580. Xu Qian is Xu Qi’an

Neither the people of Qianlong City nor the Buddhists were surprised by the appearance of Sun Xuanji, as they had anticipated this long ago.

Ji Xuan quietly gripped the teleportation jade talisman in his palm, somewhat surprised as he gazed at the arcanist in white in the distance.

A wise man would consider all possibilities, in their estimation, Sun Xuanji was very likely to take advantage of an unguarded moment to forcibly seize someone using a teleportation array.

For Xu Qian to snatch the Dragon Qi host, he would have to make full use of his own advantages, achieving the objective of defeating the strong while being the weak, and stealing food from a tiger’s mouth.

After deduction by Ji Xuan and the others, it was clear that what he could rely on were nothing more than his mysterious shaman techniques and the flashy abilities of Sun Xuanji, the arcanist.

As a result, they had long since made ready their countermeasures, just waiting for Xu Qian to show his tricks, so they could thwart him and suppress his arrogance.

But contrary to expectations, Sun Xuanji showed up openly, appearing behind the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, Azure Dragon turned and slashed with his sabre, and the seven cloaked figures at his side synchronised their actions.

A brilliant, curved blade radiance shot forth, distorting the air with its sword Qi.

Sun Xuanji did not move a muscle. Raising his foot, he stamped down, and a twisting array pattern rose in front of him, forming a wall of Qi.

The blade radiance struck the wall of Qi created by the array pattern and vanished without a trace, as if a clay bull had disappeared into the sea.

A teleportation array!

An arcanist skilled in all kinds of arrays could really show off with so many tricks.

Human or ghost, they could all show off, only martial artsits had to stand there and take a beating.

Sun Xuanji flicked his wrist and unfurled a scroll. The scroll spread out above everyone’s heads and transformed into a rolling vortex of Qi, attempting to suck everyone below in.

“Petty tricks!”

Led by Azure Dragon, the seven cloaked figures stirred their robes, their Qi connecting to form a single beyond-mortal-level force.

The Azure Dragon’s long sabre swept upwards, its magnificent light slashing into the vortex.

Hiss!

The scroll shattered, dissolving into streaks of clear light.

Sun Xuanji remained unhurried, raising his hand and then clenching it suddenly.

The streaks of clear light twisted and writhed automatically, forming interwoven array patterns.

At the centre of these arrays were the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations.

With a flash of clear light, the Azure Dragon Seven Constellations and Sun Xuanji disappeared at the same time, forcibly taken away by a third-rank arcanist.

Now, the situation was thus: two third-rank Vajras surrounded Xu Qi’an.

All eyes fell upon Xu Qi’an. If earlier there had still been some caution and vigilance, now, even the most composed and experienced Old Daoist Jiaoye no longer believed Xu Qian could stir up any waves.

Two Vajras, more than five fourth-ranks, and a whole group of monks.

Xu Qian was the only one left.

“He must still have something up his sleeve,” Ji Xuan suddenly said.

At this point, Jingxin spoke loudly:

“Senior Uncles, you must not let him summon the Stupa Tower.”

As he finished speaking and sensed the questioning gazes from Qianlong City’s group, Jingxin elaborated:

“Previously, Xu Qian escaped the pursuit of Uncle Du’nan by hiding in the Stupa Tower. This tower is the treasured possession of our Dharmapara Bodhisattva.”

Ji Xuan and the others suddenly understood. They only knew Xu Qian had escaped from the pursuit of the Vajra Du’nan, but not the details.

Xu Yuanhuai frowned. “If he hides in the Stupa Tower, can the two Vajras pull him out?”

Jingxin shook his head. “The Bodhisattva’s treasure is impervious to the Vajras.”

The Old Daoist Jiaoye added slowly, “No wonder he’s remained so calm.”

Even as he spoke, they saw Xu Qi’an indeed summon the Stupa Tower. The dark gold, exquisite little pagoda floated from his chest and rapidly expanded, transforming into a sixty-metre-tall tower in the blink of an eye.

The Asura Vajra Dufan flicked his finger, shooting out a beam of Qi that struck the Stupa Tower with a “ding,” sending it flying off at an angle and crashing heavily to the ground.

Jingyuan shook his head slightly:

“To think he could summon the Stupa Tower right in front of two Vajras, he really underestimates us.”

He couldn’t possibly have any more tricks up his sleeve.

Liu Hongmian smiled charmingly and said, “He certainly has a lot of treasures. Such an interesting man, it’s a real shame for him to seek salvation in Buddhism.”

The Qianlong City contingent looked on coldly, as if they could already see Xu Qian being easily subdued by the two Vajras.

If he fell into the hands of the Buddhists, one of Qianlong City’s greatest threats would be removed… Ji Xuan no longer gripped the teleportation jade talisman.

Vajra Du’nan strode slowly towards Xu Qi’an. With every step, a powerful sense of “force” gathered, creating a cage, trapping Xu Qi’an within.

It was easy to imagine that once he reached Xu Qi’an, this cage would bind the young man completely, rendering him unable to move a muscle.

Vajra Dufan did not move, fixing his gaze on the Stupa Tower, on guard for any sudden change from it.

It was the only variable left on the field.

Though this treasure is not particularly offensive, it’s exceedingly troublesome. Shenshu’s severed arm is still sealed inside. Now’s the perfect opportunity to recover it…

The Asura Vajra thought. Suddenly, as he constantly watched the Stupa Tower, he saw the door of the tower swing open, and a man and a woman walked out.

The woman wore a plain white robe, her black hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, a black-and-white Taiji fish embroidered on her chest.

The man had a long beard reaching his chest, wore a black Daoist robe, black boots, and a lotus crown on his head; his phoenix eyes were cold and indifferent.

The bearded Daoist raised his hand, palm facing Vajra Du’nan, and clenched it forcefully.

Caught off guard by this sudden attack, Vajra Du’nan froze in his tracks. His kasaya betrayed him, suddenly tightening and outlining his burly body in full.

The prayer beads hanging from his neck also betrayed him, yanking him backwards, trying to strangle him.

Fortunately, Vajras had no need for weapons, or even their weapons would have stabbed them in the back.

Vajra Du’nan’s face turned red, as if suffocating. Veins bulged on his forehead as he let out a deep growl, the kasaya exploded into pieces, and the prayer beads shot out one by one.

“Ding ding ding!”

Xu Qi’an, standing nearby, was caught in the blast and calmly flicked away the prayer beads heading for him.

What’s going on?

Ji Xuan, Xu Yuanshuang, Xu Yuanhuai, Jingxin, Jingyuan… the two groups protecting Dragon Qi host Miao Youfang all turned simultaneously to look at the Stupa Tower.

They looked at the two third-rank experts from the Heaven Sect who had suddenly appeared.

“This poor Daoist is Xuancheng of the Heaven Sect.”

“Bingyi Yuanjun of the Heaven Sect.”

The two Daoists introduced themselves coldly and indifferently.

The Asura Vajra glared fiercely at them, slowly uttering two words:

“Yang Spirit!”

Third rank Daoist, Yang Spirit!

Ji Xuan and the others, all well-educated, knew what “Yang Spirit” meant.

“So this was his trump card…” Ji Xuan muttered in a low voice.

Liu Hongmian and the others looked very grim.

Xu Yuanhuai was furious, his fists tightly clenched:

“Why has the Heaven Sect got involved as well?”

The fury in his heart had almost reached its limit. He had endured so many twists and turns, and was finally about to capture Xu Qian to avenge his sister.

But now, two more Heaven Sect Daoists had emerged, both Yang Spirits of the third rank.

Daoist Jiaoye thought for a moment, then said helplessly:

“I understand now.”

Seeing everyone look at him, he smiled wryly:

“Today’s capture of Li Lingsu was a play masterminded by him, the purpose being to drag these two Heaven Sect Yang Spirits into the affair. No wonder Sun Xuanji didn’t ambush us earlier.

“So he had planned it all, and this is his real trump card.”

Ji Xuan also smiled bitterly: “So, he was hunting us, not the other way around.”

Once again, everyone turned their gaze to Xu Qian.

Only now did they realise that from beginning to end, Xu Qian had not changed his stance, his position, or his expression.

He stood tall with his sabre, his gaze calm.

As if everything was under his control.

Hiss… Liu Hongmian drew in a sharp breath. She had to admit that, aside from his average looks, this Xu Qian’s intelligence was as outstanding as his composure.

Jingxin and Jingyuan exchanged a glance, seeing in each other a sense of defeat and an unspeakable weariness.

For those from Qianlong City, this was their first time facing off against Xu Qian.

But Jingxin and Jingyuan had been tormented by Xu Qi’an time and again, from Leizhou to Xiangzhou, and then to Yongzhou, making them angry as well as intensely weary.

They no longer wanted to fight him.

Dufan shouted angrily:

“First Luo Yuheng, and now the Heaven Sect, are your Daoist sects determined to oppose our Buddhist sect?

“When the four great Bodhisattvas come, can your Heaven Sect withstand the fury of the Buddhist sect?”

His Vajra eyes blazed with rage.

Du’nan was also enraged. He had begun suffering defeats from Leizhou onwards. In Yongzhou, he had set up an ambush to capture Xu Qi’an, only to be injured by Luo Yuheng.

Now, after much difficulty, he had finally created a situation where his prey was trapped, only for two more troublesome Daoists to jump out.

Bingyi Yuanjun, her voice flat and emotionless, replied:

“Hand over the Holy Son, and we shall spare your life.”

“We shall send you on to samsara first.”

Vajra Du’nan flew into a rage, and with a boom underfoot, stones and dirt flew as he led the charge against the two Heaven Sect Yang Spirits.

Daoist Xuancheng and Bingyi Yuanjun raised their hands, their palms pressed together. After a brief charge, they suddenly pushed out a black-and-white Taiji fish towards Vajra Du’nan.

This Taiji fish emitted no aura or fluctuations.

Yet, the onlookers in the distance felt dizzy and disoriented as soon as they saw it, and their primordial spirits trembled.

Vajra Du’nan collided with the Taiji fish and, with a hum, the air rippled with shockwaves.

His eight-foot-tall body suddenly stiffened, and a vague, unreal spirit form of Vajra Du’nan made a backward-leaning gesture as it emerged from his flesh.

The primordial spirit of a dignified third-rank Vajra had nearly been knocked out of his body.

Vajra Du’nan’s spirit quickly formed a hand seal, and at last his spirit stabilised and returned to his body.

Vajra Dufan then charged in, joining the steadied Du’nan in an attempt to break up the two Yang Spirits and engage them one-on-one.

Bingyi Yuanjun and Daoist Xuancheng stepped onto their flying swords, whistling like the wind.

Both sides gave chase, clashing and casting spells as they went, gradually drawing away from the main group.

Ji Xuan and the others watched the four beyond-mortal experts until they disappeared from sight.

Then, everyone withdrew their gaze and, as if by prior agreement, turned to look at Xu Qian.

Now, the situation was Xu Qian alone against the whole group.

Xu Qi’an dragged his sabre, looked down on them all, and grinned:

“Gentlemen, the show is about to begin.

“Are you going to come at me all at once, or die one by one?”

Arrogant!

In that instant, Xu Yuanhuai, White Tiger, Liu Hongmian, Dragon Qi host Miao Youfang, even the deep-thinking Ji Xuan and martial artist Monk Jingyuan, those who followed the martial path or something similar, all felt a powerful surge of fighting spirit and hostility, eager to teach this conceited fellow a lesson.

Xu Qi’an, seeing this, muttered inwardly: If Senior Brother Yang were here right now, the effect would be even more explosive.

Senior Brother Yang’s skill at provoking crowds was top of his league.

“Quite the boast. Just you, challenging all of us?” Xu Yuanhuai sneered through his anger. “You really think you’re third rank?”

“Hey, hey, you…” Miao Youfang finally found his chance to speak. He shrugged and said:

“I don’t know if you’re friend or foe, but brother, your talent for courting death is impressive. Among these people, I’d estimate there are at least five fourth ranks.

“One punch each would be enough to kill you, and that’s not counting the monks.

“Even if you’re also fourth rank, you’d still end up beaten.

“Unless you’re third rank, but I think that’s impossible.”

The others said nothing, but all looked at Xu Qian as if he were mad.

With their group’s strength, unless someone was third rank, no fourth rank, not even one from a dual system, could possibly resist them.

“Don’t be careless.”

At this, everyone heard Jingxin say gravely, “Though he’s not third rank, he’s more difficult than any fourth rank.”

“Why?”

Xu Yuanhuai frowned, asking the question on everyone’s minds.

Jingxin sighed, pressing his palms together. “Xu Qian is Xu Qi’an.”

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves!

Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai’s faces showed the most shock, their eyes bulged and their expressions froze instantly.

Liu Hongmian’s flirtatious smile stiffened, but her beautiful eyes shone as she stared fixedly at Xu Qi’an.

580. Xu Qian is Xu Qi’an

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