The battle between "Han Yi" and Wu Sheng was about to explode.
Wu Sheng was a Super-Fifth-Rank War God, and among those of his level, his strength was formidable. His swordsmanship was unpredictable — unorthodox, fluid, and sharp.
But Jiang Kai had already defeated three level-6, rank-1 "Strange Class" opponents before. Added to that, the War God Hall's intense training in the Bewitching Fog Zone had dramatically strengthened his composure in real combat.
Even when faced with Wu Sheng's fierce onslaught, Jiang Kai — despite having no martial arts foundation — didn't panic.
Under the focus of his Ghost Eye, Jiang Kai could clearly catch every movement of Wu Sheng's attacks, dodging and weaving nimbly as they clashed.
"Strange," Elder Wan frowned. "That Han Yi kid's basics are solid. Why does his footwork and form look so messy in battle?"
"Indeed," another elder agreed, surprised. "I can't see a trace of our Qingyun Sect's foundational style in him…"
"But," a third elder said, "even though he lacks the Qingyun foundation, his dodging has its own logic."
Wu Sheng launched several fierce assaults in a row, showcasing his deep martial mastery.
Yet every one of his attacks was evaded by Jiang Kai.
And Jiang Kai was only using the simplest movements to dodge — which, in Wu Sheng's eyes, was nothing short of mockery.
"Kid, you're too arrogant!" Wu Sheng roared. "Let's see you keep acting tough!"
"Extraordinary talent — Sword Dao prodigy!"
"Heaven-Crushing Sword Rain!"
Wu Sheng swung his sword dozens of times in succession — each strike unleashing three waves of sword energy!
As a Super-Fifth martial adept, it wasn't surprising that his attacks carried true energy, but what shocked Jiang Kai was the terrifying power that emerged when ancient martial moves combined with Ghost Star skills and innate talent!
Even the spectators were awed.
"What terrifying sword energy — not only fierce, but coming from impossible angles, one after another, without pause! Who could block that?"
"No wonder he's a member of the Twelve Sacred Beasts team — his power is insane!"
Nearly a hundred streaks of sword energy came roaring toward him.
Wu Sheng shouted, "Han Yi, die for me!"
Jiang Kai gave a cold snort. "Talking about attacks — yours are still a bit worse than the Monkey King's!"
"War of the Eight Desolations!"
After mastering the eighth step of the War of the Eight Desolations, its overall power had grown.
Jiang Kai's body flickered like lightning, darting through the storm of sword energy, evading one strike after another as he closed in on Wu Sheng.
"My god, that guy's dodging every attack just with his movement?! He's insane!"
"These strikes barely have any gaps between them!"
"With that kind of evasion skill, how was he not admitted to the War God Hall?"
Wu Sheng's eyes twitched as Jiang Kai neared him — his opponent was far stronger than he had imagined!
He no longer dared to underestimate him.
"Heavenly Pool Sword Rain!"
This sword art originally came from the Heavenly Pool Sect — yet Wu Sheng had infused it with Ghost Star's true energy!
Within seconds, countless streaks of sword energy fell from the sky above Jiang Kai's head like torrential rain!
Jiang Kai's eyes widened — Wu Sheng's "Sword Dao Prodigy" talent truly lived up to its name.
If these sword strikes forced him to use his Substitute skill, his identity would be exposed. He had to end this fight quickly!
Thinking this, Jiang Kai narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly glared.
"Limitless Guard!"
With a thunderous boom, a fierce surge of energy burst from him, blowing away the falling sword energy around him!
Holding the Demon-Slaying Sword, Jiang Kai mimicked Zhu Hai's sword technique as best he could — a crude starting stance — then leapt forward like a flash of lightning, lunging straight at Wu Sheng.
"Tempered Flame! Nine Heavens Execution Sword!"
This strike only resembled the Nine Heavens Execution Sword in form — in truth, it was still the Moonlit Phantom Sword.
The small, battered blade in Jiang Kai's hand blazed with roaring fire as he thrust it straight toward Wu Sheng's brow!
Wu Sheng's eyes bulged wide — the opponent's speed was unbelievable!
Too late to dodge, he bellowed, "True Energy Shield! Beast Armor — Gluttonous Feast!"
Before him, two layers of defense formed: an inner, translucent energy shield, and an outer, faintly black aura barrier.
"The black one's the Gluttonous Feast from his Beast Armor — I've heard that armor can absorb true energy!"
"Wu Sheng's energy shield looks so thick…"
Elder Wan and the other Qingyun elders froze in shock as they saw Jiang Kai's strike.
Elder Wan's eyes went wide, disbelief filling them.
"That sword… that's the Nine Heavens Execution Sword?!"
At that very instant, Jiang Kai's sword struck.
Normally, Jiang Kai's attacks carried no true energy — but they did carry fire.
Before his blade even touched the black aura shield, the Gluttonous Feast began sucking in the flames it carried.
Between the small sword and the black aura shield, a terrifying tongue of fire erupted — flames roared, blazing sky-high!
Moments later, the black aura shield, having absorbed too much fire, could no longer withstand it and exploded!
Breaking through the outer shield, Jiang Kai's sword pierced into Wu Sheng's true energy barrier.
Wu Sheng's barrier was incredibly tough — Jiang Kai's sword didn't break through it completely.
However, the Moonlit Phantom Sword guaranteed a critical strike — its power was immense. Even without piercing the shield, the force blasted Wu Sheng off his feet!
By tournament rules, being forced out of the ring counted as defeat.
Wu Sheng's body was flung like a cannonball. At the last moment, he managed to stab his sword into the ground, resisting the recoil.
The platform cracked under his feet, a long fissure stretching from where he slid to the edge — one more step, and he'd have been out of bounds.
Everyone watching gasped, eyes wide on "Han Yi."
"That one strike… how strong was it? He nearly shattered both of Wu Sheng's defenses!"
"Strange — his War of the Eight Desolations can use true energy only in the last step. Other than that, his attacks are just… fire, no true energy."
Chang Siyao, who rarely paid attention to duels, couldn't look away this time.
Wu Sheng — the powerhouse — had almost lost? That unknown "Han Yi" had truly astonished everyone.
That blazing fire just now lit up the entire arena — the scene was spectacular.
And that Han Yi—
Wu Sheng straightened, glaring coldly at Jiang Kai. "I won't forgive you!"
Jiang Kai felt frustrated too — to keep his identity secret, he couldn't use any of his signature skills:
Nine Tribulation Pursuit, King Yama's Decree, Divine Light Command, False Substitute, Fool's Dream — none of them.
It tied his hands in battle.
And this Wu Sheng was no pushover — he'd actually withstood a Moonlit Phantom Sword strike!
Wu Sheng drew his blade, lips curling. "Fortunately, I never underestimate an opponent. Before we even started, I had already set up a Sword Formation."
"This time, I'll tear you apart!"
"Seven-Star Sword Formation!"
Suddenly, seven beams of light shone in the sky above Jiang Kai, descending into seven massive swords of different colors, sealing him at the center.
Each of the seven swords stood four to five meters tall, glowing with the hue of their blade.
The audience involuntarily stepped back.
"That's the Seven-Pool Sword Formation — the Heavenly Pool Sect's ultimate skill!"
"No — it's the Seven-Star Sword Formation! Looks like Wu Sheng combined Ghost Star's Seven-Star array with Heavenly Pool's Seven-Pool formation. Each sword's true energy is immense — this formation is terrifying!"
Wu Sheng sneered, eyes narrowed, shouting, "The 'Kill' command!"
Inside the Seven-Star Sword Formation, countless streams of sword energy interwove, forming an endless vortex of blades!
Under the ferocious assault of the formation, even Jiang Kai couldn't dodge such complex attacks.
"Limitless Guard!"
But the Limitless Guard drew on his energy, while the Seven-Star Formation was self-sustaining — any energy it lost was recycled within the array!
After a moment of deadlock, Jiang Kai couldn't hold out any longer.
Crack! — The Limitless Guard shattered!
In that instant, countless wounds split open across his body.
"Energy Shield!" Jiang Kai quickly activated his Qi Gem, barely resisting for a moment — otherwise, he'd be minced to pulp in seconds!
"Han Yi! Do you see now how far beneath me you are?!" Wu Sheng roared from outside the formation. "Hahaha! That's the gap between us!"
"Only I am worthy to pursue the junior sister! You're just a loser — you don't deserve her!"
Jiang Kai's gaze flicked toward Chang Siyao.
She couldn't bear to watch anymore. She turned away, expression empty — neither joy nor sorrow. She didn't care who won or lost. After all, the one she wanted to wait for… wasn't here.
"Loser?" Jiang Kai repeated softly.
It was true — he had never confessed to a girl before. But it wasn't because he lacked courage.
Back then, when his elder brother struggled to raise him and Yingzi, their lives were hard enough. What right did he have to chase after girls?
Over time, he really did become timid.
But this girl before him — she gave him the courage to break that fear.
This time, he needed an answer.
Standing at the heart of the Seven-Star Sword Formation, his eyes burning red, Jiang Kai said in a low, firm voice:
"Wu Sheng — sorry, but this match… I'm going to win."
As soon as he spoke, his Energy Shield shattered under the storm of blades.
The sword energy tore into him — and just when everyone thought "Han Yi" was doomed to die, he suddenly roared:
"Desperado!"
"Godless Domain — Nine Heavens Execution Sword!"
The battered sword in his hand erupted in dazzling white light.
In an instant, Jiang Kai broke through the Seven-Star Formation — the explosion of sword energy shattered both of Wu Sheng's defensive layers, blasting him hundreds of meters away and smashing through two reinforced walls of the Kunlun Guild, sending him flying out of the arena altogether!
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