Singing was difficult. It required fine control of one's voice, using one's inner organs to support its strength. It also needed concentration of one's mind as songs represented the singer's thoughts and intent.
Dancing was equally difficult. It required mastery of one's body, to a level that far surpassed ordinary cultivators. It was not just about moving one's arms and legs arbitrarily, there had to be elegant and beautiful while having speed and power.
Dance strengthened one's physique. Singing benefited the mind. Together, they cultivated the spirit.
Combining song and dance... that was the fundamental truth of the first of the four classics of the Virtuous Order of Chunzhen.
It was a simple yet complex truth. Some sacred daughters could try throughout their whole lives and yet never achieve it. Others could do it but they might not sound good or their dance moves will be affected. To do both to perfection, that was what was required and that was what Long Yifei accomplished.
Her voice carried the beautiful sound of Alone in Winter. Her swirling figure within the snowstorm was filled with the power of Winter's Snow Dance. Her spiritual aura was no longer the same. It was far more powerful than before.
Ice and snow swept over the arena, dropping the temperature to unbearable degrees. Long Yifei gathered all of it and sent it straight at Wei Shuangshuang. The wall of icy energy threatened to swallow her whole.
"You… how did you…" Wei Shuangshuang gritted through disbelief and defiance, "How are you still better than me?"
Combining song and dance was something she expected to master eventually. She wasn't there yet. But with more practice, more cultivation, she would surely achieve it in two or three years. Before reaching the Lesser Realm of Spiritual Formation, she would definitely be able to do it.
Wei Shuangshuang looked up at the torrent of ice and snow threatening to bury her. If she didn't do anything, the duel would be over, there and then. But how could she lose like this? She was a princess of the Starry Wei Clan. Her acolyte was the Blue Sky Alchemist.
Her opponent might be a little better in talent… but that was far from enough to surpass her.
She touched the spatial bag within the ring on her finger. A surge of exotic spiritual energy surrounded her in an instant. They swirled around her like tiny meteors, creating a dazzling meteor shower. These shooting stars didn't disappear but instead settled atop her body, forming a starry outfit that was both eye-catching and elegant.
In an instant, her aura strengthened sharply until it matched that of an immortal. With a surge of starry light, she leaped over the wall of ice and snow and charged at Long Yifei.
"Star Walking Robes?" Chen Wentian mused, mostly to himself.
It was a top item on the Gift Register. It was on the same level as the Wave Strider Robes that Yang Gehu had offered during the Gift Duel. Similarly, Star Walking Robes were a Spirit Lord Realm outfit suited for dancers. Unlike the Wave Strider Robes which focused on strength and spiritual control, the Star Walking Robes drastically increased the wearer's speed and agility.
"What? Are you jealous?" Wu Chao, who was standing nearby, laughed, "If you hadn't been so stubborn, Miss Long would have received a set of Wave Strider Robes from Yang Gehu. Then, she would still be able to win this duel and become the champion. Alas, your selfishness has ruined her future."
Chen Wentian snorted, "Just a set of Star Walking Robes, is that enough to win?"
He looked over at Long Yifei. Through his soul realm, he sent the signal to the snow monkey soul, unlocking its full potential.
The Flawless Snowfrost Earrings that Long Yifei always wore glowed brightly, shining like twin blue stars. Ice and snow surged around her, forming a ferocious storm. This immortal aura was so fierce that Wei Shuangshuang immediately had to pull back her attack. Otherwise, she was in danger of being turned into an ice sculpture.
"A spirit treasure?" Wu Chao muttered, frowning, "You actually have a spirit treasure?"
Chen Wentian smiled, "Just a small gift for my sacred daughter."
"Small gift?" Wu Chao's face contorted. He looked more offended than angry.
There were three primary ways of crafting immortal items. The first was to use immortal realm materials. The Shangyang Sky Slippers were such an item. They were made from the features of a divine beast. Each feather was seeped in the shangyang's powers, providing the basis for the slippers.
The second was using immortal Daos and special knowledge. The Wave Strider Robes and Star Walking Robes were good examples. They were refined using unique and powerful Daos and complicated methods, allowing them to showcase special effects in the immortal realms.
The third was the most rare and special. It involved imbuing the spirit and will of an immortal into an item, allowing the wearer to use that power as their own. There were many ways to capture an immortal's spiritual energy and spiritual intent but none of them were easy or simple. These methods created immortal items known as spirit treasures.
Spirit treasures were superior to the other two types of immortal items. This was because the spirit and will within could assist the bearer. It could contain a certain level of intelligence and competence, aiding in battle as a partner instead of a dumb tool. And in certain cases, they could hide their aura and release it on command.
Chen Wentian's smile widened, "Are you jealous? Isn't it just a little spirit treasure, nothing to be so excited about."
"…" Wu Chao stared at Chen Wentian with a strange expression.
It was widely known that spirit treasures were far more valuable than the other two types of immortal items. They were the prized possessions of powerful immortals. They couldn't be given to mortals, no matter what.
Aside from the fact that it was too expensive and precious, there was another reason. Due to the immortal spirit residing within the item, mortals weren't able to handle it. No immortal was willing to bow down to a mortal, even as a remanent will. Thus, accidents were common and the bearer could suffer serious and permanent wounds.
"You're willing to risk your sacred daughter's future, just for a chance of winning?" Wu Chao asked.
"Haha! Risk? Is it dangerous to use a spirit treasure?" Chen Wentian asked, "I'm just a country bumpkin from the subcontinents. I don't know many things. I didn't know it was so serious here. Hahaha!"
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