by Shian Jeen
Suddenly, Jin Desheng bellowed and his body dashed forward in a flash, winding up a fist to attack Cui Li. A light blue water vapor diffused around Jin Desheng like a barrier as he leaped out.
Because it was of a lower grade, his martial spirit was suppressed by Cui Li’s martial spirit on an innate level. The longer the fight dragged on, the more he fell to a disadvantage. Therefore, he needed to seize the initiative.
Below the stage, Huwang Xiao shook his head silently while watching the battle.
Without needing to watch further, he already knew Cui Li would come out on top in this match. Regardless of whether one was talking about Cui Li’s martial spirit or her battle qi strength, both were more powerful and abundant than Jin Desheng’s.
Sure enough, moments later Jin Desheng was knocked out of the battle stage by Cui Li.
After the first duo’s match ended, the following match was between Xie Puti and Han Dong. The round ended quicker than the first round, very much lacking in suspense as Xie Puti defeated Han Dong effortlessly without summoning his martial spirit.
“Third group, Huwang Xiao versus Yanggang!” After the result of Xie Puti and Han Dong’s match was announced, Cheng Jian’s voice sounded again.
The moment Cheng Jian’s voice fell, Huwang Xiao and Yanggang stood up simultaneously.
The two opponents exchanged glances. Yanggang sneered at Huwang Xiao mockingly then stepped out ahead of him towards the battle stage.
Huwang Xiao calmly followed behind him in an unhurried gait.
All eyes of the crowd focused on them in high anticipation as Huwang Xiao and Yanggang stood face to face on the stage.
Cui Li sat below the stage and remained focused on the two figures the entire time.
Yanggang looked at Huwang Xiao, smirking confidently, “How was the feeling of sleeping in the streets last night? Not bad right?” Pausing for effect, Yanggang continued, “Heartless Young Noble asked me to pass you a message: This, is only the beginning!”
Huwang Xiao sneered, “Oh~, really?” followed by a shake of the head in a regretful way, “Unfortunately...”
“Unfortunately what?” Yanggang’s face sank.
“Unfortunately those that become other people’s dogs usually don’t live long.” came Huwang Xiao’s nonchalant reply.
“You!” Anger and killing intent exploded in Yanggang’s eyes. Light rippled around his body as currents of gloomy black energy spread out at rapid speed with a tinge of ice blue frosty chilliness mixed in. It was a beast that looked like a cross between a lion and a tiger. It’s body was pure black and it had a pair of icy blue eyes, hovering midair behind Yanggang.
This was Yanggang’s martial spirit, a top grade twelve superb talent martial spirit, Celestial Yin Beast!
The Celestial Yin Beast of Martial Spirit World contained the darkest Yin energy and was most pliable amongst martial spirits.
The instant his Celestial Yin Beast appeared, Yanggang’s momentum soared. He looked at Huwang Xiao with a cold expression, shouting “I’ve said to you before, you’d better hope you don’t come across me on the stage, otherwise, you won’t be walking out of here on your own when you leave!”
“Summon your Divine Black Dragon martial spirit.”
Huwang Xiao shook his head, “To defeat you, there’s no need for me to call upon my martial spirit.”
“What?!” Below the stage, everyone who heard his words were flabbergasted and it caused someone to blurt out in surprise.
“Huwang Xiao actually said he could defeat Yanggang without summoning his martial spirit?!”
Even Cui Li and Xie Puti were astounded when hearing Huwang Xiao’s claim.
On the guest platform where Duan Wuhen was sitting in a lazy demeanor, he was originally leaning back deeply into the chair, but even he could not help straighten his body a little when hearing what Huwang Xiao said. A tiny spark of interest shone in his eyes. The same thing also happened with Cheng Jian and the other Duanren Empire ministers.
Disbelief swept over the crowd when they heard Huwang Xiao actually dare to utter such an arrogant claim. Defeat Yanggang without relying on his martial spirit? After all, the public was of the opinion that Huwang Xiao’s strength was about the same as Yanggang.
Recovering from their shock, everyone secretly shook their head with a similar thought flickering in their minds: This Huwang Xiao’s arrogance has gone overboard.
Listening to the gasps of shock and awe coming from the crowd, anger shot right to Yanggang’s head, thickening the killing intent in his eyes.
“Fine, fine!” Yanggang’s voice was extremely cold, “Since this is how you want it, I also won’t use my martial spirit.” In a flash, the Celestial Yin Beast once again returned to Yanggang’s body.
With Yanggang’s martial spirit gone, the black vapors around the stage vanished.
Watching this series of actions, Huwang Xiao only shrugged his shoulders. To him, the result was the same whether Yanggang used his martial spirit or not!
“I’ll let you make the first move!” Yanggang pushed his battle qi to the extreme as he spoke to Huwang Xiao.
Huwang Xiao’s silhouette suddenly blurred just as Yanggang’s voice ended, leaving an afterimage behind on the stage where he previously stood. Before one could blink, he was already right in front of Yanggang. Well, he offered, therefore, Huwang Xiao needn’t be polite!
Huwang Xiao’s eyes had a coldness in them. Punching out using his Collapse Fist, he hit Yanggang’s body without obstruction.
Boom! A deafening collision rang in the air, followed by Yanggang’s miserable scream. He slid across the stage floor right to the edge.
Everyone watching held their breath, forgetting to breathe, as they stared dumbly at Yanggang’s figure nearly spilling out of the battle stage.
In the next second, Duanren Square exploded with astonishment.
“What?! What was that blurry image?!”
“How did Huwang Xiao achieve such speed!”
“So fast, it was too fast! Was it Huwang Xiao’s martial spirit ability?!”
Many were filled with doubt and disbelief. Shocked and thrilled expressions came from the crowd as they stared fixedly at the battle stage.
Xie Puti who had been watching from below the stage suddenly jumped to his feet, feeling genuine shock. Cui Li, Pang Yu, Dai Shanni, and the rest also jumped up from their seats like Xie Puti.
One punch from Huwang Xiao sent Yanggang flying! Yanggang did not even have time to react!
Before Huwang Xiao’s battle qi broke into the Xiantian realm, his martial spirit ability, Phantom Shadow already achieved a speed comparable to Fei Hou’s, and after stepping into the Xiantian realm, his martial skill ability’s effectiveness had more than doubled. When also adding Yanggang’s arrogance and carelessness on top of that, it was no surprise he was knocked to the edge by Huwang Xiao.
Up on the main platform, Duan Wuhen looked on interestedly, sitting straighter than before as he spoke to Cheng Jian, “Looks like all of us underestimated Huwang Xiao.”
The shocked Cheng Jian only recovered some clarity when Duan Wuhen spoke, and nodded dumbly.
Not only the two of them, but even their Duanren Emperor had underestimated Huwang Xiao!
ly, Duanren Emperor surmised Huwang Xiao had the strength to compete for a spot among the top ten, but now...! Cheng Jian smiled bitterly inside. The truth, it seemed, was that Huwang Xiao did not only have the capability to wrestle for a spot in the top ten. Judging from his speed just now, Huwang Xiao had the strength to contend with Xie Puti for first place!
When Huwang Xiao said he could defeat Yanggang without summoning his martial spirit, many had thought Huwang Xiao was insufferably arrogant. At this very moment, no one doubted Huwang Xiao’s strength.
Noises from the crowd rose and fell. On the stage, Huwang Xiao slowly strode in Yanggang’s direction with a cold expression on his face, advising: “It’s better if you summon your martial spirit. If not, you won’t eve
n have the chance to counter.”
Yanggang got up from his position, wiping away the blood flowing down from his mouth as he fixed a deadly glare on Huwang Xiao. There was wrath, humiliation, and intense murder, but at the same time he understood that what Huwang Xiao stated was fact. If he did not summon his martial spirit, he truly would not have the capability to counter Huwang Xiao’s attack. When Huwang Xiao displayed his martial spirit ability it was simply too fast for him!
Ch.178
Yanggang let out an animalistic roar towards the sky, and once again a dark energy intertwining with an icy blue spread out in four directions from Yanggang’s body as he summoned his martial spirit, the Celestial Yin Beast.
As the Celestial Yin Beast emerged and hovered behind Yanggang, the blood stain on Yanggang’s lips disappeared.
However, for a fleeting second, a faint pink had colored his cheeks as he recalled what he said earlier. He wasn’t going to use his martial spirit and even generously granted Huwang Xiao the first move!
He was now basically eating his own words. Yanggang slowly raised his head, his venomous eyes falling on Huwang Xiao as they filled with hatred and an intense killing intent.
In the next moment, Yanggang fused with the Celestial Yin Beast and soul transformed.
Although one’s martial spirit could solidify their ethereal selves into a corporeal entity after entering the Xiantian realm and battle as is, most warriors would choose to soul transform. After a soul transformation, the owner would receive a much higher boost in strength, among multiple other aspects.
Yanggang’s body flickered the instant he soul transformed. His entire being seemed to evolve into a dark energy, drifting in Huwang Xiao’s direction yet arriving almost simultaneously. The increase in speed was astounding, surpassing the level Huwang Xiao had shown earlier while using his Phantom Shadow ability.
Arriving in front of Huwang Xiao, a cruel bloodlust of scarlet red gleam flitted across Yanggang’s eyes, slamming his palms right into Huwang Xiao’s chest.
“Withering Bloom Palm!”
Dark energy trailed behind, enveloping Yanggang’s palms as they struck with an icy blue glow that reflected in-between the darkness.
This was the energy of Yin and darkness. The darkness energy of a Celestial Yin Beast was regarded as the coldest and most poisonous energy that existed between heaven and earth.
After Yanggang soul transformed, he used the celestial Yin energy that was unique to the Celestial Yin Beast and Withering Bloom Palm which was a high mid-grade Earth rank battle skill comparable to some high-grade Earth rank battle skill.
Yanggang used one of his trump cards, aiming to send Huwang Xiao flying with one strike just like he did to him. Only by doing so could he wash away the humiliation he felt!
The surrounding airflow stagnated as it became affected by the Withering Bloom Palm.
Just when Yanggang was confident his attack would hit Huwang Xiao’s chest, Huwang Xiao raised his arms, countering with two palms of his own.
Boom! A resounding collision echoed from the stage as their four palms slammed against each other.
Huwang Xiao swayed, wobbling two steps back.
When he steadied himself, Huwang Xiao noticed that a layer of dark black ice had formed on his palms. At the same time, an icy blue energy seeped through the skin of his palms and entered his veins and meridians, trying to invade his body.
Seeing this, Yanggang sneered, “Huwang Xiao, you’re actually quite stupid to have taken my Withering Blossom Palm with your bare hands. Let me enlighten you, my celestial Yin energy will flow into your body along the veins and meridians of your palms. As the energy increases and accumulates, you will gradually realize that your entire body’s veins, meridians, and blood will solidify into ice. Once it invades your internal organs it will feel like millions of ants biting all over, the pain will be pleasurable for you!”
“Enjoy it while it lasts!”
After generously departing with this information, Yanggang broke out in a hearty laughter mixed with elation and it reverberated in the air.
Below the stage many were still dazed due to shock. Looking at the result, heads shook in pity.
“This Huwang Xiao is too careless, now that Yanggang’s celestial Yin energy is going to destroy his body, he has no hope of winning!
The celestial Yin energy is the coldest and most poisonous energy. Even a Xiantian Third Order expert would be in a bind trying to expel it from his body!”
“Serves him right! He must have thought he would win the battle ‘cause he managed to knock Yanggang down with one punch. That’s why he was careless!”
Voices rose and fell, lamenting Huwang Xiao’s arrogance and mistake, while there were also people that gloated at his predicament.
On the main guest platform, Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian could not help but frown.
Despite the many different reactions thrown his way, Huwang Xiao remained calm. A burst of inky purple light enveloped Huwang Xiao and both of his palms quivered slightly. The black ice formed on his palms shattered into particles and fell down whereas inside his body, when Yanggang’s celestial Yin energy met with the same inky purple energy, it was swallowed up by the tyrannical inky-purple energy in Huwang Xiao’s body.
Watching the sudden turn of events, the people below the stage and the crowd suddenly exclaimed in surprise and bafflement.
The celestial Yin energy was known as the coldest and most poisonous energy, yet Huwang Xiao treated it as nothing!
Duan Wuhen squinted his eyes as he stared at the inky purple glow flowing out from Huwang Xiao’s body and deeply pondered over it.
“What kind of battle qi is this?” Even Cheng Jian could not hide the surprise and curiosity from his voice.
Back on the stage, Yanggang’s complacent laughter stifled abruptly.
Huwang Xiao looked at the other side, apologizing in a ‘modest’ manner, “My apologies, it seems your celestial Yin energy is useless against me!”
Yanggang’s face turned unsightly.
At that moment, a similar pool of dark black energy enveloped Huwang Xiao’s body and before everyone’s bewildered eyes, turned into a pair of ebony wings. The white in his eyes was overtaken by a crimson color, making him appear bloodthirsty. His black hair turned completely white, starting from the roots and cascaded all the way down to the ends of Huwang Xiao’s long hair, flying upward as if it were defying gravity.
A heavy atmosphere of slaughter broke out from Huwang Xiao, sweeping out to the entire Duanren Square.
Everyone’s heart tightened.
“A very strong aura of slaughter!” Xie Puti muttered and his eyes narrowed solemnly.
“What battle skill is this? He can change his physique without soul transforming?!” On the main platform, Cheng Jian’s eyes flashed.
Duan Wuhen did not speak, but the way he looked at Huwang Xiao had taken a one hundred and eighty degree turn.
Terror seized Yanggang as he watched the changes happening to Huwang Xiao, he strongly felt the terrifying rise in Huwang Xiao’s strength compared to before, and that thick aura of slaughter actually sent a chill all the way down to his core.
Suddenly, the Wings of Demon behind Huwang Xiao extended and with a flap he reached Yanggang. The Blades of Asura in his hands reflected a cold glint as they swung out.
“Tempest of Hell!”
Huwang Xiao’s icy voice rippled above Duanren Square’s void.
Dozens of cold blade lights appeared out of nowhere, gathering into two turbulent gales, spinning towards Yanggang.
Whimpers and cries originating from hell echoed from the stage.
Listening to the eerie cries, emotions of fear and terror inexplicably rose in everyone’s heart. They were filled with panic, trepidation, and apprehension, causing them extreme discomfort.
Looking at the impending violent wind vortexes, Yanggang’s pupils dilated in horror. Completely spooked, he continuously retreated backwards while throwing frenzi
ed frontal attacks with the Withering Bloom Palm.
Under the barrage of attacks from Yanggang, airflow became stagnated due to the freezing energy, successfully slowing the two Tempest of Hell’s speed.
Just when Yanggang was about to breathe out in relief, Huwang Xiao leaped up, once again swinging the Blades of Asura. It was still the Tempest of Hell, however this time there was a combination of Tempest of Hell and Tears of Asura!
The howling cries of an Asura from hell pierced the square.
Yanggang was struck with terror as he stumbled backward, retreating again and again. Unknowingly, he had reached the edge of the battle stage.
“Celestial Yin Body!” All of a sudden, Yanggang bellowed. The surface of his skin was covered with a layer of ice blue film. Shockingly, his entire body softened limply as if there were no bones supporting him, barely aiding him in dodging Huwang Xiao’s attack.
The Celestial Yin Body was Yanggang’s martial spirit ability. When displayed, his entire body became so soft that it was like he lacked any bones.
Huwang Xiao was not surprised when seeing Yanggang successfully avoid his attack. If Yanggang was someone so easily defeated, then rumors would not pin him as the most likely candidate to win second place this year.
After he escaped Huwang Xiao’s attack, Yanggang twisted his body and lunged onto Huwang Xiao. No one noticed when Yanggang had withdrawn the short blade in his hand.
The short blade in Yanggang’s grip was a pure blood-red color. It was slim and narrow, and an image of a black skull could be seen on the blade’s body. When Yanggang slashed the short blade towards Huwang Xiao, it emitted a disgusting foul scent akin to a corpse that had been rotting for a very long time, nauseating the senses.
Huwang Xiao waved the Blades of Asura, sparks flew from the blades friction.
After one exchange, both of them jumped back in retreat at the same time.
In the next moment, Huwang Xiao’s silhouette blurred, reappearing in midair. His body started to rotate at great speed while the Blades of Asura swung out continuously, covering the entire stage in the State of Abundant Lightning attack area, striking with the wrath of a devil.