Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Li Haoran smiled and shook his head, saying solemnly:

”Junior Brother, you’re getting a good deal, and still playing coy!

Forget it, let’s not talk about the Phoenix Wood for now. I’m staying because I have other things to discuss with you, but it’s hard to bring them up.”

Ji An saw his serious expression, ”Senior Brother, speak freely if you have something on your mind.”

It seemed the other party was seeking help from him, and if he could assist, he would do so; if not, he could only offer sympathy.

”I’ve now advanced to the Third Transformation of Chao Origin, and after I establish the Wood Element Divine Mansion, I need to eat Wood Element Qi.

Looking around the sect’s area, eating Qi elsewhere means running back and forth every day, wasting time on the road unnecessarily.

I want to build a residence here with Junior Brother, consider it me owing you a favor.

If Junior Brother needs help someday, I won’t refuse.”

Finished speaking, Li Haoran cupped his hands and bent over.

Ji An immediately helped him up and smiled:

”I thought it was something serious, it’s just a small matter, Senior Brother can come anytime.”

Having the future leading Sword Cultivator of the sect owe a favor was quite advantageous, especially since he had little demand for Wood Element Qi.

As the Spirit Vein grade increased, he could nurture more high-tier Spirit Plants, generating more Wood Element Qi daily.

”Haha, thank you, Junior Brother. I need to spend a few years establishing the Wood Mansion, I’ll come to eat Qi in a few years.”

Things progressed smoothly, Li Haoran was in a good mood.

”No problem, I’ll arrange it for Senior Brother.

By the way, yesterday when you came to Red Flame Peak, I sensed another Sword Intent. Have you comprehended dual Sword Intents?”

Ji An asked, already convinced in his heart but wanting to hear it from the other party.

”Junior Brother’s Spirit Soul is quite perceptive. While battling Demon Beasts in the Silver Ice River in the Far North, I comprehended the Water Ice Cold Sword Intent.

Gold generating Water, they complement each other well.”

Li Haoran couldn’t help but have a higher opinion of this Junior Brother, last night when he arrived, his aura was already quite restrained.

The other party wasn’t a Sword Cultivator yet could sense the subtle changes in his Sword Intent, which was quite rare.

This showed that this Junior Brother wasn’t merely a Spirit Farmer.

Senior Brother Zhuu and Senior Brother Jia hadn’t noticed this at all, which was proof.

No matter how powerful a Spirit Farmer was, they didn’t possess the ability to sense the Sword Intent changes of a Sword Cultivator, only the ancestor and teacher noticed his changes immediately.

Ji An changed the topic and asked:

”Does Senior Brother find the outside world treacherous during his travels?”

In a few years, he too would venture outside the sect and needed to prepare.

”I find it quite pleasant, much more comfortable than staying in the sect.”

Li Haoran’s eyes showed warmth, his tone softer:

”Encountered quite a few Tribulation Cultivators, all became souls fallen under my sword. I found killing humans much simpler than killing Demon Beasts.”

Going outside rounded his waist with wealth.

Due to Sword Heart Clarity, he could detect deeply hidden malice in cultivators, hardly ever being taken advantage of.

Later, he killed a cultivator who tried to seize his chance, and it provoked a Golden Core Stage monster, chasing him like a dog.

He escaped through many dangers, adding a new name to his ’little notebook’ — Leng Yun.

Upon breaking through to the Golden Core Stage, he would exact revenge for the pursuit.

Ji An scratched his head, realizing he asked the wrong person.

”Senior Brother, are you free today? I’d like to ask for your guidance on my Magical Combat, as I too will be going out to eat Qi in a few years.”

Li Haoran’s smile persisted, ”Of course.”

...

North of Red Flame Peak, the two were twenty feet apart, Li Haoran stood calmly and said:

”Junior Brother, you can make some preparations.”

The Sword Cultivator’s attack was like a storm, continuous and relentless. If the opponent didn’t have strong enough defenses, they couldn’t last even a moment.

His combat style was always concise and becoming more so.

Often, as the Sword Light flashed, the enemy’s head was already separated from their body.

”Please wait a moment, Senior Brother.”

Ji An formed a spell and cast the Mixed Gold Profound Armor Spell, in an instant, his skin looked like bronze, gleaming with dim metallic luster.

Ancient patterns appeared on the surface, quickly merging into the skin.

Then, he changed the Dharma Seal in his hand, and the Pan Mountain Technique’s yellow Spirit Light shone.

A thought flashed by, the Earth-Departing Flame Banner flew out, transforming into Fire Cloud and circled him in flight.

The Wuji Xinghuang Banner simultaneously emerged, golden lotuses sprouted in the void, each one still a bud.

”Good treasures,” Li Haoran commented with a smile, naturally sensing both Treasure Banners were Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

Thinking that the other had Earth Element Spiritual Artifacts for protection, and had practiced two Defense Magic techniques, he could let loose more during the spar.

Unlike Attack Techniques, the effectiveness of Defense Magic wasn’t known without combat.

”Junior Brother, shall we start?”

Ji An called out:

”Senior Brother, I’ve also learned a sword technique magic called the Geng Metal Spirit-Slaying Sword, it’s quite refined, please be careful.”

”Good!”

As Li Haoran’s voice fell, he soared with his sword, and a shadow flew out from the Spirit Sword straight towards Ji An.

This is a technique of the Sword Control Technique, which allows for the division of Sword Light to attack enemies.

The damage caused by this Sword Light is only one-tenth of the Flying Sword’s body, but he can divide more than twenty Sword Lights, effectively restraining the enemy during the attack.

This is probing; he will gradually increase the number of Sword Lights.

Ji An did not dodge, and he wanted to see the opponent’s attack power as well.

He performed a spell, and the Golden Light Technique turned into a shield-shaped light screen, blocking the incoming Sword Light.

A Golden Lotus floated over, standing just before the Sword Light, serving as the first line of defense.

The Golden Lotus blossomed, and the dense Earth Spirit Qi turned into a mass of Yellow Sand, slowing the Sword Light.

The Sword Light shattered like glass, and the light screen rippled like water waves, remaining intact.

’Is that all? Senior Brother, you could put in a bit more effort.’

Ji An said this in his heart but did not voice it out loud, as speaking up would be a taunt and might result in unknown consequences.

A Sword Cultivator who comprehends dual Sword Intents must be given sufficient respect.

Li Haoran’s eyes brightened a bit more, and he said:

”Junior Brother, what is this Magic Technique?”

The power of the Sword Light is weak, but the speed is genuinely fast; the other party can precisely block it, suggesting quick reaction speed and effective defensive magic.

Although it’s just a divided Sword Light, it has Sword Intent added, enough to easily cut through an ordinary Top-Grade Magical Artifact.

”Golden Light Technique, a Foundation Establishment Stage Magic Technique that can attack and defend.”

”Worthy of the name Golden Light, with a splendid appearance. I shall add more force now.”

Li Haoran performed a Sword Technique, dividing ten Sword Lights from the Flying Sword, four attacking directly, each side having three attacking in an arc.

Fire-colored clouds rose from his feet, and Ji An rode the cloud in Flying Escape; under his mind’s control, the Wuji Xinghuang Banner enlarged and waved a few times, surrounding him with blossoming Golden Lotuses.

The Sword Light plunged into what seemed like a quicksand formation, slowing down gradually, lacking the expected agility of the Flying Sword.

”Haha, Junior Brother’s Spiritual Artifact is profound; now, I’ll get serious.”

Li Haoran shouted; at this point, he had roughly understood the defensive effects of the other’s Spirit Banner, feeling he could fight freely now.

His Junior Brother has two Defense Magic spells on him, so he shouldn’t get hurt.

”Feel free to do as you please, Senior Brother.”

Ji An was considerably reassured seeing the effects of the apricot yellow Banner.

Last time in the combat with a Demon Cultivator, this Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact didn’t quite play its role.

He and the Demon Cultivator were attack versus attack, and the enemy almost never got close to him.

Li Haoran urged the Flying Sword, dividing twenty-seven Sword Lights, grouped in nines arranged according to specific rules, attacking like meteorites falling to the ground.

This time, he fully activated Sword Intent, attaching it to the Sword Light.

The sharp, killing Metal Element and the icy, cold Water Element perfectly fused together.

Snowflakes swirling in the void, temperatures rapidly dropping.

Ji An attempted to dodge some of the Sword Light by riding the cloud in Flying Escape, only to find the Sword Light seemed equipped with tracking radar, able to chase and attack.

His speed wasn’t enough to open the distance, and he was soon caught up by the Sword Light.

He performed a spell, Wuji Xinghuang Banner enlarged with the wind, waved in the air, and Golden Lotuses blossomed; his target was to prevent the Sword Light from penetrating his vicinity within three zhang.

The Flying Sword was too fast, with dual Sword Intent stacked; if too close, the danger coefficient is greatly increased.

The Sword Light was extinguished under the defense of the Golden Lotus, but the cold aura had already seeped in.

Ji An felt his hands and feet slightly cold, with some stagnation in Qi and blood flow.

At this moment, he had a further understanding of Li Haoran’s strength.

He descended to the ground, realizing it was foolish to compete in speed against a Sword Cultivator, deciding to switch to defensive counterattack.

The Sword Cultivator’s strength is comprehensive; under the dual supports of attack power and extreme speed, facing such enemies makes escape difficult, leaving only deadly combat.

The lamentable part is the battle’s initiative lies entirely in the hands of the Sword Cultivator; whether to fight or retreat is their decision.

Conversely, Li Haoran continued to display a relaxed demeanor in flying escape, consistently releasing divided Sword Lights.

The opponent choosing to stand guard in one spot may suffice against ordinary Sword Cultivators, but against him, it has no effect at all.

The Sword Light can be blocked, but the cold from the Sword Intent will continue to permeate and accumulate, gradually freezing the opponent’s body, ultimately robbing the chance to escape.

Of course, for him, no enemies have ever escaped from his grasp.

The next moment, a playful smile appeared on his face.

Suddenly, a vivid Cyan Dragon roared; emerald light rained down, and the ground manifested blossoms, verdant trees, and lush grass growing.

’Why release a Planting Technique? Visually full marks, but what effect does it have other than wasting Magical Power?’

Ji An changed his Dharma Seal and performed the Zhurong Divine Fire Spell, summoning the Fire God’s phantom, spreading fire.

The Wood Element generates Fire, using the Power of Wood Element to activate the Fire Attribute, significantly diminishing the cold effect of the opponent’s Sword Intent.

As the scarlet fire phantom transformed into golden flames, the Fire Power’s eruption instantly dispelled the long accumulated chill.

Li Haoran laughed, a childlike joy akin to seeing a delightful toy:

”This is the first time seeing my tried and tested tactics cracked this way.

Junior Brother, I’m going to get serious this time; I won’t stack Sword Intent.”

He could feel the magical power of the two spells just now, clearly being non-attack spells.

The initial battle strategy might take a lengthy time to decide a winner, and he must change to new tricks.

Li Haoran urged the Celestial River Sword Technique, unleashing a silver ice river cascading down, a torrent formed by Sword Qi.