The Dao of Fighting has a thousand variations and ten thousand changes, with no fixed rules; since this path will not work, then it is better to change to another method.

After comparing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, he had a plan in mind, soared into the air, and drifted back.

Once he was far away, he found a Flying Peak and descended upon it. Standing firm, he raised his fingers to form a spell, sacrificed the "Dawn Yin Axe" into the air, and at the same time gave his sleeve a sweep, causing the remaining three Devils that had been Refined with Junyang Essence to float out together.

He did not expect to be able to cut down Zhang Yan, but had already seen that, with such a great transformation, although the Qi Power had increased, almost to the point of shaking mountains, wanting to use the Sword Escape Technique as he had before was absolutely impossible, and even the Daoist Skills he carried on his person might not be able to be used freely.

Zhang Yan’s body at this moment was around sixty zhang in height; even with a Protective Treasure, it might not be able to cover his entire body. He himself had no need to think of forcing the other with Mana; he only needed to coordinate Dharma Treasure and Devils to launch long-range strikes.

Although this move could not truly threaten him, even if he really were a Power Dao Practitioner, once injured, recovery would consume Mana. As the saying goes, water dripping through stone, rope sawing through wood—there was no need to rush; bit by bit grinding away his sharpness, there would always be a day when it was exhausted.

As for Zhang Yan likewise using Dharma Treasure to counterattack, he was not afraid. Aside from those treasures that possessed spiritual nature, ordinary Dharma Treasures at most could only strike within a li; at this moment he was hiding more than ten li away, so even if one or two such attacks came, he would be fully able to deal with them.

On the contrary, the Devils under his command and that Yin Yue were different: the former already possessed spiritual wisdom of their own, and the latter contained the souls of the sect elders. Once they flew out, they could seek opportunities to attack the enemy without needing to be controlled.

He pinched the spell, released the restraints, and the three Devils and the "Dawn Yin Axe" immediately charged out arrogantly.

At the same time he beckoned with his hand, and with a boom, the Tribulation Water re-gathered. With another finger pointed forward, the waters surged out; this time, however, he did not let it pour down, but suspended it above the Heavenly Vault, to serve purely as a deterrent and means of restraint.

Zhang Yan clearly saw all these actions and inwardly nodded. Feng Haiyang was indeed extraordinary. Earlier, when crossing hands with him, he had suffered several losses only because he did not understand his methods. Now that he had gained some familiarity, he immediately found a way to respond.

These Devils possessed spiritual wisdom of their own; now that they were attacking together with the Dharma Treasure, the situation was no longer as before, and wanting to exterminate them again would not be so easy. Moreover, given the great size of his own body, even if he released the Qiankun Leaf, it might not provide much protection.

Earlier, when he transformed his body into a giant, he had borrowed the aid of the Power Dao breakthrough, and did not consume Mana; but if, after reverting his form, he wished to transform again, then he needed to give it careful thought.

At this moment, though he appeared incomparably imposing, with such a massive body he could not deploy Mana as delicately as usual. This difference was actually not great, but in the eyes of an old hand like Feng Haiyang, it was enough to seize an opening.

After a brief thought, he stirred an intent from within his Heart and Spirit. The Qiankun Leaf and Longevity Locking Yang Cicada, sensing his call, shot out from the acupoint at the center of his brow. The former turned into a great golden light canopy hanging overhead, while the latter transformed into a point of Clear Light and flew off, actively seeking out that Dawn Yin Axe.

The Dawn Yin Axe at once recognized the power of this Sun-locking Cicada, let out a shrill howl, and did not wish to tangle with it. It darted to the side to evade, but that point of Clear Light refused to let it go, drawing half an arc and pursuing closely behind.

The three Devils had suffered a great loss last time and held a sense of dread; they did not dare to approach too closely. They feigned an attempt to enter the inner circle, yet suddenly retreated again, circling around Zhang Yan like mosquitoes—annoying beyond measure, and impossible to drive away.

After circling several times, the Dawn Yin Axe seemed to have grown impatient with being entangled by the Sun-locking Cicada. Suddenly it turned into a phantom and sank into the clouds, its trace vanishing.

The Sun-locking Cicada, with no target in sight, could only circle in place.

Feng Haiyang had been observing the battle all along; at this moment he felt his chance had come. His eyes flashed, and he pressed his hand downward. With a thunderous boom, the Tribulation Water suspended above abruptly descended.

The Qiankun Leaf suddenly began to shudder violently, its golden light spreading out, but the Tribulation Water possessed the power to defile Dharma Treasures and came down with immense force. After resisting for the time of half a cup of tea, that golden light was gradually worn away.

Fearing it might be damaged, Zhang Yan guided it back with a spell, while flipping both palms and slapping upward. With a resounding crash, a surge of sky-piercing Qi Force burst forth, shattering the pouring Tribulation Water into fragments that scattered in all directions.

In midair, there suddenly appeared out of nowhere a streak of deathly white radiance. With a piercing shriek it shot forward at great speed and struck Zhang Yan’s neck with a clang, only to be bounced back by his tough tendons and bones. It gave a shake, and before the Sun-locking Cicada could come up, it once again hid itself and disappeared.

At the same time, the three Devils, seeing an opening, silently slipped into the inner circle and lunged in to bite with mouths gaping.

Zhang Yan let out a loud laugh and suddenly gave his body a shake. In the blink of an eye, the gigantic form dissipated, and he returned to his original appearance, causing the three Devils to pounce on empty air.

At this moment he was only somewhat weaker in Qi Power than before, but his body was still as hard as gold and iron, and in driving Daoist Skills and controlling the sword in flight he was no longer hindered.

In crossing hands with an enemy, there is no reason to merely take blows passively; only by striking back is one on the proper path. He flicked his sleeve, transforming into a streak of sword light that soared into the sky, rushing toward Feng Haiyang.

Feng Haiyang’s heart tightened slightly. In this situation where he could only attack without being attacked in return, he was certain that as long as Zhang Yan did not wish to maintain this deadlock, he would definitely be the first to find a way to break the stalemate; at that time, his own opportunity would come.

Yet although he had guessed Zhang Yan’s subsequent move, he had not expected his reaction to be so swift—almost immediately abandoning his own advantage. The decisiveness of his actions truly startled him.

In Zhang Yan’s view, once a weakness had been discovered, then it was no longer an advantage; better to discard it early. To cling to it stubbornly was a useless act.

One could see, under the Heavenly Vault, a sword light like a rainbow piercing through the sky. When it reached a certain mountain peak, the golden light burst forth and transformed into sixty-four sword wheels that spun downward in a vicious chop.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)