The voice had just fallen, but Lang Bin had already gathered his power and taken a step forward, launching his movement technique to close in on Erza. This was the ancestral movement technique that only the Lang Family possessed – Traceless Shadow!
Lang Bin had the option to wait for the rest of the students to finish their fights or even rallied the other students to attack Erza. However, he chose a head on fight since he wanted to prove himself to the audience. He wanted to silence them by beating Erza fair and square.
Lang Bin's body flashed and he dissolved into a series of shadows. His movements were simply like the floating clouds and flowing rivers; it was completely natural and filled with grace. The shadows gradually increased, until it was difficult to distinguish just which one Lang Bin was.
The audience gasped in amazement as they watched this scene. They didn't know who Lang Bin was, they only knew he was one of the fifth year students. As for his strength, they were unsure. But because they blindly worshipped Erza with raging fanaticism, they only regarded Lang Bin as a minor side character, someone for Erza to step on.
But now that they looked at him, they noticed that this Lang Bin wasn't some common talent of his generation. A layman simply enjoyed the show, but an expert recognized the art. There were many experts present, including several seniors that had reached the mid or late stage of Knight Realm, who were extremely startled after seeing this movement technique from Lang Bin. Even though they were closely watching, they still couldn't see where Lang Bin's real body was!
"Hehe, Lang Bin is just being a deliberate show off. Of the four great family's movement techniques, the Lang Family's Traceless Shadow is the most beautiful and exquisite. A normal practitioner would simply have no means to counter this movement technique," Alexander said in the crowd, as he was sitting down eating a pine nut.
"Erza is not an ordinary practitioner. If Lang Bin had reached the point where he could advance and retreat like the flowing waters and be untouchable, then he might be able to defeat Erza. But his movement technique is only 50% complete. Victory or defeat is still undecided. However, he should still be able to give Erza some trouble...." Bella had a good understanding of the Lang Family's Traceless Shadow, and was able to immediately identify the level of Lang Bin's movement technique.
The other students gave Erza and Lang Bin some space, while picking up their own opponents. Some were eyeing the clash of the two strongest contestants in their group, planning to take advantage of any opening.
Just as many in the audience grew worried of Erza, Lang Bin drew his sword. But, it was more accurate to say that over a dozen Lang Bins had drawn their sword.
The many sword rose at the same time, a thick true essence condensing at the sword point, substantialized into a visible sword light that reflected off the tip!
"Mm, true essence manifestation!"
With that, many of the audience gasped in amazement. True essence manifestation was usually only achievable by a late Knight Realm expert, but Lang Bin was only at the early stage of Knight Realm.
"Shadow River!"
Lang Bin gave a loud shout, the sound coming from all sides, and the numerous swords thrust straight towards Erza. This strike surged with momentum, true essence swelling forth just like a torrential river!
The dense rain of sword light made the audience's hearts tense up; how could one possibly hide from this?
Shadow River was one of the top three sword skills of the Lang Family. Although Lang Bin had spoken demeaning words towards Erza, he didn't dare to underestimate his opponent!
"What good swordsmanship. The sword is the river, permeating all, seizing every weakness. When the Lang Family's Shadow River and Traceless Shadow are combined together, it is nearly unstoppable. Just how is Erza….."
Before Qi Long could finish half his thought, he was already stunned speechless.
He helplessly looked as Erza did not even use her Heavenly Flame Sword. Instead, Erza only took a sudden step forwards, and punched out with her fist!
'Underworld Fist!'
*Bang!*
The tiles under Erza's feet shattered under the power of her step. Dark essence filaments erupted outwards, and plunged towards Lang Bin like an enormous mountain.
If Lang Bin's sword was like the torrential river, then Erza's dark true essence was the mighty mountain that destroyed the river!
*Poh!*
All of Lang Bin's shadows were directly demolished, and Lang Bin's main body was struck by Erza's punch. Lang Bin was sent flying backwards like a broken kite, and he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood. Even his sword was sent flying off in another direction.
Unless a martial artist was severely wounded, they would never abandon their blade. But, no matter how Lang Bin tried to hold on, he couldn't keep his grip. A deadly and fierce vibration transmitted down the sword hilt and the resulting shock shattered the web of his palm!
Seeing Lang Bin fall off the stage, the entire audience rose up in an uproar!
Although they believed that Erza would win, they hadn't expected she would triumph in such a complete victory. That fellow Lang Bin, who had thought that Erza was trash, was actually thrown out by Erza like a bag of trash. Erza had not even needed to use the Heavenly Flame Sword.
Violet stared on, her eyes unmoving. She mumbled, "It's only been a few months, ah, damn your auntie, how did this little girl make so much progress? Do you really want to give this auntie a heart attack?"
Victoria was looking strangely at Violet. She did not expect the usually cold Violet to utter such words.
Alexander shut his mouth, not even cracking the pine nut between his teeth. To be honest, he also wanted to go on stage and test out Erza's ability, but presently, if he had gone on stage, he likely would have followed in Lang Bin's footsteps. Alexander was stronger than Lang Bin, but by how much?
Was Erza really an early Knight Realm expert? Her strength was at least equal to a mid Knight.
Alexander gulped. He couldn't help but glance at his father next to him. Reynold's face had sunk like a rock in water, and his eyes were gloomy. What he was thinking, no one knew.
Sir Adam nodded from his seat of honour, unable to conceal his jubilant smile. This little girl, after experiencing the setback few months ago, had managed to bounce back in no time and her strength kept increasing day by day. Six months ago, there was no way Erza would be able to beat Lang Bin this easily.
"Hehe, this girl probably has other cards up her sleeve. I'm really looking forward to what happens next." The principal stroked his beard, his face full of smiles. To someone of his age and cultivation, it was impossible to make a further breakthrough. Thus, he could only pride himself on producing the most excellent and talented students. To the principal, this was the greatest comfort and gratification he could have.
However, no one expected that Erza had not done yet with her surprises. Without waiting for the rest of the contestants to overcome their shocks, Erza lifted up her sword and pointed it to the sky.
'Thousand Sword Petals!'
In the next moment, thousands of illusionary swords appeared on the sky. They were covered in tiny flames and looked like petals from afar. They were absolutely beautiful.
However, the students on the stage did not have time to appreciate the beauty since the sword petals dropped down from the sky as soon as they appeared.
Shrills and screams resounded in the arena where the audiences were struck speechless with what they were seeing. In the end, Erza was the only one standing on the stage as the rest of the students were lying down on the ground with various degree of injuries.
"Victory to Erza!"
The competition's referee Elder had also been distracted for a moment before he announced the result of this match. As an academy elder, he clearly knew very well how strong Lang Bin and the rest of the students were.
Although Lang Bin's cultivation was at the early stage of Knight Realm, he could definitely fight evenly with a weak mid Knight Realm expert. But now he had actually been defeated by Erza in a single move. In addition, the rest of the students were not pushovers either and they were a hundred of them.
This elder wondered, after Erza reached the King Realm, would she also only need a move to defeat him?
It would be interesting to see his expression if he knew that Erza was able to kill an early King Realm expert as an early level Knight.