Chapter 165 – Carrying Boots (1/2)

A blade without its sheath, will display the brilliance of its edge.

Zhuang Huan Yu’s sword cut through the air, no longer having any kind of restraint; wielding a fierce True Essence and thrusting towards Chen Chang Sheng’s body; a brilliant green light emanated from its tip and a whistling sound could be heard.

The sand vestiges once again rose from the ground, dancing around the arena.

Chen Chang Sheng used Discerning Steps, his figure suddenly becoming indistinct and drawing out a stream of afterimages, encircling Zhuang Huan Yu, the sword short in his hand was akin to a staff, continuously striking out.

It remained a barrage.

Zhuang Huan Yu didn’t have any fear and his sword manoeuvres were spectacular.

Though his attacks were overly wild due to anger, his defence was still flawless; it could be seen that he wasn’t perturbed in the slightest.

No matter how fast Chen Chang Sheng’s steps were, or how straightforward and severe his strikes, he couldn’t find an opening, nor create one. Conversely, Zhuang Huan Yu’s sword manifestations became increasingly composed.

Countless sword flashes, akin to a formless net, caused Chen Chang Sheng’s steps to become progressively harder, even if he wanted to distance himself, it would no longer be an easy task.

Chen Chang Sheng could tell what Zhuang Huan Yu’s intention was – he wanted to use this type of sword art to eradicate the advantage Chen Chang Sheng had with the speed of his motion technique, causing it to become a simple contest between manoeuvres and True Essence – Chen Chang Sheng made a decision without any hesitation.

Chen Chang Sheng’s motion technique suddenly adjusted, his speed increased to a bewildering degree, taking three steps towards the right and appearing on Zhuang Huan Yu’s other side.

Zhuang Huan Yu twisted his wrist and thrusted outwards, a sword strike that was spectacular beyond words; it directly swept Chen Chang Sheng’s short sword out of the way, following the momentum to pierce towards Chen Chang Sheng’s throat.

Chen Chang Sheng was suddenly in danger, yet his expression didn’t change, that’s because he had already moved within Zhuang Huan Yu’s sword flash.

Now, neither could evade.

He sidestepped and allowed the Sword of Hithering Light to cut into his shoulder, the short sword in his hand directly slammed towards Zhuang Huan Yu’s face.

Zhuang Huan Yu shifted the Sword of Hithering Light, using the sword’s hilt to meet the blow, at the same time, he crossed his steps, holding the blade flat out to once again thrust towards Chen Chang Sheng’s throat.

In but an instant, the battle had undergone an enormous change.

Incessant sounds of clashing once again resounded within the tower; this was the sound of two swords coming into contact, but this time, in comparison to the first bout, the sword cries were unremitting, as if they would continue for eternity.

White air masses continuously formed and then exploded, disappearing; whether Chen Chang Sheng or Zhuang Huan Yu, they had both decided to determine who would be the victor.

*CHA* *CHA* *CHA*

Three sounds of something splitting erupted.

*BANG* *BANG*

Two sounds of solid strikes resounded.

The drizzle came to a stop; wet sand fell upon the floor. Chen Chang Sheng and Zhuang Huan Yu suddenly separated from each other, retreating a distance of around 30 odd metres and then coming to a stop.

Chen Chang Sheng had been pierced three times, coupled with the previous sword wounds, he now had a total of six wounds crisscrossing his chest; blood streamed out, a disturbing sight.

Zhuang Huan Yu had been struck by Chen Chang Sheng’s short sword twice, his right shoulder was slightly caved in; blood was overflowing and his complexion was abnormally pale.

A blade’s edge is unmatched, while a staff is but a blunt weapon. Exchanging three sword strikes for two blows from a staff, no matter from which perspective this was looked at, with the last exchange, it should be Zhuang Huan Yu who had gained the upper hand.

If Zhuang Huan Yu’s opponent was anyone else, suffering those three sword strikes, they would have sustained heavy injuries and be unable to continue battling.

Chen Chang Sheng did not collapse.

Zhuang Huan Yu wanted to pit manoeuvre against manoeuvre with him; sword against sword; True Essence against True Essence.

Chen Chang Sheng’s counter was even more severe, directly exchanging move for move; sword for sword; wound for wound.

This was the method Liang Ban Hu had used against Tang Thirty-Six, a strategy formulated by Gou Han Shi.

It had been used by Chen Chang Sheng against Zhuang Huan Yu in this critical match.

Chen Chang Sheng had always been someone that is willing to learn and was good at learning. Not to mention, for him to dare to use this method, it showed that he had an absolute confidence in his True Essence and defence, that they were, at the very least, stronger than Zhuang Huan Yu’s.

Zhuang Huan Yu didn’t collapse either, though his complexion was now extremely pallid.

Their bodies were covered in blood; separated by a distance of over 30 metres, they silently observed each other.

It was silent within the Tower of Purging Dust.

The personages by the second floor window also maintained silence.

This match naturally wasn’t much to them, but Chen Chang Sheng and Zhuang Huan Yu had displayed composure and courage that far exceeded those of their age group, this made these personages feel slightly moved; their current silence, was possibly a display of respect towards them.