Chapter 68: Fierce Battle

The ostentatious entrance of Flower Gate, and its even more ostentatious disciples, stood out prominently. Jade Sweep held her dust whisk in one hand, while the other hand constantly shifted, and soon a small spiritual formation coalesced. The formation spun in the air like a dazzling orchid, yet unlike Mo Bai’s Grand Jade Conch technique, it made no sound at all.

Mo Bai gazed at the orchid, moved, and said, “I did not expect that at such a young age, Miss, you have already cultivated the Flower Art to such a level.”

Jade Sweep ignored his praise and suddenly cried out sharply. The dust whisk seemed to be bathed by the orchid’s radiance, shining brilliantly, its glow so piercing that Wu Luohua, Gan Yu, Tian Huashan and others instinctively closed their eyes to avoid the glare. Mo Bai, however, stood firm under the pressure of spiritual energy, his robes fluttering in the wind. Nalanshin’s violet eyes began to swirl again, the little witch stubbornly refusing to avert her gaze, instead staring coldly at Jade Sweep.

Jade Sweep narrowed her eyes, the spiritual formation whirling to its peak. In the next moment, her dust whisk grew suddenly fierce, swelling several times in size, spinning as it attacked Mo Bai.

“Flower Illusion Technique!” Mo Bai murmured, feeling waves of spiritual energy pouring over him like a tidal flood. He shook his body and activated his Spirit Leap, jumping left to dodge the powerful strike. Yet Jade Sweep hovered in midair, her hand swinging the dust whisk repeatedly, launching another thunderous attack at Mo Bai.

“Thief, let’s see how long you can hold out,” Jade Sweep shouted as she wielded her dust whisk. Watching Mo Bai dodging below, though he only evaded and did not counterattack, he was undeterred by the power of her Flower Illusion Technique, instead appearing even more graceful. Sweat began to bead on Jade Sweep’s forehead, her heart anxious—this was her first time venturing out after mastering her spiritual arts, and she carried the honor of Flower Gate. She could not afford to lose here. Frowning, she resolved herself, and with a swing of her left hand, the orchid spinning beside her began to whirl violently, shaking off its hues. Gradually, the orchid transformed into an orange blossom—Flower Ascends!

Mo Bai watched the transformation, shaking his head and sighing: “The Flower changes again, and who can say when it will end? Though the blossom is beautiful, I have no mood to admire it.” With that, Mo Bai leapt up, reaching Jade Sweep’s height in midair. His eyes flashed, and spiritual energy gathered in his left hand, forming a blue sword which he struck toward Jade Sweep.

Jade Sweep was startled, immediately conjuring an orange spiritual shield in front of her. Mo Bai smiled faintly, and the blue sword unexpectedly swerved in midair, flying straight toward the orange Flower. Jade Sweep was both shocked and secretly delighted—after all, the Flower Art not only unleashed boundless spiritual power, but was also an unbreakable defense. How could such an ordinary spiritual sword breach it?

Mo Bai shook his head inwardly, thinking Jade Sweep clearly had little experience beyond her sect. Though the Flower Art was formidable, in the vast and intricate continent, how many techniques could stand unrivaled forever? Moreover, she had only reached the third orange stage of the Flower’s power!

That seemingly ordinary spiritual sword, as it neared the orange Flower, suddenly released a surge of powerful energy, making Jade Sweep momentarily breathless. Her brows knitted tightly, unable—and unwilling—to believe that a spiritual sword could so brazenly challenge her orange Flower. Yet, with a crisp sound, like porcelain chipped by a sharp blade, the noise pierced everyone’s ears.

Jade Sweep felt a sudden pain in her heart, as if wounded by countless grievances. Her eyes trembled, tears sparkling at the corners—had she lost? Was her Flower so weak? No, she would not lose, at least not here. Driven almost mad by the thought, she cried out, ignoring Mo Bai’s spiritual sword, and shook her left hand again. Blood trickled from her lips, and with a bang, Mo Bai felt his spiritual sword slip from his control, soaring skyward. Looking at Jade Sweep, he saw the Flower before her had unknowingly transformed into a seductive red bloom.

The fourth layer of the Flower Art!

Mo Bai frowned; it seemed his feud with Flower Gate would not soon be forgotten. Jade Sweep’s eyes burned like fire, her left hand raised high, the red Flower rising with her wrist’s motion. Meanwhile, her dust whisk sat on her arm, now stained blood-red by the Flower’s glow, devoid of any celestial grace and instead resembling a weapon from the depths of hell.

“Prepare to die,” Jade Sweep said, trembling.

Mo Bai’s eyes blazed with light; he could tell Jade Sweep’s next strike would be devastating. He glanced back at Xiao Hua and Gan Yu—though he could dodge the attack, would they be harmed? Jade Sweep, oh Jade Sweep, heaven’s misfortune can be endured, but one’s own cannot. With this thought, Mo Bai shook his body and charged directly at Jade Sweep, his Spirit Leap reaching new heights. Jade Sweep saw a flicker before her eyes, and felt a tremor in the red Flower in her hand—a silent spiritual sword was already slicing toward her arm! She tried to shift position, but a surge of domineering spiritual energy swept overhead, accompanied by a booming sound.

Mo Bai withdrew, the spiritual sword disappearing with a flick of his wrist. Jade Sweep retreated several steps, disoriented. Then a man’s voice rang out: “The Spirit Ascend Arena has not yet begun. Please remain calm, everyone.”

The crowd was startled, raising their heads to see a figure standing between Mo Bai and Jade Sweep. He wore tight black clothing, radiating an air of dominance, a willow-leaf long blade strapped to his back. He appeared thirty-one or thirty-two, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. Clearly, the surge of spiritual energy had come from him.

Tian Huashan exclaimed, “It’s—it’s the second young master! Why is he here?”

Mo Bai, Jade Sweep, and this Lord Guihai all landed lightly on the ground. The second young master continued, “I am Guihai Yidao, second son of Lord Guihai Xin, Master of Guihai City. I deeply appreciate your presence at our Spirit Ascend Arena, but today is not a day for combat. You have all traveled far and deserve a few days’ rest, to let us Guihai hosts show our hospitality, before displaying your skills at the arena.” With that, Guihai Yidao glanced at Mo Bai and Jade Sweep.

Tian Huashan quickly pulled Mo Bai aside and said, “Brother Mo, the second young master is right—peace is precious, peace is precious.” He then looked obsequiously at Guihai Yidao, who nodded slightly at him. Tian Huashan felt immensely valued, his pride swelling—Mo Bai’s display of skill had been extraordinary, and by showing Mo Bai was his ally, Tian Huashan had raised his own status considerably.

Mo Bai smiled gently, saying, “Lord Guihai, I had no intention of fighting here. Since you have spoken, I naturally have no objections.”

Guihai Yidao turned to Jade Sweep, who shook her dust whisk, coldly silent. Guihai Yidao smiled quietly, yet could not help but look at her twice.

Li Tong had somehow emerged, laughing and inviting Mo Bai and the others into the Guihai Pavilion. At that moment, a little girl in blue darted out from the pavilion, and happened to meet Mo Bai and his group. She glanced at Nalanshin, pulled a funny face, and jumped away. Nalanshin was so annoyed she could not find her bearings, while Mo Bai smiled quietly—he had already recognized the girl as the youngest disciple of Flower Gate.

The girl, Lan Ruoting, quickly approached Jade Sweep, bowed deeply, and said, “Fourth Sister, you really came! Senior Sister said there was a fluctuation in spiritual energy outside the pavilion just now—it must have been you. I didn’t believe it, but you’re really here!”

Jade Sweep’s face was icy, clearly not yet recovered from her fierce battle with Mo Bai. She spoke irritably, “Are Senior Sister and the others inside?”

Lan Ruoting replied, “Yes, Seventh Sister and Eighth Sister are there too.”

Jade Sweep snorted, “Since Snow Girl is here, I won’t go in. Little Sister, tell Senior Sister that I’ll appear at the Spirit Ascend Arena. You go back.” With that, she left the pavilion without waiting for Lan Ruoting’s reply.

Not far away, Guihai Yidao watched Jade Sweep’s departing figure and felt a pang in his heart. So she was a disciple of Flower Gate after all. He looked up at the sky—Guihai City in April seemed shrouded in endless gloom. He sighed inwardly, wondering if fate truly toys with people.