Chapter 231: Ultimate Sword Technique: Awakening, You Did Your Best, the Beating of Hearts (4K)

Chapter 231: Ultimate Sword Technique: Awakening, You Did Your Best, the Beating of Hearts (4K)



Yin Mu Hu slid down, crouching on the ground, her back leaning against the repulsion membrane that kept rippling. She wiped the fresh blood off the corner of her mouth and said, "The ultimate technique of the Dragon-Concealing Stream...deserving of its reputation."

Xue Jing flipped backward in the air and landed, facing Yin Mu Hu. Seeing that she was still in good spirits, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been genuinely worried that he might have accidentally killed her.

"Yin Mu, how are you holding up?" Xue Jing asked softly.

A smile that didn't quite fit her current appearance as a beautiful young girl appeared on Yin Mu Hu's face as she said, "What are you talking about, Xue Jing? We're just getting started."

That was the smile of a warrior.

Indeed, at this moment, she could be called a beautiful warrior princess!

Despite the gaping hole pierced through her abdomen, the golden flames burning all over her body didn't diminish at all, seemingly due to the 'Adamant Vajra - True Self Phase'.

Yin Mu Hu stood up, and the muscles in her abdomen writhed as the spiral wound on her belly slowly spun and closed up, forcibly sealing the wound and stemming the flow of blood.

With her two long and well-toned legs, she slowly walked to the edge of the large stage.

There, three rows of weapon racks were placed.

An array of bladed weapons filled the racks: knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, hooks, forks, whips, maces, hammers, claws, pikes, staffs... Not only were there traditional Chinese cold weapons, but foreign weapons as well: Western broadswords, hawk-winged axes, rhino-horn sickles, flame-shaped swords, and Nanatsukaji (seven-branched swords)...

There was even an Aztec 'Macuahuitl' (obsidian saw sword).

These were the weapons provided by the U19 organizers for the competitors.

Due to its unrestricted rules, U19 allowed competitors to bring their own custom weapons. However, inevitably, some competitors would, for various reasons, choose not to bring their own weapons.

For example, some people were so confident that they felt they could manage with just their bare hands, only to regret their decision when they saw their opponents wielding blades.

Therefore, the U19 arena always had a variety of weapons readily available for the competitors to use... Of course, very few people actually resorted to using them.

After all, the quality of these weapons could only be described as barely passable.

"Xue Jing, I've already lost in hand-to-hand combat. Let's switch to weapons now."

Yin Mu Hu withdrew a metal rod that reached her eyebrows from the weapon rack, her exquisite face wearing a serious expression.

She knew that this was definitely not a good idea.

Xue Jing had used a blade twice out of his three moves during the Maple City elimination round, and he even had an outrageously powerful sword technique ultimate.

Everyone who had seen his matches knew that he was not the type of fighter who was better with their fists than with weapons; he was a master of both unarmed and armed combat.

Yin Mu Hu's eyes shifted, glancing at the old, giant sword standing in the center of the stage.

Just by looking at it, one could tell that it was an exceptionally terrifying heavyweight weapon. If it were wielded by a powerful warrior like Xue Jing... The thought alone made one's scalp tingle.

Common sense dictated that the best choice right now would be to stick to unarmed combat and try to prevent Xue Jing from remembering that she had brought a weapon onto the stage...

However, after their previous exchange, Yin Mu Hu had come to fully understand just how vast the gap between them was.

Even after using the 'True Self Phase', a desperate technique that boosted her power severalfold, she still felt like she was facing an unfathomable abyss when up against Xue Jing, unable to grasp his true limits.

She would absolutely lose if they continued with unarmed combat.

Since that was the case, she might as well stick to her initial plan and burn away all her fuel, leaving no regrets.

Xue Jing had no objections to this request.

He nodded and walked over to the Forgotten Giant Sword, extending his right hand to grasp the hilt.

The ancient and old sword body emanated an indescribable, awe-inspiring aura, like a venerable old general whose might had yet to fade.

"In response to Yin Mu Hu's suggestion, Xue Jing has picked up a weapon!" the excited commentator's voice rang out throughout the venue.

"According to pre-match measurements, this is a terrifying giant sword weighing a whopping two thousand two hundred and twelve kilograms. For an ordinary martial artist, it would be extremely difficult to even lift this sword, let alone use it as a weapon..."

"This sword seems to have been designed specifically to take on some kind of massive creature. It's hard to imagine how a fragile human body could withstand the impact of such a heavy strike. This sword is definitely overkill!"

Super Arena Backstage, U19 Chief Organizer's Office.

Zhou Yinglin sat in his boss chair, his elbows resting on the armrests and his palms folded together as he watched the live broadcast of the match.

When he saw Xue Jing reach out and grasp the giant sword, and heard the commentator's introduction of the sword's weight, he couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly.

"Coincidence... or intentional?"

The hawk-like sharp eyes revealed a thoughtful and doubtful expression.

"'Flawless Heaven's Robe,' the only flaw that isn't really a flaw... How could a country bumpkin from the outer ring possibly know about it?"

"Is there a master guiding him?"

Zhou Yinglin pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter. Even if he knows, it's useless. He couldn't pull off that move."

Zhou Yinglin muttered to himself.

On the stage, Xue Jing slowly drew out the ancient giant sword.

The two-meter-three sword body was enormous, covering Xue Jing entirely.

"Clang!"

As the giant sword was pulled out, it emitted a crisp sound, and a gust of air suddenly spread out.

A terrifying sense of oppression emanated from Xue Jing's entire body.

He held the giant sword with one hand and danced a sword flower in the air, emitting a dull humming sound. Then, with the sword tip pointed at Yin Mu Hu, he said softly,

"Yin Mu, are you ready?"

Yin Mu Hu's eyes widened slightly as she murmured,

"This is no joke."

She swallowed her saliva and danced with her stick, posing.

The golden fiery steam was still intense, and the accumulation of the 'Id Phase' was still abundant, enough to fight for a long time... But it didn't give her any sense of security.

Yin Mu Hu's whole body felt as if it was being pricked by countless needles... It was her keen martial artist's body instinct warning her.

Danger, extreme danger.

The kind of danger that could lead to instant death if one wasn't careful.

Her instincts were urging her to escape, to flee immediately without regard for anything else.

If she were an animal without the ability to think, she would have already run away under the drive of her instincts.

"But the key difference between humans and animals... is that courage allows us to take a step forward in the face of fear."

"This step is called courage."

A determined look appeared on Yin Mu Hu's beautiful face as she took a step forward.

One step, two steps...

The audience involuntarily held their breath, watching the fragile female warrior slowly but firmly approaching the terrifying demon king.

"World Guardian Four Heavens, Dharani!"

Yin Mu Hu waved the stick in her hand, and the fiery aura around her became even more intense, with red and gold colors appearing in her pupils.

"World Guardian Four Heavens, Vaishravana!"

"World Guardian Four Heavens, Vaisravana!"

As she performed the killing moves, strange phenomena occurred around Yin Mu Hu.

"Vajra Self-Existing, Deva King Phase!"

The golden flames surrounding Yin Mu Hu suddenly took shape, transforming into a ten-meter-tall Deva King with armor, a ferocious face, and six arms.

This mythical 'Phase' that resembled a Deva King from a legend amazed the audience, who exclaimed in surprise and excitement.

Xue Jing also watched this scene, but his expression remained calm.

With his keen eyes, he could tell that this 'Deva King Phase' was just an illusion, passively formed under the influence of Yin Mu Hu's spirit, and not a real entity.

Nonetheless, it was still an incredible feat, reaching the realm of spiritual will influencing others' senses.

"Brother Xue, here I come!"

Yin Mu Hu roared and leaped into the air. With the force of splitting Mount Hua, she raised the stick in her hand and slashed at Xue Jing!

The air currents surged, and the terrifying power of the blow created a vacuum around the stick.

Facing this strike that could smash an armored vehicle, Xue Jing's expression didn't change. He said softly,

"Well done, you did your best, Yin Mu."

He clenched his right hand, and the true dragon was born from his body, emitting a dragon's roar that shook the heavens.

His flesh, tendons, bones, and blood all worked together as he controlled the True Martial Body with absolute precision. All his strength flowed into his right arm.

The spiral indentations spread from his shoulders, crawling all over his body, gathering at the tip of his fist, and pouring into the ancient giant sword.

This was the first time he had used a weapon to perform the 'Point Polishing' technique.

The ancient giant sword itself didn't have good compatibility with the 'Point Polishing' technique and lacked penetrating damage.

Therefore, Xue Jing changed his mind and, with his absolute control over the True Martial Body, forcibly transformed the penetrating attribute of the 'Point Polishing' technique into pure striking force.

Even so, the pure destructive power was greatly reduced. However, as a technique belonging to the realm of ultimate moves, even without the penetrating attribute, its power was still formidable.

Moreover, the terrifying weight of the weapon in his hand further enhanced the power of this strike, making it even more powerful than the 'Barehanded Point Polishing' technique!

This move was called—

"Ultimate Move: Awakening."

"Xue Jing brandished the ancient giant sword with one hand and swung it through the air.

The greatest sounds are soundless, and the greatest forms are formless. This single sword swing, devoid of any special effects, resembled a child brandishing a massive plastic toy, paling in comparison to the spectacle Yin Mu Hu had created.

However, contrary to appearances, it was an utterly unstoppable attack.

Like a tree sweeping away an ant, a wheel crushing a mantis' arms, or a stone piercing an eggshell.

The alloy staff, equal to her eyebrows in height, shattered the instant it came into contact with the blunt edge of the ancient sword.

Starting from the tip, the cracks rapidly spread backwards, and the iron thorns shredded Yin Mu Hu's hands as she gripped the staff. The entire staff disintegrated into fragments of iron that rained down, striking the repulsion membrane surrounding the stage and creating countless ripples.

In the ensuing silence, Yin Mu Hu lowered her head to look at her trembling hands.

Her palms were covered in bloodstains and cuts, and her palms bore rectangular chunks of flesh missing, revealing the bones underneath. Those were the spots where she had been holding the staff.

Between her chest and abdomen, her clothes had already torn apart, revealing her uneven, snow-white skin.

Her muscles, internal organs, and bones had been reduced to a mess.

This was the result of being lightly grazed by Xue Jing's 'Awakening' strike.

This exquisite control of distance primarily targeted her staff, with only the sword tip barely brushing her body, and even then, it was only the vacuum shockwave from the sword that affected her.

If the sword had truly struck her body, there would likely only be a pile of minced meat left at the scene.

Yin Mu Hu's expression showed her admiration and acknowledgment of defeat as she said, "I lost."

As she finished speaking, the golden flames around her body dissipated, and she slowly fell to the ground.

"Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!"

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause that reverberated throughout the entire arena.

"Amazing! Amazing!"

"He's too strong! Is this Xue Jing guy really a martial artist from the outer ring?"

"He didn't even use his full strength, and his clothes aren't even that messed up!"

"Wielding a two-thousand-kilogram giant sword like it's a twig!"

"This oppressive feeling is overwhelming! I'd bet my savings that he's the champion!"

"I initially thought Yin Mu Hu was just here to make up the numbers, but I never expected her to be so powerful!"

Amidst the commotion, the repulsion membrane dissipated, and the medical team, who had been standing by, rushed forward to provide emergency treatment to Yin Mu Hu.

Xue Jing casually waved the giant sword in his hand, as if it were a feather, and said softly to Yin Mu Hu, "Indeed, you were a pleasant surprise."

After speaking, he turned and walked towards the player channel and left.

"The... the winner has been decided!"

"A clash of geniuses, a collision of ultimate techniques! Xue Jing dominated Yin Mu Hu and emerged victorious, proving that his pre-match 'boast' was no mere bluster!"

The passionate commentator's voice reverberated in Xue Jing's ears as he made his way backstage.

Jiang Siwei and Ning Yuantai were already waiting for him there. As soon as they saw Xue Jing, Ning Yuantai excitedly shouted, "Brother Xue, you're amazing!"

"I never expected Yin Mu Hu to be so fierce. If it weren't for you, Brother Xue, she might have had a chance to make it to the top eight!"

Ning Yuantai exclaimed.

Jiang Siwei happily clapped her hands and said, "Did you hear the audience's applause just now? Little Jing, you've really made a name for yourself this time... It's not easy to gain the recognition of the inner ring audience."

Xue Jing waved his hand and said, "Alright, I'm going to rest for a while. I'll go watch the other matches later."

Unlike the elimination rounds, the finalists were all quite skilled... Xue Jing deeply realized this after his fight with Yin Mu Hu.

He couldn't afford to be as careless as he had been in the elimination rounds; he needed to observe their techniques and learn from them.

Of course, his primary objective remained to steal Zhou Yinglin's 'Flawless Heaven's Robe' technique.

Xue Jing opened the panel to take a look.

[...]



A row of rather generous experience point rewards appeared, which Xue Jing closed after reviewing.

Holding the Forgotten Giant Sword in his hand, a strange sense of enlightenment welled up within him.

'Thump--'

He seemed to hear, once again, the beating of the heart of the weapon in his hand.

[...]

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end