To pick an apple from a tree, two people are needed: one to hold the ladder, and one to pluck the fruit.
A peaceful night passed.
Director Ji had rested exceptionally well, understanding that only with a clear mind and renewed vigor could he accomplish the tasks that lay before him.
It was still Qingfeng Peak, and the same familiar faces gathered once more.
Le Sishu was in exceptionally high spirits today. Perhaps it was because his relentless verbal assault yesterday had left the opposing Fenghu and Yunlong Elders speechless, for today, his barrage of words grew even more formidable. Yet, the Fenghu and Yunlong Elders neither frowned nor glared; instead, they watched Le Sishu with an air of smug satisfaction, as if observing a clown. This unexpected demeanor momentarily disconcerted Le Sishu. However, having engaged in countless debates over the years and witnessed every conceivable spectacle, he swiftly adapted to the atmosphere, resuming his verbal sparring with renewed vigor.
The Fenghu and Yunlong Elders found Le Sishu utterly ridiculous. Polaris’s defeat was imminent, yet he could still manage a smile. No matter, they mused; once Director Ji and Daoist Master Chuanyun fell, his laughter would surely cease.
Director Ji observed East Bamboo Immortal, noting her vibrant energy and fully restored cultivation. He couldn’t help but admire her, wondering if this was truly the mark of a ‘Celestial Being.’ Such swift recovery of power was astounding; even his own master, were he alive, might not have surpassed her.
East Bamboo Immortal, in turn, scrutinized Director Ji. Though his cultivation had not yet returned to its peak, a significant portion had recovered. She glanced at Ren Du, observing that his cultivation had not progressed to the same extent as Director Ji’s, and a newfound respect for Director Ji stirred within her.
However, Director Ji was not the primary focus of attention. Today, Daoist Master Chuanyun commanded more interest, for he represented the last hope among Polaris’s martial artists, aside from the official figure of Director Ji. Even if Director Ji were to step forward and secure a victory, the others would return having fulfilled their duty, yet their reputations would likely suffer. Their expedition had yielded virtually no results, with Director Ji ultimately claiming the triumph. Had they known this, they might as well have sent Director Ji alone.
Nevertheless, the martial artists present possessed a certain confidence. They reasoned that if Director Ji had come alone, Ren Du and his cohorts would likely have overwhelmed him. It was their collective presence, lending support from behind, that deterred Ren Du’s faction from making any rash moves. Pondering this, they began to feel that merely showing up made them invaluable contributors, and that Director Ji’s victory would, in part, be their own.
“Director Ji.”
Daoist Master Chuanyun gazed at Director Ji. The contests of the past two days had unfolded clearly before his eyes. He knew he could not defeat East Bamboo Immortal, and his appearance now was merely an attempt to contribute his meager strength.
“Go, Daoist Master Chuanyun.”
Daoist Master Chuanyun nodded, then began to walk towards East Bamboo Immortal.
“Polaris will ensure the orphans at the Daoist temple are well cared for.”
Daoist Master Chuanyun paused, turning to look at Director Ji. He understood that these words were meant to spur him to fight with all his might, yet even his utmost effort would not be enough to defeat East Bamboo Immortal. This truth was clear to him, but he ultimately nodded.
“Thank you, Director Ji.”
Tian Qi, dropping his roasted chicken, rushed forward to grasp Daoist Master Chuanyun’s hand. The grease stained Daoist Master Chuanyun’s palm, prompting a wry smile from him. Tian Qi’s dramatic gesture, as if they were parting forever, was truly exasperating.
Suddenly, he recalled something and turned to Director Ji, asking,
“Director Ji, am I to compete against East Bamboo Immortal with a sword, or…?”
“As you wish. Daoist Master Chuanyun excels in both fist arts and swordsmanship. You may use whichever you are more proficient in.”
Daoist Master Chuanyun nodded, handing his cherished sword to Tian Qi.
“I trouble you.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble! It’s nothing! You can do it!”
Daoist Master Chuanyun then walked towards East Bamboo Immortal empty-handed. Meanwhile, Tian Qi drew Daoist Master Chuanyun’s sword and hacked at a nearby Qixianghui tree. The tree, so large it would take a man’s embrace to encircle, was instantly cleaved in two.
“What a magnificent sword! A truly magnificent sword!”
“Tian Qi, it’s not Uncle Chen scolding you, but how can you just take someone else’s item and use it so casually?”
Uncle Chen slapped Tian Qi on the forehead. Although he claimed to be Tian Qi’s martial uncle, his cultivation path and style were entirely different from Tian Qi’s, bearing no relation to the Iron Spear Society’s system.
“I think this sword is incredible! Daoist Master Chuanyun’s Daoist title is even derived from it, so my curiosity is perfectly natural! Eight or nine out of ten people here probably want to witness the splendor of this ‘Chuanyun Sword,’ but they’re too shy to say so. I just gave everyone an excuse. Director Ji, wouldn’t you agree?”
Director Ji offered a faint smile, choosing not to respond. While many present shared Tian Qi’s sentiments, their faces betrayed a distinct disdain for his antics. It was one thing to act, but quite another to voice such thoughts aloud, and to even drag Director Ji into it…
The fragrant aroma of the Qixianghui tree permeated the surroundings, yet it did nothing to lift the spirits of the onlookers. As they watched Daoist Master Chuanyun’s retreating figure, they held no hope for his victory. The ultimate success or failure of this journey to East Bamboo would, in the end, rest solely upon Director Ji.
****
Daoist Master Chuanyun bowed respectfully to East Bamboo Immortal, his demeanor one of profound deference.
“Chuanyun.”
East Bamboo Immortal returned his bow, then assumed her stance, her gaze briefly flickering towards Director Ji.
Compared to Daoist Master Chuanyun, Director Ji posed the true threat today.
Daoist Master Chuanyun launched a punch, which East Bamboo Immortal met with practiced ease. Immediately, Daoist Master Chuanyun unleashed another, its power several times greater than the last. East Bamboo Immortal, not daring to be careless, received it once more.
“Cloud Sea Thousand-Fold Waves…”
Yu Wusheng narrowed his eyes. He had expected Daoist Master Chuanyun to begin with a few probing strikes against East Bamboo Immortal, but instead, he had immediately unleashed his renowned ultimate technique, ‘Cloud Sea Thousand-Fold Waves.’ This cultivation method was designed to progressively increase in power, with each successive punch gaining several layers of force, until the final blow gathered all of one’s cultivation into a single point, unleashed to inflict maximum damage upon the opponent.
Too hasty! Yu Wusheng knew Daoist Master Chuanyun desired victory, but he was acting with undue haste. By immediately employing ‘Cloud Sea Thousand-Fold Waves,’ his cultivation would swiftly deplete. Rather than this, it would be wiser to attack with three parts and reserve seven, engaging East Bamboo Immortal in a prolonged battle.
In the blink of an eye, Daoist Master Chuanyun had delivered twelve consecutive punches, each one escalating in power. With the twelfth strike, as his fist force erupted, the very earth beneath East Bamboo Immortal’s feet crumbled, disintegrating into dust that scattered in all directions.
The Fenghu and Yunlong Elders exchanged glances. Though their knowledge of Daoist Master Chuanyun was limited, the current situation revealed that while his cultivation might not match theirs, his technique was formidable enough to rival their Earth-Shaking Divine Fist. However, its energy consumption was excessive. Should it clash with the Earth-Shaking Divine Fist, it might momentarily surpass it in power, but that triumph would be fleeting. Once the user’s cultivation was too heavily depleted, they would inevitably fall before the Earth-Shaking Divine Fist.
Daoist Master Chuanyun dared not pause his assault, lest he give his opponent an opening. He swiftly gathered all his cultivation into his right hand and unleashed a thunderous strike towards East Bamboo Immortal, determined to overpower her with this single punch.
East Bamboo Immortal did not dare to be careless. Daoist Master Chuanyun’s punch was extraordinary; having endured twelve consecutive blows, she had already felt their escalating power. This thirteenth punch was dozens of times stronger than the first. If she did not resist with all her might, she risked being suppressed.
The moment her palm met his fist, she felt a jolt throughout her body. She immediately intensified the power in her palm to counter his strike. Though his punch possessed astonishing force, it still fell short of her absolute limit.
Yet, in the very next instant, East Bamboo Immortal suddenly felt her entire cultivation vanish, as if a solid stone had been hollowed out from within. Her body trembled, and under the force of Daoist Master Chuanyun’s punch, she was sent sprawling, collapsing onto the ground more than ten meters away. She coughed up mouthfuls of blood, her eyes wide with terror.
‘Where is my cultivation? How could it suddenly disappear completely?’
‘What exactly happened… His punch couldn’t possibly have drained all my cultivation in an instant!’
She tried to struggle to her feet, only to find her weak, powerless body utterly unresponsive. She attempted to circulate her internal energy, realizing that her cultivation hadn’t been depleted; rather, it had… vanished into thin air.
‘I… I’ve been defeated…’
An inexpressible terror caused her entire body to tremble. How many years had it been… She had never been defeated before… Never!
‘How could this be… How could I possibly lose…’
She looked towards Polaris’s side, then towards Nandou Star’s, finding both factions equally aghast. No one had anticipated such an outcome.
Yin Cunxin rushed over to help East Bamboo Immortal up. East Bamboo Immortal felt the world spinning around her, utterly unable to stand.
Yu Wusheng was utterly astonished…
Tian Qi’s face was etched with shock…
Even Daoist Master Chuanyun himself wore a bewildered expression…
‘East Bamboo Immortal… defeated?’
None of them had foreseen it: East Bamboo Immortal, who had struck them with such awe and seemed utterly invincible, had simply… fallen? And it was a crushing defeat, one that left her spitting blood and unable to rise from the ground.
After a long moment, someone from Polaris finally let out a cheer.
“We won! We actually won!”
“Daoist Master Chuanyun! Incredible!”
Daoist Master Chuanyun, still bewildered, looked towards Director Ji. He had not anticipated such power from his own punch. Director Ji, however, met his gaze with eyes devoid of confusion or surprise, as if observing something perfectly natural.
“East Bamboo Immortal, we have won.”
East Bamboo Immortal’s expression turned bitter. She looked at Ren Du, noticing a faint trace of reluctance on his face.
“East Bamboo Immortal, the duel was agreed upon between you and Polaris. We had no right to interfere. Since you have lost… you should withdraw from East Bamboo.”
East Bamboo Immortal initially failed to grasp what had transpired. Yet, seeing the calm composure in Ren Du’s eyes, she instinctively turned to Director Ji, whose gaze mirrored Ren Du’s. The two men stood there, like stone statues, observing her.
A sudden realization dawned upon her. Her gaze shifted to the Qixianghui tree near Director Ji, the one Tian Qi had severed. She then clenched the greasy residue on her hand from her earlier exchange with Daoist Master Chuanyun, before finally fixing her eyes on Ren Du, instinctively clutching her throat.
‘What a venomous scheme…’
Though her divine cultivation protected her, making it impossible for any potent poison to infiltrate her, what her opponent had used was no mere toxin.
Nearby, Yin Cunxin followed East Bamboo Immortal’s gaze, and a realization instantly struck her. Filled with indignation, she immediately charged towards Director Ji, angrily denouncing him.
“You couldn’t defeat my master, so you resorted to poisoning her!”
“Cunxin! Don’t go!”
Director Ji let out a cold laugh, engaging Yin Cunxin with only his left hand. In merely two moves, he seized her shoulder from behind, pressing his cultivation against it until her legs buckled, forcing her to kneel before East Bamboo Immortal.
“East Bamboo Immortal, the duel was witnessed by all present. Now that you have lost, Polaris has claimed a righteous and honorable victory. Yet, you indulge your disciple in slandering us. This clearly demonstrates your lax discipline. Since you are currently incapacitated, allow me to discipline her on your behalf!”
As Director Ji’s cultivation surged into Yin Cunxin’s body, it felt as though every blood vessel was bursting and every bone was being crushed. Yin Cunxin shrieked in agony, collapsing to the ground, utterly unable to rise.
“No! Stop! I surrender! I surrender!”
East Bamboo Immortal knelt there, pleading with Polaris in a near-begging tone. Her cultivation was entirely gone, rendering her powerless to rescue Yin Cunxin. Ren Du and his companions would certainly not intervene. In this world, there was nothing more precious than life, and she could not bear to watch Yin Chunhui’s sister die before her eyes for defending her. Director Ji, meanwhile, watched with cold indifference. No trace of respect for East Bamboo Immortal remained in him; only an air of arrogant dominance.
The once unparalleled East Bamboo Immortal now found her cultivation utterly crippled, and her disciple had followed in her footsteps.
Witnessing this scene, everyone from Polaris felt their hearts tremble. Yin Cunxin’s agonizing cries and East Bamboo Immortal’s pleas for mercy echoed in their ears. These were individuals who had witnessed grand spectacles, and ordinarily, such events should have left them unfazed. Yet, for some unknown reason, a chill ran through their hearts. Even their gazes towards Director Ji became tinged with fear, as if dreading a similar fate befalling them. In their hearts, they felt a profound relief that they had never made an enemy of Polaris.
‘Director Ji is truly formidable… I wonder how he managed to make Daoist Master Chuanyun cripple East Bamboo Immortal so effortlessly…’
The Nandou Star faction felt a profound sympathy for East Bamboo Immortal. The Fenghu and Yunlong Elders clenched their fists in fury, while Zhu Jifeng sighed towards the heavens. Wan Ren furrowed his brow, and Yi Ranchén was overcome with intense anxiety, fearing what horrors might unfold next. Only Mr. Ji looked at Ren Du, offering a faint smile, before adopting an air of nonchalance.
Ren Du glared at Director Ji, let out a cold snort, and said in a low voice,
“Let us go!”