aircannonsinc Chapter 50: Li Wuhen wins two consecutive matches; is his position as sect leader secure?
Chapter 50: Li Wuhen wins two consecutive matches; is his position as sect leader secure?
Liu Suifeng walked to the center of the stage and stood opposite Li Wuhen.
"Third Junior Brother, congratulations." Liu Suifeng still had a gentle smile on his face, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
"Second Senior Brother also wants to offer some guidance?" Li Wuhen asked hoarsely.
"Of course." Liu Suifeng nodded. "The position of sect leader is related to the future of the Sword Sect, and I would like to give it a try as well."
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere between the two became tense again.
The murmurs from the audience gradually subsided.
Everyone knew that the second match was about to begin.
The outcome of this duel will once again determine the future fate of the Azure Sky Sword Sect.
Xu Longxiang turned his gaze back to the high platform, his eyes flashing with anticipation.
If Li Wuhen wins another match, his position as sect leader will be practically secured.
When the Qinglan Sword Sect forms an alliance with the Northern Territory, his grand undertaking will take its most crucial step.
As for Qin Mu...
Xu Longxiang's gaze swept over the black-clad figure on the high platform, a flash of killing intent appearing in his eyes.
Once the great undertaking is accomplished, he will personally tear Qin Mu to pieces.
Then, they brought Jiang Qingxue out.
He would tell her that it was all worth it.
For the greater cause, for the world, for their shared future...
Xu Longxiang convinced himself of this.
But deep inside, that voice kept questioning:
Is it really worth it?
Sending the woman he loves into the tiger's den, watching her be embraced by another man, watching her be made a concubine, watching her force a smile...
Is it really... worth it?
Xu Longxiang closed his eyes, not daring to think any further.
He was afraid that if he thought about it any longer, he would go crazy.
On the stage, the duel between Liu Suifeng and Li Wuhen has begun.
Li Wuhen's "Blood Drinking Sword" glowed with an eerie crimson light in the morning light, and the runes on the sword seemed to come alive, wriggling and moving across the blade.
He stood facing Liu Suifeng, the three-zhang distance between them seemingly solidified into a tangible wall of sword intent.
Liu Suifeng slowly drew the sword from his waist.
It was a soft sword, its blade as thin as a cicada's wing, entirely silver-white, shimmering with a watery halo in the sunlight. The sword was named "Flowing Clouds," befitting his title.
"Third junior brother, please." Liu Suifeng's voice was still gentle, but his eyes were sharp as knives.
"Second Senior Brother, I apologize."
As soon as Li Wuhen finished speaking, his figure transformed into a bloody shadow.
This time, he learned from his experience against Mo Wentian and no longer focused on fast attacks, but instead adopted a steady and methodical approach.
The Blood-Drinking Sword thrust out diagonally, its tip trembling, scattering specks of blood-red, cold light that rained down on Liu Suifeng's major acupoints like a storm.
Instead of retreating, Liu Suifeng advanced, the Flowing Cloud Sword seemingly weightless in his hand, as he lightly met the attack.
"Ding ding ding ding ding—"
A series of dense, metallic clanging sounds, like raindrops pattering on banana leaves, rang out.
The two swords clashed hundreds of times in an instant!
Liu Suifeng's swordsmanship is completely different from Mo Wentian's profound and steady style and Li Wuhen's ruthless and bloody style.
His swordplay was light and graceful, like flowing clouds and water, without fixed moves or deliberate killing techniques.
Each sword strike seemed effortless, yet it perfectly blocked Li Wuhen's attacks.
The sword moves with the body, and the body moves with the sword.
Liu Suifeng's movements were even more unpredictable, sometimes like willow catkins drifting in the wind, sometimes like a swallow skimming across the waves, moving freely amidst the blood-red sword shadows, with an indescribable elegance.
Many young disciples below the stage were mesmerized by the sight.
"Is this the Second Elder's 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique'? It's so beautiful..."
"She seems so light and agile, yet she always manages to neutralize the Third Elder's deadly attacks. She's amazing!"
However, the older generation of masters saw the danger involved.
Liu Suifeng's swordsmanship appears gentle, but in reality, every strike conceals deadly intent.
The sword, as thin as a cicada's wing, was sharpened by the infusion of true energy, making it no less powerful than any divine weapon.
Moreover, his swordplay is unpredictable, often striking from unexpected angles, making it impossible to defend against.
Sure enough, after thirty moves, the situation began to change.
Liu Suifeng suddenly changed his tactics!
With a flick of his wrist, the Flowing Cloud Sword instantly straightened, its tip drawing a strange arc as it pierced into Li Wuhen's ribs from a blind spot!
This sword strike was as fast as lightning and as cunning as a venomous snake!
Li Wuhen's pupils contracted sharply, and he could only dodge to the side in haste.
"Sizzle—"
The blade of the Blood Drinking Sword grazed his left rib, tearing a gash in his blue Taoist robe and leaving a thin, long bloodstain on his skin.
Although it was only a superficial injury, Li Wuhen's face darkened.
He knew he had underestimated his opponent.
Second Senior Brother Liu Suifeng usually appears gentle and unassuming, but his swordsmanship is unexpectedly unpredictable and ruthless.
"Excellent swordsmanship," Li Wuhen said hoarsely, his eyes flashing with even more bloodlust.
"Junior brother, you flatter me." Liu Suifeng smiled, but his sword strikes did not slow down at all, clinging to him like a bone-deep infection.
The two clashed again.
This time, Li Wuhen abandoned his contempt and changed the sword's momentum, transforming from ferocious to sinister.
He no longer pursued a fatal blow, but instead fought steadily, his swords never leaving Liu Suifeng's vital points, forcing Liu Suifeng to retreat and defend.
The Blood Drinking Sword's unique characteristics began to emerge.
Each time he clashed with the Flowing Cloud Sword, a chilling aura of blood flowed along the sword, attempting to invade Liu Suifeng's meridians.
That was the malevolent aura condensed after the Blood-Drinking Sword had drunk the blood of a thousand people. If an ordinary martial artist were to be invaded by it, at best their true energy would be disordered, and at worst they would suffer from qi deviation.
Liu Suifeng was clearly aware of this as well. He never directly confronted the Blood Drinking Sword with the Flowing Cloud Sword, but instead used skill to overcome force and softness to defeat hardness.
The two swordsmen had completely opposite styles; one was ruthless and vicious, while the other was unpredictable and graceful. When they fought together, there was a strange kind of beauty to it.
The audience was completely captivated.
This is a true duel between sword masters!
Sword intent, sword techniques, sword heart, sword soul... were vividly displayed in the two of them.
In the blink of an eye, a hundred moves had passed.
The two remain evenly matched.
Although Liu Suifeng's swordsmanship was unpredictable, Li Wuhen's Blood Drinking Sword was too domineering and fierce, making it impossible for him to get close.
Although Li Wuhen was ruthless, Liu Suifeng's movements were too elusive, and he always managed to avoid a fatal blow by the slightest margin.
The battle seemed to have reached a stalemate.
On the high platform, Qin Mu still held Jiang Qingxue in his arms, propped his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on the two on the platform, a faint smile on his lips.
He seemed very interested in the match and watched it with great interest.
Jiang Qingxue, however, was restless.
Her gaze occasionally drifted towards the Northern camp below the stage.
There, Xu Longxiang was staring intently at the stage, his fists clenched, his eyes filled with tension.
He was worried about Li Wuhen.
A complex mix of emotions welled up in Jiang Qingxue's heart.
They hoped Li Wuhen would win, because that would benefit Xu Longxiang.
She didn't want Li Wuhen to win, because she vaguely sensed that Qin Mu seemed to be plotting something.
This internal conflict left her feeling almost suffocated.
"My beloved concubine, focus on watching the show." Qin Mu's voice rang in her ears again.
Jiang Qingxue trembled, quickly averted her gaze, and whispered, "Yes..."
On stage, the battle situation suddenly changed!
Unable to break through after a long and arduous attack, Liu Suifeng finally resorted to his ultimate technique.
He suddenly accelerated, and the Flowing Cloud Sword in his hand transformed into a silver light screen. The sword light poured out like mercury, penetrating everywhere!
"The flowing clouds turn nine times!"
Someone in the audience gasped in surprise.
This is Liu Suifeng's signature move. It is said that after nine cycles, the sword's power will reach its peak, and no one can stop it.
Sure enough, the first turn was met with a surge of sword light.
The second turn, the sword's momentum like waves.
The third turn, sword energy like a rainbow.
……
When the sword reached the seventh turn, Liu Suifeng's sword aura was like a storm, completely enveloping Li Wuhen!
Li Wuhen's expression finally changed.
He could sense that Liu Suifeng's swordsmanship was getting stronger with each strike, seemingly without end.
If things continue like this, he is bound to lose.
"We can't wait any longer!"
A ruthless glint flashed in Li Wuhen's eyes. He bit his tongue and spat a mouthful of blood onto the Blood Drinking Sword!
"Buzzing—"
The Blood Drinking Sword trembled violently, and the runes on its blade burst forth with dazzling blood-red light!
A strong stench of blood filled the air, as if countless wronged souls were wailing.
"Blood Demon True Form, Second Stage!"
Li Wuhen roared, and the blood-red phantom behind him reappeared. This time, the phantom was more solid, standing five zhang tall, with a ferocious and terrifying face. The blood-red giant sword in his hand also swelled to twice its size!
"Not good!" Liu Suifeng's expression changed, and he tried to retreat, but it was too late.
Li Wuhen and the blood-red phantom simultaneously swung their swords!
Two crimson sword lights, one real and one illusory, overlapped and transformed into a thick crimson pillar of light, which crashed fiercely into Liu Suifeng's sword curtain!
"BOOM—!!!"
Amidst a deafening roar, Liu Suifeng's sword curtain shattered!
He groaned and flew backward, tumbling three times in the air before finally landing with a pale face and a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.
A tiny crack appeared on the blade of the Flowing Cloud Sword.
Although Li Wuhen's face was even paler and his breathing was much more disordered, he stood still, pointing his Blood Drinking Sword at the ground, and the blood-red phantom behind him slowly dissipated.
The outcome is decided.
The audience was completely silent.
Everyone was shocked by the power of that attack.
Even the three supreme elders on the high platform showed a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Blood Demon True Form, Second Stage...
Li Wuhen has actually mastered this skill to such a high level.
Liu Suifeng took a deep breath, suppressed his surging blood and qi, and slowly sheathed his sword.
"Third junior brother, impressive skills." His voice remained gentle, but the temperature in his eyes turned cold.
"Second Senior Brother is too kind," Li Wuhen said hoarsely, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.
Two wins in two games!
If there are no more challengers, the position of sect leader will be his!
Below the stage, Xu Longxiang's eyes flashed with wild joy.
Become!
Li Wuhen won!
He suppressed his excitement and glanced at the dark figure on the high platform.
Qin Mu, did you see that?
Even if you are the emperor, even if you are there in person, it won't change anything!
The Azure Sky Sword Sect will eventually fall under my control!
On the high platform, Qin Mu seemed to notice Xu Longxiang's gaze, turned to look at him, and smiled slightly.
That smile was calm and composed, as if everything was under control.
Xu Longxiang felt a chill run down his spine, a vague sense of foreboding creeping in.
But he immediately suppressed this premonition.
impossible.
Li Wuhen won two matches in a row, his strength is undeniable. Even if Qin Mu wanted to intervene, he couldn't find a reason to.
According to the rules of the Sword Sect, in martial arts competitions, the winner is respected.
As long as Li Wuhen is invincible, the position of sect leader will undoubtedly belong to him.
......
After winning two consecutive matches, Li Wuhen was allowed to temporarily step down from the stage to rest and recover his inner energy, according to the rules.
Others who wish to compete for the position of sect leader can continue to take the stage to compete.
If you can win two matches in a row, you will be qualified to challenge Li Wuhen.
"Is anyone else going up on stage?" the deacon presiding over the ceremony asked in a loud voice.