C15 Showing off

He could clearly discern the ripples on the Dripping Water Sword, which shimmered with a crystal-clear brilliance under the morning sun, creating a dazzling display.

Within those ripples, one could faintly make out the rune arrays, slowly rotating like a dormant giant python ready to consume him.

At that moment, no one questioned the potential devastation of the sword strike.

The pressing question on everyone's mind was whether Hee Shuixian would show mercy, sparing Lee Yi's life and merely inflicting severe injury.

The sword, mere inches away, could have almost instantly pierced through Lee Yi's skull.

But in that hairbreadth moment, a powerful gust of wind suddenly enveloped Lee Yi!

The magical power of the wind surged through him.

Whoosh!

The Dripping Water Sword sliced through the air without a hint of mercy, but Lee Yi's form had vanished.

The next instant, as everyone's vision blurred, Lee Yi reappeared on the opposite side of the plaza, dozens of meters from his original position, leaving no one with a clear understanding of how he had traversed the distance.

It was as though he had shifted his shape and stepped through space itself.

Silence fell over the plaza in a flash, with onlookers exchanging bewildered glances as if they had witnessed a ghost in the daylight.

"What just happened?"

"Did he actually evade the Dripping Water Sword?"

"Am I dreaming? That strike was meant to be fatal!"

Shock was etched on every face.

Hu Kun and Zhang Cheng, in particular, looked dreadful. They had come to restore their honor, but Lee Yi's unexpected performance had thrown them for a loop.

"How is this possible?" Hu Kun's mind reeled, "How could his speed surpass the Dripping Water Sword?"

Indeed, since his defeat by Lee Yi, Hu Kun had been deeply wary of Lee Yi's speed. Yet he believed that no matter how swift Lee Yi was, he was still human and couldn't possibly outpace the Dripping Water Sword.

But the reality struck him like a slap across the face.

The Dripping Water Sword had missed its mark and hovered silently in midair, as if even the elusive Hee Shuixian was taken aback by Lee Yi's evasion, not anticipating his ability to dodge such a lethal blow.

Lee Yi's face darkened as he sensed Hee Shuixian's deadly resolve in her sword strike, igniting a flicker of rage within him.

"What a merciless woman. Had I not advanced my Wind Magical Power to the stage of Small Completion, her blade would have claimed my life just now!" Lee Yi thought to himself. "Since you've taken it this far, I see no need for pleasantries. You wish to remain unseen? I'll force you to reveal yourself!"

With that thought, he propelled himself toward the Dripping Water Sword.

"Is he seeking his own death?"

The onlookers were astounded by his actions.

The Dripping Water Sword was formidable, and evading it was no small feat. Yet, Lee Yi seemed to disregard his own advantages, hurtling himself toward the sword. Was this not a death wish?

"Has he lost his mind? Sure, he dodged one sword, but can he really evade the countless others?"

"Exactly. No matter how skilled, it's impossible to clash directly with a sword like that."

The Dripping Water Sword quivered, emitting a humming sound as it sped towards Lee Yi, like a meteor in pursuit of the moon.

In the moment before impact, Lee Yi's hand suddenly brandished another sword—the Nameless Sword.

In comparison to the Dripping Water Sword, the Nameless Sword looked quite modest. The former was a prestigious Profound magical sword, while the latter was a damaged sword, its magical formation destroyed.

Lacking a magical formation, the Nameless Sword could neither fly nor be wielded from a distance. It was to be held like a common weapon, used for close combat.

Simultaneously, Lee Yi unleashed the Wind Magical Power, his figure flashing evasively. He managed to dodge the Dripping Water Sword's assault once more, and with the Nameless Sword in hand, he delivered a fierce chop toward its blade.

The Sword Slashing Technique!

This technique harnessed the Nameless Sword's sharpness and durability, the Sword Slashing Technique's relentless force, the Wind Magical Power's exceptional speed, along with Lee Yi's robust mana and formidable physical strength. This single strike was imbued with a tremendously powerful energy.

With a resounding clang, the two swords collided!

A powerful gust of wind erupted, sending some disciples near the plaza stumbling back several steps. The less skilled among them even sustained minor internal injuries.

"What incredible strength!" The crowd was astounded as they focused their attention on the duel.

Lee Yi had been pushed back three meters, while the Dripping Water Sword had been sent flying ten meters away.

This highlighted the benefit of wielding a sword with one's physical body; not only could one utilize mana, but also the strength of the body itself. In contrast, swordsmanship performed midair relied solely on mana.

Though Hee Shuixian had reached the pinnacle of the third tier, Lee Yi's unique physique meant his mana could match hers. Furthermore, his mana had undergone a subtle transformation under the influence of the mysterious stone, giving him a slight edge in quality over Hee Shuixian.

Additionally, with the formidable physical strength he gained from merging with the demon race's bloodline, he could clearly demonstrate his superiority with just one move.

Lee Yi didn't wait for the Dripping Water Sword to recover; he swiftly invoked his Wind Magical Power and vanished in a blink.

He slashed fiercely once more.

Clang!

The Dripping Water Sword was repelled yet again.

Lee Yi relentlessly pressed his advantage, following one sword strike with another.

In a flash, he executed seven consecutive strikes!

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

All that could be seen in midair were seven afterimages of Lee Yi, followed by the sound of seven forceful impacts. Countless waves of sword qi burst forth, creating a razor-sharp gale that carved numerous fissures into the green stone ground, flinging earth and stone in all directions and creating a formidable spectacle.

The onlookers were driven back by the sword qi's shockwaves, forced to observe from a distance. When they saw Lee Yi seemingly perform a cloning technique, leaving behind seven afterimages in an instant, their faces were filled with shock, and some even showed a hint of envy.

"What kind of movement technique is this? Why have I never heard of it before?"

"He's incredibly fast. Even though he's wielding the sword physically, he's faster than those who control it through the air. Astonishing!"

"He's up against the Dripping Water Sword, and I've never heard of anyone overpowering Senior Sister Shuixian in swordplay. Could that guy be some kind of monster?"

As the violent wind ceased and the dust settled, a single clang echoed through the air. The Dripping Water Sword had fallen from the sky, landing in the square, and was now struggling to take flight again.

Lee Yi descended and firmly planted his foot on the Dripping Water Sword.

Despite the sword's frantic writhing, Lee Yi remained immovable.

A hush fell over the crowd; they stared at Lee Yi as though he were some kind of monster.

The scene before them spoke volumes. The Dripping Water Sword pinned under Lee Yi's foot signified that Hee Shuixian had sustained significant injuries in their recent clash, her magical power severely drained. For the sword to be trodden upon was an immense disgrace, and given Hee Shuixian's notoriously ruthless and prideful nature, she would never stand for such an insult.

Lee Yi, too, had expended a great deal of energy, even feeling a wave of weakness wash over him. He had given his all in the fight to subdue the Dripping Water Sword.

He quietly caught his breath and steadied his inner energy, maintaining an outward appearance of nonchalance.

Then, summoning his magical power, he bellowed, "Aren't you going to show yourself?!"

His voice carried across the expanse. Abruptly, from a pavilion in the northwest corner of the square, a black shadow tumbled out and stumbled forward.

It was a short, plump girl dressed in a black gown, her head covered by a black bamboo hat, her figure shrouded in a black cloak.

The crowd was taken aback, having never imagined that the enigmatic Hee Shuixian would present such an appearance. Disappointment was evident on many faces.

"The Dripping Water Sword remains," came a deep, husky voice from behind the bamboo hat, sounding almost masculine.

Lee Yi asked icily, "Are you Hee Shuixian?"

The figure remained silent.

Indeed, it was Hee Shuixian. Born with an unattractive appearance, she had always shunned public appearances. Her exceptional swordsmanship had made her well-known, and people had speculated that she must be as beautiful as a celestial being, adding to her mystique. Under the weight of such unfounded reputation, she became even more reclusive.

Were it not for the Dripping Water Sword, she would never have revealed herself.

For Hee Shuixian, the sword was as vital as life itself. No title or reputation could ever outweigh the value of her life.

Nevertheless, the sting of those disappointed gazes was a harsh blow to her.

Lee Yi snorted and remarked, "You can't discern right from wrong. Standing up for those two is one thing, but harboring the intent to kill me is quite another. Aren't you being excessively cruel? Consider this sword a minor reprimand, lest anyone think that I, Lee Yi, am someone to be trifled with!"

With that, he seized the Water Drop Sword.

Hu Kun, witnessing this, hurriedly charged forward, exclaiming, "Drop the Water Drop..."

He couldn't finish his plea as Lee Yi's figure flashed, delivering a palm strike to his chest.

Unable to evade, Hu Kun felt an overwhelming force propel him backward, unable to utter the word "sword."

Back when Lee Yi's magical power was lesser than his, Hu Kun was no match for him. Now that Lee Yi had ascended to the third level of Arcane Awakening, surpassing him, how could he possibly stand a chance?

Zhang Cheng, who had been itching to act, saw Hu Kun's plight and immediately became the picture of obedience, practically shrinking into himself.

"If you don't return the sword, I'll kill you!" Hee Shuixian declared fiercely.

"Do you think returning the sword will erase the past?" Lee Yi responded coolly. "If you're still dissatisfied, come and find me. I'm curious to see how many more treasures you're willing to part with!"

Hee Shuixian, in a panic, stepped forward then halted, saying, "Fine, I was wrong earlier. What will it take for you to return the sword?" Her voice softened considerably, even carrying a trace of supplication.

Despite her deep-seated hatred for Lee Yi, she was forced to temporarily swallow her pride for the sake of the Water Drop Sword.

Lee Yi remained silent, pondering. The Water Drop Sword was undoubtedly a coveted blade, but it didn't suit him. His practice was the Sword Slashing Technique, which sought raw, unmatched power, whereas the Water Drop Sword was too delicate.

This was partly why he had managed to overpower the sword during their recent confrontation.

Moreover, the Water Drop Sword's fame was so great that if Lee Yi attempted to sell it, he would likely find it a difficult task. No one would willingly accept such a troublesome burden.

"Given the circumstances, and out of respect for the Alchemy Pavilion, I don't wish to take things too far," Lee Yi drawled. "Here's my offer: bring me thirty thousand Virtue Points, and I'll grudgingly return the sword to you."

"What? Thirty thousand Virtue Points?" The bystanders were taken aback, biting their tongues, yet internally they scoffed, "Is he not just a thief in disguise?"

"And he has the nerve to call it 'grudgingly'—sounds so magnanimous!"

To most disciples, thirty thousand Virtue Points was a number beyond their wildest dreams, an unattainable fortune.

Hee Shuixian trembled slightly, evidently struggling to contain her fury, but she remained silent.

"The esteemed owner of the Dripping Water Sword surely possesses thirty thousand Virtue Points, doesn't she?" Lee Yi remarked coolly. "If not, I'm afraid I'll have no choice but to graciously accept the sword for myself."