Chapter 1045

Chapter 1045: Stalemate

“Just following my heart, we seek the eternal stars from the Dao,” Han Feiyu said, lifting a wine cup in one hand and gesturing with the other.

As the two spoke, the entire Star Ship suddenly trembled.

Even the small world they were in shook slightly.

“Dear guests, I apologize. The Star Ship encountered a star region giant beast, and the emergency maneuver caused the recent tremor,” the Golden Immortal guarding the Star Ship said with an apology.

“That’s good to hear,” Han Feiyu replied.

At that moment, a segment of the celestial script stabilizing the small world formation shattered during the Star Ship’s tremor.

Normally, the Star Ship’s spirit would repair the broken celestial script.

However, due to the urgent maneuver, the Star Ship’s spirit had veered off course and was frantically adjusting its trajectory.

Having detected that although the celestial script was shattered, the formation keeping the small world stable continued to operate smoothly, the repair of the script was postponed until after they arrived.

Carrying Han Feiyu and Jian Wujie, the Star Ship continued flying at full speed toward the Chihuang Immortal Realm.

In the courtyard of the Hidden Spirit Sect, Xu Fan and his disciple Xu Gang enjoyed tea while admiring the scenery within the sect.

“Since the inner sect opened to the Hidden Moon Sect, this place has become quite lively,” Xu Fan remarked, watching the colorful beams of light dash through the inner sect.

“The main group of disciples in the Hidden Moon Sect is still in the Nascent Soul and Transformation Stage, perfect for some excitement,” Xu Gang said with a smile, recalling his own state during the Nascent Soul and Transformation Stage.

At that moment, a light streaked across the sky, a pale red beam moving exceptionally fast, much quicker than the other colorful beams active in the inner sect.

“That red beam is Xiao Luofan. If nothing unexpected happens in the future, she will be a key battle strength for both sects,” Xu Fan pointed out.

“Since she has earned such high praise from the master, she must be impressive. I’ll need to pay more attention after seeing this,” Xu Gang thought to himself, recalling his master’s previous compliments, which did not include the title of a key battle strength.

“Let me show you something interesting.”

A light curtain appeared before them.

Within the light curtain, Xiao Luofan was challenging Xu Gang in the Void Refinement stage.

In the Endless Challenge of the sect, there is a fascinating segment where one can challenge elders of the sect at their corresponding stage.

Xu Gang is a popular target for challenges, but only one successful challenge has been recorded in the sect to date.

In the light curtain, Xiao Luofan fought back and forth against Xu Gang using her devouring path.

Three massive abyss-like mouths appeared behind Xiao Luofan; no matter what methods Xu Gang employed, they could be devoured by the giant mouths.

Then, the energy turned into Xiao Luofan’s strength, shooting forth in beams of light to locate Xu Gang’s true form.

“If Xiao Luofan has enough luck, she might win, but it will probably just end in a stalemate.”

Within the light curtain, the entire battle world lay in disarray.

Xiao Luofan, standing proudly in a white Long Dress, looked up at the sky where the thousand-hand illusion of Xu Gang loomed over her.

It was reminiscent of the climactic great battle in a novel.

The battle continued, plunging the entire world into a blend of light and shadow.

Xiao Luofan did not confront Xu Gang’s abilities head-on; she dodged when possible, and when she couldn’t, she let the three massive abyss mouths behind her consume the attacks.

The nimble figure darted through a barrage of spells. Whenever she entered an area completely engulfed by a spell, she allowed the three gaping maws of the abyss behind her to consume it. Transforming this energy into her own, she shot like a beam of light towards her pre-planned direction.

“Give her a bit more time, and she might actually surpass me from that era,” Xu Gang remarked with pride. The sect was flourishing, brimming with more talents, and everything was progressing positively.

Just then, Xiao Luofan, leveraging her exceptional battle talent, accurately pinpointed Xu Gang’s location. Her delicate jade hands swiftly extended towards him, enveloping the area with a final surge of devouring energy.

As her jade hands clenched, the area exploded instantly. She had located the right spot, but alas, she couldn’t penetrate Xu Gang’s formidable defensive techniques. The thousand-hand illusion in the sky continued its relentless spellcasting.

Although Xiao Luofan had found the correct position this time and failed to secure a victory, she glimpsed a potential path to success.

“Her battle talent is undoubtedly the finest in the sect,” Xu Gang praised.

“Almost, let’s consider it a tie for the top spot.”

“But such battle talent becomes increasingly formidable as one progresses.”

“If your Ionic Divine Ability isn’t mastered before you ascend to Golden Immortal, you might find yourself surpassed by Xiao Luofan,” Xu Fan chuckled.

The battle within the light curtain raged on for three days and nights, with the thousand-hand illusion maintaining its full power throughout.

Once the maximum match duration was reached, the battle concluded in a draw.

“Lord Grape, can Xu, Great Peak Master, truly sustain such intense spellcasting for three days and nights?” Xiao Luofan inquired earnestly after the battle. She assessed her own limits, realizing that by the fifth day, she would be drained.

“Based on Peak Master Xu’s historical data and the artifacts he possesses, he can maintain this state indefinitely; his peak condition can last up to a month,” Grape responded seriously.

“I’ve lost,” Xiao Luofan admitted after a brief silence.

With that, the scene within the light curtain faded.

“To achieve this level with only the most basic illusion training from the sect is truly remarkable.”

At some point, Xu Yuexian appeared behind them.

“Greetings, Master. Your disciple has returned,” Xu Yuexian said, presenting a space celestial tool.

“This is the holy-grade heart source flower I sought for you, Master. It’s unfortunate it took so long,” Xu Yuexian expressed with regret. After enduring great hardships to find this healing divine herb for her Master, she returned only to find his injuries already healed.

“Good, keep it in the inner sect. It may prove useful someday,” Xu Fan said with a smile as he stored the heart source flower.

“Witnessing new talents emerge in the sect fills Yuexian with joy,” Xu Yuexian reflected, recalling the sect’s early days with just about 200 disciples, who managed to uphold the sect’s reputation.

“Do you recall what I said back then?”

“They will all come to pass, not a single one will be missed.”

“Master, there’s an update regarding Number One Body Refinement Academy,” Grape’s voice suddenly interjected.

“What’s the update?”

“The Duanjin sect’s treasury has been emptied, and the entire sect will serve Number One Body Refinement Academy for a thousand years.”

“Who accompanied them to the Duanjin sect? This doesn’t seem like Xiong Li’s doing,” Xu Fan inquired.

“Qian Bing.”

“Ah, that explains it. It’s just like that kid.”