Daoist Competition
Chapter 124 - 27 Fierce Battle on the River Absorbing Qi into the Primordial Talisman

Chapter 124: Chapter 27 Fierce Battle on the River Absorbing Qi into the Primordial Talisman

Zhang Yan saw that the river ahead was full of winding bends and curves. His mind immediately came up with a plan. He turned his head and whispered a few words to Luo Xiao, who understood at once, then leaped into the roaring river. Her movements were graceful, and not a single ripple could be seen as she entered the water.

Zhang Yan himself employed a Fog Manipulation spell. Instantly, a thick fog descended as though from the heavens, enveloping all five large ships entirely. Even the surface of the water was veiled in faint mist and clouds, shrouding the nearby landscape in a dreamy, almost illusory aura.

When Shen Yuefeng’s vessels emerged from the bend in the river, he frowned at the sight of the fog-choked deep river stretching before him.

If his Divine Soul had been fused with his sword ball, he wouldn’t need to mind such an obstacle—simply unleashing one sword strike would be enough to dispel any illusion or magical barrier obscuring his insight. However, his current circumstances gave rise to a trace of frustration. If they made it past this stretch of the river and took flight, disappearing into the depths of the mountains, where could he possibly find them then?

Suddenly, he felt a thunderous tremor beneath his feet. The ship lurched violently, followed by the panicked cries of the boatman: "We’re taking on water! We’re leaking!"

Shen Yuefeng was taken aback. Although the turbulent currents of this river were well-known, the boatmen he had selected were all seasoned experts from the Water Country, accustomed to navigating these waters year-round. They could even traverse this part of the river blindfolded. How could mere fog cause such trouble? This must be Zhang Yan’s trickery!

He sneered coldly, saying, "Petty tricks! Do you think they’ll stop me?" With a leap from the prow, he stepped onto the water, supported by the light of Xuan Guang beneath his feet. He rushed forward, chasing after the sound deeper into the fog in pursuit of the enemy vessel.

The sound of water stirred lightly as Luo Xiao slipped back onto the deck. Not a single drop of water clung to her, and she smiled sweetly: "Young master, I’ve punctured the hull of their main vessel."

Zhang Yan nodded approvingly, "Well done."

Though the surrounding fog was dense, he could still see Shen Yuefeng’s figure clearly. Calm and composed, he reached into his sleeve and retrieved the Soul Suppressing Inkstone and Proclamation Pen, then tossed them to Luo Xiao while quietly giving her further instructions. Meanwhile, he took out the Golden Magnetic Copper Mirror and held it by his side, keeping his gaze fixed steadily ahead.

Shen Yuefeng did not yet realize that his every move was being watched. After sprinting a hundred steps across the water’s surface, he heard louder sounds from the enemy’s ship up ahead, signaling its close proximity. With a flick of his sleeve, a sheet of talisman paper streaked into the air. He struck it with his palm and commanded, "Break!"

The talisman paper ignited without flame and floated forward, attaching itself to the ship’s hull. In the blink of an eye, a burst of azure flames erupted with a loud "boom," scattering sparks everywhere and sweeping the fog away within a radius of five meters.

As his line of sight cleared, Shen Yuefeng immediately spotted Zhang Yan and Luo Xiao. Without hesitation, he pointed forward, and the golden sword ball hovering at his side paused momentarily before surging straight toward Zhang Yan like a needle.

At the same time, Luo Xiao flicked her wrist, sending the Cloud Pattern Red Pen flying into the air. However, instead of confronting the sword ball, it shot directly at Shen Yuefeng.

The sword ball reached Zhang Yan in the blink of an eye. Just as it was about to pierce him, a point of white light flashed abruptly—the Fate Determining Jade Tablet flew out from his chest of its own accord, intercepting the sword ball with perfect precision. The two collided in midair, causing both to momentarily stall.

"An opportunity!"

Zhang Yan’s eyes sharpened as he raised the Golden Magnetic Copper Mirror in his right hand, lifting it into the air. The mirror flipped over, and a beam of light descended. This tangible ray of light instantly immobilized the sword ball.

Seeing his sword ball fixed in place, Shen Yuefeng was startled. He attempted to call it back, but at that moment, the Proclamation Pen arrived before him, forcing him to abandon the effort. He flung his sleeve, unleashing dozens of talisman papers which ignited instantly, creating a wall of gray smoke ahead. Yet the Proclamation Pen brushed through it effortlessly, dispersing the smoke entirely. Without his control, the pen’s spiritual mechanism faded, and it flew back to Zhang Yan.

With the sword ball struggling under the beam of light, Zhang Yan showed no mercy. He opened his mouth, spraying a breath of Yin Yang Poison-infused Evil Qi at it. In an instant, the scene played out like red-hot iron dropped into cold water. With a sharp "hiss," the Xuan Guang coating the sword ball dimmed and began to falter.

Luo Xiao, following prior instructions from Zhang Yan, seized this critical juncture. Her left hand, holding the waiting Heart-Hitting Hammer, swung decisively—this time smashing squarely into the sword ball. With a resounding "clang," the Xuan Guang enveloping the sword ball shuddered violently, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to extinguish at any moment.

Shen Yuefeng, intending to free his hands, formed a spell to summon the sword ball back. However, most of its Xuan Guang had already dissipated. Even as it swayed helplessly under the copper mirror’s beam, it could not break free. Gritting his teeth, Shen Yuefeng issued a cry of fury, spitting out a streak of Xuan Guang imbued with the essence of metal and iron—this was his Qi Mechanism transformed, no weaker than an ordinary Flying Sword. Luo Xiao remained unafraid. Her own Xuan Guang split into a strand to intercept the attack, and her hands did not idle. She drove the Heart-Hitting Hammer forth once more, smashing against the sword ball.