494 Encountering Skirmishes in Dreamland (1/2)
A thick mist had risen, enveloping all of the rivers, lakes, and forests inside the Jade Garden Forest.
When the mist dissipated, everything seemed to have returned to normal. If one took a careful look around, however, one would realize that the void was gently swaying like waves. What was before one's eyes felt both real and unreal.
Meng Qi was reluctant to allow someone's breath to be fixed on him because he carried too many secrets. Even so, for his safety, he accepted Su Li's kind gesture.
It was not as if he did not have the ability to cut off Su Li's breath if there was any chance that his identity might be exposed!
None of the talents who attended the Sumptuous Fruits Banquet withdrew from the challenge. Even if they were well aware of how weak they were in comparison with Xuanzhen and the rest, they still entered the dreamland. The figured they might very well encounter battles with top masters like Xuanzhen, Aunt Bai, and Killing Blade as soon as they entered, and could be eliminated early. They had no ambitions to emerge to the top. If they could hide and become the last few to leave the formation, it would be a kind of win!
The aged Emperor chuckled as he watched them make their way over the waves and enter the dreamland formation. ”Most of the time, we'll be able to watch the battles instantly as they occur. Other times, so as not to weaken the effect of the formation, mist and dark nights will materialize in certain areas and obscure our view. After all, some people are more skilled at sneak attacks and not head-on confrontations. We have to give them a fair chance. Of course, my esteemed ministers, you are all free to use the breath attached to your disciples to sense their surroundings. It wouldn't be obscured by the mist nor the cover of the night.”
His clear and complete explanation gave the ministers no reason to raise any objections.
The three princes – Crown Prince, Prince Jin, and Zhao Heng – were the last to enter the dreamland.
Meng Qi felt his body pass through layer after layer of damp and heavy waves. The waves then dissipated to reveal a canyon stretching before his eyes.
He lifted his head and saw the horizon pressed into one fine line. On both sides were precipitous cliffs covered in lush green.
Five disciples of aristocratic families dressed in brocades stood in the middle of the canyon. They appeared uncertain as they took in the environment.
They instantly spotted Meng Qi.
”Killing Blade!”
”Su Meng!”
”To think we'll really come across him!”
Quiet sounds of exclamations came from the disciples, who all looked to be on guard. They wanted to retreat, yet they also feared that Meng Qi would hunt them down and leave them no chance to fight back.
Meng Qi gripped his saber in his right hand and walked toward them without expression. His every step seemed to grate on their hearts, making them tremble all over. They felt that Killing Blade seemed to have become several degrees taller right before their eyes.
His pace, neither slow nor fast, carried a suppressive air. It was unbearable for the five disciples. If he was slower, that would have given them the opportunity to discuss countermeasures. Yet they would have preferred it if he was quicker. It would be much better to die and reincarnate quickly.
”My esteemed subjects, your disciples still lack experience. They've completely lost their composure under Killing Blade's pressure.” The aged Emperor rubbed the puffy bags under his eyes as he smiled at the high official, Song Shouren, and the other ministers.
The five young masters were the top disciples of the Song family of Luyang and the Zhang family of Longnan.
”They were born relatively late into the year and the highest cultivation among them is merely Eight Apertures. It's inevitable that they'll fear Killing Blade who is sure to make a breakthrough at any time.” Song Shouren smoothened his beard with his hand, exuding the unmistakable grace of one from an aristocratic family.
”Born comparatively late...” The aged Emperor smiled, not continuing the rest of his words. The five disciples appeared to be one or two years older than Su Ziyuan, not the other way around.
Zhang Yuanli, the legitimate son of the Zhang family of Longnan, came from a scholarly family. All emotions vanished from his expression as he said in a quiet voice, ”There are at least five of us and it's narrow here. It'll be hard for him to dodge and weave around us. We might not lose if we go up against him full-force. Even if we can't win, we can at least find a chance to run. It's better than being hunted!”
Song Quanlue of the Song family nodded. ”Senior Brother, your Grand Sun Sky-burning Palm is great. My Houtu Life-and-death Swordsmanship isn't weak either. So are all of you, my brothers. Let's give him a worthy challenge and look out for an opportunity.”
Just as the five of them steeled their determinations and saw a rise in their momentum, bright laughter came from Meng Qi. He accelerated his pace and his steps became as heavy as an elephant's, shaking the ground each time his foot landed. In a flash, the momentum of the disciples faded.
Song Quanlue took in a deep breath, pointed his sword and drew the outline of upright, unafraid plum blossoms that were brimming with vitality. His killing intent was hidden somewhere deep inside, appearing entirely inconspicuous.
Zhang Yuanli and the others separated in a practiced fashion. One brandished a palm akin to the Grand Sun, the other brandished a sword akin to the heaven. Both targeted the vital parts of Meng Qi's body.
”Clang!” Meng Qi unsheathed his saber and lifted it high up, before slashing downward with a terrifying force.
”Clang!”
Under the force of such a terrifying slash, Song Quanlue was unable to unleash the changes in his sword art. Like an embroidery needle coming across a rumble roller, all the exquisite layers of movements were all blocked. He had no time to unleash the rest of his techniques before the sword and saber met.
He felt the skin between his thumb and forefinger split open and his sword flew out of his hand.
A thought crossed his mind at that moment, something his elders had once said: ”One's true sword technique relies not on his sword, but on his practice...”
Meng Qi slashed Song Quanlue's sword in one stroke and twisted his body with a kick of his heel. His saber, like a growing dragon, cut in the direction of Zhang Yuanli and the others.
”Clang, clang, clang, clang!” Each strike landed on Meng Qi but the pale golden glow remained untouched without dissipating.
The saber cut at an angle as if it was a long stick, sweeping them away with terrifyingly dreadful strength.
Several flashes of light later, the five disciples disappeared one after another. They were whisked away by their family elders.
Meng Qi ended the battle in just a couple of minutes, moving so quickly that the ministers did not even have the time to comment on anything.
”You know the disparity in your strengths...” Song Shouren stared at a shamed Song Quanlue with a stern expression.
Song Quanlue hung his head low with his face flushed red, unable to lift his head.
The other spectators exhaled sharply. It was likely that Killing Blade did not even use half of his strength in dealing with those disciples.
Meng Qi stepped out of the canyon, carrying his saber. He saw someone walking out of the wilderness towards him. It was Aunt Bai.
”Haha! Rather than arriving early, it's far wiser to arrive opportunely.” Her breath surged. Her desolate and barbaric air was like that of high mountains and ridges. It was as if she was a terrifying and vicious beast.
Meng Qi narrowed his eyes and felt something heavy weighing on his body as if the ground was binding him. His every movement required more strength than he was used to.
He had planned on first evading Aunt Bai and those on her level, clearing away the miscellaneous participants, and meeting up with Ruan Yushu and the others before they were defeated. That way, he would have at least 70 to 80 percent odds of success. However, life never follows one's expectations.
”To think I'd meet him so soon...” Zhang Yuanli calmed his emotions and began to observe the battles inside the dreamland. Excitement colored his expression when he saw that Killing Blade had encountered Aunt Bai.
Even though Killing Blade was the top fighter of the Ranking List of Young Masters, he could not be discussed along the same lines as Aunt Bai.
Would Killing Blade be eliminated right in the beginning?
This particular encounter had captured the attention of most of the spectators. Compared to other scuffles happening in the dreamland, the collision between masters was evidently more interesting.
Aunt Bai laughed heartily. ”I've long wanted to battle you once again!”
She charged at him, throwing him a straight punch with a heavy, frightening fist. She was so strong that her force seemed capable of shattering mountain peaks. That feeling of oppression and of near collapse made Meng Qi feel short of breath.
What was even more frightening was that, behind her, the ground was like a large cage that encompassed everything. It was beyond difficult to execute any Body Movements or changes or even speed up. It was as if he could only meet her at her strength and confront her head-on!
”Then let's fight!” Meng Qi roared, his tongue bursting open with spring thunder. Following this tremor, he broke away from his binds and unleashed his simple and unadorned bladesmanship. However, every strike was heavier than the one before as if there was muffled thunder on the horizon slowly descending on the ground.