Chapter 1655: Chapter 962: Heart Wood
Yang Xiao nodded with satisfaction at the sight. He still preferred Chen Nang’s rebellious expression during the mission, as he would need this person’s assistance in managing those fearless Evil Cultivators in the future.
Though they claimed to be fearless, these Evil Cultivators were not fools; they feared Wu Qingcang and would cry in terror at the mere mention of the Overlord Spear.
Yang Xiao believed that since he showed a glimpse of his skill last time, they now feared him as well.
After some time, Chen Nang lifted his eyes, looking directly at Yang Xiao. His demeanor was now very close to what it was during their first meeting in the mission.
"Ready?" Yang Xiao smiled indifferently. He knew that rescuing Chen Nang was only the first step; next, he’d have to thoroughly convince him with strength, using both persuasion and force.
"Ready." Chen Nang nodded.
It was also Yang Xiao’s first time seeing Chen Nang’s Magic Artifact, a Western Sword with a handguard.
Unlike ordinary Western Swords, this sword’s blade was exceptionally thin but emitted a soft hum as it sliced through the air, as if splitting the very space.
Including this sword, Yang Xiao confirmed that Chen Nang had at least three Magic Artifacts: the Western Sword, the Black Short Shirt capable of invisibility, and the Spell-type Magical Artifact that intrigued him the most. He eagerly anticipated Chen Nang’s upcoming performance.
"Let me confirm, as long as I withstand your thirty moves without defeat, you’ll take me out of here, right?" Chen Nang asked with utmost seriousness.
"Exactly." Yang Xiao continued to smile.
"Deal!" Chen Nang drew his sword and raised it horizontally in an exceptionally standard combat stance, with the tip pointing straight at Yang Xiao.
Seeing this, Yang Xiao also drew his Ring-Headed Saber with a reverse grip, and with his other hand free, he provocatively beckoned at Chen Nang, "Come at me."
Chen Nang stepped forward, his steps intricate yet perplexing, but incredibly fast, almost instantly arriving in front of Yang Xiao and thrusting at his chest.
The Western Sword is not good for slashing, its primary attack method being thrusting. Yang Xiao’s wrist rotated, deflecting the sword’s edge with a block, and the two’s weapons clashed, beginning close combat.
To be honest, Yang Xiao had many long-range attack methods, including the Mirror Ghost Soul Capturing Mirror. He had at least three ways to quickly defeat Chen Nang; he just wanted to give Chen Nang a chance to showcase his skills.
If the moves aren’t even used and the person is defeated, it means nothing to Yang Xiao.
In a blink, they exchanged 6 or 7 moves, their swordsmanship equally matched, but Yang Xiao knew that he’d actually lost, since Chen Nang had been imprisoned for years, undoubtedly lacking practice. His original skill level was certainly much higher.
Furthermore, Chen Nang’s sword moves, paired with his peculiar footwork, were indeed unique, almost injuring Yang Xiao several times.
This guy’s moves were something Yang Xiao saw for the first time, circling around him like a dance, with a rhythm and rotation, elegant, truly too elegant!
By comparison, Yang Xiao’s moves lacked flair; he learned very practical maneuvers, aiming for the throat or abdomen, always striking the lower areas, without any unnecessary embellishments.
After a few moves, Yang Xiao sensed something amiss. Chen Nang’s attacks were growing faster, leaving him overwhelmed.
No, it wasn’t just speed. In Yang Xiao’s eyes, Chen Nang already appeared as an afterimage, seemingly thrusting two swords simultaneously, blocking all potential escape spaces.
Yang Xiao was almost certainly going to be hit by this thrust, but after deflecting the nearest sword, he quickly activated the Soul Capturing Mirror’s ability, creating distance.
And after his sword missed, Chen Nang was momentarily stunned as the big living person in front of him vanished in a "whoosh," only to reappear ten meters away.
"Space-type Magic Artifact..." Chen Nang drew his sword horizontally by his side, immediately recognizing the trick.
"Chu Xi, you can’t just keep running, or I won’t be able to defeat you within thirty moves." Chen Nang spoke with newfound confidence with the sword in hand.
Yang Xiao nearly laughed at this comment; after the recent exchange, he’d roughly figured out this kid’s tactics.
His swordsmanship was intricate on one hand, while the special ability of that Western Sword was unusual—the sword became faster with each strike and could apply partial effects akin to Illusion Techniques, thrusting multiple swords simultaneously, leaving opponents unable to distinguish between real and false strikes.
Just now, the sword deflected by Yang Xiao’s blade was false, while the thrust at his chest was real.
And he could clearly feel that Chen Nang held back at the last moment to avoid seriously injuring him.
"Continue!" Yang Xiao wielded his sword in his right hand, holding the Ghost Lantern in his left, striding towards Chen Nang with newfound interest.
Seeing the suddenly appearing strange lantern, Chen Nang had no time to think deeply and re-engaged in battle, but this time he was at a disadvantage right away.
His previous techniques were entirely ineffective; his proud Illusion Sword seemed like child’s play against Yang Xiao. As the lantern lit up, his every move was laid bare, and even the rhythm under his feet was disrupted, leaving him in jeopardy.
"Too slow! Too slow!" Yang Xiao pressured him while attacking, "Is that all, Chen Nang? You disappoint me greatly!"
Knowing he would be doomed if the fight continued this way, Chen Nang risked injury to trade a blow with Yang Xiao, taking the opportunity to create distance. Yang Xiao had no intention of pursuing, simply letting him go.
