In the arena, Ye Tian and Wang Xu faced each other, both their eyes brimming with killing intent.
Though Ye Tian was still quite young, Wang Xu had already sensed, through their previous exchanges, that this youth possessed strength surpassing even Ye Shi, so he dared not underestimate him. A torrent of overwhelming true energy surged within him, stirring up a cloud of dust.
Opposite him, Ye Tian stood resolute, gripping his blood knife tightly, droplets of blood still dripping from the blade—remnants of Wang Tian's demise. His gaze burned intensely as he focused on Wang Xu, his spirit and energy reaching their zenith.
One was the foremost warrior of Baiyun Town, and the other was its most gifted talent; their clash captivated the attention of all present.
"His talent is formidable, but alas, he hasn't advanced to Martial Master; he stands no chance against our village chief," scoffed a warrior from Wang Family Village.
"Not necessarily; your Beast-Hunting Team leader fell beneath Ye Tian's blade," a member of Ye Family Village retorted, a smirk playing on his lips—a stark truth that left the Wang villagers speechless.
"Hmph, warriors and Martial Masters are on entirely different planes. I refuse to believe he can triumph over a Martial Master!"
"Perhaps that's yet to be seen!"
"Let's wait and see!"
…
The combatants from both villages had long ceased their own battles, standing aside to observe. They exchanged heated arguments about the potential victor between Wang Xu and Ye Tian, yet none dared to re-engage.
They understood well that the true outcome of this conflict lay in the hands of Ye Tian and Wang Xu; only the winner among them would dictate the course of events.
Ye Feng approached Ye Shi and asked, "Chief, do you think Ye Tian can win?" Doubt filled his heart; after all, they were up against a Martial Master.
After pondering for a moment, Ye Shi shook his head. "It's hard to say. Both of these individuals possess strength greater than mine; I cannot judge. For now, we can only place our faith in Ye Tian."
"Chief, why don't we deal with them first, then assist Ye Tian?" Ye Ba suggested, casting a sinister smile toward a nearby group of Wang Family warriors.
"No. If we corner Wang Xu, he might resort to harming innocents, and we would suffer heavy losses. It's wiser to wait for Ye Tian to settle the outcome first. Given the situation, even if Wang Xu prevails, he won't have the strength left to attack Ye Family Village," Ye Shi quickly countered.
"Very well!" Ye Feng, Ye Ba, and the others nodded, their gazes once more fixated on the fierce duel unfolding in the arena.
"Sky Shattering Kick!"
With a thunderous shout, Wang Xu flipped through the air, launching a leg kick that resembled a crescent moon, imbued with an aura of terror as it crashed toward Ye Tian.
"Boom!"
Ye Tian countered with a sweeping palm, immediately feeling a tremendous force strike him, propelling him backward several steps to dissipate the ferocity of the attack. Yet, a tumultuous surge of energy churned within him, leaving him breathless and astonished.
"That's the exclusive martial art of Wang Family Village—Sky Shattering Kick, a mid-level Yellow-grade technique!" exclaimed Ye Ba, who was watching from the sidelines.
"Ah, so it's a mid-level Yellow-grade technique!"
Ye Tian's ears perked up, his gaze sharpening; no wonder that kick had been so powerful; it was the only mid-level Yellow-grade technique in Baiyun Town.
He understood that martial arts on the Shenzhou Continent varied greatly in power depending on their rank. Fortunately, Wang Xu had not perfected the Sky Shattering Kick; otherwise, Ye Tian would have surely lost this battle.
"Indeed, it's the Sky Shattering Kick. To perish beneath it is an honor enough for you," Wang Xu roared, launching another assault. His legs flailed rapidly, resembling a pair of scissors that carved an arc through the sky.
As the crescent descended, violent winds whipped around them, and boiling true energy coalesced into a raging storm.
The arena was soon engulfed in a cloud of dust, the howling wind piercing the air, the atmosphere thick with murderous intent.
"Kill!" Ye Tian shouted, his eyes filled with ferocity. An invisible blade intent swept forth from him, and a fierce wave of true energy burst forth at the tip of his blade, extending a full inch in deadly sharpness.
Swoosh~ swoosh~ swoosh…
The blade intent cleaved through the air, tearing it apart with a deafening roar, its unparalleled sharpness leaving no one able to resist.
As the crescent moon struck down, the true energy erupted, unleashing a tempest of chaotic energy that ravaged everything in its path.
Ye Tian's expression shifted slightly; his true energy surged forth wildly, intensifying the might of his blade as waves of force battered against Wang Xu, shaking the ground and cracking the earth beneath them.
Many spectators gasped in awe; the strength of these two was overwhelming, each capable of taking on a multitude without flinching.
"Submit to defeat!" Wang Xu suddenly roared, his true energy exploding forth. His gaze was fearsome, and an immense force slammed down from his legs onto Ye Tian.
Boom!
In that moment, Ye Tian sensed a lethal threat. With each leg strike Wang Xu delivered, a terrifying force rattled him, causing blood to spurt from his mouth.
"Ye Tian!"
"Ti'an!"
Not far away, Ye Shi, Ye Feng, Ye Ba, Ye Meng, and others changed color dramatically, their faces etched with concern.
The hearts of Ye Family Village hung heavy with dread.
"Hahaha, I told you he stood no chance against the village chief."
"Ha! That kid is doomed; the village chief's Sky Shattering Kick is unmatched—who can withstand it?"
"Once he falls, Ye Family Village is finished."
The warriors of Wang Village erupted with joy, laughing heartily.
Wang Xu's relentless barrage of attacks forced Ye Tian into a corner, and at this moment, everyone recognized that defeat was inevitable for Ye Tian.
"I cannot lose!" Ye Tian roared, unleashing a tremendous surge of true energy from within, channeling his life force into the blood blade as he struck at Wang Xu.
Swish!
A blade of energy, three inches long, erupted forth, shattering the air and startling those around him.
"What extraordinary talent! Given time, you would surely surpass me, but alas, time is not on your side," Wang Xu sneered coldly. The more formidable Ye Tian's displayed power became, the more intense Wang Xu's murderous intent grew.
"I cannot lose... Kill!" Ye Tian shouted, his gaze fierce; the closer he approached death, the calmer his heart became. In his previous life, he had once turned the tide against a tiger in its final moments, and he firmly believed in miracles—miracles he must create for himself.
Ye Tian's battle mantra was: never give up until the last breath is drawn.
"Child, with such meager strength, you cannot hope to contend with me. The power of a martial master far exceeds your comprehension," Wang Xu bellowed, his true energy surging violently. Many were astonished; even now, he had so much true energy remaining—truly the strength of a martial master.
Boom!
Ye Tian suffered a grievous blow, kicked into the air, blood spurting from his mouth.
"Ye Tian!" the villagers of Ye shouted in alarm, with Ye Shi and Ye Feng looking increasingly anxious.
"I cannot give up... Ah... Kill!"
Ye Tian threw his head back and roared, his eyes filled with unyielding resolve and an overwhelming killing intent.
From a distance, Ye Shi, Ye Feng, and the others grew frantic, preparing to rush to his aid, but just then, an unbelievable scene unfolded.
Clang, clang, clang...
At that moment, everyone felt their weapons trembling in their grips. Particularly the swordsmen, whether from Wang Village or Ye Village, watched in astonishment as their long knives slipped from their hands, shooting towards Ye Tian in the distance.
"What..." Many gaped, unable to believe their eyes.
Even Wang Xu, who was poised to continue his assault on Ye Tian, was taken aback, staring in disbelief at the unfolding scene.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Countless weapons soared into the sky, gathering above Ye Tian's head, swirling and dancing around him.
Beneath these weapons, Ye Tian brandished the blood blade, his hair flowing wildly, his eyes sharp. His once-dark gaze turned blood-red in that moment.
"Kill!" Ye Tian roared, swinging his blade towards Wang Xu, and the multitude of weapons followed suit, hurtling toward him.
"How is this possible?" Wang Xu's eyes widened in disbelief, but he quickly channeled his true energy, forming a protective barrier around himself to deflect the incoming assault.
Clang, clang, clang...
Knives, swords, and spears fell like rain, crashing down upon Wang Xu.
With each impact, his protective barrier trembled, and his expression darkened further.
Before long, in Wang Xu's terrified gaze, a blood blade shattered his defense, plunging directly into his heart. Blood erupted forth, and a scream rang out.
"How... could I... be defeated... by you..." Wang Xu gazed at the boy before him, his face twisted with regret, yet the light in his eyes began to fade.
"Did I... kill him?" Ye Tian pulled out the blood blade, staring in astonishment at the lifeless Wang Xu before him, the blood-red hue in his eyes now vanished.
In the distance, silence enveloped the scene, a profound stillness settling over everything.
Shock filled the eyes of everyone present!
High above in the azure sky, a vibrant red flower floated in the void, upon which sat two enchanting maidens.
One was clad in white, ethereal and extraordinary, reminiscent of a celestial being descending to earth.
The other wore a green dress, her innocent beauty illuminated by bright, expressive eyes, delicate arched brows, and long eyelashes that fluttered gently, her visage exuding a fragile allure that elicited instinctive compassion.
If Ye Tian were present, he would recognize this girl in the green dress as Lin Tingting, his childhood sweetheart.
"Ah! Is that truly the Seed of Blade Intent? A mere child who hasn't even reached the martial master realm, yet has comprehended blade intent and condensed it into a seed," the maiden in white exclaimed, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
"Who would have thought that such talent could arise in this remote corner? What a pity that our Flower Fairy Sect does not accept male disciples; otherwise, he would be a fine prospect," she continued, smiling softly.
"Master, I want to meet Brother Ye Tian!" Lin Tingting looked earnestly at the maiden in white.
"No need; your Brother Ye Tian is perfectly fine, and his talent is not inferior to yours. Focus on your own training, and in the future, you will have the chance to meet again!" The maiden in white waved her delicate hand, and the flower swiftly darted away, disappearing into the clouds.
"Brother Ye Tian, wait for me..."
On the ground, Ye Tian suddenly looked up, gazing into the blue expanse of the sky, his expression clouded with confusion. Just moments ago, he felt as if he had heard a familiar voice—was it merely an illusion?