Feng Shui Chapter 160: Do You Believe Me, Master?

The heavy sword in his hand pointed steadily at Ke Jiusi’s chest. Xi Yunqing said calmly, “You lost.”

Without hesitation, Ke Jiusi shot back, “I don’t accept that. Let’s go again!” He paused, then quickly added, “This time, no restrictions on using spells.”

Xi Yunqing remained composed. “Fine.” He raised his hand to withdraw the heavy sword and stepped back a few paces.

Ke Jiusi felt that earlier he had been too careless. Now with no limits on magic, victory was definitely his. He raised his hand and began casting spells. A ring of small silver flying swords circled him nimbly, weaving up and down to guard all directions. Setting down his sword shield, Ke Jiusi felt more at ease.

He cautiously began, nine sword rays swirling tightly around his blade. Then, forming a hand seal, sparks of electric light danced from his sword, erupting into a streaking meteor that shot straight toward Xi Yunqing.

Ke Jiusi dared not underestimate this time. He unleashed his strongest move right away, and it was only because Xi Yunqing gave him enough time that he could cast it so smoothly. Blue-violet arcs of electricity flashed violently, the dazzling flying swords roaring in like thunderbolts.

Xi Yunqing’s expression was serene, his entire being immersed in a profound unity of heaven and man.

Since Chen Xiao had inadvertently enlightened him, revealing that besides bringing misfortune to others, Xi Yunqing could also dispel that very force, he not only experienced a sudden insight but went further, mastering the opposite power of misfortune and learning to wield it. Now, when using this force of doom in battle, he had reached a level of perfect mastery, so seamless that no trace could be detected.

When an opponent’s misfortune reaches its peak, it becomes the greatest fortune for oneself. This kind of luck meant that even without additional enhancements, Xi Yunqing always managed to spot the slightest flaw in Ke Jiusi’s sword techniques and spells, seizing that fleeting moment to counterattack. Using skill to overcome strength, piercing a hole with a point, Ke Jiusi’s sword formations and magic shattered instantly, dissolving into nothing.

Wielding the Xuefeng sword, Xi Yunqing seemed detached from the world, his spirit soaring as if floating above the battlefield, gazing down calmly. He fully controlled both his opponent and himself, and even extended his awareness to the palace guards watching nearby, and to Chen Xiao and others on the high platform a short distance away.

Xi Yunqing seemed to have a realization. This innate ability of his was more than just a talent, it was a key to understanding profound truth. At this moment, he was not just holding a sword but embodying it, striking precisely where the opponent’s fate was doomed to fail. This was more than power, it was... law?

Venerable Sanshui grabbed his beard and broke it off without feeling pain. Shock stole his voice, leaving only air in his throat.

Xi Yunqing, who had only just reached the Golden Core stage but hadn’t perfected it yet, had already touched the edge of the Dao. He had comprehended his own path and found the right road, no obstacle would remain ahead.

Venerable Sanshui gasped sharply. This was huge, huge! Unless Xi Yunqing died young, the Heavenly Realm would soon have a new Sword Saint!

Venerable Sanshui frowned. Did Taixu know Xi Yunqing’s current state? At such a critical time, he shouldn’t be wandering outside but staying put to stabilize. If he were Xi Yunqing’s master, he would have dragged him back to the sect to close himself off for ten years or more, deepening his understanding.

He looked up again at Xi Yunqing’s increasingly fluid attack patterns and shook his head. The foolish disciple was no longer facing just the sword in Xi Yunqing’s hand, he was up against an emerging realm of law. Though the realm wasn’t fully formed, even those below the Out-of-Body stage found him hard to challenge. Only the old-timers could keep him in check now.

The foolish disciple lost repeatedly at Xi Yunqing’s hands, no complaints from him.

Ke Jiusi didn’t have this kind of insight. At first, he’d been excited; then surprised, disbelieving, and finally furious. His newly built confidence was shattered to pieces by Xi Yunqing’s cold, unyielding expression.

The nine-star nine-sword net he wove was flawless, covering every angle, yet Xi Yunqing still pierced seven points in midair before his final strike cleaved through the sword net with a sharp, resonant clash.

Xi Yunqing’s unstoppable sword descended from above. Ke Jiusi could no longer dodge and could only watch helplessly. The sword didn’t strike his forehead. Instead, an overwhelming, unfathomable power radiated from the blade, suppressing his spirit so deeply that even the Nascent Soul within his mind was frozen.

His eyes, brown tinged with red, widened in disbelief. Ke Jiusi felt as if a massive guillotine hovered above his head, held only by a single hair, threatening to fall at any moment. The near-certain death experience utterly crushed his pride and left him chilled to the bone.

The fierce clash of true energy whipped the air into razor-sharp currents. It shattered the wooden hairpin on his head and cut many strands of his hair, leaving him disheveled like a frightened cat with fur on end.

Xi Yunqing’s protective energy shield absorbed the chaotic winds, then he looked at Ke Jiusi again and said calmly, “You lost.”

Ke Jiusi opened his mouth. “I, ”

For the first time, his usually relentless spirit was deeply shaken. When the gap between them was so vast, his obsession with proving himself vanished. Yet, though he surrendered in his heart, he couldn’t help but say the polite thing: “I admit I can’t beat you now. I’ll go back to the sect to close myself off and train, then come back to spar with you.”

Xi Yunqing was used to this and didn’t expect to convince him this time. As long as he was willing to close himself off and not keep pestering him every now and then, that was enough.

Xi Yunqing’s brows relaxed slightly, the chill in the air fading as he twisted his wrist and the heavy sword vanished. He turned his hand behind his back and lifted his chin. “Ready whenever you are.”

Without another word, Xi Yunqing turned and walked away. Ke Jiusi, unwilling to accept defeat, shook his sword with frustration, then hung his head and trudged after him.

True to his word, Venerable Sanshui immediately cast a protective barrier around the palace once the duel started. Otherwise, with the way those two fought, the entire palace would have long since become ruins. After the duel ended and they returned, Venerable Sanshui lifted the barrier.

Chen Xiao was the first to approach, his eyes full of admiration. His cultivation was low, so he couldn’t make out the finer details of the duel, only the flashes of light and the shadow of swords. Xi Yunqing’s offense was relentless and his defense sparse; it was a dangerous situation, yet he still emerged victorious.

“Big Brother is amazing." Chen Xiao said. “To win consecutively in such a risky fight…”

Xi Yunqing smiled faintly, reaching up to smooth the hair that the turbulent air had ruffled on Chen Xiao’s head. “It’s nothing. I just broke my usual fighting habits a little. Otherwise, Daoist Ke wouldn’t have fallen so easily.”

Ke Jiusi, still feeling sulky and embarrassed, was reluctant to come over. But hearing that, his eyes brightened instantly and he said to his master, “Yeah, yeah! If not for that, I wouldn’t have lost! Believe me, Master!”

Venerable Sanshui chuckled dryly, wishing he could shove this embarrassing, foolish disciple into a hole and never see him again. Some people call that modesty; he called it shameless arrogance.

With a forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Venerable Sanshui said, “No matter what, a loss is a loss! When you go back, you will close yourself off for serious cultivation. Reflect on why you lost. If you don’t understand, you’re not allowed out!”

This sparring was more than just a blow to Ke Jiusi’s pride, it was a valuable experience. If he could understand it, his swordsmanship and spells would only improve. Thinking that, Venerable Sanshui even felt a bit envious of this foolish disciple. Having an opponent worthy enough to be both teacher and friend was a rare fortune.

Ke Jiusi ignored Venerable Sanshui’s intentions and let out a miserable wail, slinking off dejectedly to the side. After disciplining his foolish disciple, Venerable Sanshui’s expression softened as he turned to Xi Yunqing: “Immortal Master Xi’s transformation this time is astonishing. His training has clearly borne fruit. You’re not in the best condition to continue wandering outside. Why not return to Chongxuan to refine yourself? Although Taishu is in seclusion, there are many elders at Chongxuan who can surely guide you through this stage better than you struggling alone. Take my advice, go back to Luocheng as soon as you can.”

Venerable Sanshui meant well, but Xi Yunqing couldn’t bear to part with Chen Xiao just yet and had to politely decline. “Thank you, Senior, for your kindness. I have my own judgment on this matter.”

Venerable Sanshui sighed. His friendship with Taishu was built on their shared path as sword cultivators. He couldn’t interfere too much. After a brief greeting with Shen Yonghe, Venerable Sanshui left with his foolish disciple in tow.

Shen Yonghe wiped the sweat from his brow with a weary smile and said, “Young friend Xi, tomorrow Venerable Sanshui plans to reinforce the underground water layers. Do you have any instructions?”

Chen Xiao asked, “How exactly will Venerable Sanshui perform the spell?”

Shen Yonghe thought for a moment. “First, he will trace the underground water veins to find the blockage or diversion point. Then he will clear it while adjusting the flow from other tributaries to supplement the city’s underground water.”

Chen Xiao was surprised. “Can Venerable Sanshui really go underground to inspect the water veins?”

Shen Yongqing, standing nearby, chuckled. “Master Chen, you misunderstand. Venerable Sanshui doesn’t need to go underground. He can do it all from the surface using water-element spells.”

Chen Xiao blinked. Even though this wasn’t the first time he’d seen such methods, he still marveled at the techniques of the immortals. After a moment, he asked, “Do you think I’m qualified to watch?”

Shen Yonghe smiled and glanced at Xi Yunqing standing nearby. “I doubt the elder would refuse you to observe closely.”

Chen Xiao smiled warmly. “Even without Big Brother’s favor, I’ll still ask the City Lord for permission to watch. I want to see the city’s underground water veins and see if I can improve the city’s feng shui.”

Shen Yonghe, having witnessed the wonders of feng shui firsthand, was intrigued. “Master Chen, do you have any good plans in mind?”

Chen Xiao replied, “It concerns the canal outside the city. Water brings wealth, but this one only carries it away. It can only bring temporary prosperity. To retain wealth and bring it into the city, other methods are needed.”

Shen Yonghe hadn’t realized that after completing the 'Stars Encircling the Moon' formation, Chen Xiao was still pondering the city’s feng shui. He thought Chen Xiao’s motivation came solely from Shen Yanxing, his teacher. Feeling deeply moved, Shen Yonghe looked at his son with loving eyes. He had once thought his son was destined to be a carefree wastrel, but now, against all odds, the tides had turned. Not only did his son have a promising future, but the whole family stood to benefit.