Chapter 159: Chapter 158: Battling Yu Qingxuan_1
Peng Song’s body, like a kite with a broken string, traced a parabolic arc through the air before crashing down hard onto a tea table, shattering it to pieces.
This...
A hint of horror appeared on Xie Feng’s face. Peng Song, a Seventh Realm Martial Artist, was among the top-tier fighters if one discounted those on the Heavenly List. Yet, despite this, he had been soundly defeated by Ling Chen.
He had originally planned to let Peng Song take a beating first, and then he would step in. But now, it seemed irrelevant whether he intervened or not.
"Now, it’s your turn."
At this moment, Ling Chen’s gaze fell upon Xie Feng.
"What do you want?"
Realizing the situation was dire, Xie Feng began to panic. He held his palms up defensively as he retreated, saying, "Ling Chen, you were right. Since we have no grudges or enmity, why resort to fighting and killing over such a minor disagreement?"
"Oh? So now you realize it was just a minor disagreement?" Ling Chen sneered, not halting his advance towards Xie Feng.
"Ling Chen! I admit it was my mistake!" Xie Feng, seeing Ling Chen showed no signs of letting him go, hurriedly continued, "I hope you can show mercy. A great person like you shouldn’t dwell on the faults of a lesser man. I assure you, I will never cause trouble for you again."
"Considering your sincere remorse, I’ll let you off this time. Conduct yourself wisely from now on."
Only then did Ling Chen stop. Ultimately, a petty person like Xie Feng couldn’t stir up any real trouble.
With that said, he turned and began to walk away.
"Bastard, who do you think you are? Do I need your pity?!"
However, just as Ling Chen turned his back, Xie Feng’s expression twisted. He abruptly activated his Qing Sha Protective Qi and thrust a palm viciously at Ling Chen’s back.
"Incorrigible."
Ling Chen’s reaction was incredibly sharp. The instant Xie Feng attacked, Ling Chen sensed it. Without even looking, he spun around, his right hand clenched into a fist, and punched out.
BANG!
Fists and palms collided, the two streams of True Qi slamming together.
CRACK!
A sharp, bone-breaking sound rang out as Xie Feng’s arm was bent grotesquely, his hand bones shattered by Ling Chen’s blow.
Screaming in pain, Xie Feng was also sent flying, following in Peng Song’s unfortunate footsteps.
Ling Chen shook his head, not pressing the attack further.
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
Just then, the sharp sound of applause suddenly echoed.
Looking in the direction of the sound, Ling Chen saw Yu Qingxuan walking towards him.
"Senior Sister Yu Qingxuan."
A sarcastic look touched Ling Chen’s lips. "What’s this? Finally couldn’t hold back and decided to step in yourself?"
"Are you mocking me?"
Yu Qingxuan’s beautiful face appeared as calm as an old well, but in reality, killing intent towards Ling Chen had already stirred within her.
"That will only make your death uglier."
"Peng Song was just as confident when he told me that earlier. You saw what happened to him," Ling Chen replied, his face still carrying a harmless smile, showing no hint of fear whatsoever.
"Peng Song is Peng Song, and I am I. Do you think I’m as easy to deal with as he was?"
Yu Qingxuan drew the Treasure Sword from her waist. Her clothes fluttered though there was no wind, and strands of green True Qi infused the Treasure Sword, activating a layer of green Sword Light upon its blade.
At this unusual display, Ling Chen’s eyes lit up slightly. The sword style Yu Qingxuan used felt distinctly familiar.
It’s the Qingfeng Sword Art.
The last time he fought Song Hailan, she also used this same Lower-grade Heaven Level sword technique.
However, even though it was the same swordsmanship, its power was vastly different in the hands of different individuals.
"Stride Across the Azure Clouds!"
Before Ling Chen could ponder further, Yu Qingxuan launched her attack. As she executed her swordsmanship, her body moved like a phantom. Combined with her Light Skill, her swordplay became incredibly fast.
Yu Qingxuan seemed to step upon a cluster of azure clouds, bursting through the air. Her powerful offensive pressed down on Ling Chen.
Her formidable cultivation as a Martial artist of the eight realms was undeniably on full display.
Facing such a powerful onslaught, Ling Chen no longer held back. He directly activated his Mountain and Water Sword Intention and retaliated with the move "Mountain Mist Overlapping Peaks."
CLANG!
The two swords met, erupting in a brilliant shower of sparks.
SWISH!
Yu Qingxuan pushed her mastery of the Qingfeng Sword Art to its absolute limit. Her second sword strike swiftly followed the first. She spun and thrust, her Sword Light now three inches longer than before, aimed straight at Ling Chen’s heart.
In a flash, sparks flew continuously as they exchanged three blows.
SLASH!
A piece of Ling Chen’s sleeve was sliced off as his body retreated more than ten meters away.
Looking down, Ling Chen saw that the cut on his sleeve was a mere hair’s breadth from his wrist. If he hadn’t accurately calculated the length of Yu Qingxuan’s Sword Light, that last strike wouldn’t have just severed his sleeve—it would have taken his hand.
Yu Qingxuan’s long sword pointed diagonally towards the ground. She didn’t continue her pursuit but suddenly spoke, "Ling Chen, I know you have a secret technique to enhance your cultivation. If you keep hiding it, I’m afraid you won’t get the chance to use it."
"You certainly know a lot."
Ling Chen wasn’t surprised. Yun Tianhe must have told her. While it’s dangerous for my trump card to be known, I’m not yet desperate enough to rely on the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique as a last resort.
Without hesitation, Ling Chen activated the Ancient Saint King Battle Technique. An ancient and imposing aura emanated from him, transforming into a sweeping gale.
Ling Chen’s cultivation then abruptly rose from the Martial Artist Fivefold Realm to the Sixth Layer Realm.
Indeed, it’s a Secret Method that boosts cultivation, and it seems to have no side effects. A glimmer of shock flashed in Yu Qingxuan’s eyes. Generally, Secret Methods that boost cultivation have strong side effects, impacting the body, cultivation, even one’s foundation and lifespan. However, Ling Chen’s Secret Method doesn’t seem to have any of these side effects—at least, not visibly. Moreover, after his boost, his True Qi is highly condensed, and his aura is stable. It doesn’t look like he artificially increased his realm using a secret technique; it’s more like he genuinely cultivated to reach this level.
The shock on Yu Qingxuan’s face receded, and she stated calmly, "Even so, you’re only at the Sixth Layer Realm Martial Artist. You still have no chance of winning against me."
"That remains to be seen."
The corner of Ling Chen’s mouth lifted slightly, the blade of his Heavenly Mansion Sword pointed directly at Yu Qingxuan. "I’d like to see just how strong the Experts on the Heavenly List are. Perhaps today, you’ll lose to me, and I’ll be listed on the Heavenly List, achieving success in a single step."
Yu Qingxuan sneered, "Heh, truly the son of the Martial Arts Supreme, always so confident in your words. However, if you can’t demonstrate commensurate strength, I’ll have to assume you’re just bragging."
Confidence was a good thing, but in her opinion, Ling Chen was overconfident. Since she had been listed on the Heavenly List, countless promising young talents had desired to challenge and defeat her. Yet, without exception, all of them had ultimately fallen by her hand.