AST 1596 - Hundred Flowers Vine Whip, Hundred Flowers Prison, Hundred Flowers Rupture (1/2)

It was chaotic all around them with words of all sorts being hurled towards the group. However, Qing Shui didn’t seem to absorb any of them. He looked to the arena and saw a strong middle-aged man standing upon it.

The man was very muscular and Qing Shui found that he had the distinctive feature of Niu Clan’s members; they were all bulky in stature. The middle-aged man’s round eyes, thick eyebrows, wide nose and square face made him look upright and honest.

When the others saw the arrival of the group from Imperial Cuisine Hall, Niu Clan, including the middle-aged man, had naturally noticed them as well. They cupped their fists together in a salute towards Qing Shui. “Niu Clan has set up an arena here in an invitation to Imperial Cuisine Hall for a duel. Niu Fen will be the first to duel. I wonder who among the Imperial Cuisine Hall will be first to honor us with this fight.”

Such an arena didn’t require a referee either, for it didn’t have any rules, apart from a surrender. A surrender would usually stop the battle, otherwise, it would last until death, a state of unconsciousness, or even disablement. These would be able to decide a victory.

“Brother-in-law, should I take this fight?” Xue Nuo said to Qing Shui.

Qing Shui didn’t respond. The moment they set foot in the arena, it would mean that they had accepted the invitation. The people on the opposing team had more in numbers compared to them, but the situation that unfolded didn’t allow for them to reject it either. Even their appearance here had indicated their acceptance.

“Brother-in-law, let me handle this bulky fellow, I won’t embarrass you.” Xue Nuo pouted. She had assumed that Qing Shui wasn’t replying because he had thought that she would be defeated.

Qing Shui laughed, ruffling her hair. “I’m not afraid of you losing. You can accept the fight if you want to but on one condition. You mus surrender the moment you don't think you can win, and you’re not allowed to get injured. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not letting you fight again.”

Xue Nuo nodded her head with a smile. “With brother-in-law holding the line, we won’t even need to fear being defeated in all the initial matches. You’ll be the last to battle anyway!”

Xue Nuo was delighted to hear Qing Shui’s words. No matter how she looked at it, he still cared for her.

“Remember to say this when you win: the situation with Imperial Cuisine Hall hasn’t changed. In three days, Niu Clan’s patriarch is to bring his direct descendents to repair the damages. Otherwise, they can’t pin the blame on Imperial Cuisine Hall.” In resignation, Qing Shui instructed Xue Nuo with a smile decorating his features.

Xue Nuo froze, then nodded with a smile of her own. “I’ll definitely say that.”

“Go. Remember what I said. If you get injured, you’re not allowed to participate in any more duels in the future.” With that, he waved his hand in indication that she could proceed.

Xue Nuo giggled adorably, then flew towards the arena like a crane.

Xue Nuo was the young mistress of Xue Clan. After being away for so long, her might was several times stronger than it used to be, and she had matured as well. You could see farther if you stand tall—Xue Nuo had gained a lot more insight than before.

Xue Nuo looked at the man who was strong as an ox. “After you!”

“After you!” Niu Fen didn’t seem like one with much words either, and it was all he had hoped for when Xue Nuo got straight to the point. After the words of formality, he leapt into the air without another word.

Xue Nuo didn’t dare to lag behind either. She pulled open her hundred metre long, Hundred Flowers Vine Whip. Qing Shui had long since passed on the Serpent-Elephant Maneuver to Xue Nuo. Together with the whip, it would be able to achieve a terrifying result.

The Hundred Flowers Vine Whip was crafted by Qing Shui as a gift to her as well. It included elements of poisonous flowers, weeds, vertigo, healing, energizing… It was only that the positive effects were meant for use of the wielder, while the fatal were reserved for her opponents.

While the Hundred Flowers Vine Whip couldn’t be considered a legendary grade weapon, its ability and functionality were in no way inferior to such. This was the best whip that Qing Shui had ever crafted.

Qing Shui’s ability at forging wasn’t something to scoff about either. It had improved greatly within this period of time and he practiced it every day. Many of them were stored in the Realm of the Violet Jade Immortal; legendary grade weapons, armor and other stuff as well.

The inner armor that Xue Nuo donned was one of them. Combined with her weapon and footwear, her might had increased by several times. The fact that Qing Shui allowed her to battle was because he knew that it wouldn’t be easy for Niu Fen to win against her.

Xue Nuo didn’t stand on ceremony either. At the sound of Niu Fen’s “Go ahead”, she charged towards him, her hand holding the Hundred Flowers Vine Whip and struck it towards him nimbly.

Niu Fen was holding a giant axe it his hand, shimmering black. The surface of the axe could cover half his body,

As Xue Nuo’s Hundred Flowers Vine Whip entered within the three metre circumference of Niu Fen, a strong gust of energy whipped his hair about, and it emitted a hissing sound. At that moment, the Hundred Flowers Vine Whip produced a pollen-like fog.

Niu Fen had seen much, or at the very least he knew that nothing good could come with the appearance of fog.

Spirit Snake Exits Cave!

Niu Fen’s axe blocked Xue Nuo’s Hundred Flowers Vine Whip but with a slight move on her part, it went past his block and charged towards his face like a venomous snake.

Spirit Snake Exits Cave’s speed was to be feared. In that instant, not many people would be able to evade it. Qing Shui would still used this skill even now. It takes the opponent by surprise and succeeds in every attempt.

Xue Nuo’s ability had already been stronger than Niu Fen, and with the straightforward and effective Spirit Snake Exits Cave, it struck him on the forehead. Even though the injury wasn’t deep or fatal, it was enough to make him lose consciousness. He fell from the arena.

One strike!

Xue Nuo had defeated Niu Fen with just one strike. Niu Fen spoke only a few words and defended a little, but was never able to completely shield himself. In the end, he was defeated to this degree.