Chapter 118: Slay the Wind and Thunder, Sever the Kirin!

As the laughter rolled out, the figures atop the low building swooped down like goshawks, using the crowd as stepping stones to sweep into the arena, kicking up fierce gusts of wind.

The crowd hurriedly looked over and saw that these figures who had forcefully intervened were all wearing suits, with high noses and deep-set eyes, and an arrogant air about them; they were clearly all people from Sha'e Country.

And the one who had just called himself Aojinniezi was the elderly Sha'e man in the lead, who looked to be over fifty.

Although his appearance was slightly weathered, his body was exceptionally burly and imposing, standing a full eight feet tall; just standing there, he felt as insurmountable as a high mountain, and there was an indescribable sense of wild dominance in his eagle-eyed, wolf-like gaze.

Seeing this group of uninvited guests, the thousands of onlookers around gasped:

"Aojinniezi?"

"That's a Sha'e name; they've actually come to settle scores too!"

"Hiss, look at the one leading them—could he also be a Seventh Realm Grandmaster?"

"A Seventh Realm Grandmaster from Sha'e Country, a Title War God?"

And at this moment.

Having had his duel interrupted, Kanze Masamune's expression turned icy, his gaze piercing like a sword toward the leader who called himself Aojinniezi:

"Aojinniezi... I seem to have heard your name. If I recall correctly, you should be one of the twelve Sky Title War Gods of Sha'e Country?"

"Correct!"

Behind Aojinniezi, Takov, who had already been stripped of his rank, stepped out and shouted arrogantly, borrowing the power of his superior:

"This is the Honorary Cross Star General of our great Sha'e Empire, the incomparably noble and powerful Sha'e noble, Sky Title War God, Lord Naryshkin-Aojinniezi!"

Aojinniezi looked straight at Lu Yuan, revealing a fierce smile like a lion looking at a sheep:

"So you're the brat who nearly beat Ogliev into a cripple on the ring. Today is such a joyous occasion, and as Ogliev's elder, I've come to play with you too—you wouldn't refuse, would you?"

This long string of titles confirmed the guesses of the onlookers and guests present, and they immediately began to discuss it in an uproar:

"Sky Title War God? This kind of title can only be obtained by the top powerhouses of the Sha'e Empire; I'm afraid they are no less than our Martial Arts Grandmasters!"

"Sending a person of this caliber—could it be just to settle the score for the failure in the ring last time?"

"Aojinniezi... listening to this person's name, I'm afraid he has some family relation to that Ogliev from before?"

"Hiss, this is trouble. First a Sword Dao Grandmaster from Sunlight Country, then a Title War God from Sha'e. I wonder if Pavilion Master Lu can pass this test today?"

In Sha'e Country, only those who have cultivated the Savage Martial Arts to the highest Seventh-tier are qualified to be titled War God. Since these belong to the ranks of the world's top-tier powerhouses, the surrounding crowd was in an uproar, their expressions tense as they couldn't help but worry for Lu Yuan.

After all, a Sword Dao Grandmaster from Sunlight Country was already difficult to deal with, and now a Title War God from Sha'e had appeared. No matter how peerless a genius Lu Yuan was, he lacked the time to accumulate experience; in all aspects, he was likely unable to match such veteran powerhouses. How could such a scene end?

Compared to the boiling uproar of the crowd, Kanze Masamune, as a Sword Dao Grandmaster of Japan, was naturally unmoved, saying indifferently:

"It seems Lord Aojinniezi has come here today to duel Lu Yuan as well, but there is always an order to things. Why did you interrupt my duel?"

Aojinniezi laughed loudly:

"Need you ask? Of course, it's because I was worried you'd beat this brat to death, and I would have made the trip for nothing! So, let me take this first fight!"

Clang!

No sooner had he finished speaking than a ringing sound was heard; Kanze Masamune had already pointed the Kirin Fang in his hand at him, his gaze filled with killing intent:

"I do not allow anyone to interfere with or disrupt my sword duel with Lu Yuan, even if it is you. If you insist on doing so, then you and I shall fight first!"

"Hmm?"

Aojinniezi's eyes narrowed, and he smiled grimly:

"Kanze Masamune, I have also heard of your reputation, but your so-called Imperial God General and Sword Dao Grandmaster titles are merely for lording over that tiny, pellet-sized land of Japan. How can it compare to our great Sha'e Empire?"

Kanze Masamune was not angered:

"You barbarians are just lucky to have occupied a vast expanse of land from birth. If our Great Sun Nation possessed such vast land and rich resources, we would have already built the most powerful country, and would not be living under the Shenluo like you are even now."

A dangerous look appeared in Aojinniezi's eyes: "Good, then let me see, you..."

"Enough!"

At this moment, Lu Yuan, who had been waiting impatiently, interrupted their gunpowder-filled conversation, his voice like thunder, spreading in all directions:

"Fighting one is a fight, and fighting two is a fight. Since you both want to compete, then come at me together!"

What!?

As the words echoed far and wide in the air, everyone—whether it was the principals Kanze Masamune and Aojinniezi, or Wu Yixian, Li Junxian, Lin Xingchao, and so on—all changed color.

Kanze Masamune was the first to turn his head, shouting coldly:

"Lu Yuan, are you insulting us?"

Aojinniezi was also so angry he laughed:

"You death-seeking thing, what kind of people are we? Coming here is already giving you enough face. A mere brat like you is worthy of fighting both of us at once? I'm afraid you won't even last three moves before you die without a whole corpse!"

Lu Yuan laughed loudly:

"Just based on you? Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and come at me together, let me see if you two have that kind of ability!"

Such an arrogant and conceited response was almost unreasonable. Not to mention Aojinniezi being so angry he was fuming, even the surrounding guests had their eyelids twitching, feeling terrified.

Especially the veteran figures like Wu Yixian of the Martial Arts Association, and even Li Junxian, Lin Xingchao, and others, were even more shocked and suspicious, not knowing if Lu Yuan was using a provocation tactic or if he really had such intentions.

Unlike the previous Ogliev and Sangtian Hengyi.

Kanze Masamune and Aojinniezi were truly top-tier powerhouses of the world, each one an existence comparable to Wu Yixian.

In a martial arts duel or a life-and-death struggle, even Wu Yixian himself had no confidence in being able to fight two at once, so where did Lu Yuan get his confidence?

In such a situation.

Kanze Masamune glanced at Aojinniezi and said slowly:

"If you and I keep arguing, neither of us will benefit. Let me go first, or do you really intend to attack with me?"

As a Cross Star General and Title War God, Aojinniezi had traveled thousands of miles to get here, which was already condescending enough; naturally, he could not bring himself to lower his status and gang up on someone, so he immediately said coldly:

"Fine, I'll give you some face and let you go first!"

Having said that, he waved his hand and retreated to the edge of the arena with his few followers.

At this time, Kanze Masamune looked at Lu Yuan:

"The obstacle between you and me is removed; we may begin."

Lu Yuan lightly raised the blade of the Seven Star Dragon Abyss, his gaze calm: "Come."

Kanze Masamune nodded, then piously raised the Kirin Fang in his hand, his eyes, previously as still as an ancient well, suddenly snapping open.

His pair of pupils instantly became incomparably bright and piercing, as if a Heavenly King were enraged, with thunder blooming from within them; if a person with a weak constitution and deficient Qi were to make contact with this gaze, they might be frightened into fainting.

However, immediately following this, even brighter and more piercing than his gaze was a streak of cold, bone-chilling blade light, like the first light of dawn, moving through the stormy night like a thunder dragon or an electric snake!

In Sunlight Country, there is no distinction between sword and blade; the so-called Sword Dao is also Blade Dao. One saw Kanze Masamune take a step and slash out with his blade. Under the infusion of internal energy, a fierce light bloomed on the blade's edge, as if a raging flame had been ignited, pulling out a scorching blade-light storm that covered the sky and earth, instantly enveloping Lu Yuan entirely within the blade's momentum with the force of sweeping away a thousand troops!

In less than an instant, a radius of several dozen zhang and even further away was enveloped by the sound of the blade, which resembled the roar of a dragon.

Under this strike, all the air in its path seemed to be burned away in an instant, giving everyone nearby the illusion of suffocating to death, being torn limb from limb, and being ground into powder by the dazzling, piercing blade-light storm.

Facing this terrifying offensive, Lu Yuan's gaze remained as calm as ever, and the Seven Star Dragon Abyss in his hand was swung out amidst the sound of a dragon's roar.

Clang—

A magnificent sword light soared into the sky. Compared to the overwhelming, blinding blade-light storm, this sword light had little momentum; it was elusive, formless and indefinite, like a meteor flashing across the endless starry sky, and just like that, it lightly and dreamily tore into and pierced the roaring blade light.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—

The next moment, the blade light, sword light, and even the bursting sparks seemed to collide and bloom dozens or hundreds of times in this instant, the deafening, ear-piercing clashing sounds shaking all directions!

Whether it was the dazzling sharp light or the sound of metal clashing, it made the eyes of the thousands of spectators on the sidelines ache, forcing them to involuntarily close their eyes and cover their ears.

The hurricane stirred up was deafening, and the brilliant blade light and sword shadows, like ten thousand flowers blooming at once, flashed out of thin air, submerging the figures of Lu Yuan and Kanze Masamune, forming an indescribably shocking picture.

In the instant before an ordinary person could even blink, the sound of metal clashing accompanied by dazzling sparks rang out in a continuous stream, and the surging sharp Qi cut in all directions, instantly carving dozens or hundreds of deep blade marks and sword marks on the ground!

Even from ten zhang away, the spectators on the sidelines only felt as if they had fallen into a blade hell, or had fallen into a turbulent, raging wave composed entirely of ten thousand sword edges; just looking at it made them feel as if they were being sliced by a thousand blades!

Bang!

After dozens of fierce exchanges amidst the blade light and sword shadows, the two figures crossed paths.

The difference was that Lu Yuan stood holding his sword, retreating lightly by two steps, while Kanze Masamune seemed to have suffered some unbearable impact, his figure flying backward for several meters.

"Good Sword Technique, good strength!"

Before the spectators on the sidelines could recover from the intense battle, Kanze Masamune stopped his retreat, his eyes staring fixedly at Lu Yuan opposite him:

"Incredible. Among all the young swordsmen I have seen, you are the first. What is this Sword Technique?"

In his tone was uncontrollable shock.

Through the description and drills of his disciple Sangtian Hengyi, he had already overestimated Lu Yuan's Sword Technique enough, but he had not expected that when they actually started fighting, he had still underestimated him.

The opponent's Sword Technique was as fast as the wind and as swift as thunder, and it was at the pinnacle of perfection, completely on par with his own, not at all like something a young person could master.

And more importantly, every strike of the opponent contained a destructive, terrifying power impact, which even he, with his Seventh Realm Ninja Martial Arts cultivation, found somewhat strenuous to deal with!

Such a person, such an age, such a Sword Technique—all of it combined was inconceivable. Even with his extensive experience, he could not imagine that there could be such a god-like talent in the world!

And facing Kanze Masamune's shocked inquiry.

Lu Yuan smiled, somewhat delighted to find such a worthy opponent: "This sword is called the Wind Thunder Death-Defying Sword. Your Sword Dao is not bad either; it is much stronger than your disciple's."

Compared to Sangtian Hengyi, whose arm was severed by a single sword strike, Kanze Masamune's so-called Sword Dao was indeed ten or a hundred times stronger, completely on par with the 【Sword Technique】 he currently mastered, and even slightly superior.

Moreover, he could feel that in the process of fighting the opponent, the effect of the 【Sword Technique】's Sword Heart Clarity seemed to play a greater role, allowing him to more quickly absorb and transform experience during the fight, rapidly improving his mastery of the Sword Technique.

Clearly, having a true Sword Dao Grandmaster spar and feed him moves allowed the Sword Heart Clarity effect to absorb nourishment to a greater degree.

This discovery also made Lu Yuan quite pleasantly surprised, and he wished he could fight Kanze Masamune for another three hundred rounds.

"Wind Thunder Death-Defying Sword... It seems that I have stayed in my country for too long and am truly somewhat ignorant."

However, not knowing this, Kanze Masamune took a deep breath:

"I already know your level of Sword Technique; it indeed has the demeanor of a Grandmaster. Next, let us decide the victory with one strike!"

Realizing that he would be at an even greater disadvantage if he continued to tangle with Lu Yuan's innate Godly Strength, he immediately gave a low shout. The aura on his body emitted rolling heat waves like a volcanic eruption, and a layer of invisible Qi flame vaguely appeared.

It was strikingly the iconic ability of a Seventh Realm martial arts expert: True Qi.

At this moment, Kanze Masamune seemed to mobilize all his internal energy and poured it entirely into the Kirin Fang in his hand, causing it to vibrate continuously and bloom with a faint light, as if it had gained life and spirituality.

Subsequently, he stepped forward and raised his blade to slash at Lu Yuan.

During the movement, the ground within a radius of one zhang under his feet first shook, and then the soil and sand collapsed silently. At the same time, the blade light seemed to cross space and arrive in an instant!

Silently, the wind was cut off, the void was divided, and the earth was split.

Under this seemingly ordinary, casual strike that carried not the slightest hint of smoke or fire, the formless air and the ground the blade edge swept over all split silently. As this strike was swung out, it seemed to form an invincible, invisible force field that cut and pushed everything aside, giving the impression that even if a ten-thousand-zhang-high mountain stood in the way, it would be severed by this strike!

"Very good!"

In an instant, Lu Yuan also infused his Dharma Power. The sword light of the Seven Star Dragon Abyss in his hand rolled like a raging dragon, and the sword strike was like lightning flashing and striking chaotically, the cold, majestic, and sharp intent—like a punishment of wind and thunder descending from Heaven upon the world—sweeping in all directions!

The sword light moved freely, sweeping across; the sound of splitting the air was like thunder, the momentum was monstrous, and even ghosts and gods could not escape!

At this instant, Kanze Masamune, who was attacking with all his might, also felt his heart tremble.

At this moment, time seemed to have slowed down, and his senses became exceptionally keen.

The scorching sword light, the air being cut and torn all around, and the shocked and surprised reactions of the people around—everything seemed to have come to a standstill.

In his eyes, there remained only that streak of wild sword light that filled his vision, carrying the intent to cleanse the world and sweep away everything!

Clang!

The next instant, like a meteor exploding, the collision of blade light and sword shadows immediately bloomed with piercing sharp light and emitted a heaven-shaking sound!

And everyone, in this instant where time seemed to have frozen, clearly saw that the Kirin Fang in Kanze Masamune's hand only held on for an instant, and then, amidst a mournful cry, it could no longer support itself and instantly snapped apart!

This Sword Dao Grandmaster of the Sunlight Country, at the level of an Imperial God General, had his signature blade—which was comparable to his second life—actually slashed in two by Lu Yuan's Seven Star Dragon Abyss in one go!

(End of chapter)