Chapter 401: Linghu Jiu vs. Ning Zhuo

The white mist of light rapidly spread outwards, creating a space within just a few breaths, serving as the battlefield.

Ning Zhuo sighed and stepped forward, walking out from the crowd to stand before Linghu Jiu's projection.

To Ning Zhuo, he never liked to fight unprepared battles. In his heart, war was perilous, and every engagement needed to be approached with extreme caution.

After all, once it came to true combat, it meant that all other options had been exhausted—resorting to the final measure out of necessity.

But the current situation was rather special. Whether it was Lin Bufan, Shen Lingshu, Zhu Xuanji, or the Five Elements Divine Lord, all hoped that Ning Zhuo would engage in this fight.

Forced by the circumstances, Ning Zhuo, merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, could only comply.

“This battle must be won.” Ning Jiufan looked at Ning Zhuo’s back and sighed inwardly. “As clever as you are, you must understand, this isn’t a simple duel, right?”

Of course Ning Zhuo knew!

Linghu Jiu’s challenge had indeed come unexpectedly—it originated from the projection of the Lonely Sword Lord within the Radiant Reflection Wall, not from any arrangement by Zhu Xuanji or Lin Bufan.

Yet this battle still concerned the distribution of interests on this journey, and the future relationship between the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect.

If Ning Zhuo won, the Ning Family would gain more benefits and receive greater respect from the Myriad Medicines Sect. The reverse was also true.

Ning Zhuo had already resolved to win, but still made a token gesture. “Brother Linghu, we once drank together in great joy. This battle today is not something I wished for.”

But Linghu Jiu shook his head. “My worthy brother, to be frank—I have long desired to spar with you. Today’s opportunity is perfect, and I ask that you go all out!”

Linghu Jiu was very direct. With a turn of the wrist, he spun a sword flower and immediately charged at Ning Zhuo.

“I was just about to ask for your guidance!” Ning Zhuo clenched his fists and rushed up as well.

He had never fought a Foundation Establishment cultivator wielding a weapon in such close quarters before, and he carried high expectations in his heart.

Sword Technique—Cup Full to Overflowing.

Linghu Jiu’s sword edge swept through the air, forming an illusionary arc. Like an overflowing wine cup, it trembled gently—subtle and exquisite to the extreme.

Blood tendons emerged on Ning Zhuo’s hands, forming a pair of gauntlets to block the sword edge.

But Linghu Jiu did not press the attack—it was like a dragonfly skimming the surface, a mere taste.

This wasn’t in line with common practice. Ning Zhuo was slightly surprised. Since you won’t attack, I shall.

He took the initiative and closed in on Linghu Jiu.

Linghu Jiu chuckled softly. “My worthy brother, take this!”

Sword Technique—Fragrance in the Wine.

In an instant, the sword in his hand turned from solid to ethereal, and the sword intent burst forth, like the scent of wine diffusing through the air—gentle yet aggressive.

The assault was torrential!

Ning Zhuo could only retreat—retreat again—and retreat again.

After a few swift attacks, Linghu Jiu abruptly withdrew and shifted to defense.

“Ah!” Lin Shanshan exclaimed in recognition. “That’s the Sword of Wine and Forest that I co-created with Senior Brother!”

Everyone turned to look.

Lin Shanshan gave an embarrassed smile and explained.

It turned out that years ago, when Linghu Jiu had been confined within the Ten Thousand Demons Cave, he had been unbearably bored. His mind wandered, and he began to devise his own sword techniques.

When Lin Shanshan brought him meals, Linghu Jiu flaunted his creations, which made her quite angry.

Because all of Linghu Jiu’s sword techniques were named after wine, blatantly revealing his deep longing for alcohol.

Lin Shanshan couldn't stand it, so she actively joined the sword’s development, adding her own ideas to the technique—hoping to persuade her Senior Brother to quit drinking through this method.

Sword of Wine and Forest—Wine Between Kindred Spirits.

Linghu Jiu’s sword reformed from illusion into solidity. Though the tip thrust forward with sharpness, it emanated warmth and enthusiasm, as if inviting one to drink together!

Ning Zhuo failed to dodge in time—his shoulder was stabbed. Fortunately, the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique protected him and blocked the sword’s sharp edge.

Ning Zhuo broke out in a cold sweat and hastily retreated.

Linghu Jiu’s sword techniques came at him relentlessly, leaving Ning Zhuo scrambling to dodge.

Lin Shanshan clapped and laughed. “Well done, Senior Brother. Teach that big-headed fool a lesson!”

Linghu Jiu’s projection was greatly encouraged by her words. “Little Junior Sister, watch closely!”

Sword of Wine and Forest—Drunken Reverie Amid Clouds.

His swordplay suddenly became grand and erratic, like a drunkard dancing with no sense of form, yet strangely even more fierce.

Ning Zhuo couldn’t discern the rhythm. The sword tip struck from bizarre and cunning angles, catching him off guard. He was stabbed repeatedly.

Several times, the blade struck the same spot, breaking through the blood tendon defense and wounding Ning Zhuo.

He hurriedly retreated and activated the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique to rapidly heal.

In front of everyone, he openly used a demonic technique—essentially a public unveiling.

Ordinary righteous cultivators would normally rebuke others for practicing demonic techniques. But when Lin Bufan saw that Zhu Xuanji remained unmoved—as if he already knew—he simply accepted it as well.

Lin Shanshan’s expression faltered slightly.

When Ning Zhuo was wounded just now, it suddenly struck her: her Senior Brother was only a projection, but Ning Zhuo was a living being of flesh and blood. In a duel, Ning Zhuo naturally bore more risk.

But soon, she grew angry at herself. “Why am I worrying about him?”

“That big-headed fool! He had a close-combat technique all along and kept it from me!”

Sword of Wine and Forest—Joyous Yet Halted.

Linghu Jiu’s sword surged with the urgency of a drinker’s rapid gulps—fast and fierce, seemingly intent on annihilating his enemy. Yet at the height of the assault, he abruptly halted, withdrawing into a water-like sword aura that flowed protectively around him.

Thus, he gave up a golden opportunity. He should have pressed forward to convert his advantage into victory, but he instead pulled back.

The spectators all understood why.

This was because the Sword of Wine and Forest was co-created by Linghu Jiu and Lin Shanshan, but their philosophies clashed. Linghu Jiu wanted to drink, while Lin Shanshan wanted him to quit.

Reflected in the sword technique, it resulted in sudden switches between offense and defense—confusing and unpredictable.

Since Linghu Jiu had retreated, Ning Zhuo launched a counterattack.

He gradually adapted to the sword technique and began to turn the tide.

“This sword art isn’t very refined—it’s quite divided.”

“One part is precise and meticulous, the other is loose and expressive!”

Ning Zhuo shouted, “Brother Linghu, if you think you can beat me with this, you must be underestimating me!”

Lin Shanshan snorted inwardly. “That stupid big-head. Now that he’s found his footing, he’s getting cocky. It’s far from over! Senior Brother hasn’t even shown his true strength yet.”

“But to be fair, this Ning Zhuo really is clever. He hasn’t been on Lesser Strife Peak long, but his close-combat skills have improved so much. I still remember when he first arrived…”

She felt secretly pleased, recalling fond memories with Ning Zhuo.

“Tch! That big-headed brute kidnapped me and embarrassed my father in public—definitely no good!” She quickly cut off her own wandering thoughts.

Sword of Wine and Forest—Lingering Cup of Affection.

Linghu Jiu shifted to a defensive posture. The more he defended, the more advantageous his position became.

Ning Zhuo took another hit and retreated in surprise.

Zhu Xuanji suddenly chuckled. “This sword move is getting interesting.”

It turned out that Lingering Cup of Affection seemed purely defensive, but was laced with hidden offense. Like a carefully laid trap, it lured the enemy to strike repeatedly.

Ning Zhuo appeared to be gaining the upper hand, but sword auras kept slipping into his body. Though subtle at first, their accumulation soon became a serious problem.

Earlier moves suffered from the clash in philosophies between Linghu Jiu and Lin Shanshan, leading to fragmented execution and weak performance. But now, the opposing ideas unexpectedly fused into something remarkable.

Sword of Wine and Forest—Scent Beyond the Curtain.

Linghu Jiu’s swordplay remained subtle and profound, like wine scent faintly wafting through a curtain, based mainly on defense.

Yet Ning Zhuo felt a strong sense of danger.

Because he had shared wine with Linghu Jiu, at this moment, he understood the mindset behind this technique.

Scent Beyond the Curtain... Linghu Jiu’s yearning was veiled behind a curtain. But how could a flimsy curtain conceal his deep desire for wine?

Once that desire burst forth, the wine aroma would be overwhelming.

Ning Zhuo retreated rapidly!

Linghu Jiu saw his strike miss and felt both disappointment and delight. “Worthy brother Ning Zhuo, you understand me.”

“Can you take this final move?”

The final form of the Sword of Wine and Forest—Raise a Cup to Banish Sorrow!

In that instant, Linghu Jiu withdrew his sword to defend, but his sword intent exploded outward—melancholy and mournful, with no outlet for his inner torment except through a frenzied drink.

It was both offense and defense. Both restraint in motion, and abandon in emotion!

Ning Zhuo was struck!

Blood gushed forth—a gaping wound appeared on his chest.

The defense of the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique was like paper.

The onlookers turned pale.

Even Lin Bufan, whose cultivation was at the Nascent Soul stage, revealed a trace of shock. For from that sword move, he sensed echoes of a profound manual.

“Is that the Lonely Sword Sutra?”

Ning Zhuo stumbled back again and again, hastily swallowing a pill and activating the Demonic Blood Tendon Technique to heal.

Though the bleeding stopped, the wound did not close immediately. Sword intent lingered around the wound, stubbornly resisting expulsion and greatly impeding his healing.

“The Sword of Wine and Forest… I wonder how it compares to the blade technique I created myself.” Within the Puppet Dragon, Sun Lingtong felt his battle spirit stir.

“Incredible!” Ning Zhuo praised aloud.

He was not discouraged at all—his mindset remained steady.

Because he knew full well: Linghu Jiu had been immersed in swordsmanship for years. How long had he spent on close combat?

There was no comparison.

Losing was only natural!

“I’ve learned a lot from this!” This bout had given Ning Zhuo a wealth of insights.

He even wished he could keep sparring like this until he lost.

“But in the current situation, I really must win.”

This duel meant far more than simple sparring—it affected the future of the Ning Family and the Myriad Medicines Sect. It concerned the wager between the Five Elements Divine Lord and the Lonely Sword Lord.

“The probing ends here. Time for the real fight!”

“Brother Linghu, prepare yourself!”

With his challenge made, Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, a solemn expression on his face, and swiftly cast a Wood Attribute spell.

Root and Vine Entwine!

Tree roots and vines sprang up out of nowhere, quickly binding Linghu Jiu.

Close combat… was only Ning Zhuo’s weakness. The Five Elements Techniques—were becoming his strength!