A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2284 - 1541: Sword Saint
Not to mention, in Duanmu Huai’s view, the most precious treasure in the martial world is actually the secret manual of inner strength.
From the Judge’s perspective, inner strength is essentially a systematic technique of using spiritual energy. Enhancing physical attributes and resistance, boosting combat power, such skills exist in many other worlds as well. For example, using magic power to enhance physical attributes, or absorbing strength and then unleashing it is similar.
But they are fundamentally different from inner strength, where the former lacks any methodical approach and is purely reliant on brute force. For example, enhancing an arm means condensing magic power on the arm to boost attack and defense, releasing spiritual energy is a direct full-body outburst. Such methods might work once or twice, but excessive use can harm the body, and may lead to contamination or transformation. In the martial world, this is referred to as going off the rails.
In the martial world, however, the rules for using inner strength are quite methodical and orderly, not just a simple and crude outburst. Spreading this method could be quite beneficial.
Of course, this requires the collaboration and research of Ling’Nu, Frieren, and Lani.
With a major battle about to commence, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t miss any means to enhance combat power.
Having made his decision, Duanmu Huai plans to collect more secret martial arts manuals to take back with him. Research material, after all, is always better in abundance; maybe he could even classify and synthesize something new afterwards.
However, much to Duanmu Huai’s surprise, before he could even look for the manuals, they came to him.
Carrying two legs.
"Where is the Undying Slaughter God, Duanmu Huai?"
Seeing an elderly man with both beard and hair white blocking his path, Duanmu Huai stopped, puzzled. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
"Sword Saint, why are you not bothering Xiong Ba, and coming for me?"
"Hmph, young man, don’t be arrogant!"
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the Sword Saint, Dugu Jian, stared at him coldly.
"If it weren’t for your nonsense, Wushuang City wouldn’t have been destroyed by the World Association! I will of course deal with Xiong Ba, but before that, I won’t let you off either!"
Speaking thus, the Sword Saint raised his hand and stared at him.
"Let me use you as a sacrifice to demonstrate the power of my breakthrough! You will be the first opponent I face after mastering the Twenty-Two Sword! I want to see if the name of the Undying Slaughter God is truly deserved!"
"Oh ho......"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai’s expression turned cold.
"I’m not really good at respecting the old and cherishing the young; if you had mastered the Twenty-Three Sword, then maybe you’d have some merit. But with just this half-baked trick......"
Speaking, Duanmu Huai lifted his head, gazing at the Sword Saint, his face twisting into a grim smile.
"Koko koko koko! I shall utterly crush you!"
"Such audacity, let me learn from your techniques!"
At this moment, the Sword Saint’s aura surged to its peak, his whole being seemed like an unsheathed longsword, exploding with sharp sword qi. Even Wan Wan, Little Dragon Girl, and the other two girls were shocked by this, retreating backward — though they are top experts in the martial arts world, facing the Sword Saint’s absolute and ultimate Twenty-Two Sword, they still felt a heart-stopping shock.
It was as if countless sharp blades surged from all directions, weaving into layers of sword net, wrapping everything in it and tearing it to pieces!
Even the surrounding forest shivered in the trembling sword qi, leaves scattered, cut into fragments.
Facing the Sword Saint’s intimidating aura, Duanmu Huai stood there, gazing at him.
"What’s the use of your ghostly tricks? Show me your Twenty-Two Sword, then you can go die in peace!"
"You young man! Truly arrogant to the extreme!"
Hearing this, the Sword Saint’s fighting spirit soared even higher.
"Looks like I’ve been absent from the martial world for too long, allowing such youngsters to be so disrespectful to me. Since that’s the case, let him taste my skills then!
With this thought, the Sword Saint unleashed without reservation, raising both hands and stretching forward. In this moment, the accumulated sword qi burst forth, transforming into the absolute and ultimate Twenty-Two Sword, rushing towards Duanmu Huai. Wherever it passed, even the ground was torn apart by the fierce sword qi!
This is the terror of East State!
Such sword techniques, in the other three states, would almost be regarded as akin to a deity! And only the top experts of East State can execute such divine skill-like martial techniques!
At present, Duanmu Huai’s tall figure was completely engulfed by the sword qi, even his silhouette was invisible. Witnessing this, the Sword Saint coldly scoffed internally. Though Duanmu Huai seemed immensely bold, his aura was not very strong; until now, the Sword Saint hadn’t sensed his fighting spirit and aura. He just stood there, as if stunned by the Sword Saint’s Twenty-Two Sword, allowing the sword qi to envelop him without any response!
Could it be that the Undying Slaughter God, famed across the four states, only had this level of skills?
With this thought, the Sword Saint felt somewhat disappointed. He had assumed that since Duanmu Huai could make a great name for himself in the Northwest and South Three States, he certainly possessed his own skills. This was precisely why the Sword Saint decided to use him as a sword sacrifice before dealing with Xiong Ba — after all, not everyone is qualified to be the Sword Saint’s sacrifice!
Yet unexpectedly, Duanmu Huai was so disappointing!
Though he appeared robust and fierce, he lacked any aura, which might deceive ordinary Jianghu people but would never escape his eyes!
The Sword Saint was certain, this Undying Slaughter God, would certainly perish this time!
But then, a fist suddenly thrust out from the sword qi, heavily striking the Sword Saint’s abdomen!
"Boom—————!!"
The Sword Saint never anticipated this; someone actually could not dodge or evade, but withstand his Twenty-Two Sword head-on. At this moment, he coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered backwards. Then he watched as the sword qi ahead exploded, and Duanmu Huai’s unharmed form emerged from it.
At this moment, in the Sword Saint’s eyes, he seemed like a Demon God!
"Is this all? Sword Saint? Your absolute and ultimate Twenty-Two Sword just has this little skill?"
Duanmu Huai patted his shoulder, then looked at the elder now half-kneeling before him.
"If that is the case, then you should die!"
With that, Duanmu Huai clenched his fists and strode toward the Sword Saint.
"Ho...... ha......"
At this moment, the Sword Saint half-knelt on the ground, lifting his head, staring wide-eyed at Duanmu Huai in disbelief. Why only now did he feel such terrifying pressure? Clearly, he felt nothing at all earlier, but now, the Sword Saint only felt that this man opposite him was like a primordial beast, opening its bloody maw, coming towards him!
At this moment, the Sword Saint felt fear.
The fear of death.
Death was approaching him, he had never felt this sensation so clearly.
Just then, a thought emerged in the Sword Saint’s mind.
The force should not be exhausted; the sword should not be exhausted; if all things are taken to the extreme, fate must also end early!
No! I cannot die here like this!
At this moment, the Sword Saint suddenly felt enlightened, his mind was at peace!
I must fight! I must fight to the last!
"Boom rumble!"
At this moment, the weather changed dramatically! Dark clouds enveloped the sky, and suddenly a beam of light descended, shining on the Sword Saint. The Sword Saint, who was defeated by Duanmu Huai’s punch earlier, now appeared revitalized, leaping into the air, exuding an even more enthralling aura!
At the same time, a brilliance erupted from the Sword Saint, and then an unimaginable scene unfolded!
Everything ceased to move.
Whether it was the branches broken and flying due to the sword qi, or the three women retreating backward, or Duanmu Huai striding forward, at this moment all seemed frozen in this suspended time. And the Sword Saint, like the master of this world, flew towards Duanmu Huai! His sword qi condensed and stabbed, aiming for Duanmu Huai’s chest!
Just then, Duanmu Huai moved!
"Ora—————!"
Duanmu Huai clenched his right fist, punched forward, and the invincible sword qi shattered upon his fist’s contact, dissipating completely. Immediately, Duanmu Huai’s fist, without any hindrance, struck the Sword Saint’s astonished face!
"Go down————!"
With an angry roar, Duanmu Huai’s right fist smashed against the Sword Saint’s face, sending the elderly man tumbling to the ground!
An era of the Sword Saint, thus came to an end!
