Taiyi Dao Fruit-Chapter 1118 - 342: Sword Fight at the Summit
The sword momentum fell upon the River Heart Island, as Taibai True Monarch and Daoist Guang Cheng descended simultaneously to the summit of the mountain on the island.
Daoist Guang Cheng placed one hand behind his back, sword light hovering around him, revealing the Yin Yang Dual Swords, with a perfect harmony of Qi mechanism. The intense seven-day training hadn't exhausted him in the slightest; instead, his spirit was at its peak, reaching his best condition.
At this moment, he had already achieved Dao Fruit Perfection, reaching the pinnacle of his life.
On the other side, Taibai True Monarch had also calmed his mental state, his face like ice, showing no emotion. The seven days of meditation had allowed him to suppress his mental barriers, at least for the time being.
"Finally, the day has come."
Daoist Guang Cheng smiled slightly, "The last time in the Buddha Country, I didn't get a chance to fully engage with you, Fellow Daoist, a great regret. I never thought I would be able to make up for it so soon."
He had indeed waited a long time for this day.
As he spoke, the Qi mechanism around Daoist Guang Cheng intertwined, and the Yin Yang Sword Light slowly rotated.
Opposite him, Taibai True Monarch flicked his sleeve, and a sheathed long sword flew out of it. He grasped the hilt and drew the companion sword, Wan Guchou, swirling with Platinum Sword Energy.
Renowned as the "sharpest in the world," Wan Guchou was in Dual Cultivation with Taibai True Monarch, representing his Sword Dao. At this moment, it exuded a faint aura of warfare; as the sword appeared, it was as if the sound of a thousand troops arose, and the world dimmed.
This sword had become the carrier of the Gouchen Dao Fruit.
The sword was not only Taibai True Monarch's Lifebound Sword, complementing him in harmony; with the Gouchen Dao Fruit, Taibai True Monarch also preemptively comprehended the Way of the Gouchen Supreme Heavenly Emperor.
Therefore, it was no wonder Taibai True Monarch would be compelled by the Heavenly Monarch, having no choice but to meet him.
His Lifebound Sword carried the Gouchen Dao Fruit; the Heavenly Monarch had even enhanced the Gouchen True Spirit through a Magic Ceremony, attempting to awaken it. If the Gouchen True Spirit ever gained the ability to interfere with the outside world, Taibai True Monarch would face a situation similar to Manjusri's, directly infiltrated by the Dao Fruit True Spirit.
The Lifebound Sword, in a certain sense, is akin to an External Dharma Form, both complementing and closely linked to the entity, almost considered as one.
Taibai True Monarch unsheathed his sword, releasing a fierce aura and an aggressive Qi, resonating with the Taibai Golden Star in the sky. He looked directly at Daoist Guang Cheng and said indifferently, "Make your move."
No need for more words, the duel of the twin swords was about to begin.
Upon hearing this, Daoist Guang Cheng retracted his smile, his face returning to calmness, also looking directly at his opponent.
Their gaze met, and the anomaly of the world became increasingly apparent. The sky turned gloomy, not due to the appearance of a Calamity Cloud. The sky remained cloudless, but the sunlight, as it fell here, gradually dimmed.
The third-grade Qi mechanism filled the heavens and the earth, able to trigger anomalies, and as their Qi mechanism rose, the world grew more obscure until suddenly—
Two beams of sword light pierced through the darkness, like meteors, or the light at dawn's break, colliding frontally.
"Boom!"
With no clouds in the sky, yet thunder roared, even flashes resembling lightning appeared, and the River Heart Island abruptly shook, waves roiling fiercely, causing even the banks to tremble.
"Did they make their move?"
In the army on the west bank, a high platform soared into the air, where Jiang Li and his side were observing the battle. Above them, Gongsun Qingyue saw the collision of sword light and revealed a puzzled look, saying, "Yet, it seems they haven't made any move."
Though the sword light collided and the earth shook, it sounded contradictory to claim no move was made. Yet, Jiang Li nodded, saying, "Indeed, no move was made, it was merely the formation of sword momentum, clashing against each other. Senior Sister, your path has advanced significantly to discern this intricacy."
The ordinary fourth-rank would likely assume the battle had begun, not realizing it was merely a prelude.
"For the mere formation of sword momentum to cause such an earth-shaking spectacle, truly these two possess extraordinary power," Primordial Lord Rain Master remarked, "Among the Supreme forces, these two are top-level powerhouses."
At the very least, Primordial Lord Rain Master could not achieve such turbulence with mere presence; Tianxuan also couldn't, and the Princess even less so, unable to compare with these two.
Indeed, if they truly fought, they could engage, but regarding Realm, among the observers, only Jiang Li could outshine them by a head.
"Even with mental barriers, he could achieve this," Yin Tulong couldn't help but take a light breath, "Taibai True Monarch is indeed formidable."
"This is a probing; if Taibai True Monarch showed weakness, the outcome would be settled, but unfortunately, he endured...," Jiang Li watched the two on the mountain from afar and said, "This battle still promises engagement."
For the spectators, seeing Taibai True Monarch withstand the sword momentum indicated his strength remained largely unaffected, not plummeting into a nadir, leaving the sword duel anticipated.
But for those on Daoist Guang Cheng's side, they would rather it be less thrilling and conclude immediately.
As they spoke, the dimness brightened with the clash of sword momentum, and after an instant of probing, the sword momentum pulled the Qi mechanism, and the two Sword Dao experts finally struck.
Daoist Guang Cheng activated his sword finger, and the Yin Yang Dual Swords rose abruptly, like light and electricity... No, the speed of the sword light was truly akin to light and electricity, reaching the utmost extremity of speed.
No one in the world today could increase their speed to such a level, not even the Supreme, nor could Taibai True Monarch achieve this.
Even Jiang Li could only predict in advance with Echange Skill to withstand or simply endure it head-on.
This sword's speed was so fast that even Daoist Guang Cheng himself couldn't control it intricately. He could only use Echange Skill to predict in advance and then directly preset the sword style.
Taibai True Monarch couldn't achieve the first point. Even if he is well-versed in the Echange Skill, he is definitely no match for Daoist Guang Cheng. Trying to respond in this aspect would be a sure defeat. Therefore, he chose the latter path—to withstand it head-on.
He merged with his sword, and Platinum Sword Light emerged on his body, faintly showing a metallic hue. The Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword struck his body, leaving only two sword marks.
This was precisely the Geng Metal Undying Sword Body of the Taibai True Monarch.
His figure moved with the sword, transforming into a long rainbow, charging straight at Daoist Guang Cheng, attacking with attack, using the sword to force defense.
But even when defending, it still couldn't stop Wan Guchou.
Under the world's sharpest edge, nothing is indestructible. If one doesn't want to die, they can only defend. Back then, Daoist Guang Cheng and Manjusri lost in this aspect. No matter how many changes they had, all methods were shattered by one sword.
The speed of the Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword and the spirituality of the Wisdom Sword couldn't match the edge of Wan Guchou.
And now—
Daoist Guang Cheng's sword formula moved, and the Two Extremes Sword Light instantly switched to defense. The Yin Yang Qi clashed, the sword light vibrated fiercely, hardily stopping the Platinum Sword Light, with a clanging sound that resonated through the heavens, overwhelming the sound of muffled thunder.
"Clang!"
A clear wave produced, the sword lights intersected and collided, only to see Yin and Yang swirling, and the Two Extremes Sword Light forcibly stopped Taibai True Monarch.
This time, it wasn't broken by Wan Guchou.
In that instant, Daoist Guang Cheng's eyes burst forth with incredibly dazzling light, and he laughed heartily. The Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword moved freely, the sword waves rolled, strangling the Taibai True Monarch.
Meanwhile, the sword momentum of Taibai True Monarch became increasingly cold, the Platinum Sword Light suddenly flashed, like a great star ascending into the sky, brilliantly shining, with Sword Qi crisscrossing, clashing with the Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword.
In an instant, both soared into the sky at the same time, the sword lights intertwined, the Sword Qi flowed, cutting out sword marks in the long sky, as if the sky had been split into countless pieces.
The crowd's eyes involuntarily gathered on the two battling parties. Even in their eyes, the world spun, space transformed, becoming blurred, only the figures of these two and the sword light remained clear.
But in reality, it was the positions of these two and the sword lights that were changing, not the world. It was just because everyone's attention was focused on the sword fight, making the world become a contrasting background, in their subjective sensation constantly shifting.
"That Heavenly Venerate without bounds, how does it feel like Daoist Guang Cheng is going to win?"
Amidst the army on the East Bank, Shen Hou stared wide-eyed at the crisscrossing sword lights. Even though his Divine Thought was cut by Sword Intent, causing stinging pain in his eyes, he still refused to look away.
As a traitor of Yuxu Temple, he was, of course, extremely concerned about the result of this battle. If Daoist Guang Cheng won, his position would be precarious.
But in reality...
'The positions of Deputy Temple Master and Deputy Family Head are not far from me, just within reach.'
In Shen Hou's heart, he wished for Daoist Guang Cheng to unleash fierce dominance, slashing Taibai True Monarch under his sword.
Daoist Guang Cheng's attack and defense were as he pleased; the speed of the Yin Yang Two Extremes Sword could simultaneously handle offense and defense, intercepting Taibai True Monarch's sword while attacking his body.
Though the Geng Metal Undying Sword Body was strong, the principle of long defense leading to loss was known by all present. Continuing like this, Taibai True Monarch would only gradually show signs of decline.
"Taibai True Monarch won't be defeated so easily."
A calm female voice came, and a white-clothed figure, Tan Wuwei, appearing lightly on a lotus flower, appeared to Shen Hou's right, saying, "Whether it's One Qi to Three Pure Ones or the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique, both can help him recover from decline. However, Daoist Guang Cheng is not easy to deal with either."
Upon hearing this, Shen Hou felt a jolt in his heart. Just as he was about to ask, Tan Wuwei said, "He's going to change tactics."
As soon as the words fell, a figure retreated from the rolling waves of sword light, holding a sword upright in his right hand while placing his left hand, fingers together in a sword, across the sword, forming a cross.
It was Taibai True Monarch.
The figure of Taibai True Monarch flickered and divided in an instant, one person becoming three, then merging into one, with Geng Metal Sword Qi suddenly swelling, adding a peculiar energy, causing the Platinum Sword Light to gain a hint of dimness.
That was Xin Metal Energy.
Geng and Xin are the Yin Yang of Metal, and at this moment, Taibai True Monarch supplemented the Metal Element's Yin Yang with Xin Metal, then released his Sword Qi, filling all four directions.
He not only employed One Qi to Three Pure Ones but also operated the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing True Technique.
This cultivation technique was slightly modified by Taibai True Monarch to better suit his form, with Xin Metal combining with Geng Metal being the function of the technique.
"This way, he can reverse the decline."
Jiang Li observed this scene, speaking with an unsurprised tone: "However, by doing so, he is overpowering his opponent, deepening his mental block. His Sword Dao is too extreme, walked too far to the extreme. If a problem arises, the situation will also be extreme. Now, overpowering his opponent is tantamount to admitting his Sword Dao is inferior to the other's."
