Chapter 97: Chapter 98: The Gathering Storm

An uncanny pattern appeared in Song Changsheng’s eyes, and every key node of the Formless Sword Array became completely visible to him.

"It’s full of flaws. The Lieyang Sect’s Formless Sword Array is nothing special." A smile touched the corners of Song Changsheng’s lips as he waved his sleeve, summoning the Spirit-Slaying Gourd. The gourd spun rapidly in the air, weathering countless fierce slashes of Sword Qi without suffering the slightest scratch.

"Yin and Yang Qi, aid me against my foe!"

In an instant, the mouth of the gourd burst with radiant light. Yin and Yang Qi gushed out, splitting into a dozen or so streams of black and white energy in mid-air. Under Song Changsheng’s control, they shot toward the various nodes of the Sword Array like serpents.

CRACKLE... CRACK...

A series of sounds like shattering glass reached Song Changsheng’s ears. The space before him instantly fractured, then completely shattered with a deafening crash.

With the Sword Array broken, Qii Feiyun violently spat out a mouthful of blood. His aura instantly plummeted, deflating like a punctured balloon. He hastily swallowed a brown Pill, which managed to stabilize his presence.

"You... how could you possibly break my Formless Sword Array?" Qii Feiyun’s face was pale, but his tone was as grating as ever.

"Has no one ever told you that I’m an Array Master? You’re still a long way from being qualified to play with Arrays in front of me," Song Changsheng said nonchalantly, his hands clasped behind his back.

His words sounded somewhat arrogant, but everyone watching knew that Song Changsheng was speaking the truth. From the beginning of the fight until now, he hadn’t moved a single step.

"Young Clan Leader Song’s expertise in the Dao of Arrays is truly astonishing. Clan Leader Song, you have a worthy successor," Wang Qingquan said with a broad smile, stroking his chin as he spoke to Song Xianyun.

’I wonder if there are any suitable young women in the clan,’ he thought, ’If we could secure Song Changsheng, the friendship between the Song and Wang Families would surely become even stronger.’

"Fellow Daoist Wang, you flatter me. The Young Clan Leader is still young and has many shortcomings," Song Xianyun said with a serene expression, though inwardly he was bursting with joy.

"Young Clan Leader Song is truly worthy of being the Song Clan’s first Young Clan Leader in a century. His talent is indeed extraordinary. But the nephew of the Earth Fire Sect’s Sect Leader is certainly no amateur either. The real show is just beginning. Fellow Daoists, just you wait and see."

Li Tiancheng calmly took a sip of Spirit Tea, acting as if he hadn’t noticed at all that Qii Feiyun was at a disadvantage.

Song Lutong was about to make a sarcastic remark when he saw Song Xianyun’s expression suddenly change beside him.

He turned his head to look and saw that on the Martial Arts Arena, the situation had changed dramatically. An illusory giant sword hovered above Qii Feiyun’s head, its tip angled downwards. Countless streams of Sword Qi converged upon it, and the murderous aura it emanated made many of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present turn grave.

Qii Feiyun stared intently at Song Changsheng and sneered, "Did you think the Formless Sword Array was my only trick? You’ve severely underestimated me. Prepare to die!"

With that, the giant sword’s phantom, wreathed in countless streams of Sword Qi, chopped down toward Song Changsheng.

"Heh. I’ve heard the Lieyang Sect has a Direct Inheritance Secret Technique called the Formless Giant Sword, which is one and the same with the Formless Sword Array. To have just witnessed the Formless Sword Array and now get to see the Formless Giant Sword... what a stroke of luck.

However, while the Secret Technique may be powerful, you’ve mastered less than a fraction of its true potential. It’s all bark and no bite. Since you’ve used a Sword Array, as an Array Master myself, it would be terribly impolite not to return the favor."

Song Changsheng’s robes billowed as he faced the astonishingly powerful giant sword. With the Spirit-Slaying Gourd above his head, he took a single step forward. The Grand Array within his body began to spin wildly, emitting a faint, rumbling roar.

A massive Tai Chi Diagram materialized beneath Song Changsheng’s feet. This was the first time the Yin Yang Two Elements Formation had been fully revealed. From the mouth of the gourd, Yin and Yang Qi cascaded down like a waterfall, merging with the Grand Array and making it even more extraordinary.

"Array, rise! Vanquish the enemy!"

Countless streams of Yin Yang Qi billowed up, converging in the air to form a great millstone, black on top and white on the bottom. As the millstone turned, it absorbed an endless amount of Spiritual Power.

BOOM!

The giant sword crashed down, unleashing an endless flare of Sword Light. Even many of the watching guests felt their eyes sting, unable to look directly at the spectacle.

Song Xianyun’s heart leaped into his throat. Watching the giant sword descend, he readied himself to intervene at a moment’s notice.

Song Changsheng remained utterly fearless, maneuvering the great millstone formed from Yin and Yang Qi to meet the giant sword head-on.

In that instant, the Yin and Yang Qi swirled, and the world itself seemed to be rendered in black and white.

CRACK... CRACKLE...

A cringe-inducing grating sound rang out. The giant sword, striking the great millstone, began to shatter inch by inch from its tip to its blade. Amidst the flying shards of light and shadow, Qii Feiyun’s pupils dilated to their absolute limit.

"This is impossible! When did you set up an Array?!" Qii Feiyun roared hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot, like a gambler who had lost everything and gone mad.

"Nothing is impossible. I told you I am an Array Master. Your inability to understand simply proves your ignorance," Song Changsheng said, feigning profoundness as he appeared before Qii Feiyun, a ball of water resting in his palm.

"You..." Qii Feiyun was enraged. He began to form another Magic Technique with his hands, intending to put up a desperate last stand.

"Time for a little rest," Song Changsheng said. With a flick of his finger, the ball of water instantly enveloped Qii Feiyun. No matter how violently he struggled, it was useless. All he could do was glare at Song Changsheng in impotent rage.

Li Tiancheng’s expression finally changed. He stood up, cupped his hands to the crowd, and announced, "Fellow Daoists, Young Clan Leader Song’s skill is superior. The Earth Fire Sect concedes."

"Hehe, it was merely a spar between juniors. There’s no need to speak of victory or defeat. Sheng’er, let Young Friend Qii go," Song Xianyun said to Song Changsheng with a broad smile. With Li Tiancheng taking the initiative to concede, he felt incredibly pleased.

"Of course." Song Changsheng smiled faintly. A thought flashed through his mind, and the ball of water dissipated into nothing. Qii Feiyun, who had already fallen unconscious, promptly collapsed to the ground.

Li Tiancheng quickly rushed forward to help him up. After confirming that his life was not in danger, he breathed a sigh of relief and announced loudly, "Fellow Daoists, the Earth Fire Sect will take its leave!"

With that, he supported Qii Feiyun and departed via Sword Control.

With the good show over, the guests from the various factions came to Song Xianyun one by one to bid their farewells. In no time, they had all departed.

Song Lutong clapped Song Changsheng on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Beautifully done! I’ve been wanting to see that kid get what’s coming to him for a long time."

"Sheng’er did well.

However, although that man was thoroughly defeated, his strength is indeed impressive. He also cultivates the Lieyang Sect’s Direct Inheritance Secret Technique, so his status within the Sect must not be low. It seems the Earth Fire Sect has completely turned against us," Song Luhuai said with a frown.

"Hah, wasn’t that just a matter of time? What good can you expect from the Earth Fire Sect?"

"Be that as it may, we must still be on our guard, or we’ll suffer a great loss for it," Song Luzhou said, a shadow of gloom in his eyes as he urged caution.

As it turned out, Song Luzhou’s concerns were justified. Not long after the Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony ended, the Earth Fire Sect began making one move after another.

To guard against the Earth Fire Sect, several Song Clan Elders were dispatched to various important resource points. Song Changsheng also volunteered to go and stand guard over the Red Cloud Iron Ore Vein.

For a time, dark undercurrents surged through Ling Province...

...