Fu Yan, having been out of the tomb for decades: "..." Fu Yan chose not to explain, maintaining a calm gaze with the White Bear and said with clear emphasis, "I need to use the bow and crossbow now." "Hmm?" The White Bear seemed momentarily confused. Fu Yan didn't elaborate. Instead, she stepped aside to allow it to see the situation she faced. She was confident the crossbow's power could breach the armor's defenses. Unexpectedly, upon seeing the spiritual armor on Han Tong, the White Bear widened its eyes in disbelief. "What splendid armor!" With that, it was clear that the celestial bow's strength would be key in overcoming the current challenge.