Just before they began, someone's voice rang out. "Fengzhi, Chen Xin... You guys. What's going on here?"
The man who had just arrived was Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo.
He stared at Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin before his eyes laid sight to Acheron.
The sight was something that could almost be described as an immortal that had descended. His emotions did not give much away. His stance and expression, a reflection of perfect tranquility.
It was art.
If he had one phrase to describe it, the heavens gave me a pair of eyes simply to have the chance to appreciate it.
He could almost here the women fawning over him. If he was a female he would undoubtedly find the answer to why heaven gave humans hands.
Care for Acheron, Cherish Acheron, and Forfeit all Mortal Possessions to Acheron.
Fortunately he was not.
"Who is this guy?" Gu Rong asked. Ning Fengzhi filled him in on the story as Gu Rong felt a hint of guilt when Fengzhi mentioned spoiling Rongrong too much.
He was part of the problem too.
It was at that moment that Chen Xin had a brilliant idea, since the poor lad had no idea who he was even fighting, wouldn't it be alright to have a bet?
His eyes stared at that sword with a hint of desire and curiosity.
"Would you like to put our swords on the line with this duel?" He asked as Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi snapped their heads in his direction with a look of disbelief.
Ning Rongrong already took an important memento from him. Now you want to take his sword as well?
"Swordsman..... You..." Gu Rong was speechless however Acheron simply shook his head.
"Very well. However, I have no use for your sword. All I require is perhaps a guide. My sense of direction, I hate to admit, is poor."
Gu Rong chuckled and poked Ning Fengzhi. "Oi let me switch with Chen Xin surely. Such easy profit."
Ning Fengshi shook his head before announcing the start of the battle.
"Begin!"
Chen Xin stared at the sheathed sword before asking with concern, "Don't take me too lightly young man. You better unsheathe your sword before it's too late."
In an instant Chen Xin appeared in front of Acheron with his sword in motion. Everyone expected the outcome to be clear.
Acheron had yet to even unsheathe his sword.
However, the very next moment. Everyone's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. Instead of hearing a sharp cut and the end of the contest, a clash of blades was heard.
With only a single hand holding the sheathed sword, Chen Xin's attack had been stopped effortlessly. Even more so shocking was that he could feel his sword clashing against another sword despite the sheath still on.
A sword sharp enough to cut through the sheath?
Everyone's thought at that moment was "What the fuck?"
Chen Xin continued to try press Acheron with strength however his face grew more concerned when he realised there was no effort in resisting.
Purple lightning crackled and the sound of thunder echoed in an instant as the ground cracked and he was sent flying back.
A blur of purple flashed as he raised his sword to block only to feel a horrifying downwards slash. His sword almost flew out of his grip as he felt the horror of that seemingly casual strike.
Acheron nodded to himself as he gauged how much it'd take to win. His strength was something foreign to this world.
Everyone present was shocked, the Sword Douluo struggled to block a casual blow?
Everyone could see that the blow was light for Acheron. Even a blind man could feel the lack of effort in that strike.
"Trilateral Wiltcross."
Hearing another sword technique, Chen Xin quickly put up his guard. The power that Acheron wielded was unnatural for this world. A power the Douluo continent wasn't ready for yet.
Everyone felt their world view overturn as all that was left of Acheron was a small trace of purple current.
A heavy thud and a clash of steel was heard as the dust soon blew away revealing the Sword Douluo's body buried six feet underground and twitching.
If not for the head, arms and spirit exposed outside of the dirt, the sect members wouldn't have believed the man to be the Sword Douluo.
The entire body was almost knocked into the mountain. They might have had to start carving a name onto the mountain as a tombstone for the man buried in peace.
Gu Rong swallowed his saliva tentatively as his heart was beating nervously. He was just previously begging Ning Fengzhi to replace Chen Xin.
Then it'd be him buried six feet under.
Ning Fengzhi grinned "Still want to swap with old Chen?" Gu Rong immediately shook his head madly as if stopping would result in being sent into the ring.
"Fuck that guy is terrifying. What's the extent of his power?" Gu Rong exclaimed as shivers ran down his spine. He could already imagine himself buried head first into the ground as a measuring stick.
Even if he pours everything into defense... Fuck. He thought there was definitely something up. Especially with those strikes, there was a hint of something else.
Something that renders everything ineffective.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it but the more he thought about it the more pain it brought to his brain.
Therefore Gu Rong learnt not to think about it at all.
At the same time, Chen Xin began to doubt life. After being pulled out from the ground, he simply stared at the sky.
"Perhaps I was nothing but a potato after-all."
"I have lost..." Chen Xin wasn't the type of person to be dishonest. If he lost then he lost. Simple as that. He wasn't the type to argue schematics and loopholes.
He simple laid down as he sucked in a deep breath. That strike just now had ended up breaking 20% of his bones.
He not only felt like a potato being dug up by fellow sect members, but his body was becoming closer and closer to a potato.
Acheron offered to assist him onto a wheelchair as he thanked him with gratitude. "As you can see... I'm in no shape to help you. That's why I'll have Gu Rong accompany you as a guide and talk to Ning Rongrong."
Gu Rong froze like a deer in headlights... "Huh? Me?"
Ning Fengzhi also turned to him, "Yes you. Didn't you tell me you used to be a great explorer? No roads could halt your journey?"
Chen Xin immediately followed up flawlessly, "Yes, you even bragged about how you'd never be lost."
Acheron simply took advantage before giving a slight bow. "Thank you for offering to guide me. I'll be in your hands."
Gu Rong could only internally cry.
Forget about being in my hands. My life is in your hands...
Gu Rong could only lament as the surrounding sect members could only pity him. Gu Rong stared at one of them before asking, "Any of you want to come with me? I'll offer advice."
None stepped out.
The offer of advice from a titled douluo was no doubt irresistible. However, no one wanted to end up as a potato being planted six feet under and dug up again.
"Eek!" Gu Rong screeched as Acheron placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps we should get going." Gu Rong looked over his shoulder only to see the single exposed eye staring at him dully.
"Please don't make me a potato." Gu Rong begged.
He was only left with with a head tilt and a confused look from Acheron as they started moving.
"Oi, that means you agree right?"
"Right?!"
Meanwhile the sect members had already returned to the garden to erect a tombstone.