Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 288: Chapter 287: Crushing

"How is this possible?!"

Chu Feng’s head shot up, his eyes filled with incredulous horror.

Over the past half-month, he had relied on that bizarre Blood Demon Skill to devour dozens of Martial Artists. His Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, not only breaking through to the Late Stage of Fifth Grade but even solidifying his position there.

His Inner Qi was far more abundant than before, and he was confident he could crush Fang Han and avenge his previous humiliation!

But in that clash just now, he had clearly felt that Fang Han’s Inner Qi was not only on par with his own but was actually more condensed, more substantial, and more domineering!

The oppressive feeling, both in quality and quantity, made him feel as if Fang Han was an immovable force!

’His progress... How could he be even faster than me?!’

Chu Feng roared in his heart as a wave of fury—mixed with humiliation, jealousy, and incomprehension—instantly overwhelmed his reason.

He couldn’t accept that the explosive surge in strength he had paid such a heavy price for was still not enough to give him the upper hand against Fang Han.

’He’s grown quite a bit. He must have had some sort of fortuitous encounter, but...’

Unlike Chu Feng’s shock and fury, Fang Han’s eyes were calm and placid.

Chu Feng’s improvement was indeed immense, so much so that even he was a little surprised. He must have had some kind of fortuitous encounter.

However, while his opponent’s improvement was great, his own was even greater!

With the 128-fold Root Bone Talent Amplification, his Cultivation efficiency for the Profound Wind Technique was terrifying. Not only had his Cultivation also broken through to the Late Stage of Fifth Grade, but he had taken a solid step toward its peak!

And this was just the improvement in his Inner Qi Cultivation. He had also made significant progress in his Swordsmanship and Body Technique.

Especially in Swordsmanship, his Nine Swords of Sky Splitting was just one step away from the profound level of "Mastery." Its power and Transformations were incomparable to what they were half a month ago.

With such a disparity in their growth, it was a fool’s dream for Chu Feng to think he could overpower him with raw Cultivation alone.

’I don’t believe it! I’ve been cultivating a Demon Skill for half a month! How could I still be weaker than you?!’

Chu Feng’s face contorted, his eyes shot with blood. He let out a beastly roar as his reason was consumed by a mad obsession.

The aura around him suddenly turned violent and chaotic. His Red Patterned Sword flared with a bloody light, and his Swordsmanship became frenzied and vicious. Every move aimed for Fang Han’s vitals in a clear life-for-life exchange.

The wind from his sword howled, carrying a sinister, bloody aura that sought to corrupt the mind, as if intending to tear Fang Han to shreds.

"Hmph—"

Fang Han snorted coldly. Executing the Wind and Cloud Escape, his figure became as unpredictable as a ghost.

He weaved effortlessly through the sky full of bloody sword shadows, evading fatal attacks at the very last second every time.

At the same time, his Flowing Wind Sword transformed into streaks of azure light. The Sword Techniques were simple and sharp, yet they contained the ultimate principles of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting at the peak of Minor Achievement.

Its terrifying power seemed to tear the sky apart as it easily blocked Chu Feng’s frantic assault and launched deadly counterattacks.

"CLANG CLANG CLANG... BOOM! BOOM!"

The two swords clashed at incredible speed, their impacts as dense as falling rain. The booms of colliding Qi Force were incessant.

Crimson and deep azure light flickered wildly on the battle stage, weaving together and annihilating each other. Shockwaves from the collisions spread out one after another.

The stage was riddled with damage, and shattered stones flew everywhere.

From a distance, it looked like beautiful but deadly fireworks of intermingling azure and crimson, each bloom containing fatal killing intent.

However, any discerning eye could see that despite Chu Feng’s ferocious offensive, Fang Han was completely in control of the situation.

Faced with Fang Han’s exquisite Swordsmanship and Body Technique, Chu Feng’s frenzied attacks seemed futile and clumsy.

"SHLICK!"

A condensed stream of azure Sword Qi pierced through the bloody Sword Curtain, leaving a gash on Chu Feng’s left shoulder. Although his Soft Armor absorbed some of the force, blood still flowed from the wound.

"PFFT!"

Another slash cut across Chu Feng’s ribs, sending a spray of blood into the air.

Chu Feng grunted repeatedly as more wounds appeared on his body. His aura grew disordered, and the signs of his defeat were becoming clear.

After several dozen moves, Chu Feng was drenched in blood, looking like a crazed demon, yet he still couldn’t turn the tide.

"It’s over."

A cold glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes. The Flowing Wind Sword let out a sharp shriek, like the sound of tearing silk!

He activated the "Tide Surge" Divine Treasure in his body, causing his Inner Qi to erupt instantly. He then unleashed a brilliant Transformation from the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting.

The azure sword light flashed like lightning, stabbing straight toward the opening on Chu Feng’s chest, which was momentarily exposed as he swung his sword!

Chu Feng’s face fell in horror, and he hastily tried to block his chest with the Red Patterned Sword.

But Fang Han’s sword was too fast. Before he could even react, the tip had already struck his chest.

"BANG!"

A dull thud rang out!

The Inner Qi defense on Chu Feng’s body shattered like paper. The robes on his chest exploded, revealing the Silver Soft Armor glinting with a faint light underneath.

Although the Soft Armor once again blocked the blade from cutting him directly, the terrifying, penetrating Power contained within the strike slammed squarely into his body.

"WAAAH—!"

As if trampled by a primeval behemoth, Chu Feng’s eyes bulged, and he violently coughed up a huge mouthful of blood.

His entire body flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, crashing heavily onto the edge of the stage.

He struggled to get up but only managed to spit out several more mouthfuls of blood, his face ashen.

His aura instantly weakened to an extreme degree. It was clear his internal organs were severely damaged, and he had lost the ability to fight for the time being.

The victor was decided!

Fang Han was victorious again!

And compared to the battle half a month ago, his victory was even more effortless, even more complete!

All the spectating disciples, whether they were supporting Fang Han or secretly hoping for Chu Feng to make a comeback, were now staring with wide eyes and gaping mouths.

Chu Feng’s progress over the past half-month was plain for all to see. His Cultivation had broken through to the Late Stage of Fifth Grade—and not just barely—making him far stronger than he was half a month ago.

Everyone had thought it would be a battle between titans, and many had even believed Chu Feng had the better chance of winning.

However, the result was beyond everyone’s expectations!

Not only did Fang Han win, but he won so cleanly and decisively.

He seemed completely at ease from start to finish, as if Chu Feng’s astonishing progress was nothing but a joke in his presence!

"GULP..."

Someone swallowed hard, the sound piercingly clear in the utter silence.

"Senior Brother Fang... Senior Brother Fang won again!"

"Senior Brother Chu Feng clearly got so much stronger, so how is he still... in front of Senior Brother Fang..."

"The gap... the gap seems to have gotten even wider!"

"Senior Brother Fang’s rate of progress... It’s terrifying!"

After a brief moment of dead silence, the crowd erupted in an uproar!

Cries of shock, gasps of admiration, and fervent discussions merged into a deafening roar.

Countless gazes, filled with indescribable awe, focused on Fang Han on the stage.

Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword, his calm gaze sweeping over Chu Feng, who was struggling to get up on the floor below, his face covered in blood and his eyes filled with bewilderment and resentment.

He said nothing, but his silent indifference was more impactful than any words could be.

He took a step and walked off the stage.

Wherever he went, the crowd automatically parted to form a wide path, and all the disciples watched him with eyes full of awe and adoration.

...

「In a Quiet Chamber in Chu Feng’s Villa.」

The thick smell of medicine, mixed with the faint, lingering scent of blood, filled the air.

Chu Feng sat on a meditation cushion, his face pale as a sheet, with traces of blood still visible at the corner of his mouth.

The heaving of his chest gradually subsided, but the sharp, twisting pain from his internal organs and the feeling of emptiness and stagnation in his meridians were a constant reminder of his crushing defeat.

Chu Chong stood by his side with his hands lowered, not daring to breathe too loudly, his face etched with worry and fear.

He carefully offered a cup of warm water and said in a low voice, "Cousin, have some water..."

"Get out!"

Chu Feng swung his arm, knocking the cup to the ground. The sound of shattering porcelain was especially piercing in the silent Quiet Chamber.

His chest heaved violently, and his eyes were bloodshot, filled with extreme humiliation, resentment, and an uncomprehending rage.

"Why... Why is it like this?!"

He growled, his voice as hoarse as sandpaper.

He had risked utter ruin and eternal damnation to secretly cultivate the bizarre and domineering Blood Demon Skill.

Relying on its evil Magic Gate of devouring the blood essence and souls of Martial Artists, his Cultivation had skyrocketed, breaking through to the Late Stage of Fifth Grade with unstoppable momentum.

He had been confident that he could easily crush Fang Han underfoot and avenge his previous humiliation.

But reality had dealt him a heavy blow!

Fang Han’s power had increased even faster—even more terrifyingly—than his own, despite him using a fast-track Demon Skill!

The feeling of being completely suppressed on the battle stage, as if facing an insurmountable mountain, haunted him like a nightmare.

His opponent’s Inner Qi was unbelievably condensed and pure, even more vast and powerful than his own, which had been forcefully raised by a Demon Skill.

His Swordsmanship was also incredibly sharp, so much so that even at full strength, he could barely defend against it.

This was completely illogical!

How could a Martial Artist practicing a normal cultivation method possibly progress faster than someone like him, who was using a Demon Skill?

Unless...

An absurd and dark thought slithered into his chaotic mind like a venomous snake.

Unless, Fang Han was also cultivating a Demon Skill!

That would explain how his strength could advance by leaps and bounds, even faster than his own.

"That’s right... It must be!"

A crazed light flashed in Chu Feng’s eyes, as if he had found the reason that explained everything.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

"He must be cultivating a Demon Skill!"

This "I alone am sober while everyone else is drunk" realization strangely lessened his guilt and fear, replacing them with a reckless and vicious determination.

"A few dozen people aren’t enough... then I’ll take a hundred! If a hundred isn’t enough, then two hundred, three hundred!"

A terrifying red glint flickered in Chu Feng’s eyes—a sign that the Blood Demon Skill was operating at its peak, his mind corroded by the desire to kill and devour.

"The more Martial Artists I devour, the faster my Cultivation will rise. Fang Han, if you can rely on a Demon Skill for rapid improvement, then so can I, Chu Feng! And I’ll be more ruthless and faster than you!"

He snapped his head up to look at Chu Chong, his voice icy and devoid of all emotion.

"Go get the Qingfeng Jade Dew Pill!" he ordered coldly.

He had to heal his injuries as quickly as possible, then leave the sect to begin hunting Martial Artists.

"Yes, Cousin."

Chu Chong didn’t dare say another word. He quickly bowed, retreated, and hurried off to fetch the Elixir.

In the Quiet Chamber, only Chu Feng remained.

He slowly closed his eyes and forcefully circulated the Blood Demon Skill, guiding the impure yet vast, blood-colored Inner Qi in his body to slowly nourish his damaged meridians and internal organs.

Streams of a cold, sinister energy flowed through his body, bringing both stabbing pain and a tingling itch, along with a twisted sense of pleasure.

His expression alternated between savage and serene, while a faint blood-red mist swirled around his body, his aura strange and unpredictable.