"..."
Yu Shanguâs expression was also uncertain, his tiger eyes hesitating.
The Five Heroes of Xieluo are renowned in the Jianghu, and a significant part of that fame is genuinely earned by his sword and saber. So, although Bu Shiren from the East Sea Xuanzhen Sect was formidable, Yu Shangu had encountered such strong enemies before and felt no fear; instead, a fierce fighting spirit arose within him.
But this Wu Lian...
No! Was that really the Shenxiao Azure Sky Escape just now? That canât be right! Impossible! Heâd faced off against the Shenxiao Sect in the past too, and their Thunder Step wasnât like that at all! But if it wasnât the Azure Sky Escape, then what was it? What kind of magic was it? How was it executed? And how can one defend against it? Is it even defensible? Probably not! Whether itâs the Shangqing Demon Suppression Skill or the Supreme Lotus Skill, such Protective Divine Skills should be invincible in the Golden Core Realm, right? Yet they couldnât even withstand a single move! Should I attack? But can it break through? Isnât the Sword Fire Thunder fierce? Isnât the Xuanyuan Break powerful? Isnât the Wild Maoshan ruthless? None can even inflict any harm! Canât defend, canât hit, canât understandâhow can he possibly get through this ordeal...
"Hey, yo, heh, youâre not going to make a move, right? Then Iâll go first, alright?"
Chen Xuantian noticed Yu Shanguâs bewildered and hesitant expression, realizing that his Otherworldly Thunder Technique had stupefied Yu, shaking his Daoist Heart. Since he was given a chance, he might as well seize it, and raised his Tiger Blade...
Looking at his short sword, which had fought only a few rounds before the blade cracked and even the seven-edged tiger chisel sword spine was shaved smooth, Chen Xuantian sighed slightly and brought out the Sword Box.
In truth, he really didnât want to use the items given by the Immortal Palace.
It wasnât because using a magic treasure would be unfair. Actually, it would be great if there were cheats! Who wants to strategize if simple hits could yield triple critical kill strikes? Come on, no one would master skills by choice; itâs all because youâre broke! If you donât want to die, you must train tirelessly, gritting your teeth!
However, Chen Xuantian was quite aware that this treasure sword from the wealthy patron might not be so easy to wield.
After all, by any calculation, Yu Zao is likely a genuine Taiyin Heavenly Demon, a colleague of that Yingtao heâd met before, a corporate lackey. And that treasure ship was clearly just descended from Cloud Platform Peak, possibly in cahoots with Lingxu.
Are the things from the company so easily obtained? Is the opportunity Lingxu brought so simple to seize?
If it were Peng Ju standing here now, thatâd be another story; but with Chen Xuantianâs mere Golden Core cultivation, his physique gasping after every round, heâs far too weak, lacking any qualification to partake in such high-level dealings.
Hence, when dealing with Bu Shiren earlier, Chen Xuantian was unwilling to fight directly, hoping to win nine rounds through his own ability, avoiding entanglement with the company. Unfortunately, his strength fell slightly short, unable to pass through unscathed. Unwilling to give up halfway, knowing thereâs a hook in the bait, he could only swallow it hard...
So Chen Xuantian turned the Sword Box around, examined it, found the trigger mechanism, and opened it towards Yu Shangu just in case.
Yu Shangu merely rolled his eyes at him.
After opening the box, it seemed there was no reaction; no sword energy soaring, nor any terrifying sharpness, so Chen Xuantian peeked inside.
Indeed, there was a sword about two feet long inside, its brilliance dazzling, without a hilt or guard, three inches of silvery light on its tip, bright as lightning. Shaking the box, it revealed pure radiant splendor, like mercury pouring on the ground, resembling a white ribbon...
Oh, itâs this one, then the win is assured.
"Ready?"
Yu Shangu sent over a voice transmission, divine light scanning over Chen Xuantian, lingering on the elixir pills gripped in his hand,
"Your Excellencyâs skill is profound, mastering superior Taoist skills, reached a realm rare even in the Mystic Sect; if we meet on a narrow path, I cannot confidently claim victory over you.
Unfortunately, you have fought seven consecutive battles already, drained of Qi power, carrying hidden injuries, even with elixirs, recovering in an instant is impossible, merely a fleeting return at best, probably not lasting more than a moment.
Though I may not break your magic, if I evade and wear down your last breath, I can remain undefeated, but killing you like this would indeed be an unchivalrous victory, disgracing my master.
Besides, today, if we terminate Shenxiao Pathâs true inheritance, it would be detrimental to our Mystic Sect...
How about this: since you unleashed a treasure sword, Iâll contest your magic treasure, and spar Sword Control Skill with you. Iâll only take one of your arms to settle this misfortune, how about that?"
Chen Xuantian remained silent for a moment.
Yu Shangu coldly said,
"Why not, if you refuse, then let it be, weâll rely on our own skills."
Chen Xuantian shook his head and said,
"Whoâs pretending to be a big shot here? Arenât you just afraid Iâll go all out with pills against you, knowing your Dao Body has hidden ailments as well, risking another round may not withstand the blow.
Fine, rest assured, Iâm not pretending either; I hurt my meridians earlier, that Thunder Wild canât be used again, will only match you in Sword Control from now on.
But since you, Fellow Daoist, only intend to sever one of my arms, I wonât bully either, just plainly inform you.
The moment my sword flies, youâre dead, utterly lifeless. If you wish to avoid dying here, take out that pearl and buy your life.
Lower your head, apologize, admit your fault, and I, generous as I am, will not pursue it further."
Yu Shangu was taken aback, his brows furrowed,
"Admit fault? What fault?"
Chen Xuantian glanced at the ground full of corpses, sneered,
"What, a simple truth needs me to teach you? Fine! Let me teach you on behalf of your parents, you ungrateful wretch!
Iâm just a passerby, unprovoked, being dragged into this massacre while passing by, without even an apology!
If not for some skills, Iâd have been sliced to pieces by you a hundred times over!
Inferior in skill, reaping disaster, instead of remorseful practice, forming cliques to harass and besiege me!
Youâve fought up to now with no regret! Havenât the decency to bow! Youâre really all taking advantage of my weakness, attempting to end me!
Shit! Did I say I wanted a nine-on-one? You all believed it and lined up to take turns on me!
Then I say you all deserve to die! Why arenât you dead yet!!
You want me to surrender!? Why should I surrender?
I clearly won! Iâm stronger than all of you! Why should I surrender?
Donât spout that nonsense! The ones who should surrender are you! The ones who should admit fault are you!
I wonât swallow this!
Enough talk! Letâs fight with swords!"
Yu Shangu, hearing him out, knowing more words were futile, merely rolled his eyes,
"Fine, sword fighting it is."
So Chen Xuantian raised the Sword Box,
"Please unsheath the treasure sword!"
No reaction.
"..."
Chen Xuantian hurriedly pressed the Sword Box to his face, speaking to the sword,
"Hey, bro, donât you recognize me? Itâs me, itâs me. Iâm Weston Four, right? Give me some face, I beg you?"
No reaction.
"Wham, wham, wham!"
Oh, thereâs a reaction, itâs Yu Shangu on the opposite side, raising the Seven Stars Sword, radiance bursting forth, sword energy soaring, boundless Sword Light shining, radiant stars fell like rain, sword energy vast as the sea, the Milky Way pouring down, swish, swish, whoosh, whoosh, hundreds of sword energy showered down.
"Whoa! Damn!!"
Chen Xuantian turned and fled, sprinting while shouting angrily towards the treasure ship in the sky!
"Hey! Hey, whoever! Your sword doesnât work! Did you forget to give me something?! Hey!!"
Yet the treasure ship was as unresponsive as ever, all watching coldly as he wailed in the Sword Rain.
"Damn it!! People make you angry!!"
Finding himself not even a bit wiser, unable to use any cheats, Chen Xuantian was so furious he could break defenses!
At that moment, he closed his eyes, stomped his foot, tilted his neck back, and swallowed the Blood Mist Pill in one gulp.