Chapter 102: The Purple-Gold Gourd

“Is that so?” Lin Cheng’s lips curled into a faint smile. Above his head, a crimson sun reappeared, soon followed by another... and another. Before long, five blazing suns hung in the sky, bathing the entire Ziyang Sect in scorching sunlight.

The air was suffocating and oppressive, as if molten metal and burning stones filled the arena. The sweltering heat and wild energy permeated the entire martial arts arena, causing the very atmosphere to thicken.

Dong Wuwang’s expression grew grave as he observed the scene. Even with his formidable protective aura, he felt an intense agitation and unease. If Lin Cheng’s previous Red Sun Sword technique was like a calm pool, then now with five suns in the sky, it was an overwhelming torrent, impossible to compare.

Five red suns aligned above Lin Cheng, their fierce sword energy and power slowly brewing within.

“Too strong!”

“I didn’t expect Lin Cheng’s sword techniques to grow stronger with each move. How many tricks does he have left?”

“The previous Red Sun Sword technique was just a fraction of his strength. This must be the true power of this sword style!”

“If Dong Wuwang has no trump card, this strike alone could end the fight!”

“Surely it can’t be that simple?”

...

The murmurs from the crowd filtered into Dong Wuwang’s ears, causing a tremor to cross his solemn face. After careful consideration, he knew that even his invincible aura could not withstand this attack. It seemed he had no choice but to use his master’s treasured artifact. After much hesitation, he put aside all concerns. Even if scorned by others, he absolutely could not lose this match!

With this resolve, he retracted the Haotian Mirror. Then, opening his palm, a purple-golden gourd appeared. Radiant violet light shimmered as he formed hand seals, causing the gourd to rapidly enlarge in the sky. Like a whale inhaling the sea, it sucked in all the wild, scorching energy from the arena. In the blink of an eye, it suppressed the terrifying aura emitted by the five suns.

“What? What kind of treasure is that?”

“The Purple-Golden Gourd... I didn’t expect the Ziyang Sect’s sacred treasure to be in his hands...”

“The Purple-Golden Gourd is the life artifact of the Ziyang Sect’s leader? They even gave this to Dong Wuwang? This is a legendary artifact of immense renown...”

“The Ziyang Sect is acting unfairly! Bringing their leader’s priceless treasure to the fight—isn’t that cheating?” Some spectators whispered discontentedly.

Nearby Ziyang disciples overheard the talk and snapped coldly, “If you don’t agree, bring your own treasured artifact. The fact that the sect leader entrusted this treasure to Brother Wuwang shows the great expectations placed upon him. What are you all complaining about?”

...

The dissenter retorted indignantly, “The Ziyang Sect is clearly violating the competition rules. It was stated before the match that no external weapons may be used. This is no different from cheating!”

...

Voices rose in debate from the stands. Dong Wuwang flushed but forced himself to ignore them, focusing intently as he faced Lin Cheng. Their attacks collided fiercely.

Each of the five suns unleashed beams of sword energy, shooting outward. The Purple-Golden Gourd radiated dazzling light, swallowing all five sword energies in one gulp. The gourd trembled slightly before settling calm again.

Then, like a mountain pressing down, the Purple-Golden Gourd surged forward, releasing a faint purple mist. Its powerful suction seemed intent on drawing Lin Cheng entirely inside.

“Break!”

The Heavenly Pointing Sword hovered before him, slowly revolving as he formed hand seals. Above, the five red suns blazed fiercely as piercing sword energies shot forth, their golden light dazzling under the sun.

“Let’s see how much you can swallow...” Inside Lin Cheng, his golden elixir sea surged with spiritual power. Tens of thousands of Red Sun sword energies were continuously unleashed. As they neared the Purple-Golden Gourd before Dong Wuwang, they were all completely absorbed.

For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate.

Seated on the jade chair, Master Zang Feng glanced coldly at the Ziyang Sect leader. “Brother Ziyang, you are breaking the rules!”

The Ziyang Sect leader smiled calmly. “Brother Zang Feng and everyone here misunderstand. To be honest, young disciple Wuwang has already been officially appointed as the next sect leader of Ziyang. As the young sect lord, it is only natural this treasured artifact was bestowed upon him. There is no cause for surprise.”

Several people exchanged glances but said no more.

Suddenly, shouts rose from the crowd.

Dong Wuwang formed hand seals again, performing some spell that caused Lin Cheng to lose balance, being pulled violently toward the gourd and swiftly absorbed inside.

The spectators were stunned, not expecting the Purple-Golden Gourd’s power to be so overwhelming. Even under the assault of Lin Cheng’s Five Suns in the Sky sword technique, he was easily drawn in—a terrifying sight.

“The Ziyang Sect’s foundations are too strong. He hasn’t even become sect leader yet, and they’ve already granted him such a formidable heirloom...” the watchers murmured uneasily.

“Lin Cheng is in danger...” Liu Feng frowned deeply, worry etched on his face. Several friends clenched their fists anxiously, eyes fixed on the arena, hoping he would break free in the next moment.

From the West Sand Sect side, Yu Zhantian shook his head. “I thought I had forced out his last trump card, but I didn’t expect he hadn’t even used this treasured artifact yet...”

...

Liyuan watched the stage nervously, her delicate hand clutching the edge of her skirt tightly. Hearing her senior brother’s words, she whispered softly, “Brother Zhantian, don’t be discouraged. You are already very strong. Once you absorb the West Sand Ancestor’s legacy, Dong Wuwang will no longer be your opponent...”

“Boom!”

The ground trembled violently as a massive, several-meter-tall Purple-Golden Gourd suddenly crashed onto the stage, sending debris flying. The light barrier of the formation flickered wildly, cracks appearing before slowly stabilizing under the supervising elder’s control.

Bang! Bang!

More crashing sounds echoed as the gourd bounced and tumbled across the platform. Its surface bulged and twisted as if something inside struggled to break free.

Sweat streamed down Dong Wuwang’s forehead. He exerted all his spiritual power, casting multiple spells to tightly seal the gourd. Even with his profound elixir realm cultivation, wielding this treasure was clearly exhausting.

“Lin Cheng, stop your futile resistance. The more you struggle, the stronger the refining spiritual power inside the gourd becomes. Soon enough, it will melt you into blood and water...”

“If you admit defeat and beg for mercy, I will let you out!” Dong Wuwang’s voice thundered loudly.

A moment of silence followed, then Lin Cheng’s voice echoed from within the gourd:

“In your dreams!”

Surveying the space inside the gourd, he pondered. The interior was fortified with formation magic, extremely resilient. With Dong Wuwang continuously exerting the treasure’s power, Lin Cheng’s strength alone was unlikely to break free by force. It seemed the only option was to outlast him.

As for the spiritual refining power within the gourd, Lin Cheng was utterly unconcerned. His Five Elements Sword Body, which had survived heavenly tribulations, would not be so easily destroyed. Moreover, the refining power inside the gourd was fire-based. From the moment he entered, his internal Fire Spirit Pearl emitted a protective flame that enveloped him, shielding him completely.

At this moment, no matter how much power Dong Wuwang unleashed through the Purple-Golden Gourd, it could not harm Lin Cheng in the slightest.

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