Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Hundreds of people, yet only one responds

Many cultivators, having endured eighty-one tribulations, finally stood before Xu Ming.

But with just a single punch, Xu Ming obliterated his opponent.

The Martial True Qi radiating from Xu Ming was far from that of an ordinary Heroic Soul Realm martial artist.

Even when approaching Xu Ming, the无形 pressure would make anyone tremble uncontrollably.

All the cultivators of Baiwa City and the visiting demon races were no inexperienced rookies.

Their lowest cultivation realm was the Middle Cavern Realm, and they were all outstanding individuals from their respective sects, thus chosen to compete for rare treasures.

In the past, when facing others, they were akin to gods slaughtering chickens. Even against higher-realm cultivators, they could sometimes fight across realms.

However, now, in front of Xu Ming, they felt like fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

Xia Donghua stared blankly at the scene unfolding before him.

Xu Ming took each step forward, and with every step, a blood mist erupted around him.

No matter what techniques or treasures the opponents used, Xu Ming shattered them all with a single punch!

Every time Xu Ming killed someone, the blood energy surrounding him grew even stronger.

Not only Xia Donghua and others, but also Qingwan and Yu Wen Xi were astonished.

Qingwan had confidence in her own strength, which is why she told Xu Ming, “I’ll protect you.”

But now, Qingwan doubted whether she could defeat Xu Ming if they faced off.

Looking at Xu Ming’s back, Qingwan’s peach-blossom eyes shimmered faintly.

It was as if she had returned to her childhood.

As a child, Xu Ming was always this powerful, standing in front of her forever.

By the end of Xu Ming’s rampage, not a single person dared to step forward.

When Xu Ming advanced another step, most retreated instinctively.

Xu Ming chuckled, “You all want treasure, don’t you? How will you get it by retreating?”

“I’ll give it a try,” said a man dressed in a sword robe stepping forward.

“Are you a disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect?”

Looking at the design of the sword robe, Xu Ming recognized it. It reminded him of Xuenuo who once wore something similar.

The man hesitated for a moment, then bowed respectfully with his sword, “Yes! I am Zhen Yan from the Minghai Peak of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.”

Xu Ming smiled, “How is Xuenuo of your sect?”

Zhen Yan replied, “Teacher Xu surpasses me by a hundredfold. Even though she has suppressed her realm to participate in the Rootless Mystic Realm, she remains the top among the younger generation of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, outclassing many senior disciples and overseers.”

Xu Ming shook his head, “Is she well?”

Zhen Yan glanced at Xu Ming with some confusion, but quickly realized that since both Xu Ming and Xuenuo were from the Wu Kingdom and shared the same surname, they might be relatives.

With this connection, Zhen Yan felt somewhat closer to Xu Ming.

He responded again, “Thank you for your concern, Teacher Xu is doing well.”

“That’s good.” Xu Ming pulled out a small peachwood sword.

This peachwood sword was so short it looked like a child’s toy.

And indeed, it originally was a child’s toy.

This peachwood sword was actually a birthday gift from Xuenuo to Xu Ming, which he had kept and continued using.

“Are you… a sword cultivator?” Zhen Yan asked uncertainly.

“Kind of,” Xu Ming bowed respectfully with his sword, “Please enlighten me, Brother.”

At the very moment Xu Ming straightened up, a fierce sword qi erupted from him,

The surrounding cultivators felt as if their skin was being cut by knives.

Even breathing felt like needles piercing into their throats.

“Such formidable sword qi!” Dugu Qiu of Heavenly Profound Gate frowned.

The more Dugu Qiu observed Xu Ming, the more he felt like he was facing a monster.

Most people knew Xu Ming because of a poem and the Refusal to Marry Memorandum, knowing him as a talented individual.

Beyond that, they knew nothing about him.

This was normal after all, as cultivators often held a natural disdain for martial artists. No matter how talented Xu Ming was, he was still just a mortal.

But now, they couldn’t help but take Xu Ming seriously.

Xu Ming’s martial arts realm was already astonishing, yet he could also cultivate and was a sword cultivator! His sword qi was sharp, something even Dugu Qiu rarely encountered.

“Forgive me!”

Zhen Yan lunged forward with his sword.

Zhen Yan indeed wanted the treasure pearl, but now, he wanted to defeat Xu Ming even more.

Xu Ming’s fierce sword qi had ignited Zhen Yan’s competitive spirit.

The clash of their swords was like the Milky Way hanging over the moon, or stars falling from the sky.

Surprisingly, Zhen Yan discovered that Xu Ming was using the Ice Yang Sword Technique of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.

The Ice Yang Sword Technique was created by the sect master and could only be cultivated by direct disciples.

Could it be that Teacher Xu gave the Ice Yang Sword Technique to this Xu Brother?

After a hundred rounds, Zhen Yan increasingly felt pressured.

Xu Ming didn’t use Martial True Qi, merely relying on his Furnace Building Realm strength to duel with him.

Yet, he was being suppressed?

Not to mention Xu Ming was using an ordinary peachwood sword while his own sword was a second-grade dharma instrument!

On the hundred and fiftieth round, Xu Ming’s long sword, covered in frost, broke through Zhen Yan’s sword edge.

When Xu Ming stopped his sword, the tip was pointing at Zhen Yan’s throat.

“I concede,” Zhen Yan sighed, losing gracefully.

Zhen Yan looked at Xu Ming, “Brother Xu, did anyone teach you sword dao?”

Xu Ming shook his head, “No.”

Hearing Xu Ming’s response, Zhen Yan’s expression became even more regretful, “Brother Xu self-taught to reach such heights. If you focus solely on sword dao, your future would be limitless.”

Xu Ming smiled, “Sword dao is great, martial dao isn’t bad either. I’ll try both paths.”

Zhen Yan advised, “A martial artist’s path ultimately leads to a dead end. Why insist on walking it? In my view, Brother Xu’s talent in sword dao is no less than Teacher Xuenuo’s. If you’re interested, I can recommend you to further your studies at the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.”

Xu Ming politely declined, “Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhen, but I’d rather not join any sect. However, I may visit your sect someday.”

Seeing Xu Ming’s determination, Zhen Yan stopped persuading and bowed, “I won’t interfere tonight. Take care, Brother Xu. Hopefully, we can drink together at the Ten Thousand Sword Sect someday.”

“Thanks for your auspicious words,” Xu Ming smiled.

Zhen Yan said no more, turning to fly down the mountain.

After Zhen Yan left, everyone became even more fearful of Xu Ming.

A martial artist whose realm strength was incredibly exaggerated, a sword cultivator even the direct disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect couldn’t defeat.

At this moment, Xu Ming stood like a towering mountain before everyone.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to come forward?”

Xu Ming shouted to the crowd, his voice echoing in the night air.

Hundreds of people, not a single one responded.