Chapter 981

Feng Xianlin saw Hu Xiaotian make a move, his heart jolted; in an instant he had put aside his contempt, stepped back with his right foot, instantly distancing himself from Hu Xiaotian, then his long sword slipped out of its sheath, making a reverse thrust from lower right to upper left, resting on the opponent's soft sword, he followed with a wrist turn pressing down, the internal energy he had stored for long transmitted along the blade, erupting at the point where the two swords clashed, the sword blade shuddered violently.

Hu Xiaotian also felt the overbearing power transmitted from the sword blade, secretly praising, indeed a Sword Palace master, considerably stronger than Qiu Muh Bai; Feng Xianlin although he had not reached the point of emitting sword qi externally, he had already achieved free control of internal energy, able to conduct internal energy through the bridge formed by the crossed swords during sparring, to achieve the purpose of attacking the opponent.

If it were an ordinary swordsman, Feng Xianlin's move would probably have shaken his sword from his hand; unfortunately Feng Xianlin encountered Hu Xiaotian, this guy with tremendous internal energy, a freak, Feng Xianlin simply could not match his internal strength; fortunately Hu Xiaotian did not use his powerful internal energy to directly clash with Feng Xianlin, but took the opportunity of sparring with this sword master to practice his own Spirit Snake Nine Swords.

The soft sword's blade tilted slightly, then the wrist rotated continuously, the sword body like a silver snake winding forward, climbing along the opponent's sword blade.

Feng Xianlin shook his arm, the sword blade swiftly withdrew; Hu Xiaotian's soft sword followed like a shadow, already thrusting at his throat; Feng Xianlin slightly turned his sword edge, using the sword body to block the opponent's soft sword blade, moved his right foot sideways, his body instantly pulling away from Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian also did not rush to continue pressing, he smiled and waved his soft sword twice in the air, nodded and said: "Not bad! A single sword piercing the heart does live up to its reputation."

Feng Xianlin's face flushed; in the recent exchange he had gained no advantage, being publicly mocked by Hu Xiaotian before everyone, an unpleasant feeling. If he did not bring out his secret skills, today he would not only fail to win, but might even suffer a humiliating defeat; with this thought, Feng Xianlin no longer considered holding back, raising his long sword. Since the founder of the Sword Palace, Lin Bai Tao, disappeared, the Sword Palace has never returned to its former prosperity; its disciples have not received Lin Bai Tao's true transmission, their swordsmanship has taken a light, agile, and strange path, with the motto being simply "speed".

Feng Xianlin made a sword gesture, his long sword attacked Hu Xiaotian like chasing wind and lightning; he was employing the Chasing Wind Sword Technique. In fact, Hu Xiaotian had already learned this set of swordsmanship from Qiu Muh Bai in Yongdu, defeating him at that time by emitting sword qi externally.

Although Feng Xianlin's technique is the same set as Qiu Muh Bai's, he is after all Qiu Muh Bai's martial uncle, his internal energy and understanding of the sword technique are far deeper; if Hu Xiaotian had met Feng Xianlin in Yongdu he would surely have lost. However, during this period he has had several fortunate encounters, and besides absorbing immense, unmatched internal energy from the monk Yuan Kong, the current Hu Xiaotian fears no master.

Sword light flickered. Feng Xianlin's sword speed was such that each strike was faster than the last, in everyone's eyes. His long sword had already transformed into myriad rays of light, these rays weaving into a huge net of light that enveloped Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian was also hard-pressed to respond; if he relied solely on the Spirit Snake Sword Technique he would not be sure of breaking through Feng Xianlin's Chasing Wind Sword Technique, seeing the opponent's fast swords surging like a violent storm. Hu Xiaotian could only choose to temporarily avoid the sharp edge, tapping his toes, his body suddenly rising several zhang, inhaling and exhaling, his body swooped down like a great bird onto the pavilion, exactly the Art of Soaring taught by Monk Bu Wu.

Feng Xianlin had been aroused to killing intent by him, shouting loudly: "Kid, don't run!"

Hu Xiaotian stood on the pavilion and laughed loudly: "Run? Would I run? If you've got the guts, come up here!"

Feng Xianlin stepped forward with one foot, one hand pointing at Hu Xiaotian, the other gripping his long sword, he leapt into the air, also lunging toward the pavilion.

Hu Xiaotian saw Feng Xianlin activate, a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth; he leapt from the top of the pavilion, looking down from above, raised his soft sword high and fiercely chopped toward Feng Xianlin, taking advantage of the terrain, looking down from above, intending to decide the victory with one sword; Hu Xiaotian originally thought his sword could emit sword qi, but his external emission of sword qi always fails at critical moments, and this time it was ineffective again; if Hu Xiaotian's weapon were the Hidden Edge Sword or a Black Iron Sword, even if he could not freely emit sword qi, he could still overwhelm Feng Xianlin with domineering force, but unfortunately this soft sword is simply too light to inflict significant damage on Feng Xianlin.

The two swords crossed; Feng Xianlin, after all, was at a disadvantage in terms of terrain, his body sank downward, as he fell his long sword transformed, thrusting toward Hu Xiaotian's lower abdomen.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed this vicious man, after all a renowned senior of the jianghu, actually using such a vicious sword technique against a junior like himself; Hu Xiaotian placed his soft sword against the opponent's sword blade, the breath in his Dantian Qi Sea expanded, his body rose another two zhang by regulating his breath, then he again glided forth using the Art of Soaring.

Laymen watch the excitement, experts watch the technique; among the onlookers there were no shortage of masters. Xiang Qin saw Hu Xiaotian's body technique, her expression showed some surprise; in her impression Hu Xiaotian was still that almost unskilled three-legged cat, unexpectedly after a period of not seeing him, this guy had transformed into a master, and moreover could fight to a draw with one of the Sword Palace's representatives.

Hu Xiaotian landed among the flower bushes, his feet stepping on the branches and leaves of the plants, displaying superb lightness skill.

Feng Xianlin closely pursued; when he reached near Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian immediately employed the Dog-Dodging Eighteen Steps, weaving back and forth among the flower bushes; even on open ground Feng Xianlin would not easily catch him, let alone with the trees and shrubs providing cover, the two chased each other, leaving the onlookers dazzled and bewildered.

Feng Xianlin actually now understood in his heart that he could not possibly defeat this youngster before him; the opponent had not yet revealed his true strength, merely observing his body technique and footwork, every aspect was exquisite to the extreme, not knowing his background or teacher, he might truly be a remarkable great figure; deep down Feng Xianlin had already begun to retreat. At this moment he happened to see Xiang Qin not far away, cheering for Hu Xiaotian; Feng Xianlin feigned a move, suddenly changed direction, and his long sword thrust toward Xiang Qin without any warning.

Everyone was startled; even someone like Xue Shengjing, who originally just came to watch the spectacle, could not help but secretly curse Feng Xianlin's baseness, after all he is also a notable figure in the jianghu, how could he discard even the most basic decency, actually ambushing a woman of the dust.

Hu Xiaotian also underestimated Feng Xianlin's shamelessness, never expecting him to launch a surprise attack on Xiang Qin.

The sword was like a shooting star, its tip emitting a point of cold light straight toward Xiang Qin's chest.

By the time Hu Xiaotian realized, it was already too late; seeing Feng Xianlin's long sword about to pierce Xiang Qin's chest, Xiang Qin remained calm, extending her white, plump right hand to grasp the sword, she seized it effortlessly, then her bulky, obese body suddenly sprang into action, her speed astonishing, in the eyes of the onlookers she left afterimages, her left punch accurately struck Feng Xianlin's jaw, this punch sent him flying sideways, Feng Xianlin landed in the flower bushes, falling more embarrassingly than his disciple Yang Yuanjie.

Xiang Qin held the long sword in her hand, as if her hand were not made of flesh and blood, the sharp blade caused her not a single injury.

Xiang Qin sighed and said: "What 'one sword pierces the heart'? It's merely an empty reputation." She gripped the sword blade and hilt with both hands, and with a little force actually broke the long sword in half, then casually tossed it onto the ground.

The onlookers stared wide-eyed; at this moment everyone understood that Xiang Qin, this woman of the dust, was a true master concealing her abilities, yet why such a master would appear in a place like Zhong Xiang Lou? Everyone guessed that Xiang Qin's appearance was no coincidence.

Hu Xiaotian looked at Feng Xianlin sprawled in the flower bushes in a sorry state, shook his head and sighed: "Hurry up and get lost before I change my mind!"

Feng Xianlin's face turned ashen, he dared not speak, he crawled up limping and walked outward.

The onlookers cheered in unison, the loudest cheers coming from the few serving girls.

Xue Shengjing raised a cup of wine and walked over to Xiang Qin, smiling: "Miss, tonight you truly broadened this king's horizons; come! This king toasts you with a cup."

Xiang Qin gave him no face, rolled her eyes, walked straight toward Hu Xiaotian, thus leaving Xue Shengjing out in the cold; when had Prince Yan Xue Shengjing ever suffered such a slight? For a moment his face flushed red, he was extremely embarrassed.

Hu Xiaotian originally thought Xiang Qin would speak to him, but he did not expect her to brush past him and continue toward the courtyard gate, a whisper from Xiang Qin reaching his ear: "Tonight at zi hour, the maple-lined bridge over the Huahua Creek."

Hu Xiaotian's heart gave a start; when he looked again, Xiang Qin had already walked away.

Xue Shengjing saw that Xiang Qin also ignored Hu Xiaotian, then he felt his dignity somewhat restored, he came to Hu Xiaotian's side, affectionately putting an arm around his shoulder and said: "Brother, never mind her, let me help you pick a better one."

Just then a sudden clamor of voices came from outside, a warrior approached to report: outside, a force of over a hundred soldiers had surrounded Zhong Xiang Lou on all sides.

Xue Shengjing's face darkened involuntarily, he said coldly: "What sort of person is this, spoiling the fun, daring to cause trouble here?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Eight or nine out of ten it's that bunch just now."

Xue Shengjing said: "I'll go check!"

Several people went out together; upon reaching outside they saw that indeed the lights were bright, a cavalry unit of over a hundred blocked the gate of Zhong Xiang Lou, the leader was precisely Yang Yuanjie, who had just been beaten, he immediately returned to fetch reinforcements, calling all the troops that had accompanied him this time, intending to capture Hu Xiaotian and the others and take them back for a thorough revenge.

Xue Shengjing gave a cold snort, Hu Xiaotian laughed: "This kid really doesn't know death." He turned toward Heg and said: "Big brother, someone wants to arrest you!" (To be continued~^~)