https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-582-Xiao-Similang-Battles-Lian-Chengbi-with-Chopsticks-as-His-Sword/12536897/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-584-The-Enigmatic-Xiaoyao-Marquis/12536903/
Chapter 583: The Fifteenth Sword Strike of Death, Once More
Chapter 583: The Fifteenth Sword Strike of Death, Once More
Lien Cheng-Bi used his chopsticks as a sword, while Xiao Shi-YiLang used his as a knife.
Without moving their bodies or feet, they engaged in a pure test of skill and technique, dueling with knife and sword within this confined space, disregarding internal energy or lightwork.
Xiao Shi-YiLang's knife techniques were simple and swift, with seemingly few variations but exquisite in their precision. His sharp gaze and lightning-fast speed transformed his knife skills into a formidable and fearsome art.
Lien Cheng-Bi nodded in admiration. He had encountered few masters of the knife, but each had their unique style—Bai Tian-Yu, Fei Xing-Zi, the Demon Cult Leader, and now, Xiao Shi-YiLang.
Lien Cheng-Bi held knife-wielders in high regard, so he employed an even greater variety of sword techniques.
In Xiao Shi-YiLang's eyes, Lien Cheng-Bi's swordplay was beyond his imagination. At times, it was as gentle as a warm spring breeze, and at others, it raged like a tempest. It could be concise and sharp or intricate and flamboyant.
Xiao Shi-YiLang could discern the influences of various sword styles in Lien Cheng-Bi's moves, yet they differed significantly from what he had expected.
Despite the apparent contradictions and diverse styles, there was a strange sense of harmony in the way Lien Cheng-Bi executed these seemingly disparate sword techniques, as if they were meant to be used together.
Xiao Shi-YiLang's heart trembled as he realized that his opponent's skill had reached a whole new level—a realm where techniques were executed with effortless mastery.
And so, Xiao Shi-YiLang's knife techniques became even faster.
Xiao Shi-YiLang's knife skills lacked the majestic grandeur of Bai Tian-Yu and the bizarre unpredictability of the Demon Cult Leader. However, his adaptability and unwavering resilience surpassed them both.
As the duel progressed and Xiao Shi-YiLang gradually fell behind, he became like a coiled spring, gaining resilience with each step back. Not only did he slow his retreat, but he also gathered himself for a counter-attack.
Lien Cheng-Bi's eyes lit up.
In the original story, Xiao Shi-YiLang didn't possess any ultimate moves like the God-Slaying Strike or the Fifteenth Sword of Death. His techniques were straightforward, relying on speed, precision, and unpredictability.
But he had his own style.
As Feng Si-Niang had said, there was a tenacity within him—a relentless, never-say-die spirit.
Thus, his willpower was exceptionally strong, and his confidence greatly influenced his performance.
He could be injured while facing Peng Peng-Fei and Liu Yong-Nan's combined assault, or hold his ground against Xiaoyao Hou for two hundred moves without defeat. He could be stabbed by Shen Bi-Jun when his spirit was at its lowest, or casually crush his own bones.
And at this moment, Xiao Shi-YiLang was brimming with confidence.
Under such circumstances, only someone with overwhelmingly superior strength could defeat him head-on.
Fortunately, Lien Cheng-Bi was such a person.
Even without resorting to his most lethal techniques, Lien Cheng-Bi's martial arts had already reached the pinnacle during the time of "The Legend of Lu Xiao-Feng," and he had continued to improve in "The Young Master's Sword."
Perhaps the true masters would become increasingly close in skill as they approached the apex. Their environment, psychology, and state of mind during their clashes would influence the outcome. But Lien Cheng-Bi had the support of his Ming Yu Gong, allowing him to maintain optimal condition regardless of his opponent's state.
Lien Cheng-Bi: (^^)
After exchanging twenty moves, Xiao Shi-YiLang's chopsticks had been forced back to just a foot in front of his chest by Lien Cheng-Bi. By the fiftieth move, Lien Cheng-Bi had advanced another three inches.
It was slow, but relentless and unwavering, without the slightest gap or opening.
Xiao Shi-YiLang's knife techniques had reached their limit, and beads of cold sweat trickled down his temples.
Though only in his early twenties, Xiao Shi-YiLang possessed the wisdom and experience of a seasoned veteran. In recent years, he had encountered many formidable opponents, and his unwavering courage and undefeated record had fostered his confidence.
But in his life, he had never encountered such a terrifying swordsman!
Xiao Shi-YiLang could tell that if Lien Cheng-Bi's chopsticks advanced just one more inch, they would pose a threat to his life.
"Be careful; I'm about to use my ultimate move."
Xiao Shi-YiLang was startled to hear Lien Cheng-Bi's voice in his ear.
You're already this strong, and you still have an ultimate move?
In the next moment, Xiao Shi-YiLang felt his movements slow down.
No, it wasn't just his movements. He felt like everything around him had slowed down—the drinking customers, the busy waiter, the observing Feng Si-Niang and Yang Kai-Tai. The only things that hadn't changed were his thoughts and...
Lien Cheng-Bi's... chopsticks!
He felt Lien Cheng-Bi's chopsticks effortlessly pierce through his defenses, aiming unerringly for his chest.
Xiao Shi-YiLang was shocked. What kind of technique was this?
He felt that against this move, he had no means to block or defend. If he couldn't break free from the conflicting sensations of speed and slowness, he could only watch helplessly as Lien Cheng-Bi "killed" him.
At this moment, Xiao Shi-YiLang had forgotten that this was just a friendly spar, and he now regarded it as a real battle.
Xiao Shi-YiLang channeled his energy throughout his body, focusing his mind and breath. With chopsticks in hand, he unleashed his power, and at the same time...
He leaped backward!
"Crack!"
"Clang!"
"Swish!"
The chopsticks in Xiao Shi-YiLang's hand were shattered by his internal energy. The long bench he had been sitting on toppled over as he jumped back, and he landed a full three meters away, leaving two deep indentations in the wooden floorboards beneath his feet.
At the same time, Xiao Shi-YiLang felt a slight tingling sensation on his chest and looked down to see a faint, damp mark.
Although he had broken free from the mental suppression at the last moment and leaped back, he hadn't been fast enough. He had still been touched by Lien Cheng-Bi's chopsticks. If Lien Cheng-Bi had been holding a sword...
No, even with just chopsticks, Lien Cheng-Bi had held back. If he had exerted his internal energy, Xiao Shi-YiLang would have suffered a serious injury.
"Brother Xiao's knife techniques are formidable. I am truly impressed," Lien Cheng-Bi said with a smile, setting down his chopsticks and drawing a new pair from the nearby holder.
Xiao Shi-YiLang paused for a moment, then bitterly smiled as he returned, righted his bench, and sat back down at the table.
"Brother Lien, please don't mock me," Xiao Shi-YiLang said as he took a new pair of chopsticks, heaving a sigh. "Xiao Shi-YiLang only now realizes that he is but a frog at the bottom of a well, unaware of the vast world beyond."
Lien Cheng-Bi didn't offer any consolation but simply praised, "Brother Xiao's willpower is truly admirable, a rarity in the martial arts world."
Although Xiao Shi-YiLang's martial arts skills were not as refined as Xie Xiao-Feng's, the fact that he had broken free from the mental suppression of the Fifteenth Sword of Death in the final moments surprised Lien Cheng-Bi.
Of course, even though he had broken free from the mental suppression, the unstoppable momentum of the Fifteenth Sword of Death remained unavoidable. Thus, he had no choice but to leap backward, using all his might to escape as far as possible.
Even when Ding Peng had reached the pinnacle of his martial arts, he still couldn't break free from the pull of that sword momentum. He could only retreat step by step, matching the sword's advance, leaving the four Sword Slaves of Shen Jian Mountain Villa unable to act.
Who could stand against the Fifteenth Sword of Death, which Xie Xiao-Feng himself couldn't break through for decades?
(End of Chapter)
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