Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Divine Wind Sword (Please Collect, Please Recommend!)
"This Shi fellow, he sure is lucky."
The battle taking place in the open field was reflected perfectly in a loft far away. Xu Nianxue was leaning against the window, discontentedly pouting her cherry lips.
"This Young Master Shi is truly clever, he knows how to seize the opportunity in battle."
Unlike Xu Nianxue, the girl in yellow, Wang Zuying, expressed her full admiration for Shi Xiaole.
Having trailed him previously, her understanding of Shi Xiaole was far more profound than others. But precisely because of this, she felt as if she was trying to discern flowers shrouded in fog.
How should she put it, this Shi Xiaole, still young in age, acted with more maturity than most and seemingly lacked the fiery passion of youth.
Or perhaps it should be said that such passion was hidden deep within him.
Just like a newly forged sword that should undergo a period of sharpening before concealing its edge, Shi Xiaole seemed to have skipped this phase altogether.
In summary, Wang Zuying had seldom encountered such an interesting individual.
"What’s the use of seizing opportunities? Isn’t his ultimate move just some ’Thin Line of Life’? Hmph, if he were to fight against the likes of Zuo Feiyang, he’d be undoubtedly beaten."
Xu Nianxue laughed coldly, unable to tolerate any praise of Shi Xiaole.
Wang Zuying said, "Those like Zuo Feiyang hold themselves in high esteem and wouldn’t deign to fight Shi Xiaole."
"That’s not necessarily true. Senior Sister, have you forgotten that Yue Xunxian promised me he would give that boy a good lesson?"
Hearing Xu Nianxue’s words, Wang Zuying could only shake her head with a wry smile.
The worst thing Shi Xiaole could have done was to offend the proud junior sister before him. The troubles ahead would likely give him a hard time.
With his shocking victory over ’Javelin Lunatic’ Zhang Qingfang, Shi Xiaole had become an overnight sensation and was the focus of the audience’s discussions.
In fact, even the previously illustrious ’Lonely Merganser Soaring in the Clouds’ Jiang Qingzhou had lost the limelight. As for ’Wind-capturing Hand’ Tao Ding, he was even more out of the question.
Countless pairs of eyes were directed at Shi Xiaole. There was the admiring and envious gaze of the boys, the faint hostility, and the girls’ looks of adoration.
From both men’s and women’s perspectives, Shi Xiaole’s appearance is first-class. Coupled with his straightforward personality, extraordinary talent, he is indeed the standard young hero character in martial world stories, with a boundless future.
"Little junior brother, you sure made us worry needlessly."
Upon returning to the seats of the Huajian Sect, Xiao Yuanbo directed a punch at Shi Xiaole’s shoulder.
"Little junior brother, this time you will certainly become famous in Cloud Triangle. If someone challenges you afterwards, there’s no need for you to casually accept."
Yuan Qiuwei spoke meaningfully.
Shi Xiaole’s victory over Zhang Qingfang did indeed contain elements of luck, but he won nonetheless. If someone challenged him afterwards, either they were incredibly strong, or they wanted to make a name for themselves through Shi Xiaole.
Both options were better avoided.
Shi Xiaole clearly understood Yuan Qiuwei’s intentions and the goodwill behind them. He smiled and responded, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for the reminder. I’ll be careful."
Yu Fangge nodded approvingly on the side.
No matter what, Shi Xiaole was sufficiently humble. Regardless of his inner thoughts, at least externally, he showed a lot of respect for his senior brothers and sisters who were inferior in strength.
"Master, I have failed your expectations."
On the other side, Zhang Qingfang returned to his seat, looking lost.
Yan Donghua said, "No need for further words. Since you failed, you should learn from this experience. Hmm! That Shi lad is quite cunning; I underestimated him."
Zhang Qingfang clenched his fists.
Having been defeated by Shi Xiaole, he was not convinced and even felt aggrieved. After all, Shi Xiaole won not due to absolute strength. If they fought again, Zhang Qingfang was confident he would not lose again.
"Let’s see how long your moment of triumph lasts."
Zhang Qingfang decided to bide his time. If necessary, he could always challenge him again tomorrow.
Shi Xiaole’s show of power served to fire up a large number of youths who had yet to take the stage. The following battles became even more heated. Everyone wished to exhibit their full strength.
Of course, when considering the value in terms of level, it certainly could not match the battle between Shi Xiaole and Zhang Qingfang.
After all, the strength of the two, both ranking among the top tier of the second level elites, stood far above most ordinary people.
When noon came around, Yue Changzheng announced a temporary halt to the competition. Servants from Astonishing Dragon Castle proceeded to serve a feast of sumptuous food. Everyone then had lunch on the spot.
Half an hour later, the competition resumed.
"Zuo Feiyang, shall we spar?"
Around the right time of Shen, a loud shout drew everyone’s attention. Ba Renxiong stood up from his seat, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Since Brother Ba has made a challenge, how could I refuse?"
Zuo Feiyang laughed heartily.
Both men leaped from the ten-meter-tall corridor in the sky and lightly landed in the open field, standing five feet apart.
In an instant, everyone held their breath.
Even Yue Xunxian and Liu Mengse became somewhat serious.
Zuo Feiyang and his ilk might not be their equals, but they were, begrudgingly, considered competitors. It was not yet a situation where they could be completely ignored.
"Zuo Feiyang, during our last match, there was no clear winner. Today, I plan to defeat you completely with the blade in my hand."
Ba Renxiong, with his red hair and matching warrior’s attire, slowly drew the broad sword from his back.
"My opponent is not you, but Liu Mengse."
Zuo Feiyang replied.
These words only served to enrage Ba Renxiong. His eyes game a fierce glare as he let out a roar and swung his blade straight towards Zuo Feiyang.
With the same level of Qi Absorption, Ba Renxiong’s saber strike immediately revealed the difference between the elites.
If Zhang Qingfang’s halberd technique was like a fierce fire, then Ba Renxiong’s saber technique was filled with unparalleled dominance. Let your fire rage, I will slash it down with a single strike!
Zhang Qingfang’s knuckles turned white with strain.
Even without a direct confrontation, he deeply understood that he was absolutely no match for Ba Renxiong, the "Blood-colored Tyrant Saber".
"Well done."
Zuo Feiyang maintained his smile and moved to block with his sword.
The sword and saber collided, surprisingly without any sparks. It was only after a few moments that a heart-shattering noise disrupted the silence.
Boom!
The suppressed energy finally exploded, blowing the two combatants’ hair straight backwards. Their clothing made ripping noises, as if it would tear apart at any moment.
"Hahaha, Zuo Feiyang, your strength doesn’t match your words."
Ba Renxiong threw back his head and laughed wildly, his saber flashing with a dazzling light. If Shi Xiaole’s sword light could be described as red, then Ba Renxiong’s saber light could only be described as blood.
Blood is a color even redder than red.
"Let me show you my Five Blood Saber Slashes!"
Ba Renxiong swung his saber forward, the saber light cutting through the air and leaving behind a deep and thick blood trail, which took a few moments to gradually fade.
"Who’s afraid of you?"
The light in Zuo Feiyang’s eyes flashed violently, and he swung his long sword rapidly, unleashing seven swords in an instant.
The sound of metal clashes resounded like rain hitting bananas, and then, to everyone’s horror, they discovered that Zuo Feiyang had gained the upper hand.
In the martial world there is a saying: "A strike misnamed never lands gnarly, a title misnamed never rings falsely." Zuo Feiyang is known as the Wind Sword because of his swift and continuous attacks.
Once he strikes, his sword moves are endless and ever-changing, attacking every weakness of his opponent like a violent wind.
Those slightly weaker would crumble in an instant. Even stronger opponents would lose confidence under such an onslaught, thrown into chaos.
In the midst of the ringing of blades, Ba Renxiong’s Blood Saber Slashes were firmly suppressed. Under Zuo Feiyang’s rapid and relentless continuous attacks, he was kept entirely on the defensive.
"Such a fast strike."
Shi Xiaole, like everyone else, was astonished.
"In all the martial arts in the world, only speed is invincible." These eight words perfectly describe the characteristic of Zuo Feiyang’s martial arts.
From Shi Xiaole’s superior perception, in the same amount of time, Ba Renxiong could only strike once, while Zuo Feiyang could make at least three, or even four strikes.
Although each of his swords is not as powerful as Ba Renxiong’s, he made up for it by pressing multiple points of attack. As a result, Ba Renxiong was hardly able to launch an attack, and could only just manage to defend himself.
"To defeat Zuo Feiyang, either strike faster than him or defeat him with a single blow."
Shi Xiaole’s black eyes sparkled as he thought of something that most people wouldn’t dare to imagine.
"Still not admitting defeat?"
In the center of the field, Zuo Feiyang asked in a deep voice.
"Defeat? Heh heh, Zuo Feiyang, you have indeed made astonishing progress. But if you want to defeat me, you’re still far off. Take my Invincible Blood Saber Slash!"
The disoriented Ba Renxiong suddenly retracted his step, and swung his blood saber from bottom to top, releasing all of the previously accumulated momentum.
A red beam of light, like a morning glow in the sky, spurted out with this slash, thick enough to make people unable to open their eyes.
"Look out!"
With a clang, Zuo Feiyang was sent flying backward, stumbling back.
However, Ba Renxiong had become like a tiger released from its cage, striking out with one saber slash after another. Although his speed couldn’t compete with Zuo Feiyang, his aura was even more domineering and his attacks even more fierce.
Zuo Feiyang was forced to retreat again and again, quickly approaching the edge of the field.
"It’s over, Invincible Blood Saber Slash!"
Ba Renxiong laughed heartily, using all of his strength, and chopped out the strongest slash he had ever made.
The Grand Elder of the Cloud Sword Pavilion leading the team, as well as disciples like Jiang Qingzhou, all stood up. Some even shouted in surprise for their Senior Brother Zuo.
Under the aura of the saber, Zuo Feiyang did not seem panicked.
In a deep shout, his chest visibly shrank, then suddenly bounced back to its original size. The next moment, Zuo Feiyang swung his sword-wielding hands forward, seemingly using up the strength in his blood.
Whoosh!
An invisible sword qi actually shot out from the sword. During the shot, it easily split the blood-colored saber light into two, and even forced Ba Renxiong back over ten meters.
Ba Renxiong swallowed hard, suppressing the sweet, coppery taste in his mouth, and looked at Zuo Feiyang in shock as he re-sheathed his sword.
"What sword technique is that?"
Ba Renxiong asked in a murmur.
"Divine Wind Sword."
Zuo Feiyang replied dismissively yet proudly.
The Divine Wind Sword was a technique he had painstakingly researched to counter Liu Mengse. The terrifying thing about this technique was that it could simulate Sword Qi, with an attack range of about half a zhang.
It should be noted that only high-level swordsmen with Qi Absorption can execute Sword Qi, which has the power to kill invisibly.
Zuo Feiyang focused his strength at the tip of his sword to achieve a temporary "separation of Sword Qi" from his body. Although it wasn’t true Sword Qi, it left all the elders and disciples present dumbstruck.
