Get up from where you fall.
Since he was defeated by Niu Zhong due to insufficient strength, Mu Shi naturally wanted to find an opportunity to win back!
Having overheard their conversation, the village chief signaled everyone to retreat, giving the two ample space to fight.
Ai Xue looked at Ye Qiubai and sneered, "It seems you still have so much confidence in your disciple."
Just now, Mu Shi agreed to Niu Zhong's request to fight because Ye Qiubai had given his approval.
After all, it's a test. Mu Shi was originally firmly in fourth place, but accepting this sparring match might change the situation.
Ye Qiubai smiled faintly and said, "I've always had faith in him."
"We were already outmatched before, and now only a few months have passed, what can possibly change?"
"Let's see how things go before you say that," Ye Qiubai glanced at Ai Xue and said calmly, "Making such a definitive statement now will only make things difficult for you later."
Ai Xue snorted coldly and said no more, instead turning her gaze back to the battlefield between Mu Shi and Niu Zhong...
Niu Zhong then took out the long staff covered in flame patterns, pointed it at Mu Shi, and sneered, "Your cultivation level is still far inferior to mine, and your fate will only be the same as before."
Mu Shi slowly drew the Dark Demon Sword from its sheath and said in a deep voice, "So what? You've been using pills to improve yourself all along, shouldn't you feel the gap between yourself and others by now?"
The more elixirs force growth, the more pronounced the side effects become as one's cultivation level increases.
His aura was weak and lacked any solidity!
Seemingly having been touched on a sore spot, Niu Zhong's expression changed slightly, and he angrily said, "Beating you is enough!"
After shouting this, Niu Zhong's figure rushed towards Mu Shi like a cannonball, and the fire-patterned staff in his hand suddenly pressed down on Mu Shi!
Although his aura was weak, the improvement in his realm was real, and at the very least, he would have some strength.
The moment the long staff pressed down on Mu Shi, flames surged out from the fire patterns like fiery snakes, frantically tearing at Mu Shi!
Seeing this.
Instead of retreating, Mu Shi advanced! He took a step forward and slashed down with his Dark Demon Sword!
At this moment, the intent of Great Sword Master surrounded Mu Shi, and in the open space, in the battlefield between the two, Sword Domain rose!
Both Ai Xue and Niu Zhong were stunned by what they saw.
Great Sword Master!
In just a few months, Mu Shi has actually broken through to the level of Great Sword Master!
"This kid, I thought he was hiding something, but I didn't expect him to have such a big hand hidden away," Hong Ying said with a smile.
Song Xiao exclaimed in amazement, "I never expected such a promising talent to exist in such a secluded little mountain village."
"Even in the High-Latitude Realm, this Sword Dao talent would rank among the best of his generation."
Ye Qiubai smiled gently.
Over the past few months.
Aside from having Mu Shi constantly spar with wild beasts.
After sparring, Ye Qiubai would personally practice swordsmanship with him. Under the influence of the Sword God Sword Intent and the Sword Dao Law, how could he not improve quickly?
With this sword strike, a black slash formed from Sword Intent shattered the dozen or so fire snakes!
"So what? They still haven't surpassed me in terms of skill level, so how could they possibly be my match?"
With a furious roar, Niu Zhong wielded his long staff with both hands and slammed it heavily onto the slashing attack!
Boom!
A huge shockwave spread outwards!
Ye Qiubai pointed a finger, and a barrier extended, blocking the aftershock.
It might not mean much to them, but it could be dangerous for the villagers who have no prior experience in cultivation...
In contrast, Niu Zhong's expression changed drastically!
Although the blow shattered the attack, looking down at his hands, he saw that the hands gripping the staff were trembling uncontrollably!
His arms were covered in streaks of blood, the damage caused by the spreading Sword Intent!
How is that possible?!
Niu Zhong looked up at Mu Shi in disbelief.
The difference in their cultivation levels is still so significant!
It hasn't been long at all!
But now, after a single exchange, Mu Shi's expression remained unchanged, and he showed no sign of backing down. He stood Mount Tai in place, his face resolute!
What about myself?
However, he had already sustained some injuries...
Having fought wild beasts for so long, Mu Shi knew the importance of pressing the attack when the enemy was winning and not giving them any chance to breathe.
In a single stride, he dashed towards Niu Zhong as swiftly as a gentle breeze!
Seeing Mu Shi charge forward again, Niu Zhong's expression turned ugly. Did he really think of him as an easy target?
Then, his gaze fell on Ai Xue.
Ai Xue crossed her arms and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Niu Zhong grinned, a slightly sinister smile on his face, "Let's just finish you off like this..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the flame patterns on the long staff began to move, extending along Niu Zhong's hands! In the blink of an eye, the flame patterns had covered his entire body.
Even that face was the same!
Wisps of white smoke rose from Niu Zhong's body.
This was from the flame-like patterns burning his skin. Niu Zhong grinned, baring his teeth, and despite the pain, Niu Zhong managed a forced, sinister smile. "You lost."
At that moment, the energy surged dramatically!
Although he did not break through, flames rose from Niu Zhong's originally weak aura!
This fiery Spiritual Qi enveloped Niu Zhong's entire body!
Immediately, with a roar, Niu Zhong stepped forward and swung his long staff with both hands!
Mu Shi had already approached Niu Zhong, and when he saw the long staff imbued with fiery Spiritual Qi crashing down from above, Mu Shi's expression remained unchanged.
"No matter how much you try to compensate with other Cultivation Method, your Spiritual Qi will always remain weak... The pressure you exert on me is far less than that of that giant bear at the Peak Qi Sea Realm." Mu Shi said calmly, slashing out with his Dark Demon Sword!
A slash flashing with black light swept through the air and collided with the long staff!
The fourth sword of the Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon!
Snap!
With this single sword strike, a large swath of fiery Spiritual Qi was split in two!
Through the Spiritual Qi of the flames, Niu Zhong was horrified. He could clearly feel that the Spiritual Qi of the flames within the long staff was being violently dispersed!
It's like a mass of energy; nothing seems amiss on the outside, but the energy inside has been completely dissipated!
The sharp Sword Intent flowed along the long staff, continuously slicing through various parts of Niu Zhong's body!
Sizzle!
Strains of blood gushed out from all over Niu Zhong's body!
Under the somewhat surprised gazes of the crowd, Niu Zhong was blasted away!
It rolled on the ground, howling in pain.
The blood kept flowing out...
Mu Shi looked at his burned palms and let out a long sigh.
Thankfully, we made it through.
He then looked at Ye Qiubai with a look of surprise, as if to say... Master, I didn't embarrass you this time!
Ye Qiubai smiled and nodded.
The village chief stepped forward, smiling, and said, "Let Pharmacist Wang examine Niu Zhong's injuries... The results are in, and I'll give my three votes to Mu Shi!"
"I hope everyone has no objections?"
Everyone nodded.
Ai Xue cursed angrily, "Useless!"