Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant-Chapter 344: Clash at the Pinnacle

Some remote location.

Wang Ziwei and Li Chengfeng spread out, standing on both sides, keeping watch in all directions.

Jin Jincheng smiled at Shen Xuan and said, "Congratulations to Junior Brother Shen for defeating Lei Yaoyang!"

"In this sect competition, Junior Brother Shen is sure to rank among the top!"

Shen Xuan smiled in return, "Shen thanks Senior Brother Jin for your kind words."

"I wonder what important matter Senior Brother Jin has for Shen?"

"Haha, it’s nothing important!"

Jin Jincheng beamed with a smile, "Junior Brother Shen’s Daoist techniques are profound, Jin feels ashamed for being inferior!"

"However, it concerns the reputation of the sect. No matter what, Jin will give his all!"

"Even if defeated by Junior Brother Shen, Jin will bear no grudge."

Shen Xuan said solemnly, "Shen too will give his all, bearing no grudge likewise."

"That’s good!"

Jin Jincheng nodded.

"After the sect’s minor competition, I, Senior Brother Wang, and Senior Brother Li plan to form a small alliance to support each other. Would Junior Brother Shen like to join?"

Alliance?

Shen Xuan pondered slightly, then clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Jin, for keeping Shen in mind, but Shen is focused on cultivation and not adept at socializing."

As soon as he spoke.

Jin Jincheng’s smile froze.

Shen Xuan’s refusal took him by surprise.

Logically, being personally invited by someone of the Sect Leader’s direct disciple status to join a small circle of Golden Core inheritors was considered a favor to Shen Xuan.

After all, Shen Xuan came from a loose cultivator background with no strong roots.

Master Cold Jade and Master Gu Feng did not wield much authority within the sect.

Compared to other True Masters, their status was indeed not high.

No matter how astonishing Shen Xuan’s strength was.

But merely being in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, how notable was that in the sect!

No matter how high his combat power was, could it surpass those Core Formation seeds?

His intention to recruit Shen Xuan and offer favors was essentially to plan for the future.

To lay the groundwork for vying for Core Formation Spiritual Objects, and even battling for sect authority post-Core Formation.

At this moment, Jin Jincheng was entirely unaware.

His little schemes had been thoroughly seen through by Shen Xuan.

With five thousand years of past experience, Shen Xuan had encountered countless tactics and stratagems.

Such tricks from Jin Jincheng couldn’t escape Shen Xuan’s insight.

Sect Leader’s direct disciple, so what?

Whether he can form a core in the future is still uncertain.

Furthermore, even if he can form a core, whether it’s a Golden Core, or whether he can succeed as Sect Leader, are all dim prospects.

Shen Xuan has neither the time nor energy to engage in this power game.

Enhancing his own strength and successfully forming a core is the most critical focus.

As long as he successfully condenses his Inner Core.

No need to take sides.

No matter who holds power or leads the sect, they will all seek to ally with him.

"I have other matters, I bid farewell, see you in the future."

Shen Xuan slightly bowed to Jin Jincheng and turned to leave.

He didn’t even bother to greet Wang Ziwei and Li Chengfeng.

No need for that!

The paths are different and do not conspire together.

...

"Senior Brother, what did those three want from you?"

"Are they asking you to go easy?"

"Senior Brother, you mustn’t go easy!"

"If they can offer seven to eight million Spirit Stones, going easy might be considered."

The Wu sisters worried that their Spirit Stones might disappear.

"It’s no matter, just idle chatter." Shen Xuan waved his hand.

"Let’s get some rest first, we’ll return tomorrow."

At this moment.

Dharma Transmission Pavilion, Hidden Image True Master’s Tier Three arena.

In a spacious great hall.

Eighteen True Masters took their seats in turn, casually chatting.

Mysterious Trace True Master asked, "Everyone, how do you find these disciples’ performance?"

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, these disciples have put effort into their cultivation, carrying unique skills, their Daoist techniques refined; quite impressive." One True Master remarked.

"In my view, among the preparatory group, the winner will likely be one of Jin Jincheng, Yan Haoran, Shen Xuan."

Jin Jincheng and Yan Haoran had not yet made a move.

But with the keen eyes of these True Masters.

How could they fail to discern the depth of their skills?

"I don’t like hearing that!"

Master Cold Jade spoke, "My direct disciple Shen Xuan will surely take the preparatory group’s first place."

These words led to a sudden silence.

No one could carry the conversation forward.

Even Master Gu Feng could only helplessly smile without speaking.

"Shen Xuan does indeed possess exquisite Daoist techniques."

In this situation, only Mysterious Trace True Master could break the silence.

"Cold Jade Junior Sister, when did he cultivate the Body Refining Technique?"

Cyan Cloud Sect follows the orthodox Daoist path, seldom having disciples practice the body refining path.

It’s rare to find high-tier Body Refining Techniques in the sect’s Dharma Transmission Pavilion.

"Shen Xuan has always been cultivating the Body Refining Techniques."

"Recently, he received a great opportunity; his body refining reached Great Success, comparable to the Middle Stage Body Refiner of Golden Body Realm."

"However, Body Refining Techniques are a minor path."

"Shen Xuan’s expertise still lies in the Ice Technique Secret Technique I imparted to him!"

Master Cold Jade said, her pride evident.

The True Masters present were all somewhat surprised.

Shen Xuan’s demonstration of Body Refining Techniques was already extraordinary.

The strength of his flesh body comparable to a Fake Pill Master.

Yet Master Cold Jade claimed his Ice Technique surpassed even his Body Refining Technique.

Mysterious Trace True Master pondered for a moment, sighed softly, and said gently, "Cold Jade Junior Sister speaks the truth. My disciple Jin Jincheng is no match for Shen Xuan."

The Spirit Sword True Master, who had been silent, suddenly opened his eyes and said coldly, "Yan Haoran has only a thirty percent chance of winning against Shen Xuan."

...

The next day.

After a night’s rest, the Foundation Establishment Realm disciples returned to the Dharma Transmission Pavilion Square.

On this day, the results of the semifinals were to be determined.

As expected, Shen Xuan advanced to the semifinals.

The opponent in the fourth round voluntarily conceded.

Gu Jinqin, Qin Yuehan, and Liu Bingyu narrowly passed with four wins out of seven matches.

The Wu sisters were unsurprisingly eliminated.

The two sisters fought five matches, winning only one.

However, the Wu sisters were not upset by this.

They were more concerned about Shen Xuan’s match results.

On the third day.

The sect’s minor competition continued.

Those eliminated sect disciples looked with envy at the semifinal participants in the front row.

Out of over two hundred, only seventy people advanced to the semifinals.

These people would each receive valuable sect rewards.

The rules of the semifinals were somewhat different.

Arranged by the Sect Master, paired for magical combat.

A single match decides victory, no voluntary surrender allowed.

Even in defeat, one’s performance on the Demonstration Platform remains a crucial basis for evaluation.

Shen Xuan understood in his heart.

The True Masters had divided the seventy-plus semifinals participants into several tiers based on strength.

Competitions were held within the same tier.

Victors would advance upwards.

In this way, those seed candidates need not undergo too many matches.

Shen Xuan only competed in one match, won easily, and entered the top ten.

The second match was against Li Chengfeng.

This also attracted much attention.

The audience below the Demonstration Platform instantly quieted down.

Most gazes turned towards Shen Xuan and Li Chengfeng on the platform.

Shen Xuan clasped his hands in salute.

"Shen Xuan from Cold Jade Peak, greets Senior Brother Li Chengfeng from Celestial Wind Peak."

Li Chengfeng smiled faintly, clasped his hands in return, and said, "I am aware that I am no match for Junior Brother Shen."

"Nevertheless, I must give it a try."

"Junior Brother Shen need not hold back."

Shen Xuan similarly smiled and replied, "As you say."

"After you, Senior Brother!"

"Then I won’t be polite!"

His words had barely fallen.

Li Chengfeng suddenly produced an Anomalous Wind Banner in his hand and waved it at Shen Xuan.

In the next moment.

The sky darkened over the Demonstration Platform, a great gale erupted, stones and sand flew, countless extremely sharp Wind Blades flashing dark brilliance, rushed towards Xuan.

Li Chengfeng’s figure vanished into the storm, his traces completely gone.

Shen Xuan’s gaze slightly sharpened, a red glow flashed from his pupils.

The Illusion-Breaking Spirit Eye Technique was executed to its fullest.

Insight, Sharp-Eyed, Ears Listening in All Directions all were activated.

Li Chengfeng hidden in the storm was quickly locked onto by him.

Shen Xuan activated the True Ice Heart Technique.

The temperature on the Demonstration Platform plummeted.

The Ice Soul Divine Sword was abruptly sacrificed.

Several Dark Ice Fish leaped out from within.

In merely a few breaths.

Over a hundred Dark Ice Fish flew out.

Among them, over a dozen transformed into Cyan Spirit Walls, protecting a one-zhang area around Shen Xuan, blocking the Wind Blades in the storm.

The remaining Dark Ice Fish, as if having sensed something, crazily shot towards the shadowy figure in the storm.

The "ding ding ding" sound was incessant.

Li Chengfeng wielded the Anomalous Wind Banner, defended against over a dozen Dark Ice Fish, then was forced to unveil his form.

Now looking at his lifebound magical treasure, the Anomalous Wind Banner.

It had gathered a layer of frost, chilled air pressing hard.

Li Chengfeng shook both hands.

Strong spiritual power poured into the Anomalous Wind Banner, shattering the frost inch by inch.

Then, holding the Anomalous Wind Banner, his body was like a wandering dragon, transforming into a rapid beam, shooting towards Shen Xuan.

As he neared.

Li Chengfeng shouted loudly.

The tip of the Anomalous Wind Banner expelled a formless sharp beam, as swift as lightning, flashed to appear before Shen Xuan’s eyes.

"Indeed a Wind Cultivator, the speed is quite swift!"

A hint of admiration flashed in Shen Xuan’s eyes.

Unfortunately, the power is limited.

With a thought.

The Ice Soul Sword met the Anomalous Wind Banner.

In the next instant.

A dazzling white light shone from the Ice Soul Sword.

An essence-condensed Profound Ice Qi extended along the tip of the Anomalous Wind Banner.

Wherever it passed, everything was covered in a thick layer of Ice Armor.

Li Chengfeng hesitated slightly.

The Profound Ice Qi extended to his hands.

Li Chengfeng cried out in shock, his figure swiftly retreated.

Yet, it was already too late.

In merely two to three breaths.

Li Chengfeng was frozen into an ice sculpture.

Still maintaining his posture in retreat.

"What!"

Below the platform, Jin Jincheng, Wang Ziwei couldn’t help but be struck with horror.

They couldn’t imagine Shen Xuan’s Ice Technique being so domineering.

Just a single Profound Ice Qi was enough to freeze Li Chengfeng, at Foundation Establishment level six, into an ice sculpture.

Even Yan Haoran, who had remained silent, couldn’t help but widen his eyes, showing an astonished expression.

Gazing at the ice sculpture masterpiece before him.

Shen Xuan revealed a hint of a smile.

This time, he purely relied on the Ice Technique to defeat Li Chengfeng.

A show of face for Master Cold Jade.

And below the platform.

Seeing Shen Xuan take victory in merely over ten breaths.

Even encasing Li Chengfeng into an ice sculpture.

The watching sect disciples all sucked in breath in surprise.

Complex gazes were cast upon Shen Xuan.

Unable to conceal their shock.

This Shen Xuan is simply too strong!

So strong they can’t even imagine.

Keep in mind, his opponent was a Golden Core Inheritor, a Wind Cultivator of Foundation Establishment level six.

Among the middle Foundation Establishment disciples, he is acknowledged as one of the top five in strength.

Jin Jincheng had originally maintained a calm demeanor, but now found it difficult to remain composed.

He knew well the strength of Li Chengfeng.

Only slightly inferior to his own.

Now it seemed.

Shen Xuan’s prowess vastly exceeded the same realm.

Now, what he had to consider was not how to win.

But how to lose with dignity.

After all, he was the Sect Leader’s direct disciple.

With a slim chance in the future, to inherit the position of Sect Leader.

Below the platform.

The Wu sisters lively cheered.

Qin Yuehan, Liu Bingyu, Gu Jinqin also wore joyful smiles.

"Shen Xuan wins!"

Upon hearing the announcement of match results.

Shen Xuan’s Divine Thought lightly stirred.

In the next moment.

The Cyan Spirit Wall and the remaining dozens of Dark Ice Fish all flew into the Ice Soul Sword.

The Demonstration Platform returned to its original state.

Li Chengfeng’s body shuddered.

The ice shattered and fell in pieces.

He looked a bit bewildered as he gazed at Shen Xuan exiting the Demonstration Platform.

"I lost?"