C16 Chapter 16

"Hua Hsing, do you dare fight me?"

His voice boomed with immense power, echoing throughout the Martial Arena. Several elders on the platform watched with keen interest, eager to see how the duel would unfold. "Why wouldn't I?" Hua Hsing stepped forward and mounted the Martial Arena. Seeing Hua Hsing take the stage, the Ninth Elder beamed with pride in his disciple. Meanwhile, Jiaang Xue, observing the scene, felt even more determined to kill Hua Hsing.

"Hua Hsing, you're nothing but trash. Sure, you've grown stronger, but in front of me, you're still not worth mentioning," Re Yunzheng sneered.

"Trash? The so-called trash defeated every opponent and reached the finals of the Outer Sect competition," Hua Hsing shot back.

Re Yunzheng's expression shifted slightly, and then he barked, "You're asking for death." With a furious shout, Re Yunzheng drew a long sword. Pivoting on the tip of his back foot, he swung the blade repeatedly. A powerful aura burst from his body, and the air instantly grew heavy with dense sword energy. Hua Hsing narrowed his eyes as he watched him.

"Five-element Sword Arts, Sword of Gold."

As Re Yunzheng's shout rang out, he unleashed the first form of the Five-element Sword Arts, Sword of Gold. A layer of golden radiance instantly appeared on the long sword. The Five-element Sword Arts were already infinitely close to a lesser-grade technique. It was said that once the Five-element Sword Arts were cultivated to the Perfection Stage, they could rival one. As the Sword of Gold was unleashed, a streak of golden sword light appeared in the sky, filled with fierce sword energy. Within the Martial Arena, many disciples immediately felt a crushing pressure.

"Is this the Five-element Sword Arts? It's too powerful."

"I feel like I can't even move. This aura could defeat me in an instant."

"Senior Brother Re is truly formidable. He's actually cultivated the Five-element Sword Arts to such a level."

"Hua Hsing is in danger."

On the platform, several elders began discussing it among themselves.

"Re Yunzheng is quite impressive. To cultivate the Five-element Sword Arts to this level, he must have reached the Perfection Stage, right?"

"Indeed. For an Outer Sect disciple, such talent is commendable."

"None of you should try to take him from me. I want him as my disciple."

"Lao Xuan, I've already claimed him," Elder Ma said.

Hearing Elder Ma speak, the other elders fell silent, not daring to compete with him for the disciple. Only the Ninth Elder remained quiet, his gaze fixed on Hua Hsing as he intently observed the battle. On the Martial Arena, Hua Hsing could feel the overwhelming sword energy filling the entire space. "Golden Light Sword Arts." Hua Hsing let out a low growl and unleashed the Golden Light Sword Arts. His sword transformed into a golden streak and thrust directly at Re Yunzheng. "Impressive," Re Yunzheng exclaimed with delight. With a shout, he pushed the Metal Sword of the Five-element Sword Arts to its limit and crashed it fiercely against Hua Hsing's sword.

Immediately, the sound of clashing metal rang out, and sparks flew everywhere. Both of them stepped back a few paces. Re Yunzheng scrutinized Hua Hsing, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "I underestimated the power of the Golden Light Sword Arts." Then he struck again. "Five-element Sword Arts, Wood Sword. Five-element Sword Arts, Water Sword. Five-element Sword Arts, Fire Sword. Five-element Sword Arts, Earth Sword." Re Yunzheng unleashed the remaining four moves of the Five-element Sword Arts in one breath. Sword light tore through the air with unstoppable force, aiming straight at Hua Hsing.

The scene left countless disciples gasping in awe. Such an attack was beyond their comprehension, and all of them could see how powerful Re Yunzheng truly was. At that moment, Hua Hsing also felt the might of the Five-element Sword Arts. He pushed the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts to its peak. Just then, his heart pounded, and the profound mysteries of the third move suddenly unfolded in his mind. The third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts had reached the Perfection Stage.

Joy surged through Hua Hsing as he swiftly executed the perfected third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. At the same time, he began silently reciting the mantra for the fourth move. Once he had fully mastered the third move, he could begin cultivating the fourth. With the aid of his Golden Heart, he hoped to perfect it in battle, which would make defeating Re Yunzheng far easier. The third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts was astonishingly powerful. As a streak of golden light appeared, everyone felt a chill run through them. The golden light collided with the sword light of the Five-element Sword Arts, and a violent explosion erupted. Hua Hsing successfully used the third move to block the attack.

"Five-element Sword Arts, Sword of Fire."

"Five-element Sword Arts, Sword of Earth."

Re Yunzheng unleashed the last four moves of the Five-element Sword Arts in a single breath. The overwhelming sword light tore through the air and stabbed straight toward Hua Hsing. At the sight of this, countless disciples could not help drawing in sharp breaths. Such an attack had already gone beyond the limits of their understanding. "He is too powerful," many of them thought.

At that moment, Hua Hsing also felt the strength of the Five-element Sword Arts. He pushed the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts to its absolute limit. Just then, the Golden Heart began to beat rapidly, and the mysteries of the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts instantly appeared in his mind. "The third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts has reached the Perfection Stage." Hua Hsing was overjoyed. He immediately executed the third move again, while at the same time silently reciting the incantation for the fourth move in his mind.

Now that the third move had reached the Perfection Stage, he could begin cultivating the fourth move. Because he possessed the Golden Heart, Hua Hsing hoped to master it in the middle of battle. If that happened, defeating Re Yunzheng would become much easier. The power of the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts was extraordinarily fierce. A flash of golden light appeared, and everyone present felt a chill run through them.

In the next instant, the golden light collided with the sword light of the Five-element Sword Arts, and an explosion erupted. Hua Hsing successfully blocked the attack with the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts.

"How is this possible?" Re Yunzheng had assumed that the Five-element Sword Arts would be enough to handle Hua Hsing, but he was surprised by Hua Hsing's unexpected strength.

On the platform, Elder Ma nodded in satisfaction, saying, "He has mastered the third move of the Golden Light Sword Arts to the Perfection Stage. Even Qih Nantian back in the day was no better."

As Elder Ma spoke, the situation in the Martial Arena changed again. "Hua Hsing, I will defeat you," Re Yunzheng shouted, his eyes red with anger as he pointed his sword skyward. At that moment, the sword was surrounded by five colors, each representing one of the major moves of the Five-element Sword Arts.

"Five-element Sword Arts, unite as one."

Re Yunzheng roared, and in an instant the Five-element Sword Arts merged into one. As the elders on the platform witnessed this, their expressions shifted slightly. The power of this united attack was comparable to that of a lesser-grade technique.

"Re Yunzheng's talent is far beyond what I imagined. He has actually mastered the unification of the Five Elements," one elder remarked.

"Indeed, I am curious to see how Hua Hsing will handle this."

"Congratulations, Elder Ma, you have a promising disciple," another elder commented.

Elder Ma smiled with satisfaction. Behind him, Jiaang Xue's eyes gleamed coldly, hoping Re Yunzheng would cripple Hua Hsing's abilities.

"What method will you use to break this stalemate?" the Ninth Elder murmured to himself.

On the Martial Arena, Hua Hsing said in a low, icy tone, "The power of the Five-element unification rivals that of a lesser-grade technique."

A powerful sword light shot toward Hua Hsing, and he dodged without hesitation. A series of sword lights followed, forcing him to evade continuously without launching a counterattack.

"Hua Hsing is going to lose," many disciples observed.

"Hua Hsing, let me see how long you can hold out," Re Yunzheng taunted as he intensified his Five-element attack and advanced with his sword.

"Time is running out. I just need to hold on a little longer," Hua Hsing thought to himself.

Hua Hsing was deep in thought, his mind focused on mastering the fourth move of the Golden Light Sword Arts. He only needed a little more time. Once he succeeded, he would be able to defend against, or even overpower, the Five-element Sword Arts.

"Hua Hsing, I will defeat you."

Re Yunzheng's eyes turned bloodshot as he let out a furious roar and raised the longsword in his hand toward the sky. At that moment, five colors appeared around the blade, each representing one of the five major moves of the Five-element Sword Arts. "Five-element Sword Arts, Five Elements Unite." Re Yunzheng roared again, and in an instant, the five elements merged into one.

When they saw Re Yunzheng use Five Elements Unite, the expressions of everyone on the viewing platform shifted slightly. The power of that attack was already comparable to that of a low-grade technique. "Re Yunzheng's talent is far better than I imagined. He actually comprehended Five Elements Unite," one elder said. "Yes. I want to see how Hua Hsing will deal with him." "Congratulations, Elder Ma. You have a fine disciple."

Elder Ma smiled in satisfaction. Behind him, Jiaang Xue's eyes flashed with cold malice as she hoped Re Yunzheng would cripple Hua Hsing's cultivation. "What method will you use to break this deadlock?" the Ninth Elder murmured to himself.

On the Martial Arena, Hua Hsing's eyes were icy as he spoke in a low voice. "Five Elements Unite already carries power comparable to a low-grade technique."

A fierce streak of sword light shot toward Hua Hsing, and he dodged without hesitation. Immediately after, a rapid succession of sword lights thrust at him. At this moment, Hua Hsing did not counterattack and focused only on evading.

"Hua Hsing is going to lose," many disciples said as they watched.

"Hua Hsing, I'd like to see how much longer you can hold on."

Seeing this, Re Yunzheng increased the power of his Five-element Sword Arts united as one. Holding his long sword, he pressed directly toward Hua Hsing.

"Time is almost up. I just need to hold on a little longer," Hua Hsing thought to himself. In his mind, he was circulating the fourth strike of the Golden Light Sword Arts. If he were given just a little more time, he would be able to master it.

By then, he would be able to resist, and perhaps even suppress, the unified Five-element Sword Arts. Since Hua Hsing had no real advantage in movement technique, after a continuous retreat, he was finally caught by Re Yunzheng.

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