Free Web NovelChapter 160: Chapter 159: Trump Card
He forced his heart to pound violently, driving his Qi and Blood into a raging torrent. At the same time, he constricted every pore on his body, causing his temperature to spike in an instant. The sweat under his skin was compressed and superheated until, the moment his pores flew open, it burst out as a shroud of steam. He then used Gang Qi to manipulate the water vapor, shaping it into Qi Blades...
Such techniques and methods were almost supernatural!!
’His heart can withstand such high-frequency vibrations?! His organs can endure such a drastic change in temperature?! His body can be controlled to this degree?!’
In that split second, countless thoughts flooded Hua Jingcheng’s mind. He looked at Zhao Xuanqi, whose palms were wreathed in mist, resembling the sharp beaks of some great bird. A sense of dread he couldn’t suppress rose within him.
Within the projected aura, flames seemed to leap to the heavens. The temperature was scorching, distorting the very air. Steam billowed and swirled into a thick fog, and within this fog, a terrifying figure flickered in and out of view.
Vast, open wings spanned the sky. Its neck was long and slender, its silhouette like that of a crane, yet it stood on a single leg. A sharp, white beak poked out from the mist. This vision, combined with Zhao Xuanqi’s near-mythical technique, exerted immense psychological pressure on Hua Jingcheng.
’Some kind of Flying Bird Form?!’
Hua Jingcheng’s expression grew solemn as his mind instantly entered an empty, ethereal state.
All extraneous thoughts—fear, doubt, weakness—burst apart like floating feathers and scattered to the winds, leaving behind only the purest killing intent.
In that moment, it was as if his sense of self had vanished. He had become a cold, sharp weapon, with the sole objective of defeating the opponent before him.
His speed increased, and the Qi Blades on his arms grew even sharper.
Finally, their figures clashed.
SWISH SWISH SWISH SWISH!!
Both men’s arms swung violently, dissolving into a dense flurry of afterimages under the lights.
Even the Martial Arts Experts below the stage couldn’t fully track their attack trajectories, to say nothing of the ordinary people in attendance.
To them, it looked as if both men’s arms had vanished, replaced by countless afterimages that formed two great, outstretched wings, clashing against each other.
The scene was like something out of a supernatural chronicle. The two men no longer seemed human, but rather demonic beasts in the form of birds.
Even though the crowd was worldly and experienced, none had ever witnessed a duel between experts of this caliber.
This time, could Zhao Xuanqi hold on?!
However, as the exchange intensified, a subtle change occurred in Hua Jingcheng’s empty, ethereal state of mind.
’My Feather Thought Style’s Blade Qi... it can’t cut him! Every single one of my slashes is being blocked!’
’In this clash of Blade Qi, I haven’t gained any advantage!’
’Is it because of the mist?’
’The mist formed from his evaporated sweat is denser than the air I manipulate. Once he shapes it with his techniques, the resulting Qi Blade is physically stronger than mine. On top of that, his fighting style is incredibly refined, and his physical intuition has reached an extraordinary level, which is why he’s blocking every single one of my lightning-fast attacks!’
’And what’s more, in the long run, if this stalemate continues, I’ll be the one at a disadvantage!’
’According to the intel I have, Zhao Xuanqi has incredible physical stamina. In his fight against Wu Yin, he attacked continuously for three minutes without taking a breath.’
’Executing a technique like this must be far more draining than a normal burst of attacks, but he can probably keep it up for at least one or two minutes!’
’As for me... although I can exchange gases through ’body breathing,’ the strength of this ability isn’t sustained output. I can only attack continuously without breathing for less than a minute.’
’After a minute, my Physical Ability will start to drop. When that happens, I’ll be at a complete disadvantage!’
’Can he really do this much with pure Martial Dao techniques?’
This was something Hua Jingcheng had never imagined. He had to admit that he had underestimated Zhao Xuanqi, and he had also underestimated the profundity of the Divine Land’s Martial Dao. For someone at the One Qi Realm to push him this far was astonishing.
’Continuing this close-quarters brawl is not wise.’
Hua Jingcheng was perfectly rational, and he assessed the situation in an instant. His fiercely attacking posture changed abruptly. While still defending, he began searching for an opportunity to retreat. He switched from offense to defense, and his sharp killing intent receded, replaced by the tranquil intent of a weightless, falling feather.
However, Zhao Xuanqi had seized the advantage. How could he possibly let him retreat so easily?
The more Hua Jingcheng tried to fall back, the more ferocious Zhao Xuanqi’s assault became. He coiled around him like a venomous snake, giving Hua Jingcheng no opening whatsoever.
The crowd below saw this sudden turn of events, and a collective gasp went through them.
’That incredibly arrogant man from Neon, the one who defeated Guo Tianyou in an instant, is being forced back by Zhao Xuanqi?!’
’Just a moment ago, they were locked in a dazzling, high-speed exchange!’
Seeing this, the grim expressions on Luo Shizun’s and Yan Shuntao’s faces instantly changed. Some of the directors behind them even let out a cheer. Meanwhile, the joyous looks on the faces of Wei Zonglong and his group froze, turning exceptionally ugly.
’How is this possible?! Hua Jingcheng is actually retreating?! He clearly had the absolute advantage before this! Why would he retreat now?! How could he retreat?!’
Wei Zonglong’s fists were clenched. Tonight would decide his fate. If the man from Neon backing him were to fall, all of his plans would come to nothing!!
’So, it wasn’t going to be that simple after all?’
Hua Jingcheng’s expression remained calm, betraying no panic. It was as if he had already anticipated this turn of events.
However, he was not without a countermeasure. ’Do I really have to use my trump card here? I wanted to save it for a stronger opponent. I never thought I’d be forced to use it now.’
’But... if it’s him, I suppose he’s worthy.’
His eyes suddenly turned sharp. Zhao Xuanqi keenly observed that the man’s chest, which had been gradually deflating from his ’body breathing,’ now suddenly swelled.
Then, his lungs violently compressed once more.
WHOOSH!!
A jet of air erupted from his mouth, compressed like a sharp blade as it shot straight for Zhao Xuanqi’s face.
’What effect could such an obvious attack possibly have?!’
Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes narrowed. He had instantly judged his opponent’s intent from the subtle changes in his chest, mouth, and nose.
’Exhaling a Qi Sword. This attack method seems mysterious and terrifying, but it’s incredibly difficult to threaten a skilled opponent with it.’
’Besides, after exhaling a Qi Sword, the lungs are instantly emptied and must be refilled. That moment of inhalation creates a massive opening.’
’This man from Neon is an expert. He should know this.’
’There has to be a trick to it.’
Zhao Xuanqi made a split-second judgment. His Hundred Beasts’ Intent was screaming of danger, so instead of exploiting the opening to attack, he brought his hands up to block the incoming Qi Sword.
’He didn’t take the opening to attack me? What sharp intuition. But...’
The moment the Qi Sword left his lips, Hua Jingcheng clenched his jaw shut.
CLICK!!
With a faint sound, Zhao Xuanqi caught a flicker of firelight from the corner of his opponent’s mouth out of his peripheral vision.
BOOM!! freeωebnovēl.c૦m
The incoming Qi Sword instantly turned pale blue and erupted with a deafening, world-shaking boom!!
