Chapter 104: Water Curtain
Chapter 104: Water Curtain
Zhang Mingshi gave a fierce shout. Watery intent swirled around him like thick mist. The curved blade he held horizontally transformed into a brilliant crescent moon, shimmering with cold light!
Water vapor gushed out in all directions. Within the heavy, damp atmosphere, a crushing pressure lurked, blotting out the sky and sun.
As the water mist reached him, Li Yi’s expression changed drastically. He actually felt his body become sluggish and obstructed all over!
“Could he really condense Battle Aura into something similar to a Domain?”
Li Yi retreated several steps in succession. Once free from the mist, he flipped his palm. A profound, dark water bullet floated before him.
Zhang Mingshi gave a light, faint smile. He suddenly clenched his hand. The sword’s edge rippled slightly in response. Arcing light shimmered, and water blades pulsed forth. The sparkling water waves grew more and more intense, gradually becoming overwhelming!
Li Yi’s eyes shifted. This method was a unique secret technique for building momentum, different in approach but achieving a similar result as his own “Bearing the Stele.”
“What, planning to just stand there and watch me build momentum?” Zhang Mingshi said with a smile in his eyes. Just as he planned to wait like a farmer watching for a hare within his water mist Domain, his expression suddenly shifted.
He saw that in Li Yi’s palm, a water bullet suddenly throbbed. It expanded instantaneously, then collapsed again just as quickly. Though its form did not change, the dark, profound aura contained within it climbed higher and higher, boiling with killing intent.
“What, planning to just stand there and watch me build momentum?” Li Yi tilted his head slightly, returning the exact words.
The two looked at each other and smiled, admiring each other’s spirit.
“Well then, I won’t hold back!”
Taking a step forward, a wave of emerald-colored water churned beneath his feet. Zhang Mingshi rode the wave, leaping into mid-air. With a jumping slash, the eerie and arcane crescent in his hand split the sky, whirling down with a force that could cleave a mountain.
Li Yi didn’t hold back either. A clump of dark, profound blackness in his palm transformed into a piercing light. It shattered the Void and shot skyward!
Boom!
Their vast powers collided as if heaven and earth were sundered. A massive amount of water vapor poured down like a torrential rainstorm, covering everything.
Li Yi remained expressionless. His skin vibrated like “Siren Splits the Tide.” The roaring sounds of surging waves clamored within his body, repelling the deluge of rain all around.
“Oh? What kind of magic is that… Crescent Moon Slash!”
Under the impact of the immense force, Zhang Mingshi’s figure was pushed back. With a light skid of his feet, his body spun sharply. A crescent-shaped water blade shot out horizontally, its sound sharp and piercing!
“Ink Earth Wall!”
Li Yi’s hands danced continuously, performing several precise and flawless Magic Gestures. Five sturdy earth walls, patterned like Dragon Turtle shells, rose from the ground.
Screech!
A prolonged, sharp sound rang out. The water blade pierced through all five walls and was now right before him.
“Ha!”
Its force already diminished, Li Yi didn’t mind at all. With a roar, he punched the water blade, sending water droplets flying in all directions.
He opened his fist. On it, only a faint mark, almost invisible to the naked eye, remained.
“You little… you practice the Dual Cultivation of Magic and Martial Arts? No… there’s no Battle Aura fluctuation on you…” Zhang Mingshi steadied himself, staring at Li Yi with a look as if seeing a monster. “Is it because of your bloodline? With your terrifying aptitude, you should be cultivating martial arts!”
“Still fighting?” Li Yi shrugged.
“No, I’ve had enough fun.” Zhang Mingshi laughed heartily.
…
After Li Yi left, Zhang Mingshi sat alone, lost in thought.
“Shisan, purchase a Shexin from a River-Cutting Python, the best available, and deliver it to Butian Pavilion. Remember, get the best!”
After a while, he instructed.
“Yes!” a servant replied promptly.
“A River-Cutting Python from Yunmeng Marsh? That’s one of the most powerful among Level 3 magical beasts!” A young boy with red lips and white teeth suddenly dashed out, his face full of confusion. “Brother, have you forgotten? The ‘Broken Cliff Water Curtain’ that Zhang Baichi custom-made is already on its way. If it’s just about buying goodwill with a symbolic gesture, a decent snake heart would suffice. There’s no need to buy such a high-quality one…”
“Tailor-made? That’s just lofty nonsense!” Zhang Mingshi’s expression was disdainful. “That ‘Broken Cliff Water Curtain’ is merely a general-purpose Armed Equipment for water-element warriors! On the other hand, this ‘Profound Darkness Heart’ might give us a pleasant surprise…”
“Ah?” The boy was astonished and pressed further. “Brother, are you saying that kid’s skill in creating Armed Equipment is not inferior to Zhang Baichi’s?”
“Of course not! However, for us of the Zhang Family, this ‘Profound Darkness Heart’ is absolutely superior to the ‘Broken Cliff Water Curtain’!” Zhang Mingshi said with certainty and a calm tone. “As for his skill in Armed Equipment… who knows what the future holds?”
“Brother, you think that highly of him?” The boy looked doubtful and asked again, “Also, do you understand Dao Transformation Armament? How can you tell which is better?”
“Intuition!”
“Intuition?” The boy looked unconvinced and rolled his eyes.
“Don’t you not believe it!” Zhang Mingshi showed an affectionate smile and said softly, “A Dao Transformation Armament is formed by the grand Dao, a condensation of Rules/Law, a perfect unity. Dragons and snakes are easy to distinguish. Therefore, whether it’s all show or great skill appearing clumsy, it’s all laid bare at a glance! Moreover…”
He paused here, hesitating to continue.
Just moments ago, the instant his gaze fell upon the drawing, the Whirl Turtle bloodline within his body suddenly grew restless, as if a giant beast had been startled awake, filled with infinite greed!
Something that could trigger such a phenomenon was definitely not ordinary!
“If this ‘Profound Darkness Heart’ can truly be as I hope…” Zhang Mingshi narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning cold. “Then I will transfer the entire payment meant for Zhang Baichi, every single White Crystal, to Li Yi instead.”
“Ah? That’s a full three hundred thousand White Crystals!” The boy exclaimed in a very charming, dramatic way. “What about that ‘Broken Cliff Water Curtain’?”
“Naturally, return it exactly as it is!”
“Brother, this is blatantly slapping him in the face…” The boy covered his mouth and giggled. “Aren’t you afraid of that Zhang Baichi…”
“Afraid of what? Would our ‘River Moon’ Zhang Family be afraid of him?” Zhang Mingshi gave a cold laugh, his voice tinged with anger. “That old man, relying on being part of our Zhang Family main branch, has grown more and more reckless over the years! I am the Zhang Family’s eldest legitimate son, about to embark on the Blood-Stained Journey, and he gives me some rubbish to deal with? I need to make my stance clear. There are plenty who can replace him, not to mention promising newcomers?”
“That’s perfect. I’ve disliked that old guy for a long time too!” The boy giggled, then suddenly had a realization. “Brother, your fight with Li Yi, was it not…”
“Correct! I personally demonstrated my Battle Aura for him to see!” Zhang Mingshi nodded, gazing into the distance. “Li Yi, don’t disappoint me… Three hundred thousand White Crystals. If you have the ability to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth, take it all!”
Li Yi did not know that his reward had already increased a full sixfold.
However, he did realize that Zhang Mingshi was demonstrating Battle Aura for him to comprehend.
Otherwise, in a real fight, who would use combat techniques so rigidly one by one?
Butian Pavilion.
Yan He had already assembled a team and introduced them one by one.
“Yao Shen, responsible for ‘Sealing Forbidden Formations.'” A serious, unsmiling middle-aged man before him nodded.
“Yan Qin, responsible for ‘Solution Preparation.'” A round-faced girl with round-rimmed glasses.
“Zheng Boyun, responsible for assistance and some miscellaneous tasks.” A tall and sturdy boy with a smiling face.
“Including myself, responsible for ‘Alchemy,'” Yan He looked at Li Yi and said gently, “Your task is the most burdensome. Armed Equipment creation and Rune inscription will mainly be done by you.”
“First, I have three rules!” Li Yi didn’t bother with pleasantries and held up three fingers. “First, don’t ask questions. Second, don’t question me. Third, my words must be followed absolutely!”
Hearing this, the expressions of the three shifted. They were elites in their respective fields and had their own pride.
“The reward is fifty thousand White Crystals. If we can complete it, ten thousand for each person! How about it? Anyone who wants to leave can leave now!”
Threats and incentives applied together, the three quickly became compliant.
Li Yi nodded. Time was too tight; he had no choice but to be autocratic.
“Alright, you can look at the blueprint now! However, to prevent leaks, we need to sign a Magic Contract first.” Yan He was well-prepared and proceeded methodically.
After signing the Magic Contract, their gazes fell on the drawing. All three stood frozen, speechless.
This was a brand-new Armed Equipment!
This meant—a self-created Armed Equipment!
“Who designed this blueprint?” Yao Shen asked softly, his breathing somewhat ragged.
Yan He pointed to someone working hunched over on the floor.
Like three owls, the three stiffly turned their heads to look at that figure.
Reverence, astonishment, disbelief—all sorts of complex emotions flickered in their wide, round eyes.
This time, they were truly convinced and impressed from the heart.
“Let’s get to work!”
“Senior Brother Yan He, this Magic Arc is long and winding, and the Mana is impure. Drawing it in one stroke is almost impossible! My idea is like this…” Yan Qin’s arrogance had long been shattered; she spoke carefully.
Suddenly, they saw Li Yi on the floor, writing furiously. A slender, winding arc had already taken shape.
“This… this…” The girl felt her face flush. This boy simply defied common sense!
“Failed!” Li Yi, however, frowned and shook his head.
“How is this a failure?” the girl couldn’t help but ask. In her view, this arc was practically flawless!
“Don’t ask questions!”
Li Yi flatly refused.
Ignoring the disgruntled girl, he thought calmly.
He needed to condense that Ancient Alligator Qi into the arc!
Li Yi’s mind held grand plans. He needed to vividly express this splendid landscape.