Chapter 6, at the small duel meeting

"Good!" Shen Xiujin thought to himself, he must not fall into the black smoke of the opponent's method, otherwise, the opponent would certainly not give him a chance to turn the tables. He shouted loudly, and a series of spiritual talismans flew out.

The hall was immediately in an uproar, with countless individuals regretting not having taken the initiative to be the first to stand out. Even the disciples from the three sects and six factions could not help but feel restless. At that moment, another figure soared onto the stone platform, landing firmly among them, revealing the appearance of a middle-aged, slender man.

"Since you have said so, I am not unwilling to agree to your challenge," Shen Xiujin said. "However, if I take out the Yuyang Divine Sand, what will you put forth as your stake, my friend?"

In that fleeting moment, the opportunity for resistance had already been lost. Shen Xiujin's thunder talismans had formed a formation, and dozens of bolts of lightning struck down relentlessly, delivering the final blow to the precariously swaying jade umbrella, causing this magical artifact to fall. The lightning struck directly down upon it.

A spiritual talisman formed a halo, flying outward to disperse the black smoke. A spiritual talisman transformed into a spark, falling into the black smoke, seemingly attempting to ignite it. However, the flames only rolled on the surface of the black smoke, managing to keep the black smoke at bay for a distance of ten feet. Finally, the last spiritual talisman, with a thunderous sound, transformed into a bolt of lightning, striking directly at Li Feiyuan.

Ordinary practitioners, whether due to impatience, lack of talent, slow cultivation, insufficient purification of vital energy, or limitations imposed by their techniques, often find it difficult to restrain themselves. Consequently, they may merge the pure and the impure, thereby generating magical power. Once magical power is produced, without special opportunities, there is no possibility of remedying the situation.

Little Thunder Talisman Array! Swift! Shen Xiujin took a deep breath without pause, and from his sleeves, a flurry of talisman papers flew out. A small Thunder Talisman Array was about to be unleashed. Long Tao was still channeling spiritual energy to stabilize the jade umbrella. Seeing this situation, he glanced again at the faintly visible pure energy enhancing the jade umbrella, and couldn't help but hesitate for a moment.

What? Shen Xiujin clearly did not expect the other party to be so decisive, caught off guard. As he saw the fireball descending upon him, the intense heat had already caused a burning sensation on his body. In a moment of urgency, he frantically moved his hands, unleashing countless spiritual talismans. Water arrows and ice projectiles flew out simultaneously, yet they could not hinder the fireball in the slightest.

Jiang Han could not help but frown; however, in his perception, although the banner was shrouded in rolling black smoke, it did not carry any malevolent or ominous aura. Despite being associated with unorthodox practices, it could hardly be considered a sinister magical artifact.

Amidst the clamor, Li Feiyuan had already stepped down from the stage, his eyes revealing a deep sense of unwillingness and regret. Shen Xiujin, on the other hand, had obtained a pill of Sanqiao Qingzhuo Dan, his face displaying an unmistakable joy. After bowing to Jiang Han, he addressed the audience below, saying: "Are there any fellow cultivators who wish to offer guidance?" He appeared quite spirited.

Seeing that everyone was eager to try, Jiang Han did not hesitate. He flicked his sleeve, and a small stone platform flew out with the motion, expanding in the wind, and in an instant transformed into a battle platform measuring several dozen feet in size.

"Is there a fellow cultivator willing to speak first?" Jiang Han scanned the grand hall, his gaze primarily focused on the disciples of the three sects and six factions.

As Jiang Han's voice fell, Li Feiyuan suddenly sprang up, conjuring a large black banner in mid-air. Thick black smoke billowed forth, wrapping around Shen Xiujin.

Shen Xiujin chuckled coldly in his heart and said lightly, "Hmm? Although that may be the case, this Jade Yang Divine Sand was bestowed by my predecessor, and I cannot make the decision on my own"

Only then did Shen Xiujin find himself in a desperate situation, similarly unleashing a strand of Qianling pure energy, which he expelled from the spirit talisman. The spirit talisman suddenly erupted with a halo of light, the same type of talismanic technique previously used to resist Li Feiyuan's black smoke, but the power was vastly different.

"So it is this thing." Shen Xiujin raised his eyebrows. This Three Aperture Purity and Turbidity Pill is a rather precious elixir within the orthodox sect of the Xuanmen, known for its efficacy in helping individuals refine the energies of purity and turbidity

"Good, my friend, you dare to be the first, and your courage is commendable." Jiang Han expressed his admiration, flicked his fingers, and sent a piece of Jade Yang Divine Sand into Shen Xiujin's hand. He unexpectedly bestowed a reward as a commendation for his daring initiative.

In the realm of Dao foundation cultivation, the utmost priority is to refine the two energies of purity and turbidity, ultimately achieving their unity to form magical power. If this step is not completed, practitioners at the Qi refining and foundation establishment stages can only be said to possess spiritual energy within their bodies, and cannot be referred to as magical power.

It is evident that although the guests in the hall are merely cultivators at the Dao Foundation stage who are eligible to participate, the main focus remains on the disciples of the three sects and six factions. The disciples are already aware of today's Dharma assembly and are eager to take part, with several of them preparing to rise at once.

Your Highness, many people have yet to grasp the situation. On the battle platform, the atmosphere is thick with the scent of gunpowder. How is it that in the blink of an eye, a victor was determined? That Li Feiyuan's magical artifact appeared quite extraordinary, yet it was effortlessly shattered by Shen Xiujin, who nearly lost his life in the process

Between defense and offense, two types of pure and turbid energies were surprisingly used to empower the magical tools and spells. Clearly, in contrast to the humility expressed verbally, the actions taken were decisively resolute.

The most remarkable aspect is the ability to assist cultivators in overcoming the barrier of refining the dual energies of purity and turbidity. If there are sufficient Purity and Turbidity Pills to aid in this process, even a pig has a great chance of achieving the perfect number of 81 forms of purity and turbidity, standing shoulder to shoulder with those talented in cultivation and the scions of prestigious families

In that case, let us officially begin

With a flick of the finger, a fireball shot out, and with another breath, a thick, turbid gas was expelled into it. In an instant, the fireball burned fiercely, expanding to a size of about seven or eight zhang in diameter, the scorching air slightly distorted, accompanied by billowing thick smoke as it violently struck towards Shen Xiujin.

Shen Xiujin's face revealed a fierce expression, and another talisman flew out. His hands moved in quick succession, and a clear, radiant light also emerged from his dantian, similarly utilizing the dual energies of purity and turbidity to confront the enemy

The platform had not yet landed, when Jiang Han opened his mouth and exhaled, a plume of smoke spraying forth. It gently spread out, and amidst the mist, intricate runes intertwined. As the white fog expanded, it steadily supported the duel platform, suspending it in mid-air

At that moment, His Highness suddenly leaped onto the duel platform alone. Several disciples, who were about to step forward, exchanged glances and retreated instead, as they held themselves in high regard, only recognizing their opponent as a fellow practitioner from the Nine Sects, disdainful of competing with a minor sect's cultivator and a loose cultivator on the same stage

Li Feiyuan's lips twitched slightly as he pondered for a moment, then took out a small jade bottle from his sleeve and said coldly: "Alright, I will also present a token. This is a pill known as the Three Aperture Purity and Impurity Pill. I believe you have heard of its name. The value of this item for us foundation-building cultivators is no less than that of the Jade Yang Divine Sand, so as to avoid being perceived by you younger generations as having taken advantage of the situation." He no longer maintained a facade of a polite smile.

Good! Let's see the true skills beneath the surface! Shen Xiujin was also unceremonious, forming a hand seal, and once again, thirty-six thunder talismans soared into the air. As the saying goes, a single skill can conquer all, and thus, he initiated the small thunder talisman formation.

Lin Ling leaned closer to Lin Shanshang and said: "Junior sister, this Shen Xiujin's talismanic skills have some foundation; that small Thunder Talisman formation seems to carry some essence of the Jade Pivot Divine Thunder Great Formation."

Hmph, is this mere side-door artifact even worth showing off? Do you think I possess only this level of skill?" Shen Xiujin shouted loudly, his hands moving in a series of intricate gestures. Suddenly, a flurry of talismans flew out from his sleeves, one after another. A rough count revealed at least thirty or forty of them, each radiating a shimmering spiritual light, inscribed with runes, and faint flashes of lightning could be seen, seemingly all from the thunder talismans used earlier. "Small Thunder Talisman Array, go!"

This talisman imbued with pure energy unleashed a halo that expanded ferociously, akin to a violent gale sweeping through. It not only dispersed the fireball but also caused the Longtao jade umbrella to sway incessantly, resembling an ordinary person holding an umbrella against a raging storm, swaying precariously.

The outcome has been determined

I, Long Tao, have come to meet you!" As soon as the words fell, another person flew onto the stage, "Friend Shen, I will not bet on any stakes with you, I only hope for your guidance." Although he said this, if by chance he were to win, Jiang Han had already mentioned that there would be additional rewards, so there was no need to elaborate on such thoughts.

Before the sound had faded, another series of smoke balls shot up, aimed directly at Shen Xiujin.

Good! Since you have put forth the stakes, I shall accept this wager. I kindly ask for your witness, esteemed senior

"Shen Daoyou, you are truly fortunate, having gained this opportunity simply by being one step ahead. " The middle-aged man smiled broadly, "I, Xiao Xiu Li Feiyuan, have met Daoyou. This Yuyang Divine Sand is of great use to me. I believe it is impossible for me to take the lead, but I would like to propose a wager with Daoyou. If by chance I manage to win against you, would it be possible for you to give me this Yuyang Divine Sand?"

Lin Shanshang glanced at Lin Ling's somewhat surprised face and gently said: "Senior sister, the Xiangshan Sect has historically been an affiliated sect of our Yuxiao Sect."

What? They actually received a reward just for being the first to take the stage

"Not good!" Li Feiyuan's voice emerged from the black smoke, and then thirty-six thunder talismans formed a surrounding formation, layered upon one another. With a single gesture of Shen Xiujin's spell, dozens of bolts of lightning continuously struck down into the black smoke, creating a series of explosive sounds. The black smoke completely dissipated, revealing a golden light that protected the disoriented Li Feiyuan and a tattered black banner within it.

"Shen Xiujin wins." Jiang Han's calm voice echoed, revealing that Shen Xiujin had unleashed a small thunder talisman array, intending to reduce Li Feiyuan, along with his magical artifact, to ashes. The outcome was already determined. This duel was merely a side event of Qiao Feifeng's Golden Core Ceremony, and it would be inappropriate to cause a loss of life, which is why he intervened to save the person.

"Since I have rewarded you, it is now yours. How you choose to handle it is of no concern to me." Jiang Han did not respond directly: "In this session of the Dharma assembly, for each battle victor, I will provide additional rewards to encourage all fellow practitioners to participate actively."

The step of mastering magical power can be regarded as the critical juncture where the genius truly distinguishes themselves from the ordinary. Cultivating the essence of purity and impurity is not an easy task, and once it is used, it is lost. Each loss requires a complete re-training.

Ah? So that's how it is...

This miraculous elixir has always been held by the major orthodox sects of the mystical schools. Among the three sects and six factions, it is a rare item that everyone needs, which is why it is seldom circulated outside. In terms of value, it is indeed not inferior to a piece of jade yang divine sand.

It is precisely for these various reasons that the dual energies of purity and turbidity are of utmost value to the Dao foundation cultivators. At this moment, the two individuals are engaged in a battle of magic that begins with a clash akin to heavenly thunder stirring earthly fire, both employing the dual energies of purity and turbidity to counter each other. Such intensity causes all the cultivators present in the hall to hold their breath and focus intently on the spectacle.

"Do not look down on others!" Long Tao shouted loudly, flipping his hand to support a jade umbrella. He opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of clear, pure energy to empower the jade umbrella. In an instant, it radiated brilliant light, remarkably withstanding the strike of thunder. "You should take a blow from me too!"

The person stood firm, cupped his hands in salute towards all directions, and said in a clear voice: "Shen Xiujin of the Xiangshan Sect, respectfully requests your guidance"

What happened

Xu Zhuang could not help but turn around to take a glance, observing Lin Shanshang's serious demeanor and the two blushes that appeared on Lin Ling's small face

Li Feiyuan saw the lightning strike, condensed a black smoke to block it, and with a swift movement, he directly plunged into the rolling black smoke, disappearing without a trace: "Haha, a mere trick, can you break through my black cloud banner?"