Dragging Knife

This blade, swift as lightning, its force heavier than a thousand jun, carrying a dense killing intent, arrived fiercely.

Jiang Shuo's pupils contracted, a solemn expression coloring his cheeks.

Shen Biao's blade techniques were not necessarily more skillful than Chen Xian's, but his killing intent was sharp, doubling the danger. It was clear he had honed his skills through countless life-and-death duels.

Initially, Jiang Shuo had considered his enemies ordinary. It was only when Shen Biao fully unleashed his strength that he realized the gap between them. If he hadn't used strategy to defeat the strong with the weak and kill the other five, he might have died by the enemy's blade upon first contact.

But Jiang Shuo was not faring any better. After just a few moves, he had fallen completely into a disadvantage, with danger lurking at every turn.

Shen Biao grew more courageous as he fought, his blade techniques pushing forward layer by layer, forcing Jiang Shuo away from the ancient well step by step, while also posing a severe threat to his life.

At this moment, Shen Biao leaped into the air, his blade cleaving straight down. Jiang Shuo sidestepped, the blade sliding past his shoulder. Had he been a moment slower, or dodged half an inch less, Jiang Shuo's entire shoulder might have been lopped off. Before he even landed, Shen Biao, still airborne, abruptly changed his move, transforming the downward chop into a horizontal slash, sweeping towards Jiang Shuo. Not yet having landed, Jiang Shuo, in a panic, could only risk injury and lash out with a kick. He struck the hilt of the blade, barely managing to alter its direction, sending it moving towards the other side and narrowly dodging the attack. However, the sole of his shoe was sliced off.

As he landed, Jiang Shuo's back was almost against the wall. Knowing this was not a good position to dodge, Jiang Shuo immediately tried to move away. The moment he took a step, his foot landed on a sharp rock on the ground. He recoiled in pain, his body swaying, his movements momentarily faltering. Shen Biao wouldn't miss such an opportunity. He lunged forward, infusing True Qi into his blade, the edge humming ominously in the wind. Jiang Shuo steadied himself, then looked up to see the long blade flashing left and right, its gleaming edge blocking all directions, cutting off his escape routes. Jiang Shuo froze, completely lacking a way to break through or defend. Instinctively, he took a step back, his heel hitting the wall. In that moment of stunned hesitation, the blade surged towards him. In just one second, Jiang Shuo would be sliced into pieces.

Seeing that Jiang Shuo had no more room to retreat, Shen Biao shouted triumphantly, "Die!"

At the critical moment, a long saber suddenly appeared in Jiang Shuo's muddled mind. The saber swung, mirroring Shen Biao's blade technique exactly. Jiang Shuo's vision pierced through the surface, directly seeing the killing move and flaws of this blade strike.

As if struck by divine inspiration, Jiang Shuo's will cleared, and he quickly calmed down.

Just as the blade was about to reach him, Jiang Shuo, composed and collected, stepped to the left, his body shifting half a foot.

With a mere half-foot difference, the next moment, the first wave of attack arrived. The powerful blade, falling with immense force, landed in the empty space to his right.

"Huh?" A hint of surprise flickered in Shen Biao's eyes. He assumed Jiang Shuo had gotten lucky by chance. His movements didn't stop, and he immediately launched his second strike, slashing towards Jiang Shuo's head.

Jiang Shuo calmly retreated a step backward. The blade grazed his throat closely, but despite the danger, it caused no injury.

Shen Biao was secretly shocked, a surge of anger rising within him. His attacks became even more ferocious.

Jiang Shuo imperceptibly shifted his body to the side. This time, he completely moved out of Shen Biao's blade net, completely escaping the crisis.

All the blades Shen Biao had slashed out in his rage landed in empty space, leaving him extremely frustrated. His expression was grim, and he let out a roar, charging forward again.

Although he had been angry earlier, he had still held back some of his strength. After all, going all out against someone like Jiang Shuo would be too disgraceful. But now, unable to land a hit after a prolonged assault, he no longer cared. The moment he attacked, he unleashed his full power.

His offensive power escalated, becoming even more ferocious. Yet, Jiang Shuo seemed like a different person. No matter how fierce Shen Biao's storm-like, wave-crashing attacks were, Jiang Shuo remained as unmoving as a reef on the shore.

"Give up! I've seen through your moves!" Jiang Shuo shouted.

Shen Biao narrowed his eyes, pretending not to hear, and swung his blade again. But Jiang Shuo easily neutralized it, and Shen Biao was inwardly terrified.

Jiang Shuo appeared like a master, only defending and not attacking. Yet, Shen Biao could do nothing to him. As the fight progressed, it no longer felt like a life-or-death struggle, but more like a master disciplining a disciple.

Although Shen Biao didn't want to believe Jiang Shuo's words, he had no choice but to. Otherwise, how could Jiang Shuo have handled the situation so effortlessly and calmly?

Upon thinking this, Shen Biao's killing intent significantly diminished, and a hint of wavering arose within him.

Seeing Shen Biao's expression, Jiang Shuo's eyes darted left and right. He already had a plan in mind and immediately shouted, "I don't wish to kill, which is why I've been reluctant to act. Don't force my hand!"

Shen Biao's heart trembled, and his movements faltered. Recalling Jiang Shuo's previous actions, he wondered if it was truly the case. The martial world was full of talented individuals, and many young people possessed considerable martial arts skills. Jiang Shuo might be one of them; otherwise, how could he have seen through all his moves?