Chapter 145: Chapter 144: How Could There Be Spear Intent?
The moment Sakai Yoshiei released his Nether Dark Spirit Charm, the entire arena’s barrier seemed to corrode under the encroaching darkness as a bone-chilling aura emanated from the edge of his blade.
The blade of Jiang Qiu’s spear twirled in his hand. His gaze fixed on the genius from Sang Island, who was brewing with killing intent. The Fiery Flame Spirit Charm surged around his body, making him look like a humanoid Flaming Cyan Dragon standing its ground.
’This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered an aura like this. I sensed traces of it on Wu Shan, too, though it wasn’t nearly as potent—more like a suppressed and sealed remnant.’
’Still, they say this type of Spirit Charm is extremely treacherous and elusive, often paired with underhanded techniques...’
The thought vanished as quickly as it came. Suddenly, the figure by the wall melted into the shadows like slurry. Killing intent erupted from behind him—it was as if the Grim Reaper himself were swinging a great scythe at his back!
Jiang Qiu’s heart skipped a beat. Activating Shadow Stepping, he vanished in a flicker of flame and reappeared at a distance. As he turned to face Sakai Yoshiei once more, the cold gleam of a blade slashed through the spot he had just occupied, striking the shaft of his Chuyuan spear with a loud CLANG and sending out a powerful ripple of Spirit Charm.
"You really are fast. I can’t believe you managed to dodge even that move!"
Caution brewed in Sakai Yoshiei’s eyes.
His Shadow Melt Kill combined a Sword Skill with a Body Technique, using the Nether Dark Spirit Charm to conceal his form and silently slip behind an enemy for a decapitation strike.
It was a move that most Martial Artists below the Grandmaster Realm couldn’t possibly react to in time. He had never failed with it since learning the technique; even against members of the Demon Race with their incredible defenses, he could achieve a one-hit decapitation.
And yet, Jiang Qiu had actually dodged it using his own Body Technique!
Sakai Yoshiei took a deep breath and held his blade upright, his expression growing even more solemn. The purplish-black Spirit Charm behind him thickened and swirled into a mist, which then transformed into a giant, purplish-black python.
The phantom born of purple mist fixed its green, lantern-like eyes on Jiang Qiu as an even more torrential tide of Spirit Charm gathered on the edge of the blade.
At that moment, the entire audience held its breath. The python phantom’s oppressive might stifled the urge to cheer, forcing the roars back down into their chests. It was like the silence before a thunderstorm.
After all, most of the spectators in the arena were ordinary Martial Artists, or Independent Martial Artists at best. It was exceedingly difficult for them to cultivate to a high Realm. Given the nature of their cultivation paths, just reaching the Bright Soul Realm was an incredible achievement.
Therefore, those in the Dharma Realm were already considered true powerhouses. A battle between experts of this caliber was a rare sight, and for many in the crowd, this was the first time they had ever witnessed such a spectacle!
What’s more, both combatants were renowned geniuses, especially Sakai Yoshiei—the number one prodigy of Sang Island!
"Is that Sakai Yoshiei’s strongest Sword Skill, Shadow Cut?!"
"I heard that a few months ago, he used this very move to slay a fifty-zhang Dharma Martial Artist from the Southeast Province of Xia Country!"
"Hiss—most people who just break through to the Dharma Realm only have a five or six-zhang Dharma Aspect. Imagine how many years of training it would take to cultivate a fifty-zhang one, and he still got killed by him!"
As the discussion buzzed, all eyes in the stadium converged on Jiang Qiu like the points of a thousand needles. They all knew that Sakai Yoshiei was incredibly powerful, a true prodigy, but...
"Jiang Qiu clearly had the upper hand in their last few exchanges. That Body Technique of his is something else! But can he dodge this attack?"
"What are you dreaming of? Shadow Cut has already locked onto him. He’d need a Grandmaster-level technique to counter it, a special Spiritual Treasure to save his life, or an even more powerful move to overpower Sakai Yoshiei. Otherwise, he’s dead..."
The words had barely left the spectator’s mouth when Sakai Yoshiei, blade raised, flickered and vanished. The giant python phantom dissolved into the darkness along with him.
SWOOSH—
An ultimate flash of the blade, like bloodthirsty fangs, tore through Jiang Qiu’s form, which dissolved into scattering flames. A loud CLANG rang out as fire roared, the sound of metal striking metal.
Sakai Yoshiei’s figure remained unseen. Instead, two streaks of light, one red and one black, clashed repeatedly across the arena. At times, a crescent of flame would sweep through the air; at others, shadowy slashes of dark energy would cut through the gloom.
The two fierce colors collided, painting a dazzling and violent aesthetic across the arena.
In reality, however, Jiang Qiu’s nerves were stretched to the breaking point. His eyes darted left and right like bolts of lightning. Every muscle in his body was coiled tighter than a wrung-out towel, and adrenaline surged through his veins.
Every CLANG CLANG CLANG of metal on metal sent a tremor through his very soul, making his chest vibrate. His heart pounded more furiously than the drums in a war epic.
Sakai Yoshiei’s figure was completely imperceptible. Jiang Qiu swung his spear relying purely on his Spear Stance, but even then, he couldn’t block every attack. Bloody gashes gradually appeared on his shoulders, back, waist, and leg. The situation was turning dire!
Against the high-speed movements of Sakai Yoshiei’s Shadow Cut, he couldn’t find a single opening to use Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven.
All he could do was desperately clash with Dragon Shadow Thrust!
[Live Combat Drill x1]
[Ancient Martial Spear is integrating...]
Suddenly, in the brief moment their paths crossed, a ripple went through Jiang Qiu’s mind. An image surfaced from the second semester of his senior year of high school: the first time he’d ever learned the Ancient Martial Spear Technique. He could see his own clumsy movements as if it were yesterday.
From that moment on, all his memories of training with the spear linked together, flipping past like the pages of a book. His understanding of the Spear Technique deepened, like a fledgling dragon opening its eyes for the very first time.
’The Spear Technique is an extension of the self!’
By layering his Spear Stance and Spear Force, Jiang Qiu suddenly thrust his spear tip upward. With a CLANG, he deflected the cold gleam of a shadowy attack from his flank. Sakai Yoshiei’s form, which had been merged with the darkness, was forced into the open, the momentary shock on his face reflected in Jiang Qiu’s eyes.
The image lasted for only a split second before his opponent erupted with even more astonishing speed. New wounds appeared on Jiang Qiu’s body in quick succession, splattering blood in every direction.
But the arc of his swings grew tighter, the turn of his waist synced more perfectly with his spear’s movements, and his control over his power became more and more precise.
[Live Combat Drill x1]
[Live Combat Drill x1]
[...]
Sakai Yoshiei’s figure grew clearer in his eyes—or rather, it was as if his footsteps began to echo in his mind. Each step he took was like a stone dropped into still water, sending out distinct, visible ripples.
He couldn’t see the form hidden in the darkness, but he had grasped the trajectory of its fleeting movements within a ten-step radius!
Dragon Shadow Flash Stab!
In an instant no one could perceive, Jiang Qiu’s brow furrowed. His powerful form flickered once more as a Flaming Cyan Dragon erupted from his twirling spearhead, roaring as it lunged toward a streak of black light.
The lunge was like a cheetah lying in wait, pouncing on a sprinting hare—precise and lethal!
SCHLICK—
The spear tip pierced through his opponent’s midsection. The lingering Nether Dark Spirit Charm was scattered by a sudden gale as Jiang Qiu held the spear steady with both hands, pinning Sakai Yoshiei like a nail.
The clang of weapons on the field came to a sudden stop. The roaring crowd, which had just been cheering, instantly erupted into an even greater frenzy!
The old man with the handlebar mustache slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, his eyes wide. "How is that possible?
He has a trace of Spear Intent!"
