Ch. 555 - Clash

“This is just like you,” the God Emperor said from the side.

Xu Zimo shook his head slightly and said, “Let’s go. The banquet must be in full swing now.”

The two of them left the inner courtyard of the Lan residence and returned to the banquet.

At this moment, the entire banquet had reached a lively peak, with singing, dancing, and joyful celebration.

Xu Zimo shook his head in disbelief. This so-called Demon-Slaying Banquet, what exactly is the difference between demonic and righteous paths?

Just because someone claims to be righteous, does that make them just?

He raised his cup and watched the grand gathering, saying nothing.

By the afternoon, the banquet ended. Members from each major faction were led to their already prepared guest rooms.

The guest rooms were arranged in rows around a large courtyard.

The courtyard was decorated with rock gardens, flowing streams, tall trees, and blooming flowers, calm and elegant.

Since Bluesky City had just undergone a major battle and rebuilding, there wasn’t much worth exploring.

Many cultivators simply stayed in the courtyard, chatting and debating. Some played chess under the trees; others sipped tea in the pavilions.

A group of younger disciples chatted about the interesting stories of their respective sects.

Xu Zimo found a lounge chair and didn’t mingle with the others. He lay back quietly, resting with his eyes closed.

“Brother Fenghe, I’ve heard that your Sovereign Order Valley’s cauldron refining technique is famous across the Ninelands Region. How about a little match?”

Among the young cultivators, a man in yellow clothes smiled and spoke to another young man in black robes.

The one called Wang Fenghe smiled and shook his head, replying, “Brother Yiming, you flatter me. Everyone knows your Myriad Immortals Sacred Ground’s Capturing Immortal Art is unrivaled in half the Evercloud Region. No need to compete, I concede.”

Yue Yiming didn’t seem happy with that.

He scoffed, “That’s not right, Brother Fenghe. We cultivators were born gifted. Competing with heaven and earth brings endless joy. The path to becoming an emperor is paved with bones, how can you retreat without fighting?”

As Yue Yiming grew more aggressive, the others became more interested, watching the drama unfold.

“Looks like Yue Yiming has something against Wang Fenghe.”

Some who knew the background whispered.

“You don’t know? During the great sect competition back then, Yue Yiming pursued their saintess but was rejected. The saintess ended up falling for Wang Fenghe instead.”

“So it’s a case of love turning into hatred!”

“If only it were just that,” someone sighed.

“The problem is Wang Fenghe is totally focused on the Dao. He ignores all matters of love. That saintess waited for decades in vain and finally gave up everything to enter one of the Ten Forbidden Grounds, the Palace of Mortal Dust. She never came out again. Since then, Yue Yiming has held a grudge against Wang Fenghe.”

……

Hearing Yue Yiming’s words, Wang Fenghe smiled calmly.

He replied, “All I seek is the Dao. As for the struggle for heavenly fortune and fate, if you want it, you’re welcome to try and take it.”

Yue Yiming snorted and suddenly lunged at him with clawed hands.

Seeing this, Wang Fenghe sighed and quickly leaped back.

“Brother Yiming, forcing me to fight like this… you’re acting beneath yourself.”

“Enough talking. Beat me first, then speak,” Yue Yiming said harshly.

Blue-green spiritforce flowed between his fingers like sharp claws.

Each of his strikes tore through space with great force.

As Yue Yiming charged, Wang Fenghe shook his head.

He raised his right hand and called out, “Grand Eternal Cauldron.”

A deep hum echoed, and an ancient green bronze cauldron descended in front of him.

The cauldron radiated an ancient aura, as if it had rolled out of the river of time, shaking the space as it landed in front of him.

When Yue Yiming struck the cauldron with his claws, loud banging sounds rang out.

Waves of energy pulsed from the cauldron, sending Yue Yiming flying backward.

Steadying himself, Yue Yiming squinted and said coldly, “I heard Sovereign Order Valley is known for its legacy of cauldrons. With nine cauldrons, the world can be ruled. Today, let me test that legend.”

“I’ve already backed off three times. If you keep pushing, don’t blame me for being rude,” Wang Fenghe warned.

“Drop the act. If we’re fighting, then fight,” Yue Yiming sneered.

He rose into the air, arms spread, hovering above the ground.

Waves of forbidden immortal energy rose behind him, filling half the sky.

A cold wind blew as his robe flapped in the air. The yellow fabric fluttered gently.

In the large courtyard, beneath the Demon-Slaying Tree, the black leaves swayed under the moonlight.

Two old men were playing chess beneath the tree, one in green, the other in yellow.

“These youngsters really don’t give us peace,” the old man in yellow sighed.

“Let them be. Young people need their own fights,” the one in green laughed and shook his head.

“The sky’s not falling.”

……

Seeing Yue Yiming go all out like it was a life-or-death battle, Wang Fenghe’s expression also turned serious.

The Grand Eternal Cauldron hovered before him as he coldly snorted.

“Grand Flame Cauldron, come. Grand Azure Cauldron, come. Grand Jade Cauldron, come.”

With three loud calls, three more ancient bronze cauldrons descended, surrounding him.

Now there were four in total. They floated and circled in the air as the surrounding space warped.

“They say Sovereign Order Valley’s Nine Cauldrons Technique is unmatched. I didn’t expect Wang Fenghe to have mastered four cauldrons at such a young age.”

“Yue Yiming isn’t simple either. His Capturing Immortal Art is strong. And the Myriad Immortals Sacred Ground’s techniques are famous. Looks like this will be a fierce fight.”

The pressure from both fighters tore at space. The onlookers quickly backed away.

When Yue Yiming’s fists, filled with immortal energy, struck the four cauldrons, a sharp screech echoed.

It was so loud it nearly burst everyone’s eardrums.

Explosions followed, and space around them began to collapse.

“They’re going all out,” someone exclaimed in shock.

What started as a duel turned into a deadly fight.

“Forbidden Immortal Fist!”

“Four Cauldrons Shake Heavens!”

Both launched their attacks at once. Waves of energy rippled everywhere.

“So noisy. Can’t even get some sleep,”

Xu Zimo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and let out a cold snort.

Just that one snort, with a loud “boom”, caused all four of Wang Fenghe’s ancient cauldrons to shatter.

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