Chapter 807: Water Dragon Song (Part One)
When Yu Zhenghai was only an Eight-leaf cultivator, he had used saber techniques more powerful than this one.
Sovereign Descent and Dark Heaven Starlight are both wide-range energy saber techniques that Yu Zhenghai was skilled in. These saber techniques were flashy, awe-inspiring, and effective when clearing enemies away. However, their shortcomings were obvious as well. In terms of strength, they were, naturally, not as powerful as techniques that targeted a single opponent.
At this time, Yu Zhenghai had used Sovereign Descent as a feint. He combined the energy sabers before dividing his attacks into three to perfectly strengthen his attacks.
Three huge energy sabers fell at the same spot. Since the Jasper Saber was now a desolate-grade weapon, even a Ten-leaf elite like Nie Qingyun had to spend a lot of Primal Qi to condense into energy and to protect his heaven-grade weapon.
These three strikes from Yu Zhenghai brought them back to almost equal ground again.
Meanwhile, the Cloud Mountain disciples continued watching excitedly.
Nie Qingyun was too embarra.s.sed to fight with all his might since it would not be a dishonorable victory for a Ten-leaf cultivator to defeat a Nine-leaf cultivator, but he could not allow himself to lose as well. After the three strikes, he had no choice but to use all his strength to defend himself.
At this moment, The energy from the energy sabers struck the cloud platform…
There were Formation veins inscribed on the surroundings of the cloud platform, rock slabs, and rock pillars. Those could dissipate some of the impacts.
Many cultivators would pay attention to avoid damaging buildings and structures when they sparred. When the Cloud Mountain disciples cultivated, they could only do so at the halfway point of the mountain or on other rock platforms.
However, Yu Zhenghai’s three saber strikes cracked the rock floor.
The disciples cried out in shock as they stared at Yu Zhenghai who was hovering in the air.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai suddenly withdrew his energy saber. He let go of his grip on the Jasper Saber and let it hover in the air. Then, he brought his hand down. “Great Dark Heaven Palm.”
The Great Dark Heaven Memorial was a powerful and imposing cultivation method to begin with. Now that Yu Zhenghai combined it with his saber techniques, his saber techniques were boosted, and palm seals began to fill the air.
Nie Qingyun took three steps back before he let go of his saber and directed his palm upward.
Boom!
The golden and red palms collided as energy burst into the surroundings.
The Cloud Mountain disciples who were standing closest to the collision were sent flying by the wave of energy.
When Yu Zhenghai brought his palm down, his Jasper Saber that was hovering in the air flew into his left hand.
The Jasper Saber thrummed and vibrated.
Nie Qingyun frowned deeply. Throughout his ten battles with Yu Zhenghai, he could clearly sense Yu Zhenghai’s improvements. Moreover, Yu Zhenghai’s improvements were not minuscule; he had improved by leaps and bounds. He felt a pressure bearing down on him now; he could hardly believe this. After a beat, he raised his left, and his saber flew back into his hand.
Yu Zhenghai put more power into his palm strike.
The two opponents were now pus.h.i.+ng against each other.
Usually, there was no need to doubt the outcome of a battle between a Nine and Ten-leaf cultivator.
“Another three saber strikes!” Yu Zhenghai held his saber with his left hand and brought his energy saber down.
Nie Qingyun raised his own saber to parry the blow.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
A familiar scene was reenacted.
Two energy sabers several feet in length collided. The golden and red energy clashed in the air.
As the saying went, ‘Once bitten, twice shy’. The disciples retreated further away as they continued to watch the fight.
…
As Sikong Beichen watched the battle, he was not stingy with his praise. “This is truly eye-opening. To think that he’s capable of forcing a Ten-leaf cultivator to this state.”
The two First Seats of the Ninth Temple, Yao Qingquan and Zhao Jianghe, found this baffling as well. They were also renowned Nine-leaf elites, but they did not think they were capable of this feat. Although Yu Zhenghai had lost ten times, he, a Nine-leaf cultivator, managed to last until now against a Ten-leaf elite! This was more than enough to prove his strength. Moreover, at this moment, it even seemed like he had the upper hand. The Evil Sky Pavilion’s strength had truly exceeded their expectations.
Lu Zhou commented objectively, “It’s certainly an achievement for Yu Zhenghai to be able to hold out for so long. Although he’s quite accomplished in his saber techniques, he’s not flexible enough.”
“Can you please explain, Brother Lu?” Sikong Beichen asked humbly.
“There are three levels of sword techniques. The greatest of them is using all creation as a sword,” Lu Zhou said as he stroked his beard.
Sikong Beichen had heard about this from Lu Zhou and Yu Shangrong before so he had a little knowledge of it. “In that case, there are four levels of the sword. Alas, I can only understand using creation as swords… I understand now, Brother Lu. The sword and the saber are of the same family to begin with. A saber and a sword are the same.”
In a discussion between elites, all that was needed was a small hint to get a message across.
Lu Zhou continued to say, “With this palm strike, he’s already on equal footing with Nie Qingyun. He brought his desolate Jasper Saber down on the heaven-grade saber. Indeed, he’ll gain the upper hand by doing this, but he only gained a slight advantage. Indeed, the saber and the sword are one and the same, but it’s not enough to just understand this.” He stroked his beard as he continued to watch the collision between the golden and red energy. Then, he said with a sigh, “A palm is a saber, and a saber is a palm. There was hope for Yu Zhenghai to win when their palms collided earlier. Alas, he missed the opportunity…”
Sikong Beichen nodded and said, “Listening to you speak trumps reading about it for ten years, Brother Lu. Indeed, with the advantage of a desolate-grade weapon, it’s not enough for Nie Qingyun to merely deflect the attack with his heaven-grade weapon. The instance their palms collided was when Nie Qingyun was at his weakest. That’s brilliant, Brother Lu!”
Lu Zhou’s face remained expressionless. Perhaps, he had spent too much time with the members of the Old Age Pavilion because when he heard the praise from a Ten-leaf elite, he merely felt slightly pleased. He was not greatly moved at all.
Just as expected, after Nie Qingyun defended against the flurry of attacks, the advantage of his cultivation base was starting to show.
“My turn.” Nie Qingyun pushed away with both feet as he directed a palm up and pushed Yu Zhenghai away with force.
As Yu Zhenghai tried to move away, Nie Qingyun unleashed spinning energy sabers into the surroundings and claimed the sky.
Yu Zhenghai frowned. ‘What should I do now?’
“Master?” At this moment, Yu Zhenghai looked up and discovered his master was watching nearby with a calm expression. Upon seeing the calm expression on his master’s face, his confidence was greatly boosted. As though he had just received a huge revelation, he recalled his master’s teachings and his experience when he fought with Yu Shangrong. Yu Shangrong had once commented on his saber techniques and said that they were flashy and lacked substance, as if he was only showing off.
‘Is that true?” Yu Zhenghai was being pushed up by Nie Qingyun. His palm was still pus.h.i.+ng back against Nie Qingyun’s palms while his Jasper Saber clashed with Nie Qingyun’s saber.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai seemed to have an epiphany again. Energy surged out from his fingers; he used his palm as a saber.
Bam!
Nie Qingyun felt a heavy pressure bearing down on him. Alarmed, he hastily withdrew his palm and landed.
When they collided, Yu Zhenghai flipped backward. He grabbed his Jasper Saber with one hand and slowly landed as well.
The opponents looked at each other from a distance.
This round had finally ended.
At this moment, Nit Qingyun was filled with shock. After what seemed like hours, he raised his hand and said, “I’m impressed.”
In truth, Nie Qingyun was rather vexed by this round. He was forced to fight to a draw with a Nine-leaf cultivator; how was he going to maintain his prestige in front of the other Cloud Mountain disciples after this?
The other disciples were at a loss after witnessing this battle as well. They did not know who won or lost. Both opponents seemed evenly matched. However, they felt slightly awkward when they recalled Nie Qing Yun was a Ten-leaf cultivator while Yu Zhenghai was only a Nine-leaf cultivator.
Yu Zhenghai’s expression was solemn as he said in a loud and energetic voice, “Again!”
“…” Nie Qingyun was speechless. He had just recently found out that Yu Zhenghai was a battle maniac. No matter how many times Yu Zhenghai lost, he would insist on continuing. It was obvious Yu Zhenghai would not give up until he had won.
Nie Qingyun was beginning to grow terrified of all these endless fights. He did not wish to fight anymore.
At this moment, Lu Zhou said, “Watch your manners.”
Yu Zhenghai turned around and bowed. “Master.”