Blood Battle

Zhuge Xiang faced off against Ji Wuxue. As the two of them just stepped onto the Duel Platform, they instantly attracted the attention of many people.

There was no need to mention who Ji Wuxue was; a genius disciple, he had comprehended Qi Energy long ago five months prior, lagging not a whit behind even Lu Yuling. Furthermore, he possessed a fiercely adventurous spirit, spending almost the entirety of the past five months slaughtering monster beasts in the Endless Mountain Range, and rarely even returning to the sect.

No one knew what kind of realm Ji Wuxue's strength had reached after five months of slaughter. However, having successfully cultivated the Bloodthirsty Technique several months ago already made his name ring far and wide.

Everyone among these disciples who had comprehended Qi Energy was well aware of the Bloodthirsty Technique, yet those with the true courage to cultivate it numbered fewer than a hundred. Among them, over eighty-something died because of their cultivation, making Ji Wuxue one of those extremely rare, countable two or three disciples who successfully cultivated it.

Judging by his appearance, successfully cultivating the Bloodthirsty Technique while also acquiring a sharp sword technique—these two elements combined were not as simple as one plus one. One could say Ji Wuxue was one of the candidates expected to contend for the championship of the Grand Tournament.

However, although Ji Wuxue was strong, Zhuge Xiang was not weak either. Even though he had encountered disciples of the Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer for three consecutive rounds, everyone clearly remembered his duel with Zhao Feiyun in the first match.

That burst of strength in a split second, the drastic reversal of vision at a critical juncture, and the Bloodthirsty Technique appearing like a fleeting flash in the pan—who could guarantee that he had necessarily unleashed his full strength back then? Moreover, Ji Wuxue's words had also confirmed everyone's thoughts; that really was the Bloodthirsty Technique, and furthermore, it was at the Proficient Level.

Well, at this moment, the gazes of almost everyone were attracted by the duel between the two. Even though this was only in the middle-to-late stages at one of the Duel Platforms, the quality of this battle was no less than that of the fight for the top eight: a Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer cultivator with a fledgling Bloodthirsty Technique pitted against a Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer cultivator with a Bloodthirsty Technique already at the Proficient Level. Just how strong was this martial art praised as being useful throughout the entire Refining Essence to Qi stage? Everyone would wait and see.

Clang...

Under the augmentation of the Bloodthirsty Technique, Ji Wuxue's crisp and decisive sword strike was fast. Zhuge Xiang's speed, however, was not slow either. The Bloodthirsty Technique activated in this fleeting instant, granting a 50% boost to all attributes. A horizontal sweep of the Bloodrefinement Saber blocked Ji Wuxue's sword. Blade and sword collided, emitting a crisp sound of metal clashing.

Courtesy demands reciprocity. Although Ji Wuxue was at the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer, Zhuge Xiang's Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level caused his attack power and attack speed to skyrocket by 50%. Having blocked that sword of his, Zhuge Xiang swung his backhand, and the Bloodrefinement Saber slashed back with incredible speed.

As the saying went, the sword moved with lightness and agility while the saber moved with unyielding masculinity, illustrating that the sword technique was a weapon renowned for attack speed, whereas the saber was renowned for being powerful and weighty. Yet at the Proficient Level with a 50% attack speed bonus, not only did this saber strike of Zhuge Xiang's possess the characteristic of being powerful and weighty, but its attack speed was also extremely fast. Disciples of the Qi Cultivation Realm could still see it clearly, but those disciples who had not comprehended its essence could only see a flash of bloody saber light vanish in an instant.

Long knowing that Zhuge Xiang's Bloodthirsty Technique had reached the Proficient Level, Ji Wuxue naturally would not be without defenses. The black longsword in his hand similarly blocked Zhuge Xiang's attack. The two exchanged a single probing move and tacitly stepped back a few paces.

All was silent and still. At this moment, everyone held their breath, intently staring at the two people on the Duel Platform. Especially those disciples harboring ambitions to contend for the championship of the Grand Tournament—their eyes did not blink at all. Regardless of who won, the victor would be a formidable rival firmly planted in their hearts, so they naturally needed to see clearly what the opponent's true strength was.

Although they merely exchanged a single probing move, the peril within it went without saying. Putting aside attack force for the moment, the incomparably swift attack speeds of the two alone were enough to startle the mind. Many asked themselves in their hearts that if they were the ones going up there, they would be unable to block either the sharp sword moves or the terrifying saber light assault.

"How about we settle the victory in three moves?", stepping back a few paces, Ji Wuxue's expression remained cold and detached, though upon closer inspection, a hint of solemnity could be discerned deep within his eyes. He looked at Zhuge Xiang and said with stern detachment.

Settle the victory in three moves? Zhuge Xiang nodded as well at Ji Wuxue's proposal, agreeing to it.

Strong though the Bloodthirsty Technique was, it nevertheless had its period of weakness. Having just exchanged a single probing move, both discovered that the other's attack power, attack speed, and so on were evenly matched. If they dragged out the fight and kept the Bloodthirsty Technique open for too long, regardless of who won, it would have a huge impact on the subsequent battles. Therefore, settling the victory in three moves was also to ensure that the victor could maintain a better condition to cope with the upcoming duels.

Putting forward such a suggestion meant, on the one hand, that Ji Wuxue acknowledged Zhuge Xiang's strength and knew he himself could not win a quick victory. On the other hand, one had to possess sufficient confidence to dare to agree to it.

The agreement to settle the victory in three moves made people even more nervous. Although for those wishing to contend for the championship, it was a pity that the two would not end up both injured, the agreement to settle the victory in three moves meant both would obviously unleash their strongest strength, and this moment certainly could not be missed.

"Three moves?", the corners of Lu Yuling's mouth carried a wisp of a smile. Looking at Zhuge Xiang, her gaze carried a wisp of expectant color. Could he emerge victorious in his battle against Ji Wuxue? Having merely comprehended Qi Energy for half a month, if he could win this battle, he would surely create a sensation in the Asura Sect.

"Yama Sword Technique, Fanged Thrust", Ji Wuxue was undoubtedly a qualified swordsman. Seeing Zhuge Xiang agree without wasting any time, he set into motion. A streak of black sword light, resembling a black lightning bolt, flashed past. Bone-chilling Sword Intent pointed straight at the center of Zhuge Xiang's brows. The sword had not yet arrived, but it had already caused a faint tingling sensation to arise at the center of Zhuge Xiang's brows.

Fanged Thrust—this sword move possessed no tricky angles, nor any abstruse sword techniques; it was merely a direct thrust. Yet with just this single sword strike, the speed was exceptionally fast, fast to the extreme, making it difficult for people to react.

Seeming like merely a flash, the bone-chilling sword tip had already arrived right before Zhuge Xiang's eyes. His pupils contracted violently. Zhuge Xiang had never witnessed such a fast attack, such a fast sword. Daring to open his mouth and propose settling the victory in three moves, Ji Wuxue indeed had something to rely upon.

The Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level granted a 50% speed boost, followed immediately by boots providing another 30% speed boost. At the critical juncture, Zhuge Xiang twisted his waist and jerked his head. Although he failed to dodge this sword, he managed to evade his vital spots. The center of his brows stung as the skin there was sliced open by Ji Wuxue's sword, and fresh blood trickled down...

"Reverse Style, Swallow Return", having injured his enemy with a single sword, Ji Wuxue brushed past Zhuge Xiang. Almost at the exact same moment, however, a cold voice rang out, and chilling Sword Intent locked onto Zhuge Xiang's heart.

Swinging his body around, the black sword light, entwined with the bloody Qi Energy of the Bloodthirsty Technique, reappeared like a ghost. Amidst the ultra-high-speed movement just then, Ji Wuxue not only halted his own momentum, but actually managed to launch a rapid attack rivaling the thrust under impossible circumstances...

This sword strike came completely unexpected. According to common knowledge, after charging forward at high speed, one would inevitably have to dash forward for a certain distance under momentum before being able to halt one's momentum and launch an attack. Yet Ji Wuxue's move, Swallow Return, seemed to completely ignore the rules of inertia.

Bloody flowers blossomed. The vital spot of the heart was indeed avoided, but this sword pierced straight into Zhuge Xiang's chest and burst out from his back, passing entirely through his body. Even though he had avoided the vital heart area, this sword still inflicted heavy injuries upon Zhuge Xiang, plunging his combat effectiveness by at least half or more. With such an outcome, wanting to turn the tables was as difficult as ascending to the heavens...

Having set a three-move pact and previously daring to boldly assert certain victory, Ji Wuxue indeed had his own reliance. Although it was a three-move pact, under those fierce sword moves of his, Zhuge Xiang fundamentally possessed no power to retaliate. Two moves passed, and he had already fallen into a heavily injured state, almost perishing. For Zhuge Xiang, this battle was unprecedentedly perilous.

"Ji Wuxue has won...", seeing this, quite a few people uttered assertions. Indeed, although the strength of the two could be said to be neck-and-neck, a heavily injured Zhuge Xiang had his combat effectiveness reduced by more than half. Wanting to turn the tables was as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Even Lu Yuling's brow furrowed slightly. Although she had great confidence in Zhuge Xiang, at this moment, she too could not figure out what hidden card Zhuge Xiang could possibly have left to turn the tables.

Fresh blood spilled from the corners of his mouth, but Zhuge Xiang paid it no heed. His blood-red eyes stared fixedly at Ji Wuxue. He knew very well that if he did not strike now, he would fundamentally have no opportunity to attack under those fierce sword moves. Brandishing the Bloodrefinement Saber, he slashed directly toward Ji Wuxue's arm.

This was a desperate, life-risking move. If Ji Wuxue wanted to twist his wrist and slay Zhuge Xiang, his arm would inevitably be severed. To a swordsman, what losing an arm signified went without saying; therefore, Ji Wuxue could only pull back his sword and violently retreat.

Ferocity—this was the direct sensation Zhuge Xiang gave Ji Wuxue. Not only was he ruthless to his enemies, but he was also ruthless to himself. When his life was threatened, Zhuge Xiang's primary reaction was not to violently retreat for self-preservation, but to fight to the death.

The so-called finding a path to live by placing oneself in a dead end: if he had pulled back and violently retreated, Ji Wuxue certainly would have pressed forward, and with his heavily injured physique, a turnaround would have been out of the question. Yet by fighting for his life, he carved out a sliver of an opportunity for himself.

Watching Ji Wuxue retreat by pulling back his sword, Zhuge Xiang did not pursue him. His body sank slightly, akin to a leopard gathering its strength for a pounce. The surging Qi Energy within his body poured into the Bloodrefinement Saber, and the ghastly face manifested by the bloody Qi Energy appeared grim and terrifying.

Ordinarily, the Blood Thunder Slash required gathering Qi for seven or eight breaths. Along with Zhuge Xiang breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer, his Qi Energy had grown thicker, requiring only four or five breaths. Coupled with the Bloodthirsty Technique at the Proficient Level, his Qi Energy became even denser, and his attack speed also increased by 50%. At this moment, it only required two breaths.

As the Blood Thunder Slash gathered momentum, an unprecedentedly fierce Blade Intent emanated from Zhuge Xiang's body. Everyone knew this was Zhuge Xiang's offensive martial art.

Locked onto by Zhuge Xiang's terrifying Blade Intent, the retreating Ji Wuxue's expression changed. Zhuge Xiang's attack power was already that high to begin with, and with this Blade Intent—plus the fact that he was still gathering Qi—his attack power would clearly be earth-shattering. Halting his retreating body, Ji Wuxue once again rushed toward Zhuge Xiang. His decision was extremely resolute: he had to disrupt this move of Zhuge Xiang's.

Ji Wuxue's decisiveness could not be described as anything less than fast. Yet would Zhuge Xiang let him interrupt him? Staring like a leopard at Ji Wuxue's charging figure, Zhuge Xiang let out a low shout in his heart and activated the effect of the Frost Headband. An intangible force pervaded, and Ji Wuxue's speed abruptly plummeted by 20%.

Ignoring Ji Wuxue's astonished gaze, and watching Ji Wuxue who had already rushed right before him, Zhuge Xiang let out a furious roar, stamped his foot down, and met him head-on—Blood Thunder Slash!