It was perfectly normal for Daoist Mingzhang, with his profound cultivation, to sense Lu Zheng fighting and rush to help. But Wang Xiaowan, who had only just begun cultivating, still risked danger to hurry from the city. Lu Zheng was genuinely touched.
Liu Qingyan pulled her over and, together with Du Yueyao, quietly explained the situation.
As the two combatants stopped, the clouds and rain that had gathered over dozens of li gradually thinned. The sky cleared, and the sun reappeared.
In the county town, people who had been frantically gathering laundry saw the dark clouds scatter and the sun shine again before they had finished.
“What kind of weather is this?”
“Just a passing cloud?”
“I just washed these clothes… random rain, then it randomly stops.”
“Never mind, back on the line!”
…
Since the sparring had ended, it was inconvenient to chat on a barren mountain. Everyone moved back to Peach Blossom Manor.
Ao Qi and Yan Hongxia addressed each other as sisters, but Ao Qi was far older and of higher generation. Even Daoist Mingzhang dared not take the seat of honour. They left the main seat empty and sat as guests.
After hearing the full story, Mingzhang surveyed the group and sighed inwardly with emotion.
Ao Qi was a gifted young dragon of the Azure Dragon clan; a century of cultivation made her powerful and profound, no surprise there.
Yan Hongxia’s fortune was extraordinary. An ancient sword immortal’s pellet? That was the stuff of storybook legends; one step to heaven.
These two alone—he probably couldn’t beat them anymore. Yet his own disciple could trade blows with them evenly and even hold a slight edge.
My heart is filled with joy!
On the other side, Wang Xiaowan, who until recently had been an ordinary mortal, learned that Ao Qian and Ao Qi were princesses of the Eastern Sea dragon palace. Her mouth formed a perfect O of shock.
She knew Ao Qian was a yao, but a dragon?!
Seeing Wang Xiaowan’s expression, Du Yueyao stifled a laugh. She had been kept in the dark too until Ao Qi appeared; her own reaction hadn’t been much better.
Eastern Sea dragon princesses felt impossibly distant, rarer even than in picture books or operas.
“You have come from afar, Miss Ao. Abyss-Origin, you must not neglect hospitality,” Mingzhang instructed.
“Rest assured, Master,” Lu Zheng replied with a smile.
“Perfected One need not worry. Brother Lu is a most generous host; the food, the entertainment—life here is even more comfortable than at my own home,” Ao Qi said.
“That is good.”
In front of outsiders, Mingzhang maintained the dignified bearing of an enlightened master.
…
They chatted idly, ate lunch, and then Ao Qi wanted to continue sparring with Lu Zheng.
“Brother Lu, I lost by a hair this morning. Shall we have another round?”
“Absolutely!” Lu Zheng agreed readily.
Ao Qi was strong; winning would not be easy. This was the perfect chance to drill his regular techniques in real combat and gain experience.
Mingzhang’s eyes brightened. He drew a paper crane from his sleeve, whispered an incantation twice, and released it. The crane flapped its wings, turned into a streak of cyan light, and vanished into the distance.
“I’ve summoned Yuanjing to watch and broaden his horizons,” Mingzhang explained.
Of course they did not wait idly. After tea and a short rest, the group moved from Peach Blossom Flat to the eastern rear mountains.
“Brother Lu, after you!”
“After you!”
Ao Qi and Lu Zheng rose on clouds. Without further words, they began.
Instantly, dark clouds rolled and storm winds howled, once again covering dozens of li of sky.
This time they were farther away. Though the gale and rain raged, it did not disturb pilgrims visiting Peach Blossom Shrine.
…
Ao Qi had tempered her body with dragon blood; her ice-blue spear was a treasure. Though normal-sized, it was engraved with runes and weighed at least a hundred times more than it appeared.
It also reduced mana consumption and amplified any martial or magical techniques she used through it.
Lu Zheng, however, wielded only a mundane sword. Producing sword qi of equal power cost him thirty percent more mana.
But treasures were part of one’s strength…
Ao Qi gathered the rain and mist into crashing ocean waves around her. With each sweep of her spear, gales roared, waves surged, and dragon might pressed down.
Lu Zheng shifted his sword to his left hand, patted his gourd, and drew the lightning-struck peach-wood sword.
With a light flick, boundless cloud qi condensed—dense, unbreakable by wind, unwashed by rain.
With Master Mingzhang present, Lu Zheng naturally showcased more of the sect’s arts.
Ao Qi’s eyes gleamed at the depth of his cloud mastery. She shot forward for close combat.
Lu Zheng shook his head. The peach-wood sword hovered behind him. He switched the cloud-patterned sword back to his right hand, reached forward with his left, and a massive White Cloud Grand Palm materialised, grabbing at Ao Qi.
Ao Qi was an azure dragon; she was highly resistant to dragon might and roars, so Lu Zheng did not bother with True Dragon Grand Palm.
Her spear thrust forward, piercing the cloud palm, ignoring the clouds that eroded her protective qi, and aimed straight for Lu Zheng’s chest.
Lu Zheng spun his sword into a sphere of silver light. Sword qi criss-crossed—White Cloud sword qi mixed with Feiyu Soaring Rosy Clouds sword qi—not only blocking her thrust but forcing her to retract and defend.
Their figures flickered through the storm, trading blows in a spectacular display.
…
Moments later, Yuanjing arrived. He stared at the sky battle, then at Yan Hongxia radiating razor-sharp sword intent, and began questioning his entire existence.
Soon after, the five beauties from Five Beauties Manor and Bi Xin and Yu arrived, joining the spectators and quietly asking what was happening.
The commotion had attracted many yao from the deep mountains, but none dared approach; they only watched cautiously from afar, studying carefully.
…
As a heaven-gifted dragon princess with over a century of cultivation, Ao Qi had assumed she could overpower Lu Zheng. To her surprise, after a long, fierce exchange, not only could he hold his own—he even seemed to have energy to spare. Her competitive spirit flared.
“Brother Lu, careful now!”
Her eyes flashed; she was about to unleash her big move.
Lu Zheng retreated, instantly evaporating the surrounding rain with cloud qi. “Please!”
“ROAR!”
A dragon’s roar shook the heavens. A dozens-of-zhang azure dragon phantom appeared behind Ao Qi, circled her once, then coiled at her back, dragon might surging.
The next instant, the phantom stepped forward and enveloped her; she floated within the dragon’s head.
“Break!”
With a light cry, she merged her spear thrust into the dragon phantom and stabbed toward Lu Zheng.
“Excellent!”
Lu Zheng rapidly formed seals. The hovering peach-wood sword pointed skyward.
In that instant, primordial cloud qi gathered, Geng Metal Divine Wind screamed, Flying Immortal rain swept in, and pure thunder crackled.
Cloud, rain, wind, thunder—all under one hand!
“BOOM!”
