Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Jade Halberd Six Style, Vortex of Wind
As a second-tier superior Internal Power, the sophistication of Brahma-I Unity is no less than that of the Asura Martial Arts Scripture, the difference only lies in the way the two approach their levels.
The Asura Martial Arts Scripture claims to have thirteen levels, but in reality, the first nine levels are all fundamental. It isn’t until the tenth level that its power starts to show, which is why with each level increase, the power amplification becomes more dramatic.
The tenth level of Asura Martial Arts Scripture is equivalent to the small achievement level of Brahma-I Unity.
Although Shi Xiaole was two levels weaker than Yuan Zong, he had already surpassed the small achievement level with his Brahma-I Unity during their trip to Wind Valley, reaching four and a half levels. This advantage is enough to make up for his lower level!
"This..."
Everyone was rendered speechless, their mouths dry.
The complexion of Yuan Zong suddenly turned gloomy. He proclaimed, "I have never lost a battle on the same level. Do not dream of breaking my record!"
Before his final word fell, Yuan Zong’s body turned into a streak of rainbow light, and even before the wind-breaking sound could be heard, his dark-red fist shadow had already struck towards Shi Xiaole.
"Such quick Flying Skill! His Flying Skill is even better than Ye Liushuang. He hasn’t shown it before."
"I remember that Asura Mansion has a second-tier middle-ranking Flying Skill, Asura Ghost Step. It must be that one."
In the competition, the top four martial artists acknowledged for their Flying Skill were Ye Liushuang, Yuan Zong, Bai Zhanmei, and Shi Xiaole.
The Flying Skill that Yuan Zong showcased now was clearly a level above Ye Liushuang. Many people couldn’t even see his silhouette before they heard an deafening explosive noise next to their ears.
Boom boom boom!
Yuan Zong’s attack was ruthless. With each shapeshift, rings of dark-red Inner Power ripple would reveal themselves, the collisions formulating what resembled a pot of boiling red water within a five-meter radius.
"Little junior brother."
The people of Huajian Sect winced. In the world of martial arts, speed was the key, and they feared the sight of Shi Xiaole falling to the ground.
At this point, it’s impossible for them not to be anxious, especially after Shi Xiaole demonstrated his qualities comparable to those of Yuan Zong. If he was toppled because of Flying Skill, that would be too regrettable.
"Look, the little junior brother is there!"
Xiao Yuanbo suddenly pointed towards a figure gracefully descending three meters above the ring. It was none other than Shi Xiaole.
"Asura Hand."
With his red palms, Yuan Zong was rapidly performing Asura Ghost Step and striking continuously, creating intense waves of palm strength leaving no escape. It seemed to cram the entire space.
In the middle of the red net, a cyan figure shot up into the sky like a quicksilver. What’s most incredible was that it made several full rotations mid-air like a giant bird before lightly landing on the outer periphery of the palm strength.
Bird Crossing Skill.
Though Bird Crossing Skill is only a second-tier lower-ranking Flying Skill and indeed inferior to Asura Ghost Step, the Wind Intent Realm that Shi Xiaole grasped was inspired by the wind, not borne out of a specific martial arts form.
With the help of the third-level Wind Intent Realm, Bird Crossing Skill may lack in precision, but when it comes to speed, it is in fact faster than Asura Ghost Step.
"Your Flying Skill is useless against me."
With a withdrawn smile, Shi Xiaole initiated the attack this time. Unleashing his full speed, his figure became as elusive as a shadow. He darted around the ring, occasionally slashing with his sword.
Initially, Yuan Zong was able to handle it easily with his Asura Ghost Step.
However, he soon realized that his opponent was too tricky. Each time he slightly brushed him, his opponent would promptly retreat. Moreover, his timing, and the precision in wielding the sword was impeccable, putting Yuan Zong into a passive position. He found himself gradually losing ground as his advantages were subtly worn down by Shi Xiaole.
"Mist Rises, Moon Plummets!"
Spotting an opportunity, Shi Xiaole dashed forward. His hazy sword glow turned into a fog within which a revolving cyan sword Qi was shot towards Yuan Zong. It was the killing move he had invented six months ago in Yangji School.
Ding!
Barely holding onto his protective True Qi, Yuan Zong stumbled backward.
But Shi Xiaole appeared behind him even before he composed himself, triggering the Wind Intent Realm and swiftly launching three consecutive sword attacks.
Clang, clang, clang.
A streak of fresh blood spurted from his chest. Angered, Yuan Zong turned around and hastily unleashed Asura Hell, a secret technique of Asura Hand. It blocked Shi Xiaole’s path while he swiftly increased the distance between them.
Yuan Zong’s face was as still as water. He begrudgingly admitted to himself that he was at a disadvantage in this round of attack. It was the first time he had been disadvantaged among his peers.
The crowd was already dumbfounded. Many people could feel their hearts throbbing violently, as if about to jump out of their throats.
"Shi Xiaole, Shi Xiaole."
Zhu Ling was breathing heavily, staring at the tall and upright figure, her beautiful face tinged with high color.
"Is it really him?"
On the side of the Golden Phoenix Tower, the once three geniuses, Lan Ning, Jin Wuwei and Sha Zongheng stood together, their faces a bit stunned. No matter how shocked those around them were, it didn’t surpass their own surprise.
They had witnessed Shi Xiaole transform from an ordinary man to a prodigy standing on the most dazzling stage in Qingxue State, fighting head to head with the top genius. This surreal sense of shock left them in a trance.
Everyone had their thoughts but Shi Xiaole seized the moment to storm towards Yuan Zong again, his sword light dazzling.
"Taste the killing technique of Asura Martial Arts Scripture, Jade Halberd Six Style."
To be pushed to such extremes was a significant insult to Yuan Zong. Consumed by boundless fury, his pupils turned crimson, his black hair frantically danced behind him, like a living Asura god. His rage flowed like a torrent, unapproachable and untouchable.
"Embrace the Land."
He made a strange action with his hands as if he intended to take Shi Xiaole into his arms. This time, Yuan Zong neither retreated nor evaded; he surprisingly took in the Sword Qi of the Fog Ascend Moon Fall technique in its entirety. His offensive was relentless, it countered and charged towards Shi Xiaole.
Shi Xiaole unleashed three swords in succession, each disappearing like a mud cow entering the sea.
"What a peculiar technique."
Shi Xiaole was slightly astonished.
Asura Martial Arts Scripture, a second-rate top-quality martial art, probably contained second-rate top-quality moves as well. Fortunately, from Yuan Zong’s action, it appeared he hadn’t practiced this technique to perfection. Otherwise, even Shi Xiaole might have been caught off guard.
Everyone knows that once a second-rate top quality martial art, whether it is its internal power or techniques, reaches perfection, its power exceeds that of even the pinnacle of a second-rate mid-tier martial art.
Shi Xiaole triggered forty percent of his perilous intent realm and thrust forward a wave of cyan mountain-water sword intent, using his powerful move—Death Without Life.
Whoosh...
His vision was obstructed by the internal power; Shi Xiaole suddenly felt a chill coming on and quickly used the Bird Crossing Skill to leap up. The moment he left, the original spot was hit by red internal power, leaving a three-inch-deep hole.
"Dominate the Universe."
Sticking closely, Yuan Zong also rose into the sky. In mid-air, he swiftly struck out several streaks of crimson colored internal power light, aiming continuously at Shi Xiaole like artillery shells.
The Jade Halberd Six Style, each move was more powerful than the last. Until now, Yuan Zong only mastered three styles. Especially the second style, coupled with his thirty percent bloody intent realm, was best suited to deal with those proficient in flying skills. If he landed a hit, it would surely leave the opponent powerless to continue the fight.
Each and every attack of the red internal power was as powerful as an attack from a first-tier Xuan Qi master. With continuous salvos, half of the stage seemed to turn into a red world. The area was filled with craters and fluctuating internal power. Those who were weaker would vomit blood and seriously get injured.
"How can one defend against such a technique? Even if your flying skills are fast, it’s not enough."
"As expected, the reputation of the Asura Martial Arts Scripture in Qingxue State is well deserved."
Everyone was continuously shocked.
At this point, nobody criticized Yuan Zong for using such a dangerous technique. In the final rounds, everyone would give their all to win, especially when the contestants were evenly matched. It was commonplace to get injured; it had always been this way in every tournament.
Only Shi Xiaole’s close friends and family were worried for him.
"Submit to defeat!"
Continuously using his powerful move had depleted Yuan Zong’s internal power substantially. His eyes exploded with a red light, and Shi Xiaole’s actions started to slow down on the other side. Seeing the opportunity, Yuan Zong swung both hands fiercely. The red glow this time was significantly larger by a full circle.
"The Asura Pupil Skill can see through an opponent’s weakness."
Ye Liushuang spoke with a cold voice.
She was somewhat impressed by Yuan Zong. He had managed to hold on and didn’t use the Asura Pupil Skill until this moment. It was clear he intended to strike a lethal blow and leave no chance for Shi Xiaole to recover.
"First place is indeed first place."
Fang Shenwu shook his head. Shi Xiaole was indeed a prodigy, but when faced with Yuan Zong, who was even more breathtaking, his only destiny was failure.
The red internal power bathed Shi Xiaole’s face in a red hue, but surprisingly, he didn’t dodge. Bird Crossing Skill was swift and brilliant, but it wasn’t foolproof. After seeing Yuan Zong’s gaze, Shi Xiaole knew that if he dodged, Yuan Zong would be ready with his next move.
Since he couldn’t avoid it, he would shatter it head-on.
Feeling a bit unwilling in his heart, Shi Xiaole preferred defeating his opponents with skill over raw power; it gave him a stronger sense of accomplishment. But if his opponent insisted on forcing him to use his unique skills and compete in raw power, then he had no choice.
In the fraction of a blink of an eye, the Green Edge sword began to vibrate violently, with a spiraling green glow pouring off the surface of the blade, extending to the sword’s tip.
After understanding the Spiral Qi Strength and Wind Intent Realm, Shi Xiaole creatively combined the two, surprisingly creating another second-class killing technique. He named it the Vortex of Wind.
Whoosh!
As the long sword stabbed out, the spiral of green sword Qi on the sword suddenly enlarged, spinning like a green dragon at a speed that was difficult to see with the naked eye. It finally formed a vortex of green color.
Sss Sss Sss.
The surrounding airflow was influenced, and the internal power was pierced through. The dominating red glow from a moment ago, once wrapped by the green vortex, crumbled to pieces, unable to hold out for even a moment.
"Not good."
Yuan Zong was greatly alarmed and quickly dodged. But he scarcely evaded the green vortex. The resulting sharp airflow still managed to cut his skin, leaving three shallow bloody marks on his arm.
"Take another blow from me."
With a voice slowly echoing, it was now Shi Xiaole who looked down from above. He thrust out his sword, faster than his voice.
Vortex of Wind.
Shi!
The surface of the stage was drilled through by Sword Qi, wood shavings flying. Yuan Zong’s clothes were torn, and he was thrown back in a miserable state. Yet, he roared from his mouth, "I have not lost yet, Rivers and Lakes like Blood!"
His body’s internal power seeped through his pores and condensed into a viscous red ball around three feet in diameter. Halfway through its trajectory, the red ball exploded, and the internal power transformed into a downpour of bloody rain aimed at Shi Xiaole.
The third style of the Jade Halberd Six Style, Rivers and Lakes like Blood.
