Chapter 768: Chapter 767: Three Swords
From the beginning, Shi Xiaole did not consider starting the challenge from the first-level platform. For him, it was a waste of time and energy.
If the Sword Evaluation Contest was a measure of true power, perhaps Shi Xiaole wouldn’t have an advantage, even struggling on the second-level platform. However, when it came to power at the same rank, it wasn’t him being conceited - he truly didn’t fear many.
In fact, if it weren’t that he had to first pass the Earth-level platform before challenging the star-level platform, as a way to express respect to those seven unmatched swordsmen, Shi Xiaole wouldn’t even want to waste that bit of time.
It wasn’t arrogance. It was unnecessary.
A chilly aura suddenly erupted from the corner of the pavilion, and then faded in an instant.
Many people saw Ding Xuefu’s face, beautiful like centuries of frost. The glint in her eyes, enough to freeze the air itself.
Just when she thought he would challenge her, he walked towards the Earth-level platform, a complete disregard.
"He’s challenging me?"
Xiao Lingyun was also surprisingly startled, a smile filled with indeterminable meaning spilling across his face.
From his point of view, Liu Xuantong was arrogant enough for challenging Zhuge Xuan, but someone always surpassed someone else - Shi Xiaole was even more audacious.
However, audacity required substance. He hoped the challenger wouldn’t step down the stage in disgrace like Liu Xuantong.
"The Kirin has achieved great results in the past, and he looks so confident. Does he perhaps have some certainty?"
"We’ll know if we watch."
Had it been someone else, the impatient young spectators would’ve made their comments by now. However, considering Shi Xiaole’s battle record all along, even those who disliked him couldn’t deny his talent, cursing him to fail sooner at most in their hearts.
On the platform.
As the Array System light and shadow of Xiao Lingyun emerged, smoke filled the surrounding, blocking perception. This was the aura of the Cloud Sword Way, simulated by the Array System.
Without any further discussion, Shi Xiaole attacked with a single sword strike. The array’s light and shadow had only battle instincts, without sentient intelligence, so if you didn’t strike, neither would it.
"Such a quick sword!"
As soon as Shi Xiaole made his move, many Sword Kings’ eyes lit up.
Although the opponent’s cultivation had been restricted to the Dragon Gate Realm’s peak, the speed of that sword was nearly as fast as that of the weakest Swordsman of Divine Barrier Realm.
Of course, everyone was just surprised for a moment.
Being suppressed in cultivation didn’t mean swordsmanship and martial arts were suppressed. Others could achieve the same, even far surpass it under the same circumstances.
The Red Departure Sword was half thrust into the smoke. As the smoke dissipated, Xiao Lingyun’s Array System light and shadow appeared on the left side, with a long-prepared sword thrust aimed at Shi Xiaole.
At the same time, from the right side, rear side, and even above, three Sword Qi appeared, striking various critical points of Shi Xiaole.
Xiao Lingyun in the pavilion chuckled.
The Array System on the platform could only retain combat power and martial skills. The move ’Cloud Spread Four Swords’, although not a top-class magic technique, could restrain swordsmen relying on speed and technique. The more the opponent resisted, the more variations would occur.
As if to verify Xiao Lingyun’s thoughts, when Shi Xiaole struck a flaw in the sword move, four Array System light and shadows suddenly formed a circle, transforming into sixteen cloudy Sword Qi.
In the eyes of everyone below the platform, unless relying on absolute strength, it would be extremely difficult to break this move. However, this shouldn’t be too difficult for Kirin, who is known for his techniques. It might just take a little more effort.
Before the thought could completely form, the situation on the stage suddenly changed.
Shi Xiaole twisted his right arm and the Red Departure Sword shot out from under it, its speed dramatically increasing by more than a half. Extreme speed brought about extreme destructive power.
Swish!
At the same time a Array System light shadow was shattered, Shi Xiaole spun around, his sword tracing a circle along his motion. With three plops, the smoke dissipated.
Just as an Array System light shadow appeared across from him, Shi Xiaole’s third sword strike was already there, no, it was even faster.
Sword Qi swept across. Shi Xiaole sheathed his sword.
What technique? All there was swiftness, the speed of a sword cutting through a tangled mess.
From early on, Shi Xiaole understood one thing; technique existed in service of victory, and it was not the only weapon. To obsess over technique was a profound mistake for a swordsman.
Besides, the current Shi Xiaole no longer had any opponents who deserved his use of technique. Would an adult need to use technique when fighting a child? A complete joke.
His three sword strokes had defeated Xiao Lingyun’s Array System projections, but Shi Xiaole himself did not feel much of it. However, everyone below the stage was shocked, leaving a brief moment of silence and pairs of eyes wide in disbelief.
"Did I see it wrong, how could he do it so easily?"
"Sure enough, Xiao Lingyun’s displayed sword skills were far from everything he had, but before he could use his most powerful moves, they were demolished by the Kirin."
"It’s impossible, I absolutely do not believe it."
The majority held a favorable view that Shi Xiaole would break the record and become the youngest first-ranked swordsman in the history of the Sword Evaluation convention. A few even thought that he could successfully challenge the Earth-level stage.
However, no one expected it to happen in this manner.
Just three strokes.
It wouldn’t be correct to say he killed in an instant, but it was a one-sided beatdown, the duel ended almost as soon as it started and he had challenged the Earth-level stage, not the second-level stage.
It was known that Xiao Lingyun was among the 38 Earth-level swordsmen who could defeat Zhuge Xuan, even at the sixth level of the Divine Barrier Realm. It was already evident that he was highly talented, but he was defeated like this by Shi Xiaole.
This was simply...
People couldn’t find words to describe.
"His strength?"
Several ladies from the Heavenly Snow Mountain had dumbfounded expressions.
They had expected to watch Shi Xiaole make a fool of himself, but little did they expect not even the Earth-level stage could restrain him. There’s no sign of him having difficulty. Could Sister Ding be a match for the Kirin?
Two of the Heavenly Snow Mountain Elders exchanged glances, their faces filled with doubt.
They had no grudges against the Kirin, but unjustified resentment came from seeing him excel. Seeing the present situation, they felt a baseless agitation.
"Wow, so decisive?"
The lovely young lady who wanted to see the Young Dragon had her lips slightly apart, her beautiful eyes flickering with a moving light.
The refined young man next to her was also inexplicably excited, seeing in Shi Xiaole the true demeanor of a swordsman, inspiring admiration.
"He isn’t that powerful! First, it was only Xiao Lingyun’s Array System projection; second, he obviously suppressed the power of the projection, which hadn’t been fully exerted, with absolute strength. It’s somehow cunning."
As much as some admired Shi Xiaole, others were skeptical. The young man from the Tang family with a gloomy demeanor glanced at Tang Mei and calmly analyzed.
"You have a point, but winning is winning. The three strokes he just used were indeed extraordinary."
Tang Mei had modest martial skills, but as a member of the Tang Sect, she boasted of keen observation. Truth be told, she had not seen such swordsmanship from any other swordsman in the Dragon Gate Realm.
The Kirin was deemed invincible while he was in the Dragon Gate Realm, and he had now obviously advanced further.
Of course, he was remarkable indeed, but if it were her facing Shi Xiaole’s just-revealed strength, she could come up with at least ten ways to slay him.
The elders of the Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain were taken aback for a moment, but quickly regained their composure and looked at Shi Xiaole, "Congratulations Young Hero Shi, on becoming the thirty-ninth Earth-level swordsman."
Shi Xiaole returned the formal greeting, considering whether he would challenge the star level stage, when suddenly a figure stood up - it was Xiao Lingyun himself.
If there was anyone in the room feeling the worst, it had to be Xiao Lingyun.
He would bet that as soon as today’s news spread in the Martial World, he would undoubtedly become a mere backdrop. Xiao Lingyun couldn’t tolerate this; he had to do something.
"Young Hero Shi’s swordsmanship is extraordinary, truly admirable. I feel an itch to compete, I wonder if Young Hero would indulge me in some sparring to confirm my understandings?"
