Chapter 83 - Arc 7: Dragon Ascension Gate | Chapter 83: First Match

Translator: Lynn

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The disciples from Jingle Palace excel at utilizing their own advantages. As soon as Ji Banlian uttered “please,” the brocade silk in her arms transformed into a giant white python, emitting a sharp hissing sound as it moved. It became increasingly apparent that Jin Ling possessed a tricky, unpredictable, and cunning nature, resembling a snake.

However, Zhang Tiantai’s heart was as firm as iron. He had already gripped his long knife as soon as Ji Banlian spoke. Just as Jin Ling made its move, he lifted the hilt of his knife and brought it down heavily. The energy from the knife surged like a wave, while the brocade silk twisted and swirled around!

The clash between the saber energy and the brocade silk intertwined with each other. One exhibited strength and sharpness, while the other displayed flexibility. It was unclear whether the saber could cut through the brocade or if the brocade would use its suppleness to overcome rigidity. The monks widened their eyes, closely observing the fierce battle.

Zhang Tiantai and Ji Banlian had similar cultivation levels, and this particular strike displayed similar power despite their differing momentum. The airwaves distorted vision, making it difficult to see clearly. Ji Banlian’s wrists delicately manipulated the brocade silk, gracefully twirling and dancing. The brocade silk responded accordingly, moving back and forth, its movements faintly discernible.

Every time the saber energy approached, it was deflected by Jin Ling with precise timing. It was as if the brocade silk repelled the saber energy effortlessly. Eventually, the saber failed to split through the brocade, but Jin Ling managed to neutralize the sword’s dominance.

At this moment, it seemed that Ji Banlian had the upper hand.

Su Xin looked on with delight and turned to Xu Ziqing, asking, “Now that they have fought for a round, Brother Ziqing, which side do you choose?”

Xu Ziqing smiled and replied, “Since you call me brother, it’s only natural for you to choose first.”

Su Xin coughed lightly and said, “Then I won’t be polite. In my opinion, Ji Banlian is as cunning as a fox and likely to win.”

Xu Ziqing smiled slightly and responded, “Since you chose Fellow Daoist Ji, I will choose Fellow Daoist Zhang.”

Feeling like he had taken advantage, Su Xin touched his nose and went back to watching the battle.

Unaware that Xu Ziqing had shifted his consciousness to the ring and started conversing with his best friend, Yun Lie, he asked, “Brother Yun, will you watch the battle with me?”

Yun Lie replied, “No.”

Observing Ji Banlian gain the upper hand while Zhang Tiantai remained composed, Xu Ziqing noticed that Zhang Tiantai’s saber slashed across, altering the direction of the saber energy.

Meanwhile, the brocade silk approached, almost colliding with the saber energy.

Witnessing Ji Banlian twist her slender waist sharply, the brocade silk produced three layers of intertwining rings, enveloping her like a fairy under the moon. Her beauty was awe-inspiring.

This was why she retracted Jin Ling, refusing to directly confront the saber energy.

Xu Ziqing found it puzzling. Both the brocade silk and the long knife were magic weapons. Even if they collided, the brocade silk shouldn’t be severed by the saber energy. He wondered why Ji Banlian was so cautious, unwilling to let them touch. Seeking an answer, he asked Yun Lie.

Yun Lie replied, “When practicing the sword, the blade must be steeped in blood. Zhang Tiantai’s sword is already primed and contains the malevolent aura of the deceased, capable of inflicting harm.”

Xu Ziqing contemplated this and said, “Ji Banlian’s brocade silk is pure and untainted. Once it comes into contact with the blade, it will absorb the sword’s malevolence, requiring a considerable amount of time to refine…” Yun Lie added, “Furthermore, it has to do with the nature of the two instruments.”

This was a test for Xu Ziqing. Carefully considering the situation, he replied, “Although the long knife is domineering, its length is much shorter compared to the brocade silk. Yet, its saber energy can harm people in mid-air. The brocade silk, on the other hand, is extremely long, versatile in its movements, and possesses boundless power. However, in this current situation, it seems Jin Ling is at a disadvantage, restricted, and unable to unleash its full potential.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Lie remarked, “If the situation becomes more critical, Ji Banlian will no longer have as many reservations.”

As if confirming Yun Lie’s statement, Zhang Tiantai seized an opportunity in the field. He swiftly swung his knife three times, releasing three extremely sharp saber auras!

The three streams of stellar energy buzzed like a bell, rushing towards Ji Banlian in a pin-like formation, making it inevitable. If she tried to evade the brocade silk, she would be struck by the saber qi. If she didn’t move, the brocade silk would be contaminated.

As Zhang Tiantai unleashed a fierce slash, Ji Banlian furrowed her brow and made a decisive decision to no longer cherish Jin Ling! She twisted her arms in a peculiar manner, causing the brocade silk to spin rapidly. Ji Banlian stood at the center of the spinning top with a solemn expression, a hint of pain flickering in her eyes.

“Clang—”

The three knives clashed rapidly with the spinning top, creating a series of metallic sounds!

While the spinning top whirled swiftly, it was impenetrable to both water and blades. Layer by layer, it repelled and splashed away the knife’s force, wearing it down!

Zhang Tiantai calmly swung his saber again and again.

The knife gang and the spinning top collided continuously, gradually leaving rusty stains on the once pristine white surface. The spinning top’s rotation gradually slowed down… Zhang Tiantai remained composed and shouted sternly, “Ha!”

In the next moment, a ten-foot-long saber surged forward!

The spinning top’s defensive power had been exhausted, unable to withstand the might of the saber gang any longer. As the knife gang made contact, a mournful cry resonated, followed by the sound of tearing silk!

“Crack!”

The spinning top shattered into pieces!

The snow-white brocade silk scattered like a swarm of white b.u.t.terflies under the impact of the stellar energy, revealing Ji Banlian, who had been well-protected until now.

At this point, Ji Banlian’s complexion turned pale, indicating that she had also struggled to dissipate the saber energy while manipulating the brocade silk. It seemed that most of her spiritual power had been depleted.

Zhang Tiantai’s spiritual power consumption was not any less than Ji Banlian’s. He utilized the “Heavenly Knife Zongheng Jue” practiced by everyone in the Divine Sword Sect, renowned for its tyranny and dominance. Once a monk reached a profound level of mastery in this saber technique, they would naturally exude an awe-inspiring aura.

Zhang Tiantai had practiced this saber art for thirty years, making him extremely proficient. The precious saber in his hand emitted both saber energy and saber gang. Within the entire Divine Sword Sect, aside from his master and the current sect master, no one could surpa.s.s him. However, it was not easy to unleash the saber energy and saber gang, as it required a significant amount of spiritual power. With his current profound cultivation, he could only execute ten strikes. To break Ji Banlian’s defense, he had already used six strikes! Only four remained…

Observing the shattered brocade silk, a trace of anger flashed in Ji Banlian’s eyes. She said with resentment, “Brother Zhang Dao, you’re too kind. Your little sister has learned her lesson!”

Zhang Tiantai remained unmoved. “In battle, it is best to go all out,” he stated.

Ji Banlian resented the situation but felt powerless. Being a member of the Jingle Palace, renowned for their silk dance, they were different from the unruly women of the Demonic Dao. Many male cultivators sought their hand in marriage and admired them. Usually, when competing for something, they often gained the upper hand. However, the members of the Divine Sword Sect showed no mercy. They not only failed to pity their beauty but also never held back when confronting them. It was enough to provoke anger in anyone!

Nevertheless, Ji Banlian was the number one dancer in the Jingle Palace, and she possessed a resolute heart. She knew that this battle was of utmost importance. With her cultivation, she was more than half confident in securing victory. However, since there were observers from the big world, she couldn’t afford to make a show of it. Furthermore, the gatekeeper was quite handsome, and forming a friendship with him would greatly benefit her future endeavors in the big world. That’s why she lost her composure earlier but couldn’t continue now. Leaving a negative impression on Senior Tang would result in a greater loss than gain.

With this in mind, Ji Banlian smiled lightly. “Brother Zhang Dao, please be cautious!” As soon as she finished speaking, she turned her jade palm over, revealing two additional jade bracelets on her wrist.

Each jade bracelet had three jade bells embedded within them. With a flick of her wrist, the bells emitted a clear, faint ring that sent shivers down people’s spines.

Zhang Tiantai’s dark and handsome face wrinkled, and his resolute expression grew solemn. He tightened his grip on the knife’s handle, more serious than when he faced the brocade silk earlier.

Ji Banlian smiled gently, cupping her palms over her eyes and trembling—”Ding!”

Zhang Tiantai’s wrist couldn’t help but tremble. He quickly regained his composure, clenching the knife’s handle even tighter, veins bulging on his arms!

“Ding! Ding!”

One sound, slow and clear, Ji Banlian rose to her tiptoes, spinning as if there was no one else present. Her goose-yellow skirt floated lightly, resembling a partially bloomed flower. Her dance steps were light as if she were stepping on someone’s heart, revealing and concealing at will.

Every time the jade bell rang delicately, Zhang Tiantai’s heart skipped a beat. With each successive ring, his heart raced even faster.

“Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!”

The ringing of the bell transformed into a downpour, causing Zhang Tiantai to pant heavily. His face flushed, his eyes lost their clarity, and spiritual power surged through his meridians as if he were on the verge of exploding. Only his fingers gripping the knife’s handle showed that he was still resisting…

At this moment, the spectators also sensed that something was amiss. It wasn’t just due to Zhang Tiantai’s performance, but also because a thin veil suddenly appeared before them—the restriction set by Tang Wenfei.

However, at that moment, the veil seemed to be bombarded repeatedly, as if it was about to be torn apart. Yet, it only trembled slightly before the impact dissipated. All the monks closed their eyes and opened them again, revealing eyes filled with various lights.

Xu Ziqing’s eyes glimmered with a blue hue as he stared intently at the field.

Indeed, around Ji Banlian’s dancing figure, sound waves rippled outward, varying in size, encircling Zhang Tiantai.

Zhang Tiantai’s eyes turned red, resembling a trapped beast entangled in the silk net of the sound waves. He couldn’t even raise his arm, let alone swing his knife!

Would Ji Banlian win this match?

Ji Banlian smiled sweetly, exuding an indescribable rhythm in every gesture.

However, Xu Ziqing noticed that beads of sweat formed on her forehead…

Prior to the fight, one of them aimed to swiftly defeat their opponent with a domineering saber spirit, while the other sought to wear down the opponent’s spiritual power and suppress their will.

Yet, Zhang Tiantai underestimated the opponent’s defense, and the opponent didn’t expect Zhang Tiantai to unleash three sword qi simultaneously, responding with three saber qi of their own!

As a result, one lost their magic weapon, while the other fell into their opponent’s scheme. Now, they could only compete in terms of stamina…

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