Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 818 - 801: Just One Move!

A year later, Zhouyang rode on the Golden-winged Thunder Roc and arrived punctually outside the mountain gate of the Nine Yang Sect with Liu Yunxiang and several Suyun Sect Golden Core female cultivators who came to watch the duel.

The location of the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate was within the "Celestial Yang Rift," one of the major danger zones in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

This "Celestial Yang Rift" was actually a volcanic fracture zone, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions within tens of thousands of miles were as frequent as daily occurrences.

The ancestor master of the Nine Yang Sect had a grand vision and courage, using the hazardous environment as natural protection for the mountain gate, and a trial for the disciples, establishing the mountain gate right in the central area of the rift on a Spirit Mountain.

For thousands of years, the Nine Yang Sect has been continuously transmitted, with the sect's influence steadily developing, undoubtedly proving that the founder's decision was correct.

Of course, even though such a precedent exists, there aren't many who dare to imitate it.

After all, no one knows if one day a super earthquake might suddenly erupt within the "Celestial Yang Rift" and directly bury the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate.

At this moment, the matter of Zhouyang's duel with the grand elder of the Nine Yang Sect, Master Fengyang, had spread among the circle of high-tier cultivators, and many Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators who could come to watch the excitement had gathered around the "Celestial Yang Rift."

When Zhouyang arrived here riding the Golden-winged Thunder Roc, he instantly felt the gazes coming from various directions.

The owners of these gazes perhaps thought they hid themselves well, but in front of his powerful divine sense and perception, they were too easy to spot.

"It's been a long time since a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator openly dueled in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. This time, Fellow Daoist Zhou's challenge to that Fengyang Old Monster is considered a grand event for centuries, surely everyone wants to come and witness the power of fellow Daoist!"

Liu Yunxiang also noticed some scrutinizing gazes from the shadows. She gently smiled and commented on the intention of those coming to watch.

In hundreds of years, Zhouyang's reputation had spread far and wide, but in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, not many had actually seen him duel.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing.

High-tier cultivators who hadn't witnessed Zhouyang's divine techniques in person tended to doubt the increasingly exaggerated stories about him.

Now that there was a rare chance to see Zhouyang's power firsthand, and his opponent was a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" realm cultivator, a renowned elder in the cultivation realm for two thousand years, many were interested in witnessing this unprecedented battle.

Upon hearing Liu Yunxiang's words, Zhouyang shook his head gently and said, "At my current cultivation level, a hollow reputation is as insignificant as smoke in the air."

After speaking, he sighed and said, "Had it not been for Elder Qingyang's repeated requests, I wouldn't want such a grand spectacle!"

Liu Yunxiang responded with a faint smile, "Regardless, after this battle, no one in the world will doubt Fellow Daoist Zhou's strength, nor will anyone question your reputation anymore!"

Zhouyang remained silent, inwardly agreeing.

As they approached the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate, Liu Yunxiang softly instructed the four accompanying Golden Core female cultivators of the Suyun Sect, "You four may begin."

Upon hearing this, the four Suyun Sect Golden Core female cultivators, each a beauty with excellent grace and elegance, flew off the Thunder Roc in pairs, producing a special flower basket to scatter flower petals below.

This scene of celestial maidens scattering flowers was intended to be a poetic and picturesque spectacle.

However, the ground outside the mountain gate of the Nine Yang Sect was rocky and barren, and the petals would quickly be baked into dried petals by the high temperature of the earth, then ignited into flames.

Seeing this, Zhouyang couldn't help but think of those villain entrance scenes from movies and shows in his previous life, where villains often liked to showcase with beauties scattering flowers.

For a moment, he wanted to say there was no need for this, yet feared declining would make Liu Yunxiang feel as if he were treating her as a stranger, leaving his emotions in an odd state.

Thus, arriving finally outside the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate, Master Cyan Yang and numerous Nascent Soul cultivators from the Profound Purity Dao Alliance eagerly awaited them.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou has finally arrived. I was worried you might be delayed for some reason!"

Master Cyan Yang exhaled a sigh of relief, feeling reassured upon seeing Zhouyang.

Arranging such a grand spectacle, if Zhouyang didn't show up, both the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and his face would be disgraced, as well as Zhouyang himself.

"Since I promised Elder Qingyang this affair, I will naturally arrive on time, though I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Zhouyang responded calmly to Master Cyan Yang's words, greeting some familiar Nascent Soul cultivators before saying to Liu Yunxiang, "I trouble Fellow Daoist Liu to ride the Golden Roc and send a message to Fellow Daoist Fengyang, telling him that I am waiting above the Fire Dragon Sea, seven thousand miles east."

"It would be my pleasure!"

Liu Yunxiang smiled slightly and immediately flew directly to the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate aboard the Golden Roc.

Meanwhile, Zhouyang, after nodding slightly to Master Cyan Yang and others, transformed into a streak of golden light and flew towards the east.

At this moment within the Nine Yang Sect, all the high-level members of the Nine Yang Sect, including Nascent Soul cultivators from allied forces, were gathered here, waiting for Zhouyang to come.

When Zhouyang appeared in the "Celestial Yang Rift," the news was relayed, including Zhouyang's actions and whom he met on his way, all promptly reported by people of the Nine Yang Sect.

With each message received, the other protagonist of today's duel, the grand elder of the Nine Yang Sect, Master Fengyang, showed no change in his expression, making it difficult for others to discern his thoughts.

Until Liu Yunxiang arrived riding the Golden-winged Thunder Roc and boldly entered the mountain gate of the Nine Yang Sect, he finally spoke.

"Zhou Yuan Yang doesn't come himself but sends a woman who's not even his concubine over here. What's his intention?"

These words were quite insulting, downgrading Liu Yunxiang, a dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, to something akin to a mere maid.

Thus, upon hearing this, not just Liu Yunxiang but even the Golden Roc, was furious.

The Roc loudly protested for her injustice, saying, "Old thing, why are you pretending? If my master were here, your Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate would be crushed to dust today, and everyone here would die!"

"What a brazen beast, such audacity!"

Fengyang Old Monster's expression hardened, raising his hand to swipe, a blazing hand of flame suddenly appeared beside the Roc, trying to seize him.

This action was so sudden that many cultivators were surprised by Fengyang Old Monster's attack on the messenger, leaving them utterly astonished.

However, the Roc displayed its powerful Tier Six Demon King strength, immediately transforming into a streak of lightning, escaping Fengyang Old Monster's strike while bearing Liu Yunxiang.

Meanwhile, as the Roc appeared again, Liu Yunxiang hastily shouted, "Fellow Daoist Fengyang, being a renowned elder in the cultivation realm, do you not know 'between two armies no messenger may be harmed'? Or is Fellow Daoist afraid of Fellow Daoist Zhou, purposely seeking to avoid battle?"

"What a joke, I have cultivated for 2800 years; would I fear a junior who has merely cultivated for over a thousand years?"

Fengyang Old Monster laughed coldly, then spoke solemnly, "Sharp-tongued woman, state your intent and get out of the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate!"

Liu Yunxiang's eyes flashed with anger, for ever since she formed her Nascent Soul, no one had treated her so dismissively and insultingly.

If she didn't recognize her own lack of strength, not being a match for the Fengyang Old Monster, she would definitely strike back fiercely.

Now, she could only take a deep breath to suppress the anger in her heart, and coldly said: "I am delivering a message from Fellow Daoist Zhou to Fellow Daoist Fengyang: he is already waiting for you above the Fire Dragon Sea to the east, and hopes you can come early to meet him!"

After speaking, she signaled for the Golden Roc to leave the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate.

Once out of the Nine Yang Sect's mountain gate, she turned her head, full of resentment toward the direction where the Fengyang Old Monster resided, and hatefully said: "You, Fengyang Old Monster, only bully the weak and fear the strong, bullying our Suyun Sect, such a small sect. If I really were Fellow Daoist Zhou's Dao Companion, after today's humiliation, Fellow Daoist Zhou would surely turn your Nine Yang Sect into ashes!"

She said these words out of unbearable anger, but the Golden Roc underfoot, hearing these words, rolled its eyes and quietly remembered them.

After carrying Liu Yunxiang, flying eastward for seven thousand miles, and arriving above a vast Magma Lake full of flames, the Golden Roc gazed at Zhouyang who was sitting in meditation in mid-air, and after Liu Yunxiang had finished reporting on the message transmission, it exaggerated the situation and quietly relayed it to Zhouyang via sound transmission.

"You beast are itching for a beating again? Dare to make up things about Fellow Daoist Liu again, or let Ying'Er know about this, and I'll pluck all your feathers and throw you down there to roast like a chicken!"

Zhouyang glanced at Liu Yunxiang with a calm expression, secretly warning this tattletaling Spirit Pet harshly via sound transmission.

But the Golden Roc had been with him for over a thousand years and knew his temper very well. Hearing this, it realized that its tattling had achieved its intended effect.

On the surface, it obediently promised Zhouyang it wouldn't speak irresponsibly, while in its heart, it laughed triumphantly: "Cackle, damn old monster, dare to mess with King Golden Roc, now watch how you die!"

Not letting Zhouyang wait long, soon after receiving Liu Yunxiang's transmission, the Fengyang Old Monster, along with the high-levels of the Nine Yang Sect and numerous allies, arrived near the Magma Lake and approached Zhouyang alone.

Compared to Zhouyang, whose appearance was so youthful that he didn't resemble a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, the Fengyang Old Monster truly matched the image of a superior mend admired by low-tier cultivators.

Wearing a flaming red Magic Robe, his eyebrows and hair were as red as fire, and although aged, his face had a radiant glow exuding authority, evidently a significant figure long accustomed to great status.

At this point, he stopped about thirty miles from Zhouyang, his gaze piercingly strong toward Zhouyang, transmitting with his voice: "Fellow Daoist Zhou indeed has celestial talent on the path of cultivation, but the act of scheduling a duel with me today is unwise!"

"I have cultivated for two thousand eight hundred years, nearly double your cultivation time, with six or seven Divine Techniques already cultivated to the Great Success realm. Even though our cultivation is currently at the same stage, you are not my opponent!"

"If you take my advice now, retreating and preserving your reputation, I would publicly state that our strength is evenly matched!"

"What I am saying now is truly because I cannot bear to see a prodigious talent who could achieve immortality and enlightenment have their Dao Heart damaged due to defeat at my hands, leading to a ruined path in the future!"

At the end of his speech, his face was full of regret.

However, upon hearing these words, and given Liu Yunxiang's and Golden Roc's prior statements, Zhouyang's perception of him grew even more disdainful.

Only to see Zhouyang directly stand up from a meditative state, rising in the air with a wave of his sleeve, saying: "Fellow Daoist Fengyang, there's no need for further words. Out of respect for you as a senior in the cultivation realm, and since I initiated this duel, I will let you strike first; just hope you won't disappoint me!"

Witnessing this, the Fengyang Old Monster shook his head greatly, letting out a long sigh: "Ah! My good intentions are met with such indecision from you, Fellow Daoist Zhou. Well, take care!"

Before his sigh could fade, he hardened his gaze, swiftly waving his sleeve to release the Nine Yang Treasure Pearl, a Tier Six High-Grade Spiritual Artifact handed down for millennia by the Nine Yang Sect.

In the sky, nine fist-sized crimson pearls were lined up, gathering the fire attribute Spiritual Qi from the Magma Fire Sea below under Fengyang Old Monster's spell. Soon transforming into nine blazing fireballs in mid-air.

Though Zhouyang could have interrupted the buildup, due to his prior words, he merely watched calmly.

Seeing this, the Fengyang Old Monster felt joy over anger.

Originally lacking confidence in this battle.

But now, Zhouyang's arrogance enabling his buildup, greatly enhanced his chance of winning.

After about fifteen minutes of such buildup, the fireballs in the sky expanded to diameters of nine zhang, no longer able to suppress his inner delight, he grinned sinisterly toward Zhouyang and said: "Youngsters unaware of their limits, today let me show you the Great Divine Techniques by which the Nine Yang Sect dominates the cultivation realm!"

As the laughter ended, nine crimson suns rose suddenly behind him, and eighteen flaming red fireballs then bombarded Zhouyang like meteoric fire rain.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou truly overestimated himself this time! The Nine Yang Sect's Inheritance Spiritual Artifact Nine Yang Treasure Pearl combined with the Sect's Divine Technique Nine Yang Flowing Fire Technique multiplies its power!"

A thousand miles away, Master Cyan Yang, witnessing this, couldn't help but express concern with a troubled face.

Beside him, Liu Yunxiang, hearing this, tightened her charming face, displaying worry.

Only the Golden Roc was wholly confident in its master Zhouyang, showing no trace of concern, instead shouted: "Fearing not, they're just thirteen big fireballs, the master's divine techniques are peerless, how could he be hurt by such trivial methods!"

Yet, before it finished speaking, the scene of a heaven-destroying explosion terrified its feathers into standing upright.

Boom boom boom!

Earth-shattering explosions resounded throughout the region, enveloping a space within hundreds of miles of Zhouyang's proximity into a sea of fire.

The terrifying explosive energy waves spread outward, scattering even the distant Bai Yun to void.\\p>

The flaming lake below sunken a hundred zhang deep, forming a huge cavity.

Such power, even stronger than when Zhouyang witnessed Nascent Soul's mid-stage cultivator self-detonation in the Land of the Far West.

Seeing this from hundreds of miles away, Fengyang Old Monster couldn't help but laugh aloud: "Hahaha, what Master Qianyang, what prodigy unseen in the cultivation realm for millennia, is merely an arrogant and foolish youngling!"

"Today I shall reveal who the real leading power in the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm is!"

Confidently asserting as the victor, seemingly assured Zhouyang would surely fall to this strike.

As a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal," he thought if faced with such overwhelming power, even with prior preparation, he'd undoubtedly suffer heavy injury or demise.\\p>

Hence, assumed Zhouyang wouldn't be the exception.\\p>

Regrettably, soon after his laughter began, a golden-red flame shot forth from the explosion's center, directly aiming toward him.\\p>

For an instant, his smile faltered, incredulous and panic-stricken, he couldn't help but exclaim: "¡How can this be!"

Before the sound could fade, it seemed struck by lightning, suddenly shrieked in agony, ablaze, plunging from the sky.\\p>

At the same time, an ebony light pierced through the air, puncturing through Fengyang Old Monster's Tier Six Magical Robe, embedding into his chest.\\p>

Such rapid succession bewildered the spectating cultivators.\\p>

None expected the showdown between two Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortals" to resolve so swiftly.\\p>

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