The Tai Chi Circle
1848 Words
These two have a screw loose!
↑ This was the unanimous thought in the spectators' minds. They stared blankly at Chu Ran and Yunhua ahead, who stood facing each other with swords drawn, not fighting, but instead critiquing the longswords in their hands.
At this moment, their hearts, like the Shangqing Heavenly Venerable's far away in the Biyou Palace, were practically crumbling.
We're all ready for a show, and this is what you give us?
Where's the promised brawl?
Without anyone noticing... it had turned into a technical (or showboating) exchange between masters.
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn later.
The two ahead suddenly stopped talking, their expressions shifting drastically at the same time.
Their previously relaxed, pleasant faces instantly turned cold and solemn. The harmonious, lighthearted atmosphere between them vanished, replaced by a spreading chill and sharp tension.
Is this... finally starting?
Everyone immediately perked up, their eyes fixed on the two ahead.
But for some reason, the earlier excitement, anticipation, and curiosity were gone.
Probably because... no matter who loses, the biggest winners will be the clowns.
Since the outcome feels predictable, there's no suspense.
Ugh!
Can we just get an exciting (non-clownish), blood-pumping duel?
Forget it, thought the young disciples standing behind Immortal Lords Yueci and Changhe with long faces. After the disciple selection is over, we'll head to the arena for a proper man-to-man showdown with our peers—the real-deal, blades-out kind—so we don't get negatively influenced and led astray by these two...
**Ahead on the Tai Chi Plaza**
With a cold expression, Chu Ran faced Yunhua True Person and declared, "My sword is named Seal Thunder. It seals the divine thunder of the Nine Heavens and shatters all laws and tribulations!"
Hearing this, Yunhua True Person, standing opposite him, had a flash of admiration in his eyes, but his face remained proper and solemn. Gazing at the sword in his own hand, he said, "A fine sword!"
"..." Immortal Lord Yueci.
"..." Immortal Lord Changhe.
"..." And their disciples.
Damn it! Again?
We really shouldn't have had any expectations of you!
Stopping to chat mid-fight, halting the duel—fine. But now you're rewinding and starting over?
Good thing they're not my disciples/junior brothers, or I'd beat them silly!
—At this moment, the Immortal Lords and their disciples were completely in sync.
The two on the Tai Chi Plaza were clearly unaware of how many mental breakdowns their unscripted behavior was causing. They were still... playing verbal games.
"You flatter me too much!" Chu Ran replied with a majestic air. "To meet a friend through swords today is a true honor!"
Yunhua said, "My heart is the same, to be able to cross blades with you. This humble Daoist is older than you, little friend. Please, you make the first move!"
↑ That's why they say technical (or showboating) exchanges are the fastest way to deepen bonds. See how these two went from being mutually wary and polite to calling each other 'my friend'?
# The Friendship Between Clowns (or Showboat Masters)
The onlookers in the distance wore expressions of utter exasperation and blankness. We beg you... we beg you, please just fight!
We're being strung along so much we're about to pass out!
Perhaps because the collective resentment was truly overwhelming, the Heavenly Dao took notice.
The two ahead finally began to fight!
They saw—
The atmosphere on the Tai Chi Plaza suddenly shifted.
A severe, cold, solemn pressure descended like a heavy mountain.
A gust of wind swept through, swirling fallen leaves.
Chu Ran's dark robe was mostly ruined. His hair bun had come undone, black hair cascading to his waist and hanging by his ears, framing his elegantly fair face like Kunlun jade. Yunhua True Person, not bullying the weaker, had invited him to strike first.
And Chu Ran accepted without refusal. His expression was icy, his face like frost, as he addressed Yunhua True Person before him, "I accept the courtesy!"
With that, he flicked his wrist. A chill sword aura instantly erupted.
The swirling, rapidly flying leaves in the air were instantly split in two by the sword light, drifting down softly.
A layer of silvery-white cold light sheathed the thin, feather-light longsword!
In an instant, the previously ordinary-looking sword suddenly came alive.
Chu Ran's expression also turned severe, a ruthless sharpness between his brows like a honed blade.
**Within the Biyou Palace**
Seeing this, the Shangqing Heavenly Venerable's face showed surprise. Brilliant lights flickered across his exquisitely handsome face; the gleam in his eyes was like that of finding a treasure.
I never imagined this youth, when serious, would be like this!
A born sword cultivator.
This youth himself is a sword!
His very person is like an unsheathed spiritual sword.
With proper polishing, he will surely shine brilliantly in the future, dazzling the world!
**Back on the Tai Chi Plaza**
Yunhua True Person looked at the youth before him, sword in hand, who seemed to have become a different person in an instant. Surprise also flashed across his face.
Then, a surge of excitement rose within him. This—this is what makes a fight interesting.
His fighting spirit erupted instantly, his entire aura rapidly spreading outward.
The entire Tai Chi Plaza became their battleground!
"Brother, be careful—" Chu Ran let out a light shout.
As his words fell, they saw—
His foot moved. Instantly, he vanished from his spot.
In the blink of an eye.
The distant crowd only saw a blur flash by.
Then his figure was gone.
So fast!
Everyone was inwardly astonished, clicking their tongues. This speed... is he really just a Qi Refinement cultivator?
It can't be fake, can it?
They couldn't help but suspect this.
Even the onlookers outside the arena found it unbelievably fast, let alone Yunhua True Person in the thick of the fight.
He only felt a gust of wind sweep past him. A blur flashed before his eyes, and the youth who had been standing before him disappeared.
Where did he go?
Yunhua True Person couldn't help but wonder. Suddenly, a cold gleam from behind made his entire body shudder violently.
Danger!
Without hesitation—
His body reacted faster than his mind.
The longsword in his hand shot up to block behind him.
Clang—
They heard the harsh sound of blades clashing.
Yunhua True Person's sword blocked the strike aimed at his back from behind.
When did this youth get behind him, and he hadn't noticed at all!
Terrifying!
This speed, this agility, are rare in this world!
Even more nimble than a spirit monkey!
A sense of wariness and the ensuing surge of excitement immediately rose in Yunhua True Person's heart. As expected, he hadn't misjudged!
For this youth to accept his challenge, he must have real skill.
"You're really fast," Yunhua True Person didn't stint on his praise.
"You're not bad either," Chu Ran similarly complimented.
↑ Those whose minds wandered, please quietly take a bite of stain-remover powder.
Fast and such...
Always leads to thinking about certain inappropriate things.
As their words fell, what followed was a dazzling, grand, powerful scene that kept their eyes constantly moving.
Yunhua True Person's longsword swept backward. His feet moved, his body swiftly twisting.
Instantly, he went from having his back to Chu Ran to facing him.
"This time, you won't have another chance to come at me from behind!" Yunhua True Person said coldly to Chu Ran.
"Oh?" Chu Ran's lips curved upon hearing this. "Is that so?"
"Even if I don't come from behind, I have plenty of ways to keep you down!" Chu Ran instantly erupted with ferocity. Flicking his wrist, a silvery-white sword light shot forward like a meteor.
Aimed straight at Yunhua Daoist's face.
↑ A facial shot.
Yunhua True Person's expression remained unchanged. He shook his entire body, his longsword weaving floral patterns, countless sword lights bursting forth.
Two majestic, powerful sword lights collided and resisted in mid-air!
BOOM!
The two below, holding longswords, rapidly engaged, clashing!
Clang, clang, clang!
The sound of weapons colliding was incessant.
Sword light was brilliantly dazzling, like celestial rocks exploding.
Dazzling silvery sharpness enveloped the entire Tai Chi Plaza in a white glow.
The two figures swiftly tangled together, then swiftly separated.
One clash after another—
Before the Jade Purity Hall in the distance, everyone looked astonished,**** (unable to believe).
"He can actually go this far..." Immortal Lord Yueci spoke, his gaze fixed on the two engaged in fierce combat ahead, still sounding incredulous.
Beside him, Immortal Lord Changhe's features were clear and sharp, the light in his eyes bright as stars, shining brilliantly as he stared at the two ahead.
This fight lasted a full quarter of an hour.
Yunhua True Person's longsword thrust forward rapidly. His body turned, dodging the strike Chu Ran aimed at him.
He frowned, looking at Chu Ran's face.
He saw Chu Ran's face was pale and bloodless, his lips also tinged with blue. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His expression seemed pained, yet he forcibly endured it.
Only then did Yunhua True Person notice—Chu Ran was in tattered robes, black hair disheveled, barefoot, legs exposed.
Instantly, his face darkened.
Only now—
Did he suddenly realize with a shock: This youth has a weak constitution. And not long ago, he had just single-handedly resisted the lightning tribulation.
This was the moment when his stamina, energy, and spiritual power were most depleted, at his absolute weakest.
And he, Yunhua, had chosen this moment to fight him.
I'm truly not a decent person!
Yunhua True Person immediately felt intense self-loathing. In that instant, the momentum of his sword slowed.
"What are you spacing out for!" Suddenly, a clear, cold shout came. "Daring to space out in front of an enemy on the battlefield—are you seeking death!"
Hearing this, Yunhua True Person's heart instantly tensed.
He looked up.
He saw—
Chu Ran leaped up, the silvery light on his sword deep and cold. From high in the air, he brought his sword down in a cleaving strike towards him.
The youth's elegant face wore a ferocious expression, like a ghost or demon.
Seeing this, Yunhua's heart tightened instantly. Crap!
No time to dodge!
Helplessly—
Yunhua immediately steadied his heart. Withdrawing the longsword in his hand, he faced the void. His left hand moved right, his right hand moved left, up and down, slowly drawing semicircles.
A Yin-Yang Taiji symbol appeared in the void.
Like a wall, a halo of light, blocking in front of him.
Intercepting Chu Ran's cleaving strike!
Embracing the Fist, Drawing Tai Chi!
Victory or defeat would be decided in this instant!
Whether he could block Chu Ran's aerial sword strike was the key to victory.
At this moment—
Yunhua True Person was extremely grateful to his master and relieved that he was a Daoist cultivator.
After all, the Tai Chi circle was reputed to be the strongest, impenetrable defense, wasn't it?
- Writer
