Chapter 82 - I Need a Horse
“Thank you, truly.” Guo Fan looked deeply sincere as he remarked, “I genuinely believe that you're a noble soul. Your skills and integrity are commendable, to the point where they make me feel humble.”
“Really? You flatter me.” Luo Shun was momentarily taken aback and felt a touch of modesty. He wondered why Guo Fan held him in such high regard despite their brief acquaintance, suspecting that perhaps Guo Fan had heard of him before.
With Sun Fen's quiet observation, Guo Fan earnestly bid Luo Shun farewell and strolled away, the picture of composure.
After advancing a dozen steps or so, Guo Fan heard Luo Shun's voice detailing the disputes between his sect and the Destiny's Song Sword Cultivator. Luo Shun clarified his motives for the challenge and elaborated on his weapon and technique as per tradition. The confidence in his voice was palpable, hinting at his formidable strength.
Yet, what lay ahead remained a mystery to him.
As Guo Fan neared the twentieth step, a voice announced, “Seek your guidance.”
It was the impartial voice of Sun Fen.
Her tone was gentle and unruffled.
Guo Fan's pace increased slightly before he dashed off at a blistering speed toward the forest, where Gu Chao had been concealed earlier.
Luo Shun had drawn his sword, and his energy was intensifying. The aura of his sword was vibrant, his expression grave. His self-assurance grew by the second, reflecting his years of dedication and the pinnacle of his skill, all embodied in that blade.
Today, he was set to unleash that sword's might!
Luo Shun's eyes radiated with combativeness and elation. He reveled in his own growth. As he unsheathed his sword further, the intense energy radiated outward, leveling nearby foliage.
The moment was imminent!
Just as Luo Shun prepared to release his most powerful strike, he observed Sun Fen retrieve her sword in a nondescript manner. And then, he felt an overpowering presence, akin to a phantom, surging before him.
Chi…
The luminance of the sword shimmered like flowing water across the heavens. With a serene demeanor, Sun Fen stated, “If you've chosen to challenge me at your best, then brace yourself for my most powerful strike.”
The blade's edge cleaved the air, creating twin white trails. Its swift motion produced a sharp, deafening sonic boom.
Upon hearing this, a chilling sensation crawled up Guo Fan's spine. He instinctively glanced in its direction.
At that moment, Sun Fen advanced a step. With the backdrop of the resounding boom, her aura surged, her raven tresses fluttering wildly. Honoring her adversary, she declared the name of her technique.
“Doom's Day Winding Dragon Splitting Cloud Cascade!”
Damn! As anticipated, she had reserved her most potent technique!
This fearsome move, capable of immediately annihilating a novice player and depleting their HP significantly, was why many players sarcastically dubbed her “NPC loser.”
Damn it, I need a strategy that even Imperial Dou won't anticipate!
Had he not acted so unpredictably earlier, wouldn't he be lying lifeless now?
Wide-eyed with terror, Guo Fan spotted Gu Chao stealthily concealed, and the hammer he held. Swiftly, he seized the hammer with one hand, clutched Gu Chao's collar with the other, and produced the Mirror Moon Jade. He then activated a dream bubble, cloaking himself in disguise.
Then… and then….
Run!!
Guo Fan swiftly made a hand gesture, incorporating the powers of the “Divine Line Spell,” “Lightness Spell,” and “Ten Thousand Mile Lone Walk” as enhancements. Tucking the cat and his disciple under his arm as if carrying a briefcase, he vanished, reminiscent of evaporating smoke.
He didn't resort to a flying sword, wary that Sun Fen's sword mastery might interfere with such weapons. Caution was paramount.
Simultaneously, in that fleeting moment:
Luo Shun froze, momentarily drawing half of his sword before carefully sliding it back. As it locked with a click, he stood there, trembling, lost in his stunned contemplation.
The manifestation of the sword's energy resembled a blossoming lotus. The spiritual force conjured a vast lotus petal in the air, which spiraled and clashed against everything in its path. The sky's clouds burst apart with a thunderous noise, scattering in opposite directions, reminiscent of an inverted cascade.
Within the lotus formation, a myriad of distinct sword energies melded and glimmered, evoking the essence of the Dao.
This wasn't merely a sword, but the worldly embodiment of silvery strands, the antithesis of the celestial stream, the eternal moon's arc, capturing the essence of life's transient nature.
Could such a sword technique even exist in this realm?
As darkness clouded Luo Shun's vision, a fleeting thought of sheer astonishment pierced his psyche. It was utterly baffling.
“Boom!!!”
An immense explosion seemed to convulse the very foundations of the world, quaking the land and mountains. As mountains crumbled and ground splintered, the sword's energy morphed into lotus petals, plummeting where dust was ascending. Gradually settling, a vast chasm remained, as though an earthen dragon had just twisted its massive form.
“Hu…”
The prized disciple of the Honed Reaver Sword Sect, Luo Shun, had vanished from sight.
“Kacha!”
Sun Fen sheathed her sword with poise, only to discover that Guo Fan too had disappeared.
“…”
A brief look of surprise crossed Sun Fen's face. Despite her vow to exert her utmost effort, she'd overlooked Guo Fan's swift departure.
Even more perplexing, she had earnestly assumed Guo Fan would faithfully remain by her side.
“Xiaobo!”
Sun Fen's delicate eyebrows furrowed in frustration. Mounting her sword, she sped off in the direction she perceived Guo Fan to be.
The vast trench below began to clear of its murky veil, revealing a distinct lotus imprint.
This emblem would come to symbolize Sun Fen in times to come.
“Quack…”
A loose stone descended, striking Luo Shun, the once celebrated disciple of the Honed Reaver Sword Sect, who took refuge beneath the ridge. His complexion went ashen, resembling one who had encountered the supernatural. He gulped audibly.
“Master… Master… It's not that your disciple failed, but that the adversary was too formidable. Perhaps, it's wisest if vengeance is sought by my future protege.”
Gently wiping the blood from his lip's edge, Luo Shun, gathering strength, began to hobble away. He clutched his sword's handle, pondering his future resolve.
Hesitating in his steps, Luo Shun's face contorted with conflict. He couldn't just depart; what if he found himself forever lacking the valor to draw his blade?
……
Guo Fan skimmed the pictorial guide. Sun Fen's menacing aura had vanished from her status bar.
Clearly, the effect of the “Doom's Day Winding Dragon Splitting Cloud Waterfall” had not only reduced her anger but might have also left her feeling a bit hollow.
“Ha…”
With a deep exhale, Guo Fan felt a wave of relief wash over him, pressing a hand to his heart in gratitude. He silently thanked his brother for preventing a gruesome fate. Were his brother still alive, he'd owe him a debt of gratitude for saving him.
“Master, that woman is immensely powerful…”
Gu Chao gazed intently at Guo Fan.
“…” Pausing for a moment, Guo Fan responded gravely, “You shouldn't see anyone as your mistress.”
Perplexed, Gu Chao inquired, “Then who is she?”
Guo Fan replied, “Never mind. Yes, she's your mistress. When you encounter her again, address her as such. And make sure to call her affectionately.”
To secure his safety, Guo Fan knew he had to strategize early on.
With a heavy exhalation, Guo Fan felt grateful for the second lease on his life.
One couldn't say Sun Fen was someone who maintained a stoic demeanor.
She wasn't like Li Xieren. Despite Li Xieren's malevolence, she stood apart. Sun Fen was aggressive in her approach, and even minor changes in Guo Fan's demeanor wouldn't affect their dynamic, as long as he remained firm.
As for Sun Fen, her directness and rugged nature meant that any sense of betrayal from Guo Fan could lead her to the extreme step of slaying him and then pursuing the path of the unfeeling blade.
She couldn't confront him (nor best him in combat), her only option was to flee.
They continued until Sun Fen had the chance to compose herself and reflect upon the events.
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