Ch. 72 - I Wanted To Prove It To You

He glanced at Shadow Tyrant. Although this round of tempering hadn't fully awakened the blade’s lightning attribute, the weapon’s overall quality had significantly improved.

Xu Zimo estimated that after a few more refinements, once the lightning attribute was activated, Shadow Tyrant would advance to the Profound Tier.

That’s the value of forging weapons with high-grade materials. Though originally a common-tier weapon, Shadow Tyrant held nearly limitless potential.

Had it been forged with ordinary materials, it would’ve shattered after just a few seconds in the thunder pool.

…

Sheathing the blade behind his back, Xu Zimo began walking toward the outer sect.

The Martial Challenge Arena designated for the Crouching Tiger Rankings matches was already bustling with activity.

As one of the new disciples, Yan Buhui had risen to 11th place on the rankings in short time, a remarkable feat, making him the brightest star among this year’s recruits.

Now, he was about to challenge Xu Ren, ranked 7th. Every top-ten bout on the Crouching Tiger Rankings always stirred up a storm among the outer sect.

People loved witnessing a newcomer rise like a radiant star. They also enjoyed watching geniuses fall from grace, it gave them something to talk about and made them feel a little more significant.

…

The Martial Arena was constructed from slabs of Blue Ridge Stone, a material so durable it couldn't be broken without power on the True Meridian Realm.

At the moment, Xu Ren, dressed in white, was leaning casually against the iron chains bordering the platform, a longsword at his hip.

His aura was fierce and focused. He squinted at the crowd, quietly awaiting Yan Buhui’s arrival.

The autumn winds blew gently, cooling the remnants of summer heat. Yellowing leaves swirled down lazily in the breeze.

“He’s here!” someone shouted, turning all eyes forward.

Far-off mountain ridges were shrouded in mist, and neat rows of outer-sect courtyards lined the area. A stone pathway paved with white river pebbles led toward the platform, flanked by willows swaying gently in the wind.

From the distance, a youth in a white robe approached. A longsword was strapped to his back, his long hair flowing behind him.

He walked with calm strength, step by step toward the arena.

“I thought you’d chicken out,” Xu Ren opened his eyes, gaze piercing, a flash of sword intent streaking past his pupils as he chuckled.

“Talk all you want. Just don’t beg for mercy later,” Yan Buhui replied flatly.

Swordforce coiled around him. Head high and eyes sharp, he looked like a blade unsheathed, unstoppable.

Xu Ren snorted coldly. A loud clang rang out as his sword was drawn, slicing through the air with a streak of silver, charging straight at Yan Buhui.

Yan Buhui remained composed, slowly drawing his own sword. Sparks flew as the two blades clashed.

Their swords crossed in an “X” pattern, and Xu Ren's spiritforce surged, forcing Yan Buhui back several steps.

“Mystic-Tier Technique: Horizontal Cleave!” Xu Ren growled.

His sword, wrapped in spiritforce, slashed down with immense power.

Yan Buhui barely managed to parry, his arms going numb from the force. He tumbled back, narrowly dodging a follow-up strike.

“Profound Technique: Explosive Strike!” Yan Buhui roared, countering from behind with a sword imbued with raw impact force.

Their fight was deadly, each attack aimed to kill, no mercy was shown.

Xu Ren didn’t turn to face him. Instead, he shifted slightly to the side, avoiding the blow.

With a flick of his right arm, he elbowed Yan Buhui in the chest.

Yan Buhui couldn’t evade in time and was sent flying, crashing into the iron chains along the edge of the platform.

…

“Looks like we didn’t miss the good part,” Xu Zimo and Little Gui arrived, standing off to the side to watch the battle amidst the crowd.

Yan Buhui stabilized his stance, locking eyes with Xu Ren.

“As expected of a top-ten ranked disciple,” he thought. “He’s no pushover. His combat instincts and mastery over his techniques are on par with my own.”

“This is your limit, huh?” Xu Ren sneered, slowly raising his sword. “This next strike will finish it.”

His blade was enveloped in dark spiritforce, causing the surrounding air to tremble.

“Resonating Stone Pulse Slash,” Xu Ren whispered.

He took a step back, slightly bent his waist, and shifted his right arm into position.

Then, lightly stepping forward with his left foot, he shot forth like a bolt of lightning.

As the resonance from the sword intensified, the air itself began to distort.

A dazzling sword light formed in mid-air, aimed to cleave Yan Buhui in half from head to toe.

Yan Buhui’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t dodge, he couldn’t. If he couldn’t take this blow, he wouldn’t get another chance.

As the sword light grew larger in his vision, he subtly shifted to the side.

The sword didn’t miss entirely, it stabbed directly into his abdomen.

Time seemed to freeze. Even Xu Ren was momentarily stunned.

He knew this strike was powerful, but not impossible to avoid.

Yet Yan Buhui hadn’t tried to dodge it fully. He had hesitated.

When Xu Ren tried to pull his sword back, he found it stuck.

Yan Buhui had grabbed the blade with his right hand, holding it tight.

Then, raising his left-hand sword, he slashed at Xu Ren.

“He did it on purpose!” Xu Ren realized in horror.

He quickly released the sword and leapt back, but still got slashed on the arm.

His right arm now oozed blood. He looked at the wound, then back at Yan Buhui.

“That bastard took a fatal blow just to injure me...”

“I know I’m no match for you,” Yan Buhui said, face pale, yet smiling, a chilling sight.

“But I just wanted to prove something... to let people like you understand, no one insults my mother.”

“Even if you’re a lion, I, a mere ant, will tear off a piece of your flesh.”

He yanked the blade out of his stomach. Blood gushed, but he didn’t flinch.

In that moment, he looked like a demonic god, soaked in a sea of blood, fearless and unwavering.

That was his creed, his sword path.

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