bookrandom Chapter 37 Sect Grand Competition (2)
Chapter 37 Sect Grand Competition (2)
Unlike sword cultivators, there are fewer talisman and array cultivators, and they usually cultivate both talisman and array cultivation. Therefore, the competition was held on the same day, but each person could only compete in one aspect.
Luo Zai Shui is Xie Jing's eldest disciple, so naturally they are compared in the art of array formations. Ji Ting Han's array formations are somewhat inferior, so they are compared in the art of talismans.
Although fewer people participated, the number of onlookers was many more than yesterday.
There's nothing we can do about it; talisman cultivators and array cultivators are valuable, and these people probably want to poach some promising cultivators to take back to their own sects.
However, the five major sects shouldn't even think about it. After all, their resources and strength are undeniable, and some smaller sects simply can't afford to support these expensive disciples.
The competition for talisman cultivators has already begun. As in previous years, a group of people sit on the field and draw talismans with a specified function within a set time. The one who draws the most talismans of high quality will win the title of Talisman Master.
As for how to evaluate the quality of a talisman, it is done on the spot. Laymen don't understand the quality of a talisman, but those who cultivate the Tao can see its effects at a glance.
Xue Xin and Jian Muyi had already accompanied Ji Tinghan to the Talisman Dao Competition, leaving Su Wusi and Shi Ming to accompany Luo Zaishui in the Array Dao arena.
"So, Senior Sister Nie is also joining in the grand competition of array formations and talismans?"
Luo Zai Shui, noticing Nie Xu Shuang's somewhat out of place among the crowd, appropriately raised a question.
Nie Xushuang shrugged nonchalantly: "There's no rule against people watching, I just came to take a look."
Chu Yeli was 800 meters away from her: "That's true, but the smell on you is really..."
Nie Xushuang sniffed herself carefully: "What's wrong? It's just the smell of some insect repellent herbs, is it very strong?"
Luo Zai Shui was so choked by the smell that her eyes were about to water, and the people around her kept a good distance from Nie Xu Shuang.
To be honest, the herbs didn't smell bad; they had a faint cooling sensation and were very effective at repelling insects. However, Nie Xushuang looked like she had been soaking in those herbs for seven days! The smell was so strong it made it impossible for her to open her eyes!
Chu Yeli took out a folding fan and fanned himself: "You're practically pickled to perfection, can't you smell it?"
Even Shi Ming, who could remain unfazed in front of a monster ten times his size, frowned and silently complained about the pungent smell.
Standing behind Luo Zai Shui, Su Wu Si's eyes welled up with tears from the stench: "Senior Sister Nie..."
Nie Xushuang touched her nose sheepishly: "Oh, I guess I've gotten used to this smell. Last night I was planning to refine those herbs into a batch of insect repellent essential oil, but I didn't control the amount. It not only repelled insects, but it also repelled people."
Luo Zai Shui was amused. She wiped away the tears that had come from the corners of her eyes from the fumes: "This stuff is really effective. Not only can mosquitoes not get close, but even cultivators stay 800 meters away from you."
"That's perfect." Nie Xushuang handed her a small bottle of essential oil. "I have another bottle here. It not only repels mosquitoes, but it can also refresh you when you're sleepy. If anyone tries anything, just throw this in their eyes, and I guarantee they won't be able to fight back!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Ming and Ji Tinghan instinctively shuddered. Seriously, if this stuff got into their eyes, they'd be ruined! What a ruthless woman!
Luo Zai Shui smiled and accepted the essential oil from Nie Xu Shuang: "Thank you, Senior Sister Nie!"
"Let's go, let's go, it's time for us to enter." Chu Yeli covered her mouth and nose and urged, "Where are the Linghai Sect members?"
His poor junior brothers and sisters had already been driven to the outer perimeter by the fumes and were now squeezing into the crowd to meet him.
"Be careful when breaking the formation, don't push yourself too hard," Shi Ming said, pulling her aside to give her a gentle reminder. "Also, be careful of people around you trying to trip you up..."
The implication was clear, and Luo Zai Shui nodded, indicating that she understood.
Su Wusi stood obediently to the side, cheering her on: "Go, Senior Sister!"
"Let's go." Chu Yeli, who had been disheveled and disoriented from the stench, entered the arena with an air of elegance, leading his junior brothers and sisters. "I am determined to win the title of champion in the array formation this time."
Luo Zai Shui smiled and shook her head: "Then I'll wait and see!"
The competition in the Formation Path is all about the speed at which you break through formations. A mountain can be covered with thousands of different formations, such as trapping formations, killing formations, and teleportation formations. To win, you only need to pass through these formations to reach the top of the mountain.
Unlike other Daoist competitions, the Array Dao Competition allows cultivators from other sects and families to join forces to break arrays without worrying about affecting the fairness of the competition. This is because the final array on the mountaintop is almost unbreakable, and only one person has emerged victorious in each competition over the years. That person is naturally the undisputed champion, while the rankings of the remaining participants are determined by the speed and number of arrays they break.
Therefore, major sects specializing in formations like Linghai Sect naturally travel in groups.
As for Luo Zai Shui, she was the only one on Xianyun Peak who specialized in formations, so naturally she was the only one to appear.
Chu Yeli originally intended to invite Luo Zaishui to travel together and settle the score at the last great formation on the mountaintop, but considering that the two sects were already in a competitive relationship, and that Luo Zaishui himself did not need such things, he gave up this plan.
Luo Zai Shui didn't think too much about it; she embarked on her journey with the vast crowd.
As soon as she entered the mountain gate, the surrounding environment suddenly changed. The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent. A cold wind blew by, and several eerie laughs came from not far away. Dozens of dark figures appeared around her, as if they wanted to surround and devour her.
Luo Zai Shui gently closed her eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air. The Wen family had really gone all out; they had set up an illusion array right at the entrance.
She silently recited the Heart-Cleansing Mantra and, based on her memories from before she came, groped her way forward step by step, as if measuring something. The ghost behind her approached step by step, about to devour her.
Suddenly, she stopped in front of a dead tree. She opened her eyes, revealing a confident smile, and calmly took out a talisman she had prepared beforehand and stuck it on the dead tree.
The ghost that was about to ambush her let out a shrill scream, the surrounding illusion began to distort, a ray of sunlight shone in, and everything behind her was crushed by the white-robed Taoist priest with a single step.
Luo Zai Shui breathed a sigh of relief. She was still not far from the entrance to the mountain road. Behind her, most of the people had fallen to the ground, clutching their heads and crying, as if they were trapped in great fear. The more realistic the formation was, the harder it was to escape. This was just the appetizer.
Many people had already continued walking forward, and Chu Yeli was among them. As if sensing Luo Zaishui's gaze, he subconsciously turned around. Judging from his lip movements, he was probably asking her why she hadn't left yet.
Luo Zai Shui replied with a smile, "I'm here."
In that instant, she subconsciously turned around and saw Shi Ming standing not far away in the sidelines. Their eyes met, and she smiled and waved to him.
Shi Ming was somewhat surprised, then smiled slightly.
At that moment, they were of one mind, and she said: Senior Brother, don't worry, I can do it!
The man turned around, caught up with Chu Yeli, and then slowly disappeared from sight. A huge bronze mirror stood up in the arena, tracking the shadows of everyone present.