Chapter 280 (2/2)

He was still thinking of returning to the hall, but when he tried to exert a little force with his legs, a strong numbing sensation met him. To think that he was unable to move a single inch! He was paralyzed from the electric shock.

‘I’ve actually lost to someone who has only just learned the Thunderbolt Sword Technique…’

A powerful feeling of embarrassment grew in Duolun.

Just then, the sound of rocks crumbling rang out again. Duolun lifted his head and saw Fang Xingjian gradually walking out from the hole in the wall Duolun had created. Duolun saw the myriad of electrical snakes encompassing Fang Xingjian, and watched as they incessantly continued to pierce through the air, slithering about as if they were alive.

Then, the electric snakes heated up the air, creating pitter-patter explosion sounds. Duolun’s pupils contracted.

Any of these electric snakes had at least the prowess of a howitzer[1]. Looking at the myriad of electric snakes slithering around Fang Xingjian’s body, Duolun’s hair stood up as he asked in a muffled voice, “Your Thunderbolt Sword Technique is at level 12 now?”

This was an effect he had been able to accomplish only when his Thunderbolt Sword Technique had reached level 12. Moreover, the electric snakes he had been able to create were not as many, nor as agile as Fang Xingjian’s.

Fang Xingjian nodded, answering, “All thanks to you. As expected, to improve one’s sword arts mastery, the most effective way is to have a spar with an expert.

“Are we going again?”

Looking at Fang Xingjian’s calm expression, a hint of a chill sprouted in Duolun’s heart. What was the point of going for a second round? The other party could crush him completely with a mere level 10 Thunderbolt Sword Technique, let alone one of level 12.

When he saw that the other two students had also appeared, this emotion got even stronger and the feelings of embarrassment continued to surge. Duolun left immediately, without another word.

A thought kept appearing in his mind: Fang Xingjian had been able to defeat his several years’ hard work only an hour after learning the technique. With a Conferred Knight like this in the sword arts domain, was there a need for him to continue learning sword arts?

At this point, Duolun even had the idea to stop practicing sword arts and to switch to another area of martial arts.

What he did not know was that as Fang Xingjian continued to progress, there would be many people, who, like himself, would be dealt a blow, ending up losing the confidence to continue learning sword arts.

Looking on as Duolun departed, Fang Xingjian tilted his head and said, “This… should count as my win?”

The other two students exchanged a glance, unable to say a single word.

Rota smiled and said, “The person on duty for this stage has fled, of course it’s considered your win. ”

Fang Xingjian shook his head, saying, “Then it’s time to go to the next stage.”

Rota smiled and followed behind Fang Xingjian. This guy with outstanding talent seemed to have the ability to surprise her every time they met. He was like a treasure box that kept on multiplying, releasing endless mysteries and grandeur each time it was opened.

One of the students immediately shouted, “You… You haven’t passed the stage! You can’t go in!”

Rota’s brows twitched and she turned, saying, “I don’t practice the sword. Even if I were to enter, I won’t be able to learn your Killing techniques. Moreover, don’t you guys wish to see which stage Fang Xingjian could reach today?”

The two students fell into a short daze, and after Fang Xingjian and Rota had walked a distance away, a clear sense of hesitation appeared on their faces.

“It seems meaningless for us to stay here too, right?”

“Even Brother Duolun has left. What’s the difference between practicing here and practicing elsewhere?”

“Let’s go take a look?”

“Let’s go take a look. We can warn the seniors from the next stage. This guy is too creepy.”

[1] A type of artillery item characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles over relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent.