How could Huanzhen not recognize Shen Lian? Just that, Shen Lian was a different person then. If Huanzhen had attacked Shen Lian before Shen Lian achieved Huandan, people would regard him as a bully. Moreover, Shen Lian was a disciple of Qing Xuan. If he had killed or injured him, it would mean war between the two sects and the people of Qing Xuan would give him a taste of his own medicine.
Unless if he stayed in and never step out of his abode until he obtained immortality.
Although he was more experienced than Shen Lian, they could be classified as the same level considering that Shen Lian achieved Huandan. His plan was to obtain the upper hand by striking first just before Shen Lian could announce his background. Once he gets to restrain Shen Lian, he would identify Shen Lian's ties with Qing Xuan and at the same time humiliate Qing Xuan. This would traumatize Shen Lian and disrupt his process of achieving Powang.
His train of thoughts moved so quickly like a driller and he was not hesitant with his attacks.
The clear ray of light struck violently. In no time, the sky full of golden light was suppressed. This supernatural power was known as The Qi of Xuanqing. It was a basic technique of the Guangqing Celestial sect. But Daoist Huanzhen was extraordinary and extremely persistent, he had been cultivating and refining this technique for over two hundred years. It became his signature move and had always worked to his advantage when it comes to dismantling other Dao techniques and capturing demons.
Sometimes he would feel regretful for picking up this supernatural power as it had taken up a lot of his energy. But at the same time, he was also proud of the refinement and its ability to destroy almost everything.
During the ancient times, there was a supernatural power of the light element that could destroy every single thing in the universe. Nothing else could match it then and now.
Although his Qi of Xuanqing may not be as powerful as that ancient superpower, no existing sword aura could match him. With one blow, he could effortlessly dismantle his opponent's powers. It was an extremely courageous technique that showed the prestige of celestial sects.
Therefore when Shen Lian showed up, he summoned this supernatural power. Although he may appear to look like he was ruining Baoyue the Venerable's image, all he could easily apologize after the fight.
The momentum of the Qi of Xuanqing was of great magnitude but all Shen Lian did was laugh.
It would have been tricky if Shen Lian had to deal with such refined Qing Guang before achieving Huandan.
Of course, Shen Lian would not underestimate Daoist Huanzhen. To him, this ray of Qing Guang had the purest Qi dynamics and was extremely refined. Even the sword gleam of cultivators who polished their swords with their life could not match the purity of the Qing Guang.
Supernatural powers need not be extra complex. An extremely cultivated person could easily summon extreme forces in an instant. It would not be considered as an earth-shattering technique if the cultivator had yet to master the supernatural power completely. It was because a highly skilled person could easily detect the flaws of an incomplete technique and could take advantage of that.
Even if an ordinary cultivator obtained stunning Dao techniques, should they did not master it, they would have also been an easy and unworthy opponent for the true Dao masters.
And that was why when Daoist Huanzhen's Qi of Xuanqing swept over, Shen Lian could see its beauty behind it. He laughed but that was because he was impressed by it.
Shen Lian was impressed but that did not mean that he did not have the means to fight back.
He stood with the wind as if a celestial being beyond heaven came down to the human world. The clouds wrapped around him as it bloomed at a relaxed pace. Shen Lian pointed a finger to produce a fire red cumulus cloud. The cloud expanded as it touched the wind.
He recited, "A golden elixir down to my stomach, I decide my own destiny."
Everyone heard his voice as it filled the entire square.
People could not help but to secretly praise, "That's a good Daoist."
The fire red cumulus cloud turned into a firewall and engulfed the Qing Guang.
Shen Lian continued to recite, "If I could control my destiny, I can plant golden lotus in the fire."
The fire red cumulus cloud produced a silk-like blue ray that encircled the Qing Guang that was being temporarily bonded to the cloud. Like a silk thread, the blue ray winded around the Qing Guang from top to bottom in an intensity of a hurricane. The Qing Guang shattered as the cloud dispersed.
The scene looked like a majestic fireworks show. It was brilliantly magnificent.
Theoretically speaking, Daoist Huanzhen still had the advantage as it took Shen Lian two moves to resolve one blow.
However, Shen Lian did it so neatly and elegantly.
It looked like both of them were working together to put on a fireworks show to congratulate Baoyue the Venerable.
Shen Lian laughed, "I am Shen Lian of the Qing Xuan Sect. Please forgive me if I have misbehaved."
As soon as he announced his background, coupled with his great job done earlier, it really showed that he was not an easy opponent. Huanzhen could only hold back his anger and refrained from making any more statements as he did not want to be the joke of the day.
A calming Buddhist chant could be heard coming out from the Pagoda. The person who was chanting was a handsome looking teenage monk in a moon colored robe. People started whispering to each other until a wise person explained that this person was indeed the abbot of the Jinguang Temple, Baoyue the Venerable, who had obtained the Golden-bodied Arhat.
He had always lived a low profile life unlike his Junior Apprentice-Brother Baoguang Zen Master who would eliminate demons and acted as the national advisor of Yue Tuo. He hardly shows his face and thus not many people had seen his true colors.
His appearance today has stunned many as they were awed by the greatness of Buddhism and how young he looked.
After the Buddhist chant, Baoyue the Venerable said, "You are as charismatic as Brother Chen. Qing Xuan sure is producing talents in every generation, and that is really impressive."
Shen Lian was surprised to see Baoyue the Venerable. Judging from his words, it seemed that he did not mind at all what happened between Chen Jianmei and Monk Baoguang. Shen Lian could not help but feel puzzled by it.
He held back his doubt and greeted politely without further commenting. Buddhism and Daoism were of different approaches. There was no need for him to overly humble of himself. As the wind blows, Baoyue pointed to the ground and a ratan tree sprouted to form a canopy facing the direction of Daoist Huanzhen. Shen Lian took his seat without saying anything.
Considering that Baoyue the Venerable stepped in, he probably did not want Shen Lian to clash with Daoist Huanzhen right now.
But the crowd could not help but peep at Shen Lian and Daoist Huanzhen, thinking about when will they start fighting again.
Qing Xuan and Guangqing were of legendary status. It would make a good show if both of them fight and everyone loved a good old fashion drama.
Seated next to Shen Lian were Song Qingyi and Qixiu. Using telepathy, Song Qingyi said, "Great job. I've always disliked this person."
Shen Lian smiled without commenting further. At this moment, the sound of a ringing bell could be heard as a bell flew swiftly from the southwest direction. A pair of calves and the hem of a monk's robe could be seen under the bell. Clearly, a monk was lifting the giant bell and traveled from far with god-like speed.
Although it generated quite a bit of a buzz, a truly wise person would be doubtful and secretly thought, "Huike is the representative of the Ming Wang Temple. And rumor has it that Daoist Huanzhen acknowledged that they are off the same level. But why does it seemed that his cultivation has yet to reach that standard."