Chapter Forty-Five: Outshining the Pure Jade Crane (Part Two)

The disciples below the arena once again broke into lively discussion, and both Master Lingfeng and Master Kurong were visibly astonished.

“Senior Brother Lingfeng, what do you make of this? How could Yang Xiao so easily withstand Qingyu He’s strike? An attack like that—forget about disciples in the Spiritual Awareness realm—even you or I would struggle to take it as effortlessly as Yang Xiao just did,” Master Kurong said in bewilderment.

“Yang Xiao is certainly extraordinary. It seemed he channeled part of that lightning force through his own body, which allowed him to endure such a powerful assault. If I’m not mistaken, his physique must be extremely unique—very likely the legendary Thunder Body, a possessor of the Thunder Spiritual Root. Only with such a constitution could he accomplish this,” replied Master Lingfeng.

“That must be it. This explains everything. Yang Xiao is clearly a prodigy in the arts of thunder cultivation. If he’s allowed to develop, it would bring great benefit to our Giant Spirit Sect,” Master Kurong agreed, nodding thoughtfully.

“Yes, Yang Xiao is indeed a genius, but he must still be thoroughly tested in the future. As long as he remains loyal to our sect, we will certainly invest significant resources in his training,” Master Lingfeng said, eyes fixed on Yang Xiao’s figure.

“This time, Yang Xiao is truly the dark horse among the disciples. I doubt even you expected this, Senior Brother. But if he really wins the championship, will you hand over the position of Young Sect Master to him?” Master Kurong asked.

“If Yang Xiao truly becomes champion, then naturally I will give him the position. One must keep one’s word. Though I haven’t paid much attention to him before, he is a disciple of our Giant Spirit Sect, and any disciple is entitled to compete for that title. If he wins, the position is his. However, Junior Sister Kurong, do you really believe Yang Xiao can defeat Yu He and take the championship? Even if he overcomes Yu He, I doubt he’ll easily pass the challenge of your beloved disciple, Ling Yunmei. It’s too soon to speculate. Let’s continue to watch the competition. I still have great faith in Yu He. Even if Yang Xiao can break through Yu He’s Thunder from Heaven and Earth, I doubt he can claim victory so easily,” Master Lingfeng responded calmly.

“You’re right. After all, Yu He is your prized pupil, Senior Brother, and you’ve taught him much. With your personal instruction, victory won’t come easily to Yang Xiao,” Master Kurong said, nodding once more. She then fell silent, turning her full attention back to the arena to see how the contest would unfold.

During her duel with Hao Gang, Ling Yunmei glanced from time to time at Yang Xiao’s match. When she witnessed the might of the thunder unleashed by Qingyu He, she was deeply astonished. She knew that even she would struggle to withstand such an attack and would likely be injured if she tried. Yet Yang Xiao had performed a miracle, taking the full force of Qingyu He’s strike unharmed. This filled her with both astonishment and joy—joy because Yang Xiao was safe, but also awe at his abilities. Yang Xiao’s prowess had clearly exceeded her expectations; she doubted she could defeat him in a direct confrontation, given how mysterious and unfathomable he was.

Nevertheless, Yang Xiao facing Qingyu He actually eased one of Ling Yunmei’s worries. Had it been her in Yang Xiao’s place, she would have had little confidence in defeating Qingyu He and claiming the championship, for his skills were not to be underestimated.

In summary, Yang Xiao battling Qingyu He was actually a favorable development for Ling Yunmei, since she was confident she could defeat Hao Gang. As for who she would face in the final, only the outcome between Yang Xiao and Qingyu He would decide.

Master Kurong was clearly hoping for Ling Yunmei to win the championship this time, and in order to fulfill her master’s wish and repay her kindness, Ling Yunmei was determined to give her all. That was the reason she persevered to this point.

Seeing that Yang Xiao was in no immediate danger, Ling Yunmei now focused all her effort on her duel with Hao Gang. For the time being, she put aside any concern for Yang Xiao’s match and concentrated on securing her own victory.

Qingyu He’s expression turned dark and sullen when he saw Yang Xiao withstand his attack. He couldn’t fathom how Yang Xiao had done it. But when he realized his strike had little effect, he quickly devised a new plan. He drew a sword from his storage pouch, infused it with spiritual energy, and the blade began to float before him as if alive—a clear display of advanced sword-controlling technique. Only disciples nearing the Qi Condensation stage could wield such abilities safely.

Yang Xiao had previously used flying needles to strike enemies at a distance, but those were small and required little spiritual power. Flying swords, however, were much larger and required greater spiritual reserves to sustain flight. Yet Qingyu He, being outstanding among his peers, had ample spiritual power, making the use of a flying sword no great challenge for him.

The sword circled above Qingyu He’s head before launching itself at Yang Xiao with incredible speed. In an instant, it was before him.

Without hesitation, Yang Xiao hurled his spear forward. The spear transformed into a streak of light, meeting Qingyu He’s flying sword head-on.

In moments, spear and sword clashed fiercely in mid-air. Yang Xiao, too, possessed abundant spiritual power; since reaching the eighth level of the Spiritual Awareness realm, wielding flying spiritual weapons was no trouble for him. The spear and sword dueled with no clear victor.

Although Qingyu He’s cultivation was a level higher, Yang Xiao’s skill with the spear was by no means inferior. He held his ground, and neither side could gain the upper hand.

Yang Xiao considered drawing the Dragon-Serpent Sword for the fight, but knew he could not. He already wielded a mid-grade spiritual spear; producing a high-grade spiritual sword as well would certainly arouse suspicion—no ordinary disciple could possess two such treasures. Others might covet his riches and be driven to murder for them, putting his safety at grave risk.

Qingyu He’s sword was also a mid-grade spiritual weapon, on par with Yang Xiao’s spear. Yang Xiao was confident that if he used the Dragon-Serpent Sword, he could swiftly defeat Qingyu He, but the risk was too great. He preferred a drawn-out battle, whittling down his opponent, rather than risking everything for a hasty victory.

Even without the Dragon-Serpent Sword, Yang Xiao was confident he could defeat Qingyu He. For most cultivators, the body was the weakest point. In close combat, Yang Xiao’s Ninefold Body-Refining Divine Art was more than enough to handle any lower-tier disciple.

Qingyu He’s decision to use a flying sword to attack made it clear he intended to put Yang Xiao out of the running in one stroke—perhaps even seriously injure him. If Qingyu He fought without mercy, Yang Xiao would show no kindness in return. Seeing that the two spiritual weapons in the air were locked in stalemate, Yang Xiao dodged forward in a flash, closing in with a swift fist aimed at Qingyu He’s body. The blow was fast as lightning, and Yang Xiao’s movements were so elusive that the pressure on Qingyu He was immense.

No matter how skilled Qingyu He was, his body could never be as resilient as Yang Xiao’s. A punch infused with such spiritual power could easily shatter an ordinary body.

Seeing Yang Xiao appear before him like a ghost, Qingyu He panicked. His earlier techniques were all powerful, but they had consumed tremendous amounts of spiritual energy. By now, most of his reserves were depleted, and with no time to retaliate, he could only watch as Yang Xiao’s fist crashed into him.

Fortunately, Qingyu He had one last line of defense. He gathered his remaining spiritual power and formed a protective barrier around himself—a shimmering shield, above which appeared the shadow of a giant.

Yang Xiao’s punch landed squarely on the barrier—a blow he had prepared in advance, packing immense force. The shield trembled violently, and Qingyu He staggered back several steps, nearly collapsing.

“Is this the Giant Spirit Art?” Yang Xiao recognized the technique. Clearly, Master Lingfeng had already taught Qingyu He this secret art, explaining his powerful defense.

However, Yang Xiao also saw that Qingyu He was struggling to wield the Giant Spirit Art, having only grasped a superficial portion—likely just the introductory methods. After all, such arts were usually reserved for the sect master; Master Lingfeng would never impart the entirety to a disciple lightly.

Thus, though Qingyu He could use the Giant Spirit Art, he had only scratched the surface. It was no match for Yang Xiao’s Ninefold Golden Body.

With this in mind, Yang Xiao pressed the attack, landing several more heavy blows upon Qingyu He’s shield. Quickly, the barrier faltered and, with a loud crack, shattered.

With Qingyu He left battered and defenseless, defeating him was no longer a problem for Yang Xiao.