“Mastering both Spirit Roots?”

“Isn’t this Long Ao too overpowered?”

“Almost all multi-Spirit Root cultivators choose one to focus on, yet he’s mastering two!”

Upon hearing Shui Wuhen’s exclamation, everyone revealed expressions of shock.

It was common knowledge that cultivators with multiple Spirit Roots would generally choose one to focus their cultivation on. This increased the speed and efficiency of their cultivation, and even the success rate of breaking through realms.

If one focused on mastering two or more, the time required would be exceptionally long.

There had been multi-Spirit Root cultivators like Long Ao before who chose to master multiple Spirit Roots simultaneously. While their combat power, spell potency, and other aspects were incredibly strong, and they had almost no rivals within the same realm, they ultimately never even reached the Golden Core stage, trapped forever at Foundation Establishment.

Why?

Focusing on one Spirit Root meant faster realm breakthroughs with lower obstacles. The more Spirit Roots one focused on, the more difficult breakthroughs became, and the greater the obstacles.

Most importantly, compared to single Spirit Root cultivators, those with multiple Spirit Roots needed much more time to learn spells and techniques.

Therefore, this was destined to be an extremely arduous path.

Long Ao’s only advantage was that water nourished wood, making them twin-born Spirit Roots.

“Not watching anymore. A guy with no future.” At this moment, Feng Lie shook his head with considerable disdain. The massive pleasure boat beneath his feet swayed slightly and vanished without a trace.

Then, a rather magnetic male voice came from the green leaf. “Isn’t this the style of Iron Blood Peak? Just charge forward, break through at all costs, solely to temper that sharp edge in their hearts. That’s why they act so decisively.”

Lady Tantai within the seven-story crystal tower chuckled lightly. “Doesn’t that precisely prove that Long Ao, who masters both Spirit Roots, is even more suited for Iron Blood Peak?”

On the other side, Jiang Chen was utterly shocked. “Mastering both Spirit Roots?!”

Jin Fugui suddenly understood. “I wondered why Long Ao with his water-nourishes-wood didn’t enter [Rain Pavilion]. So it’s because he’s mastering both Spirit Roots.”

Mo Yu nearby said with a playful expression, “That kind of person… only a place like your Beast Mountain, full of such ‘talents’ and pleasant talkers, would have an Immortal Elder willing to nurture them.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched slightly. This Mo Yu truly lived up to being a scholar; he could insult someone without using a single dirty word.

Within the entire Cloud Sea Sect, Beast Mountain was an anomaly among anomalies, a freak among freaks.

Anyone could enter. Any Spirit Root could enter.

Like Pei Mo with his metal-overcomes-wood.

And now Long Ao mastering both Water and Wood Spirit Roots.

Even that Golden Core stage fishing enthusiast.

It seemed if you weren’t a bit peculiar, you couldn’t even fit in.

Right at that moment, a thunderous explosion suddenly erupted from Arena No. 1, shaking the surrounding hundred meters violently.

Everyone looked again and instantly their pupils contracted.

The originally transparent [Autumn Water Sword] in Shui Wuhen’s hand now erupted with a dreamlike deep blue light.

With a gentle swing, a blue stream of light silently spread out. The moment it made contact with the rolling wave of sword-like aquatic plants, it instantly shredded them to pieces. Its next target was Long Ao on the other side.

Simultaneously, Shui Wuhen’s voice rang out again. “I originally thought you were a worthy opponent. Now I realize you’re just a fool who masters both Spirit Roots.”

Watching the silent deep blue stream of light and hearing the other’s mocking tone, Long Ao remained expressionless, as if completely unaffected.

As it drew closer and closer, even the spectators began to tense up.

Suddenly, transparent tentacle-like appendages appeared out of thin air.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

One after another, they continuously lashed towards the deep blue stream of light.

Strangely though, this wasn’t an attack; it was adhesion.

Each time a transparent tentacle touched the deep blue stream of light, it would siphon off a portion of it. In the end, the originally transparent tentacles turned deep blue, while the original deep blue stream of light became transparent.

All its terrifying power had been transferred away entirely.

“Hmm?” This scene caused both Shui Wuhen and everyone else to freeze in astonishment.

Only then did everyone notice that Long Ao was surrounded by these tentacles, which looked remarkably similar to jellyfish tentacles—extremely long, extending from some unknown location. All the previous attacks had been effortlessly neutralized by these things.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, Shui Wuhen exclaimed in horror, “Max-level Water Form!”

These words left everyone around with expressions of disbelief.

“What is Water Form?” Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui looked curiously at Mo Yu with puzzled faces.

The latter explained, “You can think of it as the first low-level Qi Condensation stage technique learned by Spirit Farmers—that is, the [Evergreen Art].”

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow inwardly. Could it be that Long Ao is cheating like me?

Mo Yu continued, “A max-level [Water Form] is said to allow one to use Water spiritual power to create something called a [Void Jellyfish] out of thin air, which provides fifty percent damage reduction against any Water-attribute damage within the same realm, and can absorb, store that damage, and even counterattack with it.”

Jin Fugui couldn’t help but blurt out, “No wonder Long Ao didn’t take Shui Wuhen seriously! So the outcome of this duel was actually predestined from the start!”

Shui Wuhen only had a Water Spirit Root; all his released spells were Water-attribute. The growth-type spiritual weapon [Autumn Water Sword] in his hand was also Water-attribute.

Meanwhile, Long Ao not only possessed a thousand-year spirit beast but also mastered both Water and Wood Spirit Roots. And now he had even raised the low-level [Water Form] to max level, enabling him to summon a [Void Jellyfish] that reduces Water-attribute attacks by fifty percent within the same realm.

Looking at it this way, this wasn’t an evenly matched battle at all.

Lady Tantai within the crystal tower couldn’t help but say, “It seems Feng Lie left too early!”

Low-level techniques themselves weren’t anything special. But very few people cultivated them to max level, as it required expending vast amounts of time and effort. The vast majority simply lacked that kind of patience.

Moreover, once officially accepted as disciples, they could learn high-level spells or techniques. Thus, even fewer people paid any attention to something as insignificant as [Water Form].

Who would have thought Long Ao’s comprehension was so astonishing? In just a few years, he actually raised the low-level [Water Form] to max level.

“You… you… you…” Shui Wuhen couldn’t form complete sentences anymore.

Long Ao shrugged. “Didn’t I say? You’re not qualified enough for Storm Crane 7-sama to take action.”

With a wave of his hand, all the tentacles containing the [Autumn Water Sword]’s damage aimed squarely at Shui Wuhen opposite him.

Under Shui Wuhen’s horrified gaze, they transformed into sharp blades.

In an instant, it seemed as if dozens of “Autumn Water Swords” launched a collective attack. An even deeper, more profound dark blue light nearly filled everyone’s pupils.

Shui Wuhen’s reaction wasn’t slow by any means. He frantically channeled Water spiritual power from his Qi Sea, transforming it into wall after wall of water blocking his front.

However, all this was futile, utterly meaningless, because these tentacles themselves contained all the damage from the [Autumn Water Sword]’s previous strike. It was essentially using his own force against him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The water walls were pierced one after another, continuously emitting explosive sounds.

Soon, Shui Wuhen was forced into a corner of the arena by these tentacles. All traces of his earlier elegance were gone, replaced by utter disarray; he no longer had any strength left to fight.