Chapter 158: Chapter 158: No Way Out (Second Update, Thanks to Zizhu Qingyang for the 10,000 rewards!)
"Congratulations to Swordsman Song for winning the fourth round straight! This is your treasured sword that you mortgaged, and four thousand taels of silver. Please accept them."
After Song Yuan, the swordsman won, a white-clad elder immediately stepped forward, handing him a sword and a stack of silver notes worth one hundred taels each.
According to the rules of the Dark Alley, for the first twenty fights on the Copper Platform, winning the first grants five hundred taels of silver and winning the second gives two and a half thousand taels. Each subsequent victory adds an extra two thousand taels to the prize.
For every fight won after the twentieth consecutive victory, an extra twenty thousand taels are added.
The stakes for the Silver and Jade platforms are even more terrifying.
Of course, the amount waged by the contenders should match their potential returns. In simpler words, you could win or lose quickly.
But the thrill of swinging between heaven and hell undoubtedly appeals to the tastes of the people of the Martial World, not to mention the accompanying fame, which can make them take risks at any cost.
"Song Yuan has some abilities indeed to win four consecutive fights, but it’ll be tougher for him to win from here."
Some shook their heads and said.
The Dark Alley aren’t fools to just give away money for nothing.
With every win, the challengers selected only grow stronger. Not just that, your exposed strengths, trump cards, and even weaknesses are all watched closely to strategize against you.
This is why it is extremely challenging to maintain a winning streak.
Despite numerous fights happening on the Gold Silver Jade Copper Platform in recent years, only twelve people have managed to achieve a ten-win streak. A fifty-win streak hasn’t been witnessed in decades.
As such, many people criticize the Gold Silver Jade Copper Platform, as being a bottomless pit that the Dark Alley uses to earn treasures. Most of the strong fighters end up with empty pockets after winning a few rounds, paying a hefty price in the end.
After Song Yuan stepped down, a rare Jade Platform fight commenced.
Those qualified for participation were high-level fighters who had or were above the seventh level of Qi Absorption Realm. Naturally, a Copper Platform fight could not compare with such a fantastic spectacle.
Shi Xiaole couldn’t help but sigh after taking a look, with his current abilities, he was far from being a match for a seventh-level Qi Absorption fighter.
Elder Ma and his companions had arrived early.
Some people sat down behind Shi Xiaole, some on his left and right, with a thick wall of people encircling him. If looks could kill, Shi Xiaole would’ve been riddled all over with wounds.
"Hey, what’s going on?"
Some independent individuals from the Martial World, who didn’t really care about the outside world, were quite surprised when they heard the explanation from those around them.
"Tsk tsk, the young man was even forced into the Rivers and Lakes Assassination Order. Even in death, he would go down in glory."
"Easy for you to say, would you be willing if you were in his shoes?"
"Of course not."
People in the distance whispered amongst themselves.
"Shi, you don’t dare to take up the challenge?"
Just as Shi Xiaole was musing over things, a thunderous and powerful voice came from beside him.
The speaker was a burly man with a beard, carrying a pole levelled with his eyebrows and he sat taller than most men stood. He exuded an imposing aura.
"Hu Baisheng can’t sit still."
"As expected, he’s always been the most impulsive."
People showed different reactions.
The muscular-bearded man’s name was Hu Baisheng, and he was known as ’No Way Out’.
It’s said that wasn’t his original name. He had only changed it to Hu Baisheng after winning a hundred tough battles since he started his career.
Hu Baisheng was renowned for his Ananda Pole Skill which consisted of eighty-one forms. His level of cultivation had reached the late stage of the sixth level of the Qi Absorption Realm and it was rumored that he was even stronger than some peak sixth level fighters.
Therefore, those whose abilities were inferior to his dared not speak out, while those who were superior were few. A few fighters of the seventh level Qi Absorption Realm who were unable to participate in the Copper Platform fights due to their high levels also remained silent.
"Whether I take up the challenge or not, what has it got to do with you?"
Shi Xiaole gave Hu Baisheng a glance.
"Of course it matters! For a young lad like you, daring enough to perform such a theft, I must act for the righteousness of the Martial World and teach you a lesson on behalf of your sect!"
In the middle of their conversation, the Jade Platform fight below concluded.
The white-clad elder walked into the arena and declared, "’Due to time constraints, we only have one last Copper Platform fight. Is there anyone else that is interested?"
After a moment of silence, Shi Xiaole stood up.
He had been observing for such a long time, it was impossible for him to only be a spectator.
"Ah, does the young hero want to participate?"
In fact, the white-clad elder was well aware of the ongoing situation. With a corner of his lip raised, he said, "The chief steward has instructed if the young hero is fighting, the wager remains the same, but the rewards are doubled."
Whoooo!
The crowd erupted into whispers of surprise.
Shi Xiaole was taken aback, marvelling at the shrewdness of the mastermind behind all this.
Given his current reputation, he might not be entirely familiar to everyone in the Floating River Area but was far from being unknown. He believed once this news spreads, it will even stimulate the people of the Martial World to rush forward.
It was as if his presence indirectly brought in more business for the Gold Silver Jade Copper Platform.
Hu Baisheng was eagerly watching.
No wanderer of the Martial World despised wealth. And if one could earn fame atop financial gains, it was nothing short of a rare opportunity.
However, if he decided to participate as a challenger, he would not get a chance to fight against Shi Xiaole, and would only be representing the Dark Alley.
In that scenario, his reward would be a fixed amount, but when the rewards were doubled, it was still considerable.
"I don’t have anything else to stake, so I’ll put my left hand on the line."
As he took his place in the arena, Shi Xiaole made a shocking statement.
"Possible."
The white-clad elder responded with a gleeful smile.
The Gold Silver Jade Copper Platform allows anything to be put down as a pledge. In the eyes of the white-clad elder, the value of Shi Xiaole’s left hand was at least worth a hundred thousand taels of silver.
"Would you give me the honour of fighting the first match on behalf of Dark Alley?"
Hu Baisheng hurriedly stood up, which silenced those around him who had similar thoughts.
"Any contender requires prior validation by Dark Alley, come with me."
The elder in white took Hu Baisheng away.
About a quarter of an hour later, the two returned to the platform. The look of restrained excitement on Hu Baisheng’s face clearly indicated that he had passed Dark Alley’s assessment.
"Young Hero Shi, if it is alright with you, the Swordsman Hu will be your first opponent," the elder in white said.
"Fine."
Shi Xiaole responded nonchalantly.
Hu Baisheng buoyed with triumph upon hearing Shi Xiaole’s reaction.
To ensure fairness, both participants could only use ordinary weapons provided by Dark Alley. Shi Xiaole held an iron sword and flicked it lightly with his fingers.
"Young man, it would be better for you if you just concede. I don’t want this to get too ugly."
Hu Baisheng roared with laughter, holding a cudgel tightly in his hands.
Given Shi Xiaole’s age, only a talent close to the top-tier prodigies could defeat him. But could that be possible? The odds were quite slim.
"Blah, blah."
Shi Xiaole’s response was curt.
"You are seeking death!"
Feeling humiliated in front of everyone, Hu Baisheng was enraged. He leaped forward, swinging his cudgel hard down on Shi Xiaole’s head.
The strength unleashed from that cudgel was as overwhelming as the pressure from Mount Tai. The tail of the cudgel cut through the air, making a sizzling sound and releasing a series of sparks.
"Such remarkable power!"
"This is the opening move of the Ananda Pole Skill, it’s incredibly forceful, with the power to split a mountain. Once the opponent adopts a defensive position, he would inevitably be subjected to this formidable pole skill. This is where Hu Baisheng got his nickname ’Ruthless’."
"A full-out assault from Hu Baisheng, despite the pretense of looking down on his opponent."
A chorus of discussion rang in the crowd.
Many were witnessing the Ananda Pole Skill for the first time, finding the spectacle quite engrossing.
Even Elder Ma was focused intensely.
He had not seen how Shi Xiaole had repelled Yi Nanxiong, so he took Yi Nanxiong’s word for it, believing that Shi Xiaole had won through subterfuge.
As far as Elder Ma was concerned, all Hu Baisheng needed to do was guard against Shi Xiaole’s tricks and the victory should be assured.
The terrifying momentum came whistling, blowing Shi Xiaole’s hair.
Facing this powerful blow, he merely made a simple defensive move - a parry.
A shocking scene played out.
The formidable cudgel suddenly wavered as if its potency was abruptly compromised, its trajectory thrown into chaos, forcing Hu Baisheng to stagger and retreat during the aftermath.
"What?!"
Catching this scene, the audience was stunned, thinking their eyes were playing tricks on them.
It should be known that Hu Baisheng was four realms superior to Shi Xiaole, and his Ananda Pole Skill was considered near top-tier in the third-rate superior martial arts techniques. Combining this with his fully achieved Transformation Phase, how could he be sent flying by an ordinary sword slash?
"Ananda Crossing!"
Enraged and shocked, Hu Baisheng’s face turned red. He forced his body to halt its retreat and swung his cudgel at the fastest rate he could manage.
However, the sword’s tip pointed at the tail of his cudgel before he could complete his move.
In a flash, the power Hu Baisheng had just gathered collapsed. The blockage of his Qi made his chest boil, nearly forcing him to spit out blood.
Clang, clang, clang ...
The subsequent scene was beyond everyone’s expectation.
The formerly aggressive and imposing Hu Baisheng, under Shi Xiaole’s spontaneous swordsmanship, was constantly on the back foot. He was unable to mount a decent counterattack, let alone defend himself.
One party was leisurely wielding his sword, while the other was struggling to hold his own, making the disparity evident. The crowd couldn’t help but wonder - who is the real ’Ruthless’?
"How did this happen?"
Hu Baisheng was bewildered.
Under extreme shock, he was unable to think clearly. Besides, Shi Xiaole’s seemingly slow yet quick-paced attack rhythm didn’t allow him time to think.
"How does this kid make such common sword techniques look extraordinary?"
Sitting among the audience, many looked perplexed.
"Unity of man and sword!"
After a long while, a man resting his sword on his feet suggested in a trembling voice.
Other swordsmasters, captivated by the brilliance in their eyes, followed Shi Xiaole’s movements, and wouldn’t dare to look elsewhere.
"He has understood the legendary unity of man and sword?"
Everyone was astonished.
Elder Ma’s face turned ashen.
Ever since understanding the unity of man and sword at the Will Sect, Shi Xiaole had been relentlessly pushing to improve. However, there had hardly been any progress in several days.
Just now, an inspiration struck him. He suddenly recalled the essence of the Dai Sect’s skill – exploiting an opponent’s flaws to achieve victory. If he could combine that with the control of strength given by the unity of man and sword, he wondered what it would lead to.
Taking his chances, he helped create the current scene.
Shi Xiaole found that the combination of the unity of man and sword with the Dai Sect’s tactics complemented each other remarkably. It not only increased the effectiveness of the Dai Sect’s tactics but also deepened his understanding of the unity of man and sword.
After several hundred stances, Hu Baisheng was in disarray. Seeing that his demonstration was not gaining much ground, Shi Xiaole nonchalantly swung his sword, knocking Hu Baisheng off the platform.
