Chapter 220 - 219: Luo Yuntian vs. You Xin, Flowing Wind Shadowless Step Mastery
Chapter 220: Chapter 219: Luo Yuntian vs. You Xin, Flowing Wind Shadowless Step Mastery
Fang Han’s expression was calm as he averted his gaze, his heart completely undisturbed.
’Right now, I’m certainly no match for Chu Feng, but I believe that day won’t be far off.’
As time passed, more and more people gathered in the plaza.
Most of the disciples had arrived, and even many Stewards and Elders, who were rarely seen on a normal day, began to appear. They took their seats in the reserved viewing area at the edge of the plaza, their low voices creating a solemn atmosphere.
About an hour later, a slight commotion suddenly stirred at the entrance to the plaza.
Two groups of people entered the plaza from different directions at almost the same time.
The group on the left was led by a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
He wore the True Inheritor Disciple Robe of the Qingxuan Sect, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered in silver thread on the cuffs and collar, highlighting his extraordinary status.
His face wasn’t exceptionally handsome, but he had broad brows, a high-bridged nose, and thin lips. His eyes were clear and gentle, as if they held the spring breeze and autumn waters, naturally inspiring a favorable impression.
He stood as tall and straight as a pine, his gait composed and steady. His aura was restrained, and he carried himself with the profound stillness of a deep pool and the imposing stability of a great mountain.
This was none other than the Eldest Senior Brother of the Qingxuan Sect, the "Cyan Cloud Sword" Luo Yuntian, ranked sixth on the Celestial Pride List!
Following behind him were several disciples with profound auras. Each had sharp eyes, and they were clearly all experts.
The group on the right, in contrast, were all dressed in black martial attire, their cuffs and collars embroidered with strange, dark flame patterns. Their auras were cold and heavy, forming a stark contrast to the noble, righteous air of the Qingxuan Sect.
The leader was also a young man, around the same age as Luo Yuntian.
His face was pale and bloodless. He had long, narrow eyes, and his pupils were a strange, dark purple. A sharp glint flashed within them as they opened and closed, exuding a captivating, sinister charm.
He was slightly gaunt, with the faintest hint of a mocking smile playing on his lips.
This was the Eldest Senior Brother of the Netherworld Pavilion, You Xin, ranked seventh on the Celestial Pride List!
Flanking him were two black-robed old men. Their eyes were as deep as pools, and their auras were obscure and unfathomable. They were clearly Elder Level figures from the Netherworld Pavilion.
Luo Yuntian and You Xin came to a stop in the center of the arena, facing each other from a hundred feet away.
"Luo Yuntian. I trust you’ve been well."
You Xin spoke first, his voice possessing a strange magnetism yet laced with an icy chill, like the hiss of a venomous snake.
"It’s been a year, You Xin. You look as striking as ever."
Luo Yuntian nodded slightly. His tone was calm, without a hint of anger, but his gaze was clear and sharp as it fixed on You Xin.
"Enough with the idle talk."
You Xin’s long, narrow eyes narrowed slightly, a battle-hungry glint flashing in his dark purple pupils.
"Losing to you by half a move last time has been a constant regret. Today, I’ve come to challenge you again. Let’s see if you’ve made any progress this past year."
"Since you are so inclined, I shall naturally oblige."
Luo Yuntian’s expression didn’t change. He slowly raised his hand, and a longsword of ancient design with faint cloud patterns on its blade silently appeared in his grasp. Before it was even unsheathed, a formidable Sword Momentum began to emanate from it.
CLANG!
You Xin wasted no more words. With a flick of his wrist, a pair of bizarre, ghost-claw-shaped weapons materialized in his hands. They were entirely jet-black, their tips shimmering with a faint, cold blue light, and they let out a piercing screech of metal grinding on metal.
In an instant, both of their auras erupted!
A current of air began to swirl around Luo Yuntian, a gentle breeze winding about him, carrying a majestic and righteous momentum that was grand yet peaceful.
You Xin’s aura, in contrast, was treacherous. His figure seemed to melt into the shadows as a bone-chilling killing intent radiated out, striking fear into the hearts of all who felt it.
In the next instant, both figures moved at the same time!
Luo Yuntian’s longsword left its sheath, its gleam like a fleeting flash of light, transforming into a streak that tore through the air.
Carrying a noble, righteous air, it stabbed straight for You Xin’s face, its speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.
You Xin’s body twisted like a phantom as his claws slashed out in a crisscross pattern, creating arcs of ghastly, faint blue light.
The angles were vicious and cunning, aiming straight for the vital points on Luo Yuntian’s body.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The explosive sound of their clashing Qi Forces was like rolling thunder.
The two fought speed with speed, their figures flashing, colliding, separating, and colliding again across the vast White Jade Plaza.
The sword light was like a dragon, soaring majestically; the claw shadows were like phantoms, treacherous and unpredictable.
Fierce Sword Qi and sinister, cold claw winds raged in all directions, sending stone fragments flying as they carved gashes of varying depths into the White Jade Floor, which was as hard as refined iron.
The spectating disciples were utterly mesmerized, their breathing growing ragged. Many with lower Cultivation levels turned pale, forced to retreat repeatedly by the terrifying, overflowing Qi Force.
"So strong! Is this the power of someone in the top ten of the Celestial Pride List?"
"I can’t even see their movements!"
"Senior Brother Luo’s Swordsmanship is grand and righteous, while You Xin’s Body Technique is bizarre and unpredictable!"
Cries of alarm and admiration rose and fell in waves.
Fang Han stood in the crowd, his gaze locked on the two dueling figures in the center of the plaza, his mind completely immersed in the fight.
As a Sixth Grade Martial Artist, his vision was far superior to that of ordinary disciples, and he could barely make out some of the trajectories of their exchange.
Luo Yuntian’s Swordsmanship was grand and majestic. Each sword strike seemed to contain some profound principle of heaven and earth. Though they appeared straightforward, they sealed off all room for evasion, creating an irresistible sense of pressure.
You Xin’s Body Technique and Claw Technique, on the other hand, followed a bizarre and treacherous path, and his speed was astonishing.
He changed directions without any warning, and his claws carried a sinister cold power that could corrode the mind. He specifically targeted the tiny openings between his opponent’s moves.
Both were at the Fourth Grade Cultivation level, and their understanding and application of their respective Martial Arts had already reached the Mastery Realm.
The various subtle transformations, the ingenious circulation of their Inner Qi, and their grasp of timing were all eye-opening for Fang Han. In his mind, some of the difficulties he had previously encountered in his cultivation were suddenly becoming clear.
In particular, You Xin’s treacherous and unpredictable Body Technique gave him a deeper understanding of the "Shadowless" aspect of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step.
The fierce battle lasted for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. The two had already exchanged over a thousand moves.
Suddenly, You Xin let out a sharp shriek. His body seemed to multiply into dozens of phantom-like shadows, pouncing on Luo Yuntian from all directions at once.
The sky filled with claw shadows, and a cold, faint blue light completely enveloped an area tens of feet around Luo Yuntian!
Luo Yuntian’s expression turned grave. His longsword danced rapidly, creating an impenetrable Sword Curtain in front of him.
DING DING DANG DANG...
A dense series of clashes exploded, like rain drumming on banana leaves!
However, this killing move from You Xin was immensely powerful. Although Luo Yuntian’s Sword Curtain was strong, an exceptionally cunning claw wind still broke through his defense, leaving three bloody gashes on his left shoulder, so deep that the bone was visible.
Luo Yuntian let out a muffled grunt, and his Sword Momentum faltered slightly.
You Xin pressed his advantage, closing the distance and sticking to him like a festering sore on bone, his claws striking for Luo Yuntian’s throat.
Just as he was about to be heavily injured, a flash of determination appeared in Luo Yuntian’s eyes. He didn’t dodge or evade. Instead, his longsword shot out like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, stabbing towards You Xin’s heart. It was a mutually destructive tactic.
You Xin clearly hadn’t expected Luo Yuntian to be so decisive. A hint of astonishment flashed in his narrow eyes, and he was forced to retract his claws to block.
CLANG!
The sound was deafening.
The two figures clashed and separated in an instant, each sent flying back over a hundred feet. They both staggered upon landing.
Blood dripped from Luo Yuntian’s left shoulder, and his face was pale.
The robe on You Xin’s chest was torn by Sword Qi, and his aura was in disarray.
It looked like a draw with mutual injuries, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that Luo Yuntian’s injuries were more severe. He had been hit first and was now at a disadvantage.
The arena fell deathly silent.
The faces of the Qingxuan Sect disciples were filled with tension and worry, while the members of the Netherworld Pavilion looked delighted.
On the high platform, the few Qingxuan Sect Elders had their brows tightly furrowed, while the two black-robed elders from the Netherworld Pavilion exchanged a smile.
"Cough, cough..."
Luo Yuntian coughed twice, stabilized his breathing, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked at You Xin, speaking frankly.
"You Xin, your Claw Technique has improved at a divine speed. I am impressed. This battle... is my loss."
His voice was still composed, yet it carried an undeniable trace of disappointment.
"Heh. Then I suppose I’ll have to accept the sixth spot on the Celestial Pride List."
You Xin’s narrow eyes stared at Luo Yuntian for a long moment before he let out a low, inscrutable laugh.
With that, he didn’t spare Luo Yuntian another glance and swaggered away with the Netherworld Pavilion contingent.
The members of the Qingxuan Sect were left standing in place, their expressions grim.
Countless gazes fell upon Luo Yuntian, filled with complex, indescribable emotions.
There was regret, but more than that, an ineffable sense of loss.
Their own Eldest Senior Brother, sixth on the Celestial Pride List, had actually lost on their home turf to You Xin of the Netherworld Pavilion, who was ranked seventh!
Even though fluctuations in the Celestial Pride List rankings were common, witnessing their sect’s iconic figure being defeated was still a huge blow.
"Let’s go."
Fang Han averted his gaze and said softly to the crestfallen Xiao Chen beside him.
He had been inspired by the battle and needed to get back as soon as possible to process his insights.
The two silently left the plaza and returned to the Sub-Branch.
Over the next few days, Fang Han devoted most of his energy to the Cultivation of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step.
The inspiration from observing You Xin’s treacherous Body Technique, combined with the terrifying boost from his Sixty-Fourfold Stepping Talent, allowed his comprehension of this Top Grade Body Technique to advance by leaps and bounds.
Many of the previously obscure key points—about turning, breath control, and transitioning between feints and real moves—suddenly became crystal clear.
This afternoon, in a forest clearing, Fang Han’s figure moved like wind and lightning as he pushed the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step to its limits.
SWISH SWISH SWISH—
Afterimages flickered in and out of existence all over the clearing. His real body seemed to have merged with the wind, making it impossible to track.
The sound of the wind he stirred as he moved was almost inaudible, yet his speed was astonishing.
Suddenly, his Step Technique changed. His body, as if it had lost all weight, shot several feet into the air, leaving a few afterimages that were impossible to distinguish from the real thing.
Then, he drifted down as silently as a willow catkin. When he landed, the airflow around him naturally subsided, not even a speck of dust stirring.
A sense of having reached a realm of traceless movement arose spontaneously within him.
’Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, Mastery!’
Fang Han slowly relaxed his stance, standing in the center of the clearing. An irrepressible, brilliant light burst forth from his eyes.
Feeling the increasingly smooth and surging flow of Inner Qi in his legs, along with an unprecedented sense of lightness and control over his body, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
The Mastery Level of the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step had increased his speed, agility, and ability to change direction by at least fifty percent compared to the Minor Achievement stage!
Moving was now more effortless and stealthier, and his bursts of speed and turns over short distances were even more treacherous and unpredictable.
In actual combat, his threat level had risen to a whole new level!
...
「True Inheritance Courtyard, inside the study of Chu Feng’s Villa.」
Sandalwood incense still curled in the air, but it couldn’t dispel the oppressive and irritable atmosphere.
Chu Feng stood before the window with his hands behind his back, gazing out at the heavy darkness. He unconsciously tapped his fingertips on the window frame, making a dull TAP, TAP sound.
He had been standing there for a long time, his back casting a long, rigid shadow in the candlelight.
CREAK—
The study door was gently pushed open, and Song Xiang walked in hurriedly, an unconcealable exhaustion on his face.
He walked to a spot about ten feet behind Chu Feng, stopped, and bowed, speaking in a low voice:
"Senior Brother..."