Li Yundong stepped forward two paces and pulled Zhou Qin into an embrace. He mobilized his True Essence and swept it through Zhou Qin’s body, his heart immediately clenching: the vital energy within her was a complete mess, and the bones in her elbows, knees, and fists were shattered beyond recognition!
Li Yundong took a deep breath, narrowed his eyes, and shot a hostile glare at Liu Yuqing. He watched as Liu Yuqing stood there, utterly dejected. Ever since he had uttered the words of surrender, Zhou Qin had lost her sharpness, and he seemed to have become an aimless shell, standing motionless, apparently consumed by agonizing regret: Why hadn't he held on just a little longer?
Li Yundong knew that Liu Yuqing’s Dao Heart was broken; his cultivation journey was effectively over from this point forward. The anger in his own heart dissipated considerably. He sighed softly and gently wiped the blood from Zhou Qin’s face with his hand. “Does it hurt?”
Zhou Qin managed a weak smile, the tearing agony throughout her body rendering her speechless for a moment. Although the vital energy surging within her remained vigorous and powerful, the physical damage was catastrophic, especially from the brutal head-on collision that had severely compromised the bones in her body.
Zi Yuan rushed forward upon seeing the scene and extended her hand to take Zhou Qin’s pulse. After checking her breath, the tension on her face immediately eased considerably. She let out a breath and whispered, “It’s alright, there’s no immediate danger to her life, just a lot of fractured bones.” Zi Yuan then lowered her voice to ask Zhou Qin, “How do you feel?”
Zhou Qin’s lips trembled slightly, and she forced a smile. “Fine, just a little dizzy.”
Li Yundong chuckled. “Silly girl, to clash heads like that with someone—it would be strange if you weren't dizzy!” He turned his head to Su Chan, who was watching Zhou Qin with concerned, expectant eyes, and said, “Chan’er, why don't you take Zhou Qin to see a doctor?”
Before Su Chan could reply, Zhou Qin struggled to stand up and spoke up loudly, preempting her, “No!”
This shout immediately aggravated her injuries, causing her so much pain that she nearly fainted.
Li Yundong quickly pressed down on Zhou Qin’s shoulders. “Don’t move. Look at how badly you’re hurt—what else are you planning to do?”
Zhou Qin clutched Li Yundong’s robe tightly with one hand, her face etched with pleading. “Master, don’t make me leave. I’m fine. Let me stay nearby and watch, please?”
Li Yundong gave Zi Yuan a wry look, seeking her counsel.
Zi Yuan knew Zhou Qin’s inherently stubborn nature. She sighed softly and nodded slightly. “It’s fine, let her stay here. Her internal organs are undamaged, and her meridians are intact. As long as she avoids strenuous activity, there’s no real problem.”
Li Yundong sighed, helpless, and helped Zhou Qin over to a nearby table, letting Su Chan hold her gently. He then said, “Alright, there’s no reasoning with you. Stay here and watch.”
A look of joy flashed across Zhou Qin’s face, and she fell silent, watching Li Yundong quietly from the side. She sat as still as a peony, serene and exquisitely beautiful, making it impossible to associate her with the ferocious, desperate lunatic from just moments before.
The onlookers, witnessing Li Yundong and Zhou Qin conversing as if no one else were present, were deeply shaken by Zhou Qin’s fierce, iron-blooded tenacity. For a moment, no one dared to utter a provocative word. Even Wan Zhenyuan looked at Zhou Qin with surprise, thinking: With a disciple like this, Li Yundong truly has wings added to a tiger! Zhou Qin, given time, is destined for greatness! Why don’t I have a disciple like that? Damnation, how infuriating!
Thinking this, Wan Zhenyuan cupped his hands toward Li Yundong and spoke. “Daoist Li, your Huxian Sect has already won three matches. Do you wish to continue?”
Li Yundong smiled faintly. “Of course. I wonder which esteemed Daoist friend would care to offer some guidance?”
The cultivators from various sects exchanged glances. They were still immersed in the profound shock and impact left by Zhou Qin, some barely able to process the situation. Moreover, Li Yundong had rested during the last match and was now brimming with energy and completely restored; if they stepped up now, wouldn't they just be paving the way for him?
The cultivators from the various sects turned their gazes toward the few individuals acknowledged as the strongest in the arena, especially those who had prior grudges with Li Yundong. But at that moment, Zhang Tianhe of the Orthodox Unity Sect was looking intently at the ground, as if a flower had sprouted there. Wang Lingfei was gazing at his own long, slender, delicate hands, seemingly admiring a peerless treasure. Yue Sheng of the Quanzhen Dragon Gate Sect had his eyes closed, looking as if he were asleep. And Zhang Cuyi, who had initially boasted about taking first place, was leisurely sipping his tea, acting as if he were on vacation!
In an instant, silent curses rose in everyone’s minds: Damn it, they were strutting around with their nostrils pointing to the sky earlier, and now they’ve chickened out?
As if sensing what everyone was thinking, Zhang Tianhe, Wang Lingfei, Yue Sheng, and Zhang Cuyi exchanged glances, then simultaneously returned to their own preoccupations—the one looking at the floor, the other sipping tea.
Seeing the potential for an awkward silence, Wan Zhenyuan chuckled again. “Daoist Li, congratulations on gaining such a fine disciple. It is a pity you only have one. If you had another good disciple like her, perhaps this Lotus Picking Assembly wouldn't even need to continue; they could just hand over the prizes to you immediately, ha ha!”
Wan Zhenyuan spoke with bravado, heavily flattering Li Yundong in his words, but those with astute minds like Zhou Qin realized that his words carried hidden malice. His subtext was clearly telling everyone: Li Yundong has only one fighter, and she is now injured and out of the running! If everyone simply took turns challenging him in a war of attrition, even if Li Yundong were made of iron and bronze, he couldn't withstand it!
Zhou Qin gazed deeply at Wan Zhenyuan, thinking: This Sect Master Wan’s words always hide a sharp edge, subtly inciting discord. What is he trying to achieve? Is he trying to maintain balance, or is he targeting Master specifically? If it is balance, then he must intend to use the Immortal Brush to weaken the strength of the cultivators from all sects. If it is targeted at Master, then…
Zhou Qin’s mind raced through countless possibilities, momentarily forgetting the pain in her body.
If she could figure this out, most of the cultivators watching were not foolish and could grasp the implication to some extent. Consequently, even after Wan Zhenyuan spoke, the atmosphere remained quiet. Everyone merely offered strained laughter, but no one stepped forward.
Seeing this, Wan Zhenyuan sighed dramatically and cupped his hands toward Li Yundong. “Daoist Li, I yield to you! Since Daoist Luo Gongyuan and Daoist Ye Fashan founded the Lotus Picking Assembly during the Tianbao era, never before has such a young cultivator as yourself claimed the title of Number One Under Heaven! Today, you have truly set a precedent!”
With that, he beckoned to a subordinate and shouted, “Bring forth the Immortal Brush!”
The crowd, which had been evasive until now, immediately pricked up their ears: What? Is Li Yundong being declared the winner just like that?
Dang Qiang, who had been cracking jokes all along, exclaimed in surprise, “Is the Lotus Picking Assembly over? No way! The last one lasted for three days and three nights before a victor was decided!”
Wan Zhenyuan cupped his hands toward Li Yundong and chuckled at the crowd. “Daoist Li’s divine abilities are astonishing, his dueling skills are superb, and he has an excellent disciple. Since everyone is unwilling to step forward to duel him, he naturally wins! Ha ha, Daoist Li truly lives up to the saying that heroes emerge from the youth. I, Wan Zhenyuan, am deeply impressed, truly impressed! It seems from now on, you have firmly secured the position of Number One Under Heaven among the younger generation of cultivators!”
Upon hearing this, turbulent emotions surged through the crowd: Whether they fought or not was one matter, but letting Li Yundong easily claim the Immortal Brush just like this was absolutely unacceptable!
Zhang Tianhe, Wang Lingfei, Yue Sheng, and Zhang Cuyi, who had been standing apart, suddenly snapped their eyes open wide. As if sharing a mutual telepathic understanding, they sprang to their feet simultaneously and shouted in unison, “I’ll do it!”
The crowd was startled, followed immediately by shared excitement.
Good, either nobody steps up, or everyone steps up at once! Excellent, these four are all leading figures among the younger generation of cultivators. If they participate, they should be able to suppress Li Yundong!
The Orthodox Unity Sect was determined to re-establish its hegemonic status in the cultivation world, so they deeply resented seeing a powerful cultivator leading a sect deemed heterodox claim the grand prize of the Lotus Picking Assembly. Other sects were even more unwilling to see a sect with a dubious reputation suddenly rise, as this indirectly threatened their vested interests.
Why should the Huxian Sect be allowed such glory? Why should they be overshadowed?
People strive for recognition; even Buddhas fight for incense—no one considers themselves inferior, especially cultivators!
Zhang Tianhe, Wang Lingfei, Yue Sheng, and Zhang Cuyi all stood up and spoke at the same time. They were all momentarily stunned, glancing at each other before snorting softly and turning their faces away, each looking down upon the others.
Seeing that he had finally managed to provoke these four, Wan Zhenyuan was overjoyed. He smiled thinly and said to them, “Excellent, worthy descendants of renowned families, showing such spirit! But which Daoist friend will go first?”
The four exchanged wary glances, their eyes showing subtle caution, and all fell silent.
Wan Zhenyuan’s mind turned, and he suggested, “How about drawing lots?”
The crowd instantly cheered up, laughing heartily. “Sect Master Wan’s idea is excellent; let’s do that!”
Since these cultivators weren't fighting themselves, they happily egged them on, cornering Zhang Tianhe and the others and forcing them into an awkward stalemate.
Zhang Cuyi, being from Sichuan, possessed the inherent 'I am the greatest under heaven' temperament, and he was the first to declare loudly, “Fine, Sect Master Wan, we agree to that!”
Once he spoke, the other three were obliged to concur.
Wan Zhenyuan was delighted and immediately called for paper scraps. After writing on them, he called for a completely sealed jar, tossed the slips inside, and laughed, “The four of you, please proceed? Do not use any divine abilities or magical techniques, or you will be disqualified for cheating!”
Zhang Tianhe, who had a gentler nature, smiled faintly and remained silent. He was the first to reach into the jar and pull out a slip. When he opened it, he saw that it was blank.
Wan Zhenyuan laughed. “Congratulations, Daoist Zhang!”
Zhang Tianhe had drawn a blank slip and felt a slight sense of relief. But as soon as the relief washed over him, he became instantly vigilant: Why didn't I draw the slip for the first match, yet I feel like I’ve just been reprieved from a great disaster? Could it be that I am actually afraid of this Li Yundong?
Zhang Tianhe’s expression became solemn, and he thought fiercely to himself: No, that’s impossible. I am stronger than him, much stronger!
The next to draw was Zhang Cuyi of the Qingcheng Sect. He gave a strange look to the stunned Zhang Tianhe, thought nothing more of it, reached in, and also pulled out a blank slip.
When the crowd saw that both of them had drawn blank slips, they realized the next challenger would be either Yue Sheng or Wang Lingfei.
Wang Lingfei narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Yue Sheng, “Daoist Yue, you go ahead?”
Yue Sheng snorted and replied, “It’s just a fifty percent chance, what is there to be afraid of? If I must fight, I will fight!” With that, he didn't bother drawing another slip and announced loudly, “I’ll take this match!”
The crowd immediately cheered, “Well done, Daoist Yue!”
Li Yundong smiled faintly and cupped his hands toward Yue Sheng. “Daoist Yue, we meet again in combat. I wonder what we will compete in this time?”
Yue Sheng walked into the arena slowly and deliberately, cupped his hands, and said, “Daoist Li, your spells are formidable, and your magic treasures are extraordinary—I greatly admire them. I admit I am not your equal in those regards. Therefore, I wish to contest our Nascent Souls with you. Which of our Primordial Spirits is stronger? How about it?”
Li Yundong chuckled heartily. “I dare not refuse!”
The crowd was overjoyed. They knew that in a duel, the contest of Nascent Souls consumed the most True Essence, often leaving a cultivator utterly drained afterward. If Li Yundong agreed to fight Yue Sheng's Nascent Soul, wouldn't that completely deplete him? Even if he won, he would certainly suffer greatly in the next match, giving the next challenger an easy advantage!
Schemes and hidden agendas brewed in everyone's minds. Wan Zhenyuan glanced at the arena, which was already somewhat chaotic from the fight between Zhou Qin and Liu Yuqing. He smiled and said, “How about I have someone clear the stage first, and then the two of you duel?”
The moment his words fell, a disciple of the Gezao Sect rushed in with a hurried and anxious expression and whispered a few words into Wan Zhenyuan’s ear.
Wan Zhenyuan’s face changed instantly upon hearing it, and he roared fiercely, “How could such a thing happen? Who are they?”
====================================================== If there are no unexpected issues, there should be another update in an hour and a half C