Man Is Faster Than the Sword!
"You scoundrel, take this whip from this Young Miss!"
Ouyang Shishi shouted as flames erupted from her long whip. The fiery aura surged violently as she lashed it toward Zhang Lingxiao.
In an instant, a blazing whip arc tore through the air.
"What a powerful fire-attributed Martial Skill."
Zhang Lingxiao narrowed his eyes.
Although Ouyang Shishi was only at the early stage of the Spiritual Martial Realm, the fire-attributed cultivation technique she practiced was exceptionally domineering.
The power behind that strike was so fierce that even an ordinary late-stage Spiritual Martial Realm cultivator would hesitate to receive it head-on.
Knowing there was no need to clash with it directly, Zhang Lingxiao stepped lightly on the ground.
Phantom Step!
His figure blurred as he effortlessly dodged to the side.
"Hmph! Do you think you can escape my attack?"
Ouyang Shishi sneered.
Unlike swords or sabers, a whip attacked from unpredictable angles.
Its greatest strength lay in its flexibility.
Even after missing its target, it could curl back and strike again from an unexpected direction.
Dodging it once didn't mean the danger had passed.
Whoosh!
Zhang Lingxiao suddenly sensed an intense wave of heat behind him.
Turning his head, he discovered that the fiery whip arc he had just evaded had changed direction and was hurtling toward him once again.
"Interesting."
"No wonder you were confident enough to challenge me."
He smiled faintly.
With a gentle step, starlight seemed to gather beneath his feet.
His movements instantly became even more profound.
Nine Nether Star-Stepping Technique!
Although he had only reached the Minor Achievement stage, the technique was already extraordinarily mysterious.
His body flashed like a shooting star as he effortlessly evaded the attack for a second time.
"You scoundrel!"
"Are you a cowardly turtle?"
"All you know how to do is dodge!"
Seeing her attacks fail repeatedly, Ouyang Shishi stamped her foot in frustration.
Zhang Lingxiao smiled calmly.
"Movement techniques are also part of a cultivator's strength."
"I avoided your attacks with my own ability."
"Now..."
"Let's see whether you can dodge mine."
As his voice fell, Zhang Lingxiao casually swung the Tianji Sword.
Swish!
A brilliant Sword Qi shot toward Ouyang Shishi at astonishing speed.
It wasn't the Nine Nether Sword Art.
Nor was it the Falling Leaf Sword Technique.
It was merely an ordinary sword strike.
Yet...
The trace of Sword Intent contained within it transformed the attack into something terrifying.
The Sword Qi carried an overwhelming aura capable of splitting mountains and severing rivers.
Even a mere trace of Sword Intent was more than enough to overwhelm Ouyang Shishi.
Boom!
As the Sword Qi approached, Ouyang Shishi's expression instantly turned pale.
At that moment...
Only one thought remained in her mind.
I can't block it.
I can't dodge it.
...I'm going to lose.
Below the arena, Li Ruoxi's heart tightened.
Zhang Lingxiao frowned as well.
He hadn't expected Ouyang Shishi to freeze completely.
Unfortunately, once Sword Qi had been released, it couldn't simply be withdrawn.
After all, this had only been a minor quarrel.
There was no life-and-death grudge between them.
Within Qingyun Sect, disciples were strictly forbidden from killing one another.
He had no intention of seriously injuring her.
Almost the instant the thought crossed his mind—
Zhang Lingxiao moved.
Spiritual Power erupted throughout his body.
He activated both the Nine Nether Star-Stepping Technique and Phantom Step simultaneously.
His speed exploded to its absolute limit as he rushed toward Ouyang Shishi.
Below the arena, Li Ruoxi covered her mouth in disbelief.
Senior Brother Zhang...
Was he actually trying to outrun his own Sword Qi?
Could he really do it?
If he failed...
Junior Sister Ouyang would be seriously injured.
Whoosh!
A streak of light flashed across the arena.
To Ouyang Shishi, all she saw was Zhang Lingxiao's handsome face rapidly growing larger.
Before she could react—
A strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Her body was pulled into a warm embrace.
The two of them disappeared from where they had been standing.
Almost simultaneously—
Boom!
The Sword Qi crashed into the arena.
An earth-shattering explosion erupted.
The entire dueling platform split cleanly into two halves.
The deafening sound instantly drew the attention of every disciple nearby.
Whether they had been sparring or merely watching other matches, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned toward the source of the explosion.
Then...
Every one of them stood frozen.
The duel arenas were constructed from an extraordinarily durable spirit stone specifically chosen by Qingyun Sect.
Even most Elders couldn't destroy one with a single attack.
Yet now...
An entire platform had been cleaved apart.
Who had caused such destruction?
Curiosity immediately filled everyone's minds as more and more disciples hurried over.
Meanwhile...
Ouyang Shishi remained in Zhang Lingxiao's arms, still completely stunned.
As for Zhang Lingxiao...
His attention wasn't on her at all.
The desperate burst of speed he had just displayed gave him a new insight into the Nine Nether Star-Stepping Technique.
He could clearly sense that he had reached the threshold of another breakthrough.
With just one final push, he would enter the Major Achievement stage.
At the same time, another thought surfaced.
Although the Sword Qi he had unleashed possessed overwhelming power...
Its speed still wasn't fast enough.
If he ever encountered an opponent with an equally profound movement technique, they could simply evade every strike.
Power alone wasn't sufficient.
His sword...
Needed to become faster.
So fast that his opponent wouldn't even have time to react.
So fast that evasion would become impossible.
Completely absorbed in his newfound insights into both the Sword Dao and movement techniques, Zhang Lingxiao failed to notice that he was still holding Ouyang Shishi.
Only after several breaths passed—
"You scoundrel!"
"How much longer are you planning to hold me?!"
"You really never miss a chance to take advantage of people!"
Ouyang Shishi finally recovered from her daze.
Feeling the warmth of Zhang Lingxiao's embrace, her cheeks instantly turned crimson.
Embarrassment quickly transformed into anger.
This shameless scoundrel!
Was he planning to hold her forever?
"You scoundrel!"
"I'm counting to three!"
"If you don't take your hands off me immediately..."
"I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life!"
Her face burned red as she glared at him through gritted teeth.
At the same time, she slowly raised both of her small hands.