Chapter 67 — Crimson Flame
劍問蒼天 · Page 3 of 7
Standing to one side, Su Wan frowned slightly. She had heard every word these youngsters had said; the speakers meant nothing by it, but the listener had taken note. After a moment she quietly glanced at Daoist Cangyan. He stood with his head raised, watching the sky, his face expressionless, but his eyes were bright and shifting, fixed all the while on Tian Buhui's figure. Who knew what he was thinking?
Just then, with the gale howling, flames scattering through the sky and blood-light surging upward, it was plain that the two men's duel had reached its most critical moment. Daoist Cangyan suddenly said coldly, "I never thought the Vampire Fiend would be so bold as to come here and provoke us. Qi Hao!"
Qi Hao stood right beside him. He stepped forward. "Master, what are your orders?"
Daoist Cangyan glanced at the sky. "Your Uncle Tian's victory is certain. That old devil cannot hold out much longer. Take men and set a perimeter—this time we must not let the fiend escape."
Qi Hao acknowledged the order, beckoned, and called Lin Jinghong back as well, then turned to inform the others of the great sects—Fa Cheng, Li Xun, and the rest—and they began their deliberations.
Su Wan walked slowly to Daoist Cangyan's side and said with a smile, "Brother Cangsong, how can you tell that Buhui is sure to win?"
Daoist Cangyan glanced at her, and a faint smile appeared on his usually expressionless face. "Junior Sister Su, are you going to make sport of your worthless senior brother again?"
Su Wan shook her head, laughing. "I wouldn't dare tease you if I had ten times the courage. I am asking in all sincerity!"
Daoist Cangyan smiled. "Junior Sister Su, you have always been clever, your natural gifts far above your worthless senior brother's—why be so modest? The Vampire Fiend's cultivation is indeed high, and with the 'Blood Skull' in his grasp he looks as though blood-light surges to the heavens and he is fierce beyond compare. But I observe that though his momentum is fierce, at the point three parts to the upper right of where his true treasure lies, the blood-red light seems impure—the Blood Skull appears to have a small flaw. In ordinary times this would be nothing; with his cultivation, a little refining at home would set it right. But today, before Brother Tian, it is his greatest weakness."
Here he paused. Deep in his eyes something like a cold gleam flashed, but his voice remained calm. "Look instead at Brother Tian—composed and unhurried, wielding the Crimson Flame immortal sword with the Qingyun arts. He can already manifest the 'True Dragon of Crimson Fire.' Fierce as the Blood Skull's red light is, it retreats at a single touch with the crimson dragon—it is no longer a match. Moreover, Brother Tian's eyes are sharp; every strike aims straight at the point three parts to the upper right of the Blood Skull. The Vampire Fiend looks arrogant, but in truth he is hard-pressed on every side and certain to be defeated. Tell me, Junior Sister Su—am I right?"
Su Wan smiled. "Your eyes are keen, Senior Brother. I only knew after hearing you say it."
Daoist Cangyan smiled faintly, turned away, and gazed up at the sky. Suddenly he lowered his voice, yet kept his tone even and unhurried. "Junior Sister Su."
Su Wan said, "What is it, Brother Cangsong?"
His eyes still fixed on the two men locked in fierce combat in midair, Daoist Cangyan said distinctly and clearly, "Ever since Brother Tian broke through to the 'Shangqing' realm of the Taiji Profound Clarity Way a hundred years ago, it seems his Daoist arts have advanced by leaps and bounds in these years!"
Su Wan's heart gave a jolt, but she betrayed nothing on her face. She smiled. "Brother Cangsong, you flatter him too much. How could Buhui compare with the talents of our sect master and yourself..."