"When you need books for something, you realize how limited your vocabulary is. Chen Ping An felt his vocabulary was truly insufficient and tried to hold back as much as possible.
With these words, the atmosphere at the Qingyun Sect square instantly became somber.
Qingxuan Taoist fell silent, merely drawing his Qingxuan Sword.
The late-stage Soul Transformation aura surged like a tidal wave, with spiritual energy rippling around him. His hat fell to the ground, and his robe and hair danced wildly in the invisible aura.
"Senior Elder Qingxuan, let's talk this through!" Wu Duan Tian was the last person who wanted to see cultivators fight. This was Qingyun Sect's territory; any damage would be his loss. Moreover, he was counting on the mysterious cultivator to help Zhao Lingtian restore his Dantian. If they became enemies, all his plans would be in vain!
"Lu Changtian is my direct disciple. How could I sit idly by while his Dantian is destroyed?" Qingxuan Taoist's voice was taut, focusing on Wu Duan Tian. "He's definitely not at the Unity with the Dao stage. Observing his relationship with Fang Qingzhi, even if there's no formal师徒 bond, there's a mentor-like connection. If it were a real late-stage Unity cultivator acting for their disciple, would they go through all this trouble?"
Qingxuan Taoist's resolve was unwavering; he was determined to protect Lu Changtian at all costs.
Wu Duan Tian sighed.
He understood Qingxuan Taoist's words. Everyone had eyes to see.
The other party clearly held back due to Qingyun Sect's strength and wouldn't act rashly.
But Wu Duan Tian didn't care about any of that. The other's cultivation level was irrelevant to him.
All he cared about was whether they could help Zhao Lingtian restore his Dantian.
"Can't we just sit down and talk this through?"
"No discussion needed," Qingxuan Taoist remained stern, his voice cold.
"Fine, fine, then fight!" Wu Duan Tian conceded defeat. "If you smash the sect's gates and provoke the ancestors, the entire Cangyun Realm's righteous and demonic factions will mock us Qingyun Sect!"
"Very well, let's see if you have the qualifications to interfere in today's affairs!"
The void behind Fang Qingzhi began to distort, emitting a voice brimming with anger and coldness.
A more intimidating aura than Qingxuan Taoist's descended upon everyone.
A figure gradually materialized in the air.
Clad in dark robes with white hair, wielding a black-scaled long sword, the person's face was obscured by a hazy divine light, making their features indistinct. Yet, their striking beauty was evident, though their golden vertical pupils were exceptionally awe-inspiring. Even a glance from them could unsettle the heart.
They hovered behind Fang Qingzhi.
As their form fully materialized,
Roar—!
A flash of thunder split the air.
A black dragon's phantom erupted from behind the figure, coiling around them with bared fangs and claws, radiating immense might. It eventually merged partially with the black-scaled flying sword, as if becoming the sword's spirit.
"Senior, Senior!" Fang Qingzhi stared intently at Chen Ping An, who had stepped in front of her. Though she could only see his profile, she forgot to breathe, her cheeks flushing hotter, her mind blank.
"Girl, step back. I... cough, this esteemed being is about to put on a show... cough cough, to kill!" Chen Ping An was nervous.
Fang Qingzhi was anxious, and so was Chen Ping An.
His right side vision was filled with a dazzling array of skill icons, all lit up. There was no time to understand them; he was thrust into the action. Wearing a VR headset amplified the immersive experience, heightening his tension.
He dared not look at Fang Qingzhi.
A glance just now had been enough—she was stunningly beautiful.
With VR, the experience was vastly different. He feared he might stare endlessly.
Now the question was, how to operate?
Click where it lights up? But everything was lit!
[The novice combat tutorial begins now.]
A game window appeared in Chen Ping An's vision, and he felt a surge of joy.
"Great, it's a beginner's guide! We're saved!"
In the next moment, everything around froze.
Chen Ping An knew the tutorial had started and immediately turned to stare at Fang Qingzhi intensely.
This was desensitization training.
[This game employs the latest brain - nerve mapping technology, allowing players to control their character's movements directly through thought.]
A mirror-like water surface and a wooden dummy appeared before him.
Reluctantly tearing his gaze from Fang Qingzhi, Chen Ping An tested a peace sign in front of the mirror.
A transcendent, late - stage Soul Transformation cultivator making such a gesture was comically out of place. He quickly resumed his dignified, otherworldly demeanor. Immersed in the role, he couldn't help but put on airs.
[The game will project the techniques, methods, and corresponding effects you can use into your mind. Rest assured, this will not burden your brain. With repeated projections, they will gradually become part of your memory.]
[Please attack the dummy in front of you.]
Chen Ping An pondered for a moment, then swung his sword at the dummy, which shattered instantly.
There was no sense of impact—like slicing through tofu, weightless.
[Please use a technique skill once.]
The dummy regenerated. After a brief moment of thought, Chen Ping An employed the first move of the Green Lotus Sword Manual—Long Wind Breaks the Waves.
Clang—!
With a sword cry, Chen Ping An moved as one with his sword, his strike resembling a dragon's flight.
All that met the eye was a flash of brilliant sword light, and the dummy was split into pieces. In the next instant, he returned to his original position, leaving behind a residual image of water vapor maintaining his stabbing posture.
The second segment of Long Wind Breaks the Waves was still active.
—Shadow Kill: Teleport back to the residual image's position and strike again.
"Whoa, cool!" Chen Ping An, though uneducated, knew how to appreciate skill.
He hadn't expected the first move of the Green Lotus Sword Manual to be so bizarre.
This must be mastered to teach Fang Qingzhi.
[Tutorial concluded. Enjoy the game!]
...
The frozen surroundings sprang back to life.
Chen Ping An locked onto Lu Changtian and Qingxuan Taoist in the distance, his once vacant gaze now brimming with confidence.
Qingxuan Taoist, huh...
Likes to meddle, does he...
Chen Ping An sneered. For such a stubborn old fool, it's best to unleash a powerful move directly.
He recalled the tenth technique of the Green Lotus Sword Manual—Moon Rises Over the Tian Shan.
Techniques eleven and twelve were locked; even at late-stage Soul Transformation, he couldn't execute them.
Otherwise, today he would definitely implant the Milky Way into Qingxuan Taoist's face.
The Black Scale Sword emerged half an inch, its light like dust.
The rampant sword intent spilled from the scabbard, slicing the surrounding air with a crackling sound.
Qingxuan old dog, want to protect your disciple?
Chen Ping An's eyes gleamed with resolve.
Then, receive this sword from your lord!
Clang—!
The sword cry thundered.
At the main hall entrance of Qingyun Sect,
A streak of moonlight rose from the ground.