NOVEL NEXT Chapter 256: Gu Sheng is in Danger This Time
"Gu Sheng is in danger this time. Linghu Jianying's cultivation surpasses his by an entire realm. The outcome of this duel has already been decided."
The disciples of the Mad Saber Sect shook their heads, wearing expressions of pity.
"Indeed, Linghu Jianying's Dugu Nine Swords are unmatched in power. Even with the Gale Swordsmanship and Shadow Concealment, Gu Sheng won't be able to withstand it," a disciple from the Thousand Poison Sect chimed in.
The crowd was abuzz with discussion, yet Gu Sheng in the arena remained unmoved. He was fully aware of his disadvantage but refused to give up.
Every swing of his sword, every dodge, held his full concentration.
Suddenly, Linghu Jianying unleashed a strike. The Soul-breaking Invisible Sword carried piercing Sword Qi, targeting Gu Sheng's vitals.
Gu Sheng's form shifted as he activated Shadow Concealment, but he was unable to completely evade the attack. A streak of Sword Qi left a gash on his shoulder, staining his lapel with fresh blood.
"Haha, it looks like Gu Sheng is finished. That strike is enough to render him unable to continue fighting," a disciple from the Giant Sword Sect laughed loudly.
"Is Gu Sheng being overly confident? Challenging someone whose cultivation is an entire realm higher?" Emperor Yun Wu remarked scornfully as he watched Gu Sheng in the arena.
While the duels involved a lottery system, brackets were allocated only with mutual agreement and rank considerations.
Gu Sheng had consented to a duel against someone in the Marrow Refining Realm.
"Father Emperor, please watch further. Gu Sheng is extraordinary—there's something uncanny about him!" Yun Zishuang's face showed a faint smile, clearly confident in Gu Sheng.
Just when everyone thought Gu Sheng had lost, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath, his figure suddenly vanished from the spot.
When he reappeared, he was already behind Linghu Jianying, his Water Cold Sword stabbing toward the opponent's back with fierce Sword Qi.
"What... what's happening?!" The crowd gasped, utterly astonished that Gu Sheng could reverse the dire situation.
Linghu Jianying was shocked, completely unprepared for Gu Sheng to break through his defenses at this critical moment.
He hurriedly swung his sword to block, but it was already too late.
"Pfft," a light sound echoed as the Water Cold Sword pierced through Linghu Jianying's body.
A flicker of disbelief flashed in his eyes before he slowly collapsed to the ground.
The entire arena fell silent, everyone stunned by Gu Sheng's decisive strike.
No one could have imagined that this young man, with mid-stage cultivation in the Golden Bone Realm, could defeat a Marrow Refining Realm expert like Linghu Jianying.
"This… this is simply inconceivable!" A disciple from the Governor Mansion exclaimed.
"Gu Sheng's Gale Swordsmanship and Shadow Concealment are truly remarkable, enabling him to stage such a stunning comeback," a disciple from the Haoyang Sect remarked.
In the arena, Gu Sheng sheathed his Water Cold Sword, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the battleground.
"Next match: Liu Ruhai from the Liu family versus Dyson from the Holy Pill Sect."
As the announcement from the Governor Mansion rang out, the duels continued.
In the imperial martial arena, the silver moon hung like a hook, stars sparkling brightly overhead.
The two contenders were Liu Ruhai, representing the Liu family, and Dyson of the Holy Pill Sect.
Both had peak-stage Silver Bone Realm cultivation, making their strength evenly matched and adding suspense to the fight.
"Dyson is from the Holy Pill Sect; Senior Gu Sheng should emerge victorious!" whispered a disciple from the Mu family.
"Not necessarily. I've observed Holy Pill Sect disciples duel several times, and not all of them have triumphed," declared a Thousand Poison Sect disciple confidently.
"Just watch the duel if you're unsure. Wait and see!"
Liu Ruhai, dressed in flowing white robes, resembled a graceful and elegant gentleman. He gripped an ancient longsword known as the Sea Abyss Sword.
His swordsmanship, called the Drunken Dream Swordsmanship, had a unique feature: he would drink a pot of strong liquor before combat, allowing the alcohol to ignite his body and unleash the sword art's full power.
At present, he was slightly drunk, with sharp glimmers in his eyes as if he intended to consume the entire arena.
Dyson, on the other hand, was clad in black robes, holding a glimmering Mystical Artifact known as the Dyson Sphere.
Under his True Qi, the Dyson Sphere could transform into a metallic sphere enveloping his opponent, generating immense combat strength. His face carried a self-satisfied smile, as if victory was already in his grasp.
The tension in the arena reached its peak.
The audience murmured amongst themselves, with some favoring Liu Ruhai while others were confident Dyson would win.
"Senior Dyson will definitely win; he's our Holy Pill Sect's prodigy!"
A disciple from the Holy Pill Sect shouted excitedly.
"Not so fast. Liu Ruhai's Drunken Dream Swordsmanship is no joke. Rumor has it he once severed a small mountain with a single strike while drunk!"
Wind Xing Elder from the Thousand Poison Sect stroked his beard, his eyes glimmering faintly.
Dyson appeared oblivious to the commentary, focusing entirely on Liu Ruhai and awaiting his opponent's attack.
At that very moment, Liu Ruhai suddenly moved. Like the wind, he slashed with his sword, carrying the overwhelming scent of liquor and astonishing Sword Intent, aiming directly at Dyson's vitals.
Dyson was startled; he hadn't expected Liu Ruhai to attack so decisively.
He quickly activated the Dyson Sphere, instantly creating a metallic shell-like defense that blocked Liu Ruhai's strike.
But in that fleeting instant, Liu Ruhai vanished from sight. His figure fluttered like a ghostly shadow, unpredictable and elusive to grasp.
"What's going on? How could Liu Ruhai teleport suddenly?"
The audience gasped continuously, never having witnessed such an eerie movement technique before.