Amidst the pressure cast by Roqi's gaze, Jiang Yun discarded his usual composure and spoke with such levity to alleviate the inner tension the stare induced.
As Wan Yankun contemplated a retort, Jiang Yun had already positioned himself in the center of the dueling arena, effectively leaving him hanging. He felt torn, not sure whether to speak or not, his frustration growing.
"Enough with the nonsense. If we're fighting, let's get on with it. What's the use of boasting for a moment? Don't you know I'm busy?" Jiang Yun contemptuously remarked, his attitude toward Wan Yankun becoming more relaxed and natural. The pressure exerted by Roqi's gaze had urged him to resort to verbal tactics, finding solace in taking a verbal jab to relieve the internal strain.
"Courting death!" Wan Yankun retorted indignantly and entered the arena.
Though Jiang Yun's words may have been lighthearted, he had managed to stand in the center of the dueling ground before Wan Yankun could respond. Wan Yankun found himself in an awkward position, not able to retort. Jiang Yun's verbal maneuvering gave him an advantage in the psychological aspect of their encounter.
Wan Yankun's internal rage did nothing to deter his focus as he entered the arena, determined to face Jiang Yun's challenge.
However, while Jiang Yun had used verbal tactics, once he was on the battlefield, his focus heightened, attentively tracking Wan Yankun's movements. The significant difference in their cultivation levels put Jiang Yun at a disadvantage, and he knew that without giving his all, winning against Wan Yankun would be nearly impossible.
Wan Yankun's gaze burned with intensity as he stared at Jiang Yun, his presence dominating the arena. His sword swiftly unsheathed, emitting a dragon's roar as it lunged towards Jiang Yun's face.
Internally, Jiang Yun felt a spark of delight. Wan Yankun had underestimated him, and Jiang Yun was quick to deduce Wan Yankun's plan. The difference in their cultivation realms could manifest as a suppressive force, inhibiting the lower realm's Qi circulation. This phenomenon was known as pressure. However, Jiang Yun's sword power was currently sealed, rendering him unaffected by Wan Yankun's pressure.
"Strange, it seems like Jiang Yun isn't affected by Wan Yankun's pressure?"
A voice from the crowd voiced their observation, prompting an exclamation of surprise.
"I think he's just holding on despite the pressure. The difference in their cultivation realms still has a significant impact in combat. When they reach the Earth Martial Realm, physical injuries will be more substantial."
"Is there an effect or not? We'll know once Jiang Yun makes a move."
Meanwhile, Wan Yankun's sword technique had already reached Jiang Yun's face. Drawing from his previous encounter, Wan Yankun's attack was both potent and deceptive. If Jiang Yun retreated, Wan Yankun's sword could follow with a swift change from a thrust to a stab, targeting three vital acupoints on Jiang Yun's body. However, if Jiang Yun chose not to retreat, he would be forced to face a strike from Wan Yankun, who had utilized eight-tenths of his true power. Either way, Wan Yankun was confident in his approach.
Did Jiang Yun retreat?
No, he didn't. At a crucial moment, Jiang Yun discerned a flaw in Wan Yankun's technique. When Wan Yankun advanced with his sword, he inadvertently left himself vulnerable. Instead of retreating, Jiang Yun moved forward, exploiting a position that Wan Yankun hadn't considered in his haste. He unsheathed his own sword.
With a powerful flourish, the sword's radiance dazzled, shining brilliantly. Jiang Yun's strike was swift, precise, and fierce, a testament to his mastery of the sword. The move not only impressed the spectators but even caused Roqi to narrow his eyes, a flicker of a hostile intention briefly crossing his gaze.
Roqi had never witnessed Jiang Yun's skills before. Initially, he had a low opinion of Jiang Yun due to Lu Yao's evaluation. However, observing the effectiveness of Jiang Yun's strike, Roqi recognized the astonishing talent in his swordsmanship. He acknowledged that he wouldn't have been able to replicate the same effect with his own cultivation if he were in Jiang Yun's position.
Given time, Jiang Yun's cultivation realm would undoubtedly improve, potentially posing a threat to Roqi. A hint of murderous intent flashed through Roqi's thoughts.
Just as Wan Yankun was overwhelmed with fear, Jiang Yun felt as if a sharp sword was stabbing into his back, causing his sword momentum to pause involuntarily. Taking advantage of this moment, Wan Yankun evaded Jiang Yun's strike.
Jiang Yun emitted a muffled groan. The withdrawal of a long-prepared strike, in the art of swordplay, would result in bloodshed. Missing his target left his Qi stagnant, counterproductively diminishing his own momentum.
Seizing the opportunity, Wan Yankun's sword technique unfurled, granting him the upper hand. Jiang Yun could only adapt and deflect Wan Yankun's moves, waiting for his Qi to flow freely again.
"Jiang Yun's missed opportunity with that long-prepared strike might seal his chances of winning."
Someone sighed, regretting that the stunning strike was unsuccessful. If Jiang Yun's strike hadn't stalled even for a second, victory or defeat might have been decided in a single move.
"That strike was truly shocking in terms of its momentum, precision, and speed. Even if someone from the Element Martial Realm attempted it, they might not be able to execute it. But Jiang Yun managed it at the Qi Martial Realm. He's truly a phenomenon."
"Don't just marvel at that single strike. Pay attention to his footwork. Although he seems battered now, he hasn't actually been hit by Wan Yankun anywhere."
As the person spoke, Jiang Yun's footwork was in full display. Amidst Wan Yankun's onslaught, he employed the Four Beasts Steps, deftly sidestepping and evading, making Wan Yankun's best efforts fruitless.
As time went on, the obstruction to Jiang Yun's Qi, caused by the missed strike, gradually diminished. On the other hand, Wan Yankun's initial fervor had waned into fatigue.
Jiang Yun continued to deftly utilize the Four Beasts Steps to avoid Wan Yankun's strikes while adjusting his disrupted Qi flow. Although he appeared somewhat ragged, he still managed to maintain a degree of mastery.
The more Wang Kaihai watched, the more astonished he became. While he was aware of Jiang Yun's swordsmanship prowess, Jiang Yun's boldness in the initial strike, as well as his subsequent responses after being setback, elevated Jiang Yun further in his estimation. While he had initially thought Jiang Yun might be slightly more skilled than him, he didn't consider him unreachable.
However, that single strike from Jiang Yun had left Wang Kaihai feeling a chill. He suddenly realized that, before Jiang Yun, he had no advantage to boast of.
"What's happening to Wan Yankun? Why are his sword strikes becoming weaker?"
"What do you expect? He's not made of iron. Continuous attacks for so long would have consumed a considerable amount of his Qi. If this continues, he might truly lose to Jiang Yun. I'm running out of my Body Tempering Pills."
"Wan Yankun is growing impatient. Look at the increasing flaws in his later strikes. But why isn't Jiang Yun retaliating?"
Even the spectators outside the arena could perceive the flaws in Wan Yankun's sword techniques, so how could Jiang Yun not notice? He was in a critical moment of adjusting his Qi flow, so he naturally wouldn't rashly strike back.
With a dark expression, Roqi observed the battle between the two from the sidelines. The outcome was already foreseeable. After whispering a few words to Qin Haifeng, Roqi's murderous intent was thinly veiled as he cast a glance at Jiang Yun before departing, sweeping his sleeves.
Sensing the sudden emergence of killing intent from behind, Jiang Yun was startled. He involuntarily turned his head, catching a glimpse of Roqi's departing figure. In that moment, the killing intent vanished from his heart.
After prolonged attacks, Wan Yankun had failed to harm Jiang Yun in the slightest. This greatly undermined his confidence. Just when he had thought he had no chance of winning, Jiang Yun unexpectedly turned his attention elsewhere. Wan Yankun, interpreting this as a sign of distraction, unleashed a final burst of Qi and intensified his sword technique.
Jiang Yun's momentary lapse of attention exposed him to Wan Yankun's renewed assault. Inattentively, he was cut on his waist and left arm.
The onlookers found this turn of events strange. Jiang Yun's initial inexplicable setback followed by his sudden distraction when Wan Yankun's strength waned left them all puzzled.
However, Wang Kaihai noticed Jiang Yun's head turning. His gaze was directed exactly where Roqi had been. When he looked, Roqi had already left.