Chapter 96 (1/2)

Both men smiled at each other. One of their bodies shifted, assaulting Xiao Chen’s front like a streak of lightning. The other leapt into the air and attacked his head from mid-air.

They had discerned clearly Xiao Chen’s moves. Furthermore, they were fast. If Xiao Chen dealt with the earthbound fighter, he would have been sneak attacked by the other from mid-air. Likewise, he would be assaulted by the one on the ground had he paid attention to his airborne companion.

Sure enough, after pushing the man on the ground, Xiao Chen was hit by his airborne companion on his shoulder. He was fortunate to be protected by his Mystic Skill and did not suffer any serious injury. However, now he was shackled hand and foot. He could not deal with both men simultaneously.

Unless he could conjure up a doppelganger outside his own body through his willpower. This doppelganger must have the same abilities as himself. Yet only a Nascent Soul cultivator could do this. And his Mystic Green Skills needed to reach the Core Forming Realm before he could execute it.

The two worked flawlessly in tandem with each other. Although Xiao Chen was nimble, he was soon at a disadvantage. He was very nearly hurt by a few vicious Sword Qi in his carelessness. The Zhou State warriors beneath started to yell angrily, “Hey, two fighting one! It’s not fair!”

Those from the Qing State yelled back as well. “In the last match, didn’t you people do the same?”

No matter what the din was outside, Xiao Chen could not allowed himself any distraction. He gradually found himself in a fix, his every stroke and movement restrained by both men. He could not execute his skills at all.

Under the platform, Luo Shangyan frowned deeply, her hand clutched tight. Xiao Chen’s heart sank. He could hide no more. He had not dared to use too much of his Mystic Cyan Cultivation Method or the Yaoguang School skills as he realized shrewdly that Xuanyue’s eyes were already shining with a peculiar light.

Right now, he moved his fingers slightly to cast a spell and started to execute the Immortal Illusive Steps from the Immortal-override Steps. Illusionary shadows streaked here and there. It was almost impossible to tell which was his true body. The two men immediately lost their advantage. Shocked gasps broke out from beneath. “The Illusionary Duplication! The long-lost Illusionary Duplication! Could he be a disciple of the Ancient Immortal Clan?”

The Immortal-override Steps was an original creation of Ling Yin. There were 36 stances. It was most marvelous for attack, defense, or simply to escape an enemy. Yet a touch of feminine grace could be detected from its body movements. But Xiao Chen was so gifted; he changed the stances so that he resembled a handsome young man instead.

Surprised gasps rose and fell from under the platform. The two men could not tell which of the one dozen shadows was his true body. Their flying swords hacked wildly and they were soon injured by Xiao Chen, their defense lapsing.

Xiao Chen’s form resembled a phantom. At times he leapt up and at others he shifted sideways on the platform. There were times he merged with the illusionary forms, at others he split into three. Indeed, he was as unpredictable as a deity or a demon. The two men opposite him began to panic. They felt as if they were sneak attacked by countless foes. Dodging one form, they realized it was unreal, yet had they stood still, it might turn out to be the real Xiao Chen himself.

Far away on the high platform, Yu Wenji was beaming and cheering loudly. By his side Princess Xuanyue, however, started to frown deeper and deeper. She asked herself, “How did he even learn the Coalesced Colors Equal to Dust skill, which hasn’t been imparted to an outsider before? He seems to execute it exceptionally! Where did this man come from… ?”

The battle lasted for 30 minutes. The two Qing State cultivators finally lost and were hurled down the platform. A commotion rose among the crowd. Only a single cultivator was left from the Qing State. From his earlier duels, it looked as if Xiao Chen would easily defeat his final opponent.

However, they did not realize that beneath his seemingly easy conquest, the battle was really full of risky strokes and moves. Now, even Xiao Chen had exerted much of his True Energy. He would be at a grave disadvantage were he to fight on.

Suddenly, a figure flashed and a cyan figure landed on the platform. It was none other than Ouyang Yu. He approached Xiao Chen a little and asked in a deep voice, “Where is Ah Xue? Is she here? Where is she?” When he saw Xiao Chen leap up the platform, he began to search frantically for Li Muxue’s figure but did not find her.

The thought of Li Muxue wrenched Xiao Chen’s heart. He said coldly, “I want to know that as well. Where have the Skygale Sect taken her?”

“Taken who? I don’t understand you!”

“Alright, stop talking and draw your sword now!”

“You!” Ouyang Yu was quite enraged. “Don’t think that I can’t beat you. This is the Violet Manor, not the Human World! There are no restrictions here!”

“Then you can try,” Xiao Chen answered coldly. He observed the man and realized that he must be at Lvl 3 Foundation Building Realm. There were no restrictions in the Violet Manor. He had exerted too much of his True Energy earlier and was not confident now. He only wanted to enrage his opponent to disturb him psychologically.

Upon seeing the two men freeze, those under the platform began to talk. “What happened to them? Did they know each other? Were they former enemies?”

Suddenly, a deep, vigorous voice resounded on the high platform. “It’s 11! Stop the fight and recommence at one o’clock!”