Chapter 202
Chapter 202: Guidance
The Fixed Star Technique of the Zhi Family was truly unreasonable, directly freezing an opponent’s starforce in place.
This was Wang Jie’s first time witnessing the Fixed Star Technique in action. No wonder Zhi Shu had been so reluctant to accept defeat. If Wang Jie himself cultivated starforce, he too would have been immobilized, and victory would have become nearly impossible.
[Is this truly the power of the Zhi Family’s Fixed Star Technique?]
Mu Lan’s starforce was also halted, causing her bronze scrolls to fall. Against the Zhi Family, all starforce cultivators suffered an inherent disadvantage.
Just when everyone believed the Spring-Autumn Hand would determine the battle’s outcome, Mu Lan lifted her gaze. Above her, as the Earth Fortress dispersed, a phantom blade and sheath emerged, striking downward.
The Fixed Star Technique could only freeze starforce being actively used at the moment.
Mu Lan had cleverly concealed the formation of the Guillotine beneath her Earth Fortress, baiting Zhi Qing Po into activating the Fixed Star Technique. Such a powerful technique couldn’t be used without limit; each activation required a recovery period.
The Guillotine strike knocked away all twelve bronze scrolls, which had approached her closely. Had the scrolls remained distant, this strike would have been useless.
Now, the Spring-Autumn Hand had been broken, and the Fixed Star Technique exhausted. Mu Lan leaped toward Zhi Qing Po, her blade dancing as she swept it across.
Zhi Qing Po urgently summoned starforce to freeze the void before her, but Mu Lan’s blade shattered each barrier step by step. Between heaven and earth, starforce like drifting sands burst into flame, blanketing the skies.
This was Burning Sand Starforce.
Ye Huang couldn’t help but step forward. This was exactly the starforce he himself cultivated—identical down to the last detail.
Burning Sand Starforce perfectly countered Eternal Freeze, melting away its frost.
Mu Lan surged through the melting ice, slashing toward Zhi Qing Po. In that instant, dazzling brilliance exploded forth—Light Ripple Starforce.
Bang.
A soft sound echoed.
Zhi Qing Po was knocked off the dueling platform, defeated.
Silence once again descended over all from Black White Heaven.
In terms of strength, the two were evenly matched. But Mu Lan had cleverly exploited Zhi Qing Po’s Fixed Star Technique to dismantle her own Spring-Autumn Hand. This was the difference experience in battle made.
For the Zhi Family, their Fixed Star Technique brought victory and defeat alike.
Wang Jie was astonished. Although he considered himself experienced, Mu Lan’s combat insight was indeed extraordinary.
Two battles, two defeats.
Realm Lord Bai’s expression remained calm, seemingly unconcerned.
But the disciples of Black White Heaven wore grim faces, whispering uneasily amongst themselves, shaken by the First Star Cloud’s overwhelming power.
Whether Shen Zhao or Zhi Qing Po, each was among the absolute peak experts of their level in Black White Heaven, equal to Fourth Star Cloud’s finest, yet both had been defeated.
Si Shang He glanced subtly toward Wang Jie, standing at the back of the crowd. In truth, whether at the Breaking Star Stage or at full star, Wang Jie could fight. After all, he had defeated even Zhi Shu. But Realm Lord Bai controlled everything, leaving Si Shang He unable to intervene.
Next was the third match.
From behind Qi Xue Yin, a man stepped forth. He wore simple, plain robes and held a blade wrapped in white cloth, no sheath covering its sharpness. His expression was cold and severe.
As soon as this man appeared, Wang Jie felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart. [Why hadn’t I noticed him before? Not once.]
Not only Wang Jie, but all who participated in the Pill Assembly were astonished. Although the man dressed oddly, why had no one paid him any attention?
Si Shang He spoke gravely, “He conceals the blade within himself.”
Celestial Master Bai Ye also bore a solemn expression, “Such mastery in hiding a blade’s sharpness is rare indeed within the Wandering Star Realm.”
Realm Lord Bai spoke quietly, “Han Ling.”
From among the crowd, Han Ling stepped forward, not at all surprised. This battle—it was his turn.
As a Six Dao Wanderer, he was duty-bound to fight for the Wandering Star Realm.
Below the high platform, disciples of Black White Heaven sighed in relief. They were unaware of the astonishment the mysterious swordsman had caused the Pill Assembly cultivators. Their faith lay entirely in Han Ling, a revered Six Dao Wanderer, invincible in their hearts.
Six Dao Wanderers did not produce successful disciples every generation, but this generation was surely blessed by heaven, gathering talents all at once.
Han Ling had long battled in the Star Cloud battlefield, and with his extraordinary combat experience and cultivation talent, victory seemed certain.
Upon the high stage, Han Ling gazed at the man before him, his expression far graver than when he had faced Mo Wan Yin. “Black White Heaven, Han Ling. Please guide me.”
Slowly, the man unwrapped the white cloth wound around his blade. “Galaxy Combat Equipment Company, Luan Dao. Please guide me.”
“Begin.”
With a sweep of Han Ling’s hand, furious black flames erupted across the stage in an instant, darkening the very skies. Even the distant corners of Black White Heaven turned their eyes towards the spectacle. The might displayed far surpassed any battle seen before—utterly incomparable.
Wang Jie’s eyes narrowed; [This is the true strength of a Six Dao Wanderer. If I were to face Han Ling, even these black flames alone would burn me to ashes.]
Yet, Luan Dao remained calm, leisurely unwrapping the white cloth even as the black flames engulfed him. His skin charred, hair ignited, and his flesh visibly reddened from the heat.
The crowd stared blankly; surely, he would soon become charred beyond recognition.
Han Ling reached into his storage ring, drawing out a long halberd. Facing Luan Dao, he thrust forth with immense power. At that very moment, the black flames shrank, merging entirely into his halberd.
“Great Sun Halberd! That’s Senior Brother Han’s Great Sun Halberd!”
“His opponent is doomed.”
“No one has ever escaped Senior Brother Han’s Great Sun Halberd unharmed.”
Luan Dao at last finished unwrapping the cloth, revealing that it had not been touched by the flames. The instant the cloth fell away, he gripped the blade with both hands and swung downward.
The Great Sun Halberd thrust forward; blade and halberd collided as if heaven and earth clashed.
A thunderous explosion echoed as space visibly twisted, sending fragments of blade-light scattering in all directions.
Realm Lord Bai flicked his finger, instantly shielding everyone from the aftershock.
But the stage beneath them crumbled layer by layer. Han Ling stared at Luan Dao, gripping his halberd tightly. Starforce surged wildly from him, and faintly, a black river flowed beneath his feet.
“That’s the vision Han Ling saw from comprehending the Great Domain Canon,” Mo Wan Yin explained.
Wang Jie fixed his eyes upon the stage.
Luan Dao’s eyes remained calm as he stepped forward with his right foot. Perhaps it was an illusion, but the blade seemed to slash again instantly. Yet, the Great Sun Halberd still pressed against it. How could it slash again?
Another deafening roar rang out, and Han Ling flew backward, spitting blood. He tumbled off the stage, retreating several steps until his halberd plunged into the ground, stabilizing him.
Everyone stared in shock.
What had just happened?
Even Wang Jie couldn’t understand. He had watched the flow of energy, but their powers had concentrated entirely into their weapons, overwhelming and impossible to discern clearly.
“Senior Sister, how did Senior Brother Han lose?” Su Le asked quietly.
Mo Wan Yin shook her head.
Realm Lord Bai regarded Luan Dao carefully. “Lass, your preparations were thorough indeed. If I’m not mistaken, that is Hundred Million Instant Slash, the foremost blade technique from Three Chan Heaven’s Outer Zen.”
The crowd murmured in surprise. Hundred Million Instant Slash? Such a strange, crude name?
Qi Xue Yin smiled appreciatively, “Uncle Jun truly has sharp eyes. Indeed, this is the Outer Zen’s ultimate blade. Luan Dao trained at Three Chan Heaven and was fortunate enough to master this technique. We’ve shown ourselves to be inadequate.”
Inadequate?
Who would dare laugh now?
Defeating Han Ling with just one slash—was this something laughable?
Realm Lord Bai praised warmly, “Though from Outer Zen, when trained to its peak, this technique rivals even Three Chan Heaven’s inner meditation arts. That he could master it proves his extraordinary talent. Han Ling’s defeat was fair. At least, our disciples have learned much today.”
“Everyone thought Six Dao Wanderers were invincible. Now do you see clearly? Yun Lai’s top star defeated a Six Dao Wanderer with ease.”
Silence fell over the disciples of Black White Heaven.
Han Ling put away his Great Sun Halberd, sighing in admiration, “Brother Luan Dao, your blade is truly impressive. My defeat was well-deserved.”
Luan Dao nodded briefly, saying nothing more, then stepped back behind Qi Xue Yin.
Yet, no one now dared overlook him. He was fearsome indeed, perhaps even the strongest Wandering Star cultivator within Black White Heaven.
Alchemy, equipment forging, formations, Breaking Star Stage, Full Star, and Wandering Star—six contests in a row, Black White Heaven lost them all.
This was beyond humiliating.
Qi Xue Yin had given them no face at all, causing many faces to darken. Could she not at least let them win once, given the long journey? Her harshness seemed unnecessary.
Some speculated it was because the upcoming cooperation between Galaxy Combat Equipment Company and Black White Heaven was crucial, leaving no room for concessions.
Qi Xue Yin saluted respectfully to Realm Lord Bai and Si Shang He, saying, “Thank you, Seniors, for your grace. This junior arrived well-prepared. Though defeated, Black White Heaven fought honorably.”
Si Shang He tasted bitterness, but remembering Qi Xue Yin’s previous mention of a loan arrangement, forcibly calmed his anger.
This girl employed both harsh and gentle means, winning six matches while offering cooperation—truly a clever tactic.
Realm Lord Bai gave Qi Xue Yin a half-smile, “A loss is a loss. This serves as a good lesson for our disciples. Although we lead the Fourth Star Cloud, we are not invincible.”
Just as Qi Xue Yin was about to speak, the void twisted, and a figure stepped out before everyone.
Wang Jie stared in shock—Zhi Ye?
Seeing who had appeared, Qi Xue Yin hurriedly bowed, “Junior Qi Xue Yin pays respects to Senior Zhi Ye.”
Everyone behind her quickly saluted as well.
All from Black White Heaven paid their respects except Realm Lord Bai, Si Shang He, and Master Bai Ye.
Zhi Ye raised his hand slightly, “No need for courtesy.”
Qi Xue Yin stood up, eyes bright, “This junior originally planned to visit Senior after the Pill Assembly. To meet Senior now is truly an honor.”
Zhi Ye smiled faintly, “Our sect has lost six matches consecutively. If anything, it’s our honor.”
Qi Xue Yin ignored the deeper meaning of his words. “Senior, you once made a great reputation in the First Star Cloud—’Known from whence he came, but unknown where he returned,’ you were the nightmare of many. Compared to your fame, our feats today are insignificant. Before coming here, my family’s seniors instructed me to extend their regards. If you could offer guidance, it would truly be this junior’s lifelong honor.”
The surrounding disciples relaxed visibly. Qi Xue Yin’s sincerity surprised them. Was Elder Zhi Ye’s reputation truly so immense in the First Star Cloud?
Realm Lord Bai and the others weren’t surprised. Although not a Realm Lord himself, Zhi Ye was unmatched in power in Black White Heaven today.
Wang Jie hadn’t expected Qi Xue Yin to hold Zhi Ye in such high esteem. She respected Realm Lord Bai and others, but before Zhi Ye, her manner carried genuine awe.
Zhi Ye laughed lightly, “You certainly have your family’s eloquence.”
Qi Xue Yin bowed again with a smile.
“But guidance is indeed possible,” Zhi Ye said.
Qi Xue Yin’s eyes shone with excitement, “Thank you, Senior!”
Everyone saw her genuine eagerness.
“But I also have a junior who could use your guidance,” Zhi Ye continued suddenly.
Qi Xue Yin looked puzzled.
Realm Lord Bai’s eyes flashed subtly.
Si Shang He discreetly glanced at Wang Jie standing quietly behind the crowd—here it comes. Others might accept defeat, but Zhi Ye would never yield so easily.
“Wang Jie,” Zhi Ye called out.