Splitting the Heavens

Chapter 243: Pointers

Chapter 243: Pointers

“Hah… This crafty bastard actually hid his true level!” Some cultivators in the crowd who had crossed paths with him in the past yelled. The anger in their voice was apparent.

Huang Xing’s ‘innocent’ and ‘straightforward’ expression fell slightly as he waved his broadsword before him. “Please!”

Shang Xia twisted his wrist and a long sword appeared in his hand. Those who noticed what happened gasped in shock.

Spatial artifacts were still extremely rare objects. Even among Martial Intent Realm experts, it was really rarely seen, much less the disciples of the various institutions.

Seeing as a sword had already been in Shang Xia’s hand, Huang Xing didn’t say anymore. He started his assault. Twirling his sword, a formless sword light slashed towards Shang Xia.

Holding Jade Creek in his hand, Shang Xia turned most of his attention to his dantian.

Due to the presence of the restraining talisman, Shang Xia discovered that the small ball of chaos in his dantian had been sealed up for the time being.

However, the seal was paper thin. With a single thought, Shang Xia could shatter the seal instantly. The nature of the seal wasn’t the problem. Instead, he was more interested to see if the ball of formless chaos in his dantian would transform back into the Yin Yang Diagram.

It was a shame he was bound to be disappointed. The Yin Yang Diagram was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he discovered that every strand of his inner qi seemed to contain traces of yin and yang. It could transform into any attribute he wanted!

Ever since his breakthrough, the Yin Yang Diagram and the tiny swords that symbolized his comprehension of the various sword intents transformed and fused together! He could use them anytime he wished. That was what happened when he entered the Martial Intent Realm previously.

As Huang Xing swung his broadsword, he unleashed seven slashes in the blink of an eye.

Every successive slash was stronger than the other, and as the sword light tore through the air, deep cuts could be seen in the ground below.

As the sword lights approached, Shang Xia finally moved! Waving his Jade Creek Sword lightly, each of the seven sword lights were shattered completely. That wasn’t all. His sword seemed to cross space and it tapped directly on the body of Huang Xing’s broadsword.

“Clang!” A deafening blast rocked through the air and Huang Xing’s body trembled uncontrollably from the recoil.

Withdrawing his sword, Shang Xia also retreated slightly. When he finally stopped, he was several dozen feet away.

“You…” Huang Xing hadn’t lost his grip on his sword, but there was a trace of unease in his eyes.

“A broadsword is fundamentally different from an epee. There’s no need to play such games with me. Hurry up and show me your true strength.” Shang Xia said indifferently. However, Huang Xing felt as though Shang Xia’s words were a huge sledgehammer that slammed into his heart. At the same time, the crowd around them went wild.

Huang Xing was one of the most outstanding disciples from the Weiwu Institution during the ‘exchange’ with the disciples of the Tongyou Institution. In fact, he was ranked among the top even among the other institutions.

With his strength, many people couldn’t block several strikes from him before they were defeated. There were even disciples who had reached the grand completion stage of the Martial Extremity Realm who had lost to him due to a moment of carelessness!

Practically everyone felt that he was training in light and heavy qi due to his technique. Not to mention the fact that he was waving a giant sword around.

From what Shang Xia mentioned, it seemed as though Huang Xing wasn’t training in light and heavy qi at all! There were many people who doubted his judgment, but their suspicion quickly disappeared when they witnessed the following scene.

Huang Xing’s expression sank as he changed his stance.

How deep was this fellow actually hiding?!

That was probably the thought that ran through the minds of those present. When they looked at his ‘honest’ and ‘silly’ appearance, many people realized that he had been hiding his true cultivation and martial arts all along!

Holding his boardsword in a reverse grip, his other hand held onto the blade of the sword, making it look more like a giant shield.

Releasing a loud roar, Huang Xing held the boardsword before him and charged towards Shang Xia.

Standing his ground, Shang Xia’s inaction caused many people to feel slightly worried for him. If he was really hit by Huang Xing’s reckless charge, he would really turn into meat paste.

When Huang Xing was barely three feet away from him, Shang Xia stabbed his sword forward. Not a trace of sword light was released, and there weren’t any signs that he had released any sword qi.

It was a stab that couldn’t be more ordinary!

The Jade Creek Sword which was barely longer than Shang Xia’s forearm seemed to ignore all distance as the tip of the sword appeared directly in front of Huang Xing’s forehead!

Huang Xing wasn’t able to raise his sword to defend himself when Shang Xia’s strike arrived.

It was at that moment Shang Xia realized how tyrannical the Shang Clan’s Irregular Sword Art was. It was too damn amazing!

Even though a portion of the disciples currently watching the battle had reached the grand completion stage of the Martial Extremity Realm, and some of them had even entered the Martial Intent Realm, they couldn’t help but gasp in admiration at Shang Xia’s strike.

Shang Xia knew how frightening his sword art was, but he also knew that it wasn’t enough to fully secure the victory.

A loud cry rang through the air and the sound of metal scraping followed. His sword was eventually deflected.

Sword light filled the air like fireworks as Huang Xing released 27 strikes in succession. Every slash was stronger and faster than the last.

His right hand was still holding on to his broadsword, but a second thinner sword could be seen in his left hand.

Slashing through the air quickly, he managed to force Shang Xia to take several steps back.

“This guy isn’t training in the dao of light and heavy. He’s training in the dao of speed! He’s using fast and slow qi!”

“He can actually wield a sword with his left hand!”

“When did someone like him appear in the Weiwu Institution?!”

Gasps of shock filled the plaza as many people imagined themselves to be in Shang Xia’s position. Realizing that they would have lost instantly, they couldn’t help but sigh.

In the training plaza, Huang Xing looked as though he had finally gained the upper hand. However, those who knew what was actually going on could tell that Huang Xing’s attacks were flashy at best. It was extremely messy and there wasn’t much substance behind it.

Shang Xia might look to be at a disadvantage, but he was able to move leisurely across the battlefield. He could attack and retreat as he wished. The scene even reminded some of them when their teachers were holding classes.

“Something is wrong. Huang Xing is following the dao of speed, but why isn’t he releasing his broadsword? Won’t the large blade hamper his speed?” Several disciples quickly pointed out the abnormality.

Shang Xia, who seemed to be suppressed by Huang Xing, brought out another sword all of a sudden. He shattered the array of sword lights around him in the blink of an eye before rushing straight towards Huang Xing.

Once again, he simply stabbed straight ahead. Like before, there was nothing flashy about it.

Instinctively, Huang Xing raised his broadsword to protect himself.

“Clang!”

Once again, a clear ringing sound filled the air. This time, Huang Xing’s back was drenched in sweat.

Everyone could tell that Shang Xia didn’t put much effort into his last strike. Only the person facing him, Huang Xing, could tell that Shang Xia was showing mercy.

If Shang Xia chose to release his inner qi and send a sword light out towards Huang Xing, he would be dead before his sword could hit the floor.

Naturally, not many people in the plaza would be able to see Shang Xia’s intention. The same couldn’t be said when talking about Huang Xing’s secret.

“Offense and defense! This fellow wants to use the dao of speed to comprehend the dao of offense and defense!” Someone yelled.

Shang Xia finally broke his silence and reminded, “Do you still not understand? What’s the point in using your broadsword to defend yourself? The best defense is a strong offense!”

“So that’s it… That’s it!” Tossing his broadsword away, the glow around his thin sword became all the more resplendent.

The dao of speed and a sword boundary that consisted of offense and defense. Huang Xing finally understood the essence behind his sword intent! At that moment, he truly stepped into the grand completion stage of the Martial Extremity Realm!