Chapter 267: Chapter 53: Small Whip, Teaching, Departure_2
"Alright, then let’s get started."
The two small Dragon-men not only looked similar, but their attack methods were also alike. Unlike Jin Xiao, who was only half a Core Disciple, Li Yao was a true Core Disciple—and one who had held the position for a long time.
His combat experience and Cultivation were both very strong; so much so that even when facing his Master, the Green Dragon Peak’s Peak Master, he only fell slightly behind.
BANG! BANG!
The two separated. Fu Shanhe, looking at the fist imprint on his chest, said with relief, "I originally thought you had grown complacent in your position as a Core Disciple, but I see that’s not the case!"
"Master, from now on, I’m going all out." Li Yao’s smile faded as his expression turned serious.
The two Dragon-men were now evenly matched in their spar, something neither side had expected.
Yue Yinghua, in her crayfish monster form, waved her two large pincers discontentedly and said, "So, Li Yao was holding back when he fought me!"
"So Senior Brother Li is actually that powerful!" Chen Jiuge was also very surprised.
"Perhaps this is what the Elders hope for: each generation surpassing the previous," Wen Ruo remarked thoughtfully.
"The victor is about to be decided!" Wudao Tian said gravely.
Li Yao’s two arms were torn off, and one of Fu Shanhe’s legs was also broken.
"Still a little short," Fu Shanhe said with a hint of regret. It’s naturally a good thing for a disciple to surpass their master.
"Master, next time there’s a contest, we can have another go," Li Yao said, somewhat unwilling to accept the outcome.
"Alright."
After Li Yao disappeared, the remaining Green Dragon Peak disciples began to take their turns.
Ultimately, with only one leg, Fu Shanhe’s movements were greatly restricted. He sustained injuries in each subsequent bout, and like Shu Yiming before him, eventually had to leave the arena via Soldier Disintegration.
Perhaps inspired by the heartfelt battle between this master and disciple, the Elders who fought next did not seek quick victories. Instead, they patiently instructed their own disciples. Some Elders who had more than one disciple even called them up to fight together.
Witnessing this scene, Sect Master Jun Linseng found it quite comforting. However, it also made him wonder: Were my participants disappearing too quickly?
He watched the eager Wudao Tian on the opposing side and Gao Jie, who was without an opponent from the Elders’ side yet, itching for a try. My own miscreant disciples wouldn’t hesitate to gang up on an opponent, two against one. I need to think of a plan.
"Really?!" Jiang Taiyuan’s shocked expression pulled Jun Linseng from his thoughts.
「On the field」
Wan Hao’s ape monster had torn Jiang Shengyuan’s green mechanical armor to pieces.
"My apologies, Master," Wan Hao said, his voice somewhat sheepish.
Jiang Shengyuan was not disappointed but rather very pleased. "You are truly my disciple."
"Sect Master, it’s all up to you now." Jiang Shengyuan gave him an encouraging look before disappearing.
Jun Linseng’s old face darkened.
"It’s my turn now!" Yue Shanghua said excitedly.
A brightly, almost garishly, colored mech wielding a large Guan Sword appeared in the arena. Its pilot shouted, "My dear disciple, and Ye Sheng, my grand-disciple! Come up and fight me!"
Chen Jiuge, who had hoped to stay hidden until the end, said with resignation, "Seems like there’s no avoiding it now."
"Master, I’m coming!"
A feisty little crayfish (Yue Yinghua) appeared before Yue Shanghua, followed by a lumbering giant scorpion (Chen Jiuge) and a small rabbit (Wen Ruo) that seemed to be comforting the scorpion.
"Let’s see what you’ve got!" Yue Shanghua said, leaping forward with a downward slash of her Guan Sword.
Since hiding was no longer an option, it was only natural to put up a good fight.
While Senior Sister Yue Yinghua (crayfish) engaged Yue Shanghua, Chen Jiuge (scorpion) scuttled forward on his eight large legs, his tail lashing out to stab at Yue Shanghua’s chest, as Wen Ruo (rabbit) launched a flying kick.
Unscathed? Chen Jiuge was incredulous. They were all made from Mahayana materials! How could she be unharmed?
"Heh, did you think I was a pushover like old Jiang?" Yue Shanghua scoffed.
A 360-degree high-speed spin repelled the three of them.
Yue Yinghua explained during the lull, "Our Master is a Body Refinement practitioner, a very strong one. Hardly anyone in the Sect can defeat her."
The imposing Guan Sword was so intimidating that Chen Jiuge (scorpion) tried to pull Senior Sister Yue Yinghua (crayfish) toward the edge to maneuver, while the robust little crayfish herself stubbornly fought head-on.
SZZZT!
Looking at the sparks from the constant clashing, Chen Jiuge winced. Senior Sister, your pincers are already chipped! Do you have to clash head-on?
"Junior Brother, we need to look for an opportunity, or Senior Sister might not last very long," Wen Ruo (rabbit) spoke up to Chen Jiuge, referring to Yue Yinghua.
"I know, Senior Sister, but there’s no chance," Chen Jiuge replied helplessly to Wen Ruo. That Elder Yue is too fierce! Her Guan Sword dances impenetrably and with such grace. Could it really be true that ’a woman never ages past eighteen’?
The chance Chen Jiuge and Wen Ruo were waiting for soon came.
CRACK!
The little crayfish (Yue Yinghua) caught another sideways slash, but one of its large pincers finally broke off. The impenetrable sword momentum of Elder Yue Shanghua finally showed a slight flaw.
"Now’s the time!"
Wen Ruo (rabbit) burst forward, his short tail suddenly stretching long, whipping his body into a rapid spin. His drill-like torso slammed into the chest of Yue Shanghua’s mech, making a cracking sound.
"Goodbye, Elder Yue!"
The scorpion monster (Chen Jiuge) suddenly spread its two large pincers wide like a split, and two dark barrels extended from between them: Gatling guns!
RATATATATA!
The rapidly rotating barrels fired a barrage of enhanced super bullets, shattering the chest armor of Elder Yue’s mech in an instant.
After fifteen minutes, the gunfire stopped. Chen Jiuge looked at the overheating, deformed barrels regretfully, saying, "Too bad it can only fire that much."
"Interesting, interesting. You disciples always like playing with those little toys from the tech worlds," Yue Shanghua said mockingly, her battered mech appearing before the three of them.
She tossed aside the Guan Sword in her hands.
Chen Jiuge exclaimed in horror, "Damn, she can transform?! That’s cheating!"
As the tattered armor was torn off, a smaller, white mech emerged.
Pulling out two short blades from under her ribs, Yue Shanghua taunted, "My turn."
The white mech was incredibly fast. Before Chen Jiuge could react, his eight large legs vanished, and he collapsed to the ground, reduced to the ’Scorpion Stick’. Senior Sister Yue Yinghua, being closer, fared worse and was brutally dismembered. Chen Jiuge couldn’t see the specifics as the assault happened behind him and he couldn’t turn his head. However, judging by her agonized screams, her situation was dire.
"Junior Sister Yue, you’re still as brutal as ever," Jiang Taiyuan remarked with some nostalgia. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her unleash her fury like this.
"Is that why she has no Daoist couple?" Jun Linseng said pertinently.
"Sect Master, aren’t you afraid Junior Sister Yue will betray the Sect?" Ye Sheng asked.
"Stop talking and watch."
Yue Yinghua, now with just one pincer left, struggled to parry, occasionally getting slashed.
As the fight dragged on, Chen Jiuge, from his spectator’s viewpoint, finally caught sight of the two combatants again: a battered crayfish, nearly stripped bare, and a white mech without a single scratch.
Chen Jiuge silently mourned. Sorry, Eldest Senior Brother, you’ll have to handle the Sect Master yourself.
The scorpion’s tail stinger fell away, revealing a dark, flat surface. If one could use Divine Sense, they would perceive that the black surface was actually covered with minuscule pores, invisible to the naked eye.
Yue Shanghua, who hadn’t paid it much attention, suddenly felt a chill of premonition. But it was too late.
When matter is compressed to an extreme point, its mass and density increase dramatically. If a strong force is then applied, the resulting destruction is immense. This is the principle behind the compressed water blade.
So, with the enhancement of Cultivation, to what extent would this ability be magnified?
The white mech (Yue Shanghua) and the little crayfish (Yue Yinghua) were instantly pierced by the fine jets of water. Chen Jiuge didn’t know their ultimate fate, as his own form exploded the moment he launched this ultimate attack.
The little crayfish (Yue Yinghua) said with a faint smile, "Master, this was especially prepared for you."
Looking at her mech armor, which was slowly leaking water from multiple points, Yue Shanghua stubbornly said, "Just some minor damage."
Chen Jiuge, having reappeared outside the arena, snapped back to his senses just in time to see the white mech still on a rampage on the light screen. He exclaimed in horror, "Elder Yue is that terrifying?!"
Yue Yinghua gave a wry smile. "Master was incredibly formidable even back then. She just liked to join in the fun, which made her seem more approachable."
Wen Ruo said, "Well, there we go. We’re out of the game early again."
"No worries. Now let’s just watch from outside," Chen Jiuge said cheerfully. "The duel between our Eldest Senior Brother and the Sect Master—I’m really looking forward to that!"
Leaving early isn’t so bad. It was awkward in there. As a mere Little Heavenly Immortal, any Elder could have obliterated me in a one-on-one fight. It’s much better to be outside, watching the show.
Grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds from Da Bai’s embrace, Chen Jiuge settled in like an old man enjoying a good show.