"Ah!"
Scarlet blood dripped on the ground, dying the earth red. Zhuo Fan's face throbbed as his face slowly took on a much darker tone. Until now, his nigh invincible right arm was twitching in correlation with the pain it sent.
Mystical Heaven Sect's girls gasped, filled with worry. Dan'er was frantic, "Sister Qingcheng, h-he's hurt badly…"
Lightly furrowing her brow, Chu Qingcheng's heart tightened in silence.
She had complete and utter confidence in Zhuo Fan that no matter what he faced or when this man would always come out on top.
Even now, her belief hadn't been stirred. Yet despite this, she could still feel pain and worry for him when she saw Zhuo Fan's bloody right hand.
This was Chu Qingcheng's stance. She saw herself as nothing less than Zhuo Fan's woman.
If a woman did not trust her man, then she could never call herself his to begin with. However, she would keep her eyes on her man, and the slightest wound would fill her with worry.
It might sound contradictory, and it was. Why worry when you believed he would win? This worry proved, in fact, you didn't believe him.
This was the nature of women, filled with contradictions yet emotional to the core.
Trust and tenderness…
Looking at Chu Qingcheng, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety, Shui Ruohua's opinion of her never fell. It occurred to her, then and there, and she looked back at Zhuo Fan with a sigh.
[It looks helpless and bitter, but I yearn for it…]
"How is this possible? I had never managed to scratch him, and a measly Wen Tao ends up piercing that freak's arm?" Yan Mo was overwhelmed by such a radical development on the screen that he shouted his indignation.
Wu Qingqiu eyed him, then smiled, "Yan Mo, aren't you a bit too conceited? I find Wen Tao just a layer under you but no less weak. Coupled with the fact he made a sneak attack while exercising caution, Zhuo Fan was bound to be hit hard. Maybe he underestimated his opponent since he was from a middle three sect."
Brow shaking, Yan Mo was still incredulous an almighty expert like Zhuo Fan, who resisted him every step of the way, would make such a gross miscalculation as overlooking sneak attacks.
Especially when he could still hear Zhuo Fan's patronizing and preaching words, sure, they were insufferable, but every word showed just how cautious this freak was, meticulous to the core.
So how the hell would he suddenly turn sloppy in the face of challenging the middle three sects' strongest sect? It was too basic a mistake to make.
"What if… it's on purpose."
While Yan Mo was using every bit of brainpower to figure out just what he saw, a faint voice pierced the fog. Ye Lin's sharp eye never left Zhuo Fan; his brow furrowed, his face solemn.
Wu Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Junior brother, where did that come from?"
Yan Mo looked at him as well, eager for the reply.
"Just a hunch, nothing more." Ye Lin shook his head and said, "I don't believe he ever underestimates his enemy and make such a gross mistake by taking this fight as trivial. The only plausible explanation is that he did it on purpose."
Rolling his eyes, Wu Qingqiu shook his head and sighed, "Junior brother, you're just too stubborn. No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. Just because you find someone that caught your eye doesn't mean only you can beat him. Can't the rest of us have a sliver of chance as well? You try finding anyone who agrees with that logic, ha-ha-ha… "
Yan Mo's face twitched, but he shook his head in the end, thinking.
[Here, I thought this guy is great but only has this dumb reason.]
Ye Lin spared them a brief glance but said nothing. He kept staring at Zhuo Fan with all his focus to see if he could find anything that unraveled the mystery…
While Wu Qingqiu and Yan Mo didn't understand Ye Lin's reasoning, there was one person in this vast audience that saw through Zhuo Fan.
In the shadows, a glittering pair of eyes blinked at Zhuo Fan's right, now gushing with blood, with a smirk.
"Ha-ha-ha, this punk is cunning indeed. He actually found such a grandstanding way of hiding his wounded arm."
Danqing Shen held his beard as he smiled in amazement, "The kid could scout the sacred mine, and the wound he got from Atlas Sword could only be hidden for so long. I never dreamed he would think of using someone to strike his wound and hide its origins. I don't think there'd be any more reasonable explanation than this. But what is truly shocking is he actually went with it."
"He used his sect's disciples in the fight with Demon Soul Sect to stall. He didn't fight Han Yunfeng because the kid was too weak. If he ended up wounding this grand dark horse, then it would only raise suspicion. However, if it was Wen Tao instead, his power fit the bill, making this kind of wound obvious. It's truly rare for someone like him to know patience and understand choices. Anyone else thinking this plan would not consider every detail and would just fake being wounded in the fight with Demon Soul Sect. And that would have had the opposite effect, ha-ha-ha…"
Danqing Shen chuckled, "His strength and sharp mind make him a marvel of this world. I would've taken this boy along if I had not come for the sword this time and didn't want to raise alarm. Sigh, what a shame…"
Shaking his head, Danqing Shen's figure was gone from the shadows.
Meanwhile, with a groan, Wen Tao made a sign, and the sword stuck in Zhuo Fan's right flew back in his hand.
Gazing at the bright edge of his sword and then at Zhuo Fan's red arm, Wen Tao's brow was furrowed in puzzlement. Even he found it hard to believe he could land such a heavy blow. But then he cupped his hands in respect, "Ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo, sorry. I hope you will overlook my overbearing attack."
"It's fine since I won't be going easy either."
Zhuo Fan flicked his right and splattered the blood covering it on the ground. His face was heavy, and his voice was low, as if enraged. Though no one figured out yet that his heart was dancing in joy.
[Now I don't have anything to worry about and can let loose, ha-ha-ha…]
Wen Tao's face twitched, "Brother Zhuo, it wasn't on purpose. I didn't mean to give you such a heavy wound. I was only distraught by brother Zhuo's power but never imagined…"
"You mean to say I don't live up to my name? That I'm not so tough to even take one hit? Is that it?" Zhuo Fan faked anger, "Then, brother Wen, allow me to show you all that I'm capable of. Now I can't waste brother Wen's kind intentions, can I?"
Wen Tao's mouth twitched, and he shook his head. But then his gaze steeled, "Let's go! Since brother Zhuo wants to let loose, then I'll be happy to oblige!"
Wen Tao swung his sword, and an invisible ripple shot from its edge straight for Zhuo Fan.
However, unlike the brash Space Crusher's way of unleashing its power, the sword's vibrations were gentle, like silken threads drifting with the winds.
"As a dinghy on wave doth drift, and willow branch bend in the wind so swift, never more than a finger lift! Such is the way of peace and gift!"
With that poem, Wen Tao pointed at his sword and smiled, "Brother Zhuo, the name of this sword is Ephemeral Life, a gentle and aloof sword. It drifts with the world and stands free of burden. It is not a sword meant for brute force but refined and carefree in nature. But even gentleness has power. Even it can take a life. Do take care, brother Zhuo!"
Zhuo Fan's heart sank, and he understood his meaning.
In Space Crusher, everything was pulverized, yet this sword's sword energy remained because it used softness to glide through brute force.
However, while the sword looked soft, it was hard. Only when combined with that gentle sword energy, could it release such a power that could break Space Crusher.
Recalling the sword's name, Zhuo Fan had figured out everything.
[Such is the way of peace and gift.]
This did not mean it was weak, but it was crafty and ready to pounce when the time was right. While a breeze could not shift a mountain, it can move me with it, thus borrowing its power with time and unleashing it all at the right time.
This was the meaning of the sword's name and what made Gentle Sword Wen Tao deadly.
Gentleness acted as entrapment, while hardness struck one's defenses, ending everything in a split second just like before.
Having understood all about his opponent, he also had the perfect response.
Raw power could not beat gentleness as it was meant to carry it. Only through destruction and instant annihilation could he finish this before the opponent gathered momentum.
Zhuo Fan sported a vague grin, with purple lightning arching around his right hand.
The fist turned into a dragon claw, ready to rip the sky.
Wen Tao was startled, his face twitching.
[Did I just talk too much? Showing off allowed this punk to find my sword's weakness…]
Wen Tao felt like smacking himself hard to wake up.
"Uh, brother Zhuo is truly an astute man, to able to understand my gentle sword. Ha-ha-ha…" Wen Tao glanced at the purple lightning and let out a strained laugh.
Zhuo Fan grinned, "You're far too kind. It's brother Wen who explained it to me. It's truly a dumb thing to show off all your cards before the fight even begins. But today, I witnessed brother Wen's actions and heard your words. Now I have a whole new view of it. Brother Wen didn't do it out of foolishness, but as a generous gentleman, ha-ha-ha…"
Everyone watching the fight burst out laughing. Wen Tao looked bashful.
"Maybe regardless of being a fool or a gentleman, I'm sure with brother Zhuo's perception, you would've noticed it after a couple of moves without even me saying it. Rather revealing this before the fight to everyone so that I would be seen as open-minded. However, knowing my sword and defeating it are two different things!"
Wen Tao smiled and raised his sword. He flicked it and sent several sword energies straight for Zhuo Fan, "Brother Zhuo, take this Gentle Sword, ever-flowing and ever-changing!"
Whoosh~
Zhuo Fan's heart sank, and he got himself ready. The purple lightning on his right hand crackled, but as the sword energies reached him, they turned soft, floating in the air, and surrounded him, trapping him in their center.
Wen Tao waved his sword again and sent more sharp sword energy at Zhuo Fan, turning into thousands of strands in a blink of an eye.
However, like before, the sword energy turned soft right before reaching Zhuo Fan, drifting in the wind.
He was now trapped in a quagmire of sword energy, with no way out!
Fiend Yang turned grave and facepalmed.
[This punk is just too cocky. He not once came to see the middle three sects stage and has no idea what Wen Tao can do with this attack.]
[He is caught in thousands of strands, unable to break free of the sword energy.]
Be it Heaven Trailing Sect or Demon Soul Sect, neither could escape it when it was unleashed in their team battles. While Zhuo Fan was tougher, it was still unknown if he could pull it off.
Fiend Yang and Fiend Yin were looking very tense.
The one who was in the center of this entrapment looked far more relaxed by comparison. Zhuo Fan just grinned and used his right dragon claw to swipe. Along with the crackling, the purple lightning destroyed any sword energy it touched.
"The purple lightning has the power to destroy the world. While its power is lacking, its character is one of destruction. Wen Tao's gentle sword energy had just met its nemesis."
Ye Lin showed a hint of a smile, but then he turned solemn. "However, I'm sure Wen Tao is aware of it as well. But since he does something so pointless, he must have a backup plan."
Wu Qingqiu and Yan Mo gave Ye Lin a deep look, then returned to the fight with a nod.
Just as this genius of the superior three sects said, the sword energy strands got crushed, but Wen Tao showed no worry.
Making a sign, Wen Tao made the struck sword energy that floated about. As a result, to enter the sword in his hand.
Zhuo Fan noticed, to his amazement, that Ephemeral Life exploded in power.
Zhuo Fan's heart shook, and he understood Gentle Sword's true meaning.
[It's to drift alongside you like the wind until you are squeezed to death!]
These gentle sword energy strands acted like a fence. If one started bashing it, the sword energy fragments would return to the sword and turn from soft to hard, greatly bolstering its power.
The source of this power was, on one hand, the soft sword energy gathering on the sword, and on the other, the power of the adversary fueled within the blade.
This way, the more he let it drag out, the worse it would be for him.
[So that's why he said that knowing and defeating it are different things. Regardless, once his strands are out, he holds the advantage. Unless one uses force, there's no quick way to end it.]
"Ha-ha-ha, how amusing. Since this is the case, I'll punch right through!"
Zhuo Fan's eyes flashed and shot for Wen Tao. But just then, under Wen Tao's urging, the soft sword energy strands plugged the gap, and Zhuo Fan was trapped again.
However, Zhuo Fan, having seen his tricks, there was no way he would let himself get stalled again.
So he swiped his lightning-streaked claw.
Roar!
With a draconic roar, the purple lightning-fueled claw crushed the soft sword energy, clearing a path Zhuo Fan took the next second to get out of the circle.
The scattered pieces of sword energy gathered on the sword, but the remaining soft sword energy strands had no time to block Zhuo Fan again.
Wen Tao's brow shook, and his gestures changed.
The soft sword energy turned hard, stabbing Zhuo Fan from all directions.
Zhuo Fan grinned and flicked his right, shattering the strands with the purple lightning.
Wen Tao raised an eyebrow and didn't dally. He changed his hand sign, and all the sword energy gathered on the sword. The sword's edge gleamed with unspeakable power at that moment.
Zhuo Fan now finally arrived before Wen Tao and struck.
Wraith Style, 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!
Soft to hard, Heaven Breaking Sword!
Wen Tao did not hesitate to stab straight for Zhuo Fan as well.
In an instant, Ephemeral Life looked to have been soft all its existence and turned hard in this fleeting moment. With that stab, it was like the world's power fell on Zhuo Fan's shoulders.
Zhuo Fan's claw came like a raging dragon, violent and overbearing. It was as if this claw was going to tear the world asunder.
Clang!
The claw and sword met in a screeching clash, a clash that only lasted for a split second before they separated.
Zhuo Fan's body stood in his spot, his attack blocked, while Wen Tao was thrown tens of meters from the sudden force of impact. When he straightened up, he looked at Zhuo Fan in shock, puzzlement, and disbelief.
[What just happened? Why did a casual sword strike wound him so before, yet my all-out attack did nothing? He even managed to bounce me back. Just what is happening?]
[Was he truly careless before? Is that why I hit him? Now that he's serious there's no way of hurting him?]
[This guy is strong to a terrifying degree!]
Gulping, Wen Tao showed no glee but unprecedented seriousness. The ones watching the fight had no idea what Zhuo Fan was really capable of.
Especially that ridiculous body of his.
[How is he still human when not even a 9th-grade spiritual weapon can't scratch him?]
While he was shocked, Zhuo Fan was even more so.
His right hand used the world's power, that of the invincible sacred beast, Qilin. It should be natural to win any encounter when it is involved.
However, he never thought it possible to be blocked, leaving him depressed.
[Wen Tao is good. Gentle Sword is not only capable but uses both soft and hard skills to perfection.]
They would scream if others knew he was depressed because of this tiny little detail.
[You're the damn violent brute here!]
[Dude, you're depressed cause he blocked you? Then what about the rest of us? Should we be in the pits of despair?]
Luckily, he didn't show it, keeping it to himself as he went for Wen Tao again.
He could see that Gentle Sword no longer had as much power in his sword as before.
So all he had to do was strike fast before Wen Tao gathered some more power, which was when his sword would be defeated.
Whoosh~
He reached Wen Tao in a flash and swiped with his claw.
Wen Tao hurriedly blocked with his sword but was sent flying. The force pierced his innards and forced him to spit blood.
"Ha-ha-ha, I just knew it. You can never beat me directly without the gentle sword's accumulated power." Zhuo Fan did not pursue and smiled, "Brother Wen, do you have any tricks? Use them now or surrender. Since you are a gentleman and courteous, I will reply in kind."
Wen Tao looked long and hard at Zhuo Fan, "I knew I couldn't match you alone. I was only testing you from the start. Knowing to back off when it's futile is something I told others. But I can never retreat. However, ha-ha-ha, brother Zhuo, the team battle is just getting started…"
Wen Tao's eyes flashed, and he stood up after wiping the blood from his mouth. The other nine Sword God Sect disciples were now on the move.
"Finally. Sword God Sect hadn't yet involved all their disciples in team battles. Now, they're going all out against one man, ha-ha-ha…"
Wu Qingqiu chuckled, his eyes filled with excitement. "I can't wait to see what Sword God Sect is made of."
Yan Mo also nodded, "Ever since the middle three sects stage, the Sword God Sect has been hiding something. Maybe they have a weapon to challenge the superior three sects with. However, they're forced to use it on an underdog."
Wu Qingqiu thought the same.
Thump~
With heavy steps, Sword God Sect's nine disciples came behind Wen Tao as if to give him support, as they stared at Zhuo Fan, filled with thirst for battle.
They all saw what Zhuo Fan could do, and even their team leader couldn't deal with him after going all out. But they were not in the least bit anxious but steeled in their determination.
Zhuo Fan approved of their attitudes.
For some reason, Zhuo Fan felt that Wen Tao's Gentle Sword title was half attributed to the nine disciples.
As if the Gentle Sword's true power would be unleashed only when they worked together.
"Zhuo Fan, I know you're a body cultivator of freakish build, and not just anyone can withstand it. However, now we will strike your weak spot. Do watch out." Xie Tianshang stepped forward with a serious look.
Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Give me everything you got. I'll take it you all on!"
"Hey, you can't just throw the match just because he's an old buddy. He's our strongest opponent yet!"
Wen Tao shook his head, smiling, "Xie, ugh, I always feel your name makes me lose out every time I say it. Ha-ha-ha, Did you not see me talking too much and ending up revealing my secret? You saw how I lost. So you better learn from my mistakes!"
(StarReader: Xie lit. means thanks.)
"Like you wouldn't have lost anyway, even without babbling and explaining your style."
A calm voice echoed out, "A loss is a loss. If you keep looking for excuses, you're only going against the gentleman's code."
They all turned to see Zhuo Fan scratching his chin, knowing the thick sarcasm in his words.
Wen Tao's face fell and snapped, "Brother Zhuo, I get that you win. But can you please not kick someone when he's down?"
"That's how it is if you don't admit it!" Zhuo Fan grinned.
Wen Tao huffed, then flicked his head away in annoyance.
Xie Tianshang smiled, "Brothers, we're here to do battle, not squabble. What would that win even account for? The next fight is the one to determine the real winner! "
"Well said. What does personal honor mean when fighting in a team battle?" Wen Tao's eyes lit up, "Brother Zhuo, get ready! This won't be so easy!"
"We'll see when it ends." Zhuo Fan smiled, but his eyes showed caution.
Sword God Sect's ten disciples made signs, and ten glinting swords flew from them and into the sky with a ripple.
"That's…"
Zhuo Fan was startled, and so was everyone. Someone even shouted in shock, "That's their souls…"
"Just what are they planning to do by releasing ten souls?" Yan Mo looked stunned.
Wu Qingqiu was frowning, shaking his head, "The soul is the core of one's spirit. Unless one would fight to his dying breath, no one would just take it out. However, facing an expert like Zhuo Fan, a soul would easily end up damaged. Aren't they looking to die by releasing them all?"
"This is the only way for them to release all they have. Only by fighting to the end!" Ye Lin sighed, "Why must they go so far? Zhuo Fan is my opponent. Why are they in such a rush to stake their lives?"
Wu Qingqiu sighed, his face solemn and filled with respect for Sword God Sect's disciples. "Knowing full well there's no chance they have no remorse in giving their very being in defeating their adversary. This is a warrior's honor and life pursuit. These ten people are worthy of our respect!"
Ye Lin and Yan Mo looked at Wu Qingqiu and nodded.
At this time, the ever stony Exalted Double Dragons finally expressed emotions.
Talking and laughing, working together and staking one's life. This was both foolish and also dedication…
"Zhuo Fan, if you can't block our attack, you must dodge. We won't attack again, but that will mean your defeat. Don't be stubborn and risk your life for nothing!"
Xie Tianshang made a sign and shouted at Zhuo Fan.
Zhuo Fan started, looking at them oddly. He could sense their move would shake the world itself, but…
[Hey, who's the one risking his life here? You got your souls out and everything!]
[Are you that confident I wouldn't just pluck your souls one by one?]
Wen Tao saw that he was skeptical, so he mediated, "Brother Zhuo, junior brother Xie isn't joking. You'll know in a moment. Our strike will hit you right where it hurts the most!"
Wen Tao made his own sign and shouted, "Harmony of Soul Sword, gather!"
The other nine people echoed him in shouting and gestures.
The ten swords in the heavens above gathered, and a strange, gentle power ebbed from their center. Like a simple string, it linked all the sword souls together.
Wen Tao shouted again, and a dazzling white light brightened the skies. It was so intense the sun itself paled.
Once the light passed, the people cried in shock.
Nine swords were gone from the sky, leaving just one. But this sword soul released an incredible power with every motion. The slightest movement shook space enough to rip it.
"That's a soul harmony?" Exalted Bai Mei cried, "Everyone's soul is different and mutually exclusive. But there are arts in this world, soul harmonies, that can unify them. It's rare enough to see three souls joined together, but Sword God Sect managed to do it with ten? This is like a miracle!"
Exalted Hei Ran nodded as well, equally amazed, "Sword God Sect has the sword at its core, with everything related to it. All of their disciples form a sword soul as well. To them, it will be much easier to practice soul harmony. But this is just too overwhelming for it to happen with ten in one moment. I believe the core of it is Gentle Sword, that Wen Tao!"
"Soft and hard. Hard enough to break the heavens and soft enough to absolve anyone. He is the tie that binds them. This is how such a remarkable art like soul harmony came to be…" Exalted Bai Mei squinted and nodded. The list of names once again appeared in his hand…
Wu Qingqiu and Yan Mo were stunned. Ten souls fused into one. Such a soul power was more than mere deadly. Zhuo Fan had so far only shown off his body's outrageous power.
No one here ever knew anything about his soul or how strong it was.
No wonder Wen Tao and Xie Tianshang warned Zhuo Fan to dodge it. Such a strong soul attack would rip Zhuo Fan's soul to shreds if his were any weaker.
And even if it were strong, it would still be left with a deadly wound.
Wen Tao was called Gentle Sword, yet his final move was soul harmony. He truly walked an incredibly overbearing path, yet soft to the extreme!
This sword was beyond strong!
"He's in trouble…" Wu Qingqiu sighed. Ye Lin looked grave as well.
Only Yan Mo looked eager, having some expectations. He only caught a glimpse of Zhuo Fan's soul last time, and it was by no means weak. As for how strong it was, he didn't live up to the challenge.
[But now, this freak's soul would finally come out.]
"Sister Qingcheng, what now? How could any one man take on such a powerful soul?" On Mystical Heaven Sect's side, Dan'er was filled with worry and restlessness as she pulled on Chu Qingcheng's clothes.
She was more worried than anyone about Zhuo Fan's predicament.
Xuan Shaoyu said flatly, "It's best for that devil to die, humph!"
The girls only ever looked at Chu Qingcheng in worry. They all knew she knew Zhuo Fan the most.
She would know in her heart if Zhuo Fan could come out alive.
However, she was also somewhat alarmed since she didn't know a thing about Zhuo Fan's trump cards.
However, from what she saw of Zhuo Fan's cool expression, her heart regained calm, and she smiled, "He's going to be fine…"
Boom!
A sharp whistling wind made itself known. The ten fused sword souls were as huge as a hill, pressing down on Zhuo Fan.
The thick aura made everything around Zhuo Fan quiver and crack the earth. Rocks split, and then the dust and rock fragments started floating upward.
It was not that the laws of physics were out of whack, but it was the earth's reaction to being pushed.
It was as if the sword's gravity outweighed the earth's.
Fiend Yang gasped in shock. The soul harmony of ten sword souls was beyond anything they had imagined.
What kind of power would require showing such a strong reaction?
It was this power that was bearing down on Zhuo Fan's head. However, he was still the same, standing there in absolute calm.
Fiend Yang was sweating buckets. And it wasn't Demon Scheming Sect's venerables, but everyone else was getting nervous over Zhuo Fan's fate.
Even the exalted showed serious looks. This move was a true combined team attack. Not one person here, not even among the superior three sects, could take such an attack head-on.
However, if one such person came out on top from the exchange, he would become a candidate for the best in western lands on the spot. He might even challenge Danqing Shen's position in the future.
The two exalted watched Zhuo Fan's figure with extreme seriousness and furrowed brows.
"Brother Zhuo, are you really not going to step away?" Seeing Zhuo facing this new sword soul's power unflinching and undeterred, Wen Tao felt like he had to warn him again.
However, Zhuo Fan merely smiled and shook his head, "If I move, won't that mean I admit defeat? Since you, brother Wen, have pushed on despite the obvious outcome, wouldn't I be a coward if I acted otherwise?"
"A true man, I see. This fight, regardless of the outcome, I'll remember it. And I'll remember you!" With a shout, Wen Tao's hand sign changed, and the huge sharp sword soul went right for Zhuo Fan.
The pressure increased manifold in an instant. If before, its drift downward only gave a heavy presence, this time, it was more like a hammer bashing into you until you were mush. Not even the ever dauntless Zhuo Fan could remain unphased under it, stalling his breath.
[So strong.]
Zhuo Fan had his own calculation of how strong this attack might be, but that did not mean he had to be careless, making signs himself now.
Just as it was about to slam into him, everyone watched with bated breaths, watching as a startling draconic roar came from within his body.
Prismatic light drenched his surroundings as the mighty sword soul trembled and stopped.
Sword God Sect's ten disciples shivered, watching with incredulous eyes. Why would their invincible soul sword up and stall in mid-air? It was like something was holding it back.
The moment they saw what it was, their hearts cried out in shock as they gasped at the impossible sight!
Their awe-inspiring sword soul was in a sharp dragon claw, covered in prismatic light. Behind that claw was a hundred meters long dragon, circling Zhuo Fan and keeping him safe. The piercing and overbearing dragon eyes made all, even the audience, shudder inside, making them jump to their feet.
It was as if they were nothing but ants under those dragon eyes. This naked disregard was felt to their core.
"T-that's…" Wu Qingqiu cried out.
Yan Mo was just as shocked, "Now I see why just half revealing his soul last time would display so much power. If memory serves, this must be the legendary heaven dragon soul. Across all the western lands, there are only the two Exalted that managed to form such a soul!"
Yan Mo turned around to glance at the exalted. The usually composed elders were now standing, shocked at this wonder that was Zhuo Fan.
Heaven dragon soul was the strongest in the world, and its forming was just as undertaking. But it went beyond their wildest imagination that a mere Radiant Stage imp would do it. Even Danqing Shen back then couldn't!
The two exalted exchanged a glance and looked on.
The western lands finally had another mighty genius…
"I see, so that's why you didn't fear their united sword soul. So you formed the heaven dragon soul as well!" Ye Lin chuckled as he watched the mighty presence on the screen, "That's for the best. It's the least my fated rival should have. Wait, back up, won't that make you the one my master told me about that stole the dragon power from the Dragon Tomb? Ha-ha-ha…"
Wu Qingqiu jerked at his words, "Junior brother, what do you mean by Dragon Tomb?"
"Oh nothing, I'm just saying this guy is worthy of being my adversary, just by his courage alone, ha-ha-ha…" Ye Lin chuckled.
Wu Qingqiu muttered in doubt, "Junior brother, I know you're amazing, but there are some things I don't understand. Now that he took out the heaven dragon soul, yet you're still saying he is the perfect adversary for you, does that mean you have a soul to match his?"
"That… is a secret, he-he-he. You'll know soon enough." Ye Lin had a mysterious smile.
Wu Qingqiu's doubts only increased but did not push the issue.
Only now did the rest of the crowd realize the implication of this soul, and they grew excited as they drowned the stands in a clamor.
[Heaven dragon soul, something only the Exalted Double Dragons have in the entire western lands! But how can the great Exalted just show their souls? I never thought it possible that today I'd be given such a treat. An average disciple actually formed the strongest soul!]
It was breathtaking.
[It also lives up to its name, blocking the power of ten souls.]
Mystical Heaven Sect's girls were overwhelmed, chattering in glee. The fiend venerables were so touched they were on the verge of tears.
[Since we have an ultimate genius with a heaven dragon soul in our sect, does that mean we can aim for Double Dragon Manor's position?]
[Frickin' hell, this windfall is just too sudden.]
They were just some no-name lower three sect and now had the prospects of becoming the head of western lands!
"This damn brat, couldn't he have told us the great news earlier? I was so scared my poor little heart was about to burst out of my chest!" Fiend Yang wiped his nose in tears of joy.
Some men's joy was another men's sorrow. Zhuo Fan's display of the heaven dragon soul was unquestionably a moment of happiness for Demon Scheming Sect and his friends. However, for the superior three sects that were about to face his challenge, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
Everyone paled on the spot, while the ten Sword God Sect disciples facing this monster were close to tears.
Wen Tao glanced at Zhuo Fan and the huge dragon above, then cursed, "Seriously, Zhuo Fan? Is this what you call cowardice? What pushing on despite obvious outcome? With the heaven dragon soul, there's nothing you can't do. What's with all the posturing and playing the victim? You even made me believe it!"
"I did say that I would face you, but that did not refer to you. What are you getting all that excited about?"
Rolling his eyes, Zhuo Fan refused to admit his wrong, mocking, "Wanna continue? If not, throw in the towel."
Staring at Zhuo Fan, Wen Tao snorted in anger, "Throw in the towel? No way! When our souls combine, we will draw blood!"
Wen Tao shouted, and the ten people made a new sign, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Everyone heard a sudden ear-piercing screeching as the sword soul in the heaven dragon soul claw scraped against its nails step by step, about to come out of its grasp.
Heaven dragon soul was strong, but ten sword souls combined was nothing to scoff at. The huge sword was now approaching Zhuo Fan, ready to smash him.
Zhuo Fan's heart jumped and made hasty signs himself. The dragon claw upped its force by a third. The ten disciples shook as blood leaked from their mouths. But they still pressed on. The sword soul kept sliding off as the claw could no longer keep it locked.
"Wen Tao, are you that intent on risking everything? At this rate, this will only end with me being smashed by your sword soul or if I shatter your souls with my dragon claw. In my case, it will only be my body that perishes while your soul will be destroyed. Your price is so much steeper!" Zhuo Fan's hands trembled in the sign he made. He looked at the incoming storm and warned the ten disciples.
Gnashing his teeth to the point of bleeding, Wen Tao shouted his last will, "Braving the dangers despite the obvious outcome, that's the way of the sword! If we back down now, we'll never live to accept this shame, and never would we reach the peak of swordsmanship. Death is a much better option!"
"Zhuo Fan, I used to be a martial fanatic, only knowing that strength is needed to win and not one's path. Now that I'm in the Sword God Sect, I finally found my path. This fight, today, I do not fight you, only follow the path I chose without turning back!" Xie Tianshang shouted at the sky.
The rest of his fellow disciples echoed him, "Never turning back! Never turning back…"
Zhuo Fan gave the ten of them a long look, taking in their determination and the blood around their mouths with a slight nod, "Since that is the case, I can only oblige. Wraith Style's 2nd move, Ghostly Dragon Claw!"
Zhuo Fan's hand made a gesture, and the heaven dragon soul roared, increasing the power of its claw.
Crack!
The huge sword soul sported a hairline fracture, causing the ten disciples to tremble once more and spew blood.
Even so, they held on, and the sword soul kept sliding downward.
Zhuo Fan's gestures continued, and heaven dragon soul's claw's power was increased again. When he finished going through the signs, the heaven dragon soul used the Ghostly Dragon Claw, further amplifying the damage to the sword soul, which was on the verge of shattering.
The Sword God Sect disciples were about to have their souls purged in that instant!
However, as Zhuo Fan's signs came to a close, he suddenly stopped right at the end. He grumbled and relaxed his hands before making a different sign.
"Wraith Style, 3rd move, Necro Dragon's Screech!"
Roar!
The power of the claw abated, and the dragon opened its maw to release a roar at the sword soul.
A powerful sound wave carried heaven dragon soul's soul power and slammed into the sword soul, making it tremble.
With a bang, the huge sword soul split into ten souls as they flew back to their bodies.
Wen Tao and his fellow disciples shook and spewed blood before collapsing.
The audience was shaken by this outcome, filled with complex emotions.
This showed them in no uncertain terms that Zhuo Fan, this demonic cultivator, had spared their lives at the last moment.
This same ruthless and vindictive demonic cultivator let righteous cultivators live. It was beyond baffling.
While there could be friendship, everyone knew that the demonic path was pitiless. The fact Zhuo Fan had urged them to give up was already kind enough, and even if he had killed them, no one would call it into question.
The ending, however, was when Zhuo Fan was about to doom them for eternity. That last moment made him change his mind, opting for splitting their combined soul and sparing them. He only left them with a heavy wound. This made the audience baffled as to his intentions.
"A demonic cultivator is a twisted and deceitful individual. He is making Sword God Sect owe him. He's making sure that Demon Scheming Sect will now have a middle three sect ally after this. Humph, vile demon spawn, you may be able to deceive others, but you'll never succeed in pulling the wool over my eyes!"
Leader of the Universal Righteous Sect's team, Zhao Dezhu's eyes shone, having seen through his play. He turned to his fellow disciples and admonished them, "See that? See how cunning a demonic madman is? Now the Sword God Sect would be moved to tears. Sigh, this is how another righteous sect degenerates."
One disciple started sucking up to him the minute he finished, "Senior brother is right. I only hope the Sword God Sect disciples can be as wise and open-minded as senior brother to see this vile spawn's treachery. But how can there be someone as righteous and outstanding as senior brother all around us? I fear that they would fail to understand this truth."
"Exactly…"
Rubbing his chin, Zhao Dezhu felt elated at this guy's skill in flattery taken to the rank of art. He sighed most dramatically. "That's what worries me. Without someone like me in their sect, they would be easy prey to these demons' hypocrisy. That's why I keep telling them not to come in contact with demonic cultivators, or they will one day fall prey to their machinations. Especially that Ultimate Clarity Sect, as the head of the superior three sects, should take it upon itself to root out all evil, demonic cultivators in particular. But they…"
"Senior brother, please calm your anger. I can see that such a righteous cause will soon be squashed in the hands of these undivided sects. It'd be better if we become the head of the superior three sects and a just model for all the righteous sects out there."
That disciple was laying on as thick as possible. "Especially that best disciple in western lands. That title should be senior brother's by right. Only senior brother and his righteous conviction can lead the western lands!"
Zhao Dezhu nodded at every word with a natural face like it was all a given. But then his face sank as he turned to Zhuo Fan, "That may be, but I can't defeat Wu Qingqiu, nor Yan Mo. Now that another monster with a heaven dragon soul appeared… Sigh, it just had to be a demonic madman. Is this the omen to the doom of righteousness?"
"Senior brother, history shows us that evil never triumphs against good. Sooner or later, the best in western lands can only be senior brother, he-he-he…"
That guy's flattery just wouldn't stop. Zhao Dezhu was feeling much better for it too, but he also knew the truth.
[Screw your 'evil never triumphs against good.'. When it's all said and done, it's all a matter of whose fist is bigger!]
They were last in the superior three sects rankings, and now that the Demon Scheming Sect came challenging, the odds were they couldn't even keep their spot. So what head of the nine sects?
[I'd be happy if we keep just our status!]
Grumbling on the inside, Zhao Dezhu shook his head, thinking of ways to make that happen…
Wu Qingqiu rubbed his chin, giving Zhuo Fan a long look, "Is he doing this for the future of his sect? Demon Scheming Sect is just a lower three sect. Rising to the rank of middle three sect and crushing Sword God Sect's team in the process would only earn their hatred. It would only make things worse. It's one thing to become a middle three sect and another to grow into one. That takes time, even with Double Dragon Manor's resources."
"I think it is a straightforward decision. When with me, he didn't even care I was from a superior three sect, so why would he care about a middle three sect?"
Yan Mo shook his head. "Moreover, demonic cultivators are known to be volatile and rash. When they say they'll strike, that's what they'll do. So why change tunes midway? The way I see it, he just didn't feel like killing them, nothing more."
Wu Qingqiu raised an eyebrow, "Didn't feel like it? The blade was at their throat, yet he didn't feel like swinging it? Since when can demonic cultivators easily withdraw their bloodlust?"
Yan Mo fell silent.
As a demonic cultivator himself, he knew it far better. His thirst to kill had to be satiated fully when it was brought out. Otherwise, it would stifle and work against him, harming his soul. The chance was it might even make a hole in one's convictions.
As for why Zhuo Fan did it in stride, it was beyond him.
"Ignorance makes you amazed."
Ye Lin butted in with his mockery, "Be it demonic or righteous cultivators, they all want to elevate their heart and mentality to an unrestrained degree. What's so odd about Zhuo Fan restraining his desire for blood? This only proves his heart has reached an incredible level, even above many of our elders, even beyond mine. What I find odd, though, is why he did it. Is it really out of friendship? That's not the demonic path."
Ye Lin frowned, his mind filled with countless thoughts…
High above the stands, the two exalted shared a glance and beamed.
"Bai Mei, see that? This boy is just like us back then." Exalted Hei Ran chuckled.
Looking at the baffled looks of the crowd, Exalted Bai Mei nodded as well, "Yes, this is a reason not many can see. While demonic and righteousness are conflicting, they're all paths leading to the same destination. Among those that seek it, a kind of kinship forms, which is natural. Like us, Zhuo Fan and the Sword God Sect's team also have it. "
"Right, mortals pursue glory and riches, something even cultivators can't completely separate themselves from. How few are there, those pursuing the end of the road with their whole being? They won't understand while the rascal refrained from killing them. Only we know. Seeing Wen Tao's team so driven on the path of the sword, it's like I'm seeing myself and my determination. Even to a demonic cultivator, as long as he has this pursuit at heart, he will never deal the last blow to a fellow path traveler."
"The demonic path is cruel, but they value heroes just as much. I want all of those ten boys! Ha-ha-ha…" Exalted Bai Mei took out the roster and scribbled down ten more names.
Hum~
A white pillar burst into view, conveying the judge's words, "The victor is decided. You all can now return."
Zhuo Fan pulled the heaven dragon soul back inside and looked at Wen Tao's team to see their wane faces filled with unwillingness.
"We lost, so let's just go. We lost, after all, ha-ha-ha…"
Wen Tao shook his head with a bitter smile as he got up. He turned to his team with blood dripping from his lips, "Junior brothers, let's go. Don't be discouraged. We might have lost this challenge, but it's not our swordsmanship that did. Our path can move on! One day we will defeat this monster and wash away this shame!"
"Are you… sure?" Raising an eyebrow, Zhuo Fan smiled.
Glaring at him, Wen Tao stabbed his finger as he shouted, "Next time, we will win!"
"I'll be happy to meet you again in battle!" Zhuo Fan turned serious, "The next time we fight, though, I hope it will be all ten of you."
Wen Tao clenched his fists and spoke with power, "Don't you worry, you will!"
The disciples cupped their fists, still filled with fighting spirit like this was their victory.
Sword God Sect's team walked through the white pillar, but before they did so, they helped up Demon Scheming Sect's disciples and went together.
Zhuo Fan looked on with a smile.
When it came Xie Tianshang's turn, he looked at Zhuo Fan, "Although this might sound brazen and ignorant, I'll still challenge you the next time. It's not just to defeat you but so that my sword would grow on. And I won't be challenging you alone, but with those nine senior brothers you defeated with me."
Xie Tianshang left through the pillar, but then he heard Zhuo Fan chuckle just as he went through.
"Xie Tianshang, Sword God Sect has now caught my eye. The only team! You won the team battle. I only won the singles."
Hearing this, Tianshang grinned as he moved through the white curtain…