Chapter 18: Sneak Attack

Thud! Thud!

With steady footsteps, a young man approached.

He had a tall, slender, and extremely well-proportioned physique. His eyebrows were thick, and his lips were remarkably thin; one look was enough to tell he was a ruthless individual.

Number seven on the Wind and Cloud Rankings, known as Boss Wen in the outer sect: Wen Chong!

Xu Xiaoshou felt a powerful aura wash over him. He knew Wen Chong possessed a cultivation technique that built up momentum, and if it was allowed to fully activate, Xu Xiaoshou might not even be able to withstand a single move.

He held a spirit crystal, sniffing it lightly at his nose. Then, with a slight chuckle, he greeted, "Hello, Junior Brother!"

Wen Chong stumbled, gritting his teeth in frustration, and his imposing aura instantly dissipated.

Indeed, despite his formidable and extraordinary presence, in front of Xu Xiaoshou, he was merely a junior brother who had entered the sect a year later.

The spectators had initially worried about how Xu Xiaoshou would withstand the opening pressure. Unexpectedly, the boy resorted to frequent, highly effective tricks.

"This Xu Xiaoshou is hilarious, I'm impressed!"

"My god, to talk like that in front of Boss Wen? My legs would be jelly."

"Haha, otherwise, how do you think he's still standing? Xu Xiaoshou is quite strong."

In the arena, Wen Chong glared at him with hawk-like eyes. He said, "Xu Xiaoshou, you're quite something. Daring to touch my people, I presume you've prepared yourself for the consequences."

Xu Xiaoshou naturally knew who he was referring to—Liu Zhen, everyone knew that! He cursed his bad luck internally. No sooner had he dealt with the junior than the senior appeared, giving him no time to develop!

He couldn't help but turn and glare at the referee.

Infuriated, the referee waved his hand and shouted, "The match begins!"

Xu Xiaoshou instantly created distance. Wen Chong's strongest move wasn't his aura, but a spiritual technique called "Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art."

This technique could conjure up to seven clones simultaneously. Combined with Wen Chong's elusive dagger techniques, once caught, there was no escaping.

Though "Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art" was considered a Post-Heaven level technique, its practical utility rivaled that of a Pre-Heaven level one.

Wen Chong watched Xu Xiaoshou retreat and sneered. This was exactly what he wanted.

The longer "Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art" accumulated power, the more clones could be summoned instantly. Since Xu Xiaoshou wanted to create distance, they would both buy time.

As his hand seals formed, Wen Chong sneered. Once he summoned all seven clones, Xu Xiaoshou would surely die!

Before the match officially began, there was still some noise in the arena, but once it started, silence fell. The spectator stands, however, remained a clamor of excitement.

"Is Xu Xiaoshou crazy? Doesn't he know Boss Wen's 'Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art' can also build momentum? Is he just creating distance to die?"

"I heard he only knows one move of the 'White Cloud Sword Art,' maybe he really doesn't know?"

"It's over, it's over! Once Boss Wen and his seven clones rush him, that guy's going to be sliced to bits."

"Yeah, it's not just him with a ninth-grade spiritual artifact; others have them too! Boss Wen's pair of purple daggers, tsk tsk, terrifying!"

"Look! Xu Xiaoshou is still holding a wooden sword? What the... he, he closed his eyes?!"

Liu Zhen, having recovered under the care of medical staff, arrived at the spectator stands and immediately saw both combatants preparing their moves.

His pupils contracted. It wasn't because of Wen Chong's "Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art," but because he saw Xu Xiaoshou's familiar closed eyes.

This was...

The sword move he hadn't unleashed at the last moment of the previous match?

Are they really going all out and showing their trump cards right from the start? So aggressive?

Xu Xiaoshou indeed intended to do so. His body was no longer able to sustain a prolonged battle. Since both "Shadow Splitting Spiritual Art" and "White Cloud Drifting" required momentum buildup, he would decide the victor in one move!

However, to prevent serious injury, he still opted for his wooden sword!

He was a compassionate fighter, always considering his opponent.

He had tested the wooden sword yesterday; its attack power was decent enough to barely scratch tree bark.

In reality, the strength of "White Cloud Drifting" didn't lie in the weapon, but in the sword intent!

On the other side, illusory figures began appearing around Wen Chong. Everyone held their breath, knowing the outcome would be decided in an instant.

The referee had already tensed up. Truthfully, what they feared most in their profession was this kind of direct confrontation.

If you didn't let them clash, the victor wouldn't be clear. But if you did, someone might die.

Whew! He fixed his gaze on Xu Xiaoshou, watching his wooden sword, his closed eyes, and his gradually fading aura. Panic surged within him.

"Come on, put in some effort! Don't you have a ninth-grade spiritual sword? Take it out and fight!"

"As long as you can withstand Wen Chong's initial assault, I can save you!"

Buzz! A clear sword hum resonated, making everyone's hearts tighten. They looked towards Xu Xiaoshou's sword.

"Uh, a wooden sword?"

"Did they mishear?"

"Could it be Wen Chong's daggers vibrating?"

Everyone turned simultaneously. They saw a glint in Wen Chong's eyes. His figure transformed into a blur, shifting positions, crisscrossing with his clones as he slashed towards Xu Xiaoshou.

The distance closed...

Half the arena!

Ten feet!

Xu Xiaoshou... was still keeping his eyes closed!

Everyone cursed under their breath. Death was upon him, and he still wouldn't open his damn eyes? He might never open them again!

The referee instantly lunged forward. Xu Xiaoshou was insane; heavily injured, he must have given up the match!

However, just as the two were mere inches apart, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly opened his eyes, holding his sword in his right hand. And somehow, at some unknown moment, he had already drawn a sword stroke!

This sword stroke was incredibly slow, like a leisurely white cloud. It instantly calmed the agitated hearts of the onlookers.

Buzz! Another sword hum. This time, everyone clearly saw it. It was Xu Xiaoshou's wooden sword vibrating joyfully, not Wen Chong's daggers.

"A wooden sword?"

"What's going on?"

The spectators in the stands were eager to react, but unexpectedly, they themselves were affected.

Clang— At this sound, all the swords carried by people present began to tremble. They seemed to be drawn by sword intent, forming a single resonant field.

This scene was so familiar. Every sword cultivator present couldn't help but recall the unidentified sword hum that had echoed for a mile in the outer sect two days prior.

Could it be that Xu Xiaoshou was responsible for that?

"Th-this, how is this possible?"

"Am I seeing things?"

In the void, Xiao Qixiu's eyes widened, and he gripped his long sword in shock.

Post-Heaven Sword Intent?!

It was really Xu Xiaoshou?!

In the arena, as the humming sound resonated, Wen Chong immediately changed his move. He retreated, almost brushing Xu Xiaoshou's nose, and instantly, seven clones appeared before him, blocking.

Clang, clang, clang... Sword light met purple daggers, and the clang of metal was incessant.

Wen Chong's face was filled with shock. With a single sword stroke, this kid had unleashed no less than several hundred sword lights. This seemingly slow sword net not only blocked his attack routes but forced him to retreat repeatedly.

"How is this possible?"

"Isn't this kid a body refiner? How can he possess such terrifying swordsmanship?"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Wen Chong's clones were shattered one by one. Fine sword marks appeared on his body, and blood spurted out!

Liu Zhen, outside the arena, was stunned by this swordsmanship... He recalled that Xu Xiaoshou had been wielding "Hidden Suffering" back then. If he hadn't used his "Dark Tribulation" to interrupt Xu Xiaoshou's attack, wouldn't he be minced meat by now?

Indeed, this kid was just as he suspected—full of hidden depths!

In the arena, Wen Chong was forced back to his original position by the sword lights. He was even on the verge of being pushed out of the ring.

He sheathed his daggers and crossed his arms over his chest. A spiritual energy shield burst forth from his body, instantly deflecting all the sword lights.

"Rushing Spirit Barrier!"

As the spiritual energy dispersed, Wen Chong's pupils contracted.

Xu Xiaoshou's long hair on his forehead swept diagonally as he charged forward. His wooden sword was now unmistakably pressed against Wen Chong's throat.

"You lose."

Gulp! Wen Chong instinctively swallowed. As his Adam's apple bobbed, a bloody mark appeared on his throat from the sword qi of the wooden sword.

His face was covered in blood, but they were all superficial wounds. His condition was even at its peak, yet he had lost.

One sword, one phrase.

Number seven on the Wind and Cloud Rankings defeated!

A gentle breeze rustled. The spectator stands were utterly silent, and the referee stood frozen in place behind them.

Xu Xiaoshou sheathed his sword and turned. He needed to go back to rest and recover; that single sword stroke had drained all his spiritual energy.

His leg trembled... Hold it in, don't fall. So many people are watching, he must keep up appearances!

Wen Chong's eyes were filled with unwillingness. Apart from building momentum, the actual fight lasted mere breaths, and he had lost?

Number seven on the Wind and Cloud Rankings, Boss Wen of the outer sect, had actually been defeated!

He didn't turn back, trapped within the barrier. He seemed to already hear the merciless taunts from the spectator stands.

This Xu Xiaoshou, whom Liu Zhen could disable, had actually defeated Boss Wen with a single sword stroke!

This Xu Xiaoshou, who dared to tease Di Xin'er with a wooden sword, had left Boss Wen helpless after he entered the arena!

A fierce glint flashed in Wen Chong's eyes! The purple dagger he held inverted within his sleeve emitted a faint aura, and he surprisingly transformed into a blur, charging forward once more!

"Look out!"

"Wen Chong, stop!"

"The match is over, it's over!"

The referee roared and lunged forward. He had never imagined that simply being late in calling "The match is over" would lead to such consequences.

Anyone with eyes could see Xu Xiaoshou had won. Yet Wen Chong had dared to launch a sneak attack!

He was completely too late to stop it!

"Attacked, Passive Points +1." Due to his avarice, Xu Xiaoshou always kept a sliver of his attention on the information bar. Spotting this message now, he abruptly spun around and struck, misaligning his stance.

Thwack! Wen Chong's ninth-grade spiritual dagger savagely plunged into Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder, and blood spurted out.

Rip! Xu Xiaoshou's right hand pierced through Wen Chong's chest—right where his heart was!