Chapter 600: Peerless Expert Arc (Part 2)

Chapter 600: Peerless Expert Arc (Part 2)

"Haa!" Feng Bu Jue let out a sharp cry, his foot pressing down hard. His form shot skyward like an arrow.

A metallic clang rang out as his treasured sword unsheathed, its frosty blade glinting in the moonlight.

"Nine Heavens Suspended a Blade..." Feng Bu Jue's clear voice echoed midair as he executed the sword technique, "...Moon Beyond the Clouds..."

"Great, here we go with the poetry again", Xu Huai Shang muttered, rolling her eyes. "You've got a habit, huh..."

"Beyond the Mortal Realm... Flying Immortal Pierces the Heavens!" Feng Bu Jue performed an elaborate sword dance mid-sky while improvising his poem.

The verse cleverly incorporated the characters for "Heaven", "Beyond", "Flying", and "Immortal." Combined with his dramatic flair, his "fashion value" skyrocketed to a perfect hundred and twenty. Under this overwhelming "fashion value", even a simple sword thrust radiated terrifying power.

"Haa—!" Feng Bu Jue seized the moment, activated his Moon Step, and dove diagonally from the sky toward Xu Huai Shang like a falling meteor.

Xu Huai Shang had clashed with countless sword-wielders in her gaming career, and her own swordsmanship was no slouch. She immediately recognized Feng Bu Jue's flashy moves as pure showmanship—amateurish even.

"Pfft... Those aren't real skills", she scoffed inwardly. "He clearly doesn't know how to handle a sword, yet he's putting on this act..."

Confident in her assessment, she reacted decisively. Facing his "Sky-Soaring Immortal Sword", she didn't dodge. Instead, she crossed her twin blades forward and launched her counterattack.

"Northern Cross Sparrow!" she called out, cheeks flushing crimson. She hated shouting techniques aloud, but scenario rules sometimes required vocal activation for power boosts.

Crack!

A frost-white cross-shaped slash soared skyward, intercepting Feng Bu Jue's sword strike head-on.

Feng Bu Jue had anticipated this. The moment her attack launched, his feet struck the air twice with the Moon Step. His body shifted sideways like lightning, altering his descent trajectory just enough to evade the incoming blade.

"I knew you'd use that move", he thought smugly. "Using an ice-element ranged attack to intercept me? Speed, power, and range are all well-chosen. But since we've fought once already, my zero-time calculations have perfect predictive data. As long as I'm prepared, ranged attacks are useless against me."

"Predicted your dodge, huh?" Xu Huai Shang's chilling voice suddenly whispered in Feng Bu Jue's ear as he barely evaded. "I foresaw exactly how you'd evade."

Her "Northern Cross Sparrow" was merely a feint. After launching the blade, she had already leapt forward to follow up her attack.

Ping! The clash of steel shattered the night sky.

Feng Bu Jue's lightning reflexes barely allowed him to twist his body midair, blocking her twin blades with his sword.

Seeing her opening attack parried, Xu Huai Shang didn't hesitate. She spun her body, twin blades flashing as she launched another relentless offensive.

Blades and sword danced in the air, their silhouettes suspended in the sky. The two combatants exchanged blows for two full minutes without descending an inch.

"This... Lightness Skill", Tang Yun'er gasped, watching from below. "How is this possible? They're floating midair!"

"The ability to channel inner energy through blades, producing massive white auras infused with terrifying Arctic Qi..." Liao Wu's worldview had been shattered by her earlier Northern Cross Sparrow attack. Though he considered himself among Jianghu's top-tier swordsmen, this unknown young female blade master had just unleashed techniques he'd never encountered in his life.

"In this world's understanding", Miao Ying added, gripping her sword tightly, "such techniques would require at least forty years of cultivation in supreme martial arts to manifest. If one trained inferior internal martial arts or breathing techniques, even eighty years wouldn't yield such blade energy..."

"The most terrifying part", Miao Ying continued, "is how their techniques show no patterns or set forms. They break all martial conventions yet remain devastatingly effective..." She glanced around. "We've been standing here for so long, yet I haven't detected a single ripple of inner energy from them. No breathing methods, no sect styles... nothing."

"Hmph... Typical narrow-mindedness", Cao Qin's androgynous voice cut in. "True peerless martial arts transcend form and law. Only by breaking established rules can one reach higher realms." His words weren't empty boasts. The Eunuch Cao had long surpassed ordinary martial cultivation, advancing into the mystical cultivation path. His ageless appearance was proof of this transcendence. "You toil day and night refining inner energy, but what they cultivate surpasses inner energy by unknown magnitudes."

As they spoke, the aerial battle reached a turning point.

Just as Feng Bu Jue had predicted, close-quarters combat put him at a disadvantage.

Though his martial arts experience and skills had improved dramatically, Xu Huai Shang's expertise remained superior. Pure physical strength and speed also favored her, especially without the Spirit Sense Body Technique enhancing him.

"Haa! Witness my Flying Dragon Ruyun Step!" Feng Bu Jue feinted desperately, knocking her blades aside before activating Moon Step to retreat upward. Even in retreat, he couldn't resist adding a dramatic flourish to his escape maneuver, boosting his "fashion value" one last time.

"It's just Moon Step again... Like I haven't seen it before", Xu Huai Shang muttered, retreating back to land firmly on the rooftop ridge.

Though she'd traded blows mid-sky with Feng Bu Jue for so long, she actually possessed no true flight abilities. She'd manipulated Feng Bu Jue's own floating strength to maintain altitude through calculated counter-forces.

This technique seemed nearly impossible, yet for Xu Huai Shang, it was effortless thanks to her powerful passive skill, [Tread Swallow Flight].

As its name implied, this skill rendered her body incredibly light—light enough for swallows to carry. With each downward strike against Feng Bu Jue, she used his counter-force to propel herself higher. In many ways, it surpassed Moon Step's convenience, consuming almost no stamina.

Of course, Moon Step and [Tavrin Step] allowed air-walking without external support, giving them advantages over [Tread Swallow Flight]'s requirement for leverage points.

"Half a month without meeting, and her capabilities have improved again", Feng Bu Jue mused. "Without zero-time calculations, that last exchange would've left me severely wounded..." Memories surfaced of his first encounter with Kuangzong Jianying's kill game mode, where he'd been similarly overwhelmed by superior combat skills.

"No choice then... I'll leverage my aerial advantage, wearing her down with Storm Leg techniques", Feng Bu Jue decided. He halted mid-sky, unleashing two crescent-shaped leg slashes downward.

Unexpectedly—

Hu—hu—Peng—peng—

Two sudden palm winds erupted from below, intercepting his Storm Leg attacks midair and dispersing them completely.

"Teahouse Master Feng", Cao Qin flicked his sleeve, gazing upward. "This is the imperial city's rooftop. What do you think you're doing?"

"Pfft!" Xu Huai Shang couldn't help but laugh aloud—the first time she'd felt this satisfied since entering the scenario. "That's right, Teahouse Master Feng. Damage this roof, and you won't have enough lives to cover the repairs."

Cao Qin's sudden intervention and Xu Huai Shang's mockery caused Feng Bu Jue's "fashion value" to plummet to forty.

"And that Sky-Soaring Immortal Sword of yours isn't so impressive either", Xu Huai Shang added. "I blocked it completely, and not a single hair on me was harmed!"

At these words, Feng Bu Jue's "fashion value" collapsed entirely, reaching zero.

"Wait! It dropped to zero that fast?!" Feng Bu Jue screamed inwardly. "I spent so long building up that Sky-Soaring Immortal Sword act, yet a couple setbacks and it's all gone?!"

Indeed... Showing off was like climbing a mountain. The higher you climbed, the harder you fell.

Feng Bu Jue's "fashion value" crash stemmed from three factors: First, his overhyped "Sky-Soaring Immortal Sword" buildup had created immense expectations that fizzled into mediocrity. Second, his inability to hold his own in close combat forced him to retreat to ranged leg techniques. Third, Cao Qin's interception of his Storm Leg attacks, followed by the Eunuch and "Goddess Xu's" combined mockery, had completely shattered his "fashion value."

The crowd witnessed all three incidents unfold, shattering Feng Bu Jue’s lofty image as an unrivaled expert. While his Storm Leg technique still struck Liao Wu and others as terrifying, the intimidation he radiated had drastically diminished compared to the awe inspired earlier when Cao Qin mentioned the "Cangling Debate of Swords."

Feng Bu Jue calculated inwardly, “No choice… If I keep attacking downward with Storm Leg, I might trigger a full-blown combat scenario with Cao Qin. Hmm… Guess I’ll have to engage her in close combat then…” As this thought surfaced, another plan took shape.

As everyone knows, fashion value can be boosted through a series of stylish actions: introducing oneself to the enemy, letting foes escape, withholding fatal blows, using rare Chinese characters or foreign terms, recalling memories, cheering allies on, declaring one’s resolve, commentating on events, reciting poetry, and more.

Women could further increase their fashion value through Operation: Exposing Skin. The larger the chest and the better the figure, the higher the survival chances in combat—and the faster the fashion value skyrocketed.

Conversely, actions like bullying the weak, acting arrogant while dominant, going all-out from the start, delivering a finishing blow to a dying opponent, or mocking an enemy’s cherished beliefs would slash fashion value, even leading to death.

Feng Bu Jue, intimately familiar with these rules, knew victory wasn’t impossible. He still had one last trick: the ultimate stylish reversal—turning the tide after being reduced to near-death.

With this strategy decided, Feng Bu Jue initiated his Operation.

He flipped upside down, angling his sword before his chest. Then, lifting his right foot, he stomped downward. In an instant, he surged like thunder, hurtling toward Xu Huai Shang.

Seeing his desperate charge, Xu Huai Shang dared not underestimate him. Twin blades whirred in her hands as she gathered energy to counter.

In a flash, wind billowed, hands moved with grace, and her twin blades spun into a glacial shield to intercept the descending sword.

“Southern Dipper… Flying Dragon Sword!” Feng Bu Jue gripped his blade but forced himself to use an empty-hand technique. The result? A clumsy, mismatched skill. His sword-wielding hand lagged, disrupting his unarmed left hand, making his counter awkward and ineffective.

To onlookers, this “dual-sword-and-fists” move seemed impressive, but Feng Bu Jue knew the truth—this skill’s power barely reached 30% of its potential.

“Hmph… A joke!” Xu Huai Shang instantly saw through his ruse. With a sharp cry, she charged forward, twin blades weaving a lethal net.

The sword snapped in half, signaling the end of the clash.

Shards rained down, glinting silver under the moonlight.

Feng Bu Jue collapsed on the Ridge of the Roof, spitting blood, his face pale.

Xu Huai Shang loomed beside him, blade raised, eyes scornful.

“Hehe…” Feng Bu Jue smirked inwardly. “Perfect… Everything’s going as planned. Come on, Xu Goddess, hurry up! Taunt me a bit more… I’ve still got 30% vitality value left. Dodge her lethal strike, then counter with a spinning kick—seize the Reversal!”

His plan seemed flawless… but then—

A shocking scene unfolded.

Xu Huai Shang didn’t strike. Instead, her expression softened. Gazing at him tenderly, she said the most clichéd line: “You’ve lost.” Her voice carried a hint of sorrow.

“What the—?!” Feng Bu Jue froze mid-thought, bewildered. “Why isn’t she attacking? What’s with this tone and expression? Could it be…”

“You think… I really understand nothing, don’t you?” Xu Huai Shang murmured. To everyone’s shock, she closed her eyes, tears streaming down.

“Hey!” Feng Bu Jue’s eyes nearly popped out. “Drama queen! You’ve got tears on cue?!”

To the crowd, her words sounded poetic, but Feng Bu Jue caught the subtext: “You think I don’t know fashion value basics?!”

“I know… From the start, you wanted to die.” Xu Huai Shang continued, her voice trembling. “That’s why you never used your full strength…” She sniffled theatrically. “You think I’m really that dumb?”

The four spectators exchanged knowing “Oh~” glances, their expressions mirroring the emotional rollercoaster of a live-action stage play.

“Ruined… Totally ruined…” Feng Bu Jue’s heart sank. “This woman’s EQ is way higher than I thought!”

Now, Feng Bu Jue couldn’t even respond. The scene had slipped entirely into Xu Huai Shang’s rhythm. What she said was gospel—whether true or not. He could only wear a pained, silent expression. Any attempt to argue, flee, or ambush would send his fashion value plummeting to fatal levels.

“Sigh…” Xu Huai Shang wiped her tears, kneeling beside him. “I know we were never meant to be…” She dabbed her eyes, then dropped a bomb: “An hour ago, I took a secret poison…”

“I ate a ‘Laughing Death Pill’ too!” Feng Bu Jue mentally retorted.

“…Since you won’t be with me, I’ll end it myself.” Her performance was so heartfelt, even the Phantom Realm crowd would’ve fought to cast her. “At least we’ll die together…”

With that, she pulled him up, embracing him, cradling his head on her shoulder.

This move was ruthless—leaving Feng Bu Jue’s last hope of escape in tatters.

“A Terrifying Woman…” Feng Bu Jue sighed. “I underestimated you…”

He thought bitterly of his locked item slot—if it weren’t sealed, he’d pull out his Cleaver and end this. If his Southern Dipper Flying Dragon Fist weren’t on cooldown, one strike would’ve sufficed.

But now… those were just regrets.

Npc intervention was impossible. Seeing the Teahouse Master cradled in her arms, the Npcs merely looked away, sighing, ready to watch the drama unfold.

“Why put yourself through this…?” Feng Bu Jue muttered, his voice drained.

Defeat stung, but he wouldn’t quit like a sore loser. He’d play along and let Xu Huai Shang finish her act.

“Don’t say anything…” Xu Huai Shang raised her right hand, blade pressing against his back. “My decision is final. No turning back.”

“Come on… Isn’t this enough?” Feng Bu Jue whispered in her ear. “I’ve already lost. Just finish it.”

“You love playing games, huh?” Xu Huai Shang smirked. “Trying to trick me? Didn’t expect this, did you?”

“If you don’t strike now, I’ll start crying.” Feng Bu Jue threatened.

“So what?” Xu Huai Shang blinked.

“After I cry, I’ll say you moved me. Then I’ll ask Eunuch Cao for some Tian Shan Snow Lotus, a thousand-year Lingzhi—cure your poison, and we’ll be together forever.” Feng Bu Jue chuckled.

Puh!

The blade pierced his heart.

Xu Huai Shang froze, cold sweat breaking out. She’d thought she controlled the scene, but in moments, Feng Bu Jue had spun a new, dangerous plot.

If he’d executed this plan, the scenario would’ve Reversed again—leaving her no chance to resist him for a long time.

“This round doesn’t count. The Setting was too bizarre…” Xu Huai Shang hissed coldly in his ear as he dissolved into white light. “Next time, I’ll win you directly.”

“You’re still sore about that Butterfly Arena match, huh?” Feng Bu Jue replied ambiguously. “Fine… I’ll be ready whenever—”

His words cut off abruptly as he vanished. Almost instantly, Xu Huai Shang, hearing the victory prompt, left the scenario too.

On Zijin Peak, four stunned Npcs remained. Even Cao Qin wondered—“Was that… human or ghost?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end