AST 1597 - Xue Nuo’s Serpent Manoeuvre, Yin Tong’s Combat Skills (1/2)

AST 1597 - Xue Nuo’s Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre, Yin Tong’s Combat Skills

Qing Shui had wanted to withdraw Xue Nuo from the fight but decided it’d be good for her to gain some experience. After all, he wouldn’t be able to take care of her forever. Moreover, she was young, growth would only be good for her.

Xue Nuo paused for a moment. The Niu Clan sent another old man again, but this time, the contender looked just like the stereotypical image of a Niu Clan member. His figure was tall and burly, wearing a long purple robe. In his hands were two weapons that looked akin to thick iron bars.

From the way he carried himself, to the aura he was exuding, Qing Shui knew that Xue Nuo was no match for the new opponent. On the other hand, he could see the determination in her eyes—he understood in that moment that if he didn’t allow her to continue, it would become a regret that would gnaw at her for a long time.

“Young lady, I don’t wish to bully you. You’d be better off admitting defeat. I trust you can sense that you’re not my match either.” The old man’s voice was filled with vigor, but he was unhurried and frank.

Xue Nuo shook her head. “How will I know if I don’t try? I won’t surrender.”

Xue Nuo realized that her opponent was much stronger than herself but there was no way she would admit defeat right off the bat. The Hundred Flowers Vine Whip didn’t stop moving, like a snake with a mind of its own.

“Since that’s the case, let’s proceed. Blades can’t see, be careful.” The old man’s tone was kind, and even Qing Shui couldn’t sense an inkling of animosity from him.

Xue Nuo didn’t stand on ceremony this time either and rushed towards the old man, unleashing her most powerful attack. As though it was a serpent, the Hundred Flowers Vine Whip lashed at the old man.

Like an elephant, Xue Nuo had steady footing but the whip in her hand was alive with energy. Qing Shui was taken aback by the sight which greeted them. The little girl was pretty talented, she had actually managed to refine the essence of the Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre.

The Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre was as steady as an elephant, with the strength of an elephant’s swing, but flexible like a snake. The perfection of this technique was in the combination of its rigidity and flexibility, and along with Laws of Heaven and Earth, its power was even more terrifying.

Shock fleeted across the old man’s eyes but the metal bars in his hands blocked her whip calmly. A pair of metal bars weren’t that swift as weapons but they contained immense strength. As they moved, they seemed to shift his surroundings. The double bars could block her whip well enough.

The Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre, like an elephant's foundation, standing in the same place without panic, was able to change her situation with a wave.

Bang, bang…

A series of continuous booming echoed and it was as though the sky was covered in lightning; a concentrated sound of thunder struck down. Xue Nuo’s face grew paler while the old man was like a raging bull; he looked like he could knock down even a mountain.

Like a river that broke through the dam, Xue Nuo’s body began to sway and then staggered back after a while. The weakness of the Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre, was that it couldn’t be struck back. Once she was, its effect would be like the tilting of a large mountain.

There were still inadequacies in Xue Nuo’s mastery of the Serpent-Elephant Manoeuvre. Agility wise, especially in face of a high-skilled opponent, it was limited and could be swayed easily. If it had been Qing Shui at Xue Nuo’s level of skills, he would be able to move about nimbly and advance or retreat as he pleased.

Bang!

Xue Nuo’s body flew backwards, her mouth spouting fresh blood. With a flash of a movement, Qing Shui was by her side, stimulating her acupoints as a wave of Yang Qi filled her body.

“Brother-in-law, I’m really useless.” Xue Nuo looked at Qing Shui bitterly, her voice filled with regret.

“Did you forget what I told you before? Besides, he is much stronger than you. To be able to fight to this extent is already unexpected enough. Why, did you want to beat him?” Qing Shui smiled at her.

“Really? You don’t blame me?” Xue Nuo asked in surprise.

“Rest well, you’ll be able to recover to your original state by tomorrow. Our young mistress of the Xue Clan is outstanding. I promise you, your might will be ten times stronger than that guy in future.” Qing Shui handed her over to Ling Fei.

Xue Nuo wasn’t critically injured. The Hundred Flowers Vine Whip had a few mystical flowers that helped her block the attack and healed some of her injuries. This was the strongest ability of the weapon.

The Hundred Flowers Vine Whip’s forte was in the consolidation of power. Not only could it heal, it could also increase endurance and might, or serve as an antidote to toxins, cause paralysis and even vertigo…

Of course, these abilities weren’t the strongest but they could help gain an edge over the opponent. Even Qing Shui thought the Hundred Flowers Vine Whip was strong; it was a pity that he was already in possession of a more suitable weapon.

Relieved that Qing Shui didn’t blame her, Xue Nuo beamed, “Thank you, brother-in-law.”

There were times when she feared her brother-in-law, but it wasn’t fear of him as a person; it was fear that he might disregard her.

“Who wants to handle this burly man?” Qing Shui asked with a smile.

“I’ll go!” Yin Tong volunteered after some thought.

Qing Shui contemplated before breaking out into a grin, “Alright.”

A hint of surprise flashed across the old man’s face. At the same time, there was deep animosity. This indicated that he had already identified Yin Tong’s background. Otherwise, there was no way he would regard him in that manner.

Yin Tong didn’t participate in battles often and so there weren’t many who knew of his strength. The only reason one would regard him in this manner was if they found out about his inheritance.