267Chapter 266 A duel with an old nemesis lets give it a try

In this duel, the cultivator who had reached the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage was none other than Guo Pin.

Guo Pin’s name is known to everyone in the Alchemy Sect, and he is even a famous figure in other sects and the entire Haotian Orthodox Sect.

After all, before You Xiaohua arrived, he was the Grand Elder of the Alchemy Sect.

Moreover, Guo Pin is currently the oldest Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivator in the Alchemy Sect.

Those who were older than him and reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment either successfully broke through to the Golden Core stage or died young.

How many Foundation Establishment cultivators at the Great Perfection stage can patiently endure the long wait?

After all, as one gets older, one’s physical body and vital energy weaken, and the hope of breaking through to the Golden Core stage diminishes. One might as well fight now or later, so why not fight while the chance for condensing the core is greatest? That way, one can die without regrets!

Guo Pin is now over a hundred years old. In at most ten years, he will definitely try to break through to the Golden Core realm.

Otherwise, as one’s blood and qi decline and the dantian weakens, the chances of condensing the elixir will decrease year by year.

Just like Xiao Wusheng back then, at over 130 years old, with his qi and blood depleted, his chances of condensing the elixir were extremely low, and almost everyone thought that he would never be able to condense the elixir again.

But in his extreme rage at losing his beloved student, and in his desperate struggle, he ended up becoming…

“start.”

Hong Shao’s voice remains unchanged.

Guo Pin and the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator opposite him simultaneously formed hand seals.

Guo Pin’s hand speed was extremely fast. He had been refining pills for many years and his technique was excellent. In addition, he had lived long enough and practiced spells many times, so he could naturally use many spells at will!

This is the difference of time and experience; as the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

He was actually two breaths faster than the late Foundation Establishment cultivator opposite him in making his hand seals!

A flash of yellow light transformed into a faint yellow dragon, roaring as it hurtled out, heading straight for the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator opposite!

“Senior Brother Guo is indeed amazing! I admit defeat!”

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator opposite him changed his expression, then burst into laughter and voluntarily dispelled his spell.

The spell, which resembled a faint yellow dragon, suddenly vanished halfway through its journey.

“Guo Ping wins in the fourth round.”

Hong Shao’s voice rang out: “Those who draw five lots, enter the formation.”

Guo Pin smiled slightly and said to the late Foundation Establishment cultivator, “Thank you for your consideration, Junior Brother Xu.”

“No, it’s because my senior brother is so skilled. I’m far inferior to him.”

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator quickly bowed slightly, a wry smile on his face.

Guo Pin smiled, turned to Hong Shao, and bowed, saying, “Thank you, Sect Master.”

After saying that, he turned around and left the formation.

The late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator bowed to Hong Shao and then turned to leave the formation.

The cultivators who participated in the fifth round of competition stepped into the formation.

Yu Xian glanced at Guo Pin, then looked away.

Guo Pin had already reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment back then, and now twenty years have passed. He definitely did not waste his time.

His alchemy aptitude was, as his master once said, far superior to his master’s, and in addition to his alchemy aptitude, his cultivation aptitude must also be quite good.

Judging by the speed at which he makes hand seals, not to mention the power, his strength is definitely no weaker than that of An Wenyuan, whom Yu Xian attacked and killed back then!

A hundred years has passed; even a dog that has lived that long would become a spirit, let alone Guo Pin.

He was holding back his true strength, all for the sake of ensuring the successful condensation of the elixir!

Otherwise, if you fail, it will be too difficult to wait for the next attempt to condense the core.

Yu Xian’s expression was calm, and his gaze was serene.

The events of that year are still vivid in his mind. He will repay Li’er for the first offense and Guo Pin for the second.

However, Li’er’s great-grandfather was the second elder of the Alchemy Sect, a powerful expert in the late Golden Core stage, and she rarely left the sect, so Yu Xian had no chance to kill her.

However, if they were to fight it out within the Haotian Sect, it would be tantamount to trading one life for another.

As for Guo Pin… judging from the current situation, he is definitely not a kind person. Even if he were to be ambushed in the wild, he would not be easy to deal with.

Let’s wait a while and look for an opportunity…

The fifth round of the competition began, with two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanging spells, once again creating a sky full of fireworks.

The competition consisted of eight rounds, and it was all over in about an hour.

Of the eight winners, five were at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, none of whom were overturned by late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Ultimately, a higher level of understanding is a higher level of understanding; geniuses who transcend their limitations and defeat their enemies are ultimately a very small minority.

You’re a genius, but aren’t others?

So if someone is a level higher than you, you just can’t beat them; that’s the norm.

An accident is called an accident because it is rare.

“The eight winners will rest for a while, while the eight losers will draw lots again to select four, and the remaining four will be eliminated.”

Chen waved his hand calmly, and eight more jade tokens flew out.

Upon seeing this, the eight losers quickly reached out and drew lots, each taking one, two, three, or four.

Hong Shao’s voice then rang out: “You have one incense stick’s time to rest.”

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Qi Sea can be almost fully replenished. If that’s not enough, you can also absorb spirit stones, so there’s enough time.

The eight people drew lots and immediately all focused their minds and meditated, absorbing spiritual energy to restore their spiritual power.

Five of them had particularly solemn expressions. They had been defeated by those at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, but they could not afford to be defeated by someone of the same realm again!

This is no longer relevant to the subsequent rankings.

They were well aware that in the subsequent competition rankings, it was highly likely that the five Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivators would secure four spots.

What they’re competing against now is who’s stronger within the same realm.

Because nobody wants to lose; losing is very shameful!

The incense stick burned out in an instant, and Hong Shao said calmly, “Whoever draws a lot shall enter the battle.”

Two of the eight late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately rose and entered the formation.

“start.”

The battle of wits, as dazzling as fireworks, lit up once again.

A battle between cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage, if it’s a life-or-death struggle that stirs the hearts of the people, is still quite interesting.

However, if it’s just a pure contest of cultivation and magical power, a clash of spells, unless some powerful spell creates a crushing defeat on the magical level, it’s basically not very interesting to watch.

However, in the eyes of other cultivators in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and early Foundation Establishment stage, it is a place that is very interesting to watch and even a place to learn from.

Soon, the four winners of the losers’ bracket were decided.

“The winners of the bracket will be drawn by lot.”

Chen slowly raised his hand and waved again.

Yu Xian and the other five cultivators at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, along with three cultivators at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, reached out and each took a jade token.

Yu Xian picked up the jade slip and glanced at it, only to see that the character “壹” was engraved on it.

This time there’s no need to waste time; I’m in the first round of the competition.

As he thought this, Hong Shao’s words reached his ears.

“Whoever draws a lot will enter the battle.”

Yu Xian let out a soft breath and stood up.

On the other side, Guo Pin also stood up.

Yu Xian and Guo Pin’s expressions changed almost simultaneously.

Guo Pin’s face revealed a genuine sense of seriousness and vigilance. It could be said that Guo Pin was confident he could defeat everyone present, even You Xiaohua.

Only this lingering envy…

His record is just too brilliant.

He killed six Foundation Establishment Grand Perfection cultivators from a heretical cult!

Rumored to have the fighting power to become the Fifth Holy Son!

Back when he was in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he dared to accept a duel with Hua Yuandu, the Second Holy Son!

And most importantly, is this Yu Xian really the same boy from back then?

That Xiao Wusheng’s apprentice?

If it weren’t for that, it would be fine.

If so, that would be truly terrifying.

In just twenty years, he has grown from a minor cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Condensation to a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivator, possessing the combat power of the fifth Holy Son of the Haotian Sect!

If he were given another ten years or so, would he be able to condense his inner core by then?

At that point, wouldn’t killing yourself be as easy as slaughtering a chicken or a dog?

I hope it’s not… it definitely isn’t… where would you find such a prodigy?

Twenty years later, he went from the mid-stage of Qi Condensation to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

If he were truly a genius, he wouldn’t have been taken in as a disciple by that good-for-nothing Xiao Wusheng.

Guo Pin’s eyes flickered for a moment, then he nodded and smiled at Yu Xian, offering a slight greeting before taking the first step into the formation.

Upon seeing this, Yu Xian smiled and nodded slightly in return, the murderous intent buried deep in his eyes returning to normal as he stepped into the formation.

Although it’s probably impossible to kill him under Hong Shao’s nose, since he can’t use his physical cultivation strength or magic weapons, Yu Xian has no chance of instantly killing him.

However, it’s not necessarily true that there’s no chance, is it?

If the opportunity arises, of course I won’t let it pass.

Give it a try…

Hong Shao glanced at Yu Xian and Guo Pin, her gaze remaining indifferent.

Chen Manman’s sleepy eyes twitched, revealing a bit of energy. The previous shows had been too boring; perhaps Yu Xian and Guo Pin would be more interesting?

You Xiaohua’s gaze also sharpened slightly; she wasn’t quite sure about Yu Xian’s combat strength.

However, after so many years of contact, she had some knowledge of Guo Pin’s combat strength. He was definitely a strong person among those who had reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment.

I wonder what will happen when Yu Xian faces him?

“start.”

Hong Shao’s voice rang out.

Yu Xian’s eyes flashed, and he raised his hand to form a hand seal!

At that very moment, Guo Pin also raised his hand and formed a hand seal!

Suddenly, spiritual light rose rapidly from beneath Yu Xian’s feet, filling his legs, and the Spirit Body Step was already in operation!

Guo Pin frowned, not understanding why Yu Xian would use the escape technique first, but he stopped thinking about it. Although the escape technique was faster with hand seals, it had no offensive capabilities, so there was no need to worry!

He just kept unleashing his strongest spell!

Since it’s a battle of spells, but he doesn’t understand Yu Xian’s spells, the best choice is to use the strongest spell to decide the outcome in one move!

“rise!”

Yu Xian made hand seals extremely quickly, and it was the Spirit Body Step, a technique for escaping into the void. He completed the seals in just a breath, and immediately took to the air, rushing towards Guo Pin.

Everyone frowned, not understanding what Yu Xian was going to do.

Hong Shao’s eyes flashed, and she said slowly, “Yu Xian, you must not use your physical cultivation strength.”

Hong Shao naturally knew that Yu Xian was a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivator in terms of both magic and physical cultivation, making him extremely powerful in both.

Preventing him from using his physical cultivation strength is a shackle, but it’s also the only way to prevent casualties.

Otherwise, if he were allowed to rush over, Guo Pin’s fate would be uncertain with a single punch.

“Body…body cultivation strength?”

“This… he’s a body cultivator!?”

“Body cultivator… him…”

“No wonder he wanted to get close to Senior Brother Guo!”

“Terrifying… He must be at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment? And he’s a body cultivator?”

Upon hearing Hong Shao’s words, the surrounding cultivators were all startled, their eyes filled with astonishment!

A cultivator at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, who also cultivates physical cultivation! Even if it’s just physical cultivation at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, who knows how much effort it would take to temper the physical body!

And how old is this Yu Xian? How does he manage to cultivate both physical and magical techniques simultaneously?!

Although a cultivator’s appearance will not change after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, the increase in age, the sense of vicissitude, the sense of time, and the sense of aging will definitely be imprinted on the body.

Only after condensing the Golden Elixir and being baptized by the rules of heaven and earth will one regain youthful beauty. Then, after a long period of time, one will show signs of vicissitudes and aging. Then, one will form an Infant and be baptized by heaven and earth again, and so on.

Yu Xian didn’t have that sense of vicissitude or aging; on the contrary, he seemed full of vigor. Judging by his age, he shouldn’t be more than forty.

At such a young age, his cultivation at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment was already astonishing, yet he also cultivated body cultivation.

Unbelievable!

Upon hearing Hong Shao’s words, Guo Pin’s expression changed instantly, to the point that his hand, which was forming a hand seal, trembled slightly.

Body cultivation!

No wonder he immediately used the escape technique; he wanted to get close to me!

Approach yourself, knock you down with one punch, or even kill yourself – that is the way of physical cultivation for offense!

Who would play magic with a physical cultivator like you?

But Guo Pin calmed down instantly. So what if he was a body cultivator?

The sect leader said it’s forbidden!

Then he’ll have to fight his own magic!

So his method of using the escape technique to get closer to himself, while not inherently flawed, ultimately failed!

In fact, because he used the technique of escaping into the air to try to get closer to himself, he wasted time and ended up at a complete disadvantage!

Because his spell was about to be successfully completed!

As Hong Shao spoke, Yu Xian indeed stopped rushing towards Guo Pin, stopping seven or eight zhang in front of Guo Pin. He frowned, his face full of helplessness and anxiety, and could only raise his hand to quickly form a hand seal.

A surge of blood energy erupted from his body!

Hong Shao and Chen Manman exchanged glances and looked closely.

The blood energy comes from Yu Xian’s body; it is a method to stimulate his own essence and blood, not some evil bloodline technique.

However, this method, which stimulates the essence and blood in such a way, creates an illusion of blood mist, which may cause considerable harm to the individual!

A hint of worry, tinged with helplessness and apology, flickered in Hong Shao’s eyes.

I didn’t make it clear before, and now that I’m not letting him use his physical cultivation strength, it’s like completely disrupting his rhythm!

At this moment, he can only resort to some forbidden techniques, damaging his own essence, and forcibly mobilizing magic to make up for the lost time.

“Condense!”

It sounds slow, but it was actually extremely fast. In just three breaths, Yu Xian stopped and activated the Blood Suppression Technique, and then unleashed the Blood Shield Technique.

Guo Pin, however, had a cold expression, with even a hint of smugness in his eyes. He raised his hand, completed a hand seal, and pressed it towards Yu Xian: “Go!”

boom!

With a tremor, a dense yellow light, as bright as a faint golden glow, burst forth from the rolling yellow light, its oppressive aura sweeping across the land, heading straight for Yu Xian!

Yu Xian’s body was filled with blood energy, which instantly formed a thin, blood-red shield in front of him.

At the same time, a green light shone from Yu Xian’s body, directly condensing into a suit of armor.

At this moment, Hong Shao slightly opened her beautiful eyes and gazed intently for the first time!

At this moment, she couldn’t be sure whether Yu Xian could withstand the attack!

If we can hold them off, then there’s still a fight to be had.

If I can’t stop him… then I’ll have to save him beforehand to prevent him from getting hurt!

But this distinction is difficult!

One wrong move and she might save Yu Xian even though Yu Xian was clearly capable of stopping her, thus unilaterally declaring Yu Xian’s defeat.

Or perhaps Yu Xian couldn’t block it, but she misjudged that she could, causing Yu Xian to be seriously injured!

If Yu Xian is really injured because of this, then she will be held responsible and will feel guilty!

Because they could have fought freely! But she insisted on forcing them to engage in a magical duel!

Sending body cultivators to fight magic battles is a joke in itself!