Chapter 265: Chapter 265: Unparalleled Swordsman
The hand, an extremely vital part for a swordsman. Without hands, how could a swordsman wield a sword? Unless they were those exceptional swordsmen who could fight without a sword held in their hands, but only in their hearts.
This strike from Guan Fei was maliciously cruel, it’s evident that he wanted to cripple Shi Xiaole.
The strike, cold and sharp to the ultimate, made Shi Xiaole feel as if his body and heart had been frozen. Fortunately, his will was stronger than ordinary people. Acting almost unconsciously, he initiated the strongest of the Eclipse Eight Forms - Fire Scale Eclipse.
The densely arranged blue sword nets, upon contact with the cold and sharp Sword Qi, burst open with a hiss as if fire met water. Despite Shi Xiaole’s timely retreat, he was still hit by several stray Sword Qi, causing severe pain in his meridians.
Brahma-I Unity technique started running and quickly neutralised these Sword Qi.
"Interesting, hehe, that was just a sword strike with only 30% of my strength, seems like you had a tough time."
Guan Fei raised his eyebrows and laughed with a sense of taunt. He was somewhat shocked. He thought to himself that if it were him with a Qi Absorption of ninth tier, he would have definitely not held up against that strike. This only reaffirmed his intention to cripple Shi Xiaole.
"Haha, boy, you better do as Swordman Guan says, don’t make trouble for yourself."
The masked man burst into laughter.
The man with a sword on his back smiled viciously, contemplating how he’s going to teach Shi Xiaole a lesson.
"So, this is all about Guan Fei from the Guan family."
Shi Xiaole’s expression became indifferent with a double meaning in his words.
First, his opponent, at a five-tier higher realm, didn’t manage to defeat him with a single sword. Second, the intention of his opponent’s attack was despicable.
Fury surged in Shi Xiaole’s heart. His opponent had targeted him without any cause, had he not reacted in time, he could’ve been crippled.
"Insignificant, do you even have the right to say that? Seems like, I have been too lenient with you."
With a cold gleam in his eyes, Guan Fei moved together with his sword, the sharp Sword Qi was like a strong silk thread, instantly wrapping around Shi Xiaole’s right arm.
People around suddenly had a terrifying illusion, as if they were also encompassed by this strike, as if what awaited them were limbs severed by Sword Qi.
"Sword Qi Coiling Threads."
Someone recalled this term in their mind.
Sword Qi Coiling Threads, like Sword Qi Thunder Sound and Sword Qi Congealed Ice, are specific implementations of the Sword Qi by swordsmen.
Without a doubt, due to his cultivation and seven-tenths Sword Heart, Guan Fei’s Sword Qi Coiling Threads were far superior to any of Shi Xiaole’s sword techniques. The fact that he deliberately used this strike, that showcased the best of a swordsman’s realm, against Shi Xiaole, was it intentional?
The seemingly fragile Sword Qi attacked, causing Shi Xiaole to feel a momentary numbness in his whole body. If he didn’t have a backup plan, he would definitely be defeated by this move.
With a terrifyingly calm expression, Shi Xiaole’s right hand held onto the ancient-looking long sword hanging on his left side, and pulled it out all at once.
Boom!!
The dazzling red light seemed to explode like blood in everyone’s eyes. Guan Fei’s Sword Qi only lasted a moment before it collapsed. The Green-Red Sword Qi persisted with its momentum, continuing its advance, and like a cutter, scraped a long and straight sword mark on the ground.
Amidst the eerie clash, a silhouette was seen being thrown back embarrassingly and only steadied after taking nine steps back, it was none other than Guan Fei.
"A lower-quality spirit sword!"
Guan Fei’s face was filled with endless anger and jealousy. He shouted in a harsh voice, "What’s the big accomplishment in fighting with me using this kind of treasured sword?"
"What a joke, if I were of the same age as you, I could defeat you even with my eyes closed."
Shi Xiaole sneered.
"You...."
These words made Guan Fei’s face turn red, while the expressions of the people around became incredibly subtle.
One was eighteen years old, the other thirty-five. Judging by their performances just now, it was evident who was superior. Many people were looking at the rusty sword in Shi Xiaole’s hands.
A lower-quality spirit sword, it’s a pity there are some cracks on it. It won’t be long before it can’t be used. Upon making this discovery, people’s burning hearts suddenly cooled down.
If it were a complete lower-quality spirit sword, many wouldn’t mind fighting for it, but to risk their lives for a faulty sword, and worry about it being snatched later, it didn’t seem worth it.
"Given the Qi Absorption ninth tier cultivation of the young man, the lower-quality spirit sword probably increases his cultivation by two levels, which is the Xuan Qi second tier."
The sound of wind breaking was heard.
Three people landed in the centre, it was Elder Saber and two middle-aged men. All of them were martial world guests, before trying to seize the Meditation Stone again, they would all gather to discuss their insights. They happened to be in the third region at this time.
"Just now Guan Fei clearly didn’t use his full strength, and didn’t expect the other party to have a lower-quality spirit sword. Otherwise, with a three-tier difference in realm, he wouldn’t have been like this with his strength."
The middle-aged man on the left said.
Elder Saber remained silent. Was this really the case? He had watched Shi Xiaole pass the fourth stage with his own eyes, the other side’s combat power might surpass everyone’s expectations.
"So what if it’s a lower-quality spirit sword, I can still defeat you."
Under the gaze of many eyes, Guan Fei had no way to back down. His internal power was running at an unprecedented speed, his right hand stretched out flat, the terrifying Sword Qi shot out with his sword, like a flood bursting through a dam, rushing towards Shi Xiaole.
Many of the swords in the hands of the swordsmen present were trembling, feeling a sense of suppression from some unseen realm.
"Seven-tenths Sword Heart, indeed formidable."
"If we swordsmen can step into such a realm, we could die without regret."
The oncoming tide of Sword Qi was fierce, yet Shi Xiaole, was just slowly drawing a sword towards it, as if he was only facing a light breeze.
Hiss.
In the sound of fabric tearing, the tide of Sword Qi was instantly split into two, scattering to both sides, unable to cause any damage to the ground.
Elder Saber and the two middle-aged men saw it clearly. Guan Fei’s sword Qi seemed strong, but in the cut just now, it was crushed by some more subtle sword Qi, leaving only an empty shell.
"This?"
"The Sword Heart Realm...and even deeper than Guan Fei’s."
"Definitely surpasses eighty-five percent, even reaching ninety percent."
The three Elder Sabers were like being struck by lightning, their bodies violently shaking, almost unable to believe their eyes.
Especially Elder Saber. In his memory, Shi Xiaole’s Sword Heart Realm was not that high, could it be, the other party improved in this short period of time, how is this possible?!
The surrounding crowd was even more flabbergasted as though they had seen a ghost.
Although the inferior spirit sword was strong, due to his cultivation level, Shi Xiaole couldn’t fully control it, leading to his Sword Heart Qi leaking out and being sensed by everyone present.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
The swords of those swordsmen all unsheathed about three inches at the same time, vibrating unceasingly, as if they were surrendering.
"I don’t believe it."
The most shocked and angry person in the entire scene was Guan Fei, his face was even distorted.
"I will make you believe."
Flying in mid-air, Shi Xiaole’s green robe fluttered in the wind, both of his hands wielded the sword high and slashed it down, his infinite, blistering Green-Red Sword Qi was like the scorching sun. He himself appeared like the sun, exceptionally dazzling and striking.
Eclipse Eight Forms, second form, Blade Stacked Brilliance.
"Loveless Ruthlessness."
Guan Fei dodged left and right, his long sword slashed faster and faster, two different types of Sword Qi collided fiercely, red leaves swept across the ground, instantly shredded by the Sword Qi.
Guan Fei was indeed quite strong. At thirty-five years old, he had long perfected the second-rate superior internal power, Loveless Divine Skill, and trained his second-rate middle class Loveless Sword Technique to the realm of perfection. With his seven-tenths Sword Heart, he was a formidable opponent amongst his peers.
But he encountered an even more insane existence.
Except for the cultivation level, in all other respects, Shi Xiaole was far superior to him.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sword Qi exploded, and then instantly vanished. From the perspective of the people around, it looked as though two totally opposing spaces were continually crashing against one another.
The gap between ninety percent Sword Heart and seventy percent Sword Heart was too big. It directly made up for the gap in cultivation level between the two of them. Additionally, both being swordsmen, this suppression was even more prominent.
"Extinction Lifeless!"
Guan Fei bellowed, charging up, the shadow of his sword formed a full, overlapping fan-shape. The center of the fan-shape was aimed directly at Shi Xiaole.
In response to him, was a streak of meteor-like Green-Red Sword Qi.
There was no sky shaking sound, no stunning shock from the bursting Sword Qi, there was only the soundless confrontation of swordsmanship.
Though the meteor was short-lived, its radiance was limitless. In the instant when the ontendees were forced to close their eyes, it directly shattered the fan-shaped Sword Qi into fragments.
"Pu!"
A patch of blood appeared on Guan Fei’s chest, his body flew out like a scarecrow, dragging a long trail on the ground.
The world seemed suddenly still.
From the moment Shi Xiaole unsheathed the inferior spirit sword to the end of the battle, the total moves was only in the tens. Guan Fei, who was famed in the Martial World and even hailed as the number one amongst the younger generation by some, suffered a crushing defeat.
Everyone was staring blankly at the scene.
Shi Xiaole did have the boost of the inferior spirit sword, but it could only close the gap by two tiers at most, it was still three tiers below Guan Fei. Yet he still managed to defeat the latter without a doubt.
What kind of demeanor was that, what kind of ability was it.
An unparalleled swordsman!
Under the dim twilight, in the deserted red bamboo forest, a tall young man in green robes, everyone seemed to see an unparalleled swordsman gradually rising up in the Martial World’s night sky, destined to radiate endless light.
"No, no."
The masked man and the man with the sword on his back were almost scared out of their wits, their bodies were drenched in cold sweat. As soon as they moved, they were immediately beheaded by a streak of Green-Red Sword Qi whooshing past.
Appearing next to the corpses, Shi Xiaole rummaged through all the belongings on their bodies, then he turned to look at Guan Fei who was slowly picking himself up, his eyes were deep.
He really wanted to cripple the other party, an eye for an eye, but he had to consider the safety of his family and friends.
The Guan Family was indeed a famous and old family, but Shi Xiaole did not believe that after he crippled their most promising younger generation, the Guan Family would not take any action.
It has to be said, sometimes, having backers really mattered.
"Will the Guan Family...take revenge on me?"
Walking up to Guan Fei, Shi Xiaole asked a seemingly naive question.
Guan Fei’s face spasmed, he said, "Today, our competition was a personal matter. My Guan Family has always been clear with regards to gratitude and grudges, we would not resort unjust means."
That was the response Shi Xiaole was seeking. Coming from Guan Fei, it was like placing a tight hoop spell on the Guan Family. Due to their reputation in the Righteous Path, even if the Guan Family wanted to retaliate in the future, they would have second thoughts.
Of course, Shi Xiaole just wanted to have a complete assurance, deep down he did not believe the Guan Family would take action.
If for just this matter, they would harm his family, the Guan Family couldn’t have lasted for hundreds of years. Besides, weren’t they fearful of his terrifying potential?
Sheathing his sword, Shi Xiaole took his leave.
A look of humiliation, anger and shame appeared on Guan Fei’s face.
Today’s battle had destroyed all his pride and conceit under that young man’s sword. He could hardly imagine how this battle would be spread in the Martial World. Thinking about it, he spat out blood again.
