"If anyone wants to challenge, feel free to step up, I’ll take you all on!"
Bai Xiao’s gaze sharpened, particularly focusing on several areas of the audience seats.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in a blue robe stood up. He had a youthful face despite his seventy-plus years; slightly thin in stature, but his complexion was rosy and his Qi-Blood abundant. At his side, a longsword engraved with cloud and wind patterns trembled slightly, stirring the breeze.
The old man leapt down, and the sword gleamed.
He had already appeared at the right corner of the Martial Arts Arena.
Facing Bai Xiao from afar.
"Who is this? I haven’t seen him before."
A sect leader in the audience raised his eyebrows, puzzlingly asked.
"The sect leader of Wind City Sword, Li Yunxiao."
Someone who recognized him introduced.
"Isn’t Wind City Sword an unremarkable school? I’ve heard a bit about Li Yunxiao, a late-stage sect master. While his Swordsmanship is strong among new faction leaders, he’s not fit to take on senior faction masters, let alone those in the Transformation Realm. Is he challenging the Dragon Elephant Hall Master? Is this..."
Someone expressed their speechlessness and spoke.
"Who knows? Maybe some fighters are taking advantage of this three-day martial arts trial to spar and find a free sparring partner..."
"Li Yunxiao is hardly belligerent; on the contrary, to put it indelicately, he’s somewhat cowardly. Without sufficient gain, he wouldn’t spar with anyone, let alone challenge the Dragon Elephant Hall Master. Could it be someone spent a considerable price to invite him to act? But...what’s the point?"
"Considering the strength displayed by the Dragon Elephant Hall Master yesterday, Li Yunxiao has no chance of winning. At most, he might go a few moves before being defeated."
The audience murmured, slightly puzzled.
On the newly laid rubber flooring of the Martial Arts Arena.
Two figures faced each other from a distance.
Bai Xiao, expressionless, looked like a cold and stiff statue. Whereas Li Yunxiao, smiling, was continuously stroking his goatee with one hand, the other resting on the sword hilt. He didn’t show even a hint of hostility or killing intent.
He looked at Bai Xiao and suddenly spoke.
"Dragon Elephant Hall Master, I know your power is unmatched, capable of defeating those in the Transformation Realm; I’m definitely not a match for you. But, I’ve practiced Wind City Swordsmanship for fifty to sixty years and have ten moves I’m quite proud of. I wonder if the Hall Master would allow me to showcase its subtleties?"
Li Yunxiao assumed a kind demeanor, proposing with a friendly posture.
Bai Xiao squinted slightly, quickly understanding from Li Yunxiao’s attitude and words what was happening. Someone had paid a handsome price to trouble him during the three-day martial arts trial. However, Li Yunxiao was clearly an experienced old hand avoiding real effort.
He subtly revealed some information to Bai Xiao.
To trade for Bai Xiao’s cooperation in staging a show, allowing him to perform ten sword moves and satisfy the sponsor, convincing them that he tried his utmost.
Thus, Li Yunxiao could gain private benefits while ensuring he wouldn’t be beaten too severely in the arena. After ten moves, he would certainly find an opportunity to feign defeat and withdraw.
After all, Bai Xiao’s performance yesterday was terrifying.
Several sect leaders challenging had been seriously injured, even with secret medicine aiding recovery; it would take at least ten days to half a month to heal. Li Yunxiao believed his body at seventy couldn’t endure such a beating; if the Dragon Elephant Hall Master shattered him, what then? Thus, he first demonstrated a friendly attitude.
In the battle area of the Martial Arts Arena.
Bai Xiao contemplated, mostly figuring it out.
He glanced at Li Yunxiao, whispering.
"At most, five moves."
"Use your full power!"
Unexpectedly, Li Yunxiao’s face lit up with joy, quickly agreeing.
"Alright, five moves it is!"
Evidently, he had left himself room while speaking earlier. Even five moves were enough to prove Li Yunxiao exerted effort in this challenge.
Beside them, as referee, the Martial Arts Association President of East Sea Province, Shen Ping.
Cleared his throat with a cough.
Then loudly announced.
"Wind City Sword Sect Master, Li Yunxiao!"
"Challenges, Dragon Elephant Martial Arts Hall Master, Bai Xiao!"
"Both of you may begin!"
In an instant, two forces erupted, violently shaking the air.
Li Yunxiao instantly drew his sword, Qi-blood infused it, creating a sound of clanging.
He followed Bai Xiao’s instructions, using his full power as told. Li Yunxiao let loose without probing, directly bursting forth with full strength, the veins on his arms bulging slightly, twisting and coiling like little snakes.
The deep blue blade, wrapped in rapidly spinning gales.
"Dragon Elephant Hall Master, be careful!"
Li Yunxiao’s face covered in veins, his expression serious with a hint of fierceness, fully embracing the details of his performance. He roared, charging with a vengeance-like posture, twisting his wrist and swinging out five swords!
Five differently formed yet powerful blue sword lights followed.
Bai Xiao stood in the ring, unscathed, even his black-gold master combat uniform showed no sign of tearing.
He swung a punch, ripping through the air.
Li Yunxiao clashed, sword in hand.
With a clang, his sword was flung far away.