C16 Winning

Chu Xiangyue was far from foolish; she was well aware of the challenges she faced. The disparity in both cultivation level and weaponry in this battle was stark. Her chances of victory were slim to none, but that wasn't a reason for her to back down. She needed to confront the gap head-on to chart her path forward.

Lost in contemplation, Chu Xiangyue didn't immediately notice the flamboyantly dressed youth who had sauntered in from the entrance of the Martial Training Field. Barely sixteen or seventeen, his handsome, fair features gave him the appearance of a delicate, pampered young man rather than a cultivator. He was none other than Mo Yuntian, the so-called Flower Prince.

With a languid gait, Mo Yuntian made his way to the center of the field, his eyes bleary with sleep. He stifled a yawn before apologizing, "Miss Chu, forgive me for oversleeping. I hope it's not an inconvenience..."

Chu Xiangyue's expression was icy, her inner fire of anger stoked by his dismissive arrogance, yet she kept her composure. "Let's begin..." she said, her voice a cold edge.

"Sure thing... The sooner we finish, the sooner I can get back to sleep. I'm exhausted..." Mo Yuntian said, stretching his arms nonchalantly.

"Do you really think you're going to win?"

"It's not a matter of thinking... I'm certain I will win, Miss Chu. Surely you're aware of the gap between us?" Mo Yuntian said with a smirk.

"Why bother with more words?!" Chu Xiangyue retorted sharply. She drew the Autumn Water Sword, channeling her spirit energy into the blade, hoping against hope to sense the Inscription Array. But her hopes were dashed; her energy vanished without a trace, leaving no sign of the array.

No Inscription Array after all? Chu Xiangyue allowed herself a wry smile before propelling herself forward with a light push of her toes. Her sword traced an arc in the air, casting a faint blue glow that seemed almost ethereal.

"Falling Petals, Drifting Waters," she called out softly. Spirit energy surged from her sword's tip, materializing into pale blue droplets that sprang into existence and then solidified. With Chu Xiangyue's guidance, they scattered like petals on the wind, dancing away into the fray.

"Chi Chi, not bad at all..." Mo Yuntian chuckled. "The Sword Skill, Flowers and Water, alongside a beauty with eyes like the Autumn Water Sword, is truly a sight to behold."

"You're asking for it!" Chu Xiangyue snapped, her cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and anger. Her hand movements hesitated for a moment before she regained control. Yet, in that instant, she experienced an odd sensation, as if she could sense the rhythm of the Autumn Water Sword—it was as though the sword was coming to life.

"Why is this happening?" Chu Xiangyue wondered, her mind swirling with confusion. She channeled her spirit energy into the Autumn Water Sword once more, and the energy coalesced into a flowing stream. As it moved, the surrounding darkness twinkled with lights, like stars flickering to life. In a flash, the Flowers and Water solidified and shot forth with urgency.

Mo Yuntian watched the barrage of water droplets approach with a lazy gaze, stifling a yawn. Only when they neared did he leisurely lift his hand to block them. His cultivation was two minor realms above Chu Xiangyue's—his overconfidence was indeed a bit much.

Whoosh.

A formidable force, like a tidal wave, bore down upon him. With the slightest touch, Mo Yuntian sensed something amiss.

It was incredibly heavy.

How could these droplets weigh so much? They were like meteorites plummeting from the heavens!

By the time Mo Yuntian realized the danger, it was too late. Countless raindrops pelted him, sending his figure tumbling backward in disarray. He landed in the dust, his body drenched in blood.

In that moment, the Martial Training Field fell eerily silent. Among the thousands present, not a soul uttered a sound; they simply gaped at the unfolding scene. Even Wang Meng and Xiao Yang, the top-tier masters, couldn't believe their eyes. They had just been dissecting the duelists' strengths and weaknesses, confidently predicting Chu Xiangyue's defeat. But now, the tables had turned in the most unexpected way—it wasn't Chu Xiangyue who was sent flying, but Mo Yuntian, whose overall strength was significantly greater than hers.

"What in the world just happened?" Wang Meng voiced his bewilderment.

"I couldn't see it clearly, but it seems Chu Xiangyue has mastered the art of concentrating her spiritual energy to inflict damage with just a fraction of her power," Xiao Yang stated gravely.

In the heart of the Martial Training Field, Chu Xiangyue felt as though she was in a dream. Had she really sent Mo Yuntian flying with a mere flick of her wrist? Reflecting on that instant, she recalled her spiritual energy being harnessed by an immense force, then channeled flawlessly into myriad water droplets without a single error.

Chu Xiangyue was acutely aware of her chaotic spiritual energy control. It was always a struggle to manage it effectively, with part of it dissipating unused. Despite trying innumerable techniques to refine her control, the knack for it eluded her. Yet, with that recent sword strike, she felt her command over her spiritual energy had reached an astonishing level.

Could it be the Inscription Array within the Autumn Water Sword? Chu Xiangyue pondered, recalling Yao Xi's words, and a theory formed in her mind.

Cough, cough.

From the settling dust, a feeble cough emerged. Mo Yuntian stepped forward, bloodied and evidently wounded, his face dark with fury. He had anticipated an easy victory, but a moment's carelessness had seen him blasted away by a single sword strike, utterly humiliating him. It was a slight he couldn't swallow.

Drawing the long saber from his back, Mo Yuntian unsheathed the bloodstained blade, and a pungent scent of blood filled the air. The faint-hearted among the onlookers struggled to remain conscious, their heads spinning, nearly succumbing to unconsciousness.

"You've successfully ignited my wrath. I'll defeat you with one move," Mo Yuntian declared icily.

"Come at me," responded Chu Xiangyue, her tone even icier. In the past, she might have harbored some fear, but now, with the sword in her grasp, she feared no one.

Mo Yuntian channeled his spiritual energy into the blood blade, which in an instant, glowed with a fierce red light. The Martial Training Field appeared bathed in crimson, and ethereal spirits seemed to drift through the air, transporting everyone to a chilling netherworld.

"The Blood Shadow Kill!" Wang Meng exclaimed, leaping from his seat in sheer terror. Beside him, Xiao Yang's composure shattered as he instinctively balled his fists, his familiarity with the technique evident in his intense reaction.

A myriad of soul shadows danced in the air, drawn by countless crimson threads from the blood blade. These threads reeled the soul shadows back in. Meanwhile, behind Mo Yuntian, an ethereal black-armored Devil God materialized, wielding a scythe-like weapon. With an open maw, the Devil God devoured the soul shadows, its might growing with each one.

This was a Sword Skill, ingeniously concealed within the blade by the Second Elder of the Profound Heaven Sect, summoning the Devil God with the caster's own lifeblood for a devastating blow.

Chu Xiangyue faced the Devil God's chilling gaze unflinchingly. Clutching the Autumn Water Sword, she channeled her spiritual energy into it, reawakening its inner world and that familiar sensation. She stood undaunted before the towering Devil God.

"Take this!" Mo Yuntian bellowed, slashing down with his blade in unison with the Devil God, their combined force seemingly capable of rending earth and stone.

Chu Xiangyue, dwarfed in their presence, had her spiritual energy fully harnessed. The pulse of the Autumn Water Sword intensified. As the Death Sickle bore down, a pale blue aura enveloped her, and she whispered, "Mountain Tumbling River!"

Her words hung in the air as pale blue droplets coalesced into a vast expanse of ocean.

"Water-based Sword Skill... Mountain Tumbling River!" Xiao Yang gasped, recognizing the exceptional technique that demanded precise divine power control. A single misstep could spell disaster, potentially leaving the wielder injured or worse.

Straining to discern the unfolding events in the Martial Training Field, Xiao Yang observed a peculiar sight. As Chu Xiangyue exerted her full power, the Autumn Water Sword emitted a dim glow. This light formed a circle, a mysterious array that somehow contained her spiritual energy, preventing it from scattering and swiftly drawing it back in.

"I've got it... It's all because of that sword!" Xiao Yang gasped, leaping to his feet in a sudden realization. But at that moment, no one paid any attention to his unusual behavior. Every spectator was holding their breath, eyes glued to the intense duel unfolding in the center of the Martial Training Field. The Blood Shadow Killing clashed with the Chaotic Ocean, their spiritual energies colliding in an instant. A deafening boom echoed as a fierce gale swept through, engulfing the field in dust and debris.

As the dust settled and the air cleared, the aftermath was a scene of utter devastation. Mo Yuntian lay in a crimson pool of his own blood, while Chu Xiangyue stood amidst the chaos, her white garments billowing as if she were a celestial being gracing the mortal realm.

Chu Xiangyue emerged victorious!