Chapter 481: Chapter 480: Swordman in the Storybook
"Kid, I am going to make you regret it."
Xiahou Liang had boasted so confidently earlier, only to be beaten back a hundred steps in the blink of an eye. His face darkened, his embarrassment fueling his rage.
However, he also knew that the opponent in front of him was not simple, so he focused all his attention and prepared to go all out. Whatever happens, he could not lose to a country bumpkin from Qingxue State.
His right hand grasped the hilt of the sword, and Xiahou Liang moved his feet together, circling around Shi Xiaole, advancing and retreating unpredictably, trying to find his flaws.
However, after some time, Xiahou Liang was horrified to discover that Shi Xiaole, who was just standing casually in his line of sight, had no weaknesses at all!
Or rather, with his level of skill, he could not find the other’s flaws.
"No flaws? Well, let me create one for you."
His face stiffened, Xiahou Liang leaped into the air, his body twisting and swaying like a shadow under the sun, making it impossible to determine his real position. At one point, a flash of his sword headed straight for Shi Xiaole’s head.
What Xiahou Liang comprehends is the Shadow True Intent.
Strictly speaking, Shadow True Intent belongs to the Shadow’s True Intent. However, it is more specific and emphasizes changes in darkness. It’s at its most powerful when used in the dark, like a fish in water.
Many people didn’t see it clearly when a bundle of Sword Qi erupted to resist Xiahou Liang’s sword.
"Eclipse Devourer."
With a move of his arm, Xiahou Liang’s body seemed like a shadow, avoiding Shi Xiaole’s Hidden Edge Sword. His sword tip traced a path in mid-air, emitting a dark light that seemed capable of obscuring both the sun and the moon.
The two were within three feet of each other, and the situation suddenly changed. Many people felt their thoughts lagging, understanding that they would indeed be injured under such a swift sword.
"Impressive!"
Fan Donglai’s eyes widened.
He realizes he had underestimated Xiahou Liang. Compared to his fight with Ai Wenhong, Xiahou Liang’s sword was significantly faster and more unpredictable.
What was more terrifying was the timing of his attack, capturing an unanticipated moment.
There were two clashes.
Accompanied by two flashes, Shi Xiaole swung his left arm, slicing through the dark Sword Qi. No matter how the Sword Qi changes, as long as he grasped its beginning and end, it won’t escape his counter
All this took longer to describe than to happen. In reality, before Fan Donglai could finish his words of praise, Shi Xiaole and Xiahou Liang had already passed by each other, exchanging sixteen moves.
Whoosh!
A night wind blew, and suddenly Xiahou Liang felt a chill. When he looked down, he found sixteen sword marks of the same length on his clothes, which he didn’t know when they appeared.
Under the continuous wind, his grand clothes flew out like rags, exposing his entire upper body.
Earlier, Xiahou Liang had used the same method to humiliate Ai Wenhong, but now, Shi Xiaole was returning the favor in the exact same way.
"Ah..."
Some young girls blushed and hurriedly covered their faces with their hands.
The men, on the other hand, were all shocked.
They were not shocked by how fast Shi Xiaole’s sword was. In fact, Shi Xiaole’s sword speed was not quick, but it was precisely because it was unhurried that it seemed incredible.
This implies that his sense of rhythm and his grasp of timing had reached an awe-inspiring level of mastery.
Defeating speed with quickness was nothing unusual, but overturning speed with slowness was the real wonder. Without a light touch, without honed technique, anyone who attempts it will court death.
Not to mention, the person being tested on was Xiahou Liang, who could rank first or second among the ten most powerful states.
"Brother Shi’s strength..."
Yu Meiren’s cherry lips slightly parted.
Compared with half a year ago, aside from his cultivation level progressing to the second level of the Dragon Gate Realm, Shi Xiaole hadn’t made any significant progress in other areas. So why does it feel like his strength has greatly surged?
She even doubted that if the Shi Xiaole from half a year ago were to compete with the current him, under the same conditions, the latter would triumph effortlessly.
Of course, Yu Meiren had no way of knowing that thanks to the ’care’ from Bai Xueying and Zi Xiangbo, the mental power that Shi Xiaole could use had greatly increased, which led to a new level of observational and control ability.
With the same level of strength, Shi Xiaole from half a year ago could exert 110% of his power, but now he could put forth 120%, 130%. That was the difference!
"This bastard dared to humiliate someone from the Xiahou Family, I won’t let him off!"
On the ship where the Xiahou Family members were, a young man with a square face smashed the table. The others also wore furious expressions, wishing they could slice Shi Xiaole into a thousand pieces.
It was always the Xiahou Family who humiliated others, when did it become their turn to be humiliated?
"This time, I have made a good friend."
Unlike the reaction of the Xiahou Family, Ai Wenqian chuckled unwittingly.
She believed that Shi Xiaole must have known that what he did could possibly invite big trouble, but he did it anyway, just to help his friend.
This move may seem impulsive, but doesn’t it also reflect someone’s pure heart? Looking at the dashing figure in blue robe in the field, Ai Wenqian understood that he is a true swordsman, and also a pure person.
"I’m going to make you pay, Shadow Devours the Sky!"
His face turning red, Xiahou Liang’s body moved back strangely, and then suddenly turned around, his circular Sword Qi was like ink spreading on black paper, turning the night darker.
This was one of the best low-ranking sword techniques in the Xiahou Family, the ultimate skills in the Dark Consumption Sword Technique.
"Three flaws."
Still with his left hand, Shi Xiaole wielded his long sword, tapping thrice, the dragon chant echoing in the ears. It was the long-unused Heavenly Dragon Seventeen Types.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Though the power of the hidden sword technique far surpassed the Heavenly Dragon Seventeen Types, it depended on who used it. The black sword light hadn’t even fully erupted with its might before it was intercepted by the three bursts of dragon sword Qi.
What followed was like a buildup of floodwaters suddenly being diverted. Countless rushes of energy erupted wildly, causing a misty explosion all around, but none of it reached Shi Xiaole.
Within this mist, Shi Xiaole was like a green cloud, striking Xiahou Liang’s sword blade with one of his own. The latter was sent flying backward, his silhouette elongating in the void.
"That strike, was it intentionally off target?"
Many people were left frowning.
Given the sword techniques Shi Xiaole had previously demonstrated, he could have hit Xiahou Liang in any way. There was no logical reason for the latter to have blocked it. Had Shi Xiaole perhaps become reluctant?
"Damn it!"
Xiahou Liang shouted, his surprise turning into horror.
In an instant, a burst of sword Qi followed along his curved sword, entering his body from an odd angle, breaking some barrier, and causing his true strength to explode, no longer able to be concealed.
Third level of the Dragon Gate Realm.
So Xiahou Liang wasn’t at the second level, but the third level of the Dragon Gate Realm!
Shi Xiaole’s strike was indeed intentional, not out of fear, but to expose the other side’s disguise.
"Brother Shi, I understand now."
It was only at this point that Ai Wenhong understood why Shi Xiaole initially said Xiahou Liang’s victory was dishonorable. The opponent was clearly at the third level of the Dragon Gate Realm but disguised himself as the second level.
No wonder he always felt that opposing him, Xiahou Liang’s Vigorous Air, was unusually strong.
Take note, this kind of disguise is different from suppression.
Suppression means the Vigorous Air has totally dropped by one level. But a disguise just changes the Qi, the actual power of the Vigorous Air remains unchanged, only those engaged in close combat could sense it.
In other words, Xiahou Liang was fighting Ai Wenhong from the very beginning using his third level of Dragon Gate Realm.
"I’ve heard that the Xiahou Family possesses a technique to alter their Qi and deceive people with a different level of strength, and today I’ve experienced it."
Someone sneered, their voice echoing through Immortal Gorge.
"Who dares?"
The Xiahou Clan members were enraged, but once they realized the voice came from the direction of Yu Wen Cang’s boat, every one of them fell silent.
Yu Wen Cang doesn’t only have superior strength among his peers, the power of his family is also no less than the Xiahou Family; he isn’t someone who could be casually disrespected.
"Mr. Shi, you’re good!"
Seeing his disguise was uncovered, Xiahou Liang was so angry his hair stood on end. After holding it for a long time, he spat out this sentence. Unmasking someone’s facade was embarrassing and Shi Xiaole has now made it onto his must-kill list.
Without saying anything, Shi Xiaole’s gaze shot two strands of spiritual fluctuations into Xiahou Liang’s mind.
The second transformation of Life and Death Four Transformations, Selfless Heart Transformation.
His hatred disappearing like melting snow, Xiahou Liang snorted and flew back to the boat.
"Cousin, this guy is too arrogant, he dares to disrespect our Xiahou Family. After the end of the Immortal Gathering, we can send an expert to..."
A young man from the Xiahou Family made a head-cutting gesture.
"No need for that! Today, I just wasn’t skilled enough, there’s no one else to blame. Once I make greater progress in my martial arts, I can exact my own revenge."
Xiahou Liang abruptly refused.
Hearing this, all of the youngsters from the Xiahou Family, including the square-faced young man, were stunned, doubting if their ears were playing tricks on them.
Is this still the same Xiahou Liang that retaliates at the slightest provocation and does not stop until he gets his way? Could it be that his defeat lost him not just the match but also changed his temper?
"Was it an illusion?"
Yu Wen Cang looked at the figure in the distance, he seemed to have detected a familiar fluctuation just now, exactly the same as the one he felt on the street that night.
Thankfully, he wasn’t aware of Xiahou Liang’s reaction afterward, otherwise he would surely be certain.
"This Shi Xiaole, what terrifying strength. With the second level of Dragon Gate Realm, he was able to suppress Xiahou Liang, who is at the third level, from the beginning to end."
"He is undoubtedly an excellent genius, a top-notch swordsman. Apart from the Four Seas Retribution God, there probably isn’t another rival for him in the remaining three hundred and sixty-four states."
In just one battle, the impression Shi Xiaole left on everyone was extremely deep.
His sharp eye for detail, precise control, nonchalant temperament, and a merciless method of not taking action until it’s necessary and ensuring it hits its mark every time.
You could say that today, Shi Xiaole has shown everyone a swordsman’s style that only exists in the tales of the martial world; no, it’s even more comprehensive than those stories, giving people an unreal, dreamlike feeling.
"I wonder how he would fare against the young swordsmen from Xuanwu State?"
"It’s said that half a year ago, Shi Xiaole managed to defeat Shen Wumei. However, it turned out Shen Wumei’s title was misleading, at least looking at his performance over the past six months, there are at least four or five swordsmen in Xuanwu State that are far superior. Not counting Li Zifeng, Shi Xiaole may well compete for the top three swordsman positions."
"I’m suddenly very excited, I want to see who among them is stronger."
Shi Xiaole had, like a fuse, taken the atmosphere of the Linjiang Immortal Gathering, which was originally lukewarm, to a small climax.
