This is Little Ke’s first enlightening experience in swordsmanship.
Suddenly, his sword slowed down.
No words were needed.
Opposite him, Ying Bing intuitively matched his pace, easing her attacks as well.
This lasted merely a few seconds.
The next moment, when Ke Mo struck again, at first glance, the dazzling edge of the sword seemed significantly dulled.
Amidst a flurry of shimmering sword light, the Crimson Sky Sword resembled a flickering candle in the rain, swaying perilously yet never extinguished.
In fact, it only grew stronger.
However, a flicker of relief danced in Ying Bing’s eyes.
He understood.
The wildfires that spread across the plains rely on constant renewal, thriving through mutual growth and decline.
Clang, clang, clang—
The ice-blue and vibrating sword lights collided dozens of times in the blink of an eye.
To an outsider’s view,
It appeared that Ke Mo, a disciple from the True Martial School, was initially overwhelmed by fierce threats but gradually stood firm and even began to challenge Ying Bing.
“These two have probably been practicing sword techniques from the womb, right?”
“I can’t even comprehend this anymore.”
“The technique Ke Mo is using looks like the Wildfire Sword Technique, yet not quite…”
Their duel surpassed most people’s understanding of the Nine Veins Martial Arts.
This was no standard level for a newcomer.
Gradually, everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the scene.
The next second—
The sword aura of the Crimson Sky suddenly surged.
Like a wildfire spreading, it tore through the heavy curtain of rain.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Could the True Martial School actually take the win?
Are they really about to determine the victor so quickly?
Yet, Ke Mo knew what was happening; this was Ice Chunk intentionally allowing him to familiarize himself with the sword’s aura, deliberately refraining from changing tactics.
This strike—out of ten thousand people, nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine would be helpless against it. The one exception was Ying Bing.
And indeed.
Ding—
As the sword sliced through the air, it was poised to strike Ying Bing, but her Tian Shuang Sword swiftly blocked it.
The two sword tips collided with precision.
The wild flame aura of the Crimson Sky pressed down on Tian Shuang, bending it to its utmost limit.
Yet, Ying Bing’s sword aura remained like a candle flickering in the wind, not extinguishing.
Ke Mo felt a chill in his heart.
This scene felt eerily familiar.
So familiar.
In a flash, he noticed Ying Bing’s slightly pursed lips and reacted swiftly.
Wildfire Sword Technique!
A sense of urgency surged in Ke Mo’s heart. He gathered strength and redirected his attack, not sparing a breath, launching again.
This was the advantage of having thirty-six primary meridians in his Internal Breathing Realm.
His sustaining force was boundless, without worries of exhaustion.
Clang—
Tian Shuang flipped in her slender wrist as the Rainstorm Sword Technique rose again, interwoven with the endless surge of wildfires.
One sword, two forces!
The accumulated Wildfire roared forth, the Rainstorm Technique wrapped around it, pressuring Ying Bing.
The two techniques were seamlessly combined, synergizing perfectly without any dissonance, even compensating for each other’s shortcomings!
Ke Mo couldn’t help but sigh.
Ice Chunk was still Ice Chunk.
Thinking he could simply joust with her using sword skills was, after all, unrealistic.
Of course, Little Ke had never intended to win through sheer swordplay from the start.
He proactively retreated with Wind Shadow Steps, his form suddenly leaping back several dozen zhang.
“Impressive.”
Ke Mo spoke sincerely.
“That’s nothing.”
Ying Bing didn’t pursue but stood her ground, showing no trace of complacency.
In her previous life, she couldn’t master the dual techniques until reaching the Observation Realm.
Being able to use them now was already commendable.
What surprised her more was Ke Mo’s enduring aura, with tremendous strength that she hadn’t encountered in any other practitioner at the Internal Breathing Realm.
Was that also a result of the inheritance he received?
The crowd below had fallen completely silent.
Even the arena was enveloped in a moment of stillness.
Just moments ago, their duel had far exceeded their understanding of “genius.”
“This is getting ridiculous.”
Elder Su from Falling Sunset Peak finally exhaled deeply.
Once upon a time, she was also hailed as a swordsmanship genius.
Yet during her Observation Realm trials, she only vaguely grasped the existence of sword intent, mastering it only when she could reflect upon her inner scenery while in the Internal Breathing Realm.
These two kids were taking things to a whole new level…
“Is there a possibility?”
“Could Ying Bing still be holding back?” Qian Bufan murmured.
Instantly, everyone became befuddled and even more disoriented.
Indeed, what Ying Bing was capable of was far beyond mere swordplay.
The inheritances beneath the Clear Abyss, combined with her own physique, hadn’t even fully manifested yet; she hadn’t utilized her Internal Breathing at all.
“Let’s just wait and see.” Elder Han He’s piercing gaze fixed on Ke Mo.
If Ying Bing wasn’t using her full power, did that mean this kid was?
While the elders whispered amongst themselves…
“I’m serious now,” Ke Mo declared.
“I’m one realm above you.”
Ying Bing looked at the now serious young man and suddenly parted her lips:
“If you touch my hem, I’ll count that as your win.”
Ice Chunk rarely showcased her domineering side.
This was a clear sign that she was taking it seriously.
“Alright.”
Those words ignited a tiny spark in Ke Mo’s heart.
Feeling a bit high-strung.
The next moment.
The two on the stage moved.
Buzz—
A dense aura of lethal intent shook the ground, leaving deep scratches on the stone floor just from the force of their presence.
Ke Mo transformed into a dazzling weapon, strikingly sharp.
His Extreme Slaughter Body was being fully unleashed for the first time in battle.
From the Eye of Destiny, he already knew that Ice Chunk’s greatest reliance wasn’t her swordsmanship.
It was her body!
So little Ke decided to go all out.
Boom—
The Crimson Sky Sword was enveloped by an intense aura of lethal intent, humming fiercely as the mystical blade became the eye of the storm.
With boundless sharpness, it nearly swallowed Ying Bing whole.
One force could overpower myriad laws.
This wasn’t something Ke Mo comprehended from the sword.
At the same time.
As the Tian Shuang Sword released, clouds and fog formed; sometimes absent, sometimes omnipresent, in the dance of life and d*ath, it concealed a hidden but keen edge.
No sword light could be seen, yet it felt like hundreds of swords were piercing him.
It was merely a duel with Ying Bing, yet Ke Mo strangely felt ensnared in layer upon layer of siege.
No matter how he attacked, the lethal aura remained overwhelmingly fierce, yet it failed to stir any ripples within the swirling haze.
The spectators were fully captivated.
If earlier, the two’s swordplay had been beyond their comprehension, now they couldn’t even discern who held the upper hand.
All that could be seen was the flickering glow, a surging wave of lethal edge washing over like a tide.
The two’s energies intertwined, creating a shimmering mist in the air.
Clang—
Finally, amidst the elusive haze, Ke Mo caught a glimpse of Ying Bing’s silhouette and without a moment’s thought, launched a full-force strike.
However, what awaited him wasn’t an opening sky, but rather Ying Bing’s form slowly dissipating.
He struck empty air.
“No wonder she said I’d win if I touched her hem…”
Ke Mo was truly drenched in sweat.
At the same time, he realized he couldn’t keep wasting his effort.
Those hidden within the shimmering haze, wrapped in Ying Bing’s Internal Breathing, were immeasurably cold; he could barely think straight.
Soon enough, even moving became difficult.
This was the power of the Crimson Destiny, the manifestation of a being born for the Martial Path.
Ice Chunk thoroughly crushed the spirits of those who dared confront her.
On the high platform, the elders could also be seen sighing minutely.
If they were to take her place, even maintaining the level of Internal Breathing in the Xuan Dan Realm, there wouldn’t be a glimmer of hope against Ying Bing.
They likely wouldn’t last as long as Ke Mo.
What they witnessed here was on an entirely different scale.
Ying Bing was using the luminous haze and her Internal Breathing to simulate sword qi.
In comparison to Xiao Qian’s rushing Internal Breathing, it was utterly laughable, akin to a mere child.
Moreover.
It was not just a simple mimicry; it was fluid and ethereal at times, and strong and robust at others, occasionally archaic and unyielding… ever-changing yet resonant with each other.
One word: Stunning.
Two words: Terrifying.
“Phew…”
“Could the luminous haze conceal the sword? Can that lethal aura also…”
Suddenly, a light bulb seemed to flicker in Ke Mo’s mind.
Meanwhile, his left hand, hidden beneath his robe, secretly slipped a small hammer into his palm.
Everything around him abruptly slowed down.
“Huh?”
Ying Bing noticed in that instant; even her own movements became sluggish.
Across from her, Ke Mo seemed to have closed the distance.
The young man wasn’t wielding a sword; his right hand hung beside him with the Crimson Sky Sword.
He raised his left hand from his robe, or rather, the hammer concealed within it, lowering it slowly.
The speed was unhurried.
Yet it carried an unmistakable feeling that no matter how one tried to flee or dodge, it was completely unavoidable.
Stabilizing the world!
Ying Bing contemplated deeply.
All airborne sword qi coalesced, and a thread of Taiyin force was twisted into a singular entity, compressing the sword qi into a tightly wound ball.
Boom—
Everything around felt as if time had come to a halt.
In the next instant, boundless energies burst forth uncontrollably, shooting out in all directions.
The scene suddenly became chaotic.
Elder Shangguan Wencang rose to his feet, appearing on the arena in an instant, firmly pressing down with one hand.
It was as if he held a sphere capable of devouring everything, able to absorb all and return everything to the void, rendering the storm utterly annihilated.
His gaze was fixated on the center of the arena.
Everyone looked on with equal curiosity.
Who won?
However.
In the midst of everyone’s gaze, everyone suddenly fell into silence.
What just happened?
Little Ke’s strike dispersed the gathered sword qi.
He had invoked an impossible technique from the Internal Breathing realm, and even with the strength from his thirty-six primary meridian pathways, he was practically drained.
Yet that wisp of Taiyin force hadn’t dissipated, plunging him into a freezing abyss.
It’s so darn cold.
He didn’t have time for any hesitation and, in his daze, wrapped his arms around Ying Bing’s waist, tumbling into her embrace and crashing to the ground together.
Hmm…
Little Ke had his eyes covered.
His mind went blank, leaving only one thought:
“Even Ice Chunk feels soft and fragrant in my arms…”
Ying Bing appeared momentarily stunned.
She didn’t immediately push him away.
The crowd: “!?”
The elders: “!!?”
Spectators from various sects: “！！！？”
A passing dog: “？？？”
Everyone’s hearts hung in the balance.
So this was how it ended.
And just like that, the chaotic scene grew even more chaotic.
