Chapter 83: The Fight Truly Begins

“What? A true cultivator who has mastered the Golden Elixir Dao?” Wang Changsheng exclaimed in shock, “Are you kidding me?”

Chen Shangyi’s expression grew grave. “Absolutely not!”

Wang Changsheng could not fathom why Chen Shangyi was so certain, but the severity of his demeanor made it clear—Chen Shangyi sensed that he was far from being a match for this person.

Wang Changsheng’s face darkened. All he had wanted was to make his way to the Sanren Pavilion, but he had already encountered so much trouble. First, a little fox appeared out of nowhere, then he was hunted by a black-armored cultivator, and now, the teleportation array was blocked by a true cultivator who had mastered the Dao. Wang Changsheng wondered if he was simply cursed.

“Let’s go. We’ll head to the next city,” Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

Since this path was blocked, there was nothing to do but find another. Staying here would only waste time. As for why Feng Liudao was guarding the teleportation array, what did that have to do with Wang Changsheng?

Just as Wang Changsheng was about to lead the disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect away, he suddenly felt an immense pressure sweeping in from afar.

The overwhelming aura made no effort to hide its arrival; not only Wang Changsheng, but every cultivator present could sense it.

“Who... who is that?” Wang Changsheng stared at the approaching figure, his voice heavy.

The pressure drew closer, and under its weight, Wang Changsheng felt as if he bore the burden of a mountain.

“This is also a true cultivator of the Golden Elixir Dao, definitely!” Chen Shangyi said solemnly.

“Weren’t there supposed to be very few true cultivators of the Golden Elixir Dao?” Wang Changsheng muttered. “In the Heavenly Domain, aren’t they legendary masters who rarely show themselves? How come they appear like cabbages along the roadside—now we’ve met two?”

Wang Changsheng began to doubt his previous understanding. Were Golden Elixir Dao masters really the top experts in the Heavenly Domain? To find two in a small city—was this common?

“Everyone, do not panic. This senior is the one I asked to help,”

At that moment, a voice echoed among the crowd—it was the Core Formation stage cultivator who had previously tried to dissuade Wang Changsheng and the others.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“Feng Liudao?” The newcomer landed and looked at the figure sitting cross-legged within the teleportation array, his expression grave.

Feng Liudao slowly opened his eyes, glanced at the newcomer, and sneered, “So it’s the Hound of the Hundred Families. What, you want to interfere as well?”

“You!” The newcomer’s expression darkened.

The Core Formation stage cultivator who had spoken stepped forward, cupping his fists towards Feng Liudao. “Senior Feng, Senior Zhong Shan is here at my request to mediate. I hope you will move on and not disturb the operation of the teleportation array.”

“Zhong Shan? It’s Zhong Shan?!”

“Zhong Shan is a Golden Elixir Dao master; could Feng Liudao be one as well?”

“Feng Liudao must be a true cultivator. Otherwise, Zhong Shan wouldn’t be so polite!”

...

The crowd of cultivators, hearing the name Zhong Shan, were visibly shaken.

Zhong Shan was renowned throughout the Southern Region. When Feng Liudao uttered “Hound of the Hundred Families,” many cultivators had already guessed; now, hearing it confirmed, they were certain.

What shocked them even more: that Feng Liudao, whom Zhong Shan treated so carefully, must also be a master of the Golden Elixir Dao.

Two true cultivators?!

It must be known that Golden Elixir Dao masters are elusive beings, either hidden from the world or presiding over their sects, rarely seen in public. For two of them to appear at once in a small city was beyond belief for all present.

Could it be that Blackstone City had offended someone?

“What are you supposed to be?” Feng Liudao said disdainfully to the Core Formation stage cultivator.

With a wave of his hand, a strand of true essence shot out towards the Core Formation cultivator.

“How dare you!”

Zhong Shan’s voice erupted in fury. With a sweep of his own hand, a strand of true essence shot forth, colliding with Feng Liudao’s.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion followed, and a tide of force swept outward, crushing everything in its path.

Pfft!

The Core Formation cultivator was the first to bear the brunt. Though Zhong Shan’s true essence blocked the attack, the force still made him spit blood. Had Zhong Shan not pulled him behind, that crushing pressure might have ended his life.

“Step back!” Zhong Shan said sternly. “Leave this to me.”

The Core Formation cultivator nodded without hesitation and withdrew. A clash between Golden Elixir Dao masters was far beyond his ability to intervene—even being nearby was dangerous.

“We should step back as well,” Chen Shangyi said. “If Golden Elixir Dao masters truly fight, even the slightest ripple of force is beyond our capacity to resist.”

“Is it really that powerful?” Wang Changsheng asked, doubt in his eyes.

Wang Changsheng had never witnessed a Golden Elixir Dao master fight, but he did not question Chen Shangyi’s words. The Core Formation cultivator had just been a perfect example—protected by Zhong Shan, he had nearly died from a casual blow by Feng Liudao.

Not only Wang Changsheng and his group retreated; all the cultivators present withdrew from Blackstone City.

Yet none left entirely. The confrontation between Zhong Shan and Feng Liudao looked imminent, and battles between Golden Elixir Dao masters were exceedingly rare in the Heavenly Domain—encountered by chance, never to be missed. No one wanted to leave.

Perhaps, witnessing such a battle, a cultivator might gain insight and break through their current bottleneck.

Of course, this opportunity applied only to Core Formation cultivators; those below this stage simply could not comprehend the battle.

“Let’s watch as well,” Chen Shangyi said, “though it’s best to keep our distance.”

Wang Changsheng nodded. He wanted to see just how strong a Golden Elixir Dao master truly was.

Many cultivators hovered outside Blackstone City, observing Feng Liudao and Zhong Shan from afar.

“They’re starting!”

“They’re really starting!”

“Two Golden Elixir Dao masters fighting—such a sight comes only once in a hundred years!”

...

Many voices cried out in excitement.

Wang Changsheng stared intently; the two had indeed begun their duel.

Their combat was nothing like ordinary cultivators—no mere exchange of fists and feet. Every blow carried immense force, and as they collided, it was as if two mountains struck each other. Wang Changsheng could feel the city beneath him begin to tremble.

“If this keeps up, Blackstone City won’t survive,” Wang Changsheng said gravely.

Even simple exchanges made the city shake; if they unleashed their spells, wouldn’t the city be destroyed?

More critically, the teleportation array was within Blackstone City. If it was destroyed, Wang Changsheng would have to find another path to the Sanren Pavilion.

“It’s inevitable—Blackstone City cannot be preserved,” Chen Shangyi said. “That’s why everyone has retreated outside.”

“All for fear of being caught in the crossfire!”

Wang Changsheng had never seen Golden Elixir Dao masters fight and could not grasp the extent of their power, but Chen Shangyi understood well. If they fought in earnest, not only the city but a thousand miles around might become devastated.

“Feng Liudao, if you yield the teleportation array and leave Blackstone City, I will let bygones be bygones!” Zhong Shan’s voice thundered, and his body radiated such power that even the space around him began to warp.

“They’re getting serious now!” Chen Shangyi said quietly to Wang Changsheng. “Steward Wang, perhaps we should escort you out.”

“What about you?” Wang Changsheng asked at once.

Chen Shangyi replied, “A battle between Golden Elixir Dao masters is a rare chance for Core Formation cultivators. We must witness it.”

“All those Core Formation cultivators nearby are waiting for this opportunity.”

“Then I’ll stay and watch as well,” Wang Changsheng said, frowning.

“No, it’s too dangerous!” Chen Shangyi protested immediately.

“With my cultivation, where could you put me that would be safe?” Wang Changsheng retorted.

Chen Shangyi was momentarily taken aback, then addressed the Corpse Refining Sect disciples: “Everyone, form a shield of true essence and protect Steward Wang at the center!”

The disciples acted at once, forming a true essence shield with Wang Changsheng at its heart.

Chen Shangyi feared he alone might not be able to guard Wang Changsheng.

“Leave Blackstone City?” Feng Liudao scoffed. “Why should I? Because you’re the Hound of the Hundred Families?”

As he spoke, the pressure around Feng Liudao intensified.

“War God’s Secret Art!” Zhong Shan shouted, and suddenly, a layer of dark red armor appeared on his body.

“What on earth is that?” Wang Changsheng was stunned.

He was indeed shocked—Zhong Shan’s form was gradually enveloped by a dark red battle armor. As the armor fully materialized, Zhong Shan’s aura erupted anew.

“Retreat, retreat now!” Chen Shangyi shouted.

“Pfft!”

“Pfft!”

...

Chen Shangyi was a bit slow; as the pressure swept forth, he and three second-stage Core Formation disciples of the Corpse Refining Sect fared better, but the other seven first-stage disciples instantly spat blood, their faces pale as death.

Even the shield protecting Wang Changsheng quaked violently, nearly collapsing.

Fortunately, the shield held, and the group retreated at once, easing the pressure.

Otherwise, if the shield had shattered, Wang Changsheng might have been annihilated in an instant.

Such is the power of a master of the Golden Elixir Dao—a mere surge of their aura is utterly irresistible by Core Formation cultivators.