Chapter 408: Chapter 407 Overwhelming
There were many spectators at the event, most of them onlookers.
Indeed, these onlookers were not ordinary; they were from various top-tier powers in Mirror State, and even the scions from first-rate factions, including three other notable prodigies.
In truth, there were only thirty-two participants in the martial contest for the marriage proposal.
After all, no matter how large Mirror State is, there wouldn’t be many who could meet Yu Cheng’s criteria. The fact that so many participated, despite many having no desire to join, was already ample proof of Yu Wenxiu’s allure.
With Ouyang’s defeat, aside from Zhang Qiuhua and Lin Aotian, the hearts of the remaining dozen outstanding contestants who had yet to compete sank.
As expected, in the following matches, five defeated Ye Zhi, two consecutively defeated Ye Zhi and Zhang Zhong, but these two, without a doubt, lost at the hands of Shi Xiaole.
"Number thirty-one, Zhang Qiuhua."
The moment the Sixth Elder pronounced Zhang Qiuhua’s name, the crowd immediately erupted in excitement.
Everyone present wore a concentrated, suspenseful expression.
Every state has its own rules. In Mirror State, only the top ten prodigies are worthy of the honorific "Young Master".
The title ’Young Master Flame’ represented not only status but also power and honor.
According to the crowd, the only person who could challenge Zhang Qiuhua was Lin Aotian. Some thought of Shi Xiaole, but quickly dismissed the idea.
Compared with the illustrious record of the former, Shi Xiaole seemed somewhat thin, even though he had defeated Ouyang.
Ye Zhi and Zhang Zhong suffered defeats as easily as if they were crumbling under a touch.
What was even more shocking was that Zhang Qiuhua had suppressed the two, not with his moves, but merely his aura.
"Worthy of being Young Master Flame. Given his current strength, I’m afraid even the limit of a Spiritual-Passage Realm master wouldn’t be able to withstand two or three of his moves."
"Ouyang was claimed to be the number eleven prodigy, but compared to Young Master Flame, the difference is much too great."
Ouyang, on the eastern side, had a grim look on his face, tightly clenching his fists.
He once thought himself to have a slight gap compared to Young Master Flame, but now it appeared that the gap was not so slight, it was at least duo-fold.
"You won over me with speed, but if that’s all you have, you’ll lose badly."
Ouyang looked at Shi Xiaole for some unknown reason, hoping that the latter could hold on for a few more moves.
"What’s your name? By the time you reach my age, maybe you can become one of the top ten talents of the next generation."
Zhang Qiuhua sized up Shi Xiaole and made an astonishing compliment in the presence of everyone.
Some people caught on to the underlying message, "you’re too green to compete with me now."
Next generation?
Shi Xiaole smiled: "My name is Shi Xiaole. I have long heard of Brother Zhang’s reputation. Please."
Was it an illusion?
This lad didn’t seem to fear him; instead, he had an air of confidence of holding the winning ticket. Zhang Qiuhua felt a spark of fury at being slighted. A fiery red light emerged from his pores and exploded outwards.
The drifting snowflakes around the area were immediately melted into white mist once enveloped by the fiery glow, which then evaporated into nothingness. Centered around Zhang Qiuhua within a radius of several meters, the snow on the ground vanished in an instant, even causing the ground to warp.
"Fiery Flame True Intent."
Lin Aotian put down his wine cup and silently exhaled.
Fiery Flame True Intent was only one word different from True Flame Intent but was vastly different in their levels. Despite this, Fiery Flame True Intent remained a first-class profound intent.
Additionally, this type of intent, when combined with Fierce Fire Divine Skill, was mutually reinforcing and elevating, virtually upgrading both the intent and internal power simultaneously.
Lin Aotian was certain that an ordinary Spiritual-Passage Realm master couldn’t withstand a single attack from Zhang Qiuhua. Even the top Spiritual-Passage Realm master was no match for him.
"I’ve always lacked patience, Brother Shi. Do you still want to fight me?"
Zhang Qiuhua said indifferently.
It was indeed surprising that Shi Xiaole had mastered ten percent of the Wind Intent Realm, but it’s a pity that it was still a notch beneath one percent of the Fiery Flame True Intent.
A ray of green light revolved around Shi Xiaole, oscillating between dense and sparse, gathering and dispersing, flowing right into the fiery red Fiery Flame True Intent.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The ferocious Fiery Flame True Intent was immediately blown about, continually shrinking towards Zhang Qiuhua.
"Wind True Intent, it’s Wind True Intent!"
Many people dropped their cups into the snow without realizing it.
Lin Aotian became momentarily stunned.
The three other major prodigies watching the fight also rapidly changed their expressions.
"The understanding of this child is even higher than Junior Zhang?"
Even the Sect Master of Heavenly Jade Sect, Yu Cheng, was surprised.
Superior intent is truly superior intent - apprehending Wind True Intent was much harder than understanding Fiery Flame True Intent, not to mention, Shi Xiaole seemed to be five or six years younger than Zhang Qiuhua.
"He hid this so deeply?"
Yu Wenxiu’s eyes widened, a fire of irresistible hope ignited within her. If, if Shi Xiaole could defeat Zhang Qiuhua... Of course, grasping Wind True Intent did not represent his actual strength and hence required further observation.
"So that’s why."
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Qiuhua’s face turned cold, like a shooting flame, pierced through the void.
While still in mid-air, a fist-carrying scorching heat directed towards Shi Xiaole appeared. Wherever the fist force reached, snowflakes disappeared, just like an eraser erasing everything in its path.
With light footwork, Shi Xiaole reached a height of fifteen feet, effortlessly avoiding the opponent’s attack.
Crackle!
Crackle! Crackle!
An unbelievable thing happened.
As soon as Shi Xiaole appeared, almost simultaneously, red flames burst out from the void, enclosing and pressing against him, as if they had been waiting there all along.
His body was engulfed by the flames.
But in the next instant, Shi Xiaole and the red flames appeared again at another spot. Due to his extreme speed, he often reappeared before the flames in the previous spot had even vanished.
In the end, all the flames disappeared, and Shi Xiaole stood in the snow, his blue robes dust-free.
"Did he so easily avoid my Blazing Fire Calamity Fist?"
It was well known that those who had comprehended the Wind True Intent would be fast, but Zhang Qiuhua had not expected him to be so fast. If it had been him, there would be no way to dodge the Blazing Fire Calamity Fist—only to resist it with his internal power.
"Raging Sea Fury!"
With a loud roar, Zhang Qiuhua clasped his hands together, lines of sparks scattered and intertwined to form a flame ring that enveloped Shi Xiaole. Amid the majestic flames, Shi Xiaole felt as if he was in a world engulfed by fire, the air itself manifesting into burning iron.
For Shi Xiaole with his flying skill, it would not be difficult to escape from the fire ring. But doing so wasn’t necessary. He had evaded earlier because that method had been fast but now, his opponent obviously wanted to force a confrontation.
Clang.
With a gesture of his hand, a long sword fell from the weapon rack into Shi Xiaole’s hands. As he swung it, the dragon chant resonated throughout the Heavenly Jade Peak.
Fire rings disappeared one by one, splattering and shattering under the green sword aura.
Where they clashed, wind blades sliced across faces, explosive flames burst forth, and snowflakes swirled up dozens of feet in the air, scattering about. Every straying snowflake seemed to possess the power to penetrate gold and stone.
Amongst the snowy dust, Zhang Qiuhua staggered back with a stunned expression.
Shock was written all over the faces of the surrounding crowd.
Impossible! Young Master Flame was forced back with a frontal attack.
"His sword move?"
Zhang Qiuhua, clearer than anyone else, knew that the power behind Shi Xiaole’s recent sword attack was not more powerful than his own. However, Shi Xiaole’s sword move had struck precisely at the weakness in his technique.
"Ten Thousand Volcano!"
Combining one-tenth of his Fiery Flame True Intent and his full-blown Fierce Fire Divine Skill, Zhang Qiuhua transmuted his body into a humanoid volcano. The myriad of raging flames bursting from him swept heaven and earth. The savage power caused the void to let out violent shrieks, as if countless fire beasts were howling.
However.
A bland yet unswerving sword aura emerged from within, piercing through to Zhang Qiuhua’s face. While it was no stronger, it kept him on edge, unable to move forward or retreat.
Clang clang clang...
Indescribable was Shi Xiaole’s swordsmanship—it was not just fast, but had changed within speed, moving elegantly. But it did not appear to be intentionally so.
Each of his moves seemed casual, yet they always hit the most crucial spot, carefree yet naturally accomplishing the goal.
Watching Shi Xiaole wielding his sword skills, the many young swordsmen at the scene felt as though they were soulless—from initial shock, they moved to admiration, and finally, reverence.
They could hardly believe how such a young person could have such a stunning and advanced understanding of the art of the sword.
Compared to him, their proudly-displayed sword techniques were laughably like child’s play.
"Impossible, Flame Flower Demolition!"
Zhang Qiuhua shouted, as a cluster of sparks appeared before him from nowhere and disappeared just as quickly.
The sword light flashed in front of his eyes.
The flowers fell.
Zhang Qiuhua nearly vomited blood, finally realizing the terror of Shi Xiaole.
Not only was his swordsmanship the best seen in his life, but his ability to see through weaknesses and control his techniques was equally terrifying. It seemed as though every action he took was reflected in Shi Xiaole’s heart, leaving nothing secret.
For a moment, Zhang Qiuhua thought he saw a fleeting sharpness in Shi Xiaole’s eyes. That sharpness gave him the illusion of being cut in the heart.
Shi Xiaole had never truly realized how terrifying he was.
In terms of cultivation, True Intent, swordsmanship realm, and even his agility, reaction speed—every aspect—he far surpassed his peers.
Previously, his opponents had been the Jade Fan Scholar and the savage old men, so it had not been obvious. But now, facing a peer, his all-rounded fight superiority was clearly revealed.
Shi Xiaole had already suppressed his strength to be on par with Zhang Qiuhua, without even resorting to the Death Claiming Fifteen Sword, Thirteen Breezes, or even the Spiritual Rhinoceros Finger.
However, even so, Zhang Qiuhua was nearly at his limit.
"Take my last move, Sky Fire Chaotic Fall!"
His face turned to purple, Zhang Qiuhua stepped backward, pushing his second-rate light skill, Fiery Flash to its limit, and thrust both his palms out.
The fiery red Vigorous Air was like rolling magma, red snowflakes lighting up the skyline. This was Zhang Qiuhua’s strongest move, also his last resort.
Shaking his head, Shi Xiaole flicked his left finger, and the power of the Pangu Axe Finger caused magma to churn. With his right hand, he swung his sword, with the sword aura shaped like a dragon, traversing across the gap in the magma.
Swish swish.
While Shi Xiaole stood still, the surging Vigorous Air split apart at his sides, none of it sticking to him. At the same time, Zhang Qiuhua’s bodily True Air was shattered by the sword aura. His face turned pale, and he was forced to retreat about thirty feet before he barely managed to stabilize himself.
"You, you’ve won."
Zhang Qiuhua lifted his head to utter these three words with difficulty.
