Chapter 489: Chapter 488: Beat Back (Please give a monthly ticket)
"You don’t seem nervous at all?"
Yu Wen Cang stood steadfastly, like a mountain that simply can’t be climbed over. The space where the Glazed Fairy Platform was located felt crowded because of his presence.
Some people can suppress everything around them, even without actively displaying their aura.
Yu Wen Cang was such a person. His aura had long been integrated into his every movement, immersed in his countless, undoubtable victories.
Without even making a move, he already knew he would win!
Dressed in green, hair fringe stroking his cheeks, Shi Xiaole embodied a floating elegance. Yet within that elegance, there was a sharpness, a unique sharpness that only swordsman possessed, distinctly different from Yu Wen Cang’s haughty demeanor.
"Why should I be nervous?"
Shi Xiaole responded indifferently.
Yu Wen Cang nodded and chuckled, "I’m glad you aren’t. Because defeating you would make me feel as disgusted as eating a fly, otherwise."
At Yu Wen Cang’s level, what mattered wasn’t whether the opponent was strong enough, but whether they weren’t strong enough. Only a powerful opponent wouldn’t disappoint him.
Boom!
With a step forward, the Glazed Fairy Platform remained still, but everyone felt an earth-shaking tremor. The void seemed to shake because of this imposing man.
"Overbearing True Intent!"
Feeling the domineering energy emanating from afar, Li Zifeng sighed softly.
The Overbearing True Intent, one of the top True Intents, doesn’t have direct destructive power. However, it can invade an opponent’s spirit while amplifying one’s attack power. Moreover, the power of the Overbearing True Intent increases with every victory.
Because it concerns with the bearers’ heart, an unbeatable heart could sweep away all obstacles with True Intent!
During the last Linjiang Immortal Assembly, Yu Wen Cang’s Overbearing True Intent was only at ten percent. But now, it has shockingly reached thirty percent. Just one glance is enough to make everyone feel stifled, losing their will to fight, as if facing a towering overlord.
"How is this possible?!"
Even Tong Baizhan was shocked.
He didn’t doubt, if it was him on the stage, the mere effect of this True Intent would consume a lot of his energy. How could he resist Yu Wen Cang’s real attack with the remaining energy?
This was a true top-tier genius.
"That oppressive aura again..."
Hua Yun Chang had a complicated expression.
Two years ago, she challenged Yu Wen Cang. He used the same True Intent, which defeated her directly without even allowing her to draw her sword.
Compared with that time, Yu Wen Cang’s aura has grown even stronger. Hua Yun Chang had to admit with a sense of frustration that she still wouldn’t be able to block his punch.
Previously, many people were impressed by Shi Xiaole’s swordsmanship. But seeing Yu Wen Cang’s move, they realized how big the gap between them was.
Even if a sword can cut through iron, how can it resist a collapsing mountain?
Yu Wen Cang’s fist was within an inch of Shi Xiaole. It appeared to be an ordinary punch. However, the aura supplementing the punch, the Overbearing True Intent at thirty percent, was extraordinary and filled Shi Xiaole’s field of vision.
Ninety-nine percent of the young elites present felt a chill running down their spine. They realized they couldn’t even block Yu Wen Cang’s punch.
Clang!
Shi Xiaole didn’t draw his sword, nor did he retreat. It was as if he was frightened by the punch, rooted to the spot. Only when the punch was three inches away from his face, did he finally moved, thrusting out his finger in a straight line.
"Combating my ordinary punch with an ordinary move?"
Yu Wen Cang was astonished, and then he burst into laughter. Did his opponent consider him an equal? His punch increased in power as it struck Shi Xiaole’s finger.
However, at the next moment.
With a hiss.
Shi Xiaole’s finger didn’t shatter as everyone expected; there was not even a scratch. The tip of the finger touched the fist, producing a piercing clash similar to metal hitting metal. Both of their bodies slightly shuddered.
"What, he blocked it just like that?"
"Impossible, Yu Wen Cang’s punch has a hidden power. He must be injured but doesn’t realize it yet."
Before the crowd finished their words, indeed, Yu Wen Cang’s concealed power unrolled like a landslide. The domineering majestic sound was resonating in the hearts of many people, causing them to tremble.
However, at the same time, Shi Xiaole’s fingertip also burst out an unparalleled sharp sword Qi. It was like a cutting machine, causing sparks to explode the moment it touched the punch. Sparks shot out in all directions, engulfing and piercing both of them.
A few people were shocked to find that Yu Wen Cang’s indomitable punch had been split in half, and swept past Shi Xiaole on both sides. Meanwhile, although most of Shi Xiaole’s sword Qi had been countered, a bit of it got through and hit Yu Wen Cang’s body, but was shattered by his protective True Qi.
The result of the first exchange was a draw. Or more accurately, Shi Xiaole had a slight edge!
"How is this possible?"
Liang Shuhao’s mouth dropped open, he stood up from his chair abruptly.
Many others had also rushed onto the deck from the cabin to watch the duel on the Glazed Fairy Platform between the two young masters.
The duel between Li Zifeng and Ai Wenqian could be considered the ultimate duel amongst the young swordsmen in Shuntian Capital. It was breathtaking, but it was so intense that people didn’t dare come close to watch.
The brief exchange between Yu Wen Cang and Shi Xiaole, though grand, had a different style. It stirred people’s blood, making them want to get closer to the fight.
Of course, everyone wasn’t stupid. They had already activated their protective True Qi. Plus, the closest spectator was hundreds of meters away. If they were careful, there would be no danger at all.
"Wind True Intent, and even three percent of it at that. It seems everyone has underestimated you."
Yu Wen Cang spoke one word at a time, and a hint of excitement surfaced on his indifferent face.
What’s the point of an easily obtained victory?
He was delighted that apart from Yu Zhao, Li Zifeng, and Ai Wenqian, someone else had earned his respect. He just wished his opponent could maintain this for a bit longer, so he wouldn’t be deprived of his enjoyment.
"Did you really treat me as a warm-up opponent?"
Seeing the expression on Yu Wen Cang’s face, Shi Xiaole gave a wry smile. As his smile faded, a flash of sharpness emerged in his dark eyes.
It’s fine; the challenge was rare. So he simply decided to test the limits of his strength.
"Fist of the Floating Monastery!"
With a forceful clench of his right hand, Yu Wen Cang threw the second punch without hesitation. His powerful fist almost filled the two hundred meter radius of the Glazed Fairy Platform.
Shi Xiaole, with two fingers joined together in his left hand, cut through the force.
However, he quickly discovered that the aftershocks of the punch did not dissipate, but rather, swiftly compressed towards him through the gap his Sword Qi had opened.
"Fool, doesn’t everyone know how exquisite Yu Wen Cang’s Three Floating Monastery Fists are? The First Fist doesn’t waste any energy. The moment you find a gap, it will suture the crack endlessly."
There was a chuckle from the dozen disciples on the Xiahou Clan’s ship. If anyone hoped to see Shi Xiaole defeated more than anyone else, it was them.
Getting close to the Ai Family, and publicly humiliating Xiahou Liang --- either reason was enough to make him a thorn in the Xiahou Family’s side.
"A new application of Overbearing True Intent?"
Li Zifeng had already stopped recuperating.
How could he not see that Yu Wen Cang’s move was far from just endless. Each strand of his punch was clearly mixed with Overbearing True Intent, making it even stronger.
Being able to split True Intent to such a minute degree was a testament to the measure of his opponent’s mastery!
"Such a clever move."
After several attempts to break the move failed, Shi Xiaole gave a slight smile.
Yu Wen Cang’s First Fist of the Floating Monastery bore a striking resemblance to Hua Yunshang’s Cloud Shrouding Mist technique, although the latter was more refined. After all, one was the extraordinary technique of the Clear Water Sect, while the other was a unique skill created by Yu Wen Cang himself. Even a genius like him couldn’t surpass the accumulation of a major sect.
Keeping his left hand still, Shi Xiaole finally let his right hand loose.
This was the first time during the Linjiang Fair that he had used his right hand. It still pointed like a sword.
Hiss Hiss Hiss...
Countless strands of turquoise sword silk spread out, reminiscent of the weaving silk of celestial silkworms, wielding the swiftness of the wind and the sharpness of a sword, glaring in all directions.
The punch was endless and the sword silk covered the sky. What surprised Li Zifeng, Ai Wenqian, and even Yu Zhao was that each strand of sword silk seemed to stand independently, yet they clearly influenced each other. Moving one would set off the others, like the wind in the world, continuous and unbreakable.
From this standpoint, Shi Xiaole’s use of Wind True Intent was not inferior to Yu Wen Cang’s Overbearing True Intent. On the contrary, it surpassed it, as it hinted at a deeper understanding of wind.
"Is, is..."
Everyone was astounded and incredulous to see Fist of the Floating Monastery easily broken.
Being able to break Yu Wen Cang’s move was enough to claim dominance among their peers; defeating it effortlessly, just how many shocking skills was Shi Xiaole still hiding?!
The three top geniuses appeared with an air of superiority, making them seemingly unapproachable.
Ai Wenqian, too, had shown her thunderous skills from the very beginning, while Shi Xiaole, silent and progressively increasing his strength. Thus, when he clashed with Yu Wen Cang, everyone felt an intense discomfort. They felt deceived.
"Excellent, very good, Blood Sea Floating Slaughter!"
Laughing wildly, Yu Wen Cang moved. His feet stepped out as though the earth shrank beneath him, and within moments he receded tens of meters backward. With the thick and majestic Overbearing True Intent, Yu Wen Cang’s fist coagulated into a dense punch, aiming directly at Shi Xiaole.
Boom!
Before the punch could reach him, the Linjiang River behind Shi Xiaole exploded into a massive wave.
"Let’s see if you can take my sword."
Being passive was not Shi Xiaole’s style. His right thumb gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist, and swinging the sword horizontally, the blade shot out first, surpassing the punch and heading straight towards Yu Wen Cang’s exposed opening.
This is where Shi Xiaole’s utilization of Wind True Intent’s speed was at its extreme.
Clang!
Sparks flew like a sickle, and a figure moved quickly to and fro, retreating non-stop. With both hands in front of him, he narrowly blocked the sharp sword.
It was Yu Wen Cang.
"My god, what did I just see? Was Yu Wen Cang repelled?"
"Somebody tell me this is not real."
There was a chorus of gasps on the riverbank. Everyone acted as if they had witnessed an inconceivable anomaly, their eyes wide and stunned.
It was only at this moment that the massive wave exploded into a mist, and slowly descended.
Within the mist, Shi Xiaole held his sword in his right hand, his robe smooth as jade, looking like a character straight out of a painting.
