Chapter 869: Chapter 868: Have to Continue_1
Seriously speaking, the Unparalleled Halberd King’s strength wasn’t fully displayed, because he didn’t even have a chance to demonstrate it, being firmly suppressed from beginning to end.
If it had been a regular match, Shi Xiaole might have given him a chance, but the situation didn’t allow him to pull his punches. Although on closer examination, Shi Xiaole was far from serious.
"The might of the Unparalleled Halberd King should be close to, or perhaps at the level of an Invincible Earth Immortal. My power is roughly three times that of an Invincible Earth Immortal."
After the battle, Shi Xiaole had a much deeper understanding of his own prowess. If those present at the scene knew what he was thinking, they would undoubtedly call him crazy.
One must know that there are several benchmarks for an Invincible Earth Immortal.
First, one’s martial arts must reach the mid-phase of ninety percent completion, which is the limit for Earth Immortals; beyond that, only Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm could delve further.
Second, one’s cultivation level must have reached the ninth peak of the Divine Border Realm.
Third, possess top-notch supreme-class finishing moves, along with unparalleled combat skills.
The Unparalleled Halberd King met these conditions.
Shi Xiaole’s Wind Sword Way was by no means inferior to the top-level martial arts at the ninety percent completion mid-phase, reaching the standard of an Invincible Earth Immortal, and he moved too fast, displaying a power that clearly exceeded expectations.
His cultivation level wasn’t particularly high either, but his Vigorous Air, influenced by the Blood Sun intermediary and the Heavenly Ghost Vine, was superior to that of an Invincible Earth Immortal.
As for finishing moves and combat skills, he even surpassed an Invincible Earth Immortal by several lengths.
Taking everything into account, his strength naturally exceeded that of an Invincible Earth Immortal. If one also considered the qualitative change brought by the hundred strands of Heart Sword energy, the Wind Tribulation Sword Technique, and even the Wandering Dust that he had yet to display since being trained by the old qin player, claiming his power was several times that of an Invincible Earth Immortal was not an exaggeration.
Of course, these were just Shi Xiaole’s thoughts. At this very moment, everyone at the eastern fighting platform was utterly dumbfounded.
They said the Unparalleled Halberd King was ruthless, but after successively using mid-grade Spiritual Weapons and lethal hidden weapons, he was still cut down like chopping melons and slicing vegetables. Looking at the cultivated and gentle Shi Xiaole, whose sword edge was hidden, everyone couldn’t help but feel a deep chill.
Zhan Liye shook his head, then shook it again.
He didn’t even know what to say. Genius, freak, these words weren’t enough to describe Shi Xiaole; perhaps non-human was more appropriate, as it seemed beyond human capability to be so powerful.
"If we were to fight a battle of life and death, my odds of winning wouldn’t exceed thirty percent."
After some calculations, the Sentimental Sword King came to a chilling conclusion. Many years ago, he was an Invincible Earth Immortal. After years of progression, he was still convinced he wouldn’t be a match for Shi Xiaole, indicating just how formidable the latter was.
"Young Hero Shi, you have won three consecutive matches. Will you leave or continue to duel?"
Asked an elder of Wuyuan Palace.
Looking at the several Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm at the edge of the arena, Shi Xiaole seemed to understand the words of the old qin player—going against them meant he stood no chance of survival.
"Young Hero Shi, I’ve forgotten to mention one thing. If an Invincible Earth Immortal under a hundred years old, or a Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm, faces an opponent of a higher level, this old man will suppress the latter to ensure a battle within the same realm."
Wuyuan Palace’s elder said with a smile. Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm indeed don’t have a clear realm, but he could seal part of their powers to create ’equal realm’ conditions.
The crowd was just stunned for a moment before chuckling and shaking their heads. A battle on equal footing, what of it? It was not a fair contest, and no one would be foolish enough to rush forward.
Shi Xiaole exhaled, and after a long silence under the gaze of many puzzled eyes, he made up his mind and said, "I want to continue dueling."
In the Sword Judging Competition, Shi Xiaole had once defeated the Array System shadow of the Dustless Sword Emperor. However, the Array System shadow couldn’t replace the person himself, and in terms of strength, it might not even have half of the original.
If they had fought equally back then, Shi Xiaole would surely have lost without a doubt.
Even now, facing a Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm with suppressed power, he had no sure chance of victory. It was like a primary school student doing the same exam as a university student; even if the latter couldn’t use more advanced formulas, they wouldn’t be comparable to the primary student.
As for the finishing moves, the Divine Border Realm’s lethal techniques were inferior to Shi Xiaole’s own strength.
So the situation was extremely unfavorable, but Shi Xiaole had no way out. Knowing he faced a deadly path ahead, he still had to forge ahead; it was the mission that this body had given him, and there was no other choice.
Whoosh!
Upon hearing Shi Xiaole’s words, the gazes already fixed upon him suddenly exploded. People doubted their own ears—how else could they have heard such a joke?
"This bastard, does he really think he can defeat a Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm? Ha ha ha, he’s courting death, I want to see him die."
Duan Changge laughed maniacally.
He thought that Shi Xiaole would flee far away and given the opponent’s speed of advancement, avenging his brother would be as difficult as ascending to heaven. Yet, unexpectedly, the other party was so ignorant of his own limits. The so-called expert swimmer drowns; a person’s arrogance leads him down a path to demise!
"Young Hero Shi, don’t do it!"
Pei Qiuyan and Qu Ni cried out in alarm, unable to watch Shi Xiaole make a misstep.
"Junior Brother Shi, you are underestimating the Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm! Even with their realm suppressed, their martial prowess won’t weaken, their killer moves are beyond your imagination, and their mental strength far surpasses yours, you truly are... sigh!"
As Shi Xiaole returned to his seat in the arena, he heard Zhan Liye’s voice filled with helplessness and resentment.
Shi Xiaole likewise transmitted his voice: "Senior Brother Zhan, thank you for your concern, but I have reasons I must act on, even if it means death without regrets."
"Have you really thought about the matter of death?"
Most people simply do not understand how terrifying death can be—Zhan Liye had only come to understand this not long ago.
"I understand."
Who could understand death better than Shi Xiaole, who had already experienced it once!
Zhan Liye didn’t say anything more, because he suddenly saw in the other’s demeanor, a kind of tranquility and peace as though nothing in the world mattered, not due to heartlessness, but because of fearlessness.
Originally, his depth is even more terrifying than I imagined! Zhan Liye slowly withdrew his gaze.
The remaining matches of the third round were likewise fierce and varied, for everyone was fighting for their own destiny; the question of mercy did not exist.
It is worth mentioning that the Sentimental Sword King had bad luck in the draw, meeting the Suzerain of the Ten Sword Sect, Zhan Renxiong, in the third round.
"I concede."
The face of the Sentimental Sword King was ashen, but his words were crisp and decisive.
A swordsman’s most valuable asset is clarity of mind; the Sentimental Sword King was not arrogant enough to think he could contend with a Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm, even though they would be suppressed.
Reluctantly heading to the slave area, the Sentimental Sword King instinctively looked towards the man in green— I want to see what astonishing methods you have!
Like Zhan Liye, Zhan Renxiong also chose to withdraw.
He feared no one, except for the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor. In fact, aside from the Old Man of Wuyuan and the four unparalleled experts, who wouldn’t fear the Yellow Jade Sword Emperor? Only the Asura Martial Emperor could contend with him.
Of course, the situation had now changed. The three titans could also fight on equal footing with their peers, and since they were already of the Void Origin Realm, their chances of winning against anyone were quite significant!
Just as Zhan Renxiong had anticipated, those who passed the next round of matches all chose to leave. The stronger they were, the more they cherished their lives, a principle that held true everywhere.
However, these people didn’t leave immediately; intense curiosity compelled them to stay, wanting to see the final outcome.
Swish swish.
On the vast arena, only two people were left, one in the east, the other in the west.
"How boring."
The middle-aged man wearing a bamboo crown and carrying a long sword stood up. With this one stand, the heavens and the earth seemed to suddenly lower, as if they could not accommodate the aura he emitted.
