Chapter 716 - 217: Shen Bai Enters Void Transformation

That look on his face clearly meant there was something else.

Shen Bai saw the solemn expression on Qu Yongfeng’s face. It seemed this second matter was even more important than the first.

"Yes."

Qu Yongfeng gently waved the folded fan he was holding.

The landscape painting on the folded fan was quite artistic and looked so vivid it seemed real.

"I am a Scholar, and my life’s work is poured into my art. I have dedicated my entire existence to honing my painting techniques, infusing the artistic intent of a landscape into this folded fan. I have nurtured it for decades without ever opening it, all for the purpose of battling a master to elevate my own artistic skills."

"Lord Shen, I now boldly ask for your guidance. Please, grant me this lesson."

Shen Bai looked at the artistic intent emanating from the landscape on the folded fan and finally understood. "You mean you want to spar with me?"

Qu Yongfeng nodded. "That’s right. Please, Lord Shen, use your full strength. I hope to use this opportunity to deepen my understanding of the art of painting."

Shen Bai didn’t think much of this small request, so he simply nodded.

"Alright. I’m making my move now."

’The sooner this is over, the sooner I can get back to grinding my Skill Level.’ Shen Bai didn’t waste any time.

Qu Yongfeng nodded, his entire presence coiled like a spring, his aura swelling to its peak.

He intended to have a truly satisfying battle with Shen Bai—at the very least, he wanted it to be a close fight that would showcase his own might.

"Lord Shen, come on! I’m ready! Let’s have a battle that gets the blood pumping!" Qu Yongfeng declared.

Then, he froze.

He saw a fist, wreathed in blazing Buddha’s Light, bearing down on him.

The fist was shrouded in Dao Text and shadow, interlaced with Water Flow and an Array.

With all these effects intertwined, the fist was terrifying beyond belief.

A nostalgic expression flickered across Shen Bai’s face.

’It’s been a while since I’ve used the Vajra Dharma Form Fist. I’ve kind of missed it.’

Ever since his Soul-Annihilating Sword reached Level 7, Shen Bai hadn’t used this fist technique in a long time.

Since this was just a friendly duel, he couldn’t very well use his sword and directly damage Qu Yongfeng’s Divine Soul. He would have to use a slightly weaker form of attack.

Sweat beaded on Qu Yongfeng’s forehead as he roared, "Landscape Descend!"

The artistic intent of the landscape on his folded fan flooded the room, coalescing into a spectral mountain-and-water mirage that crashed against the golden fist.

...

「Outside.」

Xue Caixiang sensed the auras within the five-story pagoda and sneered. "Qu Yongfeng has nurtured the artistic intent of his landscape painting for decades. Now that he’s opened his fan, the power will be absolutely astounding. Not even someone at the Celestial Spirit Realm Peak could stand against it."

"He should have a slight edge in this fight. It’ll be a good chance to take Shen Bai down a peg."

She didn’t bother to lower her voice, speaking her thoughts aloud for all to hear.

The surrounding members of the Observatory frowned.

Lord Shen had said that as long as the woman didn’t take a single unauthorized step, she wouldn’t be beheaded, so they were simply following orders.

The woman had been sensible enough not to move.

But her current words were certainly grating.

To them, the idea of defeating Lord Shen was nothing but a fool’s dream.

Xue Caixiang said coolly, "What, you think Shen Bai is some undefeated myth? Let me tell you, Qu Yongfeng is an exceptionally talented Scholar. Add to that the artistic intent he’s cultivated for decades, and he..."

She didn’t get to finish.

A piercing scream cut her off. A figure shot out backward from the five-story pagoda, landing not far from Xue Caixiang.

Qu Yongfeng was a complete mess, his hair disheveled and strewn about.

He scrambled to his feet, but a wave of dizziness suddenly hit him, and he pitched forward, collapsing to the ground.

Fortunately, as a master at the Celestial Spirit Realm Peak, he managed to catch himself with his hands, saving himself from a face-plant.

Xue Caixiang was dumbfounded. From the moment Qu Yongfeng had unleashed his full aura to him being sent flying out, only three breaths had passed.

Three breaths, and Qu Yongfeng was already out. And from the looks of it, his defeat had been utterly decisive.

"How is that possible?" Xue Caixiang’s face was a mask of disbelief.

Just then, Ding Quan’s voice drifted over, tinged with sarcasm.

"Lord Shen could fight and utterly annihilate a cultivator at the Celestial Spirit Peak even when he was only at the Unity Realm. Now that Lord Shen is in the Void Realm, a mere Celestial Spirit Realm cultivator is nothing more than a toy in his hands."

Xue Caixiang looked as if she’d been struck by lightning. She stared toward the fifth floor, suddenly feeling the pride she had always held so dear crumble into dust.

Qu Yongfeng’s Recovery Power was considerable. By now, the exhaustion in his body had already completely vanished.

He was a Scholar, and he possessed a Scholar’s integrity. He didn’t feel that losing was a great disgrace.

After straightening his clothes, Qu Yongfeng faced the five-story pagoda and cupped his hands in a formal Scholar’s salute before speaking.

"Lord Shen, your strength is profound. I am no match for you."

"I’m afraid that aside from the paragons of a few top factions, no one can stand against you."