Chapter 157: Chapter 114: Sword Fight_1
Translator: 549690339
Although he was selective and killed only a part of the surrounding informants, instead of exterminating all of them, that part was still quite significant.
Thus, as the Wang and Zhou Families took a stand, they immediately received echoes of support from all quarters.
“Indeed!”
“You too are at the Foundation Establishment level, and a Sword Cultivator at that, how can you behave so shamelessly?”
“Hiding your head and showing your tail, lying in wait here, to lure and kill Qi Cultivation juniors with your Foundation Establishment status. How is your behavior any different from that of a Robbing Cultivator?”
“Those who possess virtue should occupy the Immortal Spirit items. You, such an unvirtuous scoundrel, how are you qualified to stand on the stage?”
“This person’s background is unclear, and he is brutal and merciless, undoubtedly a Robbing Cultivator. We implore the Immortal Envoy for discernment!”
“Why bother with such competition? Let’s join forces and slay him first, then decide the ownership of the Spirit Land!”
The crowd’s sentiment surged, intermingled with grief and indignation.
It was evident that someone’s actions had incurred public outrage.
“This…”
Seeing the crowd’s passionate agitation, Bai Yunzi also felt somewhat troubled as he lowered his gaze towards Xu Yang.
“They who kill shall be killed!”
Xu Yang’s expression remained unchanged as he faced the crowd’s fierce intent to kill and said coldly, “What now, you all can seize the opportunities of others, yet others can’t claim your lives?”
“What a joke!”
Having said that, he leaped into the center of the arena, standing alone like a sword, and proclaimed, “Li Mou is right here. If you want to kill, then come!”
Between the words, his intense aura locked onto the crowd. His sword had not yet left its sheath, but it had already displayed its edge, striking terror into everyone’s hearts.
At his words, silence fell in all directions.
The voices of anger fell abruptly silent.
Those below the Foundation Establishment level did not dare to speak.
Even those above it remained mute.
Clearly, no one wished to be the first to stick their neck out.
After all, this was a Sword Cultivator, a mid-Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator!
The way of the Sword Cultivator was unparalleled in battle!
Even a mighty one in the late stage of Foundation Establishment might not dare to challenge his sharpness.
Not to mention, he was alone, without any encumbrances.
Unless they could kill him on the spot, who among these people with homes and businesses could withstand the revenge of such a formidable enemy?
The crowd fell silent, lacking a voice, and the situation remained in a deadlock.
Seeing this, Bai Yunzi stepped forward to support Xu Yang, determining the nature of this event.
“Taoist Friend Li is right. Since ancient times, they who kill shall be killed. On the path of Cultivation, life and death are predestined, and the matter of karmic retribution has nothing to do with grievances,” said Bai Yunzi.
“As for whether one is a Robbing Cultivator… I have checked, and there are no relevant warrants. Let’s not speak of this matter again!”
“If any of the Taoist friends here feels aggrieved, then step up to the platform and fight. Rely on your abilities, and let life and death be determined by fate!”
With Bai Yunzi’s words, the nature of the event was set.
This made everyone curse silently in their hearts.
“This old fox must have received quite a bit of benefit from him!”
“That Li Jianchen has really splurged, even making this skinflint speak for him.”
“Damn it!”
“Green Jade Sect… Hmph!”
The crowd cursed inwardly yet were helpless to do anything.
Bai Yunzi, as the Searching Immortal Envoy of the Green Jade Sect, represented the dignity and will of the sect. Since he had now characterized the event, they could not counter it, or else it would be a blatant defiance against the Upper Sect.
Bai Yunzi saw everyone’s reactions and not only was his heart not in chaos, but he also sneered coldly.
Although Bai Yunzi was greedy, he was also principled; having received payment, he would certainly do the job.
Of course, his support for this “Li Jianchen” had another crucial reason: balance of power!
As a Golden Core Upper Sect, the Green Jade Sect had to balance the various forces under it, ensuring no single party grew so strong as to threaten its ruling position.
Therefore, balance was important; suppress the strong, support the weak, and maintain equilibrium among the forces to secure their rule.
Now, with Li Jianchen being on the weaker side, Bai Yunzi, on behalf of the Green Jade Sect, naturally leaned toward him, using this to provoke conflict and intensify the various disputes, consuming the strengths of the different Foundation Establishment powers.
If it were not for this consideration, even if Xu Yang had given him a generous gift, he would not have supported him like this.Thus, the gathered Cultivators fell silent.
A moment later, a person stepped forward boldly.
“The Immortal Envoy speaks true. On the path of Cultivation, let us rely on our abilities and let life and death be determined by fate. Why say more?”
A young man stood atop the Flying Boat, with an upright posture and an extraordinary presence.
“It turns out to be Taoist Friend Yan.”
Seeing this person, Bai Yunzi seemed to understand his intent and smiled, “Does Taoist Friend Yan wish to test his sword on the platform?”
“Indeed I do!”
The young man smiled and said with a cupped fist salute, “If no one objects, then allow Yan Mou to take this challenge.”
“Yan Changfeng?”
“It’s actually him!”
“Sword Cultivator against Sword Cultivator?”
“Now it’s going to be exciting!”
“It’s said that this person is from a Qi Cultivation family, and he is the first in his family to reach the Foundation Establishment level. Is he now engaging in battle to secure a piece of land for his family to stand on?”
“A tier one Spirit Land, even a lower grade one, is it worth risking his life for? Could it be that his Yan family has also suffered casualties this time?”
“There must be some trickery afoot…”
The crowd had their own suspicions, but their outward reactions were uniform.
“Taoist Friend Yan jests, how can we contend with each other?”
“With Brother Changfeng in action, success is assured!”
“Brother Changfeng, teach this man a lesson!”
There was unanimous agreement, without any dissent.
Yan Changfeng nodded, then turned toward Xu Yang, “Taoist Friend Li, I mean no offense!”
And with that, he leaped into the air and landed in the middle of the battlefield, standing opposite Xu Yang.
Xu Yang’s expression was cold and indifferent, and he remained silent.
“Very well, the first challenge will be decided between you two.”
Only Bai Yunzi laughed quietly, then spurred his seated magic artifact into action, releasing four spirit lights that divided the clouds over Dongting.
“This shall be the boundary, to step out is to admit defeat!”
“Agreed!”
Yan Changfeng nodded, then cupped his hands towards Xu Yang and said, “Taoist friend, please.”
After speaking, he joined his sword fingers together and activated his magic artifact, which turned out to be a Flying Sword without tip or hilt, resembling a long needle.
In this world, Flying Swords mostly take this shape in their initial form as “Sword Pills.” As the sword cultivator’s proficiency in the Sword Dao grows, the sword light differentiates, and the sword is refined into threadlike forms, gradually transforming it into the state of a Sword Pill.
Seeing this, Xu Yang didn’t say much either, merely leaning forward slightly to reveal the long sword strapped to his back.
“Hmm!?”
Yan Changfeng’s eyes narrowed and he then laughed, “I did not expect my friend to also cultivate with a Sword Artifact. I am eager to learn!”
The cultivation method of a Sword Pill primarily focuses on controlling “sword light,” so Flying Swords are mostly needle-like without tips or hilts, solely sharp and penetrating.
The Sword Artifact on Xu Yang’s back obviously didn’t follow this method, but instead the “Sword Artifact” method, which mainly cultivates the quality of the Sword Artifact in conjunction with sword techniques and combat skills, and can even unify man and sword, possessing exceptional might.
Which of these two methods of cultivation is stronger?
That depends on the practitioner, and cannot be easily judged.
Therefore, Yan Changfeng wasn’t too surprised and simply joined his sword fingers again, invoking a sword technique that immediately produced multiple differentiated sword shadows and sword light.
Three sword shadows, three beams of sword light!
It was the “Sword Light Differentiation” stage.
Though he had just entered the threshold, mastering only three beams of sword light, he was capable of many variations that were difficult to defend against.
The three beams of sword light tore through the air, each one sharp and intimidating.
Xu Yang’s expression remained unchanged as he moved, drawing his sword so swiftly it seemed a dragon shedding its scabbard.
“Clang!”
In an instant, a beam of sword light blazed forth, stinging the eyes of all who saw it.
“Clang clang clang!”
The next moment, the sound of metal striking metal echoed intensely, like rain pounding on banana leaves.
In the midst of the battlefield, three rays of light intertwined, besieging one man and his sword.
But that man, with the long sword in hand, unfolded a storm of thrusts as swift and piercing as torrential raindrops, confronting each sword shadow in turn.
“Hmm!”
“This swordsmanship…”
“It seems to bear traces of martial skill!”
“This man must have entered the Dao through martial arts; that’s why he cultivates with a Sword Artifact.”
“Judging by his appearance, his former life must undoubtedly have been that of an Immortal fate Man.”
“No wonder he struck at the Wang and Zhou families; these two are keenly interested in matters of the Immortal fate.”
“To cultivate with a Sword Artifact requires refining the Sword Artifact then unifying body and sword until the person and the artifact become one, unleashing its true power. It’s unknown to what extent this man has reached.”
“Yan Changfeng practices the Sword Pill method, mastering Sword Light Differentiation and has just stepped through its gates; if this man isn’t able to unify man and sword, then I fear his chances of victory are slim.”
As they watched the two sword cultivators clash, the surrounding Foundation Establishment practitioners each expressed their views.
However…
“Clang clang clang!!!”
In the midst of the battlefield, an urgent metallic din rang out, with sparks flying in all directions.
The sight dazzled the onlookers and was too fast to follow.
Such furious combat lasted only a moment before the three beams of sword light revolved back, coalescing into a Flying Sword marred by numerous scars.
The sword, like a long needle, bore many deep cuts and notches, which made Yan Changfeng’s heart bleed as he inwardly winced in pain.
But he did not dare to be careless and immediately fled with Escape Light to the boundary, saying, “The skill of the Taoist friend is superior, I admit defeat!”
After saying this, he cupped his hands, indicating his surrender.
Seeing this, Xu Yang didn’t pursue, but instead sheathed his sword and returned to the center of the area.
“Huff!”
Yan Changfeng, upon seeing this, also let out a sigh of relief, sweat already forming fine beads on his forehead.
“What…”
“What happened?”
The crowd looked at each other with astonishment in their eyes.
They were fighting fiercely one moment, so how did Yan Changfeng end up conceding defeat so suddenly?
Could he be a plant?
The crowd was perplexed.
Only a group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators seemed to ponder, frowning tightly.
Bai Yunzi did likewise, but quickly relaxed his brow and looked at Xu Yang with a light chuckle, “The swordsmanship of my friend is truly extraordinary!”
Having said this, he announced to everyone, “The first challenge is won by Taoist friend Li, who will take the stage for the next two challenges?”
The crowd, upon hearing this, fell silent.
Especially the Foundation Establishment practitioners, who grew even more quiet.
Anyone who had reached Foundation Establishment surely wouldn’t have poor vision; most were able to ascertain the reason behind Yan Changfeng’s concession.
It wasn’t a farce, but a matter of being outclassed by better skills.
Although Li Jianchen did not display the unification of man and sword, his swordsmanship was unparalleled, repeatedly striking at the enemy’s weaknesses.
It seemed to be a contest of four swords, but in reality, it was Li Jianchen with his lone sword overpowering Yan Changfeng’s three beams of sword light, leaving Yan Changfeng powerless to respond. As a result, his Flying Sword accrued numerous scars, and in the end, he had no choice but to concede.
To be able to gain such an advantage against three with one, indicates the high level of his swordsmanship.
He not only anticipated his opponent’s moves but also completely understood his adversary’s weaknesses. Striking first and arriving first, even when striking after, his attacks carried defense, and his defense contained attacks…
Such swordsmanship and sword skills, combined with the edge of a Sword Artifact, clearly resulted in a complete victory!
Unless Yan Changfeng could advance further, allowing Sword Light Differentiation to divide three into nine, to gain a significant numerical advantage, he would stand no chance of winning.
Yan Changfeng understood this, and so he conceded defeat promptly to avoid the loss of his treasured Flying Sword.
As sword cultivators known for being unrivaled in battle, if Yan Changfeng couldn’t defeat him, what chance did they have…