Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Full of Spirituality (Please collect, please recommend!)
The blade and halberd collided without any trace of hesitation, sparking a series of sparks.
Zhang Qingfang’s arm muscles swelled abruptly. With a low grunt, the Short-handle Sky Halberd seemed to morph into a faint shadow, slashing toward Shi Xiaole.
This was a visual effect caused by his tremendous strength and speed.
Thump!
Shi Xiaole retreated backward in midair, his right arm sore and numb.
He had to admit that in terms of internal power, not just him, but even Chu Lin, who was at the same stage, was no match for Zhang Qingfang.
Although Zhang Qingfang practiced a third-rate top-notch internal skill, it definitely surpassed the Great Achievement Phase. Coupled with his higher cultivation level, he had been suppressing Shi Xiaole from the very beginning.
"Kid, use your swordsmanship. Your blade skill is nothing special,"
Zhang Qingfang sneered coldly, forcing Shi Xiaole to use his swordsmanship by attacking him with even stronger power from his Short-handle Sky Halberd. With this strike, Zhang Qingfang was confident that Shi Xiaole wouldn’t be able to block it unless he used swordsmanship.
Even if it was swordsmanship, he would slowly dismantle the opponent.
The Short-handle Sky Halberd created a storm, completely blocking Shi Xiaole’s retreat. But within this suffocating storm, a blood-red blade appeared, like a thunderbolt in a drought, cleaving the space cleanly.
Swish.
The storm acted like a thin paper membrane, cut open into a huge gap. The Hundred Battles Blade stood firm against the Short-handle Sky Halberd, preventing it from moving an inch.
Draw Sword Skill!
Blocking the Short-handle Sky Halberd with a single strike was not Shi Xiaole’s desperate struggle. On the contrary, this was just the beginning of his real attack.
Internal power was not Shi Xiaole’s strength, but a variety of attacks were.
Shi Xiaole held the blade in both hands. Like a bursting dam, he unleashed his domineering Battle Blade Skill.
"Do you really think you can stop me with just this blade technique?"
Zhang Qingfang roared, having recovered from the shock of the Draw Sword Skill.
"What about this strike?"
Shi Xiaole held his long blade horizontally, adding an unexpected and seemingly familiar Intent Realm to his unstoppable momentum.
With a clang, Zhang Qingfang initially planned to withstand the blow, but the Hundred Battles Blade unexpectedly made a diagonal cut from the other side, causing his move to falter and blocking his attack.
"Sure enough, it’s the power of the Realm of Intent. This kid’s Intent Realm is quite peculiar,"
Yan Donghua frowned.
Shi Xiaole’s previous sword move was too swift, and the adventurous Intent Realm disappeared as quickly as it appeared. As a result, Yan Donghua and a bunch of others failed to distinguish the difference between the two Intent Realms, mistaking them as the same.
They couldn’t really be blamed for this.
There are thousands of Intent Realms, and it’s challenging to identify them without careful sensing. The only exceptions were completely contrasting Intent Realms, like fire and water or heat and cold.
With the augmentation of the Chaotic Intent Realm, the Battle Blade Skill’s power surprisingly reached the level of a third-rate top-notch technique. For a brief moment, Shi Xiaole pushed Zhang Qingfang back repeatedly.
"I underestimated this brat. His blade skill is good, and he has even grasped a realm of intent. However, to defeat Zhang Qingfang, he’s still a little short,"
Ba Renxiong, the top disciple of the Tyrant Saber Sect, put away his surprised expression, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
As expected, the situation suddenly changed in the next moment.
Zhang Qingfang let out a wild yell, and the Short-handle Sky Halberd in his hand suddenly burst into a fiery layer of faint red light. This light was so hot that it distorted the air as it moved through.
This was the third-rate top-notch halberd technique, Fiery Halberd Technique.
This was the signature martial art of the Fiery Fire Sect, and also Zhang Qingfang’s unique skill.
Whoosh!
The fiery power was omnipresent. Following the swing of the Short-handle Sky Halberd, it surged towards Shi Xiaole from all directions.
The most terrifying thing was that every collision would result in an explosive hot airflow invading Shi Xiaole’s body, attempting to damage his meridians.
With the first stage of Qi Absorption cultivation, a third-rate top-level internal power beyond the Great Achievement, combined with the Fiery Halberd Technique and stable mind, Zhang Qingfang displayed strength enough to defeat most of the second-tier prodigies.
The Battle Blade Skill gradually became useless, and Shi Xiaole was firmly suppressed at the disadvantage. Moreover, under the intensive attack, he couldn’t even change his blade technique to swordsmanship.
It seemed that he would surely lose within ten more moves.
"I’ve said it before, this kid is no match for Zhang Qingfang. Junior brother, do you believe it now?"
The chief disciple of the Silver Spear Sect turned to Wang Yangming, smiling confidently.
Wang Yangming also smiled, but said nothing.
Reaching this point was already quite an accomplishment for Shi Xiaole, considering he was only fifteen. However, Wang Yangming still felt a sense of regret for not having witnessed a miracle.
"It’s quite impressive that Brother Shi could push Zhang Qingfang to use his unique skill,"
Zhu Qian, the top disciple of the Light Sword Sect, also remarked while shaking his fan leisureily.
Lan Ning seemed not to hear his words, just staring at the field in a daze.
"With our senior brother in action, it’s definitely different. We’re sure to win this fight."
The disciples of the Fiery Fire Sect were the happiest of all. Tao Ding being defeated in one move earlier was indeed frustrating. Now, they could finally hold their heads high.
"Tao Ding, don’t be discouraged. I believe that when you reach Qingfang’s age, your strength will not be weaker than his,"
Yan Donghua was in a good mood. He turned to comfort Tao Ding. Tao Ding nodded, thinking, ’One day, I will definitely crush Shi Xiaole under my foot to avenge today’s humiliation.’
Whoosh!
The showdown had reached its final moments. Zhang Qingfang seemed to lose his patience to continue. With a sweep of his short-handle Sky Halberd, a flaming halo of fire from the Transformation Phase erupted, instantly encircling Shi Xiaole.
The members of the Huajian Sect had already stood up.
Amid exclamations echoing in the arena, Shi Xiaole took a step and his body shot upwards on the spot, barely avoiding a dangerous attack.
"Still stubbornly resisting a futile situation, unfortunately, I don’t have time to play with you. Raging Inferno!"
Having fought a few dozen moves with a youngster at the seventh level of Hidden Qi was a disgrace to Zhang Qingfang, so he resorted to his killer move without hesitation at this moment.
The move, Raging Inferno, was the strongest technique within the Fiery Halberd Technique.
Once executed, it would engulf everything within a one-foot-radius with searing flames, burning grass and insects to ashes and inflicting severe harm on human bodies.
With this move, Zhang Qingfang had even inflicted serious injuries on a second-level Qi-absorbing opponent.
"He has used his killer move?"
Shi Xiaole’s eyes showed a hint of grave concern, but he wasn’t panicking like people had expected.
Just as he was about to be consumed by the raging fire, Shi Xiaole, still suspended in mid-air, gave another push against thin air. Astonishingly, he rose another half a zhang, escaping the range of the fiery attack.
Loud cheers of admiration rose spontaneously from the audience.
"Where did our junior brother learn this flying skill?"
Xiao Yuanbo asked, at a total loss. Both Yuan Qiuwei and Mao Wenjing were also left stunned.
The three looked towards Yu Fangge, who cast them a helpless smile. "Why are you looking at me? I don’t even possess such a skill."
Flying skills and mind methods were always a rare find.
The value of a third-rate, low-grade flying skill was equivalent to a third-rate, intermediate-grade Martial Art technique.
The Golden Goose skill was rated third-rate, high grade in the system, not as valuable as a second-rate, low-grade martial technique, but far more precious than ordinary third-rate, high-grade martial techniques.
Therefore, as soon as Shi Xiaole performed it, it instantly caused quite a shock and amazed many.
"He actually has this kind of secret skill, no wonder he dared to fight Zhang Qingfang."
Yue Xunxian and Liu Mengse, two of the Four Outstanding Youths, also glanced in Shi Xiaole’s direction. This was the first time since the competition started that someone had attracted their attention.
"Even if his flying skill is outstanding, hiding and dodging are against the great path."
Zhang Qingfang lunged upwards, taking advantage of Shi Xiaole’s ascending peak point, and launched another Raging Inferno technique.
No matter how formidable the flying skill, there would still be a moment when one runs out of breath and begins to weaken, a stage known as the decline after the peak. Shi Xiaole was at this stage.
One could not deny Zhang Qingfang’s ability to seize opportunities and his approach were indeed solid.
However, he still underestimated the potency of the Golden Goose Skill.
High in the air, Shi Xiaole moved forward in defiance of the end of his breath, taking five continuous steps in the air before falling to the ground.
When Shi Xiaole was at his peak condition, he could take thirty-seven steps in the air. Now, driven by the last breath, he could only move five steps. Yet, it was enough for him to dodge the flames.
And it wasn’t over yet.
Zhang Qingfang, after executing Raging Inferno, was also at a stage where the old power had been exhausted but new power had not yet arisen.
The only difference was, Shi Xiaole’s internal skill practice was a second-rate low-grade method: Fuyang Qi Skill, his speed of internal power rotation was inherently faster than Zhang Qingfang’s.
Almost after the blink of an eye, Shi Xiaole made his move - a furious slash downward with his blood red illuminated blade, roaring down like thunder from a clear sky, unstoppable.
Boom!
Upon receiving this heavy blow, Zhang Qingfang staggered back. Before he could gather his Qi, Shi Xiaole’s follow-up attacks arrived, not with a blade this time, but with a faster sword.
Taiyue Three Green Peaks.
Clang, clang, clang.
Zhang Qingfang was brimming with internal power, but he didn’t even have time to wield it all. His strength had hit rock bottom. The first sword had already wounded his wrist. The second strike had sent his short-handle Sky Halberd flying.
By the third attack, Shi Xiaole’s Qingfeng sword tip was at his throat.
"You’ve lost."
Shi Xiaole spoke.
"I’ve lost?"
Zhang Qingfang was still incredulous at this moment, unable to believe what had happened.
Not only him, most people on-site hadn’t processed what happened. The situation was clearly dominated by Zhang Qingfang; no one had expected the tables to turn in such a sudden fashion.
"While Xiaole’s strength may not necessarily be stronger than Zhang Qingfang’s, he has a knack for seizing opportunities and creating advantageous situations for himself. This youngster is not to be underestimated."
Sitting at the main seat, Yue Changzheng voiced his views, making many Sect Masters nod in agreement.
Indeed, if they were to compare strength alone, Shi Xiaole had no advantage over Zhang Qingfang at all.
However, his strength lay in his ability to seize control and adapt to changing circumstances.
When on the backfoot, he would resist with his stunning blade techniques. The moment he saw an opportunity to victory, he immediately swapped to a swift sword technique, never giving Zhang Qingfang the slightest opportunity.
Such a person could always unleash more than their full strength, making them absolutely hard to deal with.
From this perspective, Zhang Qingfang’s loss to Shi Xiaole was both undeserving and deserving.
"He actually won, that’s interesting. Pity without real power, any move is just a trick. Beating Zhang Qingfang is perhaps his limit."
Xiong Ni, the senior disciple from the Dry Land Sect showed a hint of surprise but then laughed nonchalantly.
