Chapter 16: The way of the world (1/2)

Lin Feng was wearing a mask so nobody could recognize him, even though he wouldn’t be recognized by the top disciples who populated gorge. He had mastered the Nine Heavy Waves technique as well as the Roaring Thunder skill which proved he was a monstrous talent and would definitely draw attention.

Jing Hao was the sixth strongest disciple within the sect ranking system and was above Lin Feng in cultivation at the ninth Qi layer. Jing Hao had made his name famous by defeating three disciples who were also at the ninth Qi layer in a three-on-one battle.

Lin Feng’s level of cultivation was a whole layer below Jing Hao, but everybody had seen Lin Feng force Jing Hao to retreat. He had killed Jiang Huai who was one of Jing Hao’s closest followers. Jing Hao had lost face, he had allowed an unknown disciple who was only at the eighth Qi Layer to force him into retreating and even watched as his follower was killed in front of his eyes. At the moment when everyone was expecting Jing Hao to unleash his fury and force Lin Feng into a pitiful state, Lin Feng had already stepped back into the Life or Death Arena. While everyone staring disbelievingly at his action, Lin Feng wasted no time and challenged Jing Hao in the most condescending way.

“Maybe, he knows that his fate is already sealed and has chosen to die in battle” said a disciple in the crowd. Lin Feng was only at the eighth Qi layer after all and his strength was relatively low in comparison with Jing Hao.

Jing Hao felt humiliated and didn’t know how such a turn of events had come about. He had never been humiliated in such a way since he had joined the Yun Hai Sect.

“Since you are requesting to die, who better than me to kill you.” said Jing Hao full of hatred. Since he had seen Lin Feng use the Roaring Thunder skill, he knew that Lin Feng hadn’t lied to him, he definitely had the strength to kill Jing Feng.

Not only had he killed his little brother but he had also humiliated him in front of a large crowd of disciples. This could not be tolerated.

Jing Hao stepped into the arena as a strong force began to rise from his sword. Behind Jing Hao was a floating illusionary sword pointing towards the heavens. It was Jing Hao’s sword spirit.

“Jing Hao was wasting no time and immediately started using his sword spirit. He wants to show Lin Feng the gap between their powers.”

Everybody guessed what Jing Hao intended to do. He wanted to show how powerful he was compared to the commoner in front of him.

“Unsheathe your sword and I will let you have three sword strikes before I attack. Let me see what your puny strength can do with three sword strikes” said Jing Hao while holding his sword and arrogantly looking down on Lin Feng.

Lin Feng grinned. He immediately used his Moonlight Feather Agility. Like moonlight during the day, he disappeared from sight then appeared in front of Jing Hao. Many illusory swords began to form then shot from Lin Feng’s hand palm directly at Jing Hao. When they arrived in front of Jing Hao, all these illusory swords combined into the tip of Lin Feng’s sword and then smashed down into Jing Hao. A deafening thunderous roar spread throughout the atmosphere.

“How strong. He is really a master at using the Roaring Thunder skill”. When the crowd heard the noise, they looked at the scene horrified. The sounds emitted by his attacks sounded like lightening tearing through the air and then exploding on impact. These sounds could even scare the disciples watching from a distance.

Jing Hao’s expression which was initially extremely carefree suddenly tensed. He had underestimated his opponent and could not let his guard down.

The thunderous roars made the air in the gorge start to tremble. An extremely powerful illusory sword was hovering in the air in front of Jing Hao acting as a shield.

“First attempt” said Jing Hao mockingly.

Lin Feng didn’t lose his concentration. He believed in his power and ability. Countless thunderous roars exploded as Lin Feng prepared his second strike. This would be much more powerful than the first strike.

Jing Hao was still just protecting himself and not attacking. He was using his illusory sword as a shield knowing with his higher cultivation and sword spirit, he could counter any type of attack.

For his next strike Lin Feng started charging at Jing Hao, however he suddenly thrust his sword forward and loosened his grip of the hilt. The sword continued to move along its trajectory and flew through the air at Jing Hao.

“What is he doing?”

The crowd was as stupefied as to what Lin Feng had just done. Lin Feng had concentrated all his Qi into the tip of the sword then shot it towards Jing Hao. If Jing Hao accepted this attack like before, then he would damage his sword spirit with the impact. This was not an option for Jing Hao.

Jing Hao was stupefied for a second and then smiled to himself. Did Lin Feng really think this would work?

Jing Hao started to move backwards while bringing his sword upwards in an arc and with an elegant movement he had skillfully countered the force of the sword sending it flying powerlessly into the air.

After Lin Feng let go of his sword he was already charging at incredible speed towards Jing Hao. Using his Moonlight Feather Agility technique it seemed as if his feet did not touch the floor as they disappeared before anyone could clearly see them.

“Second attempt.” said Jing Hao arrogantly as he watched Lin Feng approach him at incredibly speed. He did not feel threatened, he was merely toying with Lin Feng. Lin Feng had landed in front of Jing Hao however his sword had landed on the floor behind him.

“You really want to die?” said Jing Hao while biting his tongue. Lin Feng had not stopped to collect his sword which was flying through the air. He began to strike towards Jing Hao with his fists, this way he was unable to count the third sword strike and would be humiliated by being forced to take Lin Feng’s blows without ever retaliating. All he wanted was to show Lin Feng the difference in their power, but again he would be forced to lose face because of Lin Feng.

Then Jing Hao heard Lin Feng say something which shocked him to the core: “that’s enough. I am done playing now”.

Lin Feng had stopped in front of Jing Hao with eyes filled with killing intent and suddenly a thunderous roar was heard. A bright and blinding light flashed through the air between the two figures before disappearing from sight.

Jing Hao looked stupefied and horrified at what had just happened. It seemed like he had understood what Ling Feng had meant. Jing Hao was not the predator in this fight and instead it was Lin Feng who was toying with him. Would the result have been different if he had not arrogantly given Lin Feng three strikes? Jing Hao no longer had the opportunity to regret his actions as he had already taken his last breath.

“Third attempt” Said Lin Feng as his voice filled the air surrounding the arena which was deathly silent.

Jing Hao was still stood in the middle of the arena unharmed but to everyone’s surprise, Lin Feng had simply walked past Jing Hao and picked up his sword which was previously sent flying. The whole arena was completely silent, everyone had heard it. As Lin Feng’s words echoed throughout the canyon the only other sound was of Jing Hao’s body slumping down onto the floor with blood seeping from a previous unseen wound on his neck.

Everybody was watching the scene stupefied and couldn’t believe it their eyes. Jing Hao had lost?

How had Lin Feng attacked?

“Sword unsheathing skill.” In the crowd there were many Elite disciples. They had seen the light of the sword which passed between Lin Feng and Jing Hao. Because the sword was too quick, it looked like a meteor flashing through the sky before disappearing.

Suddenly everyone started to discuss the battle they had just watched. They could not believe what they had just witnessed.

The sixth ranked disciple had been defeated by Lin Feng and the outcome of the battle had been his death.