Chapter 616 - 612: The Chief
Chapter 616: Chapter 612: The Chief
The red-robed elder’s gaze swept over the two before he retreated to the edge of the high platform. His voice was flat.
"Begin."
The moment the word left his lips—two figures moved at once!
No testing the waters, no exchange of words. They struck with their full power!
Qin Yuan drew his saber, unleashing his Golden Saber Intent with full force.
A dark-gold Saber Gang tore across the sky. It carried a terrifying might that surpassed the level of Breaking the Three Gates, verging on that of a Grandmaster. The attack transformed into a flash of saber light that seemed capable of sundering heaven and earth as it slashed straight toward Chu Jinghong!
A series of ear-piercing sonic booms erupted in the Saber Gang’s wake.
Chu Jinghong drew his sword. A brilliant purple gleam erupted from the blade as he channeled all his power into his Rainbow Sword Intent.
With a single thrust, the sword light became like a purple rainbow tearing across the sky. Carrying a sharpness that felt as if it could sever anything, it fearlessly met the incoming Saber Gang!
A dark fissure, dozens of yards long, was torn into the air where the blade passed. It let out a low whine, as if space itself trembled before the strike.
BOOM—!!!
Saber and sword clashed, unleashing an earth-shattering roar!
The sound was so intense that the entire venue trembled. The eardrums of countless spectators rang, and those seated closer even felt their blood and Qi churn in their chests.
A visible shockwave radiated madly outward from the point of impact, forming a turbid ripple in the air.
On the platform, before the dust had even settled, the two figures clashed once more!
Qin Yuan’s Saber Technique was expansive and powerful. Each slash contained the terrifying might to shatter mountains and sunder boulders. A continuous waterfall of saber light enveloped Chu Jinghong, targeting all his vital points.
Chu Jinghong’s Swordsmanship, however, met speed with speed, using Skill Overcomes Force. The purple sword light, as nimble as a striking viper, always found a gap in the densest barrage of saber light to launch a sharp counterattack.
Every one of his thrusts left a dark fissure hanging in the air.
The two matched each other’s speed, their figures blurring across the platform as flashes of dark gold and purple light madly collided, intertwined, and annihilated one another.
Each collision produced a deafening roar, sending shockwaves pulsing out in every direction.
One hundred exchanges... Two hundred... Three hundred...
Their breathing grew ragged, their robes torn to shreds by the aftershocks of Sword Qi and saber winds.
A sword gash appeared on Qin Yuan’s left shoulder. Blood soaked through his dark-gold attire, staining the fabric a deeper shade.
A saber wound opened on the outside of Chu Jinghong’s right arm. Blood trickled down his sword hilt, dripping onto the White Jade Platform to form a startling trail of crimson dots.
But their gazes remained as sharp as ever.
After another fierce collision, Qin Yuan’s movements faltered for a fraction of a second, his Inner Qi nearly depleted.
That was the opening!
A sharp light flashed in Chu Jinghong’s eyes. The longsword in his hand let out a sharp shriek, like the sound of tearing silk. The purple sword gleam flared to its absolute brightest, transforming into an ultimate beam of light that seemed capable of piercing the void itself as it shot straight for Qin Yuan!
This strike contained all of his Essence, Qi, and Spirit. It was his strongest attack since reaching the Late Stage of First Grade!
Qin Yuan’s pupils contracted. He desperately brought his long saber up to block.
But the sword was too fast, too powerful!
CLANG—CRACK!
A piercing shatter echoed through the air.
The Dark Gold Long Saber let out an agonized cry, unable to bear the force, and was pierced clean through the middle by the purple beam of light!
The tip of the sword passed through the saber’s blade, its momentum unbroken, and stopped precisely three inches from Qin Yuan’s throat.
The cold light glinting from the blade raised goosebumps on Qin Yuan’s skin.
The entire venue fell deathly silent.
Utterly, deathly still.
Qin Yuan gripped his broken saber, staring at the sword tip poised at his throat. After a moment of silence, he slowly relaxed his hand.
CLANG. The Broken Saber fell onto the White Jade Platform with a sharp, clear ring.
"I have lost."
His voice was hoarse, but it carried clearly to every person’s ears.
In the silence, the red-robed elder’s voice rang out. It wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.
"Chu Jinghong of Cangwu County is the victor."
As the elder’s words faded, a thunderous uproar erupted from the crowd.
"Chu Jinghong won! He actually won!"
"They both have strength beyond Breaking the Three Gates, but it looks like Chu Jinghong is a cut above!"
Some gasped in amazement, others sighed with regret, but most were still lost in the shock of that final, heaven-shaking sword strike, unable to process what they had just seen.
Standing in the audience, Fang Han watched the moon-white figure standing on the platform, sword in hand, and slowly let out a long breath.
’The power of that strike was truly astonishing.’
’Qin Yuan’s Saber Gang was already tyrannical, yet Chu Jinghong had pierced it with a single attack.’
’Even I have to admit that I’m not yet at that level of strength.’
’But the gap isn’t insurmountable.’
’All I need is time.’
...
With the Martial Arts Assembly concluded, Fang Han returned to the Royal Villa with Luo Yuntian and the others.
Along the way, Luo Yuntian and the others chattered endlessly, their conversation revolving around the climactic duel they had witnessed.
For the most part, Fang Han just listened quietly, offering only an occasional comment.
It was afternoon by the time they returned to their quarters in the villa.
A figure in a purple steward’s robe was waiting respectfully at the door.
The Steward was a man of about forty with a gaunt face. Seeing Fang Han’s group return, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Young Master Fang, I have come on behalf of the Royal Family to handle the redemption of your rewards from the Martial Arts Assembly."
Fang Han nodded slightly. "Thank you for your trouble, Steward."
He stepped aside, inviting the man in, and the Steward followed him into the courtyard.
Luo Yuntian and the others tactfully took their leave, each returning to their own quarters.
In the living room, the Steward took a scroll bound with gold thread from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.
"Young Master Fang, this is the catalogue for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, as well as the catalogue for Cultivation Techniques. Please, have a look."
Fang Han accepted the scroll and slowly unfurled it.
The scroll felt heavy in his hands. Its cover was made of some unknown beast hide, and the inner pages were a type of thin, pale-gold paper covered in clear, neat calligraphy.
The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures section was neatly categorized, with detailed records of each item’s name, appearance, age, efficacy, and Grade.
The Cultivation Technique section was arranged by type and Grade, from Low Grade Realm Martial Arts to Mid-grade Realm Martial Arts, with a brief introduction for each one.
He read it over carefully, and the Steward did not rush him, simply standing quietly to one side with his hands clasped.
According to the rules of the Martial Arts Assembly, participants received one Low-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure just for entering. Each victory in a round earned an additional one.
He had passed the eighth round, so including the participation reward, he was entitled to a total of nine Low-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
Fang Han’s gaze slowly swept over the catalogue of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures as he quickly weighed his options.
’My Body Technique Talent... I’ve only ever consumed the antlers of a Howling Moon Spirit Deer. There’s still significant room for improvement.’
’My Body Hardening Talent... I’ve only consumed one Golden Flame Sacred Lotus. That also has a lot of room to grow.’
’My Secret Technique Talent... I’ve consumed two Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for it, but there’s still room for improvement there, too.’
’As for my Root Bone Talent and Swordsmanship Talent, I’ve already taken four Low-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of the same type. My body has developed a strong resistance, so taking more would have a limited effect.’
’Unless I can get my hands on higher-quality, Mid-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.’
’Unfortunately, only passing the ninth round rewards a Mid-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, and I only made it through the eighth.’
’Three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for Body Technique Talent, three for Body Hardening Talent, two for Secret Technique Talent, and... one for Swordsmanship Talent.’
His mind made up, he looked up at the Steward and recited the names of the items he wanted.
The Steward noted them down one by one.
"As for Cultivation Techniques," the Steward spoke again, "since you passed the eighth round, Young Master Fang, you may select one Low Grade Realm Martial Arts and one Mid-grade Realm Martial Arts."
Fang Han nodded slightly and turned to the Cultivation Technique section of the catalogue.
There was a large selection of Low Grade Realm Martial Arts, covering categories like saber, sword, Fist and Palm techniques, Body Techniques, and Secret Techniques.
His gaze paused on the section for Tracking Secret Techniques.
’Among the Martial Arts I’m currently practicing, my Tracking Secret Technique is the lowest grade, a technique from below the Grandmaster realm.’
After a moment’s thought, he selected a Lower Grade Realm Tracking Secret Technique called the Soul-Chasing Technique.
Next was the Mid-grade Realm Martial Arts.
’In terms of Swordsmanship, the Void Wind God Sword I’m currently practicing—but haven’t yet reached the Entry Level with—is already at the Middle Grade Realm. I don’t need a replacement for that.’
’And compared to Body Technique, Horizontal Training, or other Secret Techniques, my Inner Qi Cultivation Technique is the absolute foundation. That’s undoubtedly the most important thing to upgrade.’
His gaze swept over the Inner Power category. He had originally considered choosing a Wind Attribute Inner Power Cultivation Technique, but his eyes ultimately landed on the description for a technique called the Cyan Wood Antitoxic Scripture.
The Inner Qi cultivated from this technique contained the vitality of flora. Not only was it abundant and pure, but it also possessed a wondrous detoxifying effect.
When mastered, ordinary poisons that entered the body would be automatically neutralized by one’s Inner Qi.
"When you’re out in the world, poison is the hardest thing to guard against," Fang Han murmured to himself.
’The Cyan Wood Antitoxic Scripture, a Middle Grade Inner Power martial art that can neutralize poison, combined with the detoxifying Shenshu Acupoint Divine Treasure I already possess... The two together would be enough to make me immune to most poisons, removing that constant worry.’
’Compared to the slight power boost a Wind Attribute cultivation technique would give my Wind Attribute Swordsmanship, an Inner Power technique with this kind of detoxifying effect is far more appealing.’
"This is the one. The Cyan Wood Antitoxic Scripture."
He closed the catalogue and announced his decision to the Steward.
The Steward made a note and said,
"The requested items must be retrieved from the Royal Family’s vaults. They will be delivered by tomorrow at the latest, and I will bring them to you personally."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Fang Han nodded slightly. The Steward bowed and took his leave.
...
「The next day.」
The Steward arrived promptly.
This time, he was followed by four Royal Villa guards dressed in sharp uniforms, each of whom carried a Wooden Box.
The four Wooden Boxes were placed in a row on the living room table. The Steward opened the lids one by one, inviting Fang Han to inspect the contents.
The first Wooden Box contained three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for enhancing Body Technique Talent, each with a different form.
There was a silvery-white Seven-leaf Spirit Grass with veins that seemed to shimmer with flowing light; a fist-sized, crimson fruit shaped like a bird; and a thumb-sized, pale cyan fruit covered in cloud-like patterns.
The second Wooden Box held three Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for improving Body Hardening Talent.
One was an Ancient Ginseng-like Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure with gnarled roots and a dark-gold color; another was a Ganoderma Thunder Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, black as ink with dark red markings on its surface; and the last was a fist-sized fruit, as white and lustrous as jade.
The third Wooden Box contained two Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for improving Secret Technique Talent.
There was an Eight-Petaled Purple Lotus, the edges of its petals glowing with a faint silver light, and a dark green fruit covered in fine, rune-like patterns.
The fourth Wooden Box held just one Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure for improving Swordsmanship Talent—
a Three-leaf Sword Grass, similar in appearance to Sword-shaped Grass but with three sword-shaped leaves.
"The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures in these four Wooden Boxes are the ones you redeemed, Young Master. Please inspect them," the Steward said, gesturing to the four dark cyan boxes.
Fang Han stepped forward to inspect them. They were indeed the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he had selected.
"Young Master, here are the Soul-Chasing Technique and the Cyan Wood Antitoxic Scripture you redeemed," the Steward said once Fang Han had finished his inspection. He then took two manuals from his sleeve and presented them solemnly.
"Thank you, Steward."
After briefly flipping through the manuals, Fang Han tucked them inside his robes. Only then did the Steward and his guards take their leave.