Chapter 635 437: Qing Ji

The Nascent Soul Cultivator presiding over the Black River Daoist Palace was Nangong Meng of the Nangong Family. Nangong Zhi was her clan-brother, and perhaps due to his recent fall, Nangong Meng's expression could hardly be called gentle.

But even so, as the Female Cultivator with the highest cultivation level in attendance, Nangong Meng's appearance captivated many of the Cultivators who had come to watch.

A Nascent Soul beauty was such a rare sight. Every Nascent Soul Cultivator possessed a unique temperament entirely their own, a result of the True Meaning of the Great Dao they cultivated integrating into their very being. Every move they made carried an intoxicating aura.

If one's own Cultivation Technique even slightly brushed against the edge of that Nascent Soul Cultivator's Dao Domain, just being in their presence could endlessly elevate one's own comprehension.

Fang Qingyuan, however, didn't feel this effect too deeply. The Path of Spiritual Temperament that Nangong Meng cultivated was in a completely different direction from his Pill Philosophy; the deviation was vast.

Furthermore, a Nascent Soul Cultivator's True Meaning Domain of the Great Dao had the strongest effect on lower-realm Cultivators. For a Cultivator like Fang Qingyuan, who had already formed his Golden Core and possessed his own clear Pill Philosophy, it was best not to attempt comprehending a different True Meaning of the Great Dao, as it was easy to be led astray.

This was because there were no two identical Great Daos in the world. Or perhaps, a single Great Dao could not accommodate two people reaching its summit.

At this moment, Fang Qingyuan and Chunyu Hua stood to Nangong Meng's left and right. Before her was a stone table, upon which a Life and Death Contract lay quietly.

Duels of honor in the Beast Taming Sect required the signing of a Life and Death Contract. Once signed, the duel would not be considered a private feud. The principle was one of no regrets once the pen was set to paper—it was done willingly.

To fight to the death without signing a Life and Death Contract was a heinous act that violated sect rules, and even the victor would be severely punished.

"Today, as the presiding authority of the Black River Daoist Palace, I am neither a member of your Beast Taming Sect nor am I involved with the Qingyuan Sect. Since you have chosen the Black River Daoist Palace as the venue for your duel, I will act as the impartial witness. After the duel, all scores are settled. There is to be no seeking of retribution. I will personally pursue any who violate this."

Nangong Meng stated her terms clearly from the start, delivering the official spiel before pointing to the Life and Death Contract and gesturing to the two men.

"Do you wish to review the terms? If there are no objections, then sign your true names."

This Life and Death Contract had been meticulously hammered out by representatives from the Qingyuan Sect and the Beast Taming Sect. Both sides had gone over it line by line, ensuring it also complied with the laws of the Great Zhou Academy and that neither party had slipped in details with ulterior motives.

Of course, this was mainly the Qingyuan Sect being on guard against Chunyu Hua's faction. The current Qingyuan Sect still lacked the power to openly retaliate against his faction within the Beast Taming Sect.

"I have no objections."

"I have no objections."

Fang Qingyuan and Chunyu Hua each took up a brush and signed their true names on the Life and Death Contract. Before the ink was even dry, Nangong Meng put the contract away, rose, and stepped into the air.

"Alright, my part is done. I'll leave this place to the two of you. A life-and-death duel allows for no outside interference. I will activate the Daoist Palace's defensive formation. Rest assured, there will be no other disturbances. Without my approval, not even a Nascent Soul Cultivator could hope to break in for some time."

As Nangong Meng spoke, her gaze shifted slightly toward the private room where Elder Ya was. She felt an instinctual discomfort regarding this Elder Ya.

A dozen or so breaths later, the transparent barrier above the Black River Daoist Palace, which spanned dozens of acres, slowly closed. As everyone waited for the final slit at the very top to seal shut, they all understood that the battle between Fang Qingyuan and Chunyu Hua was about to begin.

.....

「Fifteen minutes earlier.」

Inside a private room outside the Daoist Palace arena, Lechuan's gaze was fixed on the scene ahead. There, Fang Qingyuan's back was ramrod straight.

Beside him, Di Qing sat in a large armchair, sipping fragrant tea. After a few breaths, he spat out the lingering Spirit Tea and began to tease Lechuan.

"Why are you so nervous? You two aren't master and disciple anymore. You've been deliberately avoiding each other all this time, so why is your heart suddenly aching for him now that he can't see you?"

"If you ask me, Old Le, you should just go apologize to Fang Qingyuan. If that doesn't work, get on your knees and beg. I doubt he'd dare accept a kowtow from you. Just talk it out. It's better than staying tangled up like this."

Lechuan didn't turn his head. He had no desire to deal with his pesky friend right now.

But Di Qing was clearly not willing to let Lechuan off the hook. Ever since Lechuan had risen to prominence from White Mountain and acquired the vast territory of the Cloud-Clawed Lizard, Di Qing's original sense of superiority had greatly diminished.

Back when he had seized this land from Zhao E Lian, Lechuan had still been living a pitiful, impoverished life on White Mountain, guarding a mere Third-rank Middle Grade Spirit Land. In those days, whenever Di Qing saw Lechuan, his chin would be raised so high it could touch the sky.

But now, their situations were about to be reversed. The Spiritual Land in Moyun Valley was fourth-rank, something that even he, the Lord of the Southern Border, did not possess. 'Lechuan, on what grounds do you deserve that?'

Later, when Di Qing reviewed Lechuan's accomplishments, he found Fang Qingyuan's hand in all of it. Moreover, in the battle that year when Chu Hongshang was attacked, it seemed Fang Qingyuan had also played a significant role.

"You've peaked in this life, Old Le. Of the disciples you've raised, only Fang Qingyuan has any real ability. If I were you, I'd swallow my pride. After all, you're nearly four hundred years old. How many years do you have left? When your time comes, who will the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect rely on? Ling Ziqing? You'd be lucky if he doesn't die before you do."

One of those remarks must have struck a nerve, as Lechuan suddenly whipped his head around and stared coldly at Di Qing.

Seeing the look in Lechuan's eyes, Di Qing's heart skipped a beat. He gave a few awkward laughs, then raised the teacup in his hand to cover his eyes, gesturing as if to drink his tea.