An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Just as he prepared to claim triumph, Tao Wan fluttered through the encirclement like a butterfly weaving among blossoms. Her footwork was astonishingly agile, leaving the onlookers stunned. She moved like a coiling dragon suddenly soaring into heaven, like a startled bird flying away from the hunter.

As distance grew between them again, Dan Yangzi’s momentary joy faded slightly. He’d been so focused on her enchanted treasure that he had almost forgotten about her wind spirit root and the Startled Swan Art, the cultivation art she was known to use.

He recalled his flying sword. Purple rings of light radiated from the blade and enveloped his entire body. In the next moment, he was cloaked in sword light, transforming him into a piercing blade that streaked toward Tao Wan at the speed of lightning.

Her movements were too agile. If he stayed still, he would become nothing more than a target; no matter how perfect his defense, he would eventually offer her an opening to exploit. He could only gain the upper hand by matching her speed and pressing close.

Tao Wan, however, showed no sign of panic. She used her sleeves to interfere while gracefully spinning and darting across the dueling platform. Her ethereal and nimble form dazzled the eyes. For a time, even with the lightning speed of Dan Yangzi’s sword-fused form, he couldn’t close the distance.

The battle reached a temporary deadlock.

Within the Celestial Palace, the Adepts watching the fierce exchanges with Water Mirror nodded in approval.

”Such skill... Truly, the pride of your sect.”

”Their refinement of enchanted treasures has reached remarkable heights. Even newly advanced Golden Core cultivators might find it difficult to surpass them.”

”No wonder Dan Yangzi is regarded as a dual master of alchemy and swordsmanship. Whether in sword-splitting or sword-fusion techniques, he’s not a whit inferior to a sword sect’s Foundation Establishment True Inheritors.”

”Tsk tsk. If Dan Yangzi had joined a sword sect and learned a sword orb technique, his achievements might have even rivaled Lin Qingxuan’s.”

”And what if he didn’t? The sword path is mighty, yet the alchemy path is no less a road to the Great Dao!”

”Let’s keep watching!”

”Let’s see how these two break the deadlock and secure victory!”

Amid the storm of flying sleeves, a sword light cut forward, yet its momentum was dampened as though it was mired in a swamp. Though it pressed forward valiantly, it could never close the distance as Tao Wan constantly shifted her position.

Then, without warning, the sword light burst outward in all directions, shredding the dense curtain of Flowing Cloud Sleeves. Dan Yangzi stepped forth, exhaled sharply, and raised his sword. ”Condense!”

The next moment, violet and crimson light erupted. Endless rays of light radiated as if a purple sun was rising, blanketing the land.

Solar Flare! Tao Wan’s expression changed. She had no time to recall her Flowing Cloud Sleeves and could only summon a supreme-grade defensive artifact in haste.

The scorching heat surged toward her. No matter how she twisted her body, she remained helpless amid the wide-range assault like duckweed in a storm.

In the Celestial Palace, Luo Chen’s expression subtly shifted.

Is this the killing move of that flying sword treasure? No... this is clearly a second-tier Solar Flare. But when did Dan Yangzi form seals or channel spirit energy?

His mind flashed back to Dan Yangzi’s earlier wild strikes with sword-fusion, and the realization dawned, causing him to feel both shocked and elated. Right, I’m an idiot. Of course he can use an enchanted item to cast spells. How could I forget about that?

Once he returned to Luo Tian Society, he would explore this technique in depth. If he mastered it properly, it could elevate his battle strength immensely. As for now, he needed to focus on the outcome of this battle!

A violet sun surfaced, and its light and heat instantly illuminated the world.

Boom!

Following a violent explosion, a figure wobbled out of the blast zone like drifting willow fluff.

Dan Yangzi steadied his breathing and fixed his gaze on Tao Wan, who hovered in the air coughing blood. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. He knew his attack had not achieved a decisive victory. The Flowing Cloud Sleeves had shielded her from the brunt of the blow, leaving her only lightly injured. She still possessed the strength to continue, so he could not afford to give up, either. Only relentless pursuit could secure the Dao Scion title. Grace and courtesy held no meaning here.

With a sharp gesture, Dan Yangzi hurled the Violet Malice skyward. His hands wove rapidly, ten fingers unleashing a continuous stream of intricate spirit seals. Immense spirit power surged from his sea of qi into the sword, which responded with a deep, resonant hum. From within the sword, violet light seeped outward, exuded with it a dreadful aura.

The Golden Core elder of Longshou Peak overseeing the match furrowed his brow at the sight.

”He’s going too far,” he muttered. One hand had already formed a seal, and he was prepared to trigger the formation to intervene at any moment.

Across the dueling platform, Tao Wan suddenly came to a halt around a hundred zhang away. Her radiant eyes locked onto Dan Yangzi’s figure as he cast his ultimate technique. Her thoughts burned with defiance. Just because I am far, you think I cannot stop you?

In the next instant, the tattered ribbons shot out once more toward Dan Yangzi. Lightly treading on the white ribbon, she soared into the sky like a swan.

She crossed that hundred zhang at a terrifying speed, leaving behind afterimages wherever she passed. Upon closer inspection, there were nine distinct afterimages.

In the Pill Valley, those with keen sight cried out in surprise.

”Ninefold Gale Transformation!”

”The secret technique of the Startled Swan Art!”

”The eldest senior brother is in danger!”

The enchanted treasure’s ultimate strike had not yet fully formed. Should it be interrupted at this stage, the backlash would be catastrophic; no Foundation Establishment cultivator could endure it. He Yuanqing’s earlier collapse was still fresh in their minds. Could it be that Dan Yangzi was about to suffer the same fate?

Though the moment seemed to stretch endlessly for those watching, for the combatants themselves it lasted no more than two breaths. Tao Wan’s nine afterimages converged as she reappeared, a fierce force erupting from her delicate white palm.

At this moment, she was within one zhang of Dan Yangzi. So close that amid the roaring wind, she could clearly see even the pores on his face. However, what stood out most was the faint curve of his lips, a sneer filled with mockery.

”Junior Sister, you still fell for it after all.”

The violet sword in his hand slashed downward, revealing the trap. As it turned out, he had already prepared his killing move. Or rather, this move didn’t need to be fully formed; just half of it was enough to deal heavy damage at such close range.

In the next instant, crimson and cyan light collided and a terrifying wave of spirit energy exploded forth.

Amid the crushing waves of power, Dan Yangzi staggered forward, his face as pale as death. His strength was nearly spent, and he knew that he had been unable to deliver a grievous wound. Yet he clung to a single thought: I must hold on for just one breath!

With two fingers like a sword, a wisp of Violet Skyfire ignited and shot toward Tao Wan, who was struggling to hold back Violet Malice. The moment it made contact, it would be over.

But just then, he clearly saw the calm and frosty look in Tao Wan’s eyes. Could it be... she still has a trump card?

But the arrow had already left the bow. There was no turning back. Against the Violet Skyfire, no Foundation Establishment cultivator could endure.

At that instant, a soft and ethereal voice carried across the stage. ”Senior Brother, forgive me.”

A field of frost and snow spread forth, and a bone-piercing cold surged in dense waves. Wherever it reached, everything froze—including the Violet Skyfire. In the blink of an eye, Dan Yangzi himself was engulfed.

The ice sculpture of a human now decorated the battle platform.

Damn it! The Cold Marrow Ice Essence! Dan Yangzi roared inwardly.

The next moment, the sculpture shattered as violet flames burst violently from his body. The icy seal collapsed into shards, but just as he broke free, a slender finger pierced through the storm. With effortless precision, it brushed aside the flames and came to rest squarely against the center of his forehead.

”I...” Dan Yangzi opened his mouth wide in disbelief.

”Thank you for letting me win, Senior Brother.”

Tao Wan’s hand then fell, and she staggered back three steps. Her face was deathly pale, her robes hung in tatters, and streaks of blood marred her fair skin. But despite her obvious frailty, her aura surged to its absolute peak, radiant with victory.

The elder of Longshou Peak descended from the sky. He first gave Dan Yangzi a complicated look, then turned to Tao Wan with deep appreciation.

”Victory in this match belongs to True Inheritor Tao Wan,” he declared. ”From this day forth, she is the Dao Scion of Green Pill Valley!”