To deal with this kind of spirit, Qingshui naturally had his own methods.
He was highly skilled in Lightning-attribute spells and Ninjutsu. For ancient and powerful factions like the Mohist Sect, they certainly had ways to counter such entities.
The second stage of the Mohist Sect's Qi Cultivation technique was called Understanding Ghosts precisely because, starting from this stage, one began dual cultivation of inner nature and physical life, just like the Complete Perfection Sect.
Although it wasn't as specialized in cultivating inner nature as the Complete Perfection Sect, to the point of being able to manifest a Yin spirit or even a Yang spirit.
A Yin spirit can exist independently of the body, much like these spirits, while a Yang spirit is the transformation from Yin to Yang, where the soul alone possesses various properties of a physical body, akin to an earthly immortal.
When the Mohist Sect's mental cultivation reached the Understanding Ghosts stage, it could also strengthen the mind and soul, enhancing the quality of Qi and granting the ability to harm spirits. Even if the restraining effect wasn't as strong as pure Lightning spells, it was still effective.
Qingshui's choice was to combine them all.
A "sizzling" electrical sound filled the air as streaks of lightning converged on the Magic Tool longsword in Qingshui's palm.
"What is this!"
Zhang Lingyu, who was sitting beside the Old Heavenly Master watching the competition, stood up from his seat in shock.
The large crowd of Anomalous Humans watching around them also began to murmur.
"Lightning spell? Master, this..."
Zhang Lingyu looked at Zhang Zhiwei.
Could it be that besides Zhang Chulan, Longhu Mountain had other disciples who had been living outside the sect?
But this person was from the Mohist Sect!
"Lingyu, calm down. It's not just our Longhu Mountain that can wield lightning. Our Celestial Master's Mansion uses the Five Thunder Righteous Law of the Heavenly Heart. Shangqing, Shenxiao, and Qingwei also have their Five Thunder Laws. As for those outside the Taoist gates, there are even more."
The Old Heavenly Master looked at the scene in the arena, stroking his long beard, and spoke unhurriedly.
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Tenfold!
In an instant, Qingshui's figure transformed into a flash of lightning, striking Liu Kunsheng's body ten times with sword Qi imbued with the Lightning attribute.
The black Qi serpent, whose head alone was two stories high, couldn't help but hiss, beginning to bite even more furiously.
Streaks of lightning flashed, and Tian Jinzhong's eyes, red with excitement, stared at the competition below.
"Senior Brother, I haven't left the mountain in seventy years, and my knowledge is shallow. I can't recognize what school or sect this technique belongs to. What about you?"
"I can't tell either. The Mohist Sect shouldn't have this kind of technique. It's probably something this Professor acquired from somewhere, or perhaps he developed it himself. What puzzles me, however, is that even when developing a cultivation method, one should at least reference the experiences of other sects, right? Yet, I can't discern any traces of any sect's techniques."
Zhang Zhiwei shook his head, his ancient yet clear eyes filled with curiosity.
He had lived for over a hundred years and had been the strongest in the world for most of his life. His insight was profound, yet he couldn't discern Qingshui's methods.
If even the Old Heavenly Master couldn't figure out Qingshui's approach, then it was even more impossible for others.
Feng Xingtong watched helplessly as the powerful Master Liu was struck several more times, and he could only hastily speak up:
"I concede!"
Qingshui immediately stopped.
"Thanks for the concession, little brother Xingtong."
"Thank you, Professor Zhuo, for your mercy."
Feng Xingtong quickly recalled Liu Kunsheng and, finding him completely unharmed, breathed a sigh of relief.
This was a family immortal worshipped by Deng Youfu's family. If it were injured in his hands, he wouldn't know how to face Deng Youfu.
His father, Feng Zhenghao, was one of the Ten Elders, but Deng Youfu's grandmother, Guan Shihua, was also one of the Ten Elders. Even if Spirit Control and Summoning countered the Chuma Immortal, it was still not good to provoke a conflict and offend them.
Feng Xingtong himself wouldn't be able to live with it.
"No matter, Great Immortal Liu's spirit body is injured, but its soul is unharmed. It's just lost some cultivation. If you worship it more and offer three sacrifices when you return, it will quickly recover. If you lack anything, you can ask the Tianxia Association for help. Consider it my compensation for Xingtong."
Feng Zhenghao also comforted Deng Youfu at this time.
Zhang Lingyu, who was preparing to enter the arena, had a very serious expression at this moment.
There were too many young masters at this Luo Tian Grand Ceremony.
Just Lu Linglong alone almost caused him to lose without using Filthy Thunder, let alone the rest.
Zhuge Qing was very strong and a formidable opponent Zhang Lingyu had previously taken very seriously. Wang Ye, who defeated Zhuge Qing using Wind-Rear Strange Gate, one of the Eight Unique Skills, would only be stronger. Feng Baobao's strength also far surpassed that of the younger generation. Although Zhang Chulan was shameless, his strength was definitely not weak.
Now, with this young professor from the Mohist Sect demonstrating such power, Zhang Lingyu felt immense pressure.
Without using Filthy Thunder, he seemed to have little chance of winning against these people.
Fortunately, for the next match, it probably wouldn't be necessary.
Zhang Lingyu silently shifted his gaze to the other side, to Zero, the masked retainer of the Lu Family with twin blades on his back, who was also watching him.
That was his next opponent.
And behind Zhang Lingyu.
The Old Heavenly Master was also contemplating.
Tang Wenlong had been easily defeated by Zhang Chulan before, which showed that the big-eared scoundrel's grandson was quite capable.
The other side of the top eight consisted of Feng Baobao and Feng Shayan. The latter's strength was decent among the younger generation, but she should not be a match for Feng Baobao.
As for the other side, it was Lingyu against that young professor from the Mohist Sect. It looked like even if Lingyu used Filthy Thunder, he might not be able to secure a win.
Considering that the opponent could even defeat Chai Yan, it was highly likely that Lingyu wouldn't make it to the finals.
In that case, the top two spots would probably go to Chulan and Zhuo Qingshui.
Zhang Zhiwei observed Qingshui, who was walking back to the spectator stands from the arena. He recalled his conversation with Zhang Chulan before the matches began and closed his eyes in peace.
There was no need to give Lingyu the Immortal Pill anymore.
In the subsequent quarter-finals, Zero very straightforwardly lost to Zhang Lingyu.
Another day passed.
The semi-finals.
After Feng Baobao and Zhang Chulan put on an intelligence-insulting exhibition match, sending the latter to the finals, the other highly anticipated match finally began.
The favorite to win, Zhang Lingyu, was facing the biggest dark horse of this competition, the great scientist, Professor Zhuo Qingshui, who had frequently appeared in the news recently.
"Next up, Zhang Lingyu of the Celestial Master's Mansion versus Zhuo Qingshui of the Mohist Sect! Let the match begin!"
With the loud shout of a Celestial Master's Mansion Daoist acting as a referee, Qingshui and Zhang Lingyu slowly walked into the arena from their respective entrances.
"Professor Zhuo, please be careful. In this Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, Lingyu has a reason he cannot lose, so next, Lingyu will give his all."
Zhang Lingyu politely clasped his hands, forming a Zi-Wu seal with his fingers, and bowed to Qingshui.
His senior martial brother Rongshan had spoken. If Zhang Chulan, this shameless person, became the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain, he and several other martial brothers would leave the mountain.
They couldn't afford to lose face like that.
So, Zhang Lingyu could only go all out.
This was for the Celestial Master's Mansion's thousand-year reputation!
"No matter. Whatever abilities Lingyu Zhenren has, just unleash them."
Qingshui held his Magic Tool longsword in his right hand and chuckled.
He wasn't worried about losing at all.
Among those present, besides a few old folks over a hundred years old, the rest shouldn't be his opponents.
"Then, Professor Zhuo, Lingyu apologizes in advance!"
Zhang Lingyu immediately said with a serious expression.
In an instant, a layer of golden light, like glazed glass, enveloped Zhang Lingyu.
Golden Light Mantra!
"Clang!~"
A crisp, clear sword cry rang out.
In the stands, Lu Ci, who hadn't been present to watch the matches yesterday, suddenly opened his eyes, his fierce gaze fixed on Qingshui below.
The next moment, another gaze full of malevolence was cast in his direction.
"Old Lu, what's wrong?"
Wang Ai, sitting beside Lu Ci, glanced at Yue Qian and quickly asked.
"Sorry, it's nothing."
Lu Ci cupped his hands towards Yue Qian below, indicating he meant no harm, then explained:
"I just remembered the old days. Such a sword cry, I haven't heard it in many years. Plus, Professor Zhuo's sword style seems to have absorbed some of the essence of Eastern sword arts, so... I had a bit of a reaction."
Lu Ci said with some emotion.
Seventy years ago, the Lu Family's twin jades, the eldest young master Lu Ren and the second young master Lu Ci, were Anomalous Humans fighting on the front lines of the War of Resistance. The Lu Family's eldest young master died for the country in that war.
The one who killed the Lu Family's eldest young master was Demon Eita of the Mount Hiei Ninja Clan, a top-tier swordsman wielding the Demonic Blade Hirumaru.
Later, in the ten-person battle of the Sky-Piercing Hole, Eita fought against multiple Anomalous Human masters. At that time, Lu Ci blasted out one of his eyes, and he was pursued into the deep mountains where he jumped off a cliff, eventually being killed by a hunter's daughter with a rusty iron cleaver.
"Everyone talks about global integration now. Back then, we also talked about learning from the barbarians to defeat the barbarians. It's perfectly normal for young people to know a few things. After all, he's from the Mohist Sect; he's learned a lot of diverse things."
Wang Ai chuckled.
"That's why I didn't get angry. Which old geezer here can't tell what this young man's swordsmanship is like? Besides the Mohist Sect's Non-Aggression Sword Art, he has foundations in several other sword techniques.
Not to mention, he's made such significant contributions to the country. Although I don't know the exact use of his achievements, knowing that his technology can make our missiles fly farther and more accurately is enough for me to acknowledge him as a person of substance. Even if foreign countries were foolish, they wouldn't send in a spy by providing a bunch of technologies they themselves don't even possess."
Lu Ci looked at the arena below.
"But you, Old Wang, your grandson was bullied so badly, and you, old fox, don't have any other thoughts?"
"Old Porcupine, I'm a fox, not a fool. I've already figured it out. He's just curious about my Wang Family's Divine Coating."
"You plan to pass on the Divine Coating?"
"The core parts cannot be passed on to non-Wang Family members."
That means the non-core parts can be passed on.
Or, people can be turned into Wang Family members before it's passed on.
Lu Ci lowered his head and began to calculate as well.
This person is destined for greatness in the future.
No, he's already incredibly impressive. We can only befriend him; offending him would be unwise.
Twenty-seven years old, unmarried… Among the Lu Family's younger generation, under thirty and unmarried, the more attractive girls include…
Hmm?
Wait?
This match down here… something's not right?
"Cough, cough!"
The Golden Light Mantra shattered, and Zhang Lingyu coughed up fresh blood, his elegant white robe now riddled with tears.
Sticky, black fluid streamed from Zhang Lingyu's sleeves.
The appearance of Filthy Thunder meant Zhang Lingyu had achieved Zhang Chulan's dream—he was no longer a virgin.
This certainly surprised many and broke the hearts of many young female Anomalous Humans who had harbored designs on Zhang Lingyu. But what was even more astonishing was on the other side.
A robot over two meters tall, entirely silver-white, with a sci-fi design.
"Holy cow! Is that an Armor Hero?!"
In the stands, Zhang Chulan's eyes nearly popped out in surprise.
He's not going to have to fight that thing in the finals, is he?
On another set of stands, Cang Long was practically drooling.
"That thing is so cool…"
If he had one, Lu Linglong would probably think it was cool too, right?
"Dr. Liao, your Mohist Sect, do you actually possess such capabilities?"
Feng Zhenghao, who was currently trying to curry favor with Liao Fan, looked down at the arena in astonishment.
Such a massive Magic Tool, one of these must be worth a hundred ordinary Magic Tools, right?
Yet, the Qi emanating from it unequivocally indicated that Qingshui had forged it himself.
For a young Artificer under thirty, even with talent as monstrous as his, the previously seen Magic Tool longsword was already astonishing. But to bring out such a behemoth was downright terrifying.
"Uh… I haven't heard of it. Perhaps it's Senior Brother Zhuo's new research?"
Liao Fan said uncertainly.
A senior brother who can revolutionize chip technology and usher in an era of artificial intelligence, it's only normal for him to create a super Magic Tool, right?
"Newest research, huh? Or…?"
Feng Zhenghao pushed up his glasses.
As a successor of Spirit Control and Summoning, he was well aware that among the Eight Unique Skills, there was a technique called Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements.
Wang Ai, Lu Ci, Lu Jin, and other elder powerhouses who had personally experienced the Jiashen Rebellion couldn't help but recall this unique skill.
However, this had nothing to do with Zhang Lingyu for the time being.
What he needed to consider was how to withstand the onslaught of this "Armor Hero."
*BOOM!*
Well, no need to consider it anymore.
"Pfft!"
Another mouthful of blood spurted out.
The thick, heavy Filthy Thunder, even combined with the already proficient Golden Light Mantra, couldn't withstand many blows from Platinum.
Zhang Lingyu shakily tried to stand up from the ground.
He didn't want to lose.
"Alright, Lingyu."
Zhang Zhiwei suddenly spoke from the stands.
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached every corner of the arena.
"Concede. You are no match for Professor Zhuo."
"Master!"
Zhang Lingyu wiped the blood from his mouth with his white sleeve and cried out.
Zhang Zhiwei said, "You can't wait for Professor Zhuo's Qi to run out."
"But disciple, I still want to try. If I don't try until the last moment, how will I know if I can do it?"
"You can't."
Qingshui decisively revealed the mounted long and short cannons on Platinum.
Zhang Lingyu: "..."
"Oh, Little Martial Uncle! Anyway, Professor Zhuo is so incredibly strong, there's no way I could beat him. How about you surrender, and I'll surrender in the finals too!"
Zhang Chulan cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone and yelled loudly at Zhang Lingyu from the sidelines.
By this point in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, Zhang Chulan had a basic understanding of his own strength.
Under normal circumstances, he was at most on par with Lu Linglong. The top four was probably his limit. In a burst state, he could indeed contend with Zhang Lingyu for a short time if Zhang Lingyu used Filthy Thunder, but his chances of winning weren't necessarily high.
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