With the help of Qinghe Zhenren, Lu Yanping naturally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Many thanks for your assistance, Zhenren."

"You're too kind, Sect Leader Lu. In this match, the victory goes to the Qinggu Sect," said Qinghe Zhenren.

Zhang Xian barely escaped death, drenched in sweat, his face pale. He was still in a daze until Huang Wenjun stepped forward to pull him up and half-dragged, half-carried him back.

Tai Cifang was very dissatisfied with Qinghe Zhenren's intervention, but since his side had won, he couldn't be bothered to say much.

"Shuang Ji."

"Disciple is here."

"You will go for this round."

In the male-dominated world of Taichu Continent, most women stayed at home to support their husbands and educate their children, rarely stepping out of the house in their entire lives. Few women walked the jianghu, and even fewer set foot on the path of cultivation.

Lin Shuangji lived up to her name, with skin fairer than frost and snow, surpassing white jade. Her long hair was styled into a bun, with a pair of blue butterflies on her golden hairpin fluttering their wings, instantly drawing everyone's gaze.

"May I ask which fellow Daoist from the Mirror Sea Sword Sect will battle?"

Her demeanor was gentle and refined, even her speech was graceful and pleasant, unlike the aggressive manner of the other Qinggu Sect members.

Lu Yanping stood up. "This Lu is untalented, but willing to exchange pointers with Lady Lin."

The two were both at the late Foundation Establishment stage, their strength evenly matched. Lin Shuangji carefully looked him over and nodded with a smile. "Please."

The Mirror Sea Sect could not afford to lose another round. Lu Yanping was determined to seize the initiative and end the fight quickly.

As soon as his Feihong Sword struck out, it transformed into thousands of sword lights. Within the sword lights, there seemed to be even smaller swords hidden. Like a thunderous force shaking rivers and seas, the momentum was unstoppable. It was also like casually reaching out to pluck a plum blossom by a wall - a sure thing. All the sword lights converged together, forming a dense circular sword formation that flew towards Lin Shuangji.

Lin Shuangji was shocked. She had not expected Lu Yanping to act so quickly with such a fierce offensive. Any trace of underestimation she previously had was now completely gone. She hastily summoned her magic treasure, the Linlong Thorn.

The Linlong Thorn lived up to its name, delicate like a hairpin, fitting in one hand. It could change size according to its master's will.

Lin Shuangji did not retreat, instead she rose into the air to meet the sword formation head-on. With both hands, she inserted the Linlong Thorn into the sword lights and split them apart.

The sky full of sword lights seemed to be intimidated by the power of the Linlong Thorn, dimming slightly. Lin Shuangji silently recited an incantation and the Linlong Thorn emitted a faint white glow.

The sword formation's power was greatly reduced after being split by the Linlong Thorn, the sword lights gradually weakening. Lin Shuangji broke through the sword formation, but did not stop. She flew towards Lu Yanping, the Linlong Thorn in hand.

But then a sharp, piercing sound was heard from behind. Startled, she only had time to twist her waist and body to the side. The Feihong Sword brushed past her neck, leaving a trail of blood on her delicate, jade-like skin.

This was the Feihong Sword's true form.

The many sword lights just now were merely shadow clones of the sword. Without finding the real sword, breaking the sword formation was futile.

The Thousand Swords Illusion Formation was an advanced technique of sword cultivators. Although Lu Yanping was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, his Feihong Sword was a legacy magic treasure of the Mirror Sea Sect.

Moreover, this technique had been improved by the previous sect master Zou Jingyuan. While its power was somewhat reduced, it was more suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators to use without suffering backlash from exceeding their cultivation level.

Lin Shuangji touched her neck, feeling the slick, fishy blood oozing from the wound, staining her white collar red.

"I've lost," she said, her face pale but still graceful.

"You flatter me." Lu Yanping took back the Feihong Sword and returned the salute.

The others present were happy to see the Qinggu Sect's defeat and all revealed smiles.

They had originally thought the Mirror Sea Sword Sect was just a minor sect. Even if they engaged in magical combat, it wouldn't be very exciting to watch.

But now it seemed that while they might not be dazzlingly talented, they were certainly not mediocre or dull. Judging from their performance in the first two rounds, they were not inferior to disciples of major sects.

In contrast, Tai Cifang's expression turned unpleasant. He didn't even spare a glance at Lin Shuangji as she returned to her seat.

Qinghe Zhenren still maintained his master's demeanor. "Since that's the case, let the third round begin."

On Tai Cifang's side, someone stood up.

The opponent was tall and well-built, with a sharp gaze, wearing a green robe that could not conceal his imposing aura.

"Qinggu Sect's Wei Yichang, here to seek guidance from your esteemed sect."

Zhou Yin stood up.

Wei Yichang sneered, "Why does your sect keep sending out sickly scholars who can't even stand a breeze!"

Zhou Yin had a tall and slender figure, solemn as a pine tree. Of course the phrase "can't even stand a breeze" did not apply to him at all. But he did not utter a word or refute it. The crowd assumed he was just too nervous to speak, facing this kind of occasion for the first time.

Huang Wenjun asked He Yun in a low voice, "Ah Yin is only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, while the opponent is already at late Foundation Establishment. Will it be alright?"

He Yun was also worried. "I don't know. Let's hope Ah Yin can win."

If even they lacked confidence, Lu Yanping was even more anxious.

His heart kept wavering back and forth. On one hand, he regretted letting Zhou Yin participate in such an important match that concerned the sect's survival. On the other hand, he secretly reassured himself that in the currently talent-starved Mirror Sea Sect, Zhou Yin's calm and adaptability were precisely what the other cultivators lacked.

It was not impossible for him to win.

The two incidents with the Purple Mist Falling Shadow Lamp and the demon beast Nüyue had already proven his capability. He should not belittle him.

Zhou Yin had no way and no interest in understanding other people's thought processes. Wei Yichang fully learned from the previous round and seized the initiative, using a killing move right from the start.

Before Zhou Yin could even get in position, he brought out the Ghost Luo Flag. With a flip of his hands, the flag instantly transformed into eight small flags of different colors. They were inserted into the ground not far from Zhou Yin's feet in eight directions, the flagpoles sinking more than halfway into the earth, standing firmly.

Zhou Yin also reacted swiftly, immediately flying backwards, trying to cross the boundary formed by the flags. But he discovered his body seemed to be blocked by an invisible wall surrounding him on all sides, trapping him inside.

Wei Yichang opened his mouth and uttered a word: "Kun!"

Qian represents Heaven and Kun represents Earth.

One of the green small flags instantly transformed into several thick thorny vines that burst out of the ground and rapidly coiled towards Zhou Yin's ankles.

The Lingyin Sword, infused with spiritual power and glowing faintly, slashed at the thorny vines but to no avail.

He slightly shifted his footsteps to avoid the crazily growing thorns, only to hear Wei Yichang utter another word.

"Dui!"

The bricks and stones under his feet suddenly turned into a quagmire. His feet sank down a little. He lifted his right foot, only to find his left foot sinking even deeper.

Meanwhile, the thorny vines had already coiled around him, tightly binding his ankles. The thorns on the stems instantly pierced through his socks and shoes, stabbing into his flesh.

A sharp pain, he could even feel the blood flowing out from the wounds.

The Lingyin Sword flew out from his hand. Zhou Yin silently recited an incantation and the sword, carrying a fierce cold aura, stabbed into the thorny vines.

With a hiss, the thorny vines were severed by the sword energy and shattered. However, the mud beneath his feet was slowly sinking, already submerging Zhou Yin's ankles.

At this moment, two thorn vines as thick as adult arms extended from the marsh behind him. With lightning speed, they coiled up along his calves. His clothes were instantly torn by the sharp thorns, and spots of blood soaked through the fabric.

The Lingyin Sword suddenly flew up. The cold air carrying spiritual power turned several thorn vines into dust wherever it passed. But as long as the marsh remained, the thorns could endlessly grow out from within, impossible to completely cut down or kill.

Zhou Yin only had one Lingyin Sword. If he focused his energy on defending against the opponent's attacks, he would be unable to spare attention to counterattack. Moreover, a cultivator's spiritual power is limited. Once it's exhausted, the duel would be lost.

Wei Yichang revealed a confident smile.

On the Mirror Sea Sect's side, He Yun watched with great nervousness. "What can be done about this?"

Huang Wenjun shook his head, at a loss.

Lu Yanping sighed inwardly, feeling the situation was beyond saving. He prepared himself to lose everything.

The newly grown thorns were extending faster and faster. By the time some were cut down on one side, the other side had already entangled Zhou Yin up to his waist. His clothes were covered in bloodstains, evidently from wounds caused by the thorns.

Wei Yichang said indifferently, "If you don't admit defeat, those things will keep growing upwards. Eventually your whole body will be wrapped inside. I don't need to say it - you can probably imagine how that would feel."

Zhou Yin neither confirmed nor denied. The Lingyin Sword was still slashing through the air, cutting the thorns.

With a flip of his wrist, he held the Heaven Washing Brush in his right hand. He drew a talisman on his left palm, then, ignoring the pain of the thorns binding his body, he bent down and imprinted the talisman onto the marsh.

The marsh slightly shook as the thick sludge gradually thinned. Zhou Yin took the chance to sever the thorns on his body. With a leap, he easily pulled his feet out from the marsh.

Wei Yichang let out a surprised "Huh?" with shock on his face.

Zhou Yin's hands didn't stop. The Heaven Washing Brush made a few strokes and a water arrow came from somewhere, shooting straight towards the center of Wei Yichang's back. If hit, he would likely spit blood on the spot.

In the rush, Wei Yichang hurriedly flew to the side to dodge. But the spell he originally needed to focus his energy to activate also scattered with this.

The marsh, thorns, and even the barrier around Zhou Yin all disappeared.

I underestimated you! Wei Yichang inwardly sneered coldly.

Seeing Zhou Yin draw talismans in the air, although he felt his opponent was at the end of his rope, in order to quickly end the fight, he still activated the remaining power of the Eight Trigrams Formation.

"Li!"

Among the Eight Trigrams, Li represents fire.

With a roar, flames fiercely ignited around Zhou Yin.

Wei Yichang then shot out several talismans imbued with the Raging Fire Spell. The flames grew even more intense. In the square patch of sky above Zhou Yin's head, a rain of fire followed, attempting to trap Zhou Yin to death from all directions.

Fire generates earth, without water, let's see how you extinguish the flames. If you don't beg for mercy, then just wait to be burned to death!

The fire burned fiercely, borrowing the power of the wind. Only flickering shadows could be seen within the flames, unable to clearly make out Zhou Yin's condition.

Wei Yichang's hands continuously shot out talismans, showing an air of fighting to the death.

"Too despicable, isn't this supposed to be a fair duel? Don't tell me you want to take a life?!" Huang Wenjun was about to slam the table and rise, but was held down by Lu Yanping.

"What are you doing?!"

"Make him stop, Ah Yin is going to be burned to death!"

"Since it's a duel, if one's skills are inferior, life and death are one's own responsibility. As cultivators, we should be prepared for this long ago. Zhou Yin hasn't admitted defeat, so the duel isn't over. What are you panicking for? Sit down!" Lu Yanping scolded harshly.

Huang Wenjun gritted his teeth. He stood unmoving, but didn't charge over either.

The worry felt by He Yun and the others beside them was no less than his. But precisely because they knew Lu Yanping wasn't wrong, they forcibly endured and didn't go over.

Tai Cifang chuckled, "Sect Leader Lu truly has a deep understanding of righteousness. Watching a disciple of your sect about to die before your eyes, yet still being able to remain so calm and composed, it's truly admirable!"

Lu Yanping's face was ashen, but he didn't reply.

Qinghe Zhenren seemed not to have seen their dispute, still sitting there with a carefree smile.

Before Tai Cifang's words finished, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky, thunder rumbled and roared. In a short while, a heavy downpour came gushing down.

The cultivators present hurriedly set up protective barriers to avoid getting drenched by the rain. But Wei Yichang wasn't so lucky.

He found that the barrier he drew up with a bit of spiritual power actually couldn't withstand the rain pouring from the heavens. Not only was he soaked to the bone, the flames he painstakingly nurtured to trap his opponent to death were also destroyed.

The raging flames gradually diminished. Before he could use the Eight Trigrams Formation, he saw the Lingyin Sword fly out from the flames, its momentum fierce, like a startled swan piercing through willows, and like the God of Death claiming souls.

Wei Yichang widened his eyes and dodged to the left. He also threw out the Ghost Luo Banner, but it missed, stabbing straight into the ground.

Not good, it's an illusion!

One sword split into two, two swords split into four.

Heaven and earth generate two forms, two forms generate four phenomena, four phenomena generate eight trigrams.

The torrential raindrops hit the ground, the sound shocking heaven and earth, interfering with his judgment of the sword's trajectory. He only felt a chill on his back. Before he could recall the Ghost Luo Banner, the Lingyin Sword had already pierced through his shoulder blade.

Wei Yichang spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to his knees on the ground. The wound was bone-chillingly cold, and he couldn't help shivering.

The Lingyin Sword succeeded with one move and flew back into its master's hand.

The flames were completely extinguished. Everyone saw Zhou Yin prop the sword tip against the ground. He was also completely drenched, covered in wounds, but seemed not to feel his own sorry state at all. His expression was only indifferent as he looked at Wei Yichang collapsed on the ground.

"You lost."

The author has something to say:

Come, Furball, come out and act cute for everyone.

Furball: Scram! =皿=【turns around to face Zhou Yin: Kiss～Kiss～Oh～～*^_^*

Zhou Yin: ……