Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

Wang Ying and Ma Jian would not arrive for several more days.

During this gap, Chen Jichuan returned to the Dragon-locking Abyss.

...

The Dragon-locking Abyss.

Eighteenth layer of the Dragon-locking Well, third cell.

Chen Jichuan sat within the cell, mist shrouding his figure, enveloping both him and the black-robed elder before him.

The mist swirled.

Illusions arose endlessly.

Needle-like attacks continuously assaulted the black-robed elder, stabbing straight at his Divine Soul.

To stab one's flesh with iron needles is already unbearable pain, let alone to stab a Divine Soul, sensitive by hundreds or even thousands of times more!

"Aaahhh!"

The elder let out horrifying screams, his bloodshot eyes seething with hatred, his deeply wrinkled face twisted grotesquely.

His screams were spine-chilling, enough to send shivers down anyone's back.

Chen Jichuan ignored him.

He placed his jade-like palm on the elder's forehead, and the elder's eyes immediately filled with fear. His body shivering uncontrollably.

His lips quickly turned pale, and his complexion darkened as a bluish hue took over.

These were signs of extreme pain and torture.

Indeed, the reality was as such—

The Illusion Realm enveloped him, ceaselessly piercing his Divine Soul.

The Innate One Qi Demon-locking Bone-shrinking Great Method descended upon his body, making him feel unbearable itching and pain throughout his body. His marrow felt sore and his bones seemed locked in place, forcibly compressed, as grinding and crushing noises emanated from deep within his bones and flesh. Even an outsider hearing these sounds would experience scalp-numbing discomfort, let alone the person undergoing the torment himself.

The Innate One Qi Demon-locking Bone-shrinking Great Method incorporated the sinister and cruel interrogation technique known as the Great Strength Vajra Technique.

Over the years, Chen Jichuan had often employed the Innate One Qi Demon-locking Bone-shrinking Great Method to utilize the ingenious aspects of the Heaven and Earth Net Spell, Iron Encirclement City Method, and the Innate One Qi Great Seizing Method.

It was mainly used for suppression and restraining enemies.

Using it purely for interrogation and torture was rare—today, the elder was getting the novel experience.

"Gu-gu-cha-cha!~"

"Gu-gu-cha-cha!~"

The black-robed elder, enduring the agony, bloodied his throat, crushed his teeth, bulged veins popped out on his face and neck, pulsating furiously as if about to burst.

"Submit already."

Chen Jichuan looked at the elder and sincerely advised, "If you yield to Master Dai, you can avoid this torment, leave the Dragon-locking Well, and see the sunlight again."

"Swear! To! Die! Rather! Than! Submit!"

The black-robed elder crushed his remaining teeth, displaying remarkable grit.

"Sigh."

"Why go through this?"

Chen Jichuan sighed lightly and could only increase the intensity.

"Aaahhh~"

"Dai Zong~"

"Dai Zong~"

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!!!"

Within the Dragon-locking Well, the pain escalated.

...

Ten days passed in a flash.

Mount Tailao, Fighting Sword Peak.

Sect Master Guu Feng, the hall masters of various halls, as well as Supreme Elders and Preaching Elders of the sect, all gathered at its summit. Besides the members of the Heaven Mending Sect, three outsiders were present on the peak.

Two among them—

One had a rigid aura and a middle-aged appearance, donned in a fish-white Daoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk, exuding a somewhat celestial demeanor.

The other had a burly physique, also appearing middle-aged, but with a bold and unrestrained temperament, thick eyebrows, and big expressive eyes.

These two were none other than the individuals who had arrived at Mount Tailao three days ago—'Fire Eye Immortal Monarch' Wang Ying and 'River Flipping True Person' Ma Jian.

Having been at Mount Tailao for several days, Sect Master Guu Feng along with Chen Jichuan and other hall masters, as well as the Preaching Elders, had hosted the duo.

Today, after tea and meals were shared, 'River Flipping True Person' Ma Jian proposed engaging in a friendly duel with Chen Jichuan.

Chen Jichuan was eager to accept.

The two immediately agreed, prompting Guu Feng and the others to gather at Fighting Sword Peak to witness the match firsthand.

At this moment, Wang Ying stood beside Guu Feng.

Ma Jian, meanwhile, was already on the battleground, facing Chen Jichuan from afar.

Wang Ying shifted his gaze between the pair in the ring and an isolated black-robed elder standing off to the side. Upon discerning the elder's face, he involuntarily took a closer look.

Unable to resist, Wang Ying turned to Guu Feng and asked, "I wasn't aware that the Black Kill Demon had joined your sect?"

Guu Feng, upon hearing this, explained, "Master Ji discovered traces of this old demon during his recent patrol of Slaughter Ring Sea and captured him alive, bringing him back to the sect to be imprisoned in the Dragon-locking Well. Master Dai, perhaps idle, took charge of interrogating him; after some time, the old demon renounced darkness for the light and now follows Master Dai obediently and submissively."

"..."

"..."

Wang Ying's heart sank; his expression concealed it well, though, as he laughed, "The two masters are truly skilled."

Indeed, what skill.

The Black Kill Demon was a notable figure in the Slaughter Ring Sea, a veritable behemoth of the Demon Dao.

Though Wang Ying was a Loose Cultivator, he was affiliated with the Heaven Mending Sect, effectively standing on the side of righteousness, and had crossed paths with the Black Kill Demon several times. He knew full well how arrogant, unruly, and slippery this figure was.

Even after all these years, the Black Kill Demon retained his freedom.

Hall Master Ji Liuyun, who wielded one of the sect's treasured weapons, the Evil Extermination Blade, could make quick work of the Black Kill Demon.

However, no rumors had surfaced of any recent activities involving the Black Kill Demon. How could he have stumbled into Ji Liuyun's hands?

Moreover.

The Black Kill Demon had been subdued and held in the Dragon-locking Well—a location managed by the Law Enforcement Hall.

Why would Dai Zong, a hall master of the Dharma Transmission Hall, concern himself with interrogating anyone?

And, most puzzling.

Before coming to the Heaven Mending Sect, he had made sure to inquire about this new Dharma Transmission Hall master. He had learned that Dai Zong had clashed with Zhangg Wuya, the Law Enforcement Hall master, quite publicly upon gaining his position.

Given the bad blood, how could Dai Zong gain unfettered access to the Dragon-locking Well?!

"Stop trying to fool me!"

Wang Ying thought with disdain.

Yet, he was not one to meddle. Seeing Guu Feng's unwillingness to elaborate further, he refrained from questioning further.

He laughed it off and focused his attention on the ongoing duel.

Guu Feng, noticing Wang Ying's reluctance to press, inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Casting his gaze back at the solitary Black Kill Demon, he couldn't help but feel both amused and bemused.

Others may not see it, but how could he not?

This Master Dai must have employed some cunning methods to subdue the Black Kill Demon, making him docile and deferential. Clearly, the intent was to demonstrate to the high-ranking sect members—

That even when he marched into battle, he could bring the old demon along to analyze Absolute Skills.

Fighting battles and honing Absolute Skills simultaneously, he missed nothing.

Such meticulous planning made Guu Feng chuckle, while also sparking curiosity about the means by which Chen Jichuan had subdued the Black Kill Demon.

...

For now, Guu Feng, Wang Ying, and the others' thoughts are set aside.

Within the battleground.

Chen Jichuan clasped his hands respectfully toward Ma Jian and said, "I humbly request True Person Ma's guidance."

In recent days.

He had joined Guu Feng and others in entertaining Wang Ying and Ma Jian, becoming somewhat familiar with them.

Today, likely prompted by some hint from Guu Feng or others, Ma Jian had taken the initiative to challenge Chen Jichuan, leading to this duel opportunity.

Their brief acquaintance over the past few days.

Coupled with Ma Jian's proactive invitation.

The outward pleasantries were well maintained despite the slight stiffness and abruptness of the duel. At least, the cordiality between the two would not be strained.

Additionally, Ma Jian himself was a forthright person who wanted to test the skills of the widely-discussed 'True Person Jade Face' personally, making him all the more eager to engage.

"A Fifth Layer cultivator can rival an Eighth Layer?"

"Can the world truly produce such defiance of the heavens?"

Ma Jian had long doubted such claims, but with the rise of Dai Zong within the Heaven Mending Sect, he began to waver. Today, he seized the chance to find out for himself.

With this in mind.

He looked at Chen Jichuan and grinned broadly, "Guidance would be far too much—I only ask Master Dai to show mercy and save me from losing face too badly."

"True Person Ma is far too modest."

Chen Jichuan smiled lightly.

Then, without further small talk, he opened his hand, and thousands of streaks of Sword Qi surged forth, dispersing in a magnificent flourish—

"Seven-star Sword Diagram!"

Ma Jian's expression tightened, knowing full well this was one of Chen Jichuan's signature techniques. He dared not take it lightly.

"Rise!"

Taking a step forward, he let out a heavy shout, instantly summoning waters from the heavens, transforming them into a raging dragon that roared as it clashed against the Sword Diagram.

This maneuver was equally exceptional.

"Commanding rivers and turning them into flood dragons."

"True Person Ma's mastery of the River-flipping Transformation technique has truly reached a pinnacle."

Guu Feng watched as Ma Jian manipulated the river waters beneath Trial Sword Peak, unable to hold back his praise.

"True Person Ma is indeed impressive."

"But Master Dai's sword technique isn't simple either—it won't be easy to counter."

Wang Ying, standing nearby, interjected.

Possessing Ninth Layer cultivation and the unparalleled Eyes of Golden Flame, Wang Ying discerned the intricacies as clearly as Guu Feng. Particularly when observing Chen Jichuan's moves, he couldn't help but feel shocked.

This Sword Technique, if wielded by an average Eighth Layer True Person, would be deemed unremarkable. But in the hands of a Fifth Layer cultivator, it was undeniably astonishing.

The two didn't dwell on their commentary, instead continuing to watch the duel intently.

Clang, clang, clang!

Crash, crash, crash!

Within the arena, Chen Jichuan and Ma Jian had already locked into combat.

One wielding Sword Qi, arranging the Sword Diagram.

The other wielding the river waters, summoning divine dragons.

In an instant, the Trial Sword Peak was ablaze with Sword Qi soaring to the heavens and sparkling water glimmering everywhere—a display of truly divine techniques!

"Commanding the rivers and turning the seas."

"He does possess some Daoist aptitude!"

Ma Jian, known as 'River Flipping True Person,' with Ninth Layer cultivation, was a formidable opponent. Chen Jichuan, battling him, dared not hold back, immediately deploying his Seven-star Sword Diagram.

Sword Qi swirled, spreading the diagram, manifesting into seven stars.

Ma Jian called upon the power of the rivers and waters, forming flood dragons. The dragons swayed their tails and snapped their jaws, tangling with the Sword Diagram ferociously. For a moment, he seemed to gain an advantage.

"As expected of the Ninth Layer."

Chen Jichuan observed this and subtly shifted his hand, unleashing another thousand streaks of Sword Qi to amplify the size and power of the Sword Diagram, nearly doubling its strength.

"Master Dai's technique is truly outstanding!"

Ma Jian called out in admiration.

As Chen Jichuan expanded the diagram with additional Sword Qi, Ma Jian adjusted his own spell accordingly.

Above, water from the rivers flowed.

No longer transforming into mere flood dragons, the water instead formed sword-like constructs, each one forged entirely from condensed river currents, emanating an aura not weaker than typical Magical Treasures.

The river waters formed countless blades.

Clang, clang, clang!

Resounding sword hum echoed as tens of thousands of swords descended from the heavens.

"Transforming water into swords—how can it compare to my painstakingly cultivated Sword Qi?"

Chen Jichuan felt the mounting pressure but remained composed and prepared. Nonchalantly, he spread both hands. One hand, raised above, controlled two thousand streaks of Sword Qi, tearing apart the thousands of water swords as the Seven-star Sword Diagram unfolded further. The other hand, aimed below, gathered another two thousand streaks, transforming them into a second Seven-star Sword Diagram that immediately descended upon Ma Jian.

"Still withholding power?!"

Ma Jian was truly stunned, and as the diagram closed in on him, his figure seemed to dissolve into water and scatter.

At that moment.

The water swords crafted from the river currents were already entangled with the Seven-star Sword Diagram. Both in the skies and across the land, mist and water permeated everywhere. Ma Jian's maneuver appeared akin to rivers merging into the sea, blending seamlessly with the surrounding water currents. Within moments, he was nowhere to be found.

Against ordinary opponents, this could indeed deceive and confuse.

But not Chen Jichuan.

...