Watching the Mountain

Chapter 341: Chapter 194: In My Name as Shennong

A Dao battle was incomparably perilous. Unlike an ordinary fight, once it began, not even he could control the situation.

But in the very instant he had that thought, something unexpected happened.

Across from him, Yue Qingyu, who had been contending with his Dao, suddenly had a great river manifest behind her, blotting out the sky and sun as it stretched across the void.

That river was incorporeal, visible only to him, the one engaged in battle with Yue Qingyu.

For it was the very manifestation of Yue Qingyu’s Dao.

The Dao itself had become a great river.

’Is that her true Dao?’

Wuya Daoist Monarch was utterly aghast. The River of Dao behind Yue Qingyu seemed to have existed since the dawn of creation, spanning endless time and space. As for where it led, even he did not know.

Because even he, a Divinity Transformation Middle Stage cultivator, could only see a blanket of mist.

’Just how far has she progressed on her Dao...’

Wuya Daoist Monarch thought in disbelief, ’Is this a Dao that someone at the Nascent Soul Early Stage can possibly comprehend?’

Time passed in silent torment.

Every passing moment was an eternity of suffering for everyone in the Profound Pure Sect.

The celestial phenomenon continued, and the disciples were barely holding on in agony.

Suddenly, Wuya Daoist Monarch and Yue Qingyu, who stood facing each other in the void, opened their eyes at the same time.

The frozen air instantly began to flow again. Sound returned to the silent world, filled with the harsh gasps, coughs, and suppressed sobs of countless disciples who felt like they had just survived a catastrophe.

The light returned to normal, and the distorted scenery settled.

Everyone in the Profound Pure Sect was abruptly pulled back from the abyss of despair.

The moment he opened his eyes, Wuya Daoist Monarch quickly formed a Finger Formula, forcibly steadying his teetering body and schooling his expression into one of calm indifference, as if nothing had happened.

’He had lost this battle. Lost completely and utterly.’

’Perhaps he had already lost the moment he chose to appear here, for at that instant, he had already strayed from his own Dao.’

A complex mix of emotions filled his face as he silently watched Yue Qingyu. There was shock, regret, and even a hint of wistful relief.

The world knew of Sword Dao Ye Shan, but only he, who had just experienced a Dao battle with Yue Qingyu, truly understood. Perhaps this transcendent woman in white before him was the being closest to the Dao in the entire history of the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm.

Yue Qingyu had always been famous in the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm, and her name had even reached the other domains. However, people only knew she was a genius; no one knew just how much of a genius she was.

Perhaps, in the entire Cultivation Realm, only he now knew how utterly astonishing she was.

But for that very reason, he could never let this secret get out.

The Profound Pure Sect already drew enough attention. If others were to learn of Yue Qingyu’s true potential, he feared some people would be unable to resist and would stop at nothing to eliminate both her and the Profound Pure Sect.

At this thought, Wuya Daoist Monarch looked at Yue Qingyu and spoke with a calm expression:

”You have lost this battle.”

”However, you dared to clash Daos with me while only at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, and you managed to hold on for a moment without being instantly crushed.”

”Your courage and potential have both earned my recognition. Therefore, I have decided to leave and will no longer act against you or the Profound Pure Sect.”

’He was the one who had lost, but to protect Yue Qingyu, he absolutely could not reveal the true outcome. He believed that with her wisdom, she would surely understand his intentions.’

And just as he expected, the moment his words fell, Yue Qingyu slowly raised her hands in a cupped fist salute and said:

”Thank you, Senior.”

Seeing this, Wuya Daoist Monarch gave her a look of appreciation, nodded slightly, and let out a soft sound of acknowledgment before saying:

”May you... be prudent.”

After speaking, he did not linger, turning and drifting away.

Having been defeated by Yue Qingyu in the Dao battle, he was now severely injured. A Dao injury was unlike any common wound; at this moment, he was utterly weakened to his core.

He recalled what Yue Qingyu had said before the Dao battle began—that if she made a move, she could definitely stop him.

And it was true. He no longer had the strength to fight. If not for the need to protect Yue Qingyu’s secret, he would have collapsed long ago.

After watching Wuya Daoist Monarch depart, the disciples of the Profound Pure Sect stood stunned for a moment before erupting into cheers.

Many of the disciples didn’t know what a Dao battle was, or even what had just transpired. All they knew was that Wuya Daoist Monarch had personally promised not to act against them again.

Wuya Daoist Monarch, who had not yet traveled far, heard the cheers from within the Profound Pure Sect and found it somewhat amusing.

’Do these people have any idea how breathtakingly brilliant their own Sect Leader is?’

’However, he also felt a trace of worry. Although Yue Qingyu had defeated him, her condition was definitely no better than his—she might even be more severely injured.’

A Dao battle was not just a contest of one’s comprehension of the Dao, but also a clash of Realms. Comprehension was quality, while one’s Realm was quantity. Although she had progressed far on her Dao, she was sorely lacking in quantity.

This was why Dao battles were typically initiated only between those of the same Realm.

Moreover, to prevent him from refusing the challenge, she had used her Nascent Soul body to forcibly pull a Divinity Transformation Daoist Monarch like him into a Dao battle. The toll on her Divine Soul and Dao Foundation was immense. Even in victory, the danger was extreme.

’I hope she can survive this ordeal and recover quickly.’

Wuya Daoist Monarch let out a silent, regretful sigh in his heart before quietly accelerating his departure.