Chapter 152 - 108: Three Years of Sword Nurturing, Today the Sword is Drawn! The Death of the "Little Sword God

"The Third Manor Master is making his move. We’re saved! It seems Hidden Sword Manor hasn’t abandoned us."

"When the Third Manor Master fights, few at the Huajin stage are his match..."

Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui glanced at each other, their faces filled with delighted surprise.

A light shone in Zhou Sandao’s eyes.

He unconsciously loosened his grip on his saber.

Jiang Kui let out a long breath, a smile breaking across his face.

They had been at Hidden Sword Manor for some time, so they were well aware of the Third Manor Master Ouyang Pu’s strength. He had never been defeated by anyone at the Huajin stage.

In the Jianghu, he was even known as the "Little Sword God."

Although many titles were thrown around casually in the Jianghu, a moniker like "Sword God" still carried considerable weight.

Now that Hidden Sword Manor had Ouyang Pu make a move, they felt things were settled.

At the very least, their lives were safe.

As for Zhang Su, he might have some reputation in the Guiyuan Sect, but how could he possibly compare to Ouyang Pu, who had swept through the Jianghu undefeated and earned the glorious title of "Little Sword God"?

Zhou Sandao and Jiang Kui looked at each other again, and both saw relief in the other’s eyes.

Hidden Sword Manor truly hadn’t let them down.

Behind Zhang Su, Gu Ying had also just overheard Wang Hu and Zhou Yong’s whispered descriptions of Ouyang Pu’s formidable reputation in the Jianghu.

Wang Hu’s face was pale, and his voice trembled. "The Third Manor Master, Ouyang Pu... I’ve heard his name in the Jianghu. Ten years ago, with just a single sword, he killed seven Huajin masters in a row, two of whom were at the Late Stage of Huajin. After that battle, no one in the Jianghu dared to underestimate Hidden Sword Manor."

Zhou Yong added in a low voice, "There’s been no news of him in the Jianghu for several years. I never thought that today..."

Gu Ying’s face turned ashen.

She only wanted revenge; she didn’t want anything to happen to Zhang Su.

She even felt a pang of regret. She shouldn’t have let Zhang Su come to Hidden Sword Manor.

But now, the arrow was already on the bowstring; there was no turning back.

Even if she wanted to leave, it was too late.

Because this was no longer just about her revenge.

It had become a matter of honor for both Zhang Su and Hidden Sword Manor.

Zhang Su couldn’t care less what anyone else was thinking.

His gaze was fixed on Ouyang Pu.

After months of slaughter in Hengshan County, Zhang Su’s perspective had broadened considerably.

He could tell at a glance that Ouyang Pu was no simple character.

This man’s aura was completely different from the other Huajin Martial Artists he had encountered before.

If an ordinary Huajin Martial Artist was a sharp blade, then Ouyang Pu was a Treasure Sword sheathed in its scabbard.

Motionless, it revealed no sharp edge.

But once drawn, it would surely shake the heavens and the earth.

’But so what?’

’No matter how strong he is, could he possibly be stronger than Dugu Jian?’

Besides, Zhang Su had now broken through to the Huajin stage himself. His strength had grown even greater.

Even if Dugu Jian were resurrected, he could kill him all over again.

And it would definitely be easier than the last time.

Zhang Su’s gaze was as calm as still water, without the slightest ripple.

His right hand hung naturally at his side, his fingers slightly curled around the hilt of his Cold Frost Sword.

This sword had been with him for some time, and its hilt was now polished smooth and bright from the grip of his palm.

"Ouyang Pu of Hidden Sword Manor."

The man in the gray robe across from him finally spoke.

His voice was deep and a little hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken to anyone in a long time.

"Zhang Su of the Guiyuan Sect."

Zhang Su announced his name as well.

The two of them exchanged names, following the custom of the Jianghu.

"I haven’t drawn my sword in three years."

Ouyang Pu said slowly, his voice still low.

He raised his right hand and slowly took hold of the hilt at his waist.

"I have nurtured my sword for three years. Once it is drawn, I won’t be able to hold back. You might die!"

His tone was flat, as if he were stating a simple fact.

There was no threat in his words, only the declaration of an inevitable outcome.

"I’m different. I draw my sword often,"

Zhang Su said coolly.

With a gentle push of his thumb, a sliver of cold light appeared at the guard of the Cold Frost Sword.

"However, once my Cold Frost Sword is unsheathed, it must taste blood. You might die, too!"

Their gazes clashed in mid-air.

There were no sparks, no killing intent.

Only a standoff, calm to the extreme.

Ouyang Pu said nothing more.

He gently wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword.

The moment Ouyang Pu gripped the hilt, the aura around him changed instantly.

If, before, Ouyang Pu had merely seemed like a silent, somewhat cold Martial Artist, then now, at the moment he gripped the hilt, he seemed to transform into a razor-sharp Treasure Sword, one that was impossible to ignore.

The very air in the Martial Arts Arena seemed to grow heavy.

The few Hidden Sword Manor Martial Artists closest to him involuntarily took several steps back, their faces pale.

Even Shen Mufeng subconsciously tensed his body, preparing to act at a moment’s notice.

"Could this be Hidden Sword Manor’s famous Sword Nurturing Skill?"

Shen Mufeng blurted out, a look of shock on his face.

He had heard his master mention this Swordsmanship before, but this was the first time he had seen it with his own eyes.

"Senior Brother Shen, what is the Sword Nurturing Skill?"

Lin Caiwei asked.

Although she couldn’t feel the sharp aura emanating from Ouyang Pu, she could vaguely sense that something was unusual from Shen Mufeng’s reaction.

"The Sword Nurturing Skill is a very unique form of Swordsmanship. It’s said that a Swordsman must use their purest Sword Heart to nurture the blade in their daily life. Once drawn, the sword can unleash a terrifying spiritual attack."

Shen Mufeng spoke faster than usual, his eyes fixed on Ouyang Pu’s hand.

"Some speculate that this Sword Nurturing Skill is derived from Martial Dao True Intent, making it incredibly profound. Although the Sword Nurturing Skill is powerful, it’s extremely difficult to cultivate. If one is not a pure Swordsman who has achieved the state of Sword Heart Clarity, it’s impossible to even reach the entry-level... To think that Ouyang Pu actually managed to master this Swordsmanship... among those at the Huajin stage, I fear he has no equal..."