Free Web NovelChapter 264: Chapter 263: A Narrow Victory Over Su Yu
Fang Han did not have to wait long. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a commotion rippled through the edge of the crowd.
Surrounded by a host of Tingyu Building disciples, Stewards, and Elders, Su Yu slowly made his way over.
Leading them was an old man dressed in the robes of a Tingyu Building Elder. His aura was profound and deep, and a sharp light glinted in his eyes as he blinked. He was the Elder Tingyu Building had sent to offer birthday congratulations.
Today, Su Yu had changed into a green robe, which further accentuated his handsome, jade-like features and his transcendent bearing.
He still wore that comforting smile, and his steps were unhurried. It was as if he wasn’t here for a life-or-death struggle between dragon and tiger, but for an elegant social gathering.
"Brother Fang, I’ve kept you waiting."
Su Yu walked to the center of the arena and cupped his fists in a salute to Fang Han.
"Brother Su, you’re too kind. Please."
Fang Han opened his eyes and returned the salute.
The two exchanged no more words. The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
KENG!
A sharp glint exploded in Fang Han’s eyes.
The Flowing Wind Sword sang as it left its sheath, its dark cyan blade shimmering with a restrained light.
The Inner Qi from his Middle Stage of Fifth Grade Profound Wind Technique surged into the blade without reservation. The essence of his Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, at the Minor Achievement Level, erupted forth!
Forty percent of his Wind Momentum was activated. The surrounding air currents, as if summoned by an unseen sovereign, frantically gathered and compressed around the sword.
Before the sword even moved, an incomparably sharp Sword Momentum that seemed capable of tearing through the void filled the air, making one’s skin crawl with cold.
Su Yu’s gaze focused. The smile on his face faded slightly, replaced by a solemn expression.
His right hand swept across his waist, and a long flute appeared in his grasp. It was about two feet long, a lustrous white, and looked like it was made of neither jade nor gold.
There were seven finger holes along its body. As Inner Qi was channeled into it, the flute began to emit a strange, rhythmic ripple.
This was his weapon—the Miaoyin Flute.
With a light flick of his wrist, the Miaoyin Flute traced a profound trajectory through the air.
The aura around him suddenly became erratic, and an invisible rhythmic wave began to silently spread out from him.
CHIII—!
Fang Han attacked first!
The Flowing Wind Sword transformed into a streak of cyan lightning that tore through the sky, its speed too fast for the naked eye to follow, aiming straight for Su Yu’s throat.
The Sword Momentum was sharp and unstoppable. It was the opening move of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting—simple in appearance, yet containing endless follow-up techniques.
Su Yu neither dodged nor retreated. His Miaoyin Flute shot out, striking the spine of the Flowing Wind Sword with perfect accuracy.
At the same time, his Inner Qi pulsed through the long flute at a specific frequency, and a strange, low note that seemed to pierce straight to the soul quietly drifted out.
DING—!
Flute and sword met, producing a crisp, melodious, and unusual sound. It was not the clang of metal on metal, but rather the chime of a jade instrument being struck.
A bizarre soundwave, mixed with condensed Inner Qi, traveled up the blade. It made Fang Han’s wrist go slightly numb, causing a minuscule hesitation in his Sword Momentum.
What was more troublesome was the note that entered his ears. Fang Han felt his mind waver slightly, as if countless fine needles were pricking his sea of consciousness.
It wasn’t powerful, but it was enough to disrupt his focus, affecting the precision of his moves and the circulation of his Inner Qi.
’Rhythm Martial Arts are as bizarre as they say!’
Fang Han’s heart grew cold, and he quickly focused his mind.
His spirit, fortified by the Soul Condensing Pill, gave him a stronger resistance to these kinds of Rhythm Martial Arts than an ordinary Martial Artist of the same realm.
The Flowing Wind Sword trembled, and his Sword Techniques changed. It split into several illusory sword shadows that were hard to distinguish from the real one, blanketing the major acupoints on Su Yu’s body.
Su Yu’s figure was evasive, like a willow catkin in the wind. His Miaoyin Flute would tap, sweep, or pluck, his techniques exquisite and nimble, always deflecting Fang Han’s assault at the very last second.
And all the while, the bizarre flute music continued like an unbroken thread.
At times, it was high-pitched and stirring, disrupting the flow of his qi and blood.
At others, it was a low whimper that eroded the mind. Then it would become sharp and piercing, causing irritation.
Formless and intangible, it was impossible to guard against.
DANG, DANG, DANG—
The two exchanged speed for speed, clashing more than ten times in an instant.
Sword light flashed like lightning, and the flute’s afterimages fluttered. The sound of clashing Qi Force mixed with the bizarre flute music, painting a scene of an incredibly intense battle.
Fang Han’s Swordsmanship was sharp and swift, as if it could tear space itself, his assault a seamless barrage.
Su Yu’s Flute Technique was bizarre and unpredictable, attacking from a defensive posture. The way he used soundwaves to disrupt his opponent was particularly vexing.
After a brief exchange, the two were evenly matched. Neither had gained a clear advantage.
’He really is a formidable opponent!’
The battle lust in Fang Han’s eyes grew stronger, confirming his earlier suspicions.
Su Yu’s strength was definitely greater than Qin Xiaoran’s!
’He’s even stronger than I expected!’
Meanwhile, waves were also stirring in Su Yu’s heart.
He had watched the fight yesterday and already knew Fang Han’s Swordsmanship was formidable and his Body Technique superb. Now, facing him personally, the pressure was even greater than he had anticipated.
His Enchanting Melody was surprisingly having little effect on his opponent. The man’s mental fortitude was far beyond that of his peers.
Both of them cast aside their last trace of condescension and held nothing back, unleashing their full strength!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
On the arena stage, Sword Qi crisscrossed and flute notes lingered. Their figures flickered and intertwined, moving at a dazzling speed.
Sharp Sword Qi periodically left deep gashes on the ground, while invisible soundwaves sent ripples through the air.
Wounds appeared on both of them.
The sleeve of Fang Han’s left arm was caught by the wind from the flute, tearing open and leaving a bloody gash.
Su Yu’s shoulder was also grazed by Sword Qi, tearing his robe and drawing blood.
Although both wore Soft Armor for protection, the sharp Powerful Qi imbued in their attacks could still penetrate the armor’s defense and cause injury.
The damage was just greatly reduced.
The battle grew increasingly brutal!
The audience below was captivated, not daring to breathe.
The brilliance and danger of this battle far surpassed yesterday’s!
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over three hundred moves!
Each move was executed with all their might, causing both to consume a massive amount of Inner Qi.
Their breathing was no longer as steady as it was at the start, and the number of wounds on their bodies had increased. Yet, their gazes only grew sharper, and their auras did not diminish in the slightest.
It was clear that both had brought out their trump cards. The outcome would soon be decided!
"Take another one of my sword strikes!"
Fang Han let out a long cry. The Inner Qi in his body surged at an unprecedented speed. The "Tide Surge" Divine Treasure in his Qichong Acupoint silently activated, causing his Inner Qi to erupt.
The Flowing Wind Sword let out a deafening, world-shaking cry.
More than forty percent of his Wind Momentum was unleashed, and the very space around the blade seemed to distort slightly!
He thrust his sword forward. The Wind Momentum condensed into an ultimate beam of sword light that seemed capable of piercing the void itself, carrying with it an unstoppable killing intent as it flew straight for Su Yu’s heart!
JIII—!
Su Yu’s expression was more solemn than ever before. His Miaoyin Flute danced rapidly, creating layer upon layer of afterimages before him, as if weaving an invisible net of music.
At the same time, he took a deep breath, brought the Miaoyin Flute to his lips, and blew a single, piercingly sharp note!
The soundwave, highly concentrated, formed an invisible arrow that shot forth to collide with Fang Han’s sword light first!
BANG!
The sound arrow and the sword light collided first. Both were annihilated, exploding in a wave of invisible air.
But Fang Han’s sword only faltered for a moment before continuing onward, striking the musical net Su Yu had woven.
DING DING DANG DANG... PTHOO!
The flute’s afterimages shattered one after another. Su Yu grunted, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth as he staggered backward.
Pressing his advantage, Fang Han forced out another breath of Inner Qi. The Flowing Wind Sword followed like a shadow, thrusting toward an opening in Su Yu’s defense!
A hint of resolve flashed in Su Yu’s eyes. In the nick of time, he blocked with his Miaoyin Flute.
DANG—!
A deafening crash!
Su Yu felt an irresistible force crash into him. The webbing between his thumb and forefinger split open, and the Miaoyin Flute was knocked from his grasp. He was sent flying backward like a broken kite.
After landing, he stumbled back seven or eight steps before managing to steady himself, his face deathly pale and his aura in disarray.
But Fang Han had already closed the distance in an instant. The tip of his sword stopped three inches from Su Yu’s throat, the chilling aura from the cold blade causing goosebumps to prickle his skin.
The victor was decided!
Fang Han was victorious!
But it was an extremely difficult victory—a narrow win!
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword. His face was also pale, and his chest heaved, a clear sign of his immense exertion.
He looked at Su Yu and said in a low voice, "I was fortunate to win."
Su Yu took a deep breath to suppress his roiling qi and blood. He wiped the blood from his lips, a complex smile on his face—one of regret, but more of admiration.
"Brother Fang’s Swordsmanship... I... am utterly convinced of my defeat."
This had been the most intense, and also the most satisfying, battle of his entire cultivation journey!
Below the stage, after a moment of silence, a thunderous wave of cheers and gasps erupted!
The disciples of the Qingxuan Sect were especially ecstatic!
Fang Han had consecutively defeated two geniuses who had a chance of making it onto the Celestial Pride List.
After this battle, Fang Han’s position at number one hundred on the Celestial Pride List would be unshakeable!
As he watched Su Yu’s figure disappear, the clamorous discussions in the Martial Arts Arena continued to surge like a tide, but Fang Han seemed not to hear them.
His expression was calm, and he paid no mind to the various complex gazes directed at him from all sides.
He picked up his Flowing Wind Sword, turned, and walked with steady steps through the crowd, heading toward the private courtyard where he was temporarily staying in the Qingxuan Villa.
It seemed he had won the battle against Su Yu today, but only he knew just how perilous it had been.
Su Yu’s Rhythm Martial Arts were bizarre and unpredictable, especially those formless, intangible Sound Attacks that pierced straight to the mind.
If his mind had not been nourished by the Soul Condensing Pill, making it far more resilient than his peers’, he would have likely been defeated long ago.
Now, after the intense battle, nearly half of his Inner Qi was depleted. His meridians felt faintly empty, and his spirit felt a trace of exhaustion.
But in return, the fierce battle had also brought rich rewards.
In his mind, scenes from his fight with Su Yu flashed, deconstructed, and reassembled themselves over and over.
His opponent’s exquisite and nimble Flute Technique, the bizarre and hard-to-defend Sound Attacks, his own gains and losses in countering with his Sword Techniques, the subtle Transformations in his Body Technique... countless insights, like a sky full of stars, rose and fell, colliding in the lake of his mind.
This was all incredibly precious combat experience and Martial Dao comprehension. If he could calmly digest it, it would be of immense benefit to his Swordsmanship and Body Technique.
Returning to his quiet courtyard, he dismissed his attendants and walked straight into the Quiet Chamber.
He first took two True Spirit Pills, then sat cross-legged on a cushion, assuming the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture. The Profound Wind Technique began to slowly circulate.
He guided the Medicinal Power as it dissolved, restoring his depleted Inner Qi while gradually calming his agitated mind.
About two hours later, Fang Han slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint was hidden in their depths, and all traces of fatigue were gone.
He stood up, picked up his Flowing Wind Sword, and walked to the open area in the courtyard paved with Cyan Gang Stone.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled spots of light. A gentle breeze swept by, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.
Fang Han stood quietly in the center and closed his eyes. He once again replayed the details of his fight with Su Yu in his mind, focusing on his use of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting.
Su Yu’s Flute Technique was exquisite, making it difficult to discern illusion from reality. His enemy-disrupting Sound Attacks were even more impossible to guard against.
Under that pressure, his timing, his transitions between Sword Momenta, and his fine control over the combination of his Inner Qi and Wind Momentum had all been pushed to their limits.
It had also exposed some subtle hesitations and shortcomings that were difficult to notice during his normal cultivation.
