Chapter 360: Astonishment Beyond Words
Upon beholding the true countenance of the sword's radiance, all those present were left utterly dumbfounded.
At the moment when the little girl emitted a radiant sword light from her mouth, they were under the impression that this young maiden had also cultivated some divine weaponry or precious artifact.
However, they now realize that it was nothing but expelled saliva.
This young maiden, with a mere spit, vanquished the sword radiance that Buddhist Layman Sanye had dedicated his life to refining?
People looked at Xiao Ai's expression, filled with astonishment.
This scene, compared to Xiao Ai directly shattering Hong Tianba with a punch, was even more inconceivable.
After all, Hong Tianba's cultivation level was not high, but Buddhist Layman Sanye could be considered one of the more powerful cultivators among the crowd.
However, even Buddhist Layman Sanye, despite being so powerful, was defeated in such a ridiculous manner by this young maiden... and what's more, he suffered such a miserable defeat that he couldn't even withstand a single move.
The anger in the hearts of the cultivators burned even more intensely.
Indeed, as the saying goes, "Like master, like servant!"
This Huo Feng of the Yun Sect is so arrogant, and his sword attendant is equally insolent.
These two, master and servant, are truly excessively arrogant, relying on their formidable strength to act tyrannically... This humiliation today, I absolutely cannot tolerate!
While the cultivators grew increasingly furious, Buddhist Layman Sanye, on the other hand, clutched his chest, gazing blankly at the fallen golden sword, his whole being bewildered.
"No... this cannot be... impossible!"
Upon witnessing this situation, the surrounding cultivators quickly supported him and helped him down, allowing him to rest.
While Xiao Ai, with her silver hair and animal ears, coldly gazed at the people present, she said, "Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me? Step forward quickly, and don't waste my time."
The words of provocation such as these are tantamount to trampling on the dignity of everyone present, further fueling the growing anger among the cultivators.
Immediately, someone stepped forward and said, "Allow me to have a contest with you."
The person who spoke instantly caught the attention of everyone.
It was a young gentleman dressed in exquisite attire, holding a folding fan, exuding extraordinary charm.
Upon seeing his willingness to take action, all the cultivators breathed a sigh of relief.
This young gentleman is named Lie Yi, a talented and handsome member of the Lie clan, one of the prominent clans in the capital city. He is a skilled successor brought forth by Lie Lao.
Although young, being under forty years of age, his cultivation level far surpassed that of ordinary individuals. Even among the cultivators present, this gentleman, Lie Yi, could be considered as one of the top elites.
On the verge of completing the condensation of the five vital energies within his chest, he could step into the realm of the Triple Primordial at any moment.
Furthermore, coupled with the Lie clan's numerous secret techniques and extraordinary lineage, any action taken by the esteemed Lie Yi is bound to elicit a distinct response.
In the gaze of everyone's anticipation, Lie Yi stepped out from the crowd and approached Xiao Ai, saying, "I am Lie Yi, a member of the esteemed Lie clan. May I inquire about the surname of the young lady?"
Confronted with this arrogant little girl, even though she was rude and uncivilized, Lie Yi still extended her face and respect.
However, Xiao Ai was not falling for his tricks.
Confronted with Lie Yi donning extravagant attire, Xiao Ai coldly remarked, "Why put on such a pretentious act? If you want to fight, then fight. Your insincere facade is truly nauseating."
The little girl showed no mercy and this group of people directed hateful remarks towards the Wolf God, leaving her with no favorable impression of them.
Even if Lie Yi carried herself with grace, she found it disgusting- "If you truly understand manners, why didn't you speak up when everyone was ganging up on my master just now? What are you pretending to be a good person for now? Bah!"
Xiao Ai's gaze was icy, while Lie Yi slightly hesitated and helplessly said, "Since it is so, then please enlighten me, young lady."
Not far away, Nangong Hao frowned as he observed the situation and couldn't help but transmit his voice, "Lie Lao, this young girl's strength is extraordinary, and her background is unclear. Should we stop the young Master Lie and let the younger generation take over?"
Nangong Hao was worried that this young master who came from the capital city would lose face in public to the little girl in front of him.
After all, if Lie Yi were to lose face, Lie Lao's reputation would undoubtedly be at stake as well.
However, Lie Lao shook his head and said, "Let him go, even if he loses, it's for the best. It will prevent him from being conceited and underestimating the heroes of the world."
Lie Lao's mindset was quite tranquil.
Therefore, Nangong Hao refrained from speaking any further.
Meanwhile, in the arena, adorned in exquisite attire, Lie Yi stepped forward and addressed Xiao Ai, saying, "Fair maiden, do you wish to compete in magical artifacts or arcane techniques?"
This debonair gentlemanly figure, Lie Yi, indeed possesses exceptional demeanor. Despite Xiao Ai's offensive words, he still maintains his composure. Coupled with his handsome appearance and privileged background, numerous female cultivators in the crowd gaze at him with admiration and their hearts are filled with envy.
However, Xiao Ai furrowed her brow and said, "Are you treating this as a mere game? Must we establish rules? Just use your most formidable means to attack, and let victory or defeat be determined by our abilities... Are you also bound by limitations when engaging in a life-and-death duel?"
Xiao Ai's words left Lie Yi increasingly astonished.
The little girl before him surprisingly didn't play by the rules.
Could it be that in her eyes, this is a life-or-death battle?
With these thoughts in mind, Lie Yi closed his folding fan and his expression became solemn.
"Apologies for my abruptness, please pardon me, young lady."
After finishing his words, Lie Yi's mind stirred, and he directly summoned his most powerful treasured weapon, the Cracked Dome Blade.
From the darkness, a gleaming dark-golden blade emerged, but instead of launching a direct assault, it circled in front of Lie Yi.
Lie Yi said, "Young lady, be careful!"
As the voice faded, the Cracked Dome Blade in front of Lie Yi disappeared from the sight of the crowd.
To my surprise, in an instant, it vanished from this world.
Upon witnessing this scene, all the cultivators became filled with excitement.
The Cracked Dome Blade, known as a renowned Magical Tool of the Lie clan, possesses a razor-sharp blade that is difficult to anticipate. It can effortlessly cut through space and transcend into realms beyond, only to abruptly unleash its lethal strike.
It can be described as elusive and difficult for ordinary people to defend against.
Did this young master Lie Yi actually unleash this most powerful killing technique directly?
They all turned to look at the silver-haired girl with animal ears, wanting to see how this fierce girl from the south would respond.
Upon the main table, Lie Lao's expression also displayed a subtle astonishment, as he had not anticipated Lie Yi directly summoning forth the formidable Cracked Dome Blade.
He furrowed his brows and transmitted his voice, saying, "We must not unleash our ultimate technique. Merely defeating and chastising him will suffice to uphold the reputation of our beloved Youxiong Country. That Huo Feng of the Yun Sect possesses considerable strength, so let us avoid forging a truly fatal enmity with him."
Lie Lao earnestly entreated with concern, fearing that Lie Yi might harbor murderous intentions or find it difficult to restrain himself once his techniques were exhausted.
Lie Yi nodded, indicating his understanding.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the scene, the silver-haired girl with animal ears coldly uttered.
"Dare you still daydream... seeking death!"
In the instant when the voice fell, the little girl in the midst of the scene swiftly transformed into a blur of afterimages and charged directly towards a certain direction.
In the span of a moment, the fleeing brilliance broke through the distance between the two individuals, reaching a speed so rapid that even Lie Yi couldn't react in time.
In the instant that the Cracked Dome Blade was swung from the void, it somehow cleaved through empty space.
And Xiao Ai's right hand had already reached towards Lie Yi's countenance.
In the blink of an eye, the distance between the two sides had narrowed down to merely an inch!
Lie Yi's heart, suddenly skipped a beat, yet he couldn't even react in time to what had just happened.
Before his eyes, there was simply no trace of Xiao Ai's figure.
Because the rapid disappearance in this fleeting moment had surpassed the speed of light, Xiao Ai in the eyes of people remained motionless in her original position!
However, amidst this critical moment, the strike of the Cracked Dome Blade, which cleaved through empty space, abruptly vanished, only to reappear with preemptive speed, surging forth from Lie Yi's front and directly aiming its cleave towards Xiao Ai.
The automatic protective enchantment of a top-tier Magical Tool was so swift that it even surpassed Xiao Ai's speed!
Among all the cultivators present, only Lu Heng, Nangong Hao, and Lie Yang managed to discern the fleeting exchange in that brief moment.
Lie Yang and Nangong Hao instantly rose to their feet, wearing expressions of profound astonishment on their faces.
They knew this young girl was formidable, but they never anticipated her strength to be this exceptional!
This skill... At the very least, the speed of this escaping light is no less than that of an innate talent!
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Ai's figure returned to its original position.
However, the dark golden Cracked Dome Blade silently descended in front of Lie Yi, momentarily severing the connection with him.
Within the Qushui Village, all the cultivators were completely dumbfounded.
In their eyes, the silver-haired girl with animal ears seemingly stood still and didn't do anything, yet the Cracked Dome Blade of Lie Yi inexplicably fell down.
Meanwhile, Lie Lao and City Lord Nangong abruptly rose from their seats, their faces filled with astonishment as if they had witnessed an incomprehensible scene... What exactly occurred in that fleeting moment earlier?
The crowd was utterly stunned, while Lie Yi's face turned pale, and his back was drenched in cold sweat.
Through the connection between his consciousness and the Cracked Dome Blade, he vaguely understood what had occurred in that fleeting moment just now.
The speed at which this young girl struck was astonishingly beyond his utmost capacity to react. If it weren't for the timely protection of the Cracked Dome Blade, he would have suffered a miserable defeat.
-But even though the Cracked Dome Blade saved him, in that brief moment, the uncontrolled Cracked Dome Blade was subject to tens of thousands of instantaneous strikes from the girl's fists, causing it to lose all its spiritual energy and sever its connection with him.
Returning this time, it seems that he will have to meticulously cultivate for a long time in order to once again master the usage of this top-tier Magical Tool.
With this in mind, Lie Yi's face wore a bitter expression as he respectfully gestured to Xiao Ai and said, "My skills are inferior... I, Lie Yi, humbly admit defeat."
After saying that, Lie Yi's complexion turned pale as he withdraws, appearing next to Lie Yang.
"Uncle..." Lie Yi called out.
Lie Yang, however, patted his shoulder and said, "Focus on your cultivation."
After saying that, Lie Yang and Nangong Hao looked simultaneously at the little girl in the field, as well as Huo Feng of the Yun Sect, who was still smiling behind the girl.
Regarding such an outcome, Huo Feng appeared completely unsurprised, as if everything was within his grasp.
Upon witnessing such a situation, Lie Yang couldn't help but feel a hint of anger welling up within his heart.
When he was in the Zhuxian Town that day, he already anticipated that this individual was extraordinary and possessed great power. However, he hadn't expected the same level of dreadfulness from this person's maid.
This master and servant indeed possess the ability to be arrogant.
However, the current situation is not an ordinary confrontation but rather a scenario where cultivators from the southern region have come to provoke, compelling the Youxiong Country to take action.
The Youxiong Country's side will never retreat.
Lie Yang said, "City Lord Nangong, go and experience the methods of this cultivator from the southern region, so as not to tarnish the prestige of our Youxiong Country."
At this moment, Lie Yang finally agreed to let Nangong Hao take action.
Although there are cultivators stronger than Lie Yi in the realm of cultivators, having Nangong Hao to intervene might raise suspicions of bullying the weak and taking advantage of the situation.
However, Lie Yi was defeated too quickly and mercilessly just now, and this young girl's movement technique is unusually fast. It is more reliable to have Nangong Hao, a true innate cultivator, take action.
At the very least, in the upcoming battle, the Youxiong Country's side must win, and win decisively! Leaving no room for the young girl to put up any resistance.
This way, Lie Yang can step forward to take control and promptly suppress the increasingly intense hostility between both sides.
And, to prevent the possibility of that man in white taking action...
At this point, Lie Yang has already confirmed the formidable strength of Huo Feng of the Yun Sect. Even his sword servant is so powerful, indicating that Huo Feng himself must be even more terrifying.
It is most appropriate to frame the conflict between both sides as a battle of spirit.
If this Huo Feng of the Yun Sect were to step onto the stage, it is feared that Nangong Hao would not be able to withstand it, necessitating his intervention.
And if he were to step onto the stage, if he wins, it would be fine; but if he loses, the Youxiong Country would be utterly defeated.
It is a significant blow to the reputation of the Lie clan.
Lie Yang pondered in his heart, never expecting that he would be cornered into such a desperate situation by two individuals, a master and a servant, from the southern region.
Within the Fire Pass Country, apart from Emperor Yan, who cultivates the divine path of incense and fire, and the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain, who dominates over evildoers, there has unexpectedly emerged such a powerful human martial artist.
Lie Yang gazed at the young girl with silver hair and animal ears, as well as the white-clad Huo Feng of the Yun Sect, and felt a sense of admiration in his heart.
As for the possibility of this one master and one servant being the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain... Previously, when in Zhuxian Town, Lie Yang did indeed have a fleeting thought of such a possibility.
However, that was merely a fleeting moment of whimsical thoughts, and it was never taken seriously.
Having witnessed Xiao Ai's actions with his own eyes, he completely dispelled the possibility of such speculation.
It is rumored among the people that the Sword Master Xiao Ai possesses formidable strength and is an ancient predecessor who has accompanied the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain for countless years. With gray hair and a youthful appearance, she exudes an aura of wisdom and maturity. Her killing techniques are icy and merciless, unleashing a horrifying scene of sword energy sweeping across the land, making all living beings within a thousand miles wail in agony. This truly defies the order of heaven.
Therefore, the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain has always forbidden Xiao Ai from taking action.
In most cases, Xiao Ai merely follows behind the Wolf God as a sword attendant.
However, the little girl before my eyes, despite also having silver hair and animal ears, is arrogant, domineering, and bullies the weak with a sense of superiority. She completely lacks the wise and composed demeanor of an ancient predecessor like Sword Master Xiao Ai. How could she possibly be Xiao Ai?
These two individuals, master and servant, have come from the Southern Kingdom. It seems that after the fame of the Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain spread, a trend of imitating the master and servant of the Wolf God has emerged within the Fire Pass Country.
That is why Huo Feng and his servant are dressed in such a manner...
Having pondered extensively in his heart, Lie Yang was planning how to act later, while Nangong Hao had already arrived in the field and approached the little girl ahead.
"Little child, I have come to spar with you."
Nangong Hao's appearance left all the cultivators stunned.
This... City Lord Nangong personally taking action?
They all looked towards Lie Lao, finding it somewhat difficult to accept.
City Lord Nangong is indeed a master at the Innate Realm! Even in the entire southern region of the Youxiong Country, he is known as one of the few cultivators. Yet now, they actually made him step onto the field?
If this spreads, wouldn't it imply that the Youxiong Country bullies the weak? Taking advantage of the elderly against the young?
Or perhaps, is this silver-haired girl with beast ears actually equipped with the power of the Innate Realm?
However, despite possessing the power of the Innate Realm, why would she willingly serve as a sword attendant? Could it be that her master, that Huo Feng of the Yun Sect whose name has never been heard of before, is so formidable that even Innate cultivators are only fit to be his sword attendants by his side?
How could such a powerful existence have gone unnoticed in the past?
The expressions of the cultivators were somewhat embarrassed.
Lie Yi couldn't help but speak up, saying, "Uncle, City Lord Nangong..."
"Do not speak further. Just observe," Lie Yang interrupted Lie Yi, gesturing with his hand. He continued, "The situation is not as simple as you think."
Upon hearing these words from Lie Lao, a sense of awe fell upon the gathered individuals.
Could it be that this... Lie Lao's statement implies that this young girl is indeed a cultivator in the Innate Realm?
In an instant, the way everyone looked at Xiao Ai changed.
