Chapter 73: Confrontation in the Clouds, Is There Another Master?

Yin Wind Magic Arts Nine Turns, Zhao Xing's confidence doubled. Initially, he didn't dare hope to seize the first few incense sticks, but now, he had a certain level of assurance.

"The temple gates will soon open, make sure to recover your Yuan Qi in time," Zhao Xing reminded himself as he hurriedly took out three Gathering Essence Pills from his Wenzhu Box and swallowed them. He then bit into a Tianyuan Pear, his complexion quickly becoming rosy.

After recovering half of his Yuan Qi, he glanced at the Sundial. "It's already the sixth hour, only two more to go before the temple gates open." Zhao Xing scanned the Temple of Heaven Square and noticed Shen Zhui was still absent.

"I wonder what he's been through. He missed the incense fight on the second night as well," Zhao Xing mused. "Hopefully, it's something good."

On the first night, Shen Zhui also didn't come to fight for the incense, instead hiding in a mountain cave to consume Zhu Fruit and break through. With these thoughts, Zhao Xing walked towards another corner of the square.

"Young Master Zong," Zhao Xing greeted.

Zong Shichang was negotiating with someone nearby, annoyed at being interrupted. But upon seeing Zhao Xing, his expression softened, and he smiled, "What happened to you? You disappeared for a while and now you look a bit worn out."

The Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance allowed Zhao Xing's Yin Wind to advance directly to Nine Turns, but it also consumed a great deal of Yuan Qi, mainly his strength and spirit. After such intense cultivation, the fluctuations were immense, making Zhao Xing appear somewhat fatigued.

Ignoring Zong Shichang's teasing, Zhao Xing went straight to the point, "When the temple opens, how about we fight for the incense together?"

Zong Shichang hesitated, his face troubled, and replied in a low voice, "To be honest, I'm willing, but the people I bring can only protect me, not necessarily you. Let me ask them."

Zhao Xing nodded. Zong Shichang was only at the fourth stage of Gathering Essence, and if he were to lead the battle, it would be too risky.

If Zong Shichang could take charge directly, Zhao Xing would leave immediately, as it would be playing with his life.

Zong Shichang turned back and discussed quietly among the crowd. Around him gathered about seventeen or eighteen people.

The first team, of course, consisted of three eighth-stage Gathering Essence experts, invited by his father Flower Qian. Since they were invited, Zong Shichang couldn't command them, and most actions required listening to the experts' opinions.

Zong Shichang was clear that he wouldn't direct internal affairs from the outside.

The second team had five members, all at the seventh stage of Gathering Essence. They were young talents from Nanyang County, considered Zong Shichang's own connections, agreeing to act together but without any master-servant relationship, just cooperation.

The third team consisted of fifth and sixth-stage Gathering Essence fighters, hired by Zong Shichang with silver. These people could listen to Zong Shichang.

Zong Shichang himself was a cheerful person, and he had no objections to Zhao Xing joining. The more people, the better; he wished everyone in the Temple of Heaven Square would come to his side to make a ruckus!

However, he knew the importance of the situation and felt that Zhao Xing's chances of joining were not great, as Sinoong himself had no combat power, and Zhao Xing, in his impression, was not high-ranked, at least not visible to Zong Shichang.

Yet, when he spoke, a tall, thin middle-aged man carrying four war knives spoke up, "Young Master Zong, I think he can join."

"Oh?" Zong Shichang was taken aback, looking towards the expert his father invited, 'Uncle Cang.'

"Indeed, Uncle Cang is right," another middle-aged swordsman with a mole at the corner of his mouth also spoke, "Young Master, you might as well learn something."

Zong Shichang was puzzled, "Uncle Cang, Uncle Tiger, are you joking? Just now when I borrowed silver, you two weren't happy."

He was a bit unsure, thinking they were teasing him, giving silver and now wanting to bring someone along. Did Zong Shichang have no sense of propriety?

"This is a different matter," Uncle Cang smiled, "Before he absorbs the third portion of Lingxiu, he can barely be considered useful."

"But after absorbing the third portion of Lingxiu..." Uncle Tiger's eyes flashed with a strange light, "I felt a strong aura from this young man, the kind of aura between life and death."

With two of the three experts agreeing, the remaining one didn't speak.

Not speaking meant no opposition, and Zong Shichang's mind quickly turned, smiling, "Actually, I saw it long ago. You see, the two hundred silver notes I lent earlier were justified!"

The three experts smiled without a word.

You saw it? You saw it, my foot! You were just being generous, weren't you?

"Ahem, I'll go talk to him," seeing no one supporting him, Zong Shichang stopped boasting and turned to Zhao Xing.

"Brother Zhao, I've got it all set. You'll join us in the incense fight."

Zhao Xing had actually heard everything but still stood tall, giving a thumbs up, "Impressive, it must be Young Master Zong."

"Oh, it's just a small matter," Zong Shichang said comfortably, his smile growing more radiant.

"There's still some time, shall I explain the situation to you?"

"Alright," Zhao Xing listened attentively, as he wasn't very familiar with these experts.

Zong Shichang stood beside Zhao Xing, pointing to a corner of the Temple of Heaven Square, "See that person with the feather fan, the chrysanthemum-faced one? That's Wenzhao, at the ninth stage of Gathering Essence, thirty-six years old, an official from the Nanyang County Ritual Temple."

"He's a Li Xiu, especially skilled in 'Harmony Ritual' and 'Fire Ritual.'"

"He got the fifth incense stick last night."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly, recognizing this Li Xiu. When he entered the Temple of Heaven Square, it was this person who burned several of his straw men.

"The swordsman beside him is Zhang Boran, at the eighth stage of Gathering Essence, his cousin, using a third-grade superior 'Tiger Ring Blade,' skilled in a mid-level secret technique 'Tiger Fiend Blade.'"

"These two, one civil and one martial, cooperate very tacitly."

Zong Shichang's finger moved sideways, pointing to another direction, "That man in a green robe, with gray hair, is called Cao Qiushui, at the ninth stage of Gathering Essence."

"He's also a young master from Sinoong, a direct lineage of the Cao Family, ranking third in both age and strength. Not as good as his elder brother Cao Chunfang, nor his seventh brother Cao Wangdong."

Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow, "The Cao family, are they really descendants of the True Lord Cao Xi?"

Zong Shichang curled his lips, "Indeed, they are descendants of the True Lord Cao Xi, but this bloodline has been around for over a thousand years, nothing remarkable. As the saying goes, 'The yellow rat wolf under the cave is clear.'"

Seeing he didn't elaborate further, Zhao Xing helplessly asked, "What do you mean?"

Zong Shichang laughed, "Each generation is worse than the last. The Cao family hasn't produced anyone above the fifth grade in nearly three hundred years, and even then, it was a scattered rank."

Zhao Xing said, "You can't blame them for not trying. Aristocratic families have a hard time in this era."

Zong Shichang nodded, "Indeed, that one is ruthless, always absorbing the blood of aristocratic families..."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, "Don't go too far, it's taboo."

Zong Shichang shut his mouth, looking around, then his eyes lit up, pointing to the east side of the square, "She's here."

"Who?"

"Du Jiaojiao, see that one with the spear? Yes, the one being held back by the girl with the Liu Qin."

Zhao Xing looked over and saw Lu Qian chatting with a girl holding a Liu Qin, with another cute girl a head shorter standing behind them.

But her spear was indeed tall, probably nearly four meters long.

"I see her, her name suits her, quite delicate... why are you laughing?" Zhao Xing hadn't finished speaking when he saw Zong Shichang clutching his stomach, laughing.

"What's wrong?"

Zong Shichang slapped his thigh, "Her name is Du Jiaojiao, but she's not delicate at all, she's sitting down!"

"Huh?" Zhao Xing was stunned.

"Don't believe me? Let me show you," Zong Shichang picked up a stone from the ground and threw it over.

"Hey! Brother Du!" The stone landed in front of the three girls, and Lu Qian, who was talking, frowned. Seeing it was Zong Shichang, she scolded, "Zong Eighteen, you good-for-nothing, what are you doing!"

Zong Shichang waved his hand, "Qianqian, your scolding sounds so nice~ Come, call me again~"

Lu Qian was furious and was about to rush over, "Do you want to die?!"

At this moment, Du Jiaojiao stood up and pulled her back, "Qianqian, don't stoop to his level."

"Hmph," Lu Qian glared viciously, sitting down angrily.

Zong Shichang turned back, "See?"

Zhao Xing nodded, "I see, truly surprising."

Du Jiaojiao stood up, reaching eight feet tall! Roughly estimated, she was at least two meters and four or five!

Moreover, her build was extremely robust, her face cute and delicate, unexpectedly a 'Golden Steel Barbie.'

"No wonder she uses such a long spear," Zong Shichang said, "The Du Family Spear is quite famous in Nanyang County. Her father is considered the top spear expert in Nanyang County, and this woman knows at least three mid-level secret techniques. Last night, she got the second incense stick. If she hadn't arrived late, even Yang Junxiong might not have beaten her."

Mentioning Yang Junxiong, Zong Shichang's tone turned cold, "Yang Junxiong, the one riding the Bamboo Horse, he's the culprit behind Brother Wang's death."

"Originally, among the ninth-stage Gathering Essence, there were also Hong Sihai, Dong Chuan, and Xiang Chenglin, all quite outstanding, but these three were severely injured by Yang Junxiong yesterday, forcing them to leave the mountain early, ending their journey to Climbing Zhi."

Defeating three ninth-stage Gathering Essence experts? Zhao Xing was slightly shocked, "Could it be that Yang Junxiong has already entered the grade? What's his background?"

Going up the mountain for these three days only allowed officials to go up, and officials were generally not in the grade realm.

However, after going up the mountain, if there was an opportunity, breaking through was possible.

"I don't know," Zong Shichang shook his head, "I haven't heard of this person's background. Nanyang County has over a hundred counties, and I don't know where this person emerged from."

"Damn, he defeated so many people, he must have gained a lot of Lingxiu. His strength is too strong, I can't avenge Brother Wang on the mountain."

Zong Shichang was very angry, and once he went down the mountain, everyone would forget about it.

Zhao Xing reminded, "Brother Zong, if he was originally ninth-stage Gathering Essence and gained Lingxiu, then you should stop thinking about revenge for now, focus on survival."

"You should also pray that he's not targeting you. Brother Wang's death was just a convenient act for him."

"Forget it, let's not mention him," Zong Shichang said depressingly, opening his Wenzhu Box. Whether it was because mentioning Yang Junxiong made him angry or because he was thirsty, he took out an ice-cold Mei Tang and gulped down two mouthfuls.

Seeing Zong Shichang lose interest in talking, Zhao Xing also stopped asking questions, silently accumulating power, waiting for the temple gates to open.

In the last moment before the temple gates opened, the number of people in the Temple of Heaven Square dwindled.

Because the sky was completely dark, those without 'Bright Eyes Night Vision' abilities had long retreated from the Temple of Heaven Square, staying far away.

Although there were fewer people, the atmosphere grew heavier, and the discussions became quieter, until near the moment, no one spoke.

Everyone silently stared at the Sundial's pointer on the square, as it was about to move out of the 'Stop' area.

Some couldn't bear the heavy atmosphere and chose to withdraw at the last moment.

The number of people on the square decreased by another third.

Zhao Xing's eyes emitted a faint green light in the dark night, also staring at the pointer.

"Dong!" Suddenly, a heavy bell sound came from the direction of the God Temple.

And the Sundial's pointer pointed to the hour!

The hour area, marked with two words: Only Martial!

The temple's great doors opened, and ten golden light clusters floated out from within.

These were the 'Incense' needed for offering in the temple!

The incense floated in the air above the Temple of Heaven Square, suspended and not falling, like a bright lamp.

"Move!" Uncle Cang beside Zong Shichang immediately shouted.

"Swish, swish, swish!" Another eighth-stage Gathering Essence 'Uncle Tiger' also quickly leaped into the air, trying to seize the incense.

The first wave of incense, only those with sufficient confidence dared to fight for it.

Although many others were eager, they held back and did not act.

Because during the Only Martial hour, life and death were self-responsible!

In the vast Temple of Heaven Square, only twenty-one people dared to leap into the air to fight for the incense.

But this didn't mean those on the ground were inactive.

Just as these twenty-one warriors jumped, a voice came from the southeast of the square.

"Ritual is for use, harmony is precious!"

The voice was gentle and harmonious, directly resonating in people's ears, causing a brief moment of distraction.

It was as if an old gentleman with a crown on his head was whispering kindly in their ears.

At this moment, the twenty-one warriors who had just jumped had no fighting spirit, with twenty of them falling to the ground, some even staggering and unable to stand steadily after landing.

"Wenzhao!" Uncle Cang shouted angrily, unwilling to fall with another person.

Only a silver spear broke through the air, not only unaffected but instead swaying upwards, grabbing one of the incense sticks, it was Du Jiaojiao.

At the same time, there was also the sound of hooves from outside the square, a black shadow riding a Bamboo Horse, flying through the air, unaffected, arriving first, snatching an incense stick before Du Jiaojiao.

Then, without slowing down, it landed in front of the stone steps leading to the Temple.

"Yang Junxiong!" Du Jiaojiao's voice was soft, but her fighting spirit was fierce. When she landed, she was only a short distance from Yang Junxiong.

The stone steps couldn't accommodate many people, whether they got the incense or not depended on who went up first.

"Get out of the way!" Yang Junxiong shouted angrily. He also used a spear, but it was fiery red, his aura was astonishing, as if even the Bamboo Horse was covered in a layer of misty light.

Even from such a distance, the shout still made the ears of the people in the square ache, but Du Jiaojiao remained unfazed.

"A mid-level secret technique, Lion's Roar?" Du Jiaojiao blocked Yang Junxiong with her spear, her eyes shining. "You want me to get out of the way, let's see if you have the strength!"

These two were the first to seize the incense, the third was Zhang Boran beside Wenzhao, as he jumped later and was not affected.

However, after landing, he didn't dare to move forward.

Because Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao blocked the way, he was only at the eighth stage of Gathering Essence and didn't dare to rush past.

Three incense sticks were snatched away, and the battle in the square erupted in an instant.

Wenzhao's suppression was released in an instant, as he wanted Zhang Boran to seize it.

"Cloud Action!" Zhao Xing pointed, and at the moment the hour arrived, he immediately tried to raise the Cloud Layer, covering the entire Temple of Heaven Square.

But before the Cloud Action, he actually first used [Yin Wind].

Letting Yin Wind coil around himself, forming a barrier, outside the Yin Wind, he used Rising Wind Magic Arts, forming a second barrier.

After the tempering of the earth vein Yin Wind, the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Elegance made his spirit firm, hard to be shaken.

Thus, he was barely affected by Wenzhao, but Yang Junxiong's Lion's Roar penetrated the wind wall.

The reason for the slow half-beat was mainly due to the characteristics of the Magic Arts, as the Cloud Action also required time to condense.

Almost as the first batch of warriors landed, as Du Jiaojiao and Yang Junxiong seized the incense, Zhao Xing's Cloud Action rose on the square.

He had to seize the initiative, otherwise, the subsequent Thunder and Ice Rain would have no room to unfold, and he might not be able to seize the incense.

"Cloud Action!"

The same intention was not only Zhao Xing's, but eight others on the Temple of Heaven Square also successively unfolded, trying to seize the advantage of the sky.

Those daring to act in the first wave were all absolutely confident in their Magic Arts.

The square was so vast, it couldn't accommodate so many Cloud Layers.

Thus, the first collision occurred.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Cloud Layers collided, Thunder echoed, and for a moment, the Temple of Heaven Square was illuminated.

Even Wenzhao seemed to be secretly amazed, "The chaos of the Heavenly Ritual has reached this point, it seems this time Sinoong has more than just Cao Qiushui as a formidable character."

"Boom!"

On the west side of the square, Cao Qiushui, dressed in a green robe and wearing a bamboo hat, rolled his Cloud Action like an endless river, forcibly pushing aside the surrounding Cloud Layers.

Soon, in the half of the square where he was, three people were defeated.

"Brother Cao's Flowing Cloud Technique has reached five turns, I admire the wind."

"Thank you, Brother Cao, for showing mercy."

"Well, skills are inferior, nothing to say."

"Thank you all for your concession!" Cao Qiushui smiled and bowed towards the three.

Just as he was about to continue expanding the Cloud Action to cover the entire square, he found that the other half of the square was also left with only one Cloud.

It was Zhao Xing who had already dealt with several competitors. He didn't rely on Cloud Action to suppress the other four.

He simply used a wisp of Yin Wind to stealthily attack these four.

The fire of their spirits was blown to the brink of collapse, how could they control the Cloud Technique?

They were immediately cut, swallowed, and absorbed by Zhao Xing's Cloud Layer.

Thus, Zhao Xing's initial Cloud Technique was not weaker than Cao Qiushui's mid-level Cloud Technique.

"What's going on, why did my Cloud Action lose control?"

"Who is it, who is plotting in the dark?!"

"Despicable!"

There were curses from four places on the square.

"Zhao Top Three, how did you..." Zong Shichang couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at the Cloud Layer above his head.

He couldn't believe Zhao Xing was so formidable, able to raise the Cloud Layer in the first wave, in front of many experts, and defeat four Sinoong.

"Such amazing control, how can his Cloud Action devour others' Cloud Qi?" Uncle Cang and Uncle Tiger, after landing, didn't jump again but chose to wait for an opportunity. Seeing Zhao Xing's actions, they were very surprised.

Because they didn't expect Zhao Xing to be of much use, at least in the first wave of incense fights, they didn't expect him to do anything.

"It's this move again, during the previous assessment, his Cloud Layer could devour Huang Tao's Cloud Layer, turning it into his own..." Zong Shichang was somewhat excited.

Ignoring the astonishment of those around him, Zhao Xing quickly controlled the Cloud Layer to absorb the defeated Cloud Qi, storing it for later use, taking advantage of Cao Qiushui's forced retreat, and crashing through.

"Boom!"

Thunder echoed again, the Cloud Layer above Zhao Xing's head was scattered into five parts.

But it was quickly absorbed back, showing amazing control.

Cao Qiushui's Cloud Layer, although occupying the advantage in the collision, was hindered in its Flowing Cloud rolling momentum.

Although it was a passive collision, this was completely unexpected by the crowd, because Cao Qiushui was using a mid-level Flowing Cloud Technique, while Zhao Xing was only using an initial Cloud Action.

"Hmm? Another expert?" Cao Qiushui looked in a certain direction with surprise.

(End of Chapter)