Hardness and Softness

Thick fire snakes surged across the entire Divine Desolation Stage, within a radius of ten zhang. The fire snakes rolled and writhed, and the sound of the flames hissing could be heard. Chu Xiaoran was surrounded by flames.

Fang Jihai, wielding a long spear, slashed at Chu Xiaoran's shoulder!

Fang Jihai's weapon was a Nine-foot Spear a shaft made of black iron, while Chu Xiaoran used a sword. Swords are light and agile weapons, and it was inevitable that they would be outmatched in defending against the spear's attack!

For a moment, everyone held their breath for Chu Xiaoran.

At this moment, amidst the sea of fire, Chu Xiaoran remained calm. Just as Fang Jihai swung his Fang Jihai and the flames were about to engulf her, Chu Xiaoran drew her sword!

The four-foot -Longsword, with its narrow and flexible blade, swayed like a leek leaf, met Fang Jihai's spear.

Um!?

Using Soft Sword to block a heavy iron spear!?

People were shocked. How could this be? If that spear struck, Chu Xiaoran's Longsword would be deformed; wouldn't she suffer broken bones and fractures?

Before people could even gasp in surprise, a sword beam as sharp as a Sword Light shot into the sky!

Snap!

The overwhelming flames were sliced apart by Chu Xiaoran's sword!

Chu Xiaoran's sword pierced Fang Jihai's fiery energy with unstoppable force, the tip of the sword striking the shaft of the Xuan Tie Heavy Spear.

For a moment, it seemed as if space itself had frozen. Fang Jihai's spear was like being stuck in a quagmire, blocked by a sword as soft as water. The heavy black iron spear could only bend the sword slightly before it could not be pressed down any further!

Chu Xiaoran suddenly pulled her hand away, and the Longsword seemed to be stuck to Longsword, thus being pulled away by Chu Xiaoran's sword.

"Boom!"

Fang Jihai's shot slammed heavily onto the Purple Tungsten Steel ground, leaving a deep dent.

At that moment, Chu Xiaoran drew her sword again!

Her sword was incredibly fast, aimed straight for Fang Jihai's heart!

What happened?

Fang Jihai was horrified. When his weapons clashed with Chu Xiaoran's, he had a very strange feeling, as if all his strength had been suppressed by Chu Xiaoran.

He couldn't understand what method Chu Xiaoran had used.

Now, Fang Jihai had no time to think, Chu Xiaoran's Sword Light was right in front of him!

"Shield of Blazing Fire!"

Fang Jihai held his spear horizontally in front of him. The flames were reversed and swirled up, creating a vortex that instantly condensed into a thick, deep red shield of flames!

"Call out!"

Chu Xiaoran's sword let out a piercing shriek as it struck the fire shield without any fancy moves!

"Boom!"

The rampant energy collision, Chu Xiaoran's Sword Light, penetrated straight through, completely shattering the shield of flames!

The flames exploded, raining down fiery spray, and a girl in a pale yellow dress, wielding a cyan Longsword, danced among the flames. For a moment, the scene was dazzling and beautiful.

Fang Jihai retreated repeatedly. He was horrified. First, his Fire Tempering Savage Lands technique was blocked by Chu Xiaoran, and then his Flame Shield was broken by Chu Xiaoran.

How can this girl be so strong!

Chu Xiaoran unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, Fang Jihai to retreat hastily. He repeatedly thrust out with his spear, attempting to shatter Chu Xiaoran's Sword Light.

However, Chu Xiaoran's sword possessed an incredible tenacity. No matter how fierce Fang Jihai's spear was, Chu Xiaoran's sword was all-pervasive, and Sword Qi of sword energy penetrated Fang Jihai's Protective Vital Energy, causing a tingling sensation like an electric shock.

"How is that possible...?"

Fang Jihai clearly sensed that Chu Xiaoran's energy strength was inferior to his own, yet he was constantly suppressed, leaving him feeling powerless.

In the audience, watching this scene, one person suddenly exclaimed, "It's the True Meaning of Laws! Haven't you heard? Chu Xiaoran has already grasped the true meaning of 'strength and gentleness'!"

The True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness', one hard and one soft, Chu Xiaoran's weapon appears to be a Soft Sword, but after Chu Xiaoran comprehended the True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness', this Soft Sword has incredible power, deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces!

"Whoosh!"

With a sudden Sword Light, Chu Xiaoran had almost cornered Fang Jihai in the arena. This sword strike, coming from above, aimed straight for Fang Jihai's crown!

Fang Jihai raised his gun to block.

"Puff!"

Fang Jihai's fiery energy was split apart by the Sword Light. After the sword struck Fang Jihai's spear shaft, the blade bent along the shaft due to inertia, whipping towards Fang Jihai like a whip!

Um!?

Fang Jihai's pupils contracted; the distance was too close, and he had no time to dodge!

The sharp Sword Light pierced through Fang Jihai's Protective True Essence, leaving a bloody gash on Fang Jihai chest.

It was this bloodstain that allowed Chu Xiaoran's true essence to rush into Fang Jihai's meridians. As the Sword Qi entered his body, Fang Jihai's body trembled, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Unable to gather her strength, Chu Xiaoran drew her sword once more.

"Boom!"

Fang Jihai's Protective Vital Energy was completely shattered by Chu Xiaoran's sword strike, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

Chu Xiaoran wins this battle!

When the referee announced the result, Fang Jihai was somewhat stunned. He had lost? Lost to a newcomer girl who was two or three years younger than him?

He spent two years undergoing trials in the Tai'a Divine City, yet he couldn't compare to those who had just arrived!

In the audience, many of the newlyweds looked at each other in surprise. They had all supported Chu Xiaoran believed she would win, but they hadn't expected Chu Xiaoran to win so cleanly and decisively. It seemed she had held back some of her strength.

Defeating a veteran trial participant ranked 3780th on the Earth Ranking, and not even using his full strength...

Horrible!

"Incredible... Chu Xiaoran's current strength is on a completely different level from the others on the Rookie Ranking! The person who was ranked seventh on the Rookie Ranking previously challenged a veteran trial participant ranked over 5,000 on the Earth Ranking and was defeated... But Chu Xiaoran easily defeated someone ranked over 3,700! The difference is too great!"

"Everyone says that Qiu Niu is on par with Chu Xiaoran. Could it be that Qiu Niu also possesses such strength?"

Many newcomers were stunned. They had heard that while they were still doing menial tasks, Qiu Niu and Chu Xiaoran had already gone to the Divine Wilderness to hunt wild beasts. The risks involved were unimaginable.

At the time, they only admired them, but they didn't have a direct sense of how strong the two were. Now, it seems that the third, fourth, and fifth ranked Rookie Ranking, although their rankings are very close to Chu Xiaoran's, are actually far behind in terms of strength!

Among the other top ten newcomers, Liu Yuxing is a top-tier talent, and only Yi Yun performed well, but none were as amazing as Chu Xiaoran defeating Fang Jihai without going all out.

In people's minds, Liu Yuxing was naturally far inferior to a seasoned trial participant like Sun Jihai.

In this rookie ranking competition, the rules of Shencheng are that a first place must be determined!

The Divine City has prepared a generous reward for this first-place newcomer!

Right now, Chu Xiaoran seems to be the strongest. The only one who can compete with Chu Xiaoran is Qiu Niu, and besides that, only Yi Yun can contend with her...

"Chu Xiaoran has grasped the True Meaning of 'Hardness and Softness', which is the foundation of the Duke Zhenguo's Estate. From a young age, Chu Xiaoran has received guidance from the Duke Zhenguo's Estate's renowned teachers, and her resources are extraordinary. She is on a completely different level from people like us."

Some people lamented that those who rely on unorthodox methods can never compare to scions of established families with deep-rooted traditions.

"We're not good enough, but Yi Yun can still put up a fight. I'm really looking forward to Yi Yun's battle with Chu Xiaoran. Yi Yun is even more grassroots than us. Although the chances of him winning are slim, if we can have a fierce battle and make Chu Xiaoran use all her strength, that would be something to be proud of."

Although many people envied Yi Yun, some people had a certain fondness for Yi Yun because of his Yi Yun origins. These people, who came from small Lineage, had climbed up step by step and could understand the hardships involved.

"How is it? Can you feel it?"

Beside Yi Yun, Qin the Bald stroked his chin and asked Yi Yun a question. He was usually picky, but he had to praise Chu Xiaoran's performance in the battle just now.

Yi Yun smiled and nodded, saying, "Indeed impressive..."

The Tai'a Divine Kingdom is a place where hidden talents abound. If we go back three months to when he first arrived in Tai'a Divine City, Yi Yun felt that he would be completely powerless against Chu Xiaoran.

They're not even in the same league!

Chu Xiaoran possesses remarkable swordsmanship and martial arts skills, and has even grasped a trace of the True Meaning of Laws. As for Body Refinement and a dragon-like pulse, it's obvious that Chu Xiaoran has long since achieved them.

At that time, Yi Yun, with only a mastery of the Subtle Movement Technique, had no advantage over Chu Xiaoran; he couldn't even compare to her at the same cultivation level.

But now, things are completely different. A set of <Tai'a Sacred Law> has made up for so many of Yi Yun's shortcomings.

This also made Yi Yun deeply realize the importance of cultivation techniques and laws, as they can elevate a person's strength to a higher level.

Without proper cultivation techniques and understanding of the laws, no matter how much energy you absorb, it's useless. It's like a powerful army of soldiers without a general to command them; their combat effectiveness is questionable.

...(To be continued~^~)