Chapter 137: Chapter 137, The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind
With Ling Tianyu’s capabilities, he rarely considered anyone with Qi Absorption Realm Level 6 worthy of his attention. As for those in Qi Absorption Realm Level 1, he wouldn’t even glance at them under normal circumstances.
He found it hard to accept that he would be forced back by someone whom he had deemed beneath notice even at his full strength.
"How can this be?"
Xiang Mingzhen and Ye Linglong were equally shocked.
They were surprised not only by the outcome, but also at Shi Xiaole’s level of swordsmanship.
Basing from the power level demonstrated, the opponent used a second-rate, low-grade blade technique. But the question was, how did Shi Xiaole, with his age, manage to train till the Transformation Phase was complete?
Do note that, including Ling Tianyu, the expertise in secondary martial arts of most of the elite in the Floating River Area ranges from Divine Harmony Perfection to the start of the Transformation Phase.
And that was already impressive.
To improve from the Transformation Phase’s starting level to completion is not easy. Xiang Mingzhen estimated it would take him at least half a year.
"I must have underestimated him — he was hiding his true strength all along?"
Xiang Mingzhen took a deep breath. He felt it was necessary to reassess Shi Xiaole.
"I don’t believe it, here’s my Death-Dealing Spear!"
Amid the furious roar, Ling Tianyu’s aura became even more terrifying, his arms moving beyond his body’s normal capacity, generating countless spear shadows.
"I’ll force you to believe."
With a sharp glint in his eyes, Shi Xiaole advanced with his sword, seemingly like a single person charging amidst thousands of troops.
Blood Battle Ten Forms, Second Form: Brilliance at the Blade Point.
Swoosh!
Within this unparalleled strike, the myriad spear shadows instantly shattered. The Shattered Snow Blade passed through the air and, clearing the long spear, directly forced Ling Tianyu back by three steps.
The higher the martial arts level, the greater the difference in power for each level.
A high-grade third-rate martial arts technique, the difference between completion and starting level, could at most make up for a minor realm within the Hidden Qi Realm. Whereas a low-grade second-rate martial arts technique could cancel out a minor realm within Qi Absorption Realm.
If it were a first-rate, or even top-tier martial arts technique, the gap within realms would be even more terrifying. As for Divine Martial Arts, it’s said that even a small disparity can mean the difference between Heaven and Earth.
Not intending to hold back, Shi Xiaole changed his approach from defense to offense, each of his sword moves stronger than the last.
Rapid Outflanking.
Reaching into the Bag.
Winning the Battle.
Thrashing at Air.
...
In the ring of attacks, Xiang Mingzhen and Ye Linglong saw something they couldn’t believe.
The usually domineering Ling Tianyu, known for his aggressive fighting style, was left so crippled by Shi Xiaole’s unrelenting attacks that he was reduced to merely defending.
Was this still the Yama Gun?
"You forced my hand, Golden Lethal Triumphant Spear, Sky Breaker!"
Ling Tianyu was retreating quickly, his eyes bloodshot, suddenly letting out a roar.
The Golden Lethal Triumphant Spear has three forms, the third one being the strongest but also the hardest to master. Ling Tianyu was still not at that level yet, and forcing it could strain his tendons and break his bones.
But he couldn’t care less. What’s a bit of injury compared to the disgrace of being beaten by a kid inferiror to him in rank?
A savage, murderous, and grim aura hit him squarely.
Like coming from Netherworld Gate, Ling Tianyu’s attack managed to break through the restriction of the Blood Battle Ten Forms in a spectacular display, and aimed directly at Shi Xiaole.
Meanwhile, his arm began to make crackling noises, and blood seeped from his pores. This was because the power of this attack was so intense that he hurt himself in the process.
"In the end, it seems that Brother Ling is one step ahead."
Xiang Mingzhen shook his head.
He had already used the Blood Battle Ten Forms and didn’t think Shi Xiaole had anything else up his sleeve. Of course, just forcing Ling Tianyu to this point already showed how formidable he was.
"Should we intervene?"
Ye Linglong hesitated for a moment, instinctually reaching for her twin blades. But in the next moment, she stopped moving, eyes wide open in shock.
In the middle of the dangerous spear light, Shi Xiaole’s handsome face looked as indifferent as always, without a trace of emotion.
Clang!
His right thumb pressing against the hilt of his sword, Shi Xiaole suddenly made a swing.
If it could be said that Ling Tianyu’s spear strike represented slaughter, then Shi Xiaole’s sword swing represented unimaginable risk — like a cliff collapsing from a great height, or a violent stream rushing forth.
Regrettably, the sword had only just reached its zenith when it came crashing down.
With a swish.
The shattered spear light exploded, and Ling Tianyu, covered in blood, cried out and was sent flying back.
"Such a powerful mood, such a terrifying sword technique!"
Xiang Mingzhen was in shock.
"That was really overkill."
Ye Linglong retracted her hands, her face was a mixture of begrudging admiration and shock apart from a wry smile.
Unexpectedly, the subtlety of that sword strike, although it might not be as good as the second-rate, low-grade martial arts, but because of the support of the mood, its power reached above the Blood Battle Ten Forms.
If it wasn’t for half a move, Ling Tianyu wouldn’t have survived.
Sword and blade sheathed, Shi Xiaole’s expression showed no pride, as if the person he had just defeated was not a superstar in the Floating River Area, but rather a nameless soldier.
This mysterious and unpredictable demeanor impressed Xiang and Ye even more, making them feel they couldn’t fully grasp their opponent.
"Brother Xiang, Miss Ye, how’s the situation inside Shi Hall?"
Shi Xiaole directly ignored Ling Tianyu, who was slowly getting up, his expression gruesome.
If the circumstances allowed, he wouldn’t mind maximizing damage. Unfortunately, with Xiang and Ye around, word would likely get out. Furthermore, Ling Tianyu wasn’t like Xue Ang, attempting to launch a sneak attack on him would be incredibly difficult.
"Brother Shi, I sincerely advise you against going. It’s a suicide mission,"
Having demonstrated more of his abilities, Xiang Mingzhen was now more direct with his words. In his heart, he had already started treating Shi Xiaole as an equal.
"Brother Shi, why not leave with us instead?"
Ye Linglong also suggested.
After some thought, Shi Xiaole politely declined both offers.
He wouldn’t be content without seeing it for himself. After all, who knew what could happen inside?
"Brother Shi, you are a brave man with great skills,"
Xiang Mingzhen commented with a helpless laugh.
He started to question if Shi Xiaole had a remarkable background. How else could such a prodigy have appeared out of nowhere?
"Arrogance leads to one’s own destruction,"
Watching Shi Xiaole’s retreating figure, Ling Tianyu secretly cursed in his heart.
He swore that if Shi Xiaole survived, he would undoubtedly crush him beneath his feet with true power to wash away the disrespect of this day!
To be safe, Shi Xiaole stopped about ten feet away from the stone palace. Then, he initiated the Purple Light Divine Skill.
Besides enhancing internal power, the Purple Light Divine Skill also intensifies the user’s five senses. As expected, after a short while, he started hearing sounds from inside the stone palace.
"You, you dare to deceive us?"
Inside the palace, bodies were scattered haphazardly across the floor.
Both the short and stout old man at the Qi Absorption eighth stage, and the detached-looking middle-aged man, had fallen to the floor with ashen faces, staring angrily at the third Qi Absorption master.
Just a moment ago, the three of them had killed everyone else as per their agreement and were preparing to distribute the loot. Unexpectedly, this brown-haired man suddenly attacked and ambushed the other two.
With their usual martial arts skills, the old man and the aloof middle-aged man wouldn’t have fallen for such scheme. After all, having survived in the Martial World for so long, they had their guards up.
However, this brown-haired man surprisingly used a rare Poison Skill.
In the Martial World, Poison Skill is definitely one of the most difficult martial arts styles to deal with. Practitioners of Poison Skill carry toxin within their internal power, allowing them to launch deadly surprise attacks effortlessly.
But because mastering Poison Skill is so difficult, requiring daily exposure to poisonous substances and massive resources, not many can practice it. Hence, real Poison Skill practitioners are exceedingly rare.
The old man and the indifferent middle-aged man never imagined that this brown-haired man was amongst the rare practitioners of Poison Skill.
"In battle, deceit is never too much. Once I kill both of you, everything here will be mine,"
The brown-haired middle-aged man thought to himself, slyly enjoying the scene.
Neither the old man nor the middle-aged man would ever know that his Poison Skill wasn’t fully refined yet and had already weakened his abilities to about 70% after the display.
With two strikes, both the old man and the indifferent middle-aged man, who had been poisoned, were sent flying and died immediately.
"Hahaha, those fools spent all their energy fighting, only to be draping the wedding garment for me,"
Seeing the bodies strewn across the floor, the brown-haired middle-aged man could no longer contain his delight and burst into loud laughter.
While laughing, he heard footsteps entering his area.
"Who’s there?"
The brown-haired middle-aged man skipped a beat, but immediately relaxed once he saw the young man in green entering: "Kid, this is not your place to be. Get lost!"
If his abilities hadn’t decreased by 70%, he wouldn’t have even bothered talking. He would’ve killed Shi Xiaole outright.
"The one who should leave, is you."
Shi Xiaole responded with a casual smile.
His martial arts skills may not match a Qi Absorption master, but since there was just one opponent, he could use that trump card of his.
"Seeking death."
The brown-haired man narrowed his eyes. A quick burst of ethereal internal energy escaped his body, moving past Shi Xiaole. It was Poison Skill!
Shi Xiaole was too calm, so the brown-haired man decided to use Poison Skill to nip the issue at the bud.
"You’re a Poison Skill practitioner?"
Shi Xiaole felt an instant of dizziness before quickly recovering.
Having ingested the golden toad’s inner alchemy in the past, he wasn’t impervious to all poisons, but he was immune to most, including many Poison Skill techniques.
"You’re still alive?"
The brown-haired man was taken aback, unable to keep his composure any longer.
"Young hero, there are three treasures here. Perhaps we can split them equally?"
Unsure of Shi Xiaole’s strength, the brown-haired man decided to test the waters, if not to just keep him at bay.
"Divide equally?"
Shi Xiaole raised an eyebrow and suddenly attacked with his sword.
The brown-haired man’s poisonous internal energy was weaker than a normal qi absorption Eight-Fold master’s, and coupled with his apprehensive expression, Shi Xiaole had a slight suspicion.
Blood spraying, the brown-haired man angrily yelled, "Don’t make me do this!" His tone hinted at a deeply buried fear and resolve.
Now certain, Shi Xiaole wasted no more time and made his move outright. He raised his hands, preparing his move known as "One Thread of Life".
Back when Shen Canghai’s internal power was reduced to 30%, he was not Shi Xiaole’s match. Now, with his increased abilities and his opponent being weaker than Shen Canghai, how could the latter resist?
Hiss!
The sword’s energy cut through the palm wind and slashed a three inches deep wound on the brown-haired man’s chest. Blood spurted out uncontrollably.
"Young hero, please spare me!"
Ignoring the brown-haired man’s plea, Shi Xiaole followed with the second strike of his sword, severing his throat.
These martial world people were extremely cunning. Leaving them alive would lead to unintended problems.
