Chapter 342: You Aren’t Weak, It’s Just That I’m Stronger (1)

"Both of you will spar in this Swirling Water World," declared the purple-robed Xiang Sheng. "This way, I can properly assess the outcome and keep the impact of your battle contained."

With a wave of his hand, a purple light shot forth. All eyes followed its path, witnessing as the fabric of space seemed to rupture, revealing a small world cloaked in mist.

"A microcosm?"

"A world artifact?" Everyone looked over curiously, and even Wu Yuan could not hide a flicker of surprise.

Though storage artifacts fell under the category of world artifacts, their interior spaces were very small and their structures were flawed, lacking the spatial stability required for living beings to enter their confines.

A complete world artifact, on the other hand, was imbued with the essence of a true world, capable of containing life within its bounds. Such treasures were extremely rare and precious, surpassing even most top-tier spirion equipment.

Truly befitting of an Earth Immortal.

Wu Yuan couldn't help but glance at Xiang Sheng.

A world artifact had numerous uses. For instance, propagating Faith. Certain immortal cultivators, unable to evangelize within their territories, would cultivate beings within world artifacts to harvest the power of their Faith.

World artifact.

A look of envy flickered across the faces of the Void Refiner Eminences. Their abilities allowed them to manipulate the void, but creating a stabilized space? That was beyond them.

"Proceed.” From his elevated position on the host seat, Xiang Sheng fixed his gaze on Wu Yuan and Fei Lang below. "Remember, to receive the tutelage of the immortals, you must give your all and showcase the full extent of your skills."

"There is only one condition: no external aid. No talismans, puppets, or ethercrystal weapons are permitted," he added gravely.

"Understood," affirmed Fei Lang with steely resolve.

"Understood," echoed Wu Yuan softly, his mind already strategizing.

Give it his all? Wu Yuan understood that the outcome of this battle wasn’t the most important part. What truly mattered was unveiling his capabilities, showcasing his strength and talent to prove his worth to the Dragon Star Immortal Sect. If he did well, he might even attract Sword Immortal Dong Yang’s attention.

In the Redmoon Immortal Realm, I could only exhibit my soul strength and Dao comprehension. As a loose cultivator without the guidance of a mentor, I barely scraped through level 40, but that’s hardly an eye-catching achievement.

But! My strengths in my immortal root degree and nine lifebound flying swords.

For a sword cultivator, one’s potential hinged on one’s comprehension aptitude, immortal root degree, and quantity of lifebound flying swords. The latter two factors bore equal weight; a small number of lifebound swords would diminish one's subsequent combat prowess, even if one possessed a robust immortal root.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

In a blur of light, Wu Yuan and Fei Lang entered the hazy Swirling Water World. They stood a distance apart, eyeing each other.

...

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Who do you think will win between Fei Lang and Li Xia?" The accompanying disciples watched the spectacle unfold in the Swirling Water World.

"Li Xia possesses a stronger immortal root, but the Earth Immortal stated he is only at the first-stage Golden Core phase, whereas Fei Lang is at the sixth stage."

"Fei Lang's immortal root is only one degree lower than Li Xia’s. In terms of mana, Fei Lang surpasses Li Xia by four cultivation stages. He holds a huge advantage unless Li Xia has reached a high level of Dao comprehension."

"Elder mentioned that Li Xia has not been cultivating for long." These disciples discussed among themselves via Soul Force transmission.

...

"Li Xia may be talented, but Fei Lang is no ordinary cultivator. His cultivation level is higher and his Dao comprehension has reached the sixth-level Domain stage as well."

"Could it be that Li Xia has grasped True Intent?"

"A first-stage Golden Core comprehending True Intent? Preposterous!" The two Void Refiner Eminences from the Dragon Star Immortal Sect also conversed via telepathy.

It was evident that both the accompanying disciples and Void Refiner cultivators acknowledged Wu Yuan's potential but doubted his ability to win the duel.

The reason was simple: he was too young! Even the most monstrous prodigy required sufficient time to turn their potential into real strength.

Fei Lang's talent might be inferior, but he had dedicated himself to cultivation for over a century.

...

Though the Swirling Water World couldn’t be considered expansive, only more than 100 li in radius, it provided sufficient space for Wu Yuan and Fei Lang to engage in combat at their level.

Upon landing, Wu Yuan and Fei Lang sensed a peculiar purple light enveloping them.

What is this?

Wu Yuan pondered, detecting an unfamiliar fluctuation of energy within the purple glow.

Fei Lang, too, was bewildered.

"This purple light is the essential power of the Swirling Water World, capable of absorbing the full force of a strike from a ninth-stage Amethyst Cradle cultivator," Earth Immortal Xiang Sheng's voice resonated through the world. "Bear in mind, should it absorb enough force to slay a ninth-stage Golden Core cultivator, you will be deemed to have lost the duel."

Wu Yuan and Fei Lang both understood that this was an additional layer of protection.

This may seem unjust for the side with stronger defenses. But, it's a relatively fair protective measure to ensure safety.

It made sense. Competition on the path to immortality was harsh and unforgiving, and some immortal cultivators chose to tread on the precipice of life and death in the pursuit of breakthroughs.

However, fatalities should be avoided during competitions within a sect. To allow otherwise would be akin to condemning their disciples to death or lifelong disability each time they sparred. Which sect could afford to lose so many of its elite disciples? This would no longer be a test of strength, but rather a senseless act of violence!

"Brother Fei Lang, I beg your pardon for any offense caused," Wu Yuan spoke with courtesy.

"Li Xia, I won’t hold back. If you wish to save face, it would be wise to concede defeat early on," Fei Lang's expression was chilly, his disdain for Wu Yuan evident.

Li Xia’s talent was indeed impressive. His third-degree immortal root alone outshone the vast majority of prodigies. In this regard, Fei Lang admitted his inferiority.

However, the words of Earth Immortal Xiang Sheng had stoked the flames within him.

From a young age, Fei Lang’s extraordinary talent earned him the favor of his family’s ancestors, enabling him to receive extensive training and cultivation teachings. On top of that, he had successfully joined the prestigious Dragon Star Immortal Sect, and his next goal was to be recognized as a hereditary disciple and perhaps receive the tutelage of an immortal.

Just when he felt on top of the world, Earth Immortal Xiang Sheng's words dealt a severe blow to his ambitions, shattering his dreams like glass. How could Fei Lang stomach it?

Wu Yuan was taken aback by Fei Lang's hostility. There weren’t any grudges between them, why the attitude?

But after some thought, he soon grasped the reason. It could be likened to a diligent child proudly showing off his accomplishments to an elder, only to be compared to someone else and belittled for ‘not being as good as them’, leaving the child seething with indignation.

Fei Lang's pride had been wounded. If their roles were reversed, Wu Yun felt that he too would struggle to maintain a cheerful facade. This was an inherent part of human nature.

Stubborn? Don’t worry, I’ll make you willingly admit defeat!

Wu Yuan chuckled inwardly.

This matter concerned his future, and Wu Yuan had no intentions of being modest. The best way to respect an opponent is to defeat him with all your strength!

...

"Tsk tsk, it appears that Fei Lang is dissatisfied," remarked one Void Refiner cultivator telepathically.

"The elder is obviously trying to humble him, to remind him that there is always someone better than him out there.”

"To be honest, I cannot fault Fei Lang for his reaction. If I were in his place, I would be upset too." The two Void Refiner cultivators chatted.

...

Earth Immortal Xiang Sheng remained unperturbed, casting occasional glances at the Swirling Water World. The onlookers, including two Void Refiner cultivators, over a dozen disciples, and Zhuo Yuansheng, and Zhuo Qiuhong, observed the battle in silence.