Sparring Match

The other Tang Sect disciples, Lü Ci included, all stepped forward to offer him a great deal of concern.

Knowing Indra's abilities, every one of them treated him like a treasure.

Once they had grown more familiar, Indra looked the ten of them in the eye. "So, who's dropping out for me to take their place?"

The Tang Sect disciples' gazes shifted in unison, settling on Lü Ci, the only outsider.

"Don't look at me. I'm determined to go this time. Whoever tries to stop me, I'll fight them to the death!"

Lü Ci glared at them like a rabid dog, showing no intention of backing down.

To avenge his brother, he had been willing to risk his life and had spent a long time persuading the Tang Sect leader.

If he got replaced now, when they had already reached the foot of the mountain, he might as well die.

The Tang Sect disciples looked at one another. Now, they could only choose one among themselves.

But when it came time to pick someone, none of them could make up their minds.

Seeing this, Indra could only choose for himself.

He did not particularly care who it was. The main reason he was still properly blending into the ten-man group was to keep up the act, so the Bihu Mountain Ninja Group would not run away.

Indra's gaze swept across the group before landing on Tang Shiying, the oldest man among them.

He was Tang Bingwen's elder. Though advanced in age, his saber technique remained exquisite, placing him at the very top among the Tang Sect members who specialized in blades and swords.

Perfect. He could spar with him and secretly learn Tang Shiying's saber technique.

Tang Shiying noticed Indra's gaze and immediately understood that he wanted to replace him.

"Looks like you've got your eye on this old fellow's spot, young man."

Indra smiled back and teased, "Old sir, you can't put it that way. Wouldn't it be nice to take a break?"

"That's true... but you won't get my spot so easily."

Tang Shiying said seriously, "According to the sect leader's intelligence, Eita, one of the ten Hie Ninja and a demon, loves fighting those skilled with blades and swords.

"If you take my place, you'll be responsible for holding him back. Can you manage that?"

Indra's sword flight had been awe-inspiring, but the mountain's terrain was cramped and complicated, making it difficult to employ such techniques.

In a one-on-one fight, Tang Shiying worried that Indra would be no match for that demon.

Indra drew his short sword and assumed a stance. "Please instruct me, Elder Tang."

Tang Shiying smiled as he drew his short saber. "I've been quite curious to see how good your swordsmanship is."

The instant Tang Shiying finished speaking, his figure abruptly closed in.

Had Indra not possessed exceptional dynamic vision, he likely would not even have been able to track the man's movements.

"The Tang Sect's Silken Step?"

Indra raised his sword to meet him, precisely blocking Tang Shiying's downward slash.

Clang!

The moment their weapons collided, Tang Shiying immediately redirected his saber when his first strike failed. The blade slid downward and slashed toward Indra's left arm.

Indra's pupils contracted slightly. He immediately shook the hilt, flicking the blade upward to tap the saber's body, while swinging his sword forward toward Tang Shiying's chest.

Before the sword tip could touch his sleeve, Tang Shiying flexed his wrist. His short saber seemed to come alive, drawing the sword into a Taiji arc through the air.

Indra instantly felt seventy percent of his force dissipate. His old strength was exhausted before new strength could arise, and the short saber suddenly thrust toward his heart.

Relying on his powerful reflexes, Indra shifted his body and narrowly avoided the dangerous strike once more.

Tang Shiying gave Indra no chance to catch his breath. His saber technique was seasoned and tricky as he lunged in again.

In only a few breaths, the two had exchanged dozens of moves.

Indra's one-tomoe Sharingan appeared, recording every saber and sword technique Tang Shiying used as he absorbed the man's rich combat experience like a sponge.

Several minutes passed, and the two had already exchanged more than a hundred moves!

From barely managing to defend himself at the beginning to handling everything with ease now, Indra's improvement was plain to see.

"I see what's going on now. You brat are using me as a whetstone, aren't you?"

"Not only have you learned all my moves while fighting, you haven't even used qi to strengthen your body."

Tang Shiying's face flushed red as true qi surged around him. He was already exerting his full strength.

What truly broke him, however, was Indra holding back.

Indra had not even used basic qi, yet he had still fought him to a draw.

"Hehe~ This junior has been putting in effort too. It's just not very obvious.

"Since Elder Tang has said so, then I won't hold back."

The amount of chakra flowing through the meridian system around his body suddenly increased more than tenfold!

With chakra filling his flesh, Indra wielded his sword like a saber and unleashed a fierce vertical slash, so fast that it left only a streak of silver light in the air!

Tang Shiying had been prepared, but his body simply could not react in time.

That short blade stood no chance of blocking Indra's sword!

Swish!!!

Sword light poured forth, followed by an explosive, ear-piercing howl of wind!

Tang Shiying's short blade and right arm were severed in two, blasted several meters away by the fierce wind wrapped around the blade.

Splurt!

After a half-second pause, blood sprayed from the smooth cut at his wrist.

The faces of the Tang Sect disciples watching the battle changed drastically.

Before they could make a sound, Indra reached out and grabbed Tang Shiying's severed arm.

The half of the short blade and the severed arm that had flown several meters away seemed to be drawn by some force, reattaching themselves.

Under everyone's dumbfounded gazes, everything had returned to normal a few seconds later.

"My apologies, Elder Tang."

Indra withdrew his hand and cupped his fists in salute toward Tang Shiying.

Tang Shiying's face was deathly pale as he clenched his right hand.

He keenly discovered that not only was his right hand unharmed, but even the hidden injuries left behind by years of cultivation and assassination seemed to have completely healed.

Tang Shiying let out a long breath and respectfully lowered his head.

"You have not offended me. I should be thanking you for showing mercy, Sir Qiao."

Lowering his gaze, he saw the crack in the ground stretching all the way to his toes. If Indra had used even a little more force, half his body would have been torn apart.

Against such terrifying strength, even if he had reacted in time and used the techniques of the Taiji Sword, he would have been utterly unable to neutralize it.

Tang Shiying accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.

"Not only can he reattach severed limbs, he can even restore a blade!"

Lü Ci walked over to Tang Shiying's side and stared at the short blade, now smooth and pristine as new.

Amid his shock, Lü Ci gave Indra several more looks, thoughts surfacing in his heart.

Recently, the matter of the Thirty-Six Thieves had thrown the world of Espers into turmoil, and the Lü Family had also become involved.

Could the methods Indra had displayed be the rumored "extraordinary arts"?

If he could bring them back to the Lü Family...

The moment that thought arose, Lü Ci immediately shook his head.

He should not be having such thoughts now. He needed to focus on avenging his brother first!

Indra's peripheral vision swept over Lü Ci as he casually sheathed his sword.

He immediately noticed the greed in Lü Ci's eyes. Indra could more or less guess what Lü Ci was thinking. If this mad dog dared to extend his claws, he would cut him down on the spot!

At that moment, Tang Bingwen emerged from the house after settling matters with Bearded Liao.

"Looks like you've already come to an agreement."

"Yeah. I'm old and useless now, so I'll give my position to this young hero~"

Tang Shiying chuckled merrily, without the slightest trace of irritation.

The stronger Indra was, the safer their party would be on this journey. He had merely lost a match; it was no big deal.

Tang Bingwen said nothing. He knew full well how competitive Tang Shiying, his peer, was.

Since Tang Shiying had acknowledged Indra like this, there was truly nothing more to say.

"Let's go. Into the mountains to meet their people!"

Tang Bingwen took the lead, guiding the group up the mountain.