Who Let Him Cultivate Immortality

Chapter 358: The Duel

(TL Note: I’m changing Meng Jingzhou’s Spirit Root from Single Spirit Root -> Single Bachelor’s Spirit Root to differentiate itself from people with a regular Single Spirit Root (i.e only have one spirit root such as Lu Yang) and people who have a Pure Yang Spirit Root like Meng Jingzhou. The same goes for his Golden Core which has been changed to Single Bachelor’s Golden Core.)

Boom—Boom—Boom—

On the arena, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou exchanged blows, each impact resounding like thunder. Their footwork and movement techniques were honed to perfection, with the slightest shift allowing them to evade attacks.

Their control over their strength was so precise that even the Golden Core Stage cultivators watching below couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their eyes and swallow nervously. Such intense combat, yet not a trace of power leaked out—it was hard to believe they were only early-stage Golden Core.

No, could this level of control even belong to the Golden Core Stage?

“You have the Single Curse Fist. You can easily take on three opponents!”

“Nonsense, my Single Curse Fist only works on men, and using it actually makes them fight with double their combat power! You’ve got the Lu Clan’s Arhat Fist, so what’s three people to you?”

“Are you kidding? If I use the Arhat Fist, do you think Lan Ting will let me off? The entire Moon Laurel Immortal Palace wouldn’t spare me!”

“Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to be first? I’ll let you have first place!”

“No rush; you can be first.”

They launched into battle, competing for second place.

One-on-one, they feared no one, but taking on three at once? Unless their brains were completely taken over by the Invincible Core, neither would take that kind of risk.

Lu Yang tried to jump off the stage but was pulled back by Meng Jingzhou, who pinned him down by the shoulder. When Meng Jingzhou attempted to leap off, Lu Yang grabbed his wrist and flung him back.

They repeatedly blocked each other’s attempts to exit, each trying to be the first to concede the top spot but constantly thwarted by the other.

After a fierce struggle, they ended up dragging each other down and fell off the stage simultaneously.

Bai Ming stood up and applauded. “A tie for first! Let’s give them a round of applause!”

Skipping the post-match commentary, Bai Ming, holding his white and gold patterned spear, leapt directly from the judges’ seat onto the arena.

Lan Ting and Yan Tianzhi followed closely behind.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother Lu Yang, Senior Brother Meng Jingzhou. Who would’ve thought you’d defeat so many talented Foundation Building cultivators to claim first place!” Bai Ming said, struggling to contain his schadenfreude.

“I think there’s been a misunderstanding between us. Lan Ting, you know me—I’ve never bullied anyone weaker than myself!” Lu Yang protested his innocence.

“Attack!” Bai Ming didn’t give Lu Yang or Meng Jingzhou a chance to speak. It was a rare opportunity to spar, and who knew when the next chance would come.

As the most gifted disciple of the Five Elements Sect, Bai Ming rarely found suitable opponents. No one at his level could defeat him, and fighting those above his level lacked the right feel.

Calculating his options, only the other four disciples from the immortal sects could be his true rivals.

He swung his spear upwards, leaving a white streak across the arena.

“The creator of Qi Training was a Primordial Chaos Immortal Physique. He pioneered human cultivation, leading humanity in resisting beasts and natural disasters, allowing humans to establish themselves in the wilderness era. As the Primordial Chaos dawned and humanity saw the first light, this Immortal Physique was named Primordial Chaos Immortal Physique.”

“So, do you want me to help you fight?”

“No need, I’ll give the Invincible Core a try.”

...

Yan Tianzhi quietly approached Meng Jingzhou, a faint light flickering on his back that extended to his neck. It was only then that Meng Jingzhou noticed a tattoo on him.

A phantom of a mythical beast appeared behind him, with the body of a sheep, tiger teeth, eyes under its armpits, and a cry that resembled a baby’s wail, stirring up a sense of irritation.

“Taotie?” The crowd below stirred, confused about what was happening.

An elder selecting sect disciples recognized the Taotie’s origins and explained to those around him: “This is a Prison-Suppressing Sect battle tattoo. Starting from the Foundation Building Stage, they can tattoo images of demons and beasts onto their bodies, gaining their power and divine abilities. With each realm ascended, they can add another beast tattoo.”

“But this is the first time I’ve seen someone tattoo the Taotie at the Golden Core Stage.”

“So, you’re a fellow from the Prison-Suppressing Sect. Our clan elders highly praise the battle tattoos of your sect, and today I see that reputation is well deserved!” Meng Jingzhou clasped his fists with respect.

“Dao Seeking Sect, Meng Jingzhou.”

“Prison-Suppressing Sect, Yan Tianzhi.”

Yan Tianzhi opened his mouth, and the Taotie phantom behind him became clearer, almost as if it were coming to life.

“Swallowing Heaven Devouring Earth!”

A fierce wind swept through the arena, and the terrifying suction made it difficult for Meng Jingzhou to keep his footing.

“Heaven Shaking Six Forms—Earth Tremors!”

Meng Jingzhou responded calmly. His fists struck like muffled thunder, creating shockwaves in the air. Each wave was drawn into Yan Tianzhi’s stomach, causing him stomach pain and forcing him to stop the Taotie’s divine power.

Meng Jingzhou gathered his inner strength, shaking the heavens and earth. The wind howled, and his momentum was astonishing. Yan Tianzhi resembled a human Taotie, devouring everything in his path.

Their massive fists collided repeatedly, each clash producing a deafening roar that sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, and their faces were filled with excitement.

They moved so fast that they became near-blurs, invisible to those with weaker eyesight. The top eight of the tournament could still see them, but only barely; their minds struggled to keep up with the rapid exchanges.

“Is this really the combat power of early-stage Golden Core?” The Golden Core cultivators below the arena were in disbelief, feeling as though their own cultivation had gone to waste.

“What kind of Golden Core are they...? Oh, right! Isn’t there a Golden Core appraisal event? Get those people over here to take a look!”

(End of the chapter)