Translator: CinderTL
Clang!
You Jianfeng parried with his sword, only to be met by a surge of overwhelming force. It felt like a rampaging demonic beast had slammed into him head-on. Even his treasured sword, which he had nurtured for years, bent sharply under the impact, and his feet were forced to retreat uncontrollably.
"What incredible strength!"
You Jianfeng frowned, his heart filled with caution. Though this man was unknown, his power was clearly not to be underestimated.
Clap, clap, clap...
Suddenly, a smattering of applause broke the silence. Both men turned to look, and a new group of people emerged from the forest. Leading the way was a man in brightly colored clothing, his greasy, upright hair standing out prominently.
"Fang Xiang!"
You Jianfeng's brow furrowed. This was becoming troublesome. He was already struggling to handle this opponent, and now another group had arrived, led by Fang Xiang, who ranked even higher than him among the Ten Great Talents.
The combatants in the arena scattered, retreating behind their respective leaders.
Xu Sanyan narrowed his eyes, observing the newcomers. There were over twenty of them—he wondered which of the Ten Great Talents they belonged to.
Xiang Tan, catching her breath, whispered, "That's Fang Xiang, ranked fifth."
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly, his gaze shifting to You Jianfeng. Their eyes met, and each man saw the same understanding in the other's gaze.
"Let's team up!"
"First, we'll deal with Fang Xiang. Then, the two of us can fight over the Holy Son Token."
Fang Xiang's group has the most people—over twenty—more than Xu Sanyan and You Jianfeng combined. If they don't join forces, he'll just sit back and profit from their struggle.
The situation now is like the Sun-Liu alliance against Cao Cao, with the Holy Son Token representing Jing Province, which all three sides want to control.
Fang Xiang leaned casually against a tree, his usual carefree demeanor on display. He naturally saw through their plan, but he didn't care.
In his eyes, You Jianfeng, ranked eighth, and a nobody like Xu Sanyan posed no threat.
Fang Xiang grinned and extended his hand toward Xu Sanyan. "Hand it over."
Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. So arrogant?
"Heh, Fang Xiang, you're still as clueless as ever," You Jianfeng sneered, his face filled with contempt. It seemed they had some past grievances.
Fang Xiang picked his ear and glanced sideways at You Jianfeng. "What? Is there a sect rule against being arrogant?"
"Alright, enough talk. Hand over the Holy Son Token now, and if I'm in a good mood, I might spare your lives. There are still two more Holy Son Tokens out there. You might still have a chance, you know?" Fang Xiang said, stroking the few strands of hair on his head.
"Bah! More words are useless. If you want it, just take it!" You Jianfeng flicked his longsword and struck first.
Fang Xiang glanced over his shoulder at the burly man behind him and said, "I'll handle him. Bring me the Holy Son Token."
"Leave it to me!"
The burly man grinned savagely, his fierce eyes fixed on Xu Sanyan.
Whoosh!
The burly man bent his knees slightly and leaped into the air, his fist, the size of a sandbag, hurtling straight toward Xu Sanyan's head.
The three-way melee had begun!
Facing the incoming fist, Xu Sanyan remained calm. His large hands moved with lightning speed, wrapping firmly around the burly man's fist. The burly man's towering frame froze in place, his rugged face contorted in disbelief.
He caught it?!
"Heh, is that all the strength you have? Doesn't your wife complain about you?" Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a mocking sneer.
"Hmph!"
The burly man's face flushed crimson with rage. He frantically channeled his Spiritual Power, determined to crush Xu Sanyan into a pulp.
Xu Sanyan's pupils narrowed. Grasping the burly man's wrist, he used the momentum to pull him forward. The burly man's body lurched uncontrollably toward Xu Sanyan. Xu Sanyan's shoulder bulged as he unleashed an Iron Mountain Strike, slamming it squarely into the burly man's chest.
Crack!
First, a sharp crack echoed through the air, followed by the burly man being sent flying back even faster, crashing through two or three trees before finally coming to a stop.
Xu Sanyan pressed his advantage, leaping forward like a tiger pouncing on its prey. He charged at the still-dazed man, throwing a punch with all his might.
A ferocious aura slammed into the burly man's face. He had just regained some clarity, but before he could react, a meaty palm slammed into his forehead.
Bang!
A crater appeared in the ground. The burly man's head exploded like an overripe watermelon, red and white gore splattering everywhere, a truly disgusting sight.
Fang Xiang glanced over, his pupils contracting slightly. His most trusted subordinate had been defeated so quickly?
The man hadn't even had time to manifest his true form.
"Well, well, well. I didn't expect you to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, hiding your true strength. Since that's the case, let's see how heavy you truly are."
Fang Xiang dodged You Jianfeng's sword, a layer of green light suddenly enveloping his body. The greasy tuft of hair atop his head seemed to glow even brighter.
The light blazed intensely, painting everything around them in shades of green. The world seemed to be left with only this single color.
Xu Sanyan frowned, gripping his discipline ruler tightly as he stared at the spectacle. What kind of trick was this?
No matter what it was, interrupting it couldn't be wrong.
In the void, a divine sense coalesced, and a soul-piercing needle suddenly shot toward Fang Xiang, who was enveloped in green light.
As if sensing something, Fang Xiang abruptly looked up at Xu Sanyan, his expression one of surprise. "You're from the Lu Clan?"
Xu Sanyan didn't answer, his expression growing even more solemn. He felt it... the soul-piercing needle had been blocked.
This was the first time such a thing had happened in all this time. Trapped within the green light, the needle moved with agonizing difficulty, like a fish struggling in sand.
Seizing the opportunity, You Jianfeng's Heart Thought stirred. Suddenly, a golden light erupted from behind Fang Xiang, striking with such stealth that there was no way to defend against it.
No one knew when he had hidden the golden miniature sword there!
"Is that all you've got?" Fang Xiang sidestepped slightly, allowing the golden sword to graze his shoulder. He even had the leisure to taunt his opponent.
Xu Sanyan watched the green light filling the sky, unable to discern its purpose. He felt no discomfort whatsoever.
"Come, show me what you've got," Fang Xiang beckoned Xu Sanyan with a finger.
Xu Sanyan and You Jianfeng exchanged glances. Then, moving in perfect coordination, they charged at Fang Xiang simultaneously—Xu Sanyan leading the attack with his discipline ruler aimed at the upper body, while You Jianfeng targeted the lower body.
Fang Xiang showed no fear. A jade-green wooden staff appeared in his hand, which he swung to block the discipline ruler. Simultaneously, he raised his foot to dodge the longsword, his movements appearing effortless and unhurried.
Xu Sanyan's attacks grew more rapid, but Fang Xiang always managed to evade them with ease.
You Jianfeng spoke in a low voice, "The Insightful Heart Art."
Clearly, he recognized the technique.
Fang Xiang grinned. "Oh, you're quite knowledgeable, aren't you?"
Xu Sanyan looked puzzled, so You Jianfeng explained, "Within this green light, every move you make is reflected in his mind. If you shift your shoulder, he knows you're about to throw a punch. Even the flow of your Spiritual Power is perceptible to him. Within a hundred-foot radius, this is his domain."
Fang Xiang threw his head back and laughed, his eyes blazing with arrogance. "Hahahaha..."
He had spent twenty years cultivating this Mystical Art to reach this level. By anticipating his opponent's moves, he could stand undefeated!
Xu Sanyan's expression remained calm. His lips parted slightly as he asked, "Even if we know, what good does it do? Can you truly block it?"
The moment his words fell, a thick blood mist erupted, completely obscuring Xu Sanyan's form.
Fang Xiang's smile gradually faded, and his brow furrowed. He couldn't see through the blood mist!
(End of the Chapter)
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