Desolate Devouring Art-Chapter 1009 - Two Defeats

Lu Yanghui confidently strode into the arena and stood face-to-face with Ling Xuelin. Both were formidable swordsmen who had clashed before, but neither had ever managed to claim victory.

"Lu Yanghui, I heard you argued with one of your manor's disciples on the way here. Is there any truth to that?" Ling Xuelin asked, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Everyone had heard Lu Yanghui openly mock Liu Wuxie on the way to the Divine Dragon Platform.

"That's an internal matter of the Renowned Sword Manor, and it has nothing to do with you. Take my sword!" Lu Yanghui spun the sword into a cascade of brilliant flowers, unleashing a formidable sword aura. He opened with a flourish that drew cheers from the crowd.

The spectators immediately recognized Lu Yanghui as a true swordsman. They were focused less on the outcome and more on witnessing a grand spectacle.

Even the experts in the special guest seats nodded in approval. Both had mastered a high level of swordsmanship.

"Lu Yanghui, don't assume they sent me second because I'm weaker. If you believe that, you're gravely mistaken. Half a year ago, I stepped into the Quasi-Earth Profound Realm and mastered the Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust!" Ling Xuelin's tone was calm, but everyone in the surroundings felt a chill running down their spines, especially the Renowned Sword Manor's disciples, whose hearts sank.

Ling Xuelin had reached the Quasi-Earth Profound Realm but chosen to fight second on purpose. The First Sword Manor had initially planned for him to face Shao Yuanyi, but Lu Yanghui had stepped in instead.

Lu Yanghui's eyes showed a flicker of tension. He knew his limit. Facing someone at the pinnacle of the Spirit Profound Realm was his limit. Trying to fight someone at the Quasi-Earth Profound Realm was impossible.

Worse still, Ling Xuelin had mastered the Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust.

The First Sword Manor hadn't develop this technique. Ling Xuelin had discovered it in an ice glacier, where a longsword had stayed frozen for countless years, still emanating a sword aura. That technique originated there and carried unimaginable power.

"We'll know after we fight!" Lu Yanghui snarled. His sword flashed like a meteor as it shot toward Ling Xuelin.

He launched a ferocious offense right from the start, trying to seize the initiative in the battle with his speed. That was his only chance. If Ling Xuelin gained control of the rhythm, it would be almost impossible for him to win.

"It's futile. I know your sword technique all too well," Ling Xuelin scoffed.

His sword twisted at a bizarre angle and appeared at Lu Yanghui's flank. The speed was so terrifying that even Liu Wuxie squinted with a grave expression. Even if he stepped into the arena to face Ling Xuelin, he would need to exert great effort to defeat him.

After all, today's battle focused solely on sword techniques, and the rules forbade the use of any other arts.

Liu Wuxie had never truly practiced swordsmanship since his debut. If allowed to use the Great Five Elemental Palm, he could easily crush a first-level Earth Profound opponent, but the rules restricted him to using sword techniques today.

"Young Master, this fight looks grim for us!" Shao Yuanyi said with a frown. Their opponents held the advantage.

"Don't assume defeat until the final moment," Miao Jianying replied, his gaze calm. If Lu Yanghui lost, the weight of the remaining battles would fall onto the remaining three representatives.

The upper echelons of the Renowned Sword Manor wore anxious expressions. They knew this battle was crucial in the duel. Though it wasn't the final match, it might have been the most decisive.

Ling Xuelin easily parried Lu Yanghui's sword and instantly countered with a wave of sword aura from his palm, blasting his opponent backward. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

The blast caught Lu Yanghui off guard and sent him stumbling back dozens of steps before he steadied himself.

"Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust!" Ling Xuelin bellowed. He aimed to end the battle swiftly, refusing to drag it out.

Since he had declared his cultivation, failing to end the match quickly would only embarrass him. To avoid that disgrace, he unleashed the Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust.

He unleashed his most potent attack, aiming to end the fight in a single, swift exchange. His attack surged out as a tidal wave of sword aura across the Divine Sword Platform, engulfing everything in its path.

"What a terrifying attack!" gasped the crowd, deeply captivated by Ling Xuelin's technique.

The power surpassed the limits of the Spirit Profound Realm and no ordinary cultivator at that level could withstand it.

"Lu Yanghui is in danger!" muttered the Renowned Sword Manor's disciples, their heads lowered. They didn't want to admit it, but couldn't deny the truth.

"What impressive sword technique!" shouted the spectators, who cheered for Ling Xuelin.

The cheers spurred Ling Xuelin on as he charged like a ferocious beast, giving Lu Yanghui no time to breathe.

Lu Yanghui failed to put up any meaningful resistance, sealing his inevitable defeat. Ling Xuelin completely suppressed his aura and sword techniques.

"Break!" Lu Yanghui went so far as to ignite his blood essence. He was determined to tear off a piece of Ling Xuelin's flesh, even if he lost.

Ling Xuelin seized the chance to mock his opponent and the Renowned Sword Manor. "You're too weak! Are these the sword techniques of the Renowned Sword Manor? Pathetic!"

His mockery instantly enraged the Renowned Sword Manor's disciples, who glared at him with burning eyes. However, they could do nothing as victory could be achieved only through strength, not words.

"Look at the sky—quick!" someone shouted.

Ice-attribute energy poured from the sky and fused with Ling Xuelin's attack. This was the true power of the Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust. It drew strength from the surrounding natural laws.

Cold blanketed Northern City year-round, making any sword technique infused with ice elements naturally unstoppable.

Ling Xuelin's pressure shattered Lu Yanghui's sword aura, leaving him no room to retreat from the overwhelming Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust.

Though Lu Yanghui tried to shift his stance, Ling Xuelin firmly suppressed him at every turn.

"Lu Yanghui, our fight is over!" Ling Xuelin roared.

In a flash, both he and his sword vanished. This was the essence of the Mountain-Piercing Sword Thrust. Like a meteor, Ling Xuelin reappeared before Lu Yanghui and caught him off guard.

Ling Xuelin's sword aura tore through the air and gashed Lu Yanghui's arm deeply. But instead of ending the fight, he humiliated Lu Yanghui with drawn-out attacks.

He struck relentlessly, opening wound after wound until blood soaked Lu Yanghui's entire body. Ling Xuelin would have killed Lu Yanghui outright if so many experts weren't watching.

Ling Xuelin roared and blasted a wave of sword aura into Lu Yanghui's chest like a tidal wave.

"URGH!" Lu Yanghui cried out as he spewed blood and flew from the arena under the force of the blow. He crashed to the ground and lost consciousness. No one knew whether pain or humiliation had broken him.

The First Sword Manor claimed another overwhelming victory in the second match.

Now, the Renowned Sword Manor faced only one path forward: win the next three matches or lose the entire duel.

Miao Feiyu's expression finally turned grim. The Renowned Sword Manor now relied on the last three representatives.

The remaining representatives, especially Shao Yuanyi, who was weaker than Lu Yanghui, bore the crushing weight of responsibility.

Even when Lu Yanghui had fallen so easily, how could Shao Yuanyi stand a chance?

Conversely, the First Sword Manor's disciples stood tall, burning with confidence and high morale. They needed one more win to clinch the victory, making the final two matches irrelevant.

"The Renowned Sword Manor should just hand over the Heavenly Xun Sword and spare themselves more humiliation," someone in the crowd muttered. After all, continuing the match would only bring more disgrace to the Renowned Sword Manor.

At least they could lessen their shame by surrendering now.

The disciples of the Renowned Sword Manor glared furiously at the commentor, but their leaders said nothing.

A burly man radiating an aura stronger than Zhou Biao's stepped forward and introduced, "He Lai of the First Sword Manor."

He then challenged, "Come!"

Miao Jianying hesitated. He considered stepping in, knowing only he could turn the tide.

"Young Master, let me handle this one!" Shao Yuanyi took a step forward. She knew retreat was no longer an option. If she retreated, it would leave a fracture in her dao heart.

"Target his lower body and give it everything you've got. Don't let him catch his breath," Liu Wuxie's voice echoed in Shao Yuanyi's mind.

Shao Yuanyi turned her head toward Liu Wuxie in surprise.

However, Liu Wuxie looked away, pretending not to notice. After all, he considered it rude to offer unsolicited advice, especially when his cultivation was lower than Shao Yuanyi's.

If he gave her advice openly, she might take it as an insult. That's why he used voice transmission for subtlety. Whether she took his advice or not, he had said what he needed to say.

The Renowned Sword Manor now placed its fate in the hands of the heavens.

Shao Yuanyi said nothing and continued toward the arena. She didn't know why Liu Wuxie had said those words. Maybe he had seen something she hadn't, or he was toying with her. But she had no time to dwell on it, as He Lai was already waiting in the arena.

"Since you're a woman, I'll be gentle when I teach you a lesson," He Lai sneered, lacing his words with cold disdain. His tone made it clear that he intended to humiliate Shao Yuanyi, regardless of her gender.

"Come!" Shao Yuanyi shook her sword and drew a sword flower.

He Lai wielded a massive greatsword, far thicker than Shao Yuanyi's sword. A single swing whipped up storms, sending shockwaves rumbling across the arena.

Shao Yuanyi kept retreating under the pressure of He Lai's overpowering swordsmanship. His moves lacked flair, but his attacks blocked every attempt she made to get close. This was going to be a brutal fight.

Her swordsmanship emphasized agility, while He Lai relied on brute strength. They clashed as polar opposites, like yin and yang, but He Lai forced her to be at a disadvantage as the fight progressed.

He Lai unleashed an immense wave of sword aura with each swing, constantly forcing Shao Yuanyi to retreat, and the latter was already struggling when the fight had just begun. If this continued, Shao Yuanyi would be forced out of the arena soon.

After just five moves from He Lai, Shao Yuanyi had retreated more than a dozen steps—she now stood only ten meters from the edge of the arena.

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