Chapter 609 - 605: Defeating Bai Yan
Chapter 609: Chapter 605: Defeating Bai Yan
Fang Han’s eyes showed a hint of surprise in the face of this earth-shattering strike.
He drew his Cloud Splitting Sword. Infused with Inner Qi, its dark cyan blade swirled with a reserved brilliance. He activated the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique and met the attack with a strike of his own.
Bai Yan was eager for this fight, and Fang Han felt his own fighting spirit stir. He, too, wanted to cross swords with a Swordsmanship master like Bai Yan.
Therefore, he didn’t unleash his full power. Instead, he suppressed his combat strength to match Bai Yan’s, at the level of "Breaking the First Gate."
As for the possibility of an upset, of him not being Bai Yan’s match?
It didn’t exist!
Having already cultivated his Swordsmanship to a higher level, even if he used techniques of the same Realm as Bai Yan, his skill in applying them was far beyond what Bai Yan could compare to.
CLANG—!!!
The two swords met, unleashing a deafening clash of metal!
A visible shockwave radiated out from the point of impact, kicking up dust from the platform and forming a murky ripple in the air.
The shockwave was so fierce that even the contestants standing below the platform couldn’t help but take half a step back.
Both fighters staggered, sliding back several yards simultaneously.
"You really are strong!"
A sharp glint flashed in Bai Yan’s eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he shot forward again. The longsword in his hand transformed into a sky full of green sword shadows, raining down on Fang Han like a torrential downpour.
Each strike was condensed as if it were solid, carrying the characteristic vibrant vitality and tenacity of Wood Sword Intent.
The sword light wove into a massive, inescapable net that enveloped all of Fang Han’s vital points.
Fang Han advanced instead of retreating, his Cloud Splitting Sword tracing arcs of cyan-gold light before him.
He channeled his Wind Sword Intent. At times, his sword light was like a sudden clap of thunder, sharp and unmatched. At others, it was like mercury flowing across the ground, all-pervasive.
Swordsmanship against Swordsmanship, Intent against Intent.
DING DING DING DING—!
The clang of metal erupted in a rapid-fire succession like popping beans, sending sparks flying everywhere.
Their figures crossed rapidly on the platform. The two streams of sword light—one green, one cyan-gold—collided, intertwined, and annihilated each other in a frenzy.
Sharp Sword Qi scattered across the platform. It couldn’t damage the White Jade Stone, which even a Grandmaster would find difficult to mar, but it left behind a series of white marks.
The chatter in the audience had long since died down. Everyone’s eyes were locked on the two rapidly moving figures, their breathing seeming to soften.
In the blink of an eye, dozens of moves had been exchanged.
Bai Yan’s Swordsmanship grew fiercer, each strike carrying the unstoppable momentum of a sapling bursting from the earth.
The Wood Sword Intent in his hands was pushed to its absolute limit, making it seem as if the entire Battle Platform was about to transform into a forest of wood.
However, Fang Han’s sword always managed to neutralize his attacks at the most critical moments and from the most exquisite angles.
Dozens more moves passed.
Bai Yan’s breathing grew slightly ragged, and beads of sweat formed on his brow.
He realized that although his attacks were like a relentless tide, he was firmly held in check by Fang Han, unable to truly break through the "barrier" formed by the sword in his opponent’s hands.
And Fang Han’s Swordsmanship possessed a terrifying sharpness, capable of shredding anything that stood in its way.
SHFFT—!
With a soft sound, the Cloud Splitting Sword grazed the sleeve of Bai Yan’s moon-white robe, tearing a small slit.
Bai Yan’s pupils constricted. He retreated several yards in a hurry, glanced down at the sword mark on his sleeve, then looked back up at Fang Han.
Not only was there no fear in his calm eyes, but his fighting spirit burned even stronger.
"Excellent Swordsmanship!"
He let out a low shout, took a deep breath, and began to circulate his Inner Qi in an unprecedented manner.
The Wood Sword Intent on his pale green longsword suddenly surged. The blade hummed and vibrated, emitting a low sound like the soughing of wind through pine trees.
The next instant, he thrust his sword forward.
This strike contained all of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit. It was the strongest attack he had launched since reaching the Late Stage of Second Grade.
The sword light was like a green bolt of lightning tearing through the sky, carrying an indomitable will as it shot straight for Fang Han!
Fang Han’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.
The power of this strike was extraordinary, showcasing an extremely high level of skill in Swordsmanship.
Although there was still a gap compared to him, it was enough to show the strength of Bai Yan’s Talent for Swordsmanship.
SWOOSH!
Using the Wind God Step, Fang Han became like a true wisp of breeze, drifting past the green sword light.
At the same time, his Cloud Splitting Sword flicked upward from below, its tip striking with perfect precision at the weakest point in the flow of power along Bai Yan’s blade.
DING—!
A crisp sound, like the striking of a Jade Chime.
Bai Yan felt a jolt run through his sword. His all-out strike had been diverted by that single, light tap.
He couldn’t help but stumble half a step forward, revealing a slight opening in his guard.
And in that flash, Fang Han’s sword arrived.
With a flicker of sword light, the tip of the Cloud Splitting Sword came to a steady halt three inches from Bai Yan’s throat.
The cold intent flowing from the blade made the skin on Bai Yan’s neck break out in fine goosebumps.
His movements froze instantly. He glanced down at the sword tip at his throat, then looked up at Fang Han.
After a moment of silence, he slowly sheathed his sword. The movement wasn’t fast, but it carried a sense of relief.
"I lost."
He spoke, his voice calm, yet filled with a heartfelt satisfaction.
"That was a great fight. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a thoroughly satisfying match."
Fang Han sheathed his sword and looked at Bai Yan, giving a slight nod.
"Your Swordsmanship is also very strong. If we have the chance, let’s fight again someday."
A faint smile touched the corner of Bai Yan’s mouth. There was no bitterness in it, only the pure satisfaction of having met a worthy opponent.
"Alright. We’ll fight again someday."
He turned and strode off the Battle Platform, his back straight and his steps composed. Losing this battle had not been a blow to him at all.
The voice of the red-robed elder, the referee, rang out dispassionately:
"Fang Han of Qingyang County wins."
In the stands, a brief silence was followed by an even more explosive wave of discussion.
"Fang Han actually won!"
"I thought Bai Yan had a better chance, since he’s from an Overlord-level Influence. I never expected the one with the ordinary background, Fang Han, to be the final winner."
"Bai Yan was already strong enough, but Fang Han was a cut above!"
"The strongest below First Grade—Fang Han truly deserves the title!"
"Even so, his path of advancement probably ends here."
Someone suddenly spoke up, their voice carrying a tone of objective analysis.
"Tomorrow is the seventh round, the round of sixteen. The Martial Arts Assembly probably won’t have the eight First Grade cultivators face each other this early. They will inevitably be matched against the eight remaining Second Grade cultivators."
"Fang Han’s combat power is strong, but he is still only at the Late Stage of Second Grade. The First Grade contestants he’ll have to face are also top-level prodigies capable of fighting above their realm. To win... it’s difficult. Far too difficult."
As soon as these words were spoken, they were met with agreement from those nearby.
Fang Han sheathed his sword, turned, and walked off the Battle Platform.
Eight gazes landed on him at almost the same instant, all from the eight prodigies who had already stepped into the First Grade.
Qin Yuan stood on the left side of the crowd, his dark gold martial attire gleaming with a reserved luster in the sunlight.
His deep eyes lingered on Fang Han for a moment before he looked away, his expression as calm as ever, betraying no emotion.
He had noted the name, but that was all.
Lin Qingyin stood on the other side of the crowd, her cyan martial attire outlining her graceful figure.
Her clear, elegant eyes swept over Fang Han, a faint ripple flashing in their depths before they returned to their usual tranquility.
She gently twirled a stray lock of hair by her ear and said nothing more.
Chu Jinghong stood with his hands behind his back, his moon-white robe perfectly still in the wind.
His gaze rested on Fang Han for a moment. A tiny ripple spread across his cold, clear eyes before quickly vanishing.
For him, the only opponents he truly cared about were Qin Yuan and Lin Qingyin.
Zhen Feixuan stood at the edge of the crowd, her white martial attire accentuating her tall, graceful posture.
Her gaze lingered on Fang Han for a moment, and a barely perceptible gravity flashed in her autumn-water eyes.
She had watched every one of Fang Han’s battles. From his stunning first strike in the first round to his recent intense clash with Bai Yan, Fang Han’s combat power seemed to have no limits.
Just when you thought he had reached his limit, he would immediately display even greater strength, exceeding expectations time and time again.
’Perhaps... what he’s shown so far isn’t even his true strength?’
The thought couldn’t help but rise in her mind.
It was an outrageous guess, but her intuition told her it might be true.
’Good thing he’s only at Late-Stage Second Grade Cultivation!’
Not far from Zhen Feixuan, a stern-faced young man in fiery red martial attire frowned slightly.
His name was Lie Yang, and he was from the Blazing Flame Sect, an Overlord-level Influence in Celestial Fire County of the Central Thirty-Six Counties.
His gaze fell on Fang Han’s retreating back, and an indescribable sense of relief flashed in his fiery eyes.
If this person’s Cultivation were to advance further and step into the First Grade, he would likely become a formidable rival that Lie Yang could not ignore.
Another man in a deep blue robe also narrowed his eyes slightly. His name was Jiang Lan, and he hailed from Bitaoge Pavilion, an Overlord-level Influence in Canglan County of the Central Thirty-Six Counties.
He watched Fang Han’s back as he descended the platform, lightly tapping the hilt of his sword twice as he silently committed the name to memory.
He was inwardly relieved that his opponent was only at the Late Stage of Second Grade.
The other two, though they said nothing, revealed the same emotion in their gazes.
* * *
「On the seventh day, at the crack of dawn.」
When Fang Han stepped into the arena, every seat in the audience was already taken.
A sea of people covered the entire stands, and the roar of the hundred-thousand-strong crowd echoed through the venue like a tidal wave, making the very air tremble.
The number of contestants had been sharply reduced from yesterday’s thirty-two to just sixteen.
The auras of the eight contestants with First Grade Cultivation remained as deep and steady as an abyss. Standing in various spots among the crowd, they were like eight insurmountable mountains.
As for the eight remaining contestants with Second Grade Cultivation, all of them—apart from Fang Han—had tense expressions.
They knew that, barring any surprises, their journey would most likely end here today.
Unless the Martial Arts Assembly arranged for the eight First Grade contestants to face each other, but the chances of that were extremely slim.
The elder in the fiery red robe walked slowly to the center of the high platform. His gaze swept over the sixteen figures below, and his voice, though not loud, reached every single person’s ears clearly:
"The seventh round, the battle for the top eight. The rules are the same as before: the winner advances, the loser is eliminated."
He took a scroll from his sleeve and slowly unfurled it.