Chapter 152 - How Did You Cultivate!
Shortly after the commencement of the Singing Sword segment, disciples of the Sword Pavilion began announcing their numbers one after another. Amidst various clamors echoing in the arena, the once lively atmosphere now carried a tinge of tension.
Since the token automatically gauged the opponent's strength, the disparity between combatants wouldn't be significant, at least within a narrow range during the initial stages. Hence, typically, returns led to more aesthetically pleasing battles.
Typically, a bout lasted from the burning of an incense stick to two hours.
Engaging in combat for over an hour wasn't considered optimal.
As the center of attention, contestants were under the scrutiny of several judges. Naturally, they aimed to display their full prowess, reaching beyond their limits to impress.
If they began their skirmishes early on, what spectacle would remain for the latter stages?
Thus, the early stages swiftly transitioned into their culmination, with the arena witnessing rapid exchanges.
Guo Fan directed his gaze towards Meng Jin, his opponent.
He mused to himself about the remarkable coincidence.
Initially, he anticipated facing three or four opponents before encountering Meng Jin. Yet, fate had aligned to pit him against Meng Jin in the very first round.
Encountering a familiar face marked a promising beginning.
Guo Fan glanced over to find Sun Fen already seated on the Sword Singing Platform. Their eyes briefly met before Sun Fen averted her gaze, attempting to mask her reaction.
The young cultivator from Mount Gargantuan scrutinized Guo Fan intently. Upon confirming Guo Fan's status as a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, determination etched onto his visage.
Through relentless cultivation, he had reached this point. Regardless of the methods employed to accelerate his progress, victory over his opponent was imperative.
Brandishing his longsword, Meng Jin aimed it at his adversary. However, noticing Guo Fan's distraction, he couldn't contain himself any longer, bellowing, “Xia Shui! You've humiliated me on numerous occasions. Today, you must atone for your disgrace!”
After expressing his thoughts, he anticipated Guo Fan's customary mockery and rebuttal. Yet, to his surprise, Guo Fan merely turned his head, a faint smile lingering on his lips. There was a hint of astonishment in his gaze as he regarded him. “Oh, I wish you success in your endeavors.”
Meng Jin seethed with rage, rendering him speechless. His hand, clutching the sword, trembled slightly.
Despite his deliberate provocation, the response he received was unexpectedly one of encouragement and well-wishes.
How contemptuously did Guo Fan regard him to adopt a tone akin to an elder's benevolent advice?
“Excellent! Truly splendid!”
With barely a minute or two to prepare, Meng Jin fixed a murderous glare upon Guo Fan. Observing disciples from the Sword Pavilion felt a sense of shame, suspecting a deep-seated animosity between the two.
While the rules of the Sword Singing Conference permitted lethal combat, the inherent dangers of swordplay and magic were undeniable. Each contest risked serious injury or death.
With a gesture of caution, the Sword Pavilion disciple signaled their intent not to kill. Upon mutual agreement, he swept his sleeve to commence the duel.
Swish!
Meng Jin, poised for action, darted forward with startling speed, vanishing from his initial position. A shimmering golden ripple spread across the ground—a manifestation of his movement technique.
Swish!
Guo Fan conjured the Azure Yang Sword, executing a diagonal slash behind him. The azure blade traced an arc through the air, meeting the blade materializing mid-air with a resounding clash.
Suddenly, Meng Jin materialized behind Guo Fan, his eyes widening in disbelief. “How is this possible…”
“Your movements lack swiftness,” Guo Fan's composed voice echoed in his ears.
Meng Jin instinctively turned his head. Guo Fan had already pivoted and was closing in, yet not a trace of his movement could be discerned.
Zzz~
In an instant, their swords clashed, emitting a piercing hum that reverberated through the air. The force of their clash and the Spiritual Energy they unleashed erupted with a resounding bang, dispersing sleeves and stirring up fine dust from the ground.
Hu…
Meng Jin held his breath, his forehead breaking into a cold sweat. The sudden reversal of fortune unfolded too swiftly, sending his heart racing and plunging him into instant nervousness.
A myriad of thoughts raced through his mind, ultimately descending into bewilderment.
How could this have happened?
He had exerted every ounce of his strength, intending to vanquish his opponent in one fell swoop. Yet, it seemed as though every move he made had been anticipated.
Guo Fan transitioned seamlessly from stillness to action, as if Meng Jin had willingly stepped forward to face defeat.
If one possessed exceptional insight and battle experience, they could foresee every move.
What astonished Meng Jin the most was the flawlessness of Guo Fan's Spiritual Energy. It was dense and sturdy, casting doubt on whether he was merely a guise for someone of Core Forming Stage prowess.
All speculations regarding Guo Fan's sudden power surge were shattered.
Neither dual cultivation nor Medicine Pills could yield such rapid enhancement.
Meng Jin could never have fathomed that beneath Guo Fan's outward appearance of poverty lay a sinister weapon capable of absorbing blood qi to augment the host's experience points, along with numerous high-level cultivation implements.
His bewilderment lasted but a moment. Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he witnessed Guo Fan's longsword deftly shifting and reversing its grip, aiming directly at his torso.
The blade gleamed with a chilling light.
As the Azure Yang Sword discharged streams of fiery sparks, four radiant green orbs materialized around the slender blade, casting a dazzling spectacle.
The Azure Yang Sword possessed its own set of abilities, albeit inferior to those of the Murderous Heart Evildoer. [Ten Days Together] spawned various green suns, each emitting laser beams with high temperatures and formidable penetrative force, commensurate with one's cultivation level.
The efficacy of these abilities hinged upon the quantity of Spiritual Energies harnessed.
A shiver ran down Meng Jin's spine as he sensed impending danger, prompting a swift retreat and a shift to a defensive stance.
To his dismay, he discovered that this skill also had considerable range.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The luminous beam discharged by the orb was blindingly bright. Meng Jin, unable to evade, was cautioned by a fellow Sword Pavilion disciple to halt.
Guo Fan sheathed his longsword, marking his triumph on the wooden board.
Clutching his side, Meng Jin paled at the sight of blood seeping from his wound. A couple of coughs accentuated his fear; had it not been for the competition's venue, he might have met his demise.
The skirmish concluded swiftly, capturing the attention of onlookers.
Remorse washed over Meng Jin as he recalled his earlier words. Hastily, he exited the stage, disappearing in an instant.
Guo Fan proceeded to vie with the remaining winners. Among those at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, less than ten competed, with Guo Fan emerging as the frontrunner.
As the day's contests concluded, Guo Fan took a moment to observe the other five contestants at the inn.
Unexpectedly, Meng Jin intercepted Guo Fan on his way out.
“Why?”
Gritting his teeth, Meng Jin scrutinized Guo Fan. “How… how did you cultivate?”
“Sigh.”
Guo Fan lamented, sensing that he was on the verge of becoming a negative influence on this individual.
Gesturing with open palms, he reminded, “Remember what I told you? At the Oriental Lychee Tavern, there are girls well-versed in Dao who can engage in discussions with you. Their cultivation could provide me with benefits through dual cultivation. When I sought rewards from the Sword Pavilion's Pavilion Master, I made sure to request plenty of Soul jewels.”
Meng Jin's eyes widened in sudden comprehension, exclaiming, “You truly are an opportunist! I underestimated you!”
Guo Fan had expressed his belief that he shouldn't be compared to someone who diligently cultivated!
Hahahaha…
Guo Fan watched Meng Jin's departing figure and had a sudden realization. He sensed that he might have rescued another lost young man.
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