Free Web NovelChapter 296: Chapter 295: Ranked 10th
The Sword Qi exploded, and fine slivers of Sword Aura spread in every direction. The immense rebound force made Bai Shishuang’s arms go numb, and blood trickled down them, dripping onto the ground.
THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!
Wen Qingye also felt the impact shudder through his chest, and he stumbled back several steps.
Even though Wen Qingye had tempered his cultivation three times, he still couldn’t overcome the two-realm gap. However, his Sword Emperor Technique was astonishingly powerful, allowing him to suppress Bai Shishuang.
By now, the two had been locked in a fierce battle for a long time, and their Primordial Qi reserves were nearly depleted. This put Wen Qingye at a great disadvantage.
"For the two of them to be fighting so intensely, it seems Wen Qingye’s reputation is well-deserved."
"Wen Qingye’s Swordsmanship is far superior to Bai Shishuang’s. The rumors say he’d already cultivated Tunnel Swordsmanship on Hidden Peak, and it seems they weren’t false."
"These two are incredible! I can’t believe a fight between two of the top ten experts is this intense!"
...
"It’s time we settled this! Wen Qingye, I admit I underestimated you. If you can block this final sword strike, you win!"
Bai Shishuang gripped his sword with both hands, as his right could no longer hold it securely. The entire Yanwu Platform began to tremble violently. He transformed into a streak of light and shot forward, the surging Primordial Qi at his back roaring like a frenzied Demon Beast, exuding an unparalleled aura of power.
"Eighteen Sky-annihilating Swords!"
One strike, two strikes, three strikes...
In an instant, Bai Shishuang unleashed eighteen slashes. The Sword Qi from each strike was incomparably sharp, crashing forward like a series of cresting waves. The eighteen streams of Sword Qi were like the source of a great flood, gushing forth and merging, its power seemingly multiplying several times over in a flash.
It completely enveloped Wen Qingye’s position, leaving him with no way to retreat and no way to dodge. His only option was to meet it head-on.
"The final move of this Swordsmanship set from Bai Shishuang is incredibly fierce; even my father praised it to no end," Tangg Jin said with a smile, her eyes on the imposing figure on the stage. "It combines the profundities of numerous Swordsmanship styles into a single, sharp, and domineering attack. After this move, Wen Qingye will be the one walking off that platform." It was as if she could already see him leaving, battered and pale.
Nie Shuang nodded in agreement with Tangg Jin, though his brow remained tightly furrowed.
Wei Shuang’Er sighed in relief and said, "Just as I expected. Wen Qingye is still lacking."
"The match isn’t over yet. We should just watch quietly."
Cheng Yu bit her red lip. Though she said that, she was incredibly worried. ’Based on the power displayed so far, Bai Shishuang clearly has the upper hand over Wen Qingye. And now, he can’t dodge this attack. He’s cornered!’
The air seemed to freeze. Time itself felt as if it had stopped.
The eighteen streams of Sword Qi merged, and the roiling tide of energy grew even more ferocious and wild. It transformed into a monstrous beast that seemed intent on swallowing Wen Qingye whole.
The hearts of Yann Xiangyang, Cheng Yu, Nie Shuang, and the others were in their throats; they didn’t dare even blink.
Wen Qingye stood proudly, his expression surprisingly calm. Waiting for this very moment, he finally unleashed his sword. His entire being seemed to become a war statue, his body pulsing with iridescent light and a warm glow.
"Third Form of the Sword Emperor Technique! Fame that Moves Mountains and Rivers!"
A tremendous voice echoed in all directions. Though calm, it carried an air of supreme majesty and power.
The strike seemed plain and unremarkable, but for some unknown reason, everyone felt their hearts tremble in sync with the blade, pounding wildly in their chests.
With that one slash, the merged Sword Aura and Primordial Qi were instantly reduced to nothing, dissipating into the air.
KRRR-BOOM—
Everyone stared at the sky, then the ground, feeling the world itself tremble and shake uncontrollably.
After a long while, everything slowly returned to calm.
Everyone rose to their feet, their eyes fixed forward in disbelief.
Bai Shishuang was deathly pale, his eyes as wide as saucers. Sweat dripped from his brow to the ground, and his clothes were dark with sweat stains.
Before him, on the Yanwu Platform, a fissure several yards long had appeared, stopping just inches from his feet.
"Impossible! How could someone from a backwater country possess such profound Swordsmanship?" Tangg Jin’s expression changed as she cried out involuntarily.
Wei Shuang’Er’s lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment, confusion, and disbelief.
Yann Xiangyang’s and Cheng Yu’s eyes, however, shone brilliantly. First, Wen Qingye had dominated on Hidden Peak, and now, he had defeated Bai Shishuang, a top genius from the Luocheng Ancient Country, on the Yanwu Platform. His sword was truly on another level.
Bai Shishuang was stunned. He couldn’t believe that he’d actually lost—and to someone from a small country he’d never even heard of.
Wen Qingye walked up to Bai Shishuang, took the Token from his own waist, and tossed it to him.
Wen Qingye said flatly, "Hand over your Token and Sect Contribution Points."
Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Bai Shishuang’s face turned ashen. He clenched his fists and glared daggers at Wen Qingye, then, without a word, threw his Token at him.
"Give him the Sect Contribution Points!" Bai Shishuang said to one of the disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country behind him.
"Brother Bai, but this is our..." the disciple from the Luocheng Ancient Country said hesitantly.
Bai Shishuang’s eyes turned red. He glared at the disciple and roared, "I said give them to Wen Qingye! Didn’t you hear me?"
"Yes, yes! Right away, right away!" The disciple from the Luocheng Ancient Country hastily pulled a Jade Token from his robes. Floating characters were engraved on it, spelling out the number six thousand.
Wen Qingye accepted the Jade Token and looked at Bai Shishuang. "You’re too weak. What a disappointment. You should just have Nangong Xin from your Luocheng Ancient Country come find me herself."
With that, Wen Qingye turned and walked off the Yanwu Platform.
The surrounding area fell surprisingly silent.
"Is that Wen Qingye... challenging Nangong Xin?"
"That guy from the Celestial Martial Country is so arrogant, so domineering! To directly challenge a Core Disciple!"
"Is he planning to defeat Nangong Xin and become a Core Disciple himself?"
"The Luocheng Ancient Country has one more Registered Disciple, but that person ignores worldly affairs and focuses solely on cultivation. It seems none of the Registered Disciples from the Luocheng Ancient Country can stop Wen Qingye now."
Wei Shuang’Er watched Wen Qingye’s departing back, her heart filled with wonder. ’This Wen Qingye is so strong. He’s from a small country, yet he’s this incredible. He’s quite a character. I wonder if he can be won over.’
Yann Xiangyang and Cheng Yu watched Wen Qingye walk toward them, their hearts pounding with excitement.
"Here."
Wen Qingye handed the Jade Token to the two of them with a faint smile.
"Th-thank you," Cheng Yu said, her hand trembling as she took the Jade Token. They couldn’t refuse it.
No one could know the pain, humiliation, and scorn that servant disciples had to endure. But in that moment, all of their past suffering seemed to melt away.
This Jade Token was hope.
