C26 The Way of the Soldier Was Strange

As Liu Xingchang's sword tip rested against the old man's throat, a hush fell over the arena. It was so still, one could hear the breath of the person next to them.

In the blink of an eye, before the crowd could grasp what had happened, the old man was defeated.

He hadn't even had time to react before the fight was over.

It all occurred too swiftly, to an almost maddening degree.

Liu Changqing's pupils constricted as he exclaimed in disbelief, "Such incredible speed with your sword! Did you embed thirty speed-type Spirit Mark Runes in it?"

Liu Xingchang simply offered a noncommittal smile.

Squinting, Liu Changqing continued, "But you must realize that every advantage has its downside. By embedding thirty speed-type Spirit Mark Runes, your strength and defense must be compromised!"

Liu Xingchang chuckled, "And your point is?"

With a frosty tone, Liu Changqing challenged, "So, do you dare to match skills with me? If you win, I'll respectfully see you on your way."

Shaking his head with a smile, Liu Xingchang replied, "Whether or not I accept your challenge, you're still intent on clashing with me. Your concern is merely that I might kill an elder of the Liu Family."

Liu Changqing found himself speechless, his pupils shrinking once more.

He had not anticipated Liu Xingchang's ability to read him so clearly.

What kind of enigma was this man?

Just then, Liu Xingchang unexpectedly sheathed his sword.

"What are you implying?" Liu Changqing asked, eyes narrowed.

Liu Xingchang responded with a smile, "I bear no ill will towards the Liu Family. Why should I wantonly increase the bloodshed? Hu Gewan once saved my life, so I've saved theirs in return. It's simply repaying kindness with kindness."

"I thought you were exceedingly clever, but you've suddenly turned so quaintly old-fashioned..." Liu Changqing muttered, his hand firmly clutching his sword hilt. "You must understand, I cannot let you leave here today, no matter what."

Liu Xingchang's smile didn't waver as he declared, "Therefore, I must defeat not only him but you as well."

"He may be a cultivator at the First Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm, but I am at the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm, and I assure you, I won't be caught off guard like he was... Do you truly believe you stand a chance?" Liu Changqing challenged.

Liu Xingchang chuckled, "Why not give it a try and see?"

Liu Changqing clenched his jaw and bellowed, "Since you're so cocky, let's see if your neck can withstand the edge of my blade!" In an instant, he charged at Liu Xingchang like lightning.

His sword, glinting in the harsh sunlight, descended like a divine strike, aiming to cleave Liu Xingchang's head in two.

"Water Shadow Body!" Liu Xingchang chose not to meet the blow head-on but instead evaded it with his agile movements.

At that moment, he was empowered by ninety speed-type Spirit Mark Runes, significantly boosting not only his attack speed but also his movement and Spirit Marking speed.

For Liu Xingchang, evading Liu Changqing's onslaught was almost too easy.

While Liu Xingchang deftly dodged, Liu Changqing's use of Spiritual Energy grew increasingly frantic, and soon, impatience set in.

Liu Changqing roared, "You whelp, are you too scared to face me in battle?"

Squinting, Liu Xingchang retorted, "Scared? Let's go toe-to-toe and see who prevails!"

A fierce glint sparked in Liu Changqing's eyes as his simmering rage, fueled by constant mockery, prepared him to unleash his mightiest slash against Liu Xingchang.

He was determined to split Liu Xingchang in half!

Yet, as Liu Changqing's blade was about to strike Liu Xingchang's head, Liu Xingchang once again effortlessly sidestepped the attack.

Liu Changqing's all-out slash cut through nothing but air, leaving him with a sense of futility and rage, as if a kitten were relentlessly clawing at his heart.

Fuming, Liu Changqing demanded, "You said you wanted to fight, didn't you?"

With a grin, Liu Xingchang replied, "Apologies, but warfare is a craft of deception. I've studied too many military tactics and can't resist employing some strategy... Let's go again. This time, I promise a direct confrontation. What do you say?"

Though Liu Changqing verbally agreed with a "fine," he was wary, thinking to himself, "This youngster has been toying with me with his speed repeatedly. He likely won't engage me in a straightforward battle. If I keep depleting my Spiritual Energy, I'll run dry. Better to feint and draw out his moves, then, when he thinks he's evaded me, I'll strike with a follow-up move that will ensure his defeat!"

As the thought crossed his mind, Liu Changqing's blade cleaved through the air with lethal intent.

Anyone else might have been deceived by Liu Changqing's ruse, but not Liu Xingchang. With his extensive combat experience in the Northern Polar Heaven Domain, he would be ashamed if he couldn't discern a feint from a genuine attack from a mere Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm Cultivator.

Liu Xingchang let out a cold laugh as he watched Liu Changqing's blade descend. With a voice as thunderous as a spring storm, he bellowed, "Thunderous might!"

Lightning erupted in that moment, and Liu Xingchang's sword struck Liu Changqing's blade with the ferocity of a brutal thunderclap.

Liu Changqing's move was nothing but a bluff. How could it possibly withstand such a fearsome strike from Liu Xingchang?

"Boom!"

The sound of impact reverberated as Liu Changqing's blade shattered, his grip blackened from the blow. He was sent hurtling backward, screaming in agony as he crashed into a tree trunk and then slumped to the forest floor, his blood staining his clothes and the pine needles beneath him.

Gasps of shock echoed from the onlookers.

If Liu Xingchang's victory over the old man in linen was a surprise attack, then his triumph over Liu Changqing was a testament to his genuine skill.

What does it mean for an eighth-grade Cultivator to defeat a practitioner of the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm?

Moreover, the fight between Liu Changqing and Liu Xingchang left no room for doubt; it was a clear display of Liu Xingchang's superior prowess.

How could the Linghu family contain their astonishment?

They had initially seen him as dead weight, yet he had vanquished their most formidable adversary.

The one they had deemed a liability had snatched them from the jaws of death!

If Liu Changqing was no match for Liu Xingchang, who could possibly contend with him?

Who among the Liu Family in the woods could now prevent their safe return to Cloud Ascending City?

A wave of joy at having survived such peril washed over the Linghu family.

Linghu Sanlang couldn't help but exclaim, "Brother Liu! Incredible! You may not be one of Cloud Ascending City's noble sons, but you surpass them by leagues! If you pursue my sister, you have my unwavering support from the start!"

Zhao Man exhaled deeply and reflected, "It appears that Elder Linghu's teachings were not in vain. One should live in this world with their head held high, without shame before others or guilt within their own heart. Had I not saved Liu Xingchang, how could I have expected his aid in return?"

The Second Elder's eyes sparkled with excitement as he said, "If we could bring this young man into the Linghu Clan, our family's future would undoubtedly be all the brighter for it!"

The burly man smacked his lips and declared, "All I know is that this lad saved my life. If I can't share eight hundred cups in celebration with such a gallant youth, I'm certain I wouldn't sleep a wink!"