Chapter 613 - 613: Hidden Weapon

At Chu Qingyun's words, the two ninth-level Martial Spirits' expressions changed.

Before, if they had heard Xu Shijie say such a thing, they would have thought nothing of it. After all, Xu Shijie's strength was widely recognized throughout the Saint Extreme Sect's Outer Sect.

But now, things were different.

Just yesterday, even Pei Yongqing of the Celestial Sword Sect had admitted defeat to Chu Qingyun's blade.

Under these circumstances, how could Chu Qingyun possibly be willing to just obediently hand the Martial King Essence Pill over to Xu Shijie?

Even Xu Shijie himself couldn't be certain he could defeat Pei Yongqing!

With their minds in turmoil, the two of them couldn't help but look at Chu Qingyun.

And just as they expected, Chu Qingyun had no intention of handing over the Martial King Essence Pill. "I think I'll hold on to the Martial King Essence Pill myself. You needn't trouble yourself, Senior Brother."

Hearing this, Xu Shijie's expression instantly changed, and a dark look appeared in his eyes.

'A mere eighth-level Martial Spirit Outer Disciple actually dares to defy me!'

"Heh heh, Xu Shijie, looks like you're losing your touch. Even an eighth-level Martial Spirit dares to treat your words like hot air."

He Liang, his opponent, said with a chuckle.

He was clearly trying to sow discord, hoping to make the Saint Extreme Sect members fight amongst themselves so he could find an opportunity.

But Xu Shijie was no fool.

He didn't fall for the bait.

"Hmph. He Liang, don't bother with such pathetic tricks. What does it matter if he holds onto the Martial King Essence Pill for now? Once I've dealt with you, I'll just go and take it."

From the very beginning, Xu Shijie had never taken Chu Qingyun seriously.

Meanwhile, the two ninth-level Martial Spirits and Pei Yongqing knew better than to meddle and court a rebuff by explaining the situation to Xu Shijie and He Liang.

"Fine, fine. Xu Shijie, it seems you're dead set on making an enemy of me," He Liang said.

Xu Shijie snorted. "Hmph. An enemy? So be it. I've been wanting to experience the Celestial Sword Sect's Sword Technique for myself!"

Seeing that the two were about to fight, the surrounding crowd immediately backed away a good distance.

Chu Qingyun and his two companions, as well as Pei Yongqing who was a bit further back, had no intention of getting involved. They all retreated, leaving the two fighters more than enough space.

"Face my sword!"

He Liang made the first move. His longsword flew from its sheath as he swung, sending a blast of sharp Sword Qi hurtling toward Xu Shijie.

"Bring it on!"

Xu Shijie barked a cold reply, instantly summoning his Martial Soul.

A Martial Soul Illusion of a black long-staff quickly materialized behind Xu Shijie, and with a flash of black light, a physical long-staff appeared in his hand.

CLANG!

The ground cracked instantly from the shock of the first clash between the long-staff and the treasure sword.

Both men had reached the Qi Realm and were top-tier experts from the Outer Sects of the Northern Domain's Three Major Sects. While the momentum of their battle couldn't compare to the clash between Chu Qingyun and Pei Yongqing the day before, the destructive force they unleashed on their surroundings was still astonishing.

They exchanged dozens of blows, trading attacks and parries, but it was a complete stalemate.

"Is this all there is to the Celestial Sword Sect's Sword Technique?"

After thirty exchanges, Xu Shijie forced He Liang back with a swing of his staff and sneered.

"Hmph. Don't get too cocky, Xu Shijie. I'll show you the true might of the Celestial Sword Sect's Sword Technique!"

"Red Fire Snake!"

He Liang barked, and, not to be outdone, unleashed his own Martial Soul.

A Martial Soul Illusion of a great, crimson snake slowly materialized behind him, instantly radiating a scorching aura.

'So he has a Tier Four Fire Attribute Martial Soul, too.'

"Red Sword Slash!"

A stream of crimson Martial Soul Power flowed from the Martial Soul Illusion behind He Liang and into his sword. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he swung the longsword six times in succession, leaving six crimson Sword Shadows hanging in mid-air.

Once the six Sword Shadows were formed, He Liang immediately raised his longsword high and brought it slashing down toward Xu Shijie.

As he struck, the six Sword Shadows instantly merged with his blade, forming a single, colossal crimson Sword Shadow that shot toward Xu Shijie, radiating a terrifying, searing heat!

"One Stick Shatters the Heavens!"

Faced with this slash, Xu Shijie's expression turned grave, and he unleashed a Soul Technique of his own to meet it head-on.

BOOM!

Another violent collision sent tremors through the surrounding earth.

However, even after both combatants had used their Secret Soul Techniques, they were still evenly matched.

They traded dozens more blows, but still, neither could gain an advantage, let alone defeat the other.

Watching the two fight, Chu Qingyun couldn't help but glance over at the nearby Pei Yongqing, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

With his discerning eye and combat experience, he could naturally tell that He Liang and Xu Shijie were more or less equal in strength.

However, both of them were likely still a fair bit weaker than Pei Yongqing, to say nothing of Chu Qingyun himself.

'So why did Pei Yongqing warn me to be careful of He Liang?'

Puzzled, Chu Qingyun continued to watch.

Meanwhile, more people began to arrive, drawn from all over by the constant fluctuations of Primordial Power emanating from the Martial King Essence Pill on Chu Qingyun.

As soon as they arrived, their attention was immediately captured by the fight.

A battle between top Outer Sect experts like He Liang and Xu Shijie was a rare sight, especially since they belonged to different sects.

As for being among the first three hundred people to reach the center of the Withered Wood Forest, these newcomers weren't in a particular hurry.

After two days in the Withered Wood Forest, almost everyone had discovered that the deeper one ventured, the higher the chances of encountering those withered wood monsters.

It wouldn't be so easy for the weaker disciples, who had given up on the Martial King Essence Pill's Primordial Power fluctuations and were focused solely on reaching the forest's center, to pass through.

After all, the vast majority of those with any real strength still wanted to try their luck with the pill.

He Liang and Xu Shijie quickly exchanged over a hundred blows.

After a hundred blows, their Primordial Power and Physical Strength were somewhat depleted, but they remained locked in a stalemate with no clear winner.

Just then, a sinister, cunning glint flashed in He Liang's eyes.

"Xu Shijie, face my sword!"

He Liang suddenly roared and once again executed his Red Sword Slash, the six Sword Shadows merging as they slashed toward Xu Shijie.

Xu Shijie immediately met the attack with a Soul Technique of his own.

However, the instant they clashed, Xu Shijie's expression changed. He realized the power behind He Liang's slash was much weaker than before.

'He's holding back!'

"Heh heh... Die, you fool!"

He Liang sneered. With a flick of his arm, three cone-shaped hidden weapons shot from his wrist, flying toward Xu Shijie at incredible speed.

The three hidden weapons glinted with a dark, greenish-blue luster in the sunlight—a clear sign they were coated in deadly poison!