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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 133 (388): [Provocation]
(133rd of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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In the darkness, snowflakes fell like crystalline white petals, silent and ethereal.
Jiang Ning accepted the Challenge Letter and gazed at Li Weiyi's tall, straight figure and his unwavering gaze.
He stood like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, ready to cleave through any obstacle or danger.
Tai Shi Yu lowered his head in thought for a moment before clapping his hands in approval.
"I think this has potential! The battle between Xie Chucai and Li Weiyi is a perfect spectacle. It's a clash between the top talents of Lingxiao City's Life Realm and the Calamity Crossing Temple, a showdown between a Spiritual Master and a Martial-Mystic Cultivator, and, most importantly, a life-or-death duel between rivals for our number one beauty, Feather Immortal."
"As long as we build enough hype and mobilize all the Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the city to watch the battle at the Six Thoughts Zen Temple, the Temple's secrets will be impossible to conceal."
"Where the Transcendents dare not enter, the people of the world can."
"We absolutely must not reveal the dangers of the Six Thoughts Zen Temple beforehand. Otherwise, many will be scared off, and the momentum will be lost."
"Let's fan the flames, using overwhelming momentum to force the Imperial Court to take action. I'll handle the publicity..."
Jiang Ning frowned, finding the plan too dangerous.
"What kind of momentum are we trying to create? This is a life-or-death battle. Doesn't the First Commander know the gap between Li Weiyi's current cultivation and Xie Chucai's? This is an Imperial Court matter. If we're going to challenge him, we should select someone from within the court who is sufficiently influential."
Ge Xiantong immediately volunteered, raising his hand: "I'll do it! Master brought the Mother-Child Spring back. As his disciple, I have a responsibility to atone for his mistake. We can't let Li Weiyi look down on everyone in the Imperial Court!"
Tai Shi Yu shook his head: "You're still at the Fifth Stage, aren't you? Xie Chucai wouldn't even accept your challenge. He'd just mock you for overestimating yourself. Besides, the court's Great Powers would surely control you before you could even reach the Six Thoughts Zen Temple."
"There's no need to argue anymore! Since the decisive battle is at the Six Thoughts Zen Temple, Xie Chucai knows our intentions. Only I can force him to fight. As long as we share the same goal, we can work together in different ways." Li Weiyi was well aware that his current cultivation was no match for Xie Chucai's.
The latter could severely injure a Seventh Heaven Dao Seed Realm expert in just three moves.
Li Weiyi, by forming a Combined Formation with seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors, had only enough strength to contend with a Martial-Mystic Cultivator at the Seventh Heaven of the Dao Seed Realm.
The Combined Formation had many weaknesses. Its movement speed was severely restricted, and if attacked by the opponent's heavy weapons, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Moreover, Xie Chucai was no fool.
How could he possibly agree to Li Weiyi using his insect swarm?
In a life-or-death battle, both sides would undoubtedly be extremely cautious.
Jiang Ning's Immortal eyes were filled with worry as she looked at Li Weiyi.
"He won't give you another chance to use an Immobilization Talisman, nor will he agree to you buying Formations or talismans. This is a life-or-death duel, not a game!"
"What we're doing isn't a game either."
Li Weiyi looked at her apologetically and said softly, "Jiang Ning, I asked you to deliver this Challenge Letter for selfish reasons. This act will undoubtedly leave the mark of a loser deep within his heart, leaving him no choice but to accept the challenge."
Seeing that she couldn't dissuade him, Jiang Ning asked, "Where do you plan to hide in the coming days? Give me an address so I can find you."
"There's no need! I'll be in seclusion until New Year's Eve."
Li Weiyi was preparing to activate the Time Cocoon and strive for a breakthrough in Psychic Power.
He had no time to spare.
Jiang Ning's gaze deepened: "In terms of cultivation, perhaps I can lend you a hand."
"Stop dawdling and get moving! He specializes in Psychic Power. I'll help him master a couple of formations and runes. Escaping won't be a problem."
Tai Shi Yu, the most senior and highest-cultivated person present, spoke with a calm, rational tone.
"Do you really think he's going to a duel? He can't possibly win! Our goal is to lure everyone to the Six Thoughts Zen Temple, not to fight for victory or risk our lives."
After discussing further details, the four of them left the Imperial Temple one by one.
Moments later, Tai Shi Qingshi emerged from the shadows with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes flickering with an uncertain light.
"A bunch of youngsters trying to accomplish something... utterly delusional."
Behind him, Eunuch Chen's voice echoed, "Why didn't you stop them from this reckless behavior? If something goes wrong, no one can bear the consequences."
Tai Shi Qingshi remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking, "Perhaps living too long does indeed dull one's edge, stripping away the youthful vigor and heroic spirit of the past. Their actions are indeed reckless, but in the current situation, prioritizing stability will lead to complete failure. This time, I will lend them a hand!"
....
Li Weiyi and Tai Shi Yu shared a carriage.
Tai Shi Yu took out three talismans and handed them over.
"These are a Protective Talisman, an Electric Escape Talisman, and a Divine Speed Talisman. I personally crafted them - they're priceless. There's no need to risk your life against him. As a Five-Star Spiritual Master, facing a Sixth Heaven Dao Seed Realm expert, it's not shameful to retreat if you can't win."
"I'll gather some people and use this opportunity to thoroughly investigate the Six Desires Zen Temple. Do you need any resources for your cultivation?"
Li Weiyi said, "Those twenty Star Spiritual Pills..."
"No need to mention it. I've already prepared them for you."
Tai Shi Yu reached into his Cosmic Pouch and pulled out a box containing the Star Spiritual Pills, handing it over.
Li Weiyi opened the box for a quick glance before closing it again, inwardly marveling at Tai Shi Yu's casual display of treasures worth millions of Yongquan Coins.
A Nine-Star Spiritual Master and the First Commander of the Tai Shi Clan - both were synonymous with immense wealth.
If he could rob him, the potential gains were unimaginable.
With this thought, Li Weiyi dropped all pretense and asked, "First Commander, could you teach me the two formations you used at the West Sea Palace that can be prepared in advance?"
The Mirroring Heaven and Earth Grand Formation and the True Spirit of the Rising Sun Grand Formation.
Such formations were naturally priceless treasures, closely guarded secrets of the Tai Shi Clan.
Tai Shi Yu waved his hand: "It's not that I won't teach it to you, but with your current cultivation, you're simply incapable of setting it up. You'd need at least a Seven-Star Spiritual Master. Besides, there's no time. Even with my mastery as a Nine-Star Spiritual Master, it would take several days to pre-draw it in the Spirit Realm."
"Give me one. I want to try it. I guarantee I won't leak it," Li Weiyi said after the Spirit Tablet Master left. He hadn't had access to top-tier runes and formations since.
The Immobilization Talisman and Divine Speed Talisman were merely auxiliary runes, lacking offensive power.
Tai Shi Yu, ever generous, produced a thick book and tossed it to him.
"Consider this the Tai Shi Clan making a friend of the Jiu Li Divine Hidden One."
The cover read: "True Spirit of the Rising Sun Grand Formation."
Li Weiyi then asked Tai Shi Yu for some Millennium Essence Herbs, rune-making materials, and High-Grade Blood Crystals.
After receiving them, he disguised himself and quickly vanished into the snow-filled night.
Over the next few days, he had to remain hidden.
Otherwise, he might become a target for powerful figures in the Imperial Court who dared not provoke the Demon Kingdom.
They might try to kill him or drive him out of Lingxiao City.
Tai Shi Yu lifted the carriage curtain and watched Li Weiyi's solitary figure disappear into the distance.
He mused inwardly, 'If his Ancestral Field hadn't been ruined, how dazzling would he have been?'
Tonight, the Heavenly Pavilion in the Pale Moon Quarter was unusually lively.
Song Lin of the West Sea Palace had rented the entire venue for a grand banquet.
He had invited not only the young scions of various clans in Lingxiao City but also Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators, even those he didn't know personally, to attend.
The towering pavilions and halls, reaching seven or eight stories high, were lavishly decorated.
Immortal Attendants flitted about, lanterns blazed, music intertwined, creating a scene of unparalleled prosperity.
With Song Qingli fully recovered, Song Lin seized the opportunity to publicly refute the rumors that had circulated about her, hoping to restore the West Sea Palace's reputation.
A group of over a dozen Martial-Mystic Cultivators from Li City in Zhi Prefecture arrived bearing three chests of gifts.
Leading them was the Young City Lord of Li City, a young man dressed in vibrant, immaculate attire.
Upon entering, he politely clasped his hands in a formal bow and announced with a hearty laugh, "Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations on Miss Song's recovery! We've brought several chests of Zhi Prefecture specialties as gifts. Please don't refuse them; you must accept them."
Li City in Zhi Prefecture had been a hot topic among Lingxiao City's Martial-Mystic Cultivators for the past month.
Rumors had spread that the Li Clan's Transcendent Ancestor, who had been cultivating in the Demon Kingdom, had returned to the Lingxiao Realm.
Coupled with the Li Clan's recent surge in activity within Lingxiao City, many speculated that the Transcendent Ancestor might be in the city.
This was no small matter!
Rumors had it that the Li Clan's Founding Ancestor was a major figure in the Demon Kingdom, with peerless cultivation.
Song Lin's face flushed with embarrassment, but fearing the power behind the Young City Lord, he had no choice but to step forward.
"Qingli is unharmed. Thank you for your concern, Young City Lord."
"How can you say she's unharmed? Everyone saw it a month ago. She transformed into a Ghost Mother and wreaked havoc in the Pale Moon Quarter. If not for Zuo Ning... no, for our Southern Territory's Li Weiyi, who bravely intervened, who knows how much worse things could have gotten," the Young City Lord of Li City said.
Song Qingli gracefully descended from the upper floor.
Today, she was dressed in exquisite attire: brocade robes, colorful ribbons, and perfectly drawn eyebrows.
Her voice was soft as she asked, "Young City Lord, do I look like a Ghost Mother?"
The Young City Lord of Li City immediately bowed respectfully, forcing a smile.
"Miss Qingli, you certainly don't look like one today. This proves the rumors are true: Li Weiyi truly is the Lingxiao Realm's most gifted genius, with extraordinary healing skills. He has completely cured you. I heard that your transformation into a Ghost Mother was caused by drinking from the Mother-Child Spring. Is this true?"
The Heavenly Pavilion fell silent as everyone realized they were dealing with a hostile guest.
But what was his intention?
Song Lin's eyes turned icy.
He circulated his Spiritual Qi, seething at the young man's audacity. If he didn't retaliate against such blatant provocation, wouldn't the world assume the Li Clan could dominate the West Sea Palace?
Footsteps echoed from the outer courtyard.
Xie Chucai, clad in vibrant red robes, and Li Shentong, in somber black, both tall and imposing figures, stood out as true heroes among men as they entered the Heavenly Pavilion side by side.
Countless eyes were drawn to them.
In terms of appearance, Xie Chucai was unmatched by most men. Broad-shouldered and powerfully built, he possessed a rare aura of both gentleness and strength. The Immortal Attendants in the pavilion were immediately captivated, their interest piqued by this extraordinary man.
Li Shentong sternly rebuked, "Xiao Qi, show respect in front of the West Sea Palace. Miss Qingli, Young Master Song, you share a deep bond with Li Weiyi. Could you please convey to him that Senior Brother Xie from the Calamity Crossing Temple genuinely wishes to spar with him again, not out of revenge."
"Li Weiyi has hidden himself, clearly fearing Senior Brother Xie and thus refusing to show his face. We had no choice but to seek you out."
Song Qingli gently stopped the enraged Song Lin, speaking in a soft, soothing tone.
"I heard that a month ago at the West Sea Palace, Young Master Xie was defeated by Mr. Zuo Ning - the very Li Weiyi you speak of. Why would he fear a defeated opponent? His refusal to accept the challenge may simply be a matter of disdain."
Xie Chucai sat gracefully in a chair three yards away, smiling warmly: "Indeed, at the West Sea Palace, I did suffer defeat. I committed the cardinal sin of underestimating my opponent. I initially believed Zuo Ning was an unknown nobody, only later realizing he was the number one talent of the Lingxiao Realm's new generation. To miss a fair rematch with such a figure would be a lifelong regret."
Li Shentong chimed in, "Brother Xie was facing three opponents at once - Feather Immortal, Young Lord Tai Shi, and the Lingxiao Realm's top talent. We all thought it would be a fair exchange of martial arts, a true test of skill. But we never anticipated our opponent's underhanded tactics. He's a treacherous villain who resorted to underhanded means to win."
"What Lingxiao Realm's top talent? He's brought nothing but shame to the entire Lingxiao Realm!"
The Young City Lord of Li City sneered, then added, "Clearly, he knows he'd lose again if we fought fairly, so he's hiding like a coward. Everyone says Feather Immortal is his soulmate, but does he even deserve her? He's nothing more than a spineless man, a coward who wallowed in self-pity and even tried to kill himself after his cultivation was crippled."
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END OF CHAPTER
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