Chapter 425: Huo Xun’s Aid
Chapter 425: Huo Xun’s Aid
Liu Shen, who had by now properly changed into a new set of robes, couldn’t help but widen his eyes when he heard what his subordinates had just said.
Turning in their direction, his eyes soon met Huo Xun’s, who had just arrived at the scene.
"B-Brother Huo Xun, you..." Liu Shen muttered, not knowing how to react in front of Huo Xun now that he was standing right in front of him.
To have Huo Xun personally approach him, it was something that would have been enough to make Huo Xun beam with joy if it had been before. However, that wasn’t the case at all, as he was filled with conflicted feelings.
’He must have witnessed it as well...’ A great sense of shame washed over Liu Shen as he was reminded of the sorry sight he had portrayed in front of everyone back on the stage.
"Greetings, Brother Liu Shen!"
Huo Xun wasn’t bothered by the fact that Liu Shen was too occupied to greet him properly and instead greeted him with an understanding smile and said while resting his hand on his shoulder.
"I won’t be dissuading you from challenging that brat to a Death Duel, Brother Liu Shen. Even though my Elder Brother and Sister-in-law would be totally against it, after witnessing what had happened today, I doubt you will give up on challenging him even if I personally requested it... isn’t that right?"
"Y-Yes... I must apologise to you, but now that everyone knows what I’ve been hiding for the past couple of years, there’s no way for me to continue as a regular disciple in this sect, as in their eyes my image has already crumbled.
However, as a man, I must personally deal with that bastard who is the reason for all this! He’s talented, that’s for sure. However, now that our cultivation is at the same level, it’s the only time I’ll personally be able to deal with him.
If I fail to do so with my own two hands, then that bastard will definitely become an inner demon which will impede my cultivation in the future, but by that time, I would be no match for him."
Liu Shen answered with hatred evident in his eyes, but underneath that hatred was a cold calmness which had made him take this step.
"So that’s how it is." Huo Xun nodded when he heard those words. "If it’s for that reason, then I doubt even my elder brother and Sister-in-law would be able to stop you from doing so... "
Pausing briefly, he continued, "However, as we are connected by family, I can’t just let you enter a losing fight, so I must ask you. How confident are you in being able to beat him?"
Hearing this question, Liu Shen nodded his head and answered, "It’s only right for Brother Huo to be worried after witnessing the previous match.
That bastard... since his comprehension of the movement technique is at a higher level compared to mine, I can estimate that it would be the same with his other martial techniques as well.
Apart from that, he’s also strong, much stronger than me physically, to the point that it doesn’t make any sense if he doesn’t possess any special physique," Liu Shen said as he was reminded of how helpless he felt when he was unable to escape Yi Chen’s grip and continued.
"However, that won’t be a problem in the next round, as I’ll be using the defensive artefact that had personally been prepared by my Elder Sister. It’s a Tier 3 artefact, a low-grade artefact that could easily withstand blows from even Mid-layer Qi Absorption Stage cultivators.
So, what if his strength is greater than mine? In the end, he’ll just exhaust himself, and using that opportunity, I’ll end him with my own hands!"
Liu Shen’s eyes glimmered with coldness as he finished those words.
"Mhmm..." Huo Xun subtly nodded his head after hearing him and added, "Although Brother Liu Shen’s plan sounds feasible, you’re ignoring a major factor here. What if the other party is also in possession of a strong defensive artefact? What will you do then?"
"This... that shouldn’t be the case, as he has yet to earn many contribution points to buy those artefacts from the sect’s stores," Liu Shen tried to reason things out.
Upon hearing this, Huo Xun just shook his head.
"What if he was already in possession of such an artefact before coming to the sect? From what I’ve come to know, he’s the Feng Clan’s future hope, so the possibility of him being handed a special artefact by his clan is not low. Moreover..." Huo Xun’s eyes narrowed subtly as he continued,
"He also has a good relationship with the Zhou Clan, which, like my Huo Clan, is also one of the ten noble clans. Therefore, although the chances of him possessing a Tier 3 artefact as well are low, you shouldn’t exclude that possibility."
"He has connections with the Zhou Clan..." Liu Shen couldn’t help but develop a worried frown when he heard this, as his previous confidence started to dissipate.
"Indeed, therefore, it’s best that you’re prepared in advance for such situations. Since you already have a defensive artefact with you, let me give you an offensive one," Huo Xun said with a serious expression and the next moment, a sword with a green blade appeared in his hand.
"Take this. It’s a Tier 3 low-grade artefact called the Viper Sword. It always has a layer of bone-corroding poison on its surface. Just one cut to any of his limbs, and it will turn useless."
Huo Xun carefully handed the sword to Liu Shen and said with a comforting tone, "I didn’t talk with you a lot earlier, but since our families are related, it’s only right for me to come forward and help you in times of need."
"Brother Huo... Thank you." Liu Shen felt greatly indebted to him for his help and bowed to him the very next instant.
The only link between his family and the Huo Clan was his Elder Sister. It was a relationship formed because of a marriage, and the Huo Clan had several similar relationships with other clans as well.
Therefore, Liu Shen clearly knew how deep a favour Huo Xun was doing by helping him out in such a situation.
"I’m only doing what’s necessary." Huo Xun nodded at his words as his expression turned serious the very next moment. "Therefore, I expect Brother Liu to do the same. Show that brat what fate awaits those who dare to mess with people related to our Huo Clan. You understand?"
"Rest assured, Brother Huo, that brat will lose his life to this very sword." Liu Shen said with conviction while tightly gripping the sword given to him by Huo Xun.
"Then I’ll be looking forward to it." Huo Xun patted him on the shoulder and left for the crowd. As he did so, the smile on his face widened.
’I don’t even need to get my hands dirty to deal with someone like you, brat,’ Huo Xun snorted the very next moment while relishing in the fate that awaited Yi Chen.
Meanwhile, Yi Chen, who was done exchanging words with Zhou Mei and others, suddenly noticed Huo Xun’s figure walking away from Liu Shen.
’Interesting...’ Yi Chen thought with narrowed eyes the very next moment as his eyes fell on the green sword which wasn’t present with Liu Shen earlier.
’Let’s see what tricks he’s up to then,’ Yi Chen thought with a curious expression and opened the sword’s status panel the very next instant.
======== STATUS ========
Name: Viper Sword
Type: Artefact Sword
Tier: 3
Grade: Low
Remark: Secretes Deadly Corrosive Poison from its edges [Regenerate: 10,000 EXP]
========================
’Trying to kill with a borrowed knife, huh?’ Yi Chen thought as his eyes narrowed while looking at Huo Xun’s retreating figure.
’Well, not that it matters.’ A smirk formed on Yi Chen’s face the very next instant as he mentally prepared himself for the death duel.
When the thirty-minute period was about to end, Elder Ju returned to the stage and called the two of them up.
"The Death Duel between Disciple Liu Shen and Disciple Yi Chen will begin now!"
Elder Ju announced when the time was up and began the death duel.
"Prepare to face your end, you bastard!" Liu Shen roared in rage the very next instant and, tightly gripping his sword, rushed in Yi Chen’s direction with all his might.
’I’d be a fool if I allowed you to touch me with that sword,’ Yi Chen snorted, seeing his approach and sent dozens of fireballs in his direction.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
However, before the fireballs could even reach Liu Shen, they got blocked by an invisible barrier around him.
’Oh? A barrier, huh?’ Yi Chen thought while distancing himself from Liu Shen, who kept trying to catch up with him using his movement technique.
’From its thickness, I’ll just need to cut it using my Qi blade, and that barrier of his would be done for...’ Yi Chen thought to himself but decided to refrain from doing that.
’With bastards from the Huo Clan watching, it won’t be good to show all my cards now, would it?’ Yi Chen thought with a smirk and decided to follow the plan with attrition.
"Are you going to keep running again, you cowardly bastard?" Liu Shen roared, seeing the same scene being replayed even in this duel.
"Yes, I am. What are you going to do about it?" Yi Chen pulled out a middle finger and blasted several more fireballs at him.
"YOU!"
Liu Shen exclaimed with fury and rushed after him, utilising an even larger portion of his Qi.