Chapter 20: Irresistible Force

Two at the seventh level of Qi Refinement and two at the eighth level. It had to be said that Chang Tianhua held Song Changsheng in high regard, but even this level was still insignificant to Song Changsheng.

"Most of your Earth Fire Sect members excel in fire-element spells. Coincidentally, my water-element spells are passable. Today, I shall test your mettle!"

With a furious roar from Song Changsheng, his hand seals shifted rapidly. Countless water spiritual energies converged around him, eventually manifesting into two lifelike water dragons that radiated a terrifying aura.

This was the realm achievable only after the [Water-Fire Law Mastery] had reached Great Success—Elemental Manifestation. Although these two water dragons were composed of pure water spiritual energy, their combat power was comparable to a mid-grade, high-tier Rank 1 demon beast.

"You've got a loud mouth, kid." A cultivator with a face full of boils laughed savagely. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a three-foot-long sword, charging toward Song Changsheng.

"Be careful!" Song Changhu couldn't help but warn.

Song Changsheng's expression remained unchanged as he said softly, "Stay far from the battlefield and protect yourselves."

With a wave of his hand, a pillar of water surged from his side, instantly sending the flying sword spiraling back.

"Control!" With a sudden thrust of both hands, the water dragons swirling around Song Changsheng lunged toward the two seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivators.

Meanwhile, Song Changsheng himself engaged the two eighth-level cultivators alone. Curving his palms into claws, water orbs condensed behind him. With a slight movement of his will, all the orbs instantly enveloped the two men.

"Combine your defenses!" The two Earth Fire Sect disciples were startled and hurriedly joined forces to raise a spiritual energy shield.

Unexpectedly, the moment the sphere of water orbs was about to strike the shield, Song Changsheng clenched his hand slightly. All the orbs instantly exploded, turning into countless tiny droplets of water.

These dense droplets collided violently with the shield. The seemingly fragile droplets pierced through the shield like a sieve in an instant.

The two Earth Fire Sect disciples suffered immensely; their bodies were riddled with countless small holes from the exploding droplets, leaving them collapsed on the ground, incapacitated.

On the other side, the two seventh-level Earth Fire Sect disciples were still locked in a fierce struggle with the two water dragons. With a single thought from Song Changsheng, the two dragons suddenly expanded at extreme speed, catching the two men off guard and swallowing them whole.

Accompanied by a sensation of spinning vertigo, the two suffered comminuted fractures throughout their bodies, collapsing to the ground, breathing heavily but barely clinging to life.

By the end of the battle, Song Changsheng had not even moved a single step, yet the four Earth Fire Sect disciples were finished.

This feat not only shocked the Earth Fire Sect disciples but even left the nearby Song clan members stunned. Those were four late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, yet they had been dealt with so easily?

"Useless!" Chang Tianhua cursed inwardly. He narrowed his eyes at Song Changsheng, killing intent rising in his heart. A genius must be strangled in the cradle!

A single Song Xianming had dominated the entire Lingzhou for decades; now, they would never allow such a figure to emerge again.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

Chang Tianhua clapped as if no one else were there. A smirk curled on his lips as he said, "Splendid, truly splendid. As expected of the number one talent of the Song clan's younger generation, you indeed have some strength. Do you dare to test yourself against this Young Master?"

Chang Tianhua beckoned Song Changsheng with a finger, his gesture brimming with provocation.

"Who do you think you are?" Song Changsheng did not take the bait. Although he did not fear Chang Tianhua, the opponent had many followers, and he needed to conserve his spiritual energy while waiting for reinforcements.

"Heh, are you afraid already? As expected, the children follow the parents' example. That old fogey Song Xianming has been cowering for over a decade, afraid to show his face, and you, his grandson, are clearly a turtle as well."

Chang Tianhua continued to dance on the edge of death. He was determined to force Song Changsheng to take the initiative so that he could seize the opportunity to cripple him!

Song Changsheng's brows furrowed sharply, his eyes fixed intensely on Chang Tianhua. He said in an unfriendly tone, "Are you looking for death?"

"Changsheng, calm down! He has already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement and possesses many magical artifacts. You are not his match; he is deliberately provoking you."

Song Changxiu had arrived at this moment. Seeing Song Changsheng on the verge of an outburst, she bit the bullet and tried to stop him.

Song Changsheng ignored her words. A chilling killing intent permeated his gaze as he looked at Chang Tianhua. Pointing at him, he said coldly, "As you wish, I shall step forward and take your head."

"Ha, what a joke!" Chang Tianhua sneered. He abruptly snapped open his folding fan and waved it, sending a flurry of needles as fine as ox hair toward Song Changsheng.

Under the dazzling sunlight, the long needles shimmered with an eerie blue light, clearly coated in potent poison. He intended to kill Song Changsheng with a single move.

"Watch out for the hidden weapons!" Song Changxiu cried out in alarm.

But Song Changsheng was faster than her warning. With a sweep of his hand, he summoned his Treasure Gourd. The gourd spun rapidly, enlarging dozens of times in front of him, deflecting all the poisonous needles.

*Swish!*

Simultaneously, Chang Tianhua closed the distance. The folding fan in his hand had somehow been replaced by a long hook, which he swung directly at Song Changsheng's head.

"Get back!"

With a furious roar, Song Changsheng drove the enlarged Treasure Gourd to collide with the long hook. A burst of scorching air erupted from the impact, blowing down a large patch of surrounding vegetation.

The two combatants, however, were completely unaffected, their magical artifacts clashing repeatedly.

Although Song Changsheng's cultivation level was slightly lower and he had consumed a fair amount of spiritual energy earlier, his energy had been purified, significantly reducing his consumption. He felt no pressure in this exchange.

On the contrary, Chang Tianhua was gradually falling into a disadvantage. A flash of anger crossed his eyes, and with a wave of his hand, he summoned a precious pearl and a glazed mirror.

The three artifacts collided, momentarily suppressing the Treasure Gourd. Just as Song Changxiu and the others were breaking into a sweat for Song Changsheng, his expression remained calm.

He suddenly said to Chang Tianhua, "I am a fairly decent blacksmith, but do you know why I only use one magical artifact?"

Subconsciously, Chang Tianhua asked, "Why?"

"Go think about it on your way to the underworld." Song Changsheng's hand seals shifted rapidly, and the Treasure Gourd instantly spat out a massive water dragon.

The water dragon instantly crushed Chang Tianhua's three artifacts. Stunned by the sudden turn of events, Chang Tianhua was instantly ensnared by the water dragon.

"Young Master!" The Earth Fire Sect disciples were horrified and immediately moved to surround him.

"Move one more step and you die!" Song Changsheng controlled the water dragon to open its massive maw. At his command, Chang Tianhua would instantly become a headless corpse.

The Earth Fire Sect members froze in their tracks, terrified that something might happen to Chang Tianhua.

Song Changxiu and the others were left speechless. No one expected Song Changsheng to capture the Young Master of the Earth Fire Sect so easily.

Just as the Earth Fire Sect members were hesitant to act, an old voice rang out from not far away: "Little friend, release my sect's Young Master, and I shall permit you to leave."

Song Changsheng looked toward the distance, where an old man in a black robe had appeared at some unknown point.

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator." Song Changsheng's expression tightened, and he instantly tightened his grip on Chang Tianhua's throat.

Although Chang Tianhua was now a prisoner, he wore a fearless smile and said provocatively, "You're dead this time."

*Slap!*

Song Changsheng did not indulge him; he swung his hand and delivered a resounding slap to his face.

This slap not only stunned Chang Tianhua but also left both the Song clan and the Earth Fire Sect disciples completely bewildered.

"To dare do that at a time like this... is he not afraid of death?"