Chapter 179

"It’s a body technique!"

Someone recognized the technique and shouted.

The other new disciples felt their hearts pound as they watched Yang Lingshu’s fluid movements on the platform, their eyes filling with awe.

Elders often warned against "biting off more than you can chew," and most young disciples focused on mastering a single path to avoid hindering their cultivation. Yet Yang Lingshu had not only maintained his cultivation methods and techniques but also mastered such an exquisite body technique!

The disciples of Heavenly Travel Peak truly deserved their reputation!

Yang Lingrui smiled faintly.

He had previously taught the "Mayfly Illusion Technique" to his family’s cultivators, but only Yang Lingshu had barely grasped the basics while others barely understood scraps. Now, though Yang Lingshu hadn’t yet cultivated an illusionary body, he’d fully mastered the first stage of the Mayfly Step. Seeing this, Yang Lingrui knew the battle’s outcome was settled.

On the Debate Platform, Zheng Han swung wildly at empty air before unleashing a golden light burst in fury—a wide-range technique. Yang Lingshu sidestepped gracefully, evading the attack entirely.

Though his earlier water technique missed Zheng Han, it had left a watery film across the platform. Gliding over it with the Mayfly Step, Yang Lingshu moved like a mayfly treading water.

Zheng Han’s breathing grew ragged.

"Friend," Yang Lingshu said calmly, starkly contrasting Zheng Han’s heaving fury, "must this continue?"

"Don’t… gloat… yet!" Zheng Han spat, lunging again.

Yang Lingshu sighed and raised two fingers. "Root."

Crack!

Zheng Han choked blood, crashing to his knees. Agony ripped through him as he realized—wooden shards from the shattered shield had hidden Yang Lingshu’s wood technique seedlings! The disguised roots now burrowed into his flesh.

He thrashed, but the roots only dug deeper.

A Lanyue Sect overseer finally intervened—any further struggle would drive the roots toward his heart and Qi Palace.

"Victory goes to Wanhuamen’s Yang Lingshu!"

"Brilliant!"

"Excellent!"

"Senior Brother Yang’s planning was precise, and his body technique was exceptional. He truly sets an example for us new disciples!"

The complete victory boosted the morale of Tiger-Chasing’s young cultivators, their cheers rising like crashing waves.

Yang Lingshu chose to keep fighting afterward.

He didn’t even need to recover – his match against Zheng Han had merely served as a warm-up.

Two consecutive losses left the Four Sects red-faced.

What was meant to be their comeback challenge had become stepping stones for their opponent’s triumph.

"He Kai! You go. We must win this!"

A Lanyue Sect elder barked darkly, summoning a disciple from behind him.

"Yes."

The disciple named He Kai, clad in blue-green robes, leaped down.

"Lanyue Sect’s direct disciple He Kai, fifth level of Gathering Qi, accepts the challenge!"

"What? They’re sending fifth-level fighters now?"

"That’s a peak fifth-level cultivator!"

"Looks like the Four Sects of the Northwest are truly desperate."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

No one expected the Four Sects to deploy a peak fifth-level direct disciple just for one victory.

Disciples glanced at Yang Lingshu. A full First Level gap couldn’t be bridged by mere technique and cunning.

Moreover, this opponent likely commanded basic Spiritual Manipulation methods – his combat strength probably matched sixth-level fighters.

On the Debate Platform, Yang Lingshu studied his challenger briefly before withdrawing to the High Platform.

Neither sect’s elders blamed him. Fighting despite such disparity would’ve been reckless pride.

Seated again, Yang Lingshu exchanged glances with Xiao Yize, who nodded imperceptibly.

*Smart move, junior brother,* Xiao Yize thought. *Let Daoyuanshan take the spotlight after Wanhuamen’s two wins.*

Truthfully, Yang Lingshu could’ve fought. His own Spiritual Manipulation skills and unused spirit pearl made victory possible.

But revealing all his cards here wasn’t worth it.

His displayed cultivation level and body technique sufficed as bait to lure out their target.

On Daoyuanshan’s side, a blue-robed female cultivator had been itching to fight since watching two rounds.

Seeing Yang Lingshu return, she sprang up. "Senior Brother, I’ll take this match."

Qiu Ran gave a curt nod. "Don’t lose."

"Understood!"

Thunder Sparks suddenly surged around the blue-robed cultivator as she transformed into a bolt of blue thunderfire, flashing onto the Debate Platform in an instant.

"Daoyuanshan! Sect Master’s direct disciple Qi Wei! Fifth level of Gathering Qi, accepts the challenge!"

Her declaration rang clear.

"Thunder Sparks merging with flesh! This girl’s thunder technique talent is remarkable!"

Daoyuanshan elders nodded approvingly while spectators marveled.

No woman in Tiger-Chasing’s history had truly mastered orthodox thunder techniques. Qi Wei might be the first.

Tiger-Chasing only had two orthodox thunder technique lineages – Daoyuanshan and the Hall of Divine Governance.

These techniques revealed their mastery through thunder coloration:

Blue lightning marked the first stage, like Qi Wei’s current level and the Yang Family’s thunder talismans.

Next came purple lightning. Qiu Ran had reached this second stage after refining Thunderflame True Intent.

Red lightning defined the third stage, exemplified by Hall of Divine Governance’s Hong Yao and Daoyuanshan’s Sect Master Lu Hefe.

The final stage – golden thunderbolt – remained elusive. Only Daoyuanshan’s Grand Elder Murei had achieved it, though it cost him most of his lifespan, confining him to mountain seclusion.

Lu Hefe’s progress seemed stalled, but Hong Yao might still reach golden thunderbolt realm. As for Qi Wei and Qiu Ran? Their youth left possibilities open, though judgment must wait.