Protect Our Patriarch

……

If it were just that, it would be fine, but that's not all.

The key point was that even after being stomped underfoot, Qianqiu was still struggling desperately and spewing trash talk: "You Wu brat, let go of me now! I'm doing this for your own good. Trust me, when it comes to picking up girls, you can't go wrong listening to me." It thrashed around under Wu Zhixing's foot like a fish out of water.

This scene left everyone present dumbfounded.

The onlookers were all high-status individuals from Guilong City. Even if they hadn't seen a Divine Spirit Artifact before, they had certainly heard of them and held them in high regard. Who wouldn't dream of owning a talking Divine Spirit Artifact?

But what was this thing? Was it a sword or a hooligan? This scene shattered everyone's understanding of Divine Spirit Artifacts.

Standing at the edge of the stage, Wu Xue'ning, who had come to cheer for her grandson, was also dumbfounded. She looked around awkwardly and took a few steps back, as if trying to distance herself from Wu Zhixing.

She muttered to herself, "I did ask Grandfather for a talking sword, but this one is just too... shameless. Thank goodness it's not my Divine Spirit Artifact, or I'd be mortified."

"Shut up."

Wu Zhixing's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he was so embarrassed he almost fled the stage.

He ground his foot into "Qianqiu" and angrily said, "If you dare speak nonsense again, I'll obliterate you."

Even a clay figure has a temper. Although Wu Zhixing had a generally laid-back personality, Qianqiu had pushed him to his limit.

Recently, Qianqiu had been nagging incessantly during his cultivation, which was already annoying enough. But to do so in public was simply too humiliating.

"Hmph, fine, I'll shut up. But you'll come begging to me sooner or later." Under the threat of obliteration, Qianqiu finally quieted down a bit, though it still couldn't resist a parting jab.

"Miss Liyao, I deeply apologize." Wu Zhixing's face was burning with embarrassment. He decided to ignore Qianqiu and hurriedly apologized to Wang Liyao, "This sword of mine is just too..."

He couldn't bring himself to say the word "perverted" in front of the ethereal Wang Liyao.

"No harm done." Wang Liyao's lips twitched slightly under her veil, and she said in a clear, elegant voice, "Little Commandery Prince, you can discipline it slowly later. I also appreciate you accepting my challenge."

As the two faced off on the stage, all eyes in White Cloud Tower naturally focused on them.

In the best private rooms, the atmosphere grew lively.

An elderly man with a white beard, wearing a robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon and a purple-gold crown, looked at the stage and sneered, "Tianhe, you really have some dog-shit luck. Even in a remote place like Longzuo Commandery, you managed to find a great prodigy."

"Hehe~"

In another private room, Tianhe Daoist was present.

He was clearly dressed for the occasion, wearing a simple white robe, exuding an aura like an immortal descended to earth. But when he spoke, his words were sharp, "Wu Dexin, after all these centuries, you're still as shameless and unprincipled as ever. Longzuo Commandery is a newly established commandery, with countless clan members dedicating their lives to the rise of Daqian. How did it become a remote place in your mouth?"

"The tributes you enjoy every year as a prince, part of it comes from the millions of people in Longzuo Commandery. Don't bite the hand that feeds you."

Prince Dexin's face darkened slightly, "Is that what I meant? Every prince of Daqian has fought on the battlefield and defended the nation. Over the seven or eight thousand years since the founding of the kingdom, how many princes have died on the battlefield?"

"Hehe, you make it sound like our Holy Land's lineage does nothing but eat and drink." Tianhe Daoist sneered, "We also have the duty to protect the nation and educate the people. Do you think our Holy Land's nine veins have sacrificed any less?"

In their youth, Prince Dexin and Tianhe Daoist represented the royal lineage and the Holy Land's lineage, respectively.

If the prodigies from these two lineages got along, they would naturally become siblings or friends. But if they didn't, various conflicts would arise.

Clearly, these two had never gotten along and had unresolved conflicts.

"Tianhe, today is the duel between Liyao and Wu Zhixing. Let's focus on the duel and stop arguing."

In the same private room as Tianhe, another distinguished old man in a brocade robe couldn't help but intervene.

"Alright, I'll give Duke Dingguo some face." Tianhe Daoist said straightforwardly.

This brocade-robed elder was none other than the Divine Realm Ancestor of the third-grade Daqian Wang's Clan—Duke Dingguo.

The title of Duke Dingguo was bestowed upon the Wang's Clan by the first Emperor at the founding of the kingdom, a great honor.

The rank of Duke was comparable to that of a prince, and the annual tributes were the same. Moreover, the title could be inherited even without battlefield merits. However, the Daqian Wang's Clan only had one Duke title, so if multiple Divine Realm members existed simultaneously, only one could inherit the title.

Currently, the Daqian Wang's Clan had only one Divine Realm Ancestor, so the title naturally fell to him. The next Duke Dingguo would likely be the current Divine Realm seed—Wang Zhouhui.

In another private room, a middle-aged man with a regal bearing also advised, "Ancestor Dexin, don't get angry. We're here today to cheer for Zhixing."

This middle-aged man, exuding royal dignity, was also a prince, named Prince Yong'an. He and Prince Dexin belonged to the same lineage, passed down from the eldest son of the current Emperor.

Prince Dexin's lineage was the most powerful among the royal descendants, with two princes and eighteen commandery princes! Among the younger generation, they had prodigies like Commandery Prince Kang and Little Commandery Princess Xue'ning.

Wu Zhixing was not originally from this lineage but was adopted by Prince Fu of this lineage. Thus, this lineage now had three great prodigies.

As Wu Zhixing's adoptive father, Prince Fu naturally came to cheer for his "adopted son."

However, in the presence of two prince ancestors from the same lineage, he, as a junior of just over three hundred years, had no right to speak. In fact, he didn't even have a seat and could only stand respectfully, observing silently.

With the elders arguing, he couldn't intervene and could only listen quietly.

"Zhixing's sword is called 'Qianqiu.' Though it's notorious for its foul mouth among Divine Spirit Artifacts, it is powerful." Prince Dexin, no longer interested in arguing with Tianhe Daoist, spoke to Prince Yong'an, "Despite his young age, Zhixing is very steady. Yong'an, take good care of him and train him well."

"Yes, Ancestor." Prince Yong'an smiled, "The boy is very diligent in his cultivation. He's already at the fifth level of the Celestial Realm. With more effort, he might reach the late Celestial Realm before a hundred."

His eyes showed satisfaction, clearly pleased with Wu Zhixing.

"Excellent, much more diligent than you were." Prince Dexin said with a gratified smile, "When he matures, he'll be the best support for Chengsi and help him secure the throne."

Wu Chengsi was one of the current quasi-Imperial Heirs.

In the eyes of Prince Dexin's lineage, Commandery Prince Kang Wu Chengsi was almost a sure bet for the Imperial Heir. When he ascended the throne, their lineage would gain even more prominence.

They believed that the Emperor had Wu Zhixing adopted into Prince Fu's lineage to provide strong support for the future Emperor.

However, Tianhe Daoist couldn't let this slide. He sneered, "Dexin, the Imperial Heir Struggle isn't over yet. Are you so sure Commandery Prince Kang will win?"

"Tianhe, do you think Wu Mingyuan can compete with Chengsi?" Prince Dexin retorted, "He only has quasi-Imperial Heir status because the Emperor didn't want to go against the late Emperor's edict. In terms of virtue and ability, he can't compare to Chengsi. He's destined to be a mere competitor."

Commandery Prince Kang was a descendant of Prince Dexin's lineage, and he and Prince Yong'an were his staunchest supporters.

"Oh~ since when did you gain the ability to foresee the future? Why don't you tell me who will win between my Liyao and your Zhixing?" Tianhe Daoist continued his verbal assault.

Clearly, the grudge between him and Prince Dexin was deep and unresolved, even after all these years.

In the adjacent private room, Commandery Prince Heng was eavesdropping.

The four Divine Realm elders were all people he couldn't afford to offend. If he wanted to hear these juicy details, he had to eavesdrop.

"Tianhe, you don't think your Liyao can win, do you?" Prince Dexin was puzzled, "Without Qianqiu, Zhixing might be at a disadvantage. But now, with both having Divine Spirit Artifacts, and Zhixing being older, where does your disciple stand a chance?"

"Alright, let's make a bet." Tianhe Daoist was excited, "We'll each bet on our own disciple. Hmm... let's not bet too big, just twenty top-grade spiritual stones."

Twenty top-grade spiritual stones? Not too big?

Commandery Prince Heng's eyes widened.

These Divine Realm elders were truly wealthy. A regular spiritual stone was worth about a hundred Daqian gold, and mid-grade spiritual stones were rare, often valued at ten thousand Daqian gold.

Some powerful formations couldn't be powered by regular spiritual stones, so mid-grade spiritual stones, though expensive, had a market. For example, the defensive formation on the stage was powered by ten mid-grade spiritual stones.

Top-grade spiritual stones were extremely rare in the entire Daqian Kingdom, essential for top-tier Mountain Protection Arrays of major clans, academies, government offices, and royal residences.

In terms of value, they could be worth a million Daqian gold each. They were almost strategic resources, rarely seen in circulation.

This showed how big Tianhe Daoist was betting.

But wasn't Tianhe Daoist supposed to be bankrupt? Where did he get top-grade spiritual stones?

Commandery Prince Heng was puzzled, but Prince Dexin's face turned serious.

Even for a powerful prince's family, twenty top-grade spiritual stones were a huge sum, enough to cultivate a prodigy from the Qi Refining Realm to the Purple Mansion Realm.

However, after a few breaths, Prince Dexin made his decision, "Tianhe, if you want to give me money, who am I to refuse? Twenty top-grade spiritual stones, I accept."

At the same time, his voice reached Wu Zhixing's ears through the isolation array, "Zhixing, give it your all. Victory is a must. Wang Liyao coming to the capital during the Imperial Heir Struggle might have ulterior motives. Be cautious."

Wang Liyao also received a message from Tianhe Daoist, "Liyao, I borrowed twenty top-grade spiritual stones to bet with that old fox Dexin. Win this for me and earn some retirement money."

With their elders' messages, the two great prodigies' eyes turned serious and sharp.

"Miss Liyao, please~"

Wu Zhixing released his foot from "Qianqiu," summoned it to his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, performed a sword flourish, assuming the starting stance of the "Azure Dragon Sword Technique."

Clearly, the sword technique he had been diligently practicing was the royal family's signature top-grade sword technique—"Azure Dragon Sword Technique."

"Little Commandery Prince, please."

Wang Liyao drew her "Xian Ge," her delicate hand gripping the hilt, and with a slide of the sword, a faint water trail appeared, marking the starting stance of the "Tianyi True Water Sword Technique."

Tianhe Daoist was called "Tianhe" because he had comprehended the heavenly river as his divine power. He was from the Tianyi True Water lineage of the Holy Land's nine veins, and his main cultivation method was the top-grade "Tianyi True Water," a true inheritance technique that could lead to the Divine Realm when mastered.

Then, their eyes locked, and they simultaneously made their moves.

One's sword moved like an azure dragon soaring through the sky, swift and fierce.

The other's sword was soft as water, like a hanging antelope's horn, hiding lethal intent, both displaying exquisite swordsmanship and profound sword intent.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The two Divine Spirit Artifact swords clashed, their lights intertwining, occasionally emitting sword beams and sword energy, crisscrossing the stage.

Even the obsidian stage was cut with grooves by the sword energy.

The defensive array on the stage fully activated, struggling to withstand the stray sword energy, causing ripples of light.

As great prodigies of the Celestial Realm, both had awakened their fifth bloodline, possessing the Dao Body that ordinary prodigies only gained in the Purple Mansion Realm. Their every move carried a hint of heavenly intent.

Moreover, their Divine Spirit Artifact swords greatly enhanced their sword techniques, making each strike formidable, exuding astonishing sword intent.

"Jie jie jie~~~!" After holding back for a while, Qianqiu finally seized the opportunity to spew trash talk, "So satisfying! Hey girl, why don't you surrender now and become one of my master's million concubines?"

In such a fierce battle, it didn't believe Wu Zhixing would dare obliterate it.

Sure enough, despite Wu Zhixing's gritted teeth, he was helpless. Ancestor Dexin had said, victory was a must. He had to endure the embarrassment and ignore it.

Wang Liyao, however, remained calm, seemingly unaffected by the trash talk.

But "Xian Ge" was furious.

She couldn't help but curse, "You disgusting old pervert, and that hypocritical Wu Zhixing, you two are a perfect match. I'll eliminate you in the name of the moon!"

Clearly, Xian Ge's voice sounded like a young girl, but any Spirit Artifact's birth required a long accumulation, so it wasn't really a naive little girl.

As a result, while Wu Zhixing and Wang Liyao were fiercely battling, their Spirit Artifacts also started arguing, spewing trash talk back and forth.

This scene was an eye-opener for the onlookers.

A great prodigy duel was rare, and a duel between young prodigies with Divine Spirit Artifacts was even rarer, perhaps once in a millennium. The masters' fight was exciting, and the Spirit Artifacts' argument was equally entertaining.

"Xian Ge, if you give me a kiss, I'll let you off three moves."

"Qianqiu, you useless old dog, even if I were **, you wouldn't be able to **."

"Little girl, you're all talk. You and your master are destined to be my master's **."

"Your master is so pathetic, he doesn't deserve to kneel at my mistress's feet."

As the two Spirit Artifacts' trash talk became more outrageous, Wang Liyao and Wu Zhixing's composure began to waver. It wasn't the opponent's Spirit Artifact's trash talk that affected them, but the shameful things their own Spirit Artifacts were saying.

They both felt deeply embarrassed.

Wang Liyao was the most surprised.

Her Spirit Artifact "Xian Ge" had always seemed like an innocent, sweet girl, speaking in a cute and tender voice.

Who would have thought that when she trash-talked with Qianqiu, she would be just as shameless, if not more so, with her words full of censored terms.

What kind of life had Xian Ge experienced in the past?

Wu Zhixing was equally shocked.

How had Qianqiu survived without being obliterated?

"Shut up! Or I'll obliterate you both!"

Wang Liyao and Wu Zhixing roared almost simultaneously.

Clearly, their Spirit Artifacts' trash talk had even gotten on their own nerves.

Hearing this, the two Spirit Artifacts finally snapped out of their trash-talking frenzy and wisely shut up.

Ah, their masters were still too young and thin-skinned.

In a few hundred or thousand years, they would understand the importance of having a trash-talking Spirit Artifact. After all, trash talk was part of one's overall strength.

The two swords sighed in unison.

Without the interference of their Spirit Artifacts' trash talk, Wang Liyao and Wu Zhixing finally had a chance to fight quietly, showcasing their brilliant combat skills.

Cheers erupted from the audience above and below.

However, after a prolonged battle, Wu Zhixing felt the pressure from Ancestor Dexin.

"Miss Liyao, as expected of a true inheritor of Tianhe, your swordsmanship at such a young age is remarkable." He straightened his expression, becoming serious, "Miss Liyao, be careful now. I'm going all out."

With that, he suddenly pushed Wang Liyao away with a sword strike, then moved swiftly, creating distance between them.

At the same time, his aura changed dramatically.

Accompanied by a long dragon's roar, a massive dragon-shaped phantom appeared behind him.

It was a huge dragon phantom, more slender than an azure dragon, with faint azure scales and large multicolored wings, exuding a majestic and grand dragon aura.

This phantom was Wu Zhixing's bloodline Dharma Aspect—Winged Dragon.

It was well known that the Winged Dragon was an ancient divine beast, born to rule the skies and command the winds, a powerful divine beast.

Even as a phantom, it exuded an unparalleled, powerful aura, noble and sacred.

With the appearance of the Dharma Aspect, torrents of profound energy surged from Wu Zhixing, sweeping across the stage.

Threads of radiant light blossomed from the profound energy.

That was the power of divine abilities!

Even though the light occupied only a part of the profound energy, with the rest still being profound energy, divine power was divine power, indicating Wu Zhixing's deep understanding of the laws, nearing the formation of his own divine ability.

Although cultivators could start comprehending the laws deeply after reaching the Spirit Body stage, attempting to comprehend divine abilities, the process was extremely difficult and time-consuming. Normally, only when a cultivator reached the Purple Mansion Realm could their understanding of the laws be deep enough to possess their own divine ability.

However, as great prodigies, with the aid of their Dao Bodies, there was a chance they could comprehend their own divine abilities in the Celestial Realm, though it was still quite challenging.

No one expected that Wu Zhixing, who had rarely shown his skills publicly, had quietly stepped into the threshold of minor divine abilities, mastering divine power.

"This is my minor divine ability—'Heavenly Gang.' Though still in its infancy, it is the result of my painstaking comprehension. Miss Liya o, prepare yourself."

As he spoke, beads of sweat formed on Wu Zhixing's forehead, clearly indicating that controlling the divine power was quite taxing for him.

However, a confident smile played on his lips, showing his faith in his minor divine ability, "Heavenly Gang."

With his words, Wu Zhixing's spirit sword "Qianqiu" sliced through the air.

Azure light surged forth.

In an instant, a fierce tornado swept across the stage, causing the obsidian platform to tremble.

Wang Liyao's delicate figure, floating in the wind, seemed like a lone leaf in a storm, as if it could be torn apart at any moment.

The expressions of all the spectators turned serious.

In the private rooms, the Divine Realm elders who had been conversing fell silent. In the scattered seats below, many guests stood up in tension.

Supporters of Wang Liyao felt their hearts tighten involuntarily.

This was divine power—could Miss Liyao withstand it?

Amidst the chaotic whirlwind, Wang Liyao's aura also shifted.

She stood proudly in the storm, her eyes like a pool of icy water, her voice soft yet firm, "Little Commandery Prince's Dharma Aspect and divine ability are indeed formidable. Now, please witness the minor divine ability I have comprehended."

With that, her red lips parted, and she softly uttered a name.

"'Suspended Water Divine Ability' First Form, [Yin Turns to Light Rain]."

As her words fell, the air around her seemed to change. The fierce wind that had been tearing at her suddenly calmed, as if an invisible force was gently guiding it.

A gentle, misty rain began to fall, each droplet shimmering with a faint light. The rain seemed to absorb the violent energy around it, neutralizing the destructive force of the tornado.

The audience watched in awe as the storm transformed into a serene, almost ethereal scene. The contrast between the raging wind and the gentle rain was striking, showcasing the profound mastery of Wang Liyao's minor divine ability.

Wu Zhixing's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure. "Impressive, Miss Liyao. But let's see how long you can maintain it."

He tightened his grip on "Qianqiu," and the azure light around him intensified. The Winged Dragon phantom behind him roared, and the tornado's force surged once more, pushing against the calming rain.

However, Wang Liyao remained unfazed. Her "Xian Ge" sword danced gracefully in her hand, guiding the rain with precision. Each droplet seemed to carry a part of her will, countering the storm's fury with a gentle yet unyielding force.

The two prodigies were locked in a delicate balance, their divine abilities clashing in a mesmerizing display of power and control. The audience was captivated, their eyes glued to the stage, witnessing a battle that was as much about skill and strategy as it was about raw power.

In the private rooms, the Divine Realm elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of admiration and contemplation. The duel between Wu Zhixing and Wang Liyao was not just a test of their abilities but also a glimpse into the future of their respective lineages.

As the battle raged on, both Wu Zhixing and Wang Liyao pushed themselves to their limits. The stage was a whirlwind of light and energy, each move calculated, each strike deliberate.

Finally, with a final surge of power, Wu Zhixing unleashed a devastating attack, his "Heavenly Gang" divine ability reaching its peak. The tornado roared, its force seemingly unstoppable.

But Wang Liyao was ready. With a calm, steady hand, she guided the rain into a concentrated stream, directing it towards the heart of the storm. The two forces collided in a brilliant explosion of light and energy, shaking the very foundations of the stage.

When the dust settled, both prodigies stood panting, their energy nearly spent. The audience erupted in applause, their admiration for the two combatants evident.

Wu Zhixing managed a tired smile, "Miss Liyao, your skill is truly remarkable. I concede."

Wang Liyao, equally exhausted, returned the smile, "Little Commandery Prince, your strength is equally impressive. It was an honor to duel with you."

As the two bowed to each other, the Divine Realm elders nodded in approval. The duel had not only showcased the prodigies' abilities but also their respect and sportsmanship.

In the end, the battle between Wu Zhixing and Wang Liyao was more than just a contest of strength—it was a testament to their dedication, their lineage, and the future they would shape.

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