Chapter 64: The Prodigy of the Mystic Sect (Part One)

Although Huo Zhongmou was confident in his profound cultivation and unafraid of this young disciple from the Temple of Profound Truth, he dared not be careless or distracted. At once, he summoned the true energy within him, instantly calling forth two spirit talismans into his hands.

Cheng Feng, the disciple of the Temple of Profound Truth, donned the battle attire of the Danxia Sect with unhurried grace and said calmly, “Elder Huo, please.”

Huo Zhongmou gave a cold laugh, and two flickers of light flashed between his fingers. His figure shot forward, and the talismans transformed into two streaks of azure radiance, darting toward Cheng Feng.

With a thought, Cheng Feng’s sword in hand split into countless sword-lights, and before him surged a barrier that resembled a martial cultivator’s protective qi—an arcane shield born of profound sect techniques.

The azure radiance from Huo Zhongmou’s talismans struck hard against the luminous barrier conjured by Cheng Feng’s sword, and the great hall rang with a rapid succession of explosive sounds.

As the two clashed with their true energy, fragments of light scattered in all directions. After a thunderous reverberation, both men staggered, forced back several yards by the impact.

With a powerful shout, Cheng Feng raised his palm and conjured a spirit talisman, which, fueled by a burst of true energy, became a crystalline gleam in his hand. Huo Zhongmou did not evade but instead unleashed an arcane technique of the Profound Sect, taking Cheng Feng’s killing move head-on.

Indeed, the Temple of Profound Truth’s arcane arts possessed wondrous abilities. In their contest, the divine technique Huo Zhongmou wielded was tightly ensnared by the true energy in Cheng Feng’s hands.

Locking in a battle of true energy, Huo Zhongmou could not have wished for more. With a thought, he unleashed a torrent of true energy, streams of light pouring from his palms as he pressed down viciously on Cheng Feng.

Pitting their full strength against each other, neither could spare focus to steady themselves—both swayed like drunkards, as if they might collapse to the floor at any moment.

Seeing that the contest of true energy was tipping in Huo Zhongmou’s favor, Cheng Feng’s expression turned cold. He hastily withdrew the technique forming the barrier, seemingly intending to retreat.

Murderous intent flashed across Huo Zhongmou’s face; he would not let this meddling disciple escape. With a thought, he invoked the arcane power of soul projection from the Profound Sect.

With a thunderous shout, a dazzling golden light burst forth from within Huo Zhongmou. The might of a projected soul from the Profound Sect solidified above the hall into a majestic, sword-wielding spectral avatar. In the next instant, Huo Zhongmou’s soul avatar swung its sword fiercely at Cheng Feng.

Cheng Feng responded with a resounding cry; his own soul surged out, condensing into a spectral form that barely withstood Huo Zhongmou’s mighty blow.

As the two avatars clashed, a deafening boom echoed throughout the hall, and a surge of overwhelming force rippled out, shaking everything in its path.

The Daoist of Pine, Sima Yan, and the other experts hastened to employ their own arcane arts and martial protective qi, shielding their less experienced disciples. Some, caught unprepared, were sent hurtling away by the sudden shockwave.

Qi Fei dared not reveal his own cultivation and, helplessly, joined his fellow disciples, who were fiercely swept to the ground by the overwhelming blast.

Qi Fei fixed his gaze on the two battling soul avatars high above the hall, his heart filled with awe. He had never imagined the soul projection technique of the Profound Sect could be so formidable. No wonder his master, Lord Bloodshadow, had warned him that before mastering the innate realm of martial arts, he was no match for these arcane arts.

Though soul projection was awe-inspiring, it was also a tremendous drain on true energy. Huo Zhongmou and Cheng Feng stood as if paralyzed by an arcane binding, motionless, their faces turning ashen.

Huo Zhongmou had achieved the soul projection level of the Profound Sect for many years; in comparison, Cheng Feng’s avatar was visibly at a disadvantage.

Qi Fei’s heart tightened. Surely the Daoist of Pine, with his insight, recognized Huo Zhongmou’s higher cultivation—if he allowed his disciple to fight freely, there must be some hidden trump card.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred in the hall. To everyone’s astonishment, Cheng Feng, whose body should have been utterly immobile during soul projection, bared a sinister grin and, with eerie calm, took a step forward.

With that single step, everyone except the Daoist of Pine was utterly stunned.

This defied all understanding of the Profound Sect’s arcane arts. Even the top experts at the shapeshifting and void-piercing stages could not possibly move while their souls were projected. Only the likes of an arcane immortal, who had reached the sixth level of the Profound Sect’s divine arts—the realm of mystical mastery—could possess such power.

No one could have anticipated that the Temple of Profound Truth would produce such an obscure yet prodigious talent. After today, Cheng Feng’s name would surely resound throughout the Nine Counties of Yongzhou and even the entire world.

The Daoist of Pine gazed at his beloved disciple, who was advancing relentlessly toward Huo Zhongmou. Though gratified, he could not help but worry. Today, forced by Chu Qingyun and the Seven Absolutes Sect, he had no choice but to send forth this extraordinary disciple.

If news spread that Cheng Feng had slain Huo Zhongmou with this technique, it would undoubtedly attract the covetous eyes of the great Profound Sect clans. After today, his disciple must enter closed-door cultivation and never be allowed to fall into others’ hands.

Huo Zhongmou, soul projected, also sensed this bizarre development and was terrified to the core. His soul avatar was entangled by the opponent; if he recalled his soul, he would surely die.

In desperation, he risked grave injury, roaring, “Young Lord, save me!”

Attempting to move his body while his soul was projected caused Huo Zhongmou to vomit a mouthful of black blood; his avatar in midair dimmed visibly.

Cheng Feng was overjoyed and immediately reversed the situation, suppressing Huo Zhongmou’s soul avatar completely.

Chu Qingyun, seeing defeat inevitable and unwilling to watch his subordinate die, was about to order someone to intervene when the Daoist of Pine coldly interjected, “Young Lord, though Elder Huo serves under you, today’s contest is a matter of fate. No one may interfere in the affairs of the Temple of Profound Truth. I urge you to reconsider.”

Chu Qingyun’s face fell; uncertain how to respond, he looked to the family elder beside him. The unremarkable, elderly Chu family elder shook his head slightly, signaling Chu Qingyun not to act rashly.

Frustrated but unwilling to defy the venerable elder, Chu Qingyun sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and could not bear to watch Huo Zhongmou’s impending demise.

Huo Zhongmou, noticing Chu Qingyun’s reaction, fell into utter despair and screamed, “Spare me!”

His blood-choked pleas failed to move Cheng Feng. Though he could have ended Huo Zhongmou with a direct technique, Cheng Feng clearly intended to make a name for himself on Qingyang Peak. A sinister smile crept across his lips as he advanced step by step toward Huo Zhongmou’s body.

Hearing Huo Zhongmou’s desperate cries, Qi Fei felt a profound and indescribable sorrow. Once the unrivaled master of Danxia Sect, Huo Zhongmou had now fallen to such a wretched state, abandoning all former dignity just to beg for his life.

By now, all the experts from the Temple of Profound Truth had encircled the two, allowing no one to interfere. The disciples Chu Qingyun brought could only watch helplessly as Cheng Feng approached Huo Zhongmou’s side.

Cheng Feng’s face was filled with ruthless malice. He reached out and flicked Huo Zhongmou’s brow. Instantly, a surge of true energy pierced Huo Zhongmou’s spirit platform, while his soul was still projected outside his body.

Huo Zhongmou let out a final, wretched scream. His soul avatar dissipated in an instant, and the next moment, blood streaming from his seven orifices, he collapsed at Cheng Feng’s feet like a pile of rotten flesh.

Thus, on this day, the prodigy Cheng Feng of the Temple of Profound Truth claimed his fame atop Qingyang Peak of Mount Cangyun, treading over the corpse of the mighty Huo Zhongmou.