Zhang Changtian said blankly.
He still seemed unable to believe it.
But this was the truth!
Even though he wielded the Three Dao Laws and possessed a Composite Divine Technique that fused these laws.
The result remained the same—he lost.
And he lost wholeheartedly, without any complaints.
He lifted his head and looked at Lu Changsheng with a complex expression.
The Flame Law and the Wind Law—he didn’t care much about them.
But there was one very rare and scarce Spiritual Law, and that was utterly devastating.
"Spiritual Grindstone, a top-tier Spiritual Divine Technique. And it’s at the Perfect Realm."
"Plus, the Wind and Fire Purgatory—this Composite Divine Technique, combining two laws, is also at the Perfect Realm..."
Zhang Changtian took in a deep breath.
He lost without feeling wronged!
A Perfect Realm Spiritual Grindstone, coupled with a Perfect Realm Composite Divine Technique, Wind and Fire Purgatory.
How could he defend against that? The source of this content ɪs NovᴇlFire(.)nᴇt
Not just him—Zhao Qiaoshan, Ouyang Mo, and even the other top-tier Dao Foundations in the Ancient Domain’s Heavenly Sect—Zhang Changtian couldn’t imagine anyone being able to block such a combination of offensive techniques.
"Thank you, Daoist Lu, for holding back."
Zhang Changtian bowed respectfully to show his gratitude.
Although it was just a sparring match, had Lu Changsheng not held back, Zhang Changtian would have faced serious trouble.
In fact, if it had been somewhere else—
If a life-and-death battle had truly broken out, he likely would have already died.
"It was just a sparring match."
Lu Changsheng said calmly.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Zhao Qiaoshan and Ouyang Mo, and asked, "Do either of you gentlemen wish to offer instruction?"
"No, Daoist Lu, if you can defeat Zhang Changtian, you can naturally defeat us as well. There’s no need for sparring."
The two quickly shook their heads, clearly expressing their stance.
Before, when it was just Zhang Changtian, they had their minds set on giving it a try.
While Zhang Changtian might be slightly stronger than them, that slight advantage wasn’t enough to win their complete approval.
But now they had seen the fight between Lu Changsheng and Zhang Changtian.
They understood clearly.
Lu Changsheng was not just slightly stronger than them.
He would crush them completely!
To vie against Lu Changsheng? There was no chance—they could only give up.
"Daoist Wang, what about you? What do you think?"
Lu Changsheng turned his gaze to Wang Yun.
His ultimate aim was still the five drops of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood that Wang Yun possessed.
Gaining Wang Yun’s approval was necessary.
"Daoist Lu, you’re the one."
"If you can slay Mountain Path Daoist Monarch, I’ll offer you the five drops of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood with both hands!"
Wang Yun made her decision decisively, showing no hesitation.
Lu Changsheng’s strength gave her hope that Mountain Path Daoist Monarch could be slain.
Especially his Spiritual Divine Technique.
Such techniques were exceedingly rare and incredibly uncommon.
And in combat, a top-tier Spiritual Divine Technique at the Perfect Realm was overwhelmingly effective.
One small misstep, and Mountain Path Daoist Monarch might truly fall to Lu Changsheng.
"Very well, shall we agree on a timeframe then?"
"Within one year, I will strike, and I will give my all to slay Mountain Path Daoist Monarch."
"If I fail to slay Mountain Path Daoist Monarch within a year, Daoist Wang is free to seek someone else."
"But the condition is that Daoist Wang must provide one drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood as a deposit, as a show of sincerity!"
Having said that, Lu Changsheng stood quietly, awaiting Wang Yun’s response.
"Taking action within a year, that’s not an issue."
"But one drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood as a deposit..."
Wang Yun hesitated slightly.
After all, a drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood was immensely precious.
However, she thought about Lu Changsheng’s reputation.
A young and peerless figure—how could someone like that ruin their name over a mere drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood?
Moreover, there was Zhao Yuanshan!
The introduction had come through Zhao Yuanshan.
If anything went wrong, regardless of how Zhao Yuanshan tried to justify it, Wang Yun would surely hold him accountable.
Considering this, Wang Yun no longer hesitated.
"Within one year, Daoist Lu will strike to slay Mountain Path Daoist Monarch. If the attempt is unsuccessful, Daoist Lu must return the one drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood."
"This drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood will serve as the deposit."
With a wave of her hand, a pristine porcelain vial flew into Lu Changsheng’s grasp.
Lu Changsheng opened it for inspection.
Indeed, it was a drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood.
And it seemed to be of the Wood Attribute.
Perfect—Lu Changsheng could make good use of it.
"Daoist Wang, I take my leave."
After securely storing the drop of Wood Attribute Heavenly Demon Essence Blood, Lu Changsheng bid farewell and left Wang Yun’s cave mansion alongside Zhao Yuanshan.
Upon leaving the mansion, Lu Changsheng smiled as he spoke to Zhao Yuanshan, "Brother Zhao, I happen to have a drop of Wind Wing Heavenly Demon Essence Blood. Would you be interested in trading it for a drop of Wood Attribute Heavenly Demon Essence Blood?"
Zhao Yuanshan, ever so straightforward and generous toward Lu Changsheng, agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Soon after, Zhao Yuanshan produced a drop of Wood Attribute Heavenly Demon Essence Blood and tossed it to Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng examined it closely—excellent, it was different from what Wang Yun had provided.
It could be used to gain deeper insights into the Wood Law.
"Brother Lu, although your strength is formidable, I’d still like to remind you: Mountain Path Daoist Monarch is extremely powerful. Know your opponent and know yourself; only then can you be victorious a hundred times out of a hundred. You absolutely must remain cautious and prepare thoroughly."
"After all, Daoist Monarchs at the Foundation Establishment level derive their power primarily from their Magical Treasures and formations. Especially their Magical Treasures—even now, no one knows if Mountain Path Daoist Monarch has hidden an even mightier Magical Treasure."
"Back when Lu Zhensong and Wang Yun challenged him, they both suffered greatly. Nobody expected Mountain Path Daoist Monarch’s Heavenly Mountain Seal to be so potent—it instantly annihilated Lu Zhensong."
Zhao Yuanshan spoke with a solemn tone.
He held no desire to see Lu Changsheng perish.
After all, if Lu Changsheng died, the drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood he owed Zhao Yuanshan would remain unpaid.