At this moment, Sun Yong’s body was trembling slightly, not from fear or worry, but from excitement, like a traveler about to die of thirst in the desert suddenly encountering an oasis; the ecstasy in his heart was uncontrollable.
It was hard to imagine what the future would hold if he couldn't complete the task given by Sun Long.
It should be known that although Sun Yong also had the surname Sun, he was completely different from Sun Long. Sun Long was of the direct Bloodline, while he was merely a servant, with no Sun Family Bloodline whatsoever. Even this surname was bestowed upon him by the main Family.
In terms of status, even Sun Bing was countless times nobler than him. After all, no matter what, Sun Bing was still an adopted son.
After the excitement, a fierce expression appeared on Sun Yong’s face, and he laughed wildly in his heart: “There truly is a way out for everyone! Sun Bing, I really must thank you. You are simply unlucky. You didn’t take the road to Sheng Tian, but instead came knocking on the gates of Hell yourself.
Only one of us can survive. You humiliated me in front of the Merit Law Hall, and coupled with my future prospects and my very life, I can only make you take the fall. Rest in peace.”
Speaking of this, Sun Yong did not reflect at all on how detestable his past actions were, always blaming others for his mistakes.
As for Sun Bing, he noticed Sun Yong as soon as he entered Luoyun Town, especially the look in his eyes that seemed to want to devour him. He secretly smiled in his heart: “I didn’t expect to provoke you out. Sun Yang is probably already a bit impatient from waiting, so it’s good that you’re here to accompany him to Hell.”
However, they were still in Luoyun Town, with countless residents coming and going. Sun Yong thought to himself: If I were to forcefully seize it, there would be too many eyewitnesses. Moreover, I can’t let Sun Bing know who has the Secret Manual. I can only steal it.
In fact, Sun Yong didn’t care what method was used, as Sun Bing had already appeared, at least there was a target. At the same time, he was full of confidence. What if Sun Bing could Cultivate? He had already reached the Fourth Layer of the Body Tempering Realm, and was simply no match for Sun Bing, who had just stepped into Cultivation.
Sun Bing was also conflicted now. Although he really wanted to kill the other party, he couldn't expose himself, because outside the Sun Family, he really had no way to obtain Martial Skill Secret Manuals. So, he could only wait for an opportunity.
The two looked at each other, then brushed past each other. It could be said that both had their own thoughts, but their goals were surprisingly the same: they both wished for the other to die.
Unconsciously, night had already fallen deep.
Tonight’s night was exceptionally bleak. Even the usually bright moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, instantly making the entire Luoyun Town pitch black. Only the mansions of wealthy Families emitted light.
“The dark moon and high winds make for a night of murder.” In a secluded room, Sun Yong changed into a black outfit, preparing to steal the Cultivation Technique Secret Manual.
Sun Bing’s residence was quite remote, which was his own choice. Anyway, his presence in the Family was very low, and being away from the crowd was good. Even the patrolling guards here were too lazy to come. As long as nothing major happened, this place would not attract attention at all.
Therefore, Sun Yong’s actions were quite bold. Soon, he arrived at the dilapidated door and cautiously peeked inside. But before he could clearly see, a voice suddenly came from beside his ear: “Aren’t you coming in for a sit?”
This made Sun Yong jump like a startled bird. His muscles instantly tensed, and he leaped backward. The door opened, and he saw Sun Bing sitting cross-legged in the room, a wooden sword placed horizontally on his lap, seemingly having waited for a long time.
“I’ve been discovered,” was the only thought in Sun Yong’s mind. However, instead of fleeing, a fierce look appeared on his face. Because if he retreated now, it would be even harder to come back and steal. It would be better to switch to forceful seizure. He immediately drew his personal treasured sword.
Looking at the flash of cold light, Sun Bing showed no worry, but rather excitement. The last time he killed Sun Yang, the main role was played by the first sword he drew in this life, which contained too much essence, Qi, and spirit, like a drawing-blade strike, powerful and giving the opponent no resistance whatsoever, instantly killing him in one move. However, he gained no combat experience from it.
Today, he happened to have an opponent who could help him hone himself. He immediately held his dark wooden sword and fought against Sun Yong.
The wooden sword and iron sword met, only emitting a dull thud, yet showing no signs of being cut off. This made Sun Yong’s eyes flash with deep surprise, because in his mind, Sun Bing had only just been able to Cultivate, while he had already reached the Fourth Layer of Body Tempering.
Although this sword strike was blocked, Sun Yong wasn’t worried at all, because it was just a casual strike from him. It was no big deal that it was blocked, but his attitude became a bit more serious: “I didn’t expect you to be able to block my casual sword strike. You need to be careful next.”
With that, he directly used Basic Swordplay and swung his sword forward again. However, Sun Bing looked at the somewhat crude swordplay and sneered. Every sword strike could skillfully hit the opponent’s weak points. No matter how strong his power was, it was completely useless.
In an instant, the two had already exchanged several rounds, and only the sound of swords dancing could be heard in the small courtyard.
As time passed, a sense of fear gradually grew in Sun Yong’s heart. He really didn’t expect that Sun Bing had become so strong after only a few days apart. At the same time, his heart was filled with jealousy and ruthlessness.
If Sun Yong originally only wanted to steal the Secret Manual to frame him, now he didn’t want to go through the extra trouble. Instead, he preferred to kill Sun Bing tonight, even if there was a risk of exposure. He didn’t care anymore.
Because if this trend continued, it wouldn’t be long before Sun Bing might even surpass him. Thinking about how he used to bully the other party, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of panic.
Sun Bing noticed the other party’s change immediately. Although he could still find flaws in the swordplay, his own speed couldn’t keep up, and his strength was also quite a bit weaker, so the pressure was getting greater.
This made Sun Bing frown slightly, and he sighed inwardly: In this world, although Martial Skill is very important, the most important thing is one’s own Realm. If one reaches the Realm where one force can conquer ten skills, even the most exquisite techniques are useless.
However, at this moment, Sun Yong saw that the other party could still barely hold on, and he was both angry and annoyed. He thought: It seems I must treat you as a threat and can no longer hide. He shouted: “Gentle Breeze Slowly.”
The refined steel sword instantly transformed into a dazzling cold light and thrust out directly, sharp and agile, even accompanied by gusts of sword wind. It was clearly the “Gentle Breeze Swordplay” from the Merit Law Hall. Sun Bing still had some impression of this move, as it was the first move of the “Gentle Breeze Swordplay.”
That’s right. After all, there were only two swordplays in the Sun Family’s Merit Law Hall. “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay” was basically ignored, so most people must have learned “Gentle Breeze Swordplay.”
“Good move!” Feeling the threat in this sword strike, Sun Bing’s eyes flashed with surprise, because he felt the hairs on his body stand on end, and a power within him wanted to erupt.
“No wonder they all say that hovering between life and death is the best time for tempering. Under this move, I even feel like I’m about to Breakthrough,” Sun Bing secretly lamented.
But he was not afraid at all, and even had a eager-to-try feeling. Previously, when fighting Sun Yong, he had only been using Basic Swordplay. Now was a good time to test the results of the past half month.
Sun Bing turned his body to the side, his right hand rotated, and the wooden sword followed his movements, executing the second form of “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay,” Sweeping the Four Seas.
At this, Sun Yong’s eyes were filled with surprise. He really didn’t expect that Sun Bing had also successfully Cultivated the Low Grade Yellow Rank Martial Skill. However, he didn’t recognize this move, as no one in the Family had ever successfully Cultivated “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay.”
In a flash, he could only hastily dodge. The wooden sword and iron sword clashed, even producing sparks.
But under this sword strike, Sun Yong’s left arm was cut open. If he had been a little slower, his entire arm might have been lost.
This was also because it was Sun Bing’s first formal battle with an enemy. Although his Martial Skill proficiency was sufficient, he lacked combat experience and was prone to making mistakes. It was precisely because of this that Sun Bing had been entangled with the other party.
Otherwise, he would have killed the opponent in the first instant. After all, Sun Yong was too careless in the Early Stage, and his swordplay had major flaws. If he had acted then, he would have definitely defeated him in one move.
Sun Yong didn’t know what Sun Bing was thinking, nor did he believe that he was just a whetstone. Instead, his scalp tingled: “When did this kid Sun Bing become so strong, and his swordplay so superb?”
But his gaze was ruthless. It had reached the point where it was either him or me, so he couldn’t possibly show mercy. He immediately flicked his iron sword.
“Storm of Wind and Rain.”
This was the strongest move in “Gentle Breeze Swordplay,” and also the main embodiment of its characteristics: speed, delivering a storm-like attack that left the enemy no time to react before perishing.
It could be said that when Sun Yong used this move, in Sun Bing’s eyes, countless flaws appeared. He simply hadn’t fully utilized its essence. He didn’t even use “Longitudinal and Horizontal Swordplay,” but merely a gentle thrust, forcing Sun Yong to stop his movements.
Unless he was intent on dying together, if he continued, he would surely die.
“It seems I should send you on your way. You can no longer give me pressure. Sun Yang is still bored, after all, he wants to temper himself, but this way there is no pressure at all.”
These words made Sun Yong’s eyes narrow: “What? Impossible! You can’t be that strong!”
But the truth was that cruel. After Sun Bing finished speaking, the movements of his hand suddenly became much faster, and then a bright light flashed in the darkness.
“Longitudinal Sword Manual First Form: One Blade to Seize Life.”
Looking again, Sun Yong was already lifeless. Only Sun Bing’s cold figure remained in place, appearing particularly desolate against the backdrop of the night.
After a long while, a faint voice could be heard: “You are the second.”