Chapter 1694: Ice and Snow Dance

As Chu Chuyan struck with her sword, snowflakes scattered, and a massive illusory ice flower even formed at its tip.

Meanwhile, Qiu Honglei's twin blades shimmered with divine light, resembling two crescent moons.

The ice flower clashed with the crescent moons. The illusory ice flower was shattered by the twin crescent blades, but it transformed into countless tiny snowflakes, swirling towards Qiu Honglei like a blizzard.

Within the blizzard, each snowflake was a sharp sword energy, dense and coming from all directions, making it impossible to defend against. It was capable of shredding any creature caught within into mincemeat.

Many skilled cultivators present clearly saw the danger, thinking that Chu Chuyan truly lived up to her reputation as a genius among geniuses, having mastered the Snowfall Divine Sword to such an exquisite degree at such a young age.

However, they were somewhat surprised that the usually serene Fairy Chu would strike with such ferocity. On second thought, they concluded that she must possess a heart that despises evil and eradicates demons to defend justice, truly a role model for their generation.

At that moment, Qiu Honglei glowed brilliantly. The snowflake sword energies, upon entering the radiance surrounding her, melted away like snowflakes thrown into a furnace.

After their brief exchange, the two separated, facing each other once more. Many Daoist disciples sighed, marveling at the formidable power of this demoness from the Demonic Sect, who had so effortlessly nullified Fairy Chu's killing blow.

However, a thought then struck them: this demoness was none other than "Peng Wuyan," who had recently overcome all challenges. It would be strange if she wasn't formidable; in fact, it was Chu Chuyan they should be more concerned about.

Only the chief disciples of various sects, such as Wu Xiaofan and Wan Guiyi, truly understood. The chilling aura from the scattered Snowfall Divine Sword during their recent exchange had permeated the surroundings, making them feel a distinct coldness. Clearly, Chu Chuyan's cultivation was far higher than they had imagined.

Recalling their previous competitiveness, only to find that there was always someone stronger, they were instantly filled with a sense of shame, like frogs in a well.

Xie Daoyun meticulously observed the battle, fearing to miss a single detail. However, she soon realized with dismay that although the skirmish was brief, it was enough for her to clearly assess the gap between herself and them. In a real fight, she would have little chance of victory.

Unless she could set up appropriate formations on the battlefield beforehand, perhaps then there might be a chance…

At this point, Qiu Honglei moved again. With a casual wave, a ball of light swiftly shot towards Chu Chuyan.

Wu Xiaofan, Shi Dingtian, Liang Ling, and others all changed their expressions, remembering how they had suffered significant losses from this very move previously.

Although the move seemed simple, its combination of speed and slowness made it impossible to guard against.

To everyone's surprise, Chu Chuyan did not dodge. Instead, she lightly blew from her mouth, and a stream of cold air condensed into a transparent ice crystal in front of her. The ball of light struck the ice crystal and was directly reflected back, causing Qiu Honglei considerable embarrassment. Knowing that this move was countered, she naturally dared not use it again.

The disciples watching nearby widened their eyes, and even many sect masters were somewhat surprised. Chu Chuyan truly possessed extraordinary talent, performing wonders with the Snowfall Divine Sword. They had never imagined that ice energy could be used in such a way.

Yun Jianyue glanced at Zu An with a strange expression, wondering if he wasn't afraid of being frozen by a woman whose mouth could produce such ice.

Qiu Honglei let out a delicate cry, swiftly charging towards Chu Chuyan. The short blade in her hand transformed into moonlight, and a faint illusory moon appeared behind her. The moment that moonlight shone, it gave one a feeling of inescapable presence.

Wu Xiaofan and the others' expressions turned solemn. They had previously underestimated "Peng Wuyan," and now, for some unknown reason, they felt a shiver in their souls.

Elders like Guan Chouhai, however, understood the reason. They were astonished that these two young individuals, at such a tender age, had already glimpsed the path to the domain. Given time, it was almost certain they would achieve the Grandmaster realm.

Their cultivation talent was truly defying the heavens.

At this moment, Qiu Honglei's speed was like a streak of light. Those with lower cultivation on the field could only see blurry afterimages.

Many Daoist disciples in the arena exclaimed in amazement. Qiu Honglei's speed at that moment was even a third faster than when she fought Wu Xiaofan earlier.

They couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for Chu Chuyan.

The young monk Jieshe asked the Master Jianhuang beside him, "Master, are light-element cultivators the fastest in the world?"

Master Jianhuang replied, "Elements have no inherent superiority or inferiority; it is the depth of cultivation that varies. Wind-element practitioners are also skilled in speed, and even some fire-element experts are equally swift. Ultimately, it boils down to the individual cultivator's own prowess. If one can comprehend the rules of space, then all concepts of speed become meaningless."

The young monk Jieshe looked admiringly, "Master, you understand so clearly; you must have comprehended the rules of space, haven't you?"

Master Jianhuang merely glanced at him and then ignored him.

Qiu Honglei's lightning-fast attacks left deep fissures in the ground from their powerful energy. Even the disciples watching nearby were almost affected, fortunately protected by their elders.

Chu Chuyan, meanwhile, retreated slowly, with each step of her toes leaving a blooming ice flower on the ground.

Qiu Honglei's edge was fully displayed, shattering those ice flowers one by one.

Zhao Xiaodie from Li Hentian couldn't help but sigh, "It seems Chu Chuyan is no match for that demoness."

She was of noble birth and possessed outstanding beauty, originally destined to be showered with adoration. Yet, within the Daoist sects, Chu Chuyan slightly surpassed her in both looks and talent.

Everyone flocked around Chu Chuyan, calling her "Fairy" with every breath, making it hard for Zhao Xiaodie not to feel jealous.

Furthermore, recent rumors suggested that she was also the wife of that fellow named Zu.

Therefore, she was somewhat pleased to see Chu Chuyan at a disadvantage. However, then she considered that this matter concerned the reputation of the Daoist sects; if Qiu Honglei won, everyone would lose face. Her feelings were thus conflicted.

Beside her, Zhi Yin shook his head slightly, "Not necessarily. Fairy Chu would not waste her true qi to leave these ice flowers for no reason."

Although he had unexpectedly lost in the group stage, he was still one of the most talented disciples of the Daoist sects and could vaguely discern certain things.

Sure enough, as Chu Chuyan retreated further, and Qiu Honglei pursued more deeply, her speed became half a fraction slower than before.

While not obvious, in the eyes of masters, this half-fraction difference was enough for many things to change.

Qiu Honglei also realized that continuing this way was disadvantageous and wanted to temporarily disengage from the battle.

But Chu Chuyan would not give her that chance. With a flick of her long sword, the ground within dozens of feet was covered in a layer of frost, as if several days' worth of snow had fallen in an instant.

She transformed into numerous pure white illusory figures, rushing from all directions towards Qiu Honglei in the center.

Wu Xiaofan, Wan Guiyi, and others gasped, their breathing quickening, because these figures were not mere afterimages left by extreme speed, but seemed to be her clones.

Each figure was similar in build to Chu Chuyan but lacked facial details, yet everyone could tell at a glance that they were her forms.

They couldn't even comprehend the principle behind this move, leaving them greatly astonished.

Chu Chuyan's attack carried no hint of aggression, instead resembling a dance, truly a beautiful sight to behold.

However, Qiu Honglei knew the immense danger hidden beneath this beautiful facade. She tried to dodge but found her feet seemed to be trapped in ice and snow, with the chilling energy spreading up to her calves.

Though she instantly circulated her true qi to dispel the cold from her feet, the momentary delay allowed the white figures to surge towards her from all directions, blocking all her escape routes.

It was as if, in the next second, she would be pierced through by a myriad of swords.

Guan Chouhai and the sect masters of other factions couldn't help but glance at Yan Xuehen, thinking that only she could cultivate such an outstanding disciple.

However, Li Changsheng of White Jade Capital had already nurtured a remarkably excellent Lou Wucheng, and now there was Chu Chuyan, who surpassed even him. Could it be that the future of the Nine Daoist Sects would belong to White Jade Capital?

Looking across the Nine Sects, it seemed only Biluo Palace, with its simultaneous emergence of two chief-level disciples, Wan Guiyi and Pei Mianman, could possibly compare.