Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

After splitting up with Zhang Hu, Yi Chen grinned and returned to the Scripture Pavilion with Little Miao.

The Scripture Pavilion of Dragon Tiger Mountain encompassed everything; even a seemingly miscellaneous book selected for inclusion had its unique aspects.

Yi Chen naturally took this opportunity to cram on the miscellaneous knowledge of the cultivation world.

At this moment, the news that True Disciple Zhang Hu would challenge Yi Chengzi on Heavenly Pillar Peak tomorrow spread like wildfire across the whole of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

…

…

The next day was sunny and breezy.

At the top of Heavenly Pillar Peak, at a trial site, Yi Chen stood opposite a young Daoist.

The mountain wind gently fluttered the hem of their robes.

This person was none other than Zhang Hu, who had made a private deal with Yi Chen the previous day.

Zhang Hu wore a band around his forehead and a jade belt around his waist, holding a dao sword in his hand that appeared extraordinary at first glance, with a dim light shimmering on it.

Even a gentle breeze seemed to blow from his forehead, fluttering his black hair lightly, adding to his handsome appearance which seemed almost celestial.

Even Yi Chen had to mentally compliment his good looks, acknowledging that his own appearance was not superior to the other's.

By this time, many spectators had already gathered around.

They too were curious to see who was noteworthy enough to be personally chosen by the Heavenly Master to duel against the winner of the upcoming trial in a few days, hence many disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain had come, drawn by the reputation.

"I have long heard of the famed Twin Prides of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and today, this humble Daoist will seek instruction from Tiger Pride Hu Yi. I hope fellow Daoist will not spare his teachings," Yi Chen said with a bow, his voice solemn.

Accepting someone's money meant doing their work; it was professional ethics. Yi Chen was extremely polite in his speech.

Well, it was just earning a living, no need to be sheepish.

"I have also heard of Fellow Daoist Yi Chengzi's esteemed reputation, lofty character, and outstanding Daoist arts. Hu Yi has long admired you. However, I am not worthy of the name 'Tiger Pride,' so please, Taoist, take back your words," Zhang Hu replied loudly, with utmost humility in his words.

Both displayed their profound acting skills, showing admiration and respect for each other while secretly scoffing in disdain at the other's pretense.

Seeing that the audience had mostly taken their places, they stopped exchanging pleasantries.

"Fellow Daoist, please," said Zhang Hu.

"As I wish, dare not ask you first, Fellow Daoist, let's just touch lightly and not let it affect our good spirit," responded Yi Chen, brimming with a smile, giving himself an out for the fixed match, and setting the tone.

After all, Yi Taoist, pure as ice and clean as jade, would definitely not engage in a fixed match.

It was merely about stopping at enough, where friendship came first and competition second.

Their gazes met, signaling that the show was about to begin.

Suddenly, the sea of clouds churned, and powerful energies flew wildly about.

The audience on the mountain top was captivated, exclaiming in amazement.

Yi Chen did not reveal his dragon and tiger fierce countenance or the full back tattoo; he simply engaged in the most basic form of combat with Zhang Hu. They exchanged blows joyously, making quite a spectacle.

Zhang Hu indeed had some real skills, and Yi Chen estimated it would take him two punches to kill the man if he were serious—an extraordinary strength, hence he didn't need to hold back much.

After dozens of exchanges ...

Yi Chen gave him a look, signaling it was time to wrap things up.

Zhang Hu understood the cue.

"Wind comes!"

"Cloud comes!"

"Thunder comes!"

He shouted three times, and suddenly winds and thunder arose from the ground. A mass of white mist covered both of their figures, with wind blades and thunder snakes dropping into the miasma. Amidst the rolling fog accompanied by Yi Chen's roar ...

Sounds emerged from within the clouds.

"Ah!"

"Such potent thunder arts, and impressive wind blades, which become thrice as powerful combined with this mist."

"Truly, no unearned reputations under famous names."

A good actor needed to fulfill the role of commentator, highlighting the ingenious aspects of Zhang Hu's spell combinations.

Boom!

An explosion resounded.

The shockwave spread in all directions, deafening.

The violent collision tore apart the huge covering mist, revealing their figures.

Yi Chen's expression was neither sad nor happy as he spoke solemnly,

"I didn't expect that Fellow Daoist could combine water and wind Dao arts with your thunder techniques to such a profound degree, pioneering a new path; this humble Daoist admires you."

"Dragon Tiger Mountain is indeed the leading Dao sect. Hu Yi, I look forward to our next meeting!"

On the other side, Zhang Hu's face was solemn, his pupils still showing a trace of shock.

He felt his money had been exceptionally well spent.

In that maelstrom, when confronted with his thunder serpent bolstered by the forces of wind and cloud, the Daoist before him turned his hands into a pale golden color in an instant and simply rubbed his palms together, directly grinding his painstakingly cast thunder serpent into sparks, tearing apart the cloud cover.

"You are too kind, Daoist brother; witnessing the strength of Yi Taoist's Dharma Aspect has been truly eye-opening for me; I underestimated the heroes of this world."

"This duel has been immensely enlightening for me; I will enter seclusion as soon as I return, and I will not come out until I've reached the True Person Realm."

"I look forward to our next meeting."

Zhang Hu spoke deliberately, word by word.

He was a bit provoked.

He had thought Yi Chen would be strong, but he had not expected him to be this powerful.

He had fought against True Persons who took shortcuts by consuming evil elixirs like Blood Soul Pills, and he was not at all inferior to them.

But in those clouds, when Yi Chen's fan-like palms suddenly turned pale gold, Zhang Hu actually felt the same sense of powerlessness as he did when facing the first senior brother Zhang Daoyi.

Suddenly, Zhang Hu thought of that man who stood like a divine residence among all disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain and let out a long sigh after quietly comparing himself.

"It's fine. If this is all he has, senior brother should be able to suppress him within ten moves, and Dragon Tiger Mountain's dignity will remain intact."

After getting his emotions in order, Zhang Hu gave a deep bow to Yi Chen, deciding to ask his father to send him into the Thunder Wind Secret Realm for secluded cultivation once he returned.

Even if it meant enduring the agony of thunder punishment and wind blades flaying his flesh, he was determined to take a gamble.

A great man born in this world, how can he languish below others for so long!

He might not be able to reach the heights of his first senior brother Zhang Daoyi, but facing a junior from a small sect like Yi Chengzi, and feeling like facing a mountain that he dared not cross, should he even care for his dignity?

Known as one of the Twin Prides of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he could manipulate power, play dirty if necessary, but he couldn't afford to be truly weak!

Catching up to Zhang Daoyi might be out of reach, but with his Dragon Tiger Mountain inheritance, once he broke through to the True Person Realm, he presumed he would no longer fear the towering Daoist before him.

"Who isn't a talented cultivator anyway?"

"Firstly, set a small goal, surpass Yi Chengzi."

Zhang Hu steeled his heart and clenched his teeth internally.

"Brother Yi Taoist, until we meet again, I look forward to our next encounter." Flames of determination burned in Zhang Hu's eyes as he transmitted his voice to Yi Chen.

Yi Chen had no idea that this battle had actually served to hone Zhang Hu, provoking him. Hearing Zhang Hu's words, Yi Chen's eyes suddenly brightened:

"Brother, sure, that's all negotiable," he replied.

"Once you break through to the True Person Realm, let's join forces and strike the Dragon Tiger Rankings again. As friends, the price can be somewhat discounted."

With Yi Chen's response, the fire in Zhang Hu's eyes flared even more, and he decided to discuss the matter of seclusion with his father upon his return.

After the two parted ways, the cultivators who had been watching couldn't help but excitedly discuss what they had seen. "As expected of Brother Zhang Hu, the Twin Prides of our Dragon Tiger Mountain truly are extraordinary," someone praised.

"Exactly, after Brother Zhang Hu breaks through to the True Person Realm, he will no doubt easily defeat this man," another agreed.

"For a Daoist from a small place to achieve this level, he too can be called a genius."

In the face of the various remarks from the crowd, a beautiful woman in a green dress in the crowd couldn't help but curl her lips and say, "Yi Chengzi, what a big swindler~"

"Didn't auntie say that Bai Yunzi is upright? How come his disciple turns out to be such a person, really... an interesting man."

…

…

Yi Chen had no idea about the evaluations of others.

Naturally, he didn't care about the evaluations of others either.

He was someone who lived in his own world. Be it praise or slander, what did it have to do with him?

A person who lives off others' evaluations can never be truly happy; having been a person in two lifetimes, Yi Chen had long seen through it all.

Eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink, don't take things too close to heart.

When roads end at the mountain, paths will emerge, when boats reach the bridge, they will naturally sink...

There's no need to panic.

"I've never been to Heavenly Pillar Peak; why not take a stroll?"

With a thought in his mind, Yi Chen followed a stream uphill and stumbled upon a peach blossom forest that extended for hundreds of steps along the bank, without a single other tree, featuring lush grass and scattered petals.

The water flowed gently between the peach groves on both banks, pooling into a secluded pond.

Green plants crisscrossed the water, and from time to time, fish would leap out, with the sun glistening off their scales, producing streaks of gold light.

Well, I can't bear it, the urge to fish has struck.

Grinding for over four days, it was about time to give himself a break.

Yi Chen deftly took out a small stool and fishing rod from his storage ring, ready to bait and fish up a storm.

A qualified angler would cast lines even at the Bridge of Helplessness. The defiant fish in that pond were apparently on a path seeking death.

His last attempt was a mistake.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Miao Zi, don't worry, your dad definitely won't come up empty-handed this time, you'll have fish to eat soon," Yi Chen promised, patting the head of the little Miao crouching beside him.

Little Miao nodded obediently. How could her dad lie to her?

Sticking out her pink tongue to lick her paw, Little Miao watched quietly as Yi Chen went about his business.

Half an hour later, the disposition of the supreme being underwent a slight change, turning a bit gloomy.

Yi Chen took out kernels of corn and fermented rice, preparing another spot to attract fish.

Just then, the reflection in the water revealed the figure of a beautiful woman in a green dress with a fair complexion and exquisite form, the very Yue Qingzhu he had once encountered in Zhengyang City.

The beauty seemed to have just bathed her feet in the stream and was walking barefoot, carrying a pair of white embroidered cloud shoes.

Her feet were so perfectly proportioned they would be too long by an inch and too short by an inch less, their color as white as jade and as smooth as whipped cream.

Truly of culinary grade.

Seeing the reflection of her feet in the water, Yi Chen mentally slapped himself.

"Damn it, how can you be distracted when fishing?"

He gathered his focus, ignoring Yue Qingzhu and continued to watch the float, absentmindedly preparing another spot to attract fish.