C4 Chapter 4

"If you want to be a hero, you need to know your limits," Feng Gan said, his eyes full of disdain. He did not believe Hua Hsing could escape from him. Although the Azure Edge Sword Sect forbade disciples from killing one another, crippling Hua Hsing's cultivation was still something he could do.

Two weeks earlier, Feng Gan had used a trick to lure Hua Hsing onto the life-and-death platform. He had wanted to kill him. Although he could not kill Hua Hsing in the Outer Sect courtyard, seriously injuring him during a match would be considered normal.

"That is not for you to say."

Hua Hsing could sense a trace of killing intent in Feng Gan's eyes. Feng Gan wanted him dead, and Hua Hsing saw no reason to be courteous to someone like that.

"Hua Hsing, if I do not cripple you today, I will have no face to remain in the Azure Edge Sword Sect."

Feng Gan let out a cold sneer. Then he clenched his fist, drawing all the strength in his body into it before throwing a punch straight at Hua Hsing. The force behind the blow had reached the limit of two oxen and was on the verge of three.

Two roars rang out across the courtyard. After the sounds faded, a fierce and overwhelming force burst forth. Feng Gan's Body Refining Fist had already reached the sixth level, and he had attained the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two.

Hua Hsing raised his dark eyes. When he saw Feng Gan's attack, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Then he clenched both fists and threw them forward with sudden force.

Two more roars sounded, but the roars that came from Hua Hsing's body were far weaker than Feng Gan's.

"I thought you had some skill. Who would have guessed you only had the strength of two oxen?"

Feng Gan saw at once that Hua Hsing's Body Refining Fist was not as powerful as his own.

The two fists slammed into each other with a thunderous crash. Just when everyone thought Hua Hsing would be defeated, a strange scene unfolded.

The two of them each took three steps back. Even Feng Gan was a little surprised by what he saw.

"You actually managed to block my attack?"

Hua Hsing carefully sized up Feng Gan, wanting to see exactly how Hua Hsing had managed to withstand his attack. A wave of commotion rippled across the square as many disciples whispered among themselves. At that moment, Hua Hsing felt a faint pain in his fingers. Though his face remained expressionless, he was secretly astonished by just how powerful Qi Refining Stage Level Two peak strength truly was. The reason he had been able to use his level-five Body Refining Fist to withstand Feng Gan's level-six Body Refining Fist was that, at the critical moment, his golden heart had pulsed, releasing a refreshing surge that dramatically boosted his strength once more. "Feng Gan is indeed very strong," Hua Hsing thought to himself. "However, if I unleash my One-qi Sword with full force, I have nothing to fear."

Feng Gan was furious. "You're lucky you could withstand my punch," he said. "But now, I'll unleash my most powerful attack." As soon as he finished speaking, a long sword appeared in Feng Gan's hand. He gripped it tightly, and the blade let out a resonant hum. "Azure Sky Sword Technique," he shouted as he swung the sword fiercely. In an instant, the sky filled with dazzling sword light, creating a terrifying spectacle.

Cries of shock rose from the crowd. "Hua Hsing actually forced Feng Gan to use the Azure Sky Sword Technique. How did he manage that?" "Could it be that Hua Hsing had some kind of breakthrough and his strength improved?" "There's no way he can withstand the Azure Sky Sword Technique." Many people were astonished by Hua Hsing's ability, but once Feng Gan unleashed the Azure Sky Sword Technique, they all sided with him. The Azure Sky Sword Technique was a standard skill, many times more powerful than Hua Hsing's One-qi Sword. In the Azure Edge Sword Sect, only those who reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two could choose a standard skill. Previously, because Hua Hsing had only been at Qi Refining Stage Level One, he could practice only the One-qi Sword.

Sword light filled the sky. Seeing this, Hua Hsing narrowed his eyes. Without hesitation, he gripped his long sword and unleashed the One-qi Sword. In the blink of an eye, he executed the first level of the technique. Although it was considered a basic sword art, Hua Hsing had already mastered it to perfection. The sword light of the One-qi Sword collided heavily with Feng Gan's attack, holding for a brief moment before shattering.

"It's over," Feng Gan roared as he pushed the Azure Sky Sword Technique to its limit. He intended to sever one of Hua Hsing's arms. Everyone in the square believed the battle was about to end. However, Hua Hsing still had not admitted defeat. This was only the beginning.

The second level of the One-qi Sword.

Over the past two weeks, Hua Hsing had been diligently practicing the One-qi Sword while continuing his cultivation. A few days earlier, he had already completed training in the second level. At this moment, Hua Hsing unleashed the second level of the One-qi Sword. Simultaneously, his golden heart beat rapidly a few times.

Instantly, a clear current of energy flowed into the sword light, causing its momentum to surge. "He is impressive for mastering the second level of the One-qi Sword. Unfortunately, he is no match for Senior Brother Feng," someone said. "Yeah, there is no way he can beat Senior Brother Feng," another agreed.

In the sky, the two sword lights faced each other from afar. At that moment, Hua Hsing's aura surged dramatically. Only then did Feng Gan realize that Hua Hsing had already reached Qi Refining Stage Level Two.

"Hmph, so what if you are at Qi Refining Stage Level Two? I will still defeat you," Feng Gan sneered as he directed the sword light in the sky to stab fiercely toward Hua Hsing.

The two sword lights collided, and sparks burst out at once. The One-qi Sword was ultimately unable to withstand Feng Gan's sword light.

When the sword light of the One-qi Sword wavered, a clear current appeared within it. The moment that current emerged, Feng Gan's sword light was instantly shattered. As the sword light broke apart, Feng Gan could hardly believe it. Hua Hsing gave him no chance to recover. He stepped forward, and the power of Qi Refining Stage Level Two erupted at once. With the aid of the Golden Heart, the long sword in Hua Hsing's hand moved without pause, sending out streak after streak of sword light. "I will not lose," he said. In an instant, Hua Hsing's attack was already before Feng Gan. Feng Gan's expression changed drastically, and he let out a furious roar. "Azure Sky Sword Art." With a loud shout, Feng Gan unleashed the Azure Sky Sword Art once more, but unfortunately, he was still unable to withstand Hua Hsing's assault. He swung out countless rays of sword light, yet when the final ray appeared, his body was sent flying and his long sword fell to the ground.

At that moment, Hua Hsing stood in the square like a war god, gazing over everything before him. The surroundings fell into complete silence, and everyone stared at the scene in utter shock. Hua Hsing had defeated Feng Gan, who was at the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two. How could that not be astonishing? "Heavens, is this real? Hua Hsing actually defeated Feng Gan?" This was the thought in everyone's mind.

Feng Gan lay on the ground, coughing up blood, his face pale as he looked at Hua Hsing. He couldn't comprehend how Hua Hsing had defeated him with just the One-qi Sword. Hua Hsing walked heavily toward Feng Gan, raising his long sword. "Hua Hsing, what are you doing?" Feng Gan roared in anger. "Didn't you just say you were going to cripple me?" Hua Hsing replied. "Hua Hsing, let’s end the fight here. I won't trouble you anymore," Feng Gan said. Hua Hsing shook his head slightly. It seemed Feng Gan still hadn't grasped the situation. The sword flashed, and Feng Gan let out a wretched scream as blood splattered everywhere. The crowd looked on and saw a fresh wound on Feng Gan's body.

"Ah, Hua Hsing, you actually dared to hurt me," Feng Gan screamed miserably.

"Hua Hsing, let Senior Brother Feng go. Let's just forget about this."

"Hua Hsing, Senior Brother Feng has already lost," said a few people who were on good terms with Feng Gan. Hua Hsing's face was icy. He said coldly, "If I had lost, would he have let me go?" Faced with Hua Hsing's question, they said nothing more. They lowered their heads. If the one who had lost had been Hua Hsing, they all knew he would have been crippled.

"Don't worry. This is the square. I won't kill you. I'll just cut off one of your arms first," Hua Hsing said again.

"Hua Hsing, you can't touch me. Senior Brother Re won't let you off," Feng Gan shouted in terror. He was already seriously injured and completely unable to withstand Hua Hsing's attack. Seeing that Hua Hsing was about to cut off his arm, panic flooded his voice.

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