I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 231 - 229: Charge

BOOM...

The Elemental Power of both combatants erupted simultaneously. Their Sword Momentums surged, each trying to overwhelm the other. Ning Zhiquan’s power climbed much faster, easily reaching the Twenty-Fifth Layer.

Wang Meng’s Elemental Power, however, stabilized at the Twenty Layers.

Ning Zhiquan gazed at the sky. ’My opponent isn’t some scrub at the Twenty Layers. My limits lie far beyond this.’

The disciples gradually calmed down from their earlier frenzy. In their excitement for Wang Meng, they had forgotten just who he was facing.

Many years ago, when this man was just a new disciple, he had already worked miracles.

For decades, he had been the number one expert of the Holy Hall’s younger generation.

Also at the Twenty-Fifth Layer, Ning Zhiquan’s display of Control Power was simply effortless.

Without any major movements, he gave the Sacrificial Sword in his hand a gentle twist. A flash of light streaked past, shearing off a lock of Wang Meng’s hair.

Ning Zhiquan smiled faintly. "Brother Wang, be careful."

Zhang Xiaopang and the others jumped in fright. The Sword Qi was so fast their eyes could barely track it, let alone react.

The Broken Heaven Edge quivered, and a similar beam of Sword Qi shot out, grazing past the topknot on Ning Zhiquan’s head.

It was just as swift. Metal of the Five Elements—the stronger the opponent, the stronger it becomes.

Ning Zhiquan hadn’t expected Wang Meng to be so ruthless. A fearless smile spread across Wang Meng’s face. He was in excellent condition right now, truly excellent. And when he felt this good, he needed a tough opponent to make things exciting!

It had been a long time since Zhang Xiaopang had seen Wang Meng’s domineering, wicked grin. Every time he wore that expression, victory was assured for their side.

SWISH... SWISH...

With a flicker, both vanished from their spots. Ning Zhiquan’s Body Technique was elegant, yet followed a righteous and proper path. Wang Meng’s assault, however, was less concerned with rules, its momentum fierce and untamed.

CLANG... THWUM...

The Broken Heaven Edge and the Sacrificial Sword clashed. Ning Zhiquan intended to use his profound Elemental Power to blast Wang Meng away, but upon impact, Wang Meng’s Elemental Power surged like a mighty river, showing no signs of weakness.

He didn’t seem like a Sword Cultivator who had exhausted himself fighting seven consecutive hall battles. Instead, he appeared well-rested and full of vigor.

’All flash and no substance?’

Ning Zhiquan’s Sacrificial Sword suddenly began to spin, deflecting Wang Meng’s Broken Heaven Edge. His use of Elemental Power was full of technique; he had a thorough understanding of nearly every Skill Technique in the Holy Hall.

This move was called the Twisting Sword Form. Against an ordinary opponent, it could disarm them in a single move.

But Wang Meng’s Broken Heaven Edge only faltered for an instant before moving in response. The Broken Heaven Edge and the Sacrificial Sword became entangled, their Elemental Powers churning into a vortex.

Wang Meng now felt his Elemental Power flowing like water—a complete, unified whole. Yin gives birth to Yang, Yang gives birth to Yin. Solitary Yang cannot persist. It was an endless, self-sustaining cycle.

Wang Meng’s Broken Heaven Edge spun faster and faster. Ning Zhiquan’s expression immediately grew serious, and he focused his full attention on Sword Fighting with Wang Meng.

Ever since Ning Zhiquan had made a name for himself, it had been a long time since anyone had been able to evade his Twisting Sword Form, let alone counter it. Yang Ying and the others were worried. If his sword was twisted from his grasp right at the start, as a Sword Cultivator, he would lose too much face to even pick it back up. Even if he had world-shaking Magic, he wouldn’t be able to use it.

This Twisting Sword Form of Ning Zhiquan’s was quite insidious.

But as their Elemental Powers clashed, Ning Zhiquan pushed his Twenty-Fifth Layer strength to its absolute limit, yet he still couldn’t wrest the broken sword from Wang Meng’s grasp. The most terrifying part was that he could feel his own Elemental Power starting to spin out of control.

Wang Meng, on the other hand, was feeling better and better. Ning Zhiquan had become the perfect opponent for him to test his Five Elements Technique.

Among the younger generation of disciples in the Holy Hall, there were only Li Tianyi and Ning Zhiquan. But the two walked different paths. Li Tianyi was more like the Moo Shan of the past, pursuing the strongest Sword Technique—the "one" in the world of swords, so to speak. Ning Zhiquan, however, was more well-rounded, his style more similar to Wangtian, and also to the current Wang Meng—though their realms were, of course, completely incomparable.

Against Li Tianyi, one could only engage in Sword Fighting, but against Ning Zhiquan, one could experience the essence of Cultivation itself.

Wang Meng had hastily swallowed a massive amount of knowledge and was still struggling to digest it. Without a doubt, Ning Zhiquan was the perfect digestive aid.

Ning Zhiquan’s expression grew heavier. He wanted to pull his sword back, but their Sword Qi was ensnared in a cycle of Elemental Power. Whoever broke free first would be admitting the first defeat.

Wang Meng didn’t mind at all. This feeling of seamless unity, of redirecting his opponent’s attacks, was marvelous. He quickly discovered that his Elemental Power was pulling his opponent’s into his own rhythm.

In the eyes of the crowd, Wang Meng’s Broken Heaven Edge was beginning to pressure Ning Zhiquan. Senior Ning Zhiquan, who had never known the meaning of retreat, was starting to fall back.

The disciples of Dao Guang Hall simply couldn’t believe their eyes. Not only had a Twenty-Fifth Layer power failed to suppress Wang Meng, but it was now being suppressed *by* Wang Meng. It was like something out of a dream.

Meanwhile, Thunderlight Hall held nothing back with their cheers. They shared in Wang Meng’s glory, and they couldn’t care less about the consequences of offending Ning Zhiquan and Dao Guang Hall. They had thrown all caution to the wind.

Amid the cheers, Wang Meng’s oppressive momentum grew fiercer. The color of the swirling wave of Elemental Power between the two swords became richer and deeper. Even the weaker disciples could see that control had shifted from Ning Zhiquan to Wang Meng.

Yang Ying slowly relaxed her clenched fists, which were already slick with sweat. Her fair hands were a little pale from the force. ’Anxiety disrupts judgment.’ She had been terrified that Wang Meng would suffer a setback right from the start. Ning Zhiquan had reached his current position not just through strength, but also through considerable cunning and scheming—qualities she disliked. ’My man must be someone whose heart I can feel.’

Seeing Wang Meng’s strength, Yang Ying relaxed. A wave of heat washed through her. She desperately wanted to curl up in his arms and be... by him...

Yang Ying blushed. ’To think of such things at a time like this... I’m really... being corrupted by him.’

Ning Zhiquan sensed that things were turning sour. If this continued, it wouldn’t just be a matter of face; he was about to lose control of his Sacrificial Sword.

With a cold snort, Ning Zhiquan abruptly pulled his Sacrificial Sword back. The Broken Heaven Edge naturally shot forward, and Ning Zhiquan immediately leaped into the air.

Wang Meng smiled and swung his Broken Heaven Edge. The swirling Elemental Power Ring shot toward Ning Zhiquan like a lasso.

’He thinks he can get away that easily? What about my pride?’

Ning Zhiquan’s figure abruptly pulled away, gaining distance. Even in mid-air, he remained as agile as he was on the ground.

SWISH...

The Sacrificial Sword struck out, hitting the Elemental Power Ring directly and causing it to explode with a deafening blast.

Ning Zhiquan, however, executed a thousand-pound drop, plummeting toward the ground, yet his landing was as light as a feather.

The Broken Heaven Edge returned to Wang Meng. The moment Ning Zhiquan had struck, Wang Meng had severed his control over the Elemental Power Ring. Otherwise, the explosion would have damaged his Heart Spirit. Fighting Ning Zhiquan was completely different from his previous battles; every step was fraught with peril.

Ning Zhiquan looked at Wang Meng, not expecting him to be so "clever."

"I hear Brother Wang is also fond of flying swords. In that case, let’s start with those."

The Sacrificial Sword left Ning Zhiquan’s hand and hovered in the air. For an ordinary disciple, a flying sword was an unattainable skill, but for Ning Zhiquan, it was no problem at all.

"Wang Meng needs to be careful. Ning Zhiquan’s flying sword is far more advanced than Li Tianyi’s."

"His eyes aren’t even on the Sacrificial Sword. That’s true Elder Level Control Power."

"Brother Ning is trying to make a statement."

Using a flying sword well depended on the dual application of the Heart Spirit’s Spiritual Power and the Sea of Fate’s Elemental Power. Even Li Tianyi had to concentrate intensely to use one, but Ning Zhiquan didn’t seem to need to.

A faint smile remained on Ning Zhiquan’s face, as if this was all perfectly natural.

This display alone was enough to earn the admiration of Mingren and the others. This wasn’t a simple gap in strength; it was a complete difference in realm.

Wang Meng casually tossed his Broken Heaven Edge into the air. His eyes were also fixed on Ning Zhiquan. A thick smile was in both their eyes, radiating killing intent.

Slash!

Kill!

Almost simultaneously, the Sacrificial Sword and the Broken Heaven Edge transformed into two streaks of light and shot out. A crisp clang echoed in mid-air.

The disciples stared up at the sky, their mouths agape. ’A flying sword duel... between disciples?’

This was on a whole other level compared to the previous battle between Li Tianyi and Wang Meng. Back then, you could say they were just *using* flying swords. This, however, was a true flying sword *duel*.

Every attack consumed the user’s spirit and Elemental Power. This was a hundred times more difficult than ordinary Sword Fighting, with the most significant drain being on the Heart Spirit.

Generally, those below the Thirtieth Layer would only focus on cultivating their Sea of Fate. Only above the Thirtieth Layer, as Magic became more complex and powerful, would the role of the Heart Spirit come into play.

Wang Meng and Ning Zhiquan stood with their hands behind their backs, staring directly at each other, while their Heart Spirits were attached to the swords in the air.

Ning Zhiquan was genuinely astonished. ’Mastering a flying sword isn’t unheard of. Geniuses are rare, but they do appear. But Wang Meng is only at the Twenty Layers and has only been in the sect for a little over three years. For him to already be able to control a flying sword and understand how to use his Heart Spirit... that’s just bizarre.’

Offense and defense with flying swords were fraught with danger. If a flying sword was defeated, it was the Heart Spirit that would be damaged—an injury even harder to heal than one to the Sea of Fate.

"Senior, they’re both monsters! How can they still be smiling while fighting with flying swords!" Anx Dao’s mouth hung open. He no longer felt any burden from his own defeat; they were on a completely different level.

Mingren smiled and nodded. "I really didn’t expect Wang Meng to have such good control over his flying sword. However, he’s being a bit reckless. Brother Ning has been cultivating for many years, after all. He’s superior in both Heart Spirit Cultivation and Elemental Power Cultivation. A battle of attrition like this isn’t in Wang Meng’s favor."

Anx Dao watched the arena, also a little worried. For some reason, he had a good feeling about Wang Meng and Thunderlight Hall. Being around the people from Thunderlight Hall felt much more genuine, and it made him feel more genuine himself.

The Broken Heaven Edge and the Sacrificial Sword were locked in combat in the air, neither giving an inch. There was no retreat in a flying sword battle. If an opponent’s flying sword broke through one’s defense, the attacker could definitely kill the physical body. This was no laughing matter.

In the midst of the offense and defense, Ning Zhiquan suddenly brushed back his hair. This casual, everyday gesture stunned everyone else. How could he dare to divide his attention at such a crucial, high-concentration moment???

Wang Meng was amused. ’This Ning Zhiquan really lives up to his title as Senior. His ability to act cool is on a completely different level than Tang Wei’s.’

"Brother Ning, you don’t really think a little stunt like that is going to end this fight, do you?"

Wang Meng said.

The Dueling Platform instantly fell silent. Even the seated Ancestral Masters exchanged glances. ...Wang Meng was actually speaking while engaged in a flying sword duel.

In that instant, a ripple went through Ning Zhiquan’s Heart Spirit. The light from the Broken Heaven Edge flared, and it fiercely attacked the Sacrificial Sword.

Ning Zhiquan... was forced into a steady retreat.