CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 60: LI JINGQUAN [SECOND UPDATE]

Sects like the Lingxi Sacred Land in the Sub-immortal Realm belong to the Righteous Path. Besides them, there are Demon Sects, the most famous being the Blood Sect, Seven Fiends Sect, Ten Thousand Demon Sect, and Netherworld Palace.

In ordinary times, both sides keep the peace, maintaining a superficial balance.

Of course, in private, some people from these Demon Sects practice cultivation techniques that are too brutal, occasionally being hunted by disciples of the Righteous Path. Conversely, some demon cultivators take pride in hunting disciples of the Righteous Path. In any case, both sides have a mutual disdain for each other.

As a sect with a pure and legitimate lineage in the Righteous Path, Wuji Sect would never invite anyone from the Demon Path!

Those present all drew their weapons, vigilantly watching outside the hall.

Four men wearing ghost masks were seen carrying a soft sedan chair flying swiftly from a distance, landing in the square in the blink of an eye.

The man sitting in the soft sedan chair lifted the curtain and walked out.

He had knee-length black hair draped over his back, a healthy wheat complexion, facial features cold and hard, with a sense of strong structure.

His eyebrows were sharp as stars and eyes like swords, the pupils not purely black or brown, but slightly tinged with red, giving an impression of allure and mystery.

He wore a dark round-collared brocade robe, the chest of which was slightly open, revealing his chest, giving off a slightly evil aura.

"Li Jingquan, what are you doing here?" Yue Zhao looked at the man approaching leisurely, rarely without a smile, his face frowning with dissatisfaction as he questioned.

"Oh, isn’t this Young Master Yue?" Li Jingquan’s gaze fell on Yue Zhao, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, "I didn’t expect Young Master Yue to be here, it seems I’ve truly come to the right place this time. Since our last meeting at White Banner Mountain, I’ve missed Young Master Yue dearly."

Though he seemed flippant, even a bit careless, no one dared to underestimate him!

"To be remembered by the Young Sect Master of Blood Sect is also my honor," Yue Zhao’s perfect smile reappeared as he looked at Li Jingquan, "I’m curious as to what brings the Young Sect Master to Wuji Sect today? Could it be that the Blood Sect is preparing to declare war on us?"

As soon as Yue Zhao spoke, Li Jingquan’s expression immediately changed, his sharp gaze on Yue Zhao filled with pressure.

Under such a stare, Yue Zhao remained unfazed, completely unthreatened by Li Jingquan’s presence.

"It seems I was mistaken, the Blood Sect has no such intentions," Yue Zhao’s smile deepened, "Then I wonder, what is the reason for the Young Sect Master’s grand entrance to Wuji Sect?"

Unaffected by Li Jingquan, Yue Zhao’s demeanor was expected, and the coldness on Li Jingquan’s face vanished, returning to his flippant demeanor.

"It seems Young Master Yue’s cultivation has improved significantly recently," he remarked, "I came today to take someone away. I wonder if Young Sect Master Shangguan would accompany me?"

Hearing his words, everyone’s eyes turned to Shangguan Heng, secretly speculating about the relationship between Shangguan Heng and Li Jingquan, why Li Jingquan would come for Shangguan Heng.

"I don’t recall having any ties with the Young Sect Master Li. May I ask what the Young Sect Master seeks me for?" Shangguan Heng also looked puzzled, frowning at Li Jingquan.

"Oh, it’s no major matter. My sister has taken a liking to you, and I intend to take you back as a son-in-law for our Blood Sect." Li Jingquan said casually, completely indifferent to the commotion his words caused.

Shangguan Sect Master, Shangguan Heng, along with the Pavilion Master of Liuyun Pavilion and Lin Rui’er, were the first to change expressions, and others also looked displeased, while Yue Zhao’s smile dropped slightly.

"Young Sect Master Li, I do not know your sister, and I am already married. I’m afraid I cannot comply with the Young Sect Master’s proposal!" Shangguan Heng held Lin Rui’er’s hand, giving her a reassuring look, and turned to speak to Li Jingquan.

Upon hearing this, Li Jingquan’s expression changed, looking at Shangguan Heng with a frosty gaze, "Since you are so unappreciative, don’t blame me."

Before the words finished, he appeared in front of Shangguan Heng, his right hand reaching to grip his neck.

Shangguan Heng had been on guard against Li Jingquan, and as Li Jingquan reached out, he promptly dodged while counterattacking Li Jingquan. However, he was only at the eighth rank, while Li Jingquan was at the ninth. Though only one rank apart, the gap was significant. His sword was blocked by Li Jingquan, who kicked him away effortlessly.

"Heng’er." Shangguan Sect Master rushed to catch Shangguan Heng.

At the same time, Yue Zhao stepped in front of Li Jingquan, who attempted to continue his attack on Shangguan Heng.

Seeing Yue Zhao, Li Jingquan’s expression slightly shifted.

"Young Sect Master Li, if you want to take someone from our Lingxi Sacred Land, shouldn’t you consider my opinion?" Yue Zhao said, holding the Flowing Light Zither, smiling at Li Jingquan.

"Hmph, do you think I can’t beat you?" Li Jingquan snorted coldly, wasting no more words, and immediately made his move.

His weapon was a dark-colored sword, which was also an immortal artifact, and his swordsmanship was incredibly powerful, directly thrusting towards Yue Zhao’s face.

Due to Yue Zhao’s weapon, it was inevitable that he couldn’t engage in close combat with others, so when Li Jingquan was speaking, he had already distanced himself from Li Jingquan, and as Li Jingquan charged forward, Yue Zhao’s hands swiftly plucked the zither strings.

Sound waves formed an invisible barrier in front of him. Li Jingquan’s sword struck it, only able to remain there, unable to move any further.

A year ago, Li Jingquan and Yue Zhao had a fight at White Banner Mountain. At that time, Yue Zhao had a slight edge, and Li Jingquan had been unable to let it go. After returning, he kept cultivating, and this time he left the sect because his sister heard that Shangguan Heng was about to get married and cried at home. He intended to bring Shangguan Heng back to shut his sister’s mouth, not expecting to run into Yue Zhao!

He had thought that by working hard on his cultivation for a year, he could surely best Yue Zhao this time. Even though the brief exchange just now made him feel that Yue Zhao must have improved, he still had confidence in himself.

It was only after formally engaging in battle that he realized he was wrong. Yue Zhao’s advancement wasn’t just a little.

Although both were now at the peak of the ninth level, Yue Zhao had already touched the threshold of the half-step immortal rank and was ready to cross it at any time, while he was still a bit short!

Though he clearly understood the gap between them, he did not show it on his face and continued to attack Yue Zhao.

Their fight was incredibly powerful, and everyone around had retreated, giving them the space to battle and watching the fight unfold.

Li Jingquan gritted his teeth, using force to break the invisible barrier in front of Yue Zhao. With a twist of his wrist, the long sword once again thrust toward Yue Zhao. This time, Yue Zhao’s fingers changed the tune, and invisible sound blades directly attacked Li Jingquan, forcing him to swing his sword to fend them off.

Whether it was Li Jingquan’s sword Qi or Yue Zhao’s sound blades, their destructive power was very strong. Fortunately, the plaza in front of the Wujie Sect Main Hall was made of azure stone, which was extremely sturdy. Otherwise, it would have been pitted and pothole-ridden like before, when Yue Zhao and the others fought.

"Young Master Yue truly deserves to be a disciple of the Spirit Fox Saint Master; his cultivation is indeed profound!"

"Of course! In our Sub-immortal Realm, Young Master Yue is renowned. He has been incredibly formidable since ten years ago!"

"The Young Sect Master of the Blood Sect is quite young, yet his cultivation is also formidable; it seems the Blood Sect has developed well in the past couple of years."

"Among the four major sects of the Demon Path, the Blood Sect is relatively decent. Their cultivation techniques aren’t overly cruel and violent. Otherwise, this Young Sect Master wouldn’t dare to appear so casually at the Wuji Sect!"

"..."

The crowd continuously buzzed with discussions. A peak ninth-level battle isn’t something you can witness easily, and everyone watched with boiling excitement.

Lu Ying had also entered the Wuji Sect with Qin Xuan and the others’ invitation cards. However, this time he didn’t go to find Gu Qingqing and the others, but instead, hid in the crowd. When Li Jingquan appeared, he was a bit surprised, and now seeing Li Jingquan and Yue Zhao fight, his gaze flickered, and the hand hanging by his side moved slightly, barely restraining himself from rushing out to join them.

"I didn’t expect Li Jingquan’s cultivation to have improved so much over these years." He let out a sigh and said softly.

"Brother Lu Ying, what are you saying?" Qin Yi stood next to Lu Ying, but because it was too noisy around and Lu Ying’s voice was too low, she couldn’t hear clearly and turned her head curiously to ask Lu Ying.

"It’s nothing, I’m just a bit excited to see Young Master Yue fighting with someone from the Blood Sect." Lu Ying shook his head and explained with a smile to Qin Yi.

Qin Yi didn’t think much about it, just nodded and turned her head back to watch the battle on the field.

Qiu Yuyan, standing on Qin Yi’s other side, glanced at Lu Ying with a sidelong glance, a trace of doubt flashing in her eyes, and before Lu Ying noticed, she turned her gaze forward.

On the plaza, the battle between Yue Zhao and Li Jingquan continued. Li Jingquan still couldn’t get close to Yue Zhao, and Yue Zhao’s sound blades only caused Li Jingquan superficial injuries without inflicting particularly severe wounds.

Seeing the situation becoming increasingly unfavorable for him, Li Jingquan no longer held back and attacked Yue Zhao with full force. His speed suddenly increased significantly.

Yue Zhao raised his eyebrows, the smile on his lips unchanged, and he too no longer held back.

His finger technique changed, and the tune immediately shifted, becoming more intense. The invisible sound blades in the air suddenly increased in number and strength, and Li Jingquan, while fending them off, inched closer to Yue Zhao.

Their distance gradually decreased, and Li Jingquan accrued more injuries, even getting several wounds on his face. He simply wiped them with his hand and moved faster with his weapon.

Finally, he got close to Yue Zhao, thrusting his sword toward Yue Zhao’s chest.

With one hand holding the Flowing Light Zither, Yue Zhao turned slightly, and Li Jingquan’s sword struck the back of the zither. Yue Zhao moved his hand, spinning the zither to knock away Li Jingquan’s sword. His fingers moved on the zither, and sound blades attacked Li Jingquan, forcing him to step back a few paces.

Li Jingquan twisted his wrist, raised his sword once more, and hacked toward Yue Zhao’s body. Again, Yue Zhao dodged.

A sinister glint flashed in Li Jingquan’s eyes. He swung his sword over a dozen times, locking Yue Zhao’s escape route, determined to harm Yue Zhao. Instead of completely evading, Yue Zhao endured an injury to his left arm and approached Li Jingquan. In an instant, the Flowing Light Zither disappeared from his hands, replaced by a dagger, which was pressed against Li Jingquan’s neck.