Free Web NovelChapter 220: Chapter 207: Stunning the Crowd
"That recent insight?"
Chu Xiuxiu’s face flushed, and she looked a little embarrassed.
Just a moment ago, she had watched the Ghost-faced man demonstrate the "Netherworld King’s Three Extremes Sword." Just seeing it once was enough to nearly have her Soul Scattering in fright. How could she have had any time to comprehend what she had just seen?
Even if she did try to comprehend them, these kinds of earth-shattering Sword Techniques weren’t something one could grasp in a year or even half a year, right?
Let alone in just a brief moment?
Seeing Chu Xiuxiu’s bewildered expression, Shen Lang let out a stifled laugh and said, "Don’t overthink it. Close your eyes and think about it. Recall as much as you can. Then, attack me with your ’Four Swift Swords’."
Chu Xiuxiu’s red lips moved for a long moment, but in the end, she said nothing more. She truly closed her eyes and, oblivious to everyone around her, began to recall everything she had just witnessed.
At this moment, the battle on the other platform had already ended.
Ye Xue had easily defeated her opponent and returned to her seat. Ye Xiao Zheng was whispering something to her, causing Ye Xue’s expression to shift between pale, ashen, and flushed red.
’Father actually said this Ghost-faced man’s Cultivation is even higher than Chu Qingcheng’s, and that he’s definitely younger than her. He actually wants me to... to... Has my Ye Family really reached a dead end?’
’But from what I just heard others saying, this Ghost-faced man seems truly strange. He passed through Chu Xiuxiu’s net of swords with ease, completely unharmed. That level of Cultivation... isn’t that a bit too terrifying?’
’If he’s really as powerful as Father says, with such stunning, brilliant talent, then for me to... it wouldn’t be such a grievance. Besides, Chu Qingcheng has always been in love with Shen Moran and never once given me a proper look...’
Just as Ye Xue was watching Shen Lang on the stage with a dazed and captivated look, Chu Xiuxiu finally opened her eyes.
"Please, instruct me!"
In just that short time, Chu Xiuxiu seemed like a completely different person.
She held her Longsword horizontally before her chest, her gaze icy. A fierce, baleful aura erupted from her, causing the faces of those in the surrounding stands to change in horror!
Before the sword was even drawn, her Momentum was already terrifying enough to break one’s spirit!
CLANG!
It was still the Chu Family’s "Four Swift Swords," and the one executing this Swordsmanship was still Chu Xiuxiu.
But as this set of Sword Techniques unfolded, a huge uproar broke out in the surrounding stands!
A wave of Blood Evil Qi filled the entire arena, striking terror into everyone’s hearts!
The Four Swift Swords became faster and fiercer with each strike, their power countless times stronger than before!
Its Momentum was like thunder, capable of shattering all in its path!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Amidst the endless torrent of Cross and Vertical Sword Qi, which was like a surging river, Shen Lang abandoned his previous leisurely and carefree demeanor. He drew his Celestial Water Blade, using staggered steps and continuous slashes to block with all his might!
The glint of his blade and the Sword Qi clashed relentlessly, creating thunderous explosions that echoed across the sky.
Ripples of Energy spread out from the point of impact, extending to the very edge of the battle platform.
Many people who had been standing closer to the edge of the platform cried out as they scrambled back, wishing they could flee the Martial Arts Arena entirely.
CLINK!
With the final strike, her Longsword embedded itself in the ground. Chu Xiuxiu was panting heavily, her body a little unsteady.
After executing the "Four Swift Swords," she had exhausted all her strength. She was drenched in fragrant sweat, and her legs trembled uncontrollably.
As for Shen Lang, he had already sheathed his blade at some unknown point and was now standing there, watching her quietly...
The entire arena fell silent for a moment...
The crowd still couldn’t believe what they had just seen...
Among everyone present, the members of the Chu Family were the most shocked and incredulous.
No one knew Chu Xiuxiu’s strength better than they did.
This was especially true for the few old-timers. They could even tell how much power was in each of Chu Xiuxiu’s moves and how long her blade-glow could extend.
But what Chu Xiuxiu had just displayed completely overturned their imagination.
Between the two times she used the "Four Swift Swords," the difference in power was more than tenfold!
The first time she used the Four Swift Swords, the sound of it Breaking the Sky was generally a series of "SHHH" noises.
The second time, however, it was like rolling thunder and a surging tide!
The first time she used the "Four Swift Swords," its incredible speed merely attracted people’s attention.
The second time, the "Four Swift Swords" had the Momentum of a thunderbolt. It was utterly domineering, and the power contained in each sword strike was ferociously unmatched. Even an Elder at the Spirit Martial Realm might not dare claim they could withstand it!
But Chu Xiuxiu was clearly only at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven!
Clearly, her performance the first time was her true strength...
"What... what in the world happened? What happened to Xiuxiu? Why did she undergo such a world-shaking transformation in the blink of an eye?"
"It’s the same Swordsmanship, yet in an instant, it became so powerful... Our Chu Family, besides Chu Qingcheng, has produced another genius!" Grand Elder Chu Xicheng’s face was streaked with tears of joy.
While the Chu Family was weeping with joy, there was also a change in the section where the Imperial Dragon Sect was seated, a place Shen Lang had glanced at earlier.
The three people sitting steadily in the very center stood up in unison, staring at Chu Xiuxiu below with astonishment. Disbelief was written all over their faces.
"That little girl is at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven, there’s absolutely no mistake about that. But the power of the Swordsmanship she just displayed probably reached the level of the Spirit Martial Realm Sixth and Seventh Heavens. How is that possible?"
"That Ghost-faced man called Mo Ge tapped her on the forehead. Could he have guided her somehow? The problem is, it was just one finger. There was almost no pause or interval... The Dharma Transmission Method isn’t something just anyone can use. And it only works with the other person’s consent. That was just an instant!"
"With that swordsmanship alone, she could enter the Inner Sect of the Imperial Dragon Sect," the last person said, his gaze cold.
"If she can enter the Inner Sect of the Imperial Dragon Sect, then that Ghost-faced man..."
The other two looked at each other, and the same thought occurred to both of them...
’This trip was worth it. We must get this Ghost-faced man, Mo Ge, to join the Imperial Dragon Sect!’
By this time, Chu Xiuxiu had already stepped down from the battle platform and was being supported by members of the Chu Family as she walked toward their stands.
Shen Lang slowly walked to the edge of the battle platform. Just as he was about to step down, he suddenly stopped and turned toward the eastern stands.
The crowd, who were excitedly discussing the match, followed his gaze. Their hearts skipped a beat. Sitting there were none other than Xu Daolin and the others from the Xu Family!
Shen Lang extended his right hand, pointed his index finger at Xu Daolin, and then slowly wagged it back and forth twice. ƒreewebɳovel.com
BOOM!
The surrounding crowd exploded into an uproar.
"That guy is provoking Xu Daolin! He’s targeting the Xu Family!"
"This just got more interesting. It was originally a contest between the Xu Family and the Ye Family, but now there’s a mysterious and unpredictable Ghost-faced man..."
"How strange. When did such a powerful figure appear in Celestial Phoenix City?"
"I heard that Shen Lang from the Shen Family has astonishing Cultivation, but it’s a pity he hasn’t shown up in a while. And this time, the Shen Family is trapped by the Evil Wind Valley; things are looking grim for them... I never thought that besides a freak like Shen Lang, another genius as brilliant as Mo Ge would appear!"
In the eastern stands, Xu Daolin met Shen Lang’s gaze from below for a moment, his expression unchanging, before retracting his eyes without a trace.
"Go tell that old man from the Chu Family to arrange a match between this Mo Ge and Senior Brother Yun Qing later. Let Senior Brother Yun Qing test his depth first."
Xu Daolin’s voice was so soft that only the few people sitting beside him could hear it.
Long Fong frowned and said, "This matter is strange. I really can’t figure out why Mo Ge just touching Chu Xiuxiu’s finger made her seem like a different person, her Swordsmanship leaping several levels at once! Was it because of that one touch, or was it a coincidence? If Chu Xiuxiu really became so powerful because of his guidance, then Mo Ge’s Cultivation is a little too terrifying..."
Xu Daolin shook his head and said, "To make someone’s Swordsmanship improve by leaps and bounds with just a light touch, without infusing any power into their body... even Master couldn’t do that. And this Mo Ge, of unknown origin, doesn’t seem to be very old."
Long Fong pondered for a moment and said, "To be cautious, let’s have Yun Qing go up and probe him first. It would be best if he can be defeated. If Yun Qing fails, then we’ll have someone question his age and demand a bone age test! Hmph, this martial gathering is for the youngest generation of disciples from all the major families and factions. If this person is past middle age, it’ll be simple. We can just throw him out."
"Senior Brother Long Fong is absolutely right." A slight smile touched the corners of Xu Daolin’s lips.
...
At this moment, as Shen Lang, the center of attention, began to move, the surrounding whispers immediately died down.
Countless fervent gazes, filled with complex emotions, were fixed on Shen Lang’s slightly slender back.
The eyes of some women, in particular, were brimming with an enviable adoration and admiration.
Many of the bolder women had already started moving closer to Shen Lang’s position, wanting to strike up a conversation...
The heated battles continued, one after another.
The Martial Artists from the various major families not only displayed their Martial Souls and all sorts of exquisite Techniques, but many also used Spiritual Artifacts, Talismans, and other aids.
Every single battle was incredibly spectacular.
Six people, in particular, had captured the undivided attention of the entire audience.
These six were Xu Daolin, Long Fong, and Yun Qing from the Xu Family; Ye Juexin and Ye Jueqing from the Ye Family, who had almost never been seen in public before; and Shen Lang, wearing the Evil Ghost Mask.
Long Fong and Yun Qing appeared as Martial Artists affiliated with the Xu Family, so almost no one in Celestial Phoenix City recognized them.
Ye Juexin and Ye Jueqing were similarly unfamiliar to the people of Celestial Phoenix City, but their Cultivation was exceptionally strong, and they remained undefeated.
Whenever these six were on the stage, no matter who their opponent was, they almost always defeated them in a single move!
Even masters at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven couldn’t last more than one move against them!
And among them, Xu Daolin was originally rumored to be only at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven!
Now, everyone’s expectations were focused entirely on these six individuals.
They couldn’t wait for these six to finally face each other in a fierce battle.
However, strangely, despite all the matches, these six had not once encountered each other, even by the end of the second round!
It seemed the so-called "random draws" were just a pretense.
Ultimately, the Xu Family and the Ye Family were still controlling the situation, secretly manipulating the progress of the martial gathering, both wanting to save their final showdown for the very end.
The only person who had broken free from the control of these two families was Shen Lang.
When Feng Hai found Shen Lang on Ye Xiao Zheng’s orders, he had only managed to say two sentences before Shen Lang grabbed him by the neck, threw him out, and left him completely dazed and battered.
This also caused Ye Xiao Zheng’s old face to stretch as long as a donkey’s, and his gaze toward Shen Lang once again filled with killing intent.
’Since he can’t be used by me, then I’ll just erase him directly, to keep him from getting in the way!’
Ye Xiao Zheng inconspicuously made a few subtle hand gestures to Ye Juexin and Ye Jueqing below.
The two nodded slightly, then simultaneously locked their gazes onto Shen Lang.
Their eyes were brimming with killing intent...
