Chapter 262 - 261: Defeating Qin Xiaoran
Chapter 262: Chapter 261: Defeating Qin Xiaoran
"We’ll only know once we’ve tried!"
Fang Han’s eyes narrowed. The Inner Qi of the Profound Wind Technique surged through him as the essence of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting erupted forth, unleashing a terrifying forty percent Wind Momentum.
He executed the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step, his figure becoming as swift as wind and lightning. He left behind a trail of afterimages, skillfully weaving through the gaps in the sky-spanning claw shadows.
At the same time, the Flowing Wind Sword in his hand transformed into streaks of cyan lightning, meeting the attack head-on in the most forceful way possible.
The sharp Sword Qi and the sinister, cold claw winds clashed madly, creating a dense, rain-like torrent of CLANGING explosions!
The two fought speed with speed, their figures flashing, clashing, separating, and clashing again on the arena stage.
Sword Qi moved like a dragon, dominating the field; the claw shadows were like phantoms, treacherous and unpredictable.
Fierce streams of Powerful Qi shot out in all directions, carving gashes of varying depths into the hard Cyan Gang Stone of the stage.
The crowd below watched, dazzled and mesmerized, their breathing growing ragged.
Qin Xiaoran’s Claw Technique was ruthless and deceitful. It was incredibly fast, often striking from unexpected angles, and carried a sinister, cold power that could erode one’s mind, making him an extremely difficult opponent.
Fang Han’s Swordsmanship, however, was even more refined and sharp. His sword moved faster than the eye could follow, and he was always able to neutralize danger at the most critical moments before launching a fatal counterattack.
His Body Technique was especially unpredictable, causing most of Qin Xiaoran’s attacks to strike empty air.
In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged nearly a hundred moves.
Unable to break through after a prolonged assault, Qin Xiaoran grew increasingly agitated.
He had thought the treacherous nature of his Claw Technique would be enough to defeat Fang Han quickly, but he never expected his opponent to be this tough.
That Body Technique, in particular, was as slippery as an eel.
’I can’t drag this out. I have to end this quickly!’
A vicious glint flashed in his eyes, and his offensive pattern changed once more.
The black light on his claws flared, and the claw winds suddenly became frenzied and violent. He completely disregarded his own defense, every move aimed at Fang Han’s vitals. It was a desperate, life-for-a-wound strategy!
He was clearly planning to use his vast combat experience and ruthless tactics to force Fang Han into revealing an opening!
SWOOSH—!
However, faced with this desperate, storm-like assault, Fang Han’s expression remained calm.
His Step Technique shifted, pushing the Flowing Wind Shadowless Step to its absolute limit. His body seemed to merge completely with the wind, slipping through the gaps between the claw shadows by a hair’s breadth.
At the same time, his Flowing Wind Sword shot up from an impossible angle like a phantom, stabbing straight toward Qin Xiaoran’s left arm.
The timing of this sword strike was simply perfect!
’This is bad!’
Qin Xiaoran’s face paled in horror. It was too late to pull his claws back to block, so he could only twist his body to dodge.
RIP!
Although the tip of the sword didn’t pierce deep, the incomparably sharp Sword Qi still tore through his robes and cut into his left arm.
It left a bloody gash about an inch long. Blood instantly seeped out, staining his sleeve red.
Though it was only a minor flesh wound, it was Qin Xiaoran who had been the first to be injured!
The entire garden fell into a dead silence.
Everyone’s eyes were wide as they stared intently at the wounded Qin Xiaoran on the stage.
Qin Xiaoran was the one who was injured first!
Although the injury wasn’t severe, it was an unmistakable signal—Fang Han was gradually gaining the upper hand!
’I’m... the first one to get hurt?!’
Qin Xiaoran glanced down at the bloody gash on his left arm, feeling the sharp, burning pain. His expression shifted from disbelief to one of ultimate humiliation and rage!
His features twisted, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins, making him look like a madman.
Since he had first entered the Celestial Pride List, when had he ever been injured in a fight against a peer? Especially now, after his Cultivation had broken through and he was full of confidence, determined to reclaim his spot on the list!
This was worse than death!
"I want you dead!"
Qin Xiaoran let out a beast-like roar, casting aside all restraint.
He gritted his teeth, and the Qichong Acupoint in his body suddenly vibrated. A surge of majestic Inner Qi, far exceeding his usual output, burst forth like a collapsing dam.
He was stimulating his acupoint to activate the "Tide Surge" Divine Treasure, forcefully boosting the power of his Inner Qi output for a short time!
In that instant, the black light around him surged. As his claws swung, they no longer created mere afterimages, but a tangible storm of darkness.
It swept toward Fang Han, threatening to overwhelm everything in its path!
Its power was more than double what it had been before!
’He’s going all out?’
Fang Han’s eyes sharpened. He felt the terrifying pressure rushing toward him, but he did not retreat.
With a flash of thought, the Inner Qi in his body also surged and accelerated. He pushed the Profound Wind Technique to its limits, stimulating his own Qichong Acupoint and causing his Inner Qi to erupt like a tidal wave.
BOOM!
A torrent of majestic Inner Qi, in no way inferior to Qin Xiaoran’s, rose from within him.
The Flowing Wind Sword let out a clear, piercing ring. The cyan light on its blade flared as the forty percent Wind Momentum was pushed to its absolute limit.
Faced with Qin Xiaoran’s desperate, frenzied lunge, he didn’t retreat but advanced. The Flowing Wind Sword transformed into a cyan streak that tore through the sky, meeting the attack head-on.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! BOOM—!
The sounds of even more intense and frequent collisions exploded like peals of thunder!
Both men pushed their Inner Qi to the limit, clashing directly with no frills or tricks!
Sword Qi and claw shadows clashed madly and annihilated each other. The resulting shockwaves made the railings at the edge of the stage hum, sending stone fragments flying.
The terrifying force of the blows drove the crowd back, their faces filled with horror.
However, in what appeared to be an even exchange, a closer look revealed that Fang Han’s sword light was more condensed, more stable, and had far more lasting power.
Qin Xiaoran’s attacks, though fierce, were starting to lose steam, and his aura was showing signs of disorder.
PFFT!
A condensed strand of Sword Qi pierced through the claw shadows and opened another bloody wound on Qin Xiaoran’s right arm.
THUD, THUD, THUD!
Qin Xiaoran grunted, the force from the sword staggering him backward as the color drained slightly from his face.
Fang Han pressed his advantage, his Sword Momentum sticking to his opponent like a stubborn disease. He pursued relentlessly, a waterfall of sword light enveloping Qin Xiaoran’s vital points.
Qin Xiaoran was overwhelmed, unable to defend himself. New wounds appeared on his body one after another. Although his Soft Armor prevented any of them from being piercing wounds, the constant assault greatly disrupted his focus.
It drained his stamina and Inner Qi. The signs of his defeat were clear!
"Bastard!"
Qin Xiaoran was both shocked and enraged. He realized that even by going all out, he still couldn’t suppress Fang Han. Instead, he was being completely countered by his opponent’s sharp Swordsmanship and unpredictable Body Technique!
He watched as Fang Han’s sword swept aside his crossed claws, leaving his center wide open. His pupils shrank as alarm bells screamed in his mind!
"It’s over."
A cold glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes. The Flowing Wind Sword continued its trajectory, its speed suddenly increasing by another thirty percent. It became a cyan line, nearly invisible to the naked eye, slashing straight for Qin Xiaoran’s chest!
This strike was fast, ruthless, and precise!
Qin Xiaoran’s face paled in horror. In his haste, he could only frantically channel his remaining Inner Qi to his chest to try and withstand the blow while rapidly retreating!
BANG—CRACK!
The sword’s edge slammed viciously into Qin Xiaoran’s chest!
A dull thud was mixed with the faint sound of cracking bones!
The robes on Qin Xiaoran’s chest instantly exploded, revealing a suit of Soft Armor shimmering with a faint light.
Although the Soft Armor blocked the blade from cutting him directly, the terrifying Power embedded in the strike passed right through it and into his body!
"WAAH!"
As if struck by a heavy hammer, Qin Xiaoran’s eyes bulged, and he violently spat out a mouthful of blood.
His entire body flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, tracing an arc through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground outside the ring, kicking up a cloud of dust.
He struggled to get up, but was overcome by several violent coughs, with blood continuously trickling from the corner of his mouth. It was clear his internal organs were severely injured, and he had lost all ability to fight for the time being.
The entire garden fell into a dead silence once more.
Everyone’s gaze shifted between Fang Han, who stood on the stage with his sword, his robes fluttering and his breathing only slightly ragged, and the wretched, blood-spitting, and weakened Qin Xiaoran below.
The victor was decided!
The duel between the new and old number one hundred on the Celestial Pride List had ended in Fang Han’s complete victory!
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar!
"Fang Han won!"
"Qin Xiaoran was already so strong, but unfortunately for him, Fang Han is even stronger!"
"I can’t believe Fang Han won in the end!"
The disciples from the various factions had complicated expressions. Their gazes toward Fang Han were filled with indescribable awe.
Luo Bingyun gently exhaled, and a strange light rippled in her bright eyes.
Qin Hao slapped his thigh and let out a low roar, "Beautifully done!"
From the pavilion above, Shen Moyan smiled and nodded slightly.
Elder Kumu’s expression, however, instantly darkened, and the aura around him grew several degrees colder.
"It seems the Celestial Pride List rankings weren’t mistaken after all."
Fang Han slowly sheathed his sword, his calm gaze sweeping over Qin Xiaoran, who was struggling to rise from the ground. His tone was indifferent.
Qin Xiaoran’s face was ashen.
It wasn’t just because of his injuries, but because of the blow to his pride.
First, his rank on the Celestial Pride List had been taken by Fang Han, and now he had been defeated by him. At this moment, his reputation was in tatters.
"Senior Brother Qin."
The disciples of the Netherworld Pavilion had extremely ugly expressions. Someone scrambled forward to help the severely injured Qin Xiaoran up, feeding him an Elixir. Their gazes toward Fang Han were filled with fear and resentment.
Fang Han seemed oblivious to their glares as he stepped off the stage.
Just then, a gentle yet clear voice sounded from nearby, instantly cutting through the noise of the crowd.
"Brother Fang, please wait."
Fang Han paused and turned his head to look.
He saw a young man in a water-blue robe with a handsome, elegant face and a somewhat scholarly air walking slowly toward him.
The young man had a gentle smile that felt like a spring breeze. His fingers were long and slender, his gait unhurried. It was none other than the twelfth True Inheritor of Tingyu Building, Su Yu, also known as "Young Master Miaoyin."
The atmosphere in the courtyard, which had relaxed slightly after the battle’s conclusion, instantly tensed up again at Su Yu’s sudden words!
Everyone’s gaze snapped to Su Yu, filled with a mixture of shock, curiosity, and irrepressible excitement.
A battle for a Celestial Pride List spot had just concluded. Could it be that this True Inheritor of Tingyu Building was also going to take this opportunity to challenge Fang Han, who was currently in the spotlight?
Luo Bingyun and Qin Hao exchanged a look, and both saw a hint of gravity in the other’s eyes.
This Su Yu had quite a reputation among the younger generation. His strength was unfathomable, and his musical arts, in particular, were strange, unpredictable, and extremely difficult to counter.
If he were to issue a challenge now, it would be extremely disadvantageous for Fang Han. After all, Fang Han had just fought a vicious battle, had consumed a great deal of Inner Qi, and was not in his peak condition.