Chapter 2257 - 1203: The Strongest Below Half-step Nether Realm (Part 4)

As this move was unleashed, almost all the experts present were stunned; Elder Mo Qing of the Mo Family widened his eyes even more, staring fixedly at that Divine Weapon that had activated the Power of Strangulation:

"This is... the weapon of the former Sword Lord!" Elder Mo Qing cried out in shock.

"No wonder he dares to challenge a Peak of Ghost Level; so the Sword Lord’s Divine Weapon actually ended up in his hands." The Iron Law Judge Liu Hanzheng was also so shocked by the scene before his eyes that he couldn’t recover for a long time.

The name of the Sword Lord used to be known to every single person in the world of martial arts; although he finally fell in Myanmar and Thailand, his fame still lingered.

The signature Magic Artifact of a powerhouse of that level isn’t something just anyone can handle; opportunity, ability, talent, strength—none can be lacking. The fact that Yang Xiao could pull this off was enough to prove how exceptional he was.

"Congratulations, Elder Sheng, on taking such an outstanding disciple. It seems Yiling Academy now truly has someone to carry the torch." Elder Mo Qing clasped his hands in congratulation toward Sheng Yanlin.

"Hahahaha—" Sheng Yanlin stroked his beard, narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, and said, "Truly, none knows me better than Mo Qing. Once this matter is settled, I, as his master, will naturally give him a strong helping hand."

But on the field, Yang Xiao had no energy to spare for others’ opinions, because at this very moment, something unexpected was happening to him as well.

Just as that Power of Strangulation tore open the robe and was about to give this Master of Ruyi Sect a free vasectomy, the other party’s figure actually vanished like a ghostly apparition, and the next second, he appeared out of thin air more than ten meters away.

"A Space Artifact?" Yang Xiao arched his brows as he drew back his blade.

A Peak of Ghost Level having this kind of good stuff on him was something Yang Xiao hadn’t anticipated at the start. Normally speaking, rare Magic Artifacts of the three major categories would, in most cases, only appear on High-level Apostles at Half-step Nether Realm and above.

No wonder he’s the foster son of that Tower Master; looks like he’s really not simple.

Yang Xiao could clearly sense that the Space Power didn’t come from that Jade Ruyi; which meant that this man had at least two High-level Magic Devices with excellent ability on him—each a fine treasure.

At this moment, however, Duan Jiqing, who had been forced by Yang Xiao into using his Space Artifact, was looking quite wretched; his lower robe had been shredded into scraps by the blade’s edge, and even his underwear had almost been exposed.

In fact, everyone had already seen a bit of it. It was red, quite festive, actually.

Duan Jiqing was the Master of Ruyi Sect and also the foster son of the Huagubiao Tower Master; in the world of martial arts he counted as someone with status. When had he ever been humiliated like this, and in front of a crowd, no less? This could really be said to have cost him all his old face.

At this very moment, the killing intent in his heart toward Yang Xiao had reached its peak.

And Yang Xiao still showed not the slightest sign of restraint; he even continued to mock him publicly, staring at the other’s lower body and saying in a sarcastic tone, "Oh wow, Master Duan, what’s this then, you getting married or something? You’re actually wearing red briefs."

"You’re courting death?!" Duan Jiqing was so enraged his whole body was trembling; he couldn’t wait to tear Yang Xiao to pieces on the spot.

Yang Xiao was secretly delighted; clearly, this old guy had lost face and couldn’t keep up the act anymore.

"Brother Duan, forget it. This brat is full of tricks, and his strength is unfathomable—you’d best hold it in." Seeing this, Sheng Jingxuan still didn’t forget to add fuel to the fire, sniping from the side in a yin-yang tone.

But at this moment, how could Duan Jiqing listen to any of that? Enraged, he stepped forward, a flash of silver light in his hand, and in the air not far before him there appeared a rippling patch of water.

"Yang Xiao, out here I can’t go all out. If you’ve got the guts, follow me in. You and I must settle who’s superior today."

After throwing down his ruthless words, Duan Jiqing’s figure flickered, and he stepped into the silver water-light, disappearing from sight.

"There’s even such a good deal?" Yang Xiao was secretly delighted, but on his face he played it very honest, speaking seriously: "Since Master Duan has so earnestly invited me, it’d be rude for me to refuse. I’d like to ask all the seniors present to act as witnesses: regardless of whether I or Master Duan wins or loses, blades and swords know no eyes, each shall accept his own fate, and I hope no one else will be dragged into this."

Once these words came out, Yang Xiao had essentially done all the face work; it drew repeated praise from those present. Compared to Duan Jiqing, this old fox of the world of martial arts, who’d cast aside his status and flown into a rage, Yang Xiao’s words instead showed more of a grandmaster’s bearing. Though young, he handled matters in a big-hearted way, with quite a heroic air about him.

"Truly worthy of the Patrol Defense Office. Even heroes of the younger generation like this have been recruited by them. The younger generation is truly fearsome, truly fearsome!" The many Mo Family experts who had followed Elder Mo Qing came forward praising in turn.

Their praise for Yang Xiao, when heard by Sheng Yanlin, made the corners of his mouth almost reach his ears—if not for the number of people present and the need to mind his image.

The stronger and more promising Yang Xiao was, the better it proved Sheng Yanlin’s eye for talent. He and Yang Xiao were deeply bound together in the same boat: sharing glory and sharing loss.

With Yang Xiao’s network and abilities, plus his own help in plotting and advising, pointing out the path ahead—given time, it was no empty boast to say Yang Xiao would stand at the pinnacle of the world of martial arts.

After finishing his formal speech, Yang Xiao also strode toward the entrance opened by that Space Artifact, his steps firm, his expression resolute, until his figure completely entered and disappeared.

Yang Xiao could have flashed in using a Space Artifact himself, but first, he didn’t want to expose the Soul-Capturing Mirror on him; and second... walking in like this looked cooler and had more buzz.

He knew there were Patrol Defense Office informants on-site recording and streaming the whole thing live. Those big shots at the General Bureau were at this very moment seated around a conference room, staring at the big screen and watching every move on this side. He had to leave a good impression on these people who held his future in their hands.

But what they didn’t know was that, the moment Yang Xiao stepped into the other party’s space, he immediately activated the Soul-Capturing Mirror and slipped into his own Mirror World.