Chapter Seventy-Two: Even in Defeat, I Will Leave You Gravely Wounded

Bai Chengzhou’s face darkened slightly when he heard his master’s words. If he really carried out such actions, the infamy would surely be his to bear. But what choice did he have? He was someone else’s disciple.

Sharp light flashed in his eyes as Bai Chengzhou endured the pain coursing through his organs and stood up. “...Brother Fan, let’s go again. I haven’t given up yet!” His voice was ragged with exhaustion.

“Good!” someone shouted, seeing his determination. Many cultivators cheered, moved by Bai Chengzhou’s spirit—most were outer sect disciples, naturally inclined to support Ning Jiuyi’s faction in challenging Budong Peak’s status.

At this moment, Fan Lanzhou seemed to become the villain. Fortunately, his nature was cool and indifferent; he merely nodded and pointed his sword, waiting for Bai Chengzhou to make the first move.

Bai Chengzhou reached for his waist pouch; a mass of black light shot out. At its center was a mountain-shaped treasure—a superior artifact, its aura stronger than Fan Lanzhou’s Ancient Dao Sword, if not more so.

With a gesture, Bai Chengzhou sent the black miniature mountain soaring into the air—it expanded rapidly, turning into a hill a hundred yards across, crashing toward Fan Lanzhou.

Boom—boom—boom—

Just passing through the air, it produced terrifying sonic booms, causing the space to tremble.

This treasure was extraordinary! All the cultivators’ hearts tightened. Even among the ten inner elders, such a powerful artifact might not be found. If Ning Jiuyi had truly gifted it to his disciple, it was either out of sincere affection or a ruthless bid for the elder’s seat.

...

The gigantic mountain shadow fell, bringing with it the roar of wind and thunder and a crushing force!

Fan Lanzhou was not arrogant; he chose to dodge immediately, not to face it head-on.

Boom!

The black mountain missed and smashed into the ground, which was already battered. The earth instantly shattered into powder, the ground split open again, revealing deep black fissures as if deathly energy seeped from within.

“Hah!” Bai Chengzhou, like an old tiger stung into fury, eyes resolute, frantically controlled the black mountain, slamming it again and again toward Fan Lanzhou.

Boom—boom—boom—

Explosions thundered.

Fan Lanzhou darted left and right, seemingly in disarray.

Bai Chengzhou’s fingers flicked, sending golden seals into the mountain, causing it to grow even larger.

Soon, most of the cultivators—including Fang Junmei and his two companions—judged the situation. Fan Lanzhou couldn’t dodge forever; he would have to face it.

The reason was simple: the arena was spatially limited, and a light barrier enclosed it. No matter how fast Fan Lanzhou moved, he was always within its bounds. As Bai Chengzhou’s mountain grew, Fan Lanzhou’s room to maneuver shrank.

Everyone could see it—how could Fan Lanzhou not?

His gaze hardened; he finally chose to confront it. With a shout, he spun and sent the Ancient Dao Sword flying toward the black mountain.

A mighty wind and cloud surged, swirling with the sword’s movement. Within the storm, the Ancient Dao Sword flashed with blue light, its aura nearly matching the black mountain’s.

This sword, too, was a superior artifact. Even without sword techniques, it was formidable.

Boom!

The clash erupted like thunder from the heavens.

Some lower-ranking cultivators’ eardrums burst, causing cries of pain. The shockwave from such high-level combat, though blocked by the light barrier, could not silence the sound.

The old Daoist Tianhe acted quickly, casting another light barrier to enclose the duel, muffling the noise considerably.

Boom—boom—

The two fought with their treasures.

In the sky, black and blue lights exploded together.

...

In realm, mana, spiritual sense, and artifact power, Bai Chengzhou was stronger. Soon, Fan Lanzhou’s Ancient Dao Sword dimmed, blood trickled from his lips, and his situation grew dire.

“Return the blow in kind. Let’s see: you may borrow the power of technique, but how will you borrow the power of artifact?” Ning Jiuyi watched Fan Lanzhou with a sinister gaze, thinking to himself.

Yet Linghu Jinjiao and his companions showed no worry; their lips curled in subtle smiles.

With a shout, the Ancient Dao Sword was caught in Fan Lanzhou’s hand.

Everyone saw golden light burst from his body, revealing a clear golden humanoid skeleton inside—source of the glow.

“Bone-deep swordsmanship!”

Shouts erupted from countless cultivators. This phenomenon was a precursor to unleashing sword power!

Budong Peak had already produced a prodigy comparable to Gu Xijin, Long Jinyi. Who would have expected a second who had attained bone-deep swordsmanship?

Ning Jiuyi’s pupils contracted. He had always thought Fan Lanzhou’s hidden card would be some powerful artifact, planning to force it out and advise Feng Wanhai, who might face Fan Lanzhou later. He hadn’t expected bone-deep swordsmanship.

The ever-proud Feng Wanhai now grew solemn.

Few realized that in the future, Budong Peak would bring even greater shocks.

Bai Chengzhou was dumbstruck as well.

“What are you staring at? Go fight! Even if you’re gravely wounded, you must create a greater chance for your junior!” Ning Jiuyi’s scheming nature showed through; even now, he plotted for Feng Wanhai.

Bai Chengzhou’s gaze flashed coldly; he charged forward.

Facing Budong Peak disciples, it was always his idea to strike ruthlessly—could he shirk responsibility now?

...

Golden radiance flowed from Fan Lanzhou’s bones, merging into the Ancient Dao Sword and unleashing the final move of the Grand Dao Wind-and-Cloud Sword Technique—Commanding the Storm!

Wind and cloud surged, forming a dragon-tiger phantom that roared and crashed into the black mountain.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion left shattered clouds and flying dust everywhere.

In the next moment, red, white, yellow, and other lights flashed—about five treasures struck at Fan Lanzhou together.

Bai Chengzhou, ignoring the black mountain blown away, blood at his lips and pain in his eyes, moved in close to Fan Lanzhou.

These treasures, though not as potent as the black mountain, made up for it in number and unique functions.

Fan Lanzhou sensed the renewed assault; his gaze flashed icy. The usually calm cultivator finally grew angry.

Zheng—zheng—zheng—zheng—

The Ancient Dao Sword swept out, golden light flowing like a crescent moon.

All five treasures were blasted away.

But they bought Bai Chengzhou a moment. A beam of sword light shot out, piercing Fan Lanzhou diagonally from his side through his back!

Blood spurted forth.

“Second Brother!” Fang Junmei and his companions cried out at the sudden reversal.

...

“Congratulations, Brother Fan—it’s you—” Bai Chengzhou struck and, with a flash of pride in his eyes, wasted no time in retreating, about to concede.

Yet a fierce, wild aura surged from behind.

Though wounded, Fan Lanzhou’s face twisted; he unleashed the Grand Dao Wind-and-Cloud Sword Technique with even greater speed, sending golden sword beams stabbing at Bai Chengzhou.

Puff—puff—puff—

Before Bai Chengzhou finished his words, he was pierced through a dozen times, blood spraying everywhere, his misery now greater than Fan Lanzhou’s.

“Stop! I concede!” Bai Chengzhou shouted, crashing to the ground.

Swish!

Fan Lanzhou appeared before him like lightning, Ancient Dao Sword pointed at his chest, poised to strike.

Had Bai Chengzhou been slower, Fan Lanzhou would surely have dealt a harsher blow.

...

The wind and clouds dissipated in the valley.

The pivotal battle finally ended.

Everyone looked at blood-soaked Fan Lanzhou, then at blood-soaked Bai Chengzhou, emotions swirling. By now, it was clear Bai Chengzhou had acted to create victory for Feng Wanhai. But since it was within the rules, none could blame him; at most, they could curse him as despicable in their hearts.

Fan Lanzhou, however, won much sympathy. The question now was, just how badly was he hurt?

The light barrier faded.

Bai Chengzhou tapped several points on his body to staunch his bleeding, summoned his treasures, and, with a regretful smile, said, “Brother Fan, forgive me.”

With those words, he endured his pain and flew toward Ning Jiuyi’s seat.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Linghu Jinjiao and the other two landed beside Fan Lanzhou.

Linghu Jinjiao and Yang Xiaoman checked Fan Lanzhou’s injuries, while Fang Junmei stared coldly and warily at Bai Chengzhou’s back.

Another hypocrite!

At that moment, the guilt he felt over killing Xiao ** diminished greatly, like ebbing tides. He realized that even if he hadn’t killed Xiao **, the opponent would have used such methods to weaken Fan Lanzhou.

“Linghu and Xiaoman, take me back to heal,” Fan Lanzhou said calmly. “Junmei, you stay and watch.”

“I’ll go back too,” Fang Junmei said, unwilling to watch any longer.

“Shut up, I make the decisions. You stay and watch—now’s the time you most need to accumulate battle experience. Since you can’t go on stage, watch the others more.” Fan Lanzhou spoke sternly, his white robe stained red but his brow unwrinkled, a figure of steadfast resolve.

Fang Junmei could not argue.

Linghu Jinjiao summoned a white cloud, carrying Fan Lanzhou and Yang Xiaoman toward Budong Peak, ignoring greetings or formalities. Budong Peak’s people always acted as they pleased, and after the incidents with Long Jinyi and Fan Lanzhou, they held an even deeper grievance against the sect.