Chapter 35: Catching the Blade with Bare Hands
Having witnessed Yan Zhen effortlessly dodge Kenzaburo’s three strikes, Sayoko no longer underestimated him, but she still didn’t believe he could defeat her brother.
Because Kenzaburo hadn’t unleashed his ultimate weapon: his Sword Intent.
When his Sword Intent manifested, even Mystic Master experts would have to tread carefully, let alone a mere Three Star Mystic Scholar.
The Second and Third Shopkeepers, however, were panicking.
In their plan, Yan Zhen was supposed to be killed instantly. The Dream God Palace Young Sect Master had a reputation for instantly slaying Mystic Scholars of the same realm. How could he fail to even injure Yan Zhen, who was a lower realm, after three strikes?
“If only Young Sect Master Ranzaki had emerged from seclusion earlier! Back then, that Yan brat was only a Ninth Star Mystic Adept! Now, thanks to Ji Ya’s cauldron physique, his cultivation has skyrocketed! He’s even more difficult to deal with!”
“Is he going to escape our grasp again?!”
Recalling Han Feng’s fate, their expressions darkened.
Han Feng’s death had nearly ruined their relationship with the Academy Headmaster, who had been a close friend. They had managed to appease him with Yan Zhen’s explanation, but he had warned them that he would report the incident to the Sacred Ground Academy. They would be held responsible if the Academy investigated.
They didn’t know that Han Feng’s Extreme Flame was already gone. Yan Zhen’s explanation was a lie. If they reported the incident as it was, it would only incur the Sacred Ground Academy’s wrath.
…
On the arena.
Kenzaburo gazed at Yan Zhen, his expression serious.
“This is the first time I’ve been at a disadvantage against an opponent of the same realm. Your strength is truly remarkable, Master Yan Zhen. No wonder Miss Ji Ya has chosen you.”
Yan Zhen was annoyed by his hypocritical politeness.
“Is that all you’ve got? The Dream God Palace is nothing special.”
Kenzaburo narrowed his eyes.
“I haven’t unleashed my strongest strike yet. If you can withstand it head-on, I’ll concede defeat.”
Yan Zhen scoffed inwardly. This cunning bastard, seeing his speed was too fast for his Iaijutsu to connect, was trying to provoke him into blocking his strongest attack. He was incredibly manipulative, yet he maintained a facade of honor and integrity.
The naive Yan Zhen in the script had fallen for his act, assuming Kenzaburo wanted a true warrior’s confrontation. He had abandoned the aerial advantage of Starry Sky Dance, choosing to block the Six Star Mystic Scholar’s Sword Intent-infused attack with his Ninth Star Mystic Adept cultivation, nearly dying in the process.
The acting requirement was to block this attack. He felt a sense of disgust, but with his current cultivation far surpassing his previous life’s, blocking it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Bring it on.” He dismissed his Extreme Flame Sword. “I’d like to see how strong your strongest strike is.”
Kenzaburo’s eyes gleamed. He closed his eyes, his Mystic Power surging around him, becoming increasingly sharp and focused.
Below the arena, Yi Xian’er frowned, whispering, “Why did he put away his Extreme Flame Sword? Did he do that in your previous life too?”
Ji Ya shook her head.
“He blocked Kenzaburo’s strongest strike with his Extreme Flame Sword.”
“Heh heh.” Sayoko chuckled. “Trying to block my brother’s Divine Wind Flash with his bare hands? He’s courting death! Just wait, you’ll be collecting his corpse soon!”
They ignored her, their eyes fixed on the duel, but one had already alerted Aunt Mu, while the other was ready to intervene.
…
Kenzaburo’s Mystic Power grew sharper, a hint of Sword Intent emerging, swirling around his sword.
Even before he drew his blade, it felt like the ground beneath them was splitting apart.
Yan Zhen wasn’t careless. He ignited the Gold and Silver Fire in his hand, unleashing its full power the moment Kenzaburo opened his eyes and drew his sword.
Bang!
An energy wave, infused with Sword Intent, surged towards him, accompanied by a gust of wind. He didn’t dodge, his hand, engulfed in the blazing gold and silver flames, meeting the attack head-on, blocking the strike that could have cleaved a house in two.
The Sword Intent-enhanced energy wave, besides generating a powerful wind, was incredibly sharp, constantly slicing at his flames, sparks scattering, burning black marks on the arena floor.
The Sword Intent, bypassing his flames, injured his hand. His palm and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger cracked, blood flowing.
If this continued, his hand would be severed, and the energy wave would reach his chest.
— I was a bit too confident. Sword Intent is truly powerful.
However, he remained calm, enduring the pain, utilizing the Yin-Yang Force from the Tai Chi Tremor, absorbing the chaotic energy into his hand, then flinging it upwards.
Whoosh!
The energy wave shot towards the sky, then exploded, dissipating.
Kenzaburo’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The spectators, including Sayoko, were stunned.
A Three Star Mystic Scholar had actually blocked a Six Star Mystic Scholar’s Sword Intent-infused attack with his bare hands?!
“T-that’s impossible!”
She couldn’t accept this. In her mind, her brother was the most talented swordsman of his generation, unrivaled in the entire Sunward Kingdom. How could he lose to an unknown boy barely sixteen years old?
Ji Ya and Yi Xian’er sighed with relief. Although they had known the outcome, the scene had still been tense.
The Second and Third Shopkeepers, watching from the Chamber’s building, slammed their hands against their foreheads. Their shock was overshadowed by their fury.
“Damn that brat! We can’t get rid of him?!”
“When did such a monster appear in the Gallo Kingdom?!”
Kenzaburo’s face darkened. Yan Zhen’s feat meant not only had he been publicly humiliated, damaging the Dream God Palace’s reputation, but he also had to forfeit his sword, as agreed.
This O Wazamono grade tachi was a birthday gift from his father, a cherished companion for many years. His “Divine Wind Sword Intent” had been nurtured by this sword.
Losing it would significantly weaken his Sword Intent, perhaps even rendering it unusable.
…
Yan Zhen dismissed the Gold and Silver Fire. His hand was burned and cut, but he didn’t treat it immediately. Instead, he retrieved the hilt-shaped Mystic Tool Embryo from his storage ring, channeling the Gold and Silver Fire into it, forming a sword.
“It’s impolite to not reciprocate, Young Sect Master Ranzaki. Try to block my sword.” He said slowly. “If you can withstand it, we’ll consider this a draw, and you can keep your sword.”
Kenzaburo’s eyes lit up. As if fearing Yan Zhen might change his mind, he quickly drew his tachi, gripping the hilt with both hands, assuming a standard kendo stance.
“I’m honored to accept your challenge, Master Yan Zhen. Please, show me your skills!”
Yan Zhen smirked, channeling Mystic Power into the Extreme Flame Sword, its blade extending several feet.
Then, with a powerful kick, he lunged forward, swinging the massive sword, now comparable to a siege weapon, towards Kenzaburo.
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