This was not an exaggeration. The Immortal Danyan had tortured him for nine days in order to pass on the Ninecond Green Lotus. Every time Ding Yuan displayed a sword move, the old Taoist priest would always raise his eyebrows and look at it to find a few flaws. He would even demonstrate all kinds of moves to break them.
At that time, Ding Yuan still thought that the old Taoist priest was deliberately making things difficult for him. Now that he saw Daoist Wu Yin use this move, at first glance, it was imposing and varied, but at least it made the mistakes that he had made in the past. These small flaws were nothing more than the fingers holding the sword moving back by half a beat or the right foot moving half a beat slower. In the eyes of others, they were nothing, but Ding Yuan knew that as long as he grabbed one of them, he could easily resolve the Nine Turn Green Lotus.
As expected, Ah Niu's expression was originally rather nervous. However, when he saw that Daoist Wu Yin was actually using the Nine Song Green Lotus, his expression immediately relaxed a lot. He tapped his feet on the ground, and his thick body glided past the sword edge like a dancing butterfly, dodging the nine sword flowers one by one.
The disciples of the Nine Hanging Monastery who were watching from below the stage cheered loudly when they saw that Priest Wu Yin's morale was so high that he forced Ah Niu to retreat step by step.
However, Ah Niu was already completely immersed in the sword moves. His mind was clear as he firmly locked onto his opponent's Song Song Sword. His expression also became calm and focused. If someone were to pay attention to Ah Niu at this moment, they would definitely find that he seemed to have changed into a different person.
Seeing that Taoist Wu Yin was getting tired of his moves, Ah Niu thrust out the heavy gold sword in his hand and aimed at the weak point of his opponent's left thigh. He used an ordinary move,'Mountain and Water'.
Ding Yuan also knew how to use this move, but his speed was half a beat faster than Ah Niu's, and he had mastered the four words 'Lithe as Water'. However, the Immortal Danyan shook his head at this, because the true essence of Mountain and River lies in the change of moves in the second half of the move to adapt to the changes of the opponent. It wasn't that Ding Yuan didn't know this principle, but his natural disposition wasn't as strong as Ah Niu's ability to make mountains and rivers as heavy as mountains.
Taoist Wu Yin was stunned when he saw that Ah Niu had used the most common technique of his sect, the Mountain and River Radiance, to fight back against him. However, the opponent's sword style was too tricky. It was aimed at his left leg, where his center of gravity was, but the long sword could not reach that place.
Helplessly, he could only hastily switch his legs and awkwardly dodge. The long sword in his hand slashed down with the Whip Slash.
This change was within Ah Niu's expectations. Without thinking, he naturally changed the ancient sword from stabbing to slicing, and as he turned his body, he went straight for Taoist Wu Yin's waist. This was the ninth transformation of the mountain and flowing water. Everyone present had learned it before, but they did not expect it to be used to break the Nine Song Green Lotus.
This was also because Daoist Wu Yin's right foot was a little slower than the last time. Otherwise, Ah Niu would not have been able to seize the weakness of his left leg so easily and counterattack. Seeing that his long sword was still in front of him and that his body was too old to dodge, Daoist Wu Yin had no choice but to twist his body and hit the sword with his left palm.
However, Ah Niu seemed to have predicted that he could only respond in this way. As Daoist Wu Yin's left palm pressed down, he gently twisted his Heavy Gold Sword and raised it upward. Facing Daoist Wu Yin's palm, he executed the move " Thousand Waves with a Stone ". The two moves were seamlessly connected, and the previous move seemed to have become a foreshadowing and feint for Thousand Waves of a Stone.
Daoist Wu Yin was also quite impressive. Seeing that the situation was not looking good, he immediately changed his patting to grabbing, stretching out his five fingers to grab the ancient sword. Before the people below the stage could heave a sigh of relief, Ah Niu's lips curled into a casual smile. He pushed his right hand forward, and the Heavy Gold Sword was already pressed against Daoist Wu Yin's chest.
Although there was no blood, everyone knew that the outcome of this battle had been decided. Unfortunately, the winner was unexpectedly Ah Niu, who no one thought highly of.
There was silence below the stage. No one could believe that Ah Niu had defeated Daoist Wu Yin so easily with only three moves. Many people did not even have the time to blink.
Daoist Wu Yin, who was on the stage, was even more dumbfounded. He had never expected that he would lose his first battle so inexplicably. Before he could even use all the skills he had painstakingly cultivated for five years, the competition had already ended.
Ah Niu slowly put away his sword and took two steps back. He was still not sure if he had won. He looked at the old Taoist priest.
"The first round is over. Luo Niu wins," the old Taoist said lazily.”
Ding Yuan cheered and felt proud. He glared at the disciples of the Nine Hanging Monastery and rushed into the arena, hugging Ah Niu and saying,""Good boy, so you know how to pretend to be a pig to eat a tiger.”
Ah Niu was almost out of breath from Ding Yuan's hug. He said in a daze,""Little Brother Ding, what do you mean by pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger?”
"Who cares? It's good that we won." Ding Yuan laughed.”
Ah Niu came back to his senses and grinned.""I have to tell Master quickly!"
The two of them walked out of the arena in high spirits, ignoring those surprised gazes and heading straight to the east where the six immortals and the elders were resting.
According to the schedule, everyone would only have one match in half a day. The next match would have to wait until tomorrow morning.
The Immortal Danyan is sitting alone in a corner of the pergola, looking very unsociable with the others. Before Ah Niu reached the Immortal Danyan, he shouted,"Master, I won the first round!"
The Immortal Danyan's purplish-red face didn't show any surprise, as if this was the expected result. "Alright," he said lightly.
"Old Daoist, do you know that Ah Niu made Daoist Wu Yin admit defeat in just a few moves?" Ding Yuan asked.”
The Immortal Danyan slowly extended three fingers without saying anything.
"Master, did you go to see it?" asked Ah Niu curiously.”
"There's no need to look at it." The Immortal Danyan shook his head.”
Ding Yuan thought to himself, so this old Taoist priest already had a plan in mind. He made me worry for A Niu Bai for a long time. So he asked,"Then, old Taoist priest, how many moves do you think Ah Niu will use to deal with his next opponent?"”
The Immortal Danyan didn't answer, but said indifferently,""Go rest."
Ding Yuan was unconcerned. He smiled and said," I didn't expect those guys to be so stubborn. Perhaps Ah Niu can enter the top eight."”
Ah Niu hurriedly shook his head and said," I don't dare to think so far ahead. A fight is a fight. As long as I don't embarrass Master, it's fine."”
"I'll go and take a look, so I can get a better idea of my opponents."”As he spoke, he slipped into the crowd outside the awning and disappeared.
Naturally, he did not return to watch the next two matches. Instead, he sneaked into the competition arena of the "Qing" generation and searched everywhere for Ji Xueyan.
It was a pity that he couldn't find her even after circling around. It turned out that Ji Xueyan had also easily completed the first match in the afternoon and returned to the Billow Jade Villa with her mother to rest. However, she was afraid that Ding Yuanxun wouldn't be able to find her, so she specially sent Cai a message and agreed to meet him at the Blue Ripple Pond tomorrow afternoon.
Ding Yuan returned unhappily, but when he saw Ah Niu, he heard a piece of good news. The second match with Ah Niu had already ended. As a result, Wuxin, a nun from Dan Chen's sect, and Tan De, a disciple from Luo He's sect, both suffered heavy losses and were forced to withdraw from the remaining matches, allowing the others to benefit.
Ah Niu only needed to win two more matches to enter the top 32. However, he had to first pass the test of Taoist Wuzhi from the Emerald Afterglow Temple tomorrow afternoon.
After half a day, the other matches were uneventful, and the winners were mostly within expectations. Ah Niu's easy victory over Daoist Wu Yin could be considered quite an upset. Ding Yuan couldn't help but think that if the Sword Association allowed a big bet, he would have bet three times on Ah Niu to earn a vote. Unfortunately, Green Afterglow Sect's sect rules prohibited gambling. This idea could only be thought of but could not be used.
The next morning, the Sword Conference resumed. The disciples of Emerald Cloud Sect who had rested for a night were all in high spirits and eager to give it a try. Those who won yesterday had to continue to work hard and strive to be nominated as soon as possible. Those who lost had to hold back their energy and wait for a good performance today to earn back their face.
Due to Tan De's withdrawal, Ah Niu did not have any matches in the morning and was dragged by Ding Yuan to cheer for Ji Xueyan. When the two of them found the arena where Ji Xueyan was, Ji Xueyan was fighting with a white-robed young man in the arena.
Ding Yuan knew that the young man was Flying Waterfall Studio's disciple. He was in his thirties and had a short and stocky figure, which made him look like Ah Niu. However, his skin was much whiter than Ah Niu's, and his eyes were even more alert.
After watching for a short while, Ding Yuan knew that Ji Xueyan had already won. However, she did not want to expose her strength too much, so she used the Flower Traversing Willow Steps to fight with the young man as a warm-up.
The young man in white seemed to have realized that his situation was not good. He suddenly withdrew and chanted a mantra. The long sword in his hand flashed and flew into the sky. He was about to use the sword control technique.
Ji Xueyan stood on the spot with a smile and did not take the opportunity to attack. She looked confident.
However, a green light flashed across the young disciple's face as he shouted in a low voice,"Quick!" He folded his hands in front of his chest, and the longsword in the air let out a soft sound under the control of its master. It turned into a green light and shot towards Ji Xueyan.
Although many of the spectating disciples outside the arena were not from the Billow Jade Villa, they had unconsciously developed a good impression of Ji Xueyan when they saw her beauty and smile. Most of them secretly hoped that she would win. Seeing that the white-robed young man was the first to use the sword control technique, all of them held their breaths and were worried for Ji Xueyan.
Seeing the green light shoot over, Ji Xueyan did not make a sound or expression. The corner of her mouth even contained a faint smile. With a clear shout, she tapped on the ground with one foot and spun rapidly like a spinning top. In an instant, she had already turned into a red shadow that floated up and down in the air.
Many people in the surroundings were surprised, but they did not recognize the movement technique that Ji Xueyan used. Ding Yuan naturally knew that Ji Xueyan was using her family's Petal Wrapping Willow Body Movement Technique. If he used it, his body would not be as graceful.
The green light shot into the red shadow, and as if it was sucked by a huge force, it spun rapidly along with the red shadow. The man and the sword spun faster and faster. The green and red colors competed with each other, looking very beautiful.
Ding, ding, ding. Ji Xueyan tapped the green longsword with the Snow Vermilion Sword in her hand, gradually removing the Genuine Qi within. Although the young man was trying his best to activate it, everyone could see that the sword light was gradually dimming.
Suddenly, the red shadow paused. Ji Xueyan had already landed back on the ground and stood steadily. Her right hand held the snow vermilion, while her left hand kept her opponent's sword. Her cheeks were slightly red, but there was not a single drop of sweat on her forehead. She looked calm.
The crowd burst into earth-shattering cheers, and Ah Niu applauded desperately.
Ji Xueyan seemed to have no intention, but she cast a gentle glance at Ding Yuan, who was hiding in the crowd, but it was filled with affection. The pair of big eyes that could speak seemed to be happy."You're here too?"
Ding Yuan nodded at her and quietly left the crowd. The elder in charge of the arbitration said in a melodious voice,"The first round, Ji Xueyan wins!”
Ji Xueyan turned the sword around and handed it to the youth,""Senior Brother Liu, sorry for offending you."
The disciple surnamed Liu took the sword and said,""Congratulations on your victory, Junior Sister Xue.”
Ji Xueyan smiled sweetly and bowed to the elder before walking out of the arena. She was immediately surrounded by the disciples of the Billow Jade Villa. She tried to look for Ding Yuan through the crowd but he was nowhere to be seen. She could not help but feel a little melancholic.
Besides, Ding Yuan walked out of the crowd and saw Ah Niu following closely behind him, so he turned around and said,"Ah Niu, you still have a competition in the afternoon. I still have something to do, don't follow me."
Ah Niu stopped in his tracks and watched as Ding Yuan gradually walked away. He did not know where he was going.
Ding Yuan left the Flying Waterfall Temple and headed straight for the Blue Ripple Pond. He had entered the sect not long ago, so he did not attract anyone's attention. When they reached the Blue Ripple Pond, they looked up and saw that it was still early. There was still a long time before noon, so they thought,"Why don't we catch some fresh fish before Xue 'er comes to the pond and roast them with her later?”
He took off his clothes, leaving only a pair of underpants behind, and plunged into the pool to swim. There were many fat fish in the Blue Ripple Pond. Ding Yuan picked and chose only those with delicious meat, and in less than an hour, he had caught six or seven.
When he climbed up the shore, he realized that the clothes under the rock had disappeared, but the Purple Bamboo Sword had not been touched. Ding Yuan thought that Ji Xueyan had arrived and was deliberately putting away her clothes to tease him, so he was not in a hurry. He looked around and said,"Xue 'er, why aren't you coming out? Look, I caught a lot of live fish."
"Is there fish to eat? Good!" With a cheer, a person jumped out from behind the mountain rock. He was as short as a winter melon, with white hair and a youthful face. He was wearing cotton clothes and straw boots, and he was holding Ding Yuan's clothes in his hand. However, it was not Ji Xueyan.
Ding Yuan was stunned. He looked at the old man and asked,"Who are you? Why are you holding my clothes?”
The old man walked over with a smile. When he saw the live fish that Ding Yuan had grabbed from the Blue Ripple Pond, he said in surprise,"As expected, there's fish to eat. Young man, can I help you find some firewood to start a fire?”
Ding Yuan snatched the clothes back from his hands and said angrily,"I didn't catch this fish for you to eat. You're so old, but your skin is too thick.”
The old man was not angry at Ding Yuan's scolding. He stared at the fish on the ground and said,"You don't know, but I haven't eaten fish for decades. I've eaten those wild fruits all day and my teeth are sore.”
Ding Yuan didn't believe him." You're bluffing. Who doesn't eat fish for decades?"”
"It's true!" Seeing that Ding Yuan did not believe him, the old man hurriedly explained,"I've been staying in the back mountain of Zuowang Peak for so many years. It's rare for me to go out and play.”
"Have you been living in the back mountain?" "How long have you been there? Why haven't I heard of it?" Ding Yuanqi asked.”
The old man counted the days with his fingers and began to mutter. When he realized that his fingers were not enough, he sat on the ground, took off his grass boots, and broke his feet. When he was done counting his toes, the old man said impatiently,""It's been too many years, I really can't remember. It must have been 80 or 90 years. Anyway, I remember that I locked myself in the back mountain when Martial Nephew Dan Yi became the sect master. Other than the sword gathering every five years, I couldn't go anywhere else.”
"That old cow nose is your Martial Nephew?" Ding Yuan was shocked.”
"What? You don't believe me?" the old man said proudly.”
Ding Yuan was bewildered and he deliberately provoked,"Big talk. Everyone knows that the most respected and experienced person in Emerald Cloud Sect is Daoist Dan Yi. How dare you say that you're his martial uncle? Why haven't I heard of you before?”
When the old man heard this, he shouted like a wronged child,"Who's bragging? I never lie. If you don't believe me, we'll find that bull-nosed Dan Yi to verify it in person after we finish eating the fish!”
Ding Yuan saw that his reaction didn't seem to be fake and couldn't help but think,"Could it be that this old man is really an elder of our sect, and I have to call him granduncle?”
Seeing that Ding Yuan did not speak, the old man said,"Don't ask so many questions first. It's more important to satisfy your craving." I'll go collect firewood!" With that, he disappeared behind the mountain rocks.
Ding Yuan put on his clothes and washed and peeled a few fish in the pond water. He saw the old man happily running over with a big bundle of firewood he got from somewhere. He asked repeatedly,"Is the fish ready? Can we roast it?”
"It's almost done," Ding Yuan said.”
The old man was Ding Yuan's Martial Granduncle, so he didn't mind being ordered around by him. Now, eating fish was clearly the number one thing in his heart. He happily used a few stones to build a small stove and placed the firewood inside. His technique was quite skilled.
Ding Yuan skewered the fish on a branch and was about to take out the flint when the old man flicked his right hand with two fingers. With a crisp " pop " sound, a cluster of flames actually appeared from his fingertips, instantly igniting the firewood.
"True Samadhi Fire?"
"Wrong, it's the Pure Yang Primordial Fire that I've cultivated for three sixty-year cycles!”
"Using this to light a fire, you are really wasteful.”
"What nonsense? The Pure Yang Primordial Fire could be obtained whenever he wanted it. Fish could not taste it every day.”
"Hey, you still haven't told me your name?”
"Me? Oh, my surname is Zeng, and my name is Zeng Shan. Young man, what's your name?"
"Ding Yuan."
"Good name!"
"How is it good? Why don't I think so?”
"A good person, a good name!"
The old man and the young man chatted while grilling the fish. In a short while, they devoured all six big fish. Zeng Shan looked at the fish bones on the ground and swallowed his saliva."Ding Yuan, can you go down and catch a few more?”
"Can't you go into the pond and catch it yourself?" Ding Yuan asked.”
Zeng Shan shook his head like a rattle-drum and said,"No, I've been afraid of water since I was young. I have to test the depth of the small pond before I dare to cross it. Can you be kind and catch a few more?”
Zeng Shan was shaking his hand like a child begging for candy. How could he be like an elder? Ding Yuan found it funny and said,"Alright, I'll let you eat your fill."”
Zeng Shan was overjoyed when he heard this. He jumped up and shouted,"I'll go find some more firewood!"
The two of them roasted a few more fish and ate them. Zeng Shan patted his belly in satisfaction and said,""Brother, brother, you must have been holding it in for so many years, right? Today, I finally have a good meal to entertain you. I, Zeng Shan, have let you down.”
Ding Yuan couldn't help but say,"If you really like it, why don't you come to me often in the future? I'll make it for you again."”
"Are you serious?" Zeng Shan jumped up and down in joy. You're not lying to me?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Ding Yuan snorted.”
Zeng Shan stretched out his right index finger and said,"Why don't we make a pinky?"”
Ding Yuan placed his index finger on Zeng Shan's. Zeng Shan's expression was serious as if he was making an agreement about something important."Hang yourself for a hundred years. Whoever is lying is a dog!"
Zeng Shan sat down happily, but before his butt touched the ground, he suddenly shouted,""Aiyo, not good!"
"What's not good?" Ding Yuan asked.”
Zeng Shan scratched his head and said with a bitter face,""I have to return to the back of the mountain after the Sword Conference ends. Wouldn't I be unable to eat the fish you roasted?”
"I don't think it's a big deal." Ding Yuan laughed. This is easy to handle. In the future, I'll catch a few fish and look for you at the back of the mountain when I have time. Wouldn't it be solved?”
Zeng Shan nodded and said,"Okay, okay. You must come and find me." Go to the back of the mountain and find a place called the Pinnacle Valley. I'll probably be there. If he's not here, just shout 'Oldman Zeng' and I'll be back in less than ten minutes.”
"I'll remember it," Ding Yuan said.
Zeng Shan patted Ding Yuan's shoulder." You're a good kid. You're under that blockhead, Dan Yan, right?" He didn't even ask for anything when he treated me to fish. I have something to do now and have to go first. In the future, I will teach you a few more moves when I have time.”
" I grilled fish for you because I like it," Ding Yuan said calmly." I'm not asking you for anything. You don't have to teach me a few tricks."”
" No," Zeng Shan said," I've always been afraid of owing a debt. I must return this favor." Eh, someone's here, and it seems to be a pretty girl? The second thing I'm afraid of is beautiful women. It's better to leave first!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Ding Yuan felt his vision blur and Zeng Shan had disappeared. "Don't forget to look for me at Pinnacle Valley!"”
Ding Yuan smiled, thinking to himself, I really don't know where this Martial Granduncle popped out from, he's really a living treasure.
###################################
This was not an exaggeration. The Immortal Danyan had tortured him for nine days in order to pass on the Ninecond Green Lotus. Every time Ding Yuan displayed a sword move, the old Taoist priest would always raise his eyebrows and look at it to find a few flaws. He would even demonstrate all kinds of moves to break them.
At that time, Ding Yuan still thought that the old Taoist priest was deliberately making things difficult for him. Now that he saw Daoist Wu Yin use this move, at first glance, it was imposing and varied, but at least it made the mistakes that he had made in the past. These small flaws were nothing more than the fingers holding the sword moving back by half a beat or the right foot moving half a beat slower. In the eyes of others, they were nothing, but Ding Yuan knew that as long as he grabbed one of them, he could easily resolve the Nine Turn Green Lotus.
As expected, Ah Niu's expression was originally rather nervous. However, when he saw that Daoist Wu Yin was actually using the Nine Song Green Lotus, his expression immediately relaxed a lot. He tapped his feet on the ground, and his thick body glided past the sword edge like a dancing butterfly, dodging the nine sword flowers one by one.
The disciples of the Nine Hanging Monastery who were watching from below the stage cheered loudly when they saw that Priest Wu Yin's morale was so high that he forced Ah Niu to retreat step by step.
However, Ah Niu was already completely immersed in the sword moves. His mind was clear as he firmly locked onto his opponent's Song Song Sword. His expression also became calm and focused. If someone were to pay attention to Ah Niu at this moment, they would definitely find that he seemed to have changed into a different person.
Seeing that Taoist Wu Yin was getting tired of his moves, Ah Niu thrust out the heavy gold sword in his hand and aimed at the weak point of his opponent's left thigh. He used an ordinary move,'Mountain and Water'.
Ding Yuan also knew how to use this move, but his speed was half a beat faster than Ah Niu's, and he had mastered the four words 'Lithe as Water'. However, the Immortal Danyan shook his head at this, because the true essence of Mountain and River lies in the change of moves in the second half of the move to adapt to the changes of the opponent. It wasn't that Ding Yuan didn't know this principle, but his natural disposition wasn't as strong as Ah Niu's ability to make mountains and rivers as heavy as mountains.
Taoist Wu Yin was stunned when he saw that Ah Niu had used the most common technique of his sect, the Mountain and River Radiance, to fight back against him. However, the opponent's sword style was too tricky. It was aimed at his left leg, where his center of gravity was, but the long sword could not reach that place.
Helplessly, he could only hastily switch his legs and awkwardly dodge. The long sword in his hand slashed down with the Whip Slash.
This change was within Ah Niu's expectations. Without thinking, he naturally changed the ancient sword from stabbing to slicing, and as he turned his body, he went straight for Taoist Wu Yin's waist. This was the ninth transformation of the mountain and flowing water. Everyone present had learned it before, but they did not expect it to be used to break the Nine Song Green Lotus.
This was also because Daoist Wu Yin's right foot was a little slower than the last time. Otherwise, Ah Niu would not have been able to seize the weakness of his left leg so easily and counterattack. Seeing that his long sword was still in front of him and that his body was too old to dodge, Daoist Wu Yin had no choice but to twist his body and hit the sword with his left palm.
However, Ah Niu seemed to have predicted that he could only respond in this way. As Daoist Wu Yin's left palm pressed down, he gently twisted his Heavy Gold Sword and raised it upward. Facing Daoist Wu Yin's palm, he executed the move " Thousand Waves with a Stone ". The two moves were seamlessly connected, and the previous move seemed to have become a foreshadowing and feint for Thousand Waves of a Stone.
Daoist Wu Yin was also quite impressive. Seeing that the situation was not looking good, he immediately changed his patting to grabbing, stretching out his five fingers to grab the ancient sword. Before the people below the stage could heave a sigh of relief, Ah Niu's lips curled into a casual smile. He pushed his right hand forward, and the Heavy Gold Sword was already pressed against Daoist Wu Yin's chest.
Although there was no blood, everyone knew that the outcome of this battle had been decided. Unfortunately, the winner was unexpectedly Ah Niu, who no one thought highly of.
There was silence below the stage. No one could believe that Ah Niu had defeated Daoist Wu Yin so easily with only three moves. Many people did not even have the time to blink.
Daoist Wu Yin, who was on the stage, was even more dumbfounded. He had never expected that he would lose his first battle so inexplicably. Before he could even use all the skills he had painstakingly cultivated for five years, the competition had already ended.
Ah Niu slowly put away his sword and took two steps back. He was still not sure if he had won. He looked at the old Taoist priest.
"The first round is over. Luo Niu wins," the old Taoist said lazily.”
Ding Yuan cheered and felt proud. He glared at the disciples of the Nine Hanging Monastery and rushed into the arena, hugging Ah Niu and saying,""Good boy, so you know how to pretend to be a pig to eat a tiger.”
Ah Niu was almost out of breath from Ding Yuan's hug. He said in a daze,""Little Brother Ding, what do you mean by pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger?”
"Who cares? It's good that we won." Ding Yuan laughed.”
Ah Niu came back to his senses and grinned.""I have to tell Master quickly!"
The two of them walked out of the arena in high spirits, ignoring those surprised gazes and heading straight to the east where the six immortals and the elders were resting.
According to the schedule, everyone would only have one match in half a day. The next match would have to wait until tomorrow morning.
The Immortal Danyan is sitting alone in a corner of the pergola, looking very unsociable with the others. Before Ah Niu reached the Immortal Danyan, he shouted,"Master, I won the first round!"
The Immortal Danyan's purplish-red face didn't show any surprise, as if this was the expected result. "Alright," he said lightly.
"Old Daoist, do you know that Ah Niu made Daoist Wu Yin admit defeat in just a few moves?" Ding Yuan asked.”
The Immortal Danyan slowly extended three fingers without saying anything.
"Master, did you go to see it?" asked Ah Niu curiously.”
"There's no need to look at it." The Immortal Danyan shook his head.”
Ding Yuan thought to himself, so this old Taoist priest already had a plan in mind. He made me worry for A Niu Bai for a long time. So he asked,"Then, old Taoist priest, how many moves do you think Ah Niu will use to deal with his next opponent?"”
The Immortal Danyan didn't answer, but said indifferently,""Go rest."
Ding Yuan was unconcerned. He smiled and said," I didn't expect those guys to be so stubborn. Perhaps Ah Niu can enter the top eight."”
Ah Niu hurriedly shook his head and said," I don't dare to think so far ahead. A fight is a fight. As long as I don't embarrass Master, it's fine."”
"I'll go and take a look, so I can get a better idea of my opponents."”As he spoke, he slipped into the crowd outside the awning and disappeared.
Naturally, he did not return to watch the next two matches. Instead, he sneaked into the competition arena of the "Qing" generation and searched everywhere for Ji Xueyan.
It was a pity that he couldn't find her even after circling around. It turned out that Ji Xueyan had also easily completed the first match in the afternoon and returned to the Billow Jade Villa with her mother to rest. However, she was afraid that Ding Yuanxun wouldn't be able to find her, so she specially sent Cai a message and agreed to meet him at the Blue Ripple Pond tomorrow afternoon.
Ding Yuan returned unhappily, but when he saw Ah Niu, he heard a piece of good news. The second match with Ah Niu had already ended. As a result, Wuxin, a nun from Dan Chen's sect, and Tan De, a disciple from Luo He's sect, both suffered heavy losses and were forced to withdraw from the remaining matches, allowing the others to benefit.
Ah Niu only needed to win two more matches to enter the top 32. However, he had to first pass the test of Taoist Wuzhi from the Emerald Afterglow Temple tomorrow afternoon.
After half a day, the other matches were uneventful, and the winners were mostly within expectations. Ah Niu's easy victory over Daoist Wu Yin could be considered quite an upset. Ding Yuan couldn't help but think that if the Sword Association allowed a big bet, he would have bet three times on Ah Niu to earn a vote. Unfortunately, Green Afterglow Sect's sect rules prohibited gambling. This idea could only be thought of but could not be used.
The next morning, the Sword Conference resumed. The disciples of Emerald Cloud Sect who had rested for a night were all in high spirits and eager to give it a try. Those who won yesterday had to continue to work hard and strive to be nominated as soon as possible. Those who lost had to hold back their energy and wait for a good performance today to earn back their face.
Due to Tan De's withdrawal, Ah Niu did not have any matches in the morning and was dragged by Ding Yuan to cheer for Ji Xueyan. When the two of them found the arena where Ji Xueyan was, Ji Xueyan was fighting with a white-robed young man in the arena.
Ding Yuan knew that the young man was Flying Waterfall Studio's disciple. He was in his thirties and had a short and stocky figure, which made him look like Ah Niu. However, his skin was much whiter than Ah Niu's, and his eyes were even more alert.
After watching for a short while, Ding Yuan knew that Ji Xueyan had already won. However, she did not want to expose her strength too much, so she used the Flower Traversing Willow Steps to fight with the young man as a warm-up.
The young man in white seemed to have realized that his situation was not good. He suddenly withdrew and chanted a mantra. The long sword in his hand flashed and flew into the sky. He was about to use the sword control technique.
Ji Xueyan stood on the spot with a smile and did not take the opportunity to attack. She looked confident.
However, a green light flashed across the young disciple's face as he shouted in a low voice,"Quick!" He folded his hands in front of his chest, and the longsword in the air let out a soft sound under the control of its master. It turned into a green light and shot towards Ji Xueyan.
Although many of the spectating disciples outside the arena were not from the Billow Jade Villa, they had unconsciously developed a good impression of Ji Xueyan when they saw her beauty and smile. Most of them secretly hoped that she would win. Seeing that the white-robed young man was the first to use the sword control technique, all of them held their breaths and were worried for Ji Xueyan.
Seeing the green light shoot over, Ji Xueyan did not make a sound or expression. The corner of her mouth even contained a faint smile. With a clear shout, she tapped on the ground with one foot and spun rapidly like a spinning top. In an instant, she had already turned into a red shadow that floated up and down in the air.
Many people in the surroundings were surprised, but they did not recognize the movement technique that Ji Xueyan used. Ding Yuan naturally knew that Ji Xueyan was using her family's Petal Wrapping Willow Body Movement Technique. If he used it, his body would not be as graceful.
The green light shot into the red shadow, and as if it was sucked by a huge force, it spun rapidly along with the red shadow. The man and the sword spun faster and faster. The green and red colors competed with each other, looking very beautiful.
Ding, ding, ding. Ji Xueyan tapped the green longsword with the Snow Vermilion Sword in her hand, gradually removing the Genuine Qi within. Although the young man was trying his best to activate it, everyone could see that the sword light was gradually dimming.
Suddenly, the red shadow paused. Ji Xueyan had already landed back on the ground and stood steadily. Her right hand held the snow vermilion, while her left hand kept her opponent's sword. Her cheeks were slightly red, but there was not a single drop of sweat on her forehead. She looked calm.
The crowd burst into earth-shattering cheers, and Ah Niu applauded desperately.
Ji Xueyan seemed to have no intention, but she cast a gentle glance at Ding Yuan, who was hiding in the crowd, but it was filled with affection. The pair of big eyes that could speak seemed to be happy."You're here too?"
Ding Yuan nodded at her and quietly left the crowd. The elder in charge of the arbitration said in a melodious voice,"The first round, Ji Xueyan wins!”
Ji Xueyan turned the sword around and handed it to the youth,""Senior Brother Liu, sorry for offending you."
The disciple surnamed Liu took the sword and said,""Congratulations on your victory, Junior Sister Xue.”
Ji Xueyan smiled sweetly and bowed to the elder before walking out of the arena. She was immediately surrounded by the disciples of the Billow Jade Villa. She tried to look for Ding Yuan through the crowd but he was nowhere to be seen. She could not help but feel a little melancholic.
Besides, Ding Yuan walked out of the crowd and saw Ah Niu following closely behind him, so he turned around and said,"Ah Niu, you still have a competition in the afternoon. I still have something to do, don't follow me."
Ah Niu stopped in his tracks and watched as Ding Yuan gradually walked away. He did not know where he was going.
Ding Yuan left the Flying Waterfall Temple and headed straight for the Blue Ripple Pond. He had entered the sect not long ago, so he did not attract anyone's attention. When they reached the Blue Ripple Pond, they looked up and saw that it was still early. There was still a long time before noon, so they thought,"Why don't we catch some fresh fish before Xue 'er comes to the pond and roast them with her later?”
He took off his clothes, leaving only a pair of underpants behind, and plunged into the pool to swim. There were many fat fish in the Blue Ripple Pond. Ding Yuan picked and chose only those with delicious meat, and in less than an hour, he had caught six or seven.
When he climbed up the shore, he realized that the clothes under the rock had disappeared, but the Purple Bamboo Sword had not been touched. Ding Yuan thought that Ji Xueyan had arrived and was deliberately putting away her clothes to tease him, so he was not in a hurry. He looked around and said,"Xue 'er, why aren't you coming out? Look, I caught a lot of live fish."
"Is there fish to eat? Good!" With a cheer, a person jumped out from behind the mountain rock. He was as short as a winter melon, with white hair and a youthful face. He was wearing cotton clothes and straw boots, and he was holding Ding Yuan's clothes in his hand. However, it was not Ji Xueyan.
Ding Yuan was stunned. He looked at the old man and asked,"Who are you? Why are you holding my clothes?”
The old man walked over with a smile. When he saw the live fish that Ding Yuan had grabbed from the Blue Ripple Pond, he said in surprise,"As expected, there's fish to eat. Young man, can I help you find some firewood to start a fire?”
Ding Yuan snatched the clothes back from his hands and said angrily,"I didn't catch this fish for you to eat. You're so old, but your skin is too thick.”
The old man was not angry at Ding Yuan's scolding. He stared at the fish on the ground and said,"You don't know, but I haven't eaten fish for decades. I've eaten those wild fruits all day and my teeth are sore.”
Ding Yuan didn't believe him." You're bluffing. Who doesn't eat fish for decades?"”
"It's true!" Seeing that Ding Yuan did not believe him, the old man hurriedly explained,"I've been staying in the back mountain of Zuowang Peak for so many years. It's rare for me to go out and play.”
"Have you been living in the back mountain?" "How long have you been there? Why haven't I heard of it?" Ding Yuanqi asked.”
The old man counted the days with his fingers and began to mutter. When he realized that his fingers were not enough, he sat on the ground, took off his grass boots, and broke his feet. When he was done counting his toes, the old man said impatiently,""It's been too many years, I really can't remember. It must have been 80 or 90 years. Anyway, I remember that I locked myself in the back mountain when Martial Nephew Dan Yi became the sect master. Other than the sword gathering every five years, I couldn't go anywhere else.”
"That old cow nose is your Martial Nephew?" Ding Yuan was shocked.”
"What? You don't believe me?" the old man said proudly.”
Ding Yuan was bewildered and he deliberately provoked,"Big talk. Everyone knows that the most respected and experienced person in Emerald Cloud Sect is Daoist Dan Yi. How dare you say that you're his martial uncle? Why haven't I heard of you before?”
When the old man heard this, he shouted like a wronged child,"Who's bragging? I never lie. If you don't believe me, we'll find that bull-nosed Dan Yi to verify it in person after we finish eating the fish!”
Ding Yuan saw that his reaction didn't seem to be fake and couldn't help but think,"Could it be that this old man is really an elder of our sect, and I have to call him granduncle?”
Seeing that Ding Yuan did not speak, the old man said,"Don't ask so many questions first. It's more important to satisfy your craving." I'll go collect firewood!" With that, he disappeared behind the mountain rocks.
Ding Yuan put on his clothes and washed and peeled a few fish in the pond water. He saw the old man happily running over with a big bundle of firewood he got from somewhere. He asked repeatedly,"Is the fish ready? Can we roast it?”
"It's almost done," Ding Yuan said.”
The old man was Ding Yuan's Martial Granduncle, so he didn't mind being ordered around by him. Now, eating fish was clearly the number one thing in his heart. He happily used a few stones to build a small stove and placed the firewood inside. His technique was quite skilled.
Ding Yuan skewered the fish on a branch and was about to take out the flint when the old man flicked his right hand with two fingers. With a crisp " pop " sound, a cluster of flames actually appeared from his fingertips, instantly igniting the firewood.
"True Samadhi Fire?"
"Wrong, it's the Pure Yang Primordial Fire that I've cultivated for three sixty-year cycles!”
"Using this to light a fire, you are really wasteful.”
"What nonsense? The Pure Yang Primordial Fire could be obtained whenever he wanted it. Fish could not taste it every day.”
"Hey, you still haven't told me your name?”
"Me? Oh, my surname is Zeng, and my name is Zeng Shan. Young man, what's your name?"
"Ding Yuan."
"Good name!"
"How is it good? Why don't I think so?”
"A good person, a good name!"
The old man and the young man chatted while grilling the fish. In a short while, they devoured all six big fish. Zeng Shan looked at the fish bones on the ground and swallowed his saliva."Ding Yuan, can you go down and catch a few more?”
"Can't you go into the pond and catch it yourself?" Ding Yuan asked.”
Zeng Shan shook his head like a rattle-drum and said,"No, I've been afraid of water since I was young. I have to test the depth of the small pond before I dare to cross it. Can you be kind and catch a few more?”
Zeng Shan was shaking his hand like a child begging for candy. How could he be like an elder? Ding Yuan found it funny and said,"Alright, I'll let you eat your fill."”
Zeng Shan was overjoyed when he heard this. He jumped up and shouted,"I'll go find some more firewood!"
The two of them roasted a few more fish and ate them. Zeng Shan patted his belly in satisfaction and said,""Brother, brother, you must have been holding it in for so many years, right? Today, I finally have a good meal to entertain you. I, Zeng Shan, have let you down.”
Ding Yuan couldn't help but say,"If you really like it, why don't you come to me often in the future? I'll make it for you again."”
"Are you serious?" Zeng Shan jumped up and down in joy. You're not lying to me?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Ding Yuan snorted.”
Zeng Shan stretched out his right index finger and said,"Why don't we make a pinky?"”
Ding Yuan placed his index finger on Zeng Shan's. Zeng Shan's expression was serious as if he was making an agreement about something important."Hang yourself for a hundred years. Whoever is lying is a dog!"
Zeng Shan sat down happily, but before his butt touched the ground, he suddenly shouted,""Aiyo, not good!"
"What's not good?" Ding Yuan asked.”
Zeng Shan scratched his head and said with a bitter face,""I have to return to the back of the mountain after the Sword Conference ends. Wouldn't I be unable to eat the fish you roasted?”
"I don't think it's a big deal." Ding Yuan laughed. This is easy to handle. In the future, I'll catch a few fish and look for you at the back of the mountain when I have time. Wouldn't it be solved?”
Zeng Shan nodded and said,"Okay, okay. You must come and find me." Go to the back of the mountain and find a place called the Pinnacle Valley. I'll probably be there. If he's not here, just shout 'Oldman Zeng' and I'll be back in less than ten minutes.”
"I'll remember it," Ding Yuan said.
Zeng Shan patted Ding Yuan's shoulder." You're a good kid. You're under that blockhead, Dan Yan, right?" He didn't even ask for anything when he treated me to fish. I have something to do now and have to go first. In the future, I will teach you a few more moves when I have time.”
" I grilled fish for you because I like it," Ding Yuan said calmly." I'm not asking you for anything. You don't have to teach me a few tricks."”
" No," Zeng Shan said," I've always been afraid of owing a debt. I must return this favor." Eh, someone's here, and it seems to be a pretty girl? The second thing I'm afraid of is beautiful women. It's better to leave first!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Ding Yuan felt his vision blur and Zeng Shan had disappeared. "Don't forget to look for me at Pinnacle Valley!"”
Ding Yuan smiled, thinking to himself, I really don't know where this Martial Granduncle popped out from, he's really a living treasure.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。