Chapter 7-The Foundation Building Realm (2/2)
Even Qin Xiu could hardly suppress his body from trembling with shock. How was it possible that this useless wretch could easily perceive the level of his cultivation? He immediately composed himself and strode forth, saying, ”A mere practitioner of the Foundation Building Realm? Would you like to test my prowess yourself?” With that, he channeled his True Energy and swiftly summoned a strong gale of wind that churned and howled furiously in the hall.
The rest of those present who was weaker in powers and strength were instantly sent into fits of nauseating agony as they began to lose consciousness and their blood churning violently within them. In the midst of the harrow throes, one could not help wondering, was this the powers of one who pursued Immortality? The Cultivator had incapacitated so many of them without even lifting a finger.
With his eyes set with determination and resolve, Xiao Chen could hardly wait as he spoke without an ounce of fear in his voice, ”So be it then.”
Qin Xiu was slightly taken aback with surprise. ”This boy... he is different from the other mortals. What is he? Is he also a Cultivator? But how is it possible that I am not being able to sense his powers?”
He took a step forward. With a twirl of his fingers, an Immortal's Sword materialized and hovered before him in mid-air. But the sword did not cast any shadow on the ground.
”This is Stifled Light, the thirteenth on the Tome of Legendary Weapons. Duel with me if you dare, and I will concede to your demands if you are able to trade three blows with me.”
Outside, the younger disciples and kins of the Xiao Family could only watch with their breaths held in silence. It was beyond any more doubt that the person was one of the Immortals that he was able to suspend a sword in mid-air by only his will.
Xiao Chen stepped forward and called out loud, ”Is there anyone who will lend me his sword!”
The disciples and kins outside could hardly believe their ears, has he gone mad in accepting a challenge by an Immortal? No mortal could possibly hope to survive one blow by an Immortal, much less three blows! But just then, everyone's gazes were immediately drawn towards a green sword hanging over the seat of honor in the hall.
With a lift of his hand, Xiao Changfeng sent the sword flying from its scabbard and into his grasp with a shrilling ring. He had used his Internal Strength to draw his sword from afar!
”Chen'er, take this sword!”
Xiao Chen reached forth and caught the hilt of the sword. It was called Teal Blade, a blade with extraordinary sharpness that it could easily cut strands of hair and even slice through steel. A gift from the Emperor of the Dynasty of the Nine Provinces when he had visited three hundred years ago, the sword had since then became the heirloom of the Xiao Family. In his hand, the blade quivered with excitement as if it has a consciousness of its own.
”Three blows! Here I come!”
Xiao Chen brandished his sword and threw himself forward, performing a few elementary strokes of the Mystic Cyan Swordplay. The blade of his sword danced through the howling winds, its dazzling movements filled the hall as if Xiao Chen had conjured a multitude of swords. The cold glimmer from its razor-sharp edge and the force of its movements slashed mercilessly through the air that the intense pressure from his strokes grazed the cheeks of everyone present, threatening to rip and tear at their very flesh.
Unruly mayhem of surprise and confusion erupted inside and outside of the hall, ”Since when has he learned how to fight! From where had he learned such complex sword techniques!”
Everyone was confused and perplexed. Xiao Yifan could hardly believe what he was witnessing and all colors have left Xiao Yuan's face for he so well knew that his strength of the Fivefold could hardly allow him to wield such complicated swordplay.
Huangfu Zhe was also shaking with shock. Never did he expect Xiao Chen to have wielded such prowess.
Qin Xiu's eyes narrowed as he studied his opponent, how is it possible that this wretch has mastered such powerful sword techniques? It was clear that his opponent's skills with the sword were far superior to his. With a tug of his finger, he controlled Stifled Light with his will and sent it forth like a white ray of light, its tip striking hard against Xiao Chen's sword.
There was a loud clang as sparks flew. The clash of the blades sent forth a strong shockwave, its force so terrible that the tablewares immediately shattered. Liquids of tea were thrown in all directions, splattering and splashing everywhere.
Several elders of the household were nearly thrown backward by the force of the wave. Recovering themselves frantically, they shared a swift look amongst themselves because this was at least the strength of a Sevenfold martial artist! ”Since when did Xiao Chen possess such capabilities?”
Outside, the rest of the disciples and kins of the Xiao Family were all astounded. Xiao Yuan's expression was especially hideous as he refused to believe what he was witnessing! For years he had reveled in being the greatest of the younger generations of the Xiao Family, but now, he was clearly being inferior to a useless stooge that he had always looked upon with disdain and contempt!
The furious blows from Xiao Chen's sword generated shrilling winds as the clangs of the clashing blades continued. In a mere blink of an eye, the two fighting men had exchanged more than ten blows. Yet, Xiao Chen was still composed and calm with his strokes. With a sudden burst of speed, a teal blue flash of light tore straight through the air and lunged viciously at Qin Xiu's throat.
Everyone present, inside and outside of the hall, drew a sharp breath, ”Sword Radiance! That is Sword Radiance! He has released Sword Radiance!” Xiao Yifan and Xiao Changfeng watched wordlessly with concentrated effort. Only a swordsman with powers over the Sevenfold could conjure Sword Radiance with his or her Internal Strength.
Qin Xiu felt a tingling, cold sensation down his spine. He swiftly channeled his True Energies and Chen Xiao began to feel a huge force bearing down at him from his opponent. His sword could no longer pierce forward as if being thwarted by a force with the strength of a mountain. But before he could react, the sword in his hand snapped, its blades shattered. The shards of his broken blade were thrown backward and impaled themselves into one of the great pillars of the hall.
Xiao Chen was thrown into the air and he crashed into the ground, remaining on his feet. He tasted the sweetness of blood in his mouth, feeling intense pain from his insides. Defiantly, he swallowed the mouthful of blood. With his remaining strength, he struggled to maintain his balance, using his already broken sword to steady himself, refusing to collapse to his knees and surrender his final ounce of dignity.
Such was the difference between the strength of the Qi Refining Realm and the Foundation Building Realm. Silence hung over the hall and the outside like a deathly apparition for none dared to speak. For three hundred years, the Teal Blade of the Xiao Family has struck fear into its foes that dare incur its wrath. Yet, it remained nothing but a mere instrument of common quality before the divine weapons of Immortals.
Qin Xiu heaved a breath before he jeered, ”Let’s go, Uncle Huangfu.” He began to leave, only to pause briefly as he passed by Xiao Chen and sneered, ”What use is there if your sword move is only swift? My powers allow me to easily crush you to bits with a merest lift of my finger.”
Xiao Chen did not reply. It was true that a Cultivator of the Foundation Building Realm could easily slay another warrior of the Qi Refining Realm. He was no longer that gifted disciple of the Mystic Cyan Sect.
Suddenly, a cold gust of wind blew from outside the hall and his hair, which was earlier tied together by Lil Ruo, flailed wildly in the wind.