C36 The Confrontation Between the Swordsman and the Blademaster

Upon returning to the top tier of the animal fighting ring, Wang Han briefed Xue Yaner on the Wang Family's intent to challenge Ye Xiao.

"What? The Wang Family's third-level Master dares to challenge Yama? Have they no shame? Don't they realize that Yama is merely at the Primer level? Tell them it's not allowed!" Xue Yaner huffed indignantly.

Xue Yaner's keen interest in Ye Xiao wasn't born of any personal affection; initially, her impression of him was merely a ghastly mask. However, upon unexpectedly uncovering Ye Xiao's true identity, she felt a thrill akin to harboring a delightful secret, which naturally piqued her curiosity about him.

While others remained oblivious to Yama's true identity and visage, Xue Yaner's exclusive knowledge filled her with a secret glee.

Confronted with Xue Yaner's obstinance, Wang Han was at a loss for words. Although the animal fighting ring hosted all challenges, it didn't have absolute authority over whether the challenges were accepted. The Wang Family had issued a legitimate challenge, and the ring had no grounds or authority to refuse it. Ultimately, the decision to accept or decline rested with Ye Xiao himself.

Wang Han cast a pleading glance at Elder Tong, who didn't even acknowledge his look of entreaty, clearly just as exasperated with the young mistress.

Biting the bullet, Wang Han said, "Miss, the animal fighting ring doesn't have the power to outright refuse. We can only relay the message to Lord Yama and let him decide for himself."

Xue Yaner, slightly irritable, waved her hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Once this round of challenges concludes, inform him that he is to reject the challenge, hmph!"

Wang Han felt his hands were tied. It wasn't his place to decide whether Ye Xiao would accept the challenge. He had managed to navigate the immediate situation, and he trusted that Ye Xiao wouldn't rashly agree to the challenge, given the significant gap between the Primer and Master levels.

Onlookers at the Challenge Ground held their breath, their eyes fixed on the two figures in the arena, eagerly anticipating the impending duel.

The Blademaster, clad in a blood-red robe, watched as Ye Xiao ascended the Challenge Platform. With a flourish of his left hand, he adjusted his robe; his right hand gripped the hilt of his blade, its tip pointing downward, edge facing inward. Then, with a respectful gesture, he bowed with fists clasped.

Ye Xiao was momentarily taken aback by the Blademaster's gesture, a salute reserved for blade artists, extended only to those deemed worthy of profound respect.

He halted in place, his right hand reaching out, sword tip piercing the sky, while his left hand softly graced the hilt.

The Blademaster burst into laughter upon seeing this. "Yama, I've witnessed your previous challenges. Your prowess is truly at the pinnacle of the Primordial tier. Yet, I hadn't anticipated you were a swordsman. I'm convinced our clash will be worthwhile."

Ye Xiao gave a slight nod. Then, an explosive surge of Qi erupted from both combatants, their blade and sword pointing at each other, radiating a dazzling light.

In an instant, the Blademaster stepped forward, propelling himself toward Ye Xiao with a burst of speed. His long knife, fueled by Essence, sliced through the air with a force that seemed to cleave the very atmosphere.

Ye Xiao remained motionless as the Blademaster's full-powered strike approached. But at the last moment, his body flickered, leaving a trail of afterimages in its wake.

The Blademaster's eyes narrowed as his initial strike missed. Without pause, he swung his long knife backward in a sweeping arc.

With a resounding "clang," a long sword seemed to materialize from nowhere, meeting the steel blade head-on. The two weapons collided, sending sparks scattering.

Both warriors stepped back, their faces etched with surprise.

The Blademaster, in particular, was taken aback. Ye Xiao's speed outpaced his own, and the Essence within Ye Xiao's sword even surpassed his. Having ventured out from his clan and honed his skills through endless duels and battles, the Blademaster was confident in his prowess, knowing few could match his vitality.

Yet Ye Xiao had defied this expectation.

Ye Xiao himself was inwardly astonished. His master's teachings and his own combat experiences had made it clear that his Qianyuan Spell was a technique of superior caliber, possibly even of the heavenly tier. The fact that his opponent's vitality was only marginally less potent was nothing short of incredible.

With his long sword now angled obliquely, Ye Xiao channeled his vitality into the blade with fervor. The milky-white Essence threatened to spill forth from the steel.

He let out a slow breath, his body's meridians quivering faintly. Strands of Essence, nearly tangible, surged rapidly, roaring through his meridians like a deluge, infusing every part of Ye Xiao's body and catapulting his momentum to its zenith.

The exquisite longsword was brimming with vitality, the wild energy causing the blade to tremble slightly.

The Blademaster sensed the explosive aura and untamed vitality emanating from his opponent. With several sweeping cuts of his long knife, he too elevated his presence to its pinnacle.

Then, with a fierce cry, the long knife shone with a white radiance and slashed viciously towards Ye Xiao.

"Clang!" The longsword was swiftly brought across in defense, and the two gleaming forces collided once more. The wild vitality within the blades made the arms of both warriors holding their weapons tremble.

The Blademaster's expression remained unchanged as his strike was thwarted. With a sudden jolt of his arm, the long knife sliced past the sword and continued its arc towards Ye Xiao.

Ignoring the incoming blade, Ye Xiao thrust his longsword straight at the Blademaster's throat.

The onlookers held their breath, eyes wide with anticipation. Were they witnessing a duel where both might fall?

In the moment before the blade and sword struck, both combatants stamped their feet firmly on the ground and arched their bodies backward, allowing the weapons to pass harmlessly through the air.

Elder Tong, observing from the top tier of the animal fighting ring, couldn't contain his admiration. "Such bravery!"

Wang Han, somewhat confused, remarked, "Isn't that a tactic that leads to mutual destruction?"

Elder Tong glanced at Wang Han. "What do you understand? Whoever retreats first in such a strike is sure to lose. Trading lives in this manner would be foolish. Yet, the display from these two—neither their wisdom nor their courage can be lacking."

Ye Xiao and the Blademaster sprang to their feet, the latter's long knife slicing through the air, stirring up whirlwinds.

Ye Xiao faced the oncoming Blademaster with a grave expression. Though he held a slight edge in speed and vitality, the margin was razor-thin—a single misstep could spell defeat.

With a surge of energy, he pushed his Long Sword to its utmost limit, slamming it fiercely against the oncoming Blademaster.

"Bam!" The sound of clashing steel echoed as the sword and saber met once more. The ferocious power numbed their hands, and both weapons were sent flying from their grasp. Unable to withstand the violent infusion of Yuan Qi and the force of their clash, the blades shattered and fell to the ground.

The audience collectively inhaled sharply. The animal fighting ring's fine steel weapons were no ordinary tools, yet they had been broken by that single strike, deeply impressing upon the spectators the combatants' formidable strength.

This blow had certainly surpassed the realm of the Primitive!

Weaponless, the two fighters did not relent. Their fists, ablaze with searing Essence, clashed in a fierce melee that had the crowd shouting in exhilaration.

Yet for the combatants, there was no such thrill. Each blow they landed or gust of wind from their punches brought intense pain. Despite this, their expressions remained stoically indifferent.

Like frenzied shadows, they charged at one another, leaving trails of afterimages, punctuated by the dull thuds of fists meeting flesh.

After a series of relentless exchanges, Ye Xiao managed to gain a slight advantage, overpowering the Blademaster. But the Blademaster showed no signs of conceding, gritting his teeth and fighting back with everything he had.

Following a flurry of vicious attacks, the Blademaster finally ran out of steam and collapsed with a heavy grunt. Ye Xiao did not pursue, instead stepping back to catch his breath.

After a brief pause, the Blademaster struggled to his feet. "Lord Yama truly is exceptional. I am in awe. I concede this challenge to you, Blademaster. However, I am on the cusp of breaking through to Yuan Master, and I hope to have the opportunity to face you again after my advancement!"

He bowed with a fist-in-palm salute to Ye Xiao and then declared loudly, "In this battle, I, the Blademaster, admit defeat!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding audience burst into a thunderous round of applause!