Cultivation: I Have a Golden Talisman-Chapter 37: Taiyi Thunder Pill

The sword duel between Fang Cheng and Zhou Huaijin had captured the attention of nearly everyone on the Cloud Viewing Platform.

Though their fight had been faster than a bolt of lightning, the victor decided in the blink of an eye, it was by far the most spectacular duel yet.

Anyone could see that Fang Cheng was displeased with Zhou Huaijin’s vicious attack, and so he had responded in kind—an eye for an eye—by severing one of his opponent’s arms...

Many of the Loose Cultivators and Servant Disciples cheered inwardly. They exchanged knowing glances but didn’t dare discuss it openly.

At that moment, of the four large golden rings in the sky, Dong Fangzhuo and Qian Shaoning each occupied one.

Fang Cheng held another, while the last one had been continuously occupied by disciples from the Cultivation Families, who took turns sparring within it.

The Spirit Incense was now just a short stub, and it would burn out in a matter of moments.

Only three people remained on the second floor of the Illusion Heart Hall.

One appeared to be a Loose Cultivator, while the other two, dressed in lavish robes, were likely from Cultivation Families.

The Loose Cultivator seemed to be waiting for something, still unwilling to step forward and issue a challenge.

After the two disciples from the Cultivation Families exchanged a look, one of them flew out of the Illusion Heart Hall and headed toward the ring of light where Fang Cheng was.

He had sharp brows, bright eyes, and a distinguished air. Dressed in a Water Pattern Immortal Robe and holding a Jade Ruyi, he cupped his fist at Fang Cheng with a confident smile and announced proudly, "I am Gao Xuan of Lieyang Island. I have come to witness your brilliance, Daoist Brother."

To still dare challenge Fang Cheng after witnessing his Sword Technique meant he was surely confident in his ability to counter a Flying Sword.

Down on the Cloud Viewing Platform, the crowd immediately understood when they heard he was from the Gao Family of Lieyang Island.

The Gao Family was another well-known Cultivation Family in the Abyssal Marsh, and their hereditary Blood Soul True Gang was exceptionally good at suppressing Flying Swords.

Fang Cheng simply replied, "I am Fang Cheng. Please."

As his voice fell, the onlookers witnessed a baffling scene!

Just as Gao Xuan was about to make his move, a dark, bluish-black color suddenly spread across his face, and he plummeted from the clouds.

For a moment, everyone stared at each other in bewilderment. Only a very small number of people noticed what had happened.

From the Cloud Viewing Platform, a Gao Family Cultivator shot into the air, caught Gao Xuan, and with a quick inspection, realized the young master had been poisoned. He immediately took out a Rejuvenation Talisman and placed it on Gao Xuan’s body.

The Rejuvenation Talisman emitted a verdant glow that slowly forced back the dark color on Gao Xuan’s face.

Having recovered slightly, the Cultivation Family disciple glared up at the sky, pointed at Fang Cheng, and raged, "You... you actually used poison... How... despicable!"

Fang Cheng just smiled faintly, paying him no mind.

At this point, only the last sliver of the Spirit Incense remained.

The Loose Cultivator from the Illusion Heart Hall finally flew out. He went straight into the ring of light occupied by the Cultivation Family disciple and, without a word, flung out a Thunder Pill!

BOOM!

A deafening thunderclap echoed across the sky.

Blinding Thunder Light instantly filled the entire ring, crackling and radiating a terrifying, heart-pounding aura.

A few breaths later, the Thunder Light slowly dissipated.

Only one person was left in the ring of light: the Loose Cultivator.

Bathed in the residual Thunder Light, he looked like a god, his expression cold and indifferent.

As for the Cultivation Family disciple who had been defending the ring, not even his bones remained; he had been blasted to ash by the lightning.

For a moment, the Cloud Viewing Platform was utterly silent.

No one had expected him to strike with such brutal and merciless methods. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

This was clearly an attack that surpassed the limits of a Sensing Realm cultivator!

The Spirit Incense finally burned out.

On the second floor of the Illusion Heart Hall, only one person was left.

This disciple from a Cultivation Family looked at the four contestants with a complicated expression, somewhat grateful that he had managed to restrain his impulse to join the fray.

In the sky, the large golden rings slowly faded away.

Next was the final duel between the four of them to determine the ultimate winner.

There were no more rings to act as boundaries.

The vast expanse of sky above Cangwu Mountain was now the arena.

Dong Fangzhuo frowned. He looked at Qian Shaoning on the Bronze Shell Leaf opposite him, then at the Loose Cultivator who had entered last, and said with a scowl, "You two..."

At that, the last Loose Cultivator smiled faintly. With a beckoning gesture, the Qian Shaoning on the Bronze Shell Leaf dissipated like a soap bubble.

The Bronze Shell Leaf flashed with electrical light and instantly returned to the Loose Cultivator’s side.

"You’re the real Qian Shaoning!"

Dong Fangzhuo snapped back to his senses and shouted, pointing at the Loose Cultivator.

"That’s right. I used a little trick to eliminate a competitor."

The light on Qian Shaoning’s face shifted, and his original features returned.

Dong Fangzhuo said in a low voice, "Such unorthodox and sinister methods."

Qian Shaoning replied calmly, "As long as you win, who cares about the methods? But speaking of which, Daoist Brother Dong, I wonder if you can withstand this Thunder Pill of mine?"

As he spoke, another Thunder Pill appeared in his hand. It shimmered with Thunder Light, radiating a hair-raisingly dangerous aura.

He had just used such a Thunder Pill to effortlessly obliterate a disciple from a Cultivation Family.

It could only be said that this man’s audacity and courage were far beyond ordinary. He wasn’t afraid of retaliation from the Cultivation Families, daring to be so ruthless at the Sword Fighting Conference.

These Thunder Pills were refined from Celestial Thunder he collected using his top-grade Magical Artifact, the Bronze Shell Leaf. The power of each one surpassed the limits of a Sensing Stage Cultivator.

Dong Fangzhuo knew that even if he could block it, he would be severely injured.

His expression was grim and uncertain as he stared at the Thunder Light in Qian Shaoning’s hand. He muttered, "To think you actually refined two Taiyi Thunder Pills..."

He had heard that Taiyi Thunder Pills were extremely difficult to refine.

Qian Shaoning said leisurely, "I wouldn’t have dared to come here without a few tricks up my sleeve."

As he said this, he cast a deliberate, yet seemingly casual, glance at Fang Cheng.

He had first used the Bronze Shell Leaf to create an illusion of himself to occupy one golden ring. Then, he had patiently waited until the last possible moment to enter the stage, obliterating his opponent with overwhelming force to secure two spots in one fell swoop.

He had reduced the possibility of any unforeseen accidents to the absolute minimum!

His core strategy was to leave nothing to chance.

Even Dong Fangzhuo was now hesitating.

’Is it really worth risking my life in a deathmatch against a Loose Cultivator who started as a Spirit Servant?!’

’While failing to marry the beauty of the Ye Family would be a great regret, there are plenty of other beautiful women in the world. A true man never has to worry about finding a wife...’

Qian Shaoning looked at Dong Fangzhuo and smiled slightly. "It seems Daoist Brother Dong is keen to test the power of my Thunder Pill. In that case, please, enlighten me."

With that, he channeled his Magical Power. The light from the Thunder Pill in his hand intensified, and the crackling thunder sounded like the chirping of a thousand birds.

"Wait!"

Dong Fangzhuo held up a hand. "I have other matters to attend to today. We shall fight another day!"

After speaking, he retreated, transforming into a streak of Profound Light and departing gracefully.

Qian Shaoning sneered, then calmly turned to face Fang Cheng.

"Fang Cheng of the Cyan Profound Sword, what about you?"

Fang Cheng stood motionless in the void, his gaze calm as he looked at Qian Shaoning. "If I’m not mistaken," he said faintly, "the Thunder Pill in your hand is a fake."

With his Sword Heart Clarity, he could perceive the smallest details and saw that the Thunder Pill in Qian Shaoning’s hand was very different from the previous one.

The man had actually used a fake Thunder Pill, one so realistic it could pass for the real thing, to easily force the most powerful figure from the Cultivation Families to retreat, eliminating a major rival.

If not for Fang Cheng, the title of champion in this Sword Fighting Conference would have been as good as his!

Qian Shaoning’s expression froze. He then gave Fang Cheng a long, deep look and said, "You have sharp eyes."

"However, even without a Thunder Pill, you are no match for me."

He’d had a fortuitous encounter, received the patronage of a powerful expert, found a great backer, and his Cultivation had broken through to the Seventh Layer of Sensing. Whether in terms of personal strength or the power behind him, he feared no one.

Now, as long as he successfully married the young lady of the Ye Family and gained their support, he would rise to power and prominence!

At that point, what would he have to fear from the Dong Family, one of the four great families?

Fang Cheng looked at the confident Qian Shaoning. The Red Feather Sword before him let out a clear, ringing cry as he slowly said, "Who is stronger and who is weaker will only be decided after we fight."