Bab 39: Chapter 39
The fourth round concluded swiftly, and before long, the fifth round was upon us. My brow arched as I watched a small figure hop onto the stage, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.
It was Ling Xue, a disciple of the Mountain Shaking Sect.
Her petite frame and innocent appearance could easily mislead anyone, but I knew better. That gleam in her eyes wasn't joy, it was hunger. This little loli wanted to drain my life force, and the thought made me smirk.
I couldn't help but wonder: if she actually succeeded, what would happen? Would she suddenly reverse in age, turning into an infant? The absurdity of the idea almost made me laugh, but I held it in.
"Start!" the elder called out.
With a flash, Ling Xue darted forward, her small fist transforming mid-strike into a massive tree root that shot toward me at breakneck speed. My eyebrow arched in interest as the root suddenly split into dozens of smaller roots, spreading out like a web to block every possible escape route. But who said I was planning to escape?
My finger flicked forward, glowing with sharp intent. With a single motion, the roots were severed cleanly, falling apart like withered vines. As the closest root disintegrated, I caught a piece mid-air, shaping it into a crude wooden sword.
I turned it over in my hand, inspecting the weapon. It had no edge, no sharpness, it was more like a child's plaything than anything of use in a fight.
"You've got quite the unique ability," I said, rubbing my chin as an idea struck me. "I want you to follow me. How about I call you Senju Ling Xue? Or maybe Ling Xue Senju?"
I tapped my chin thoughtfully, ignoring the growing confusion on her face. A part of me was tempted to just call her Hashirama, but that was definitely a guy's name… right? Actually, I wasn't entirely sure, but it didn't seem fitting for a little girl.
"Tsunade," I mused aloud. "Yeah, that could work."
"You haven't defeated me yet!" Ling Xue's shout snapped me out of my thoughts.
Her hands slammed onto the ground, and the stage trembled as tree roots erupted in every direction, spreading like wildfire. Vibrant flowers bloomed across the writhing roots, but their beauty was deceptive, pollen filled the air, a sickly sweet scent signaling the presence of poison.
"Sorry, but I don't plan on holding back," I said lightly, watching the poison gas spread across the stage. "Self-control is my weakest ability, and being too talented is my second weakest. I just learn things way too quickly, it's a real problem sometimes."
It was a thinly veiled tactic. She wanted me to waste time talking while the poison settled deeper into the air. I rolled my eyes at the obvious ploy, exhaling a faint sigh of amusement.
Without another word, I stepped forward, my movements calm and deliberate. Each step echoed faintly across the stage as if the poison itself parted for me.
"Everything is a sword," I said lightly, my voice carrying across the stage. "Which means even this poison... is a sword. And I am immune to swords."
My words hung in the air, drawing an immediate reaction. Ling Xue's playful expression twisted into one of shock, her mouth slightly agape. Around us, the spectators' eyes widened in disbelief as they finally noticed the truth, the poisonous mist swirling around me wasn't affecting me at all.
The realization sent a ripple of murmurs through the crowd.
"Impossible..." someone whispered.
"That's the Everything Is A Sword!" another exclaimed, their voice laced with awe.
It was no wonder they were stunned. Across the entire continent, the number of cultivators who had managed to master Everything Is A Sword could be counted on one hand, or perhaps none at all. Yet here I stood, completely untouched by a technique that should have failed anyone else.
"The sword demands focus and self-control," I said lightly, my gaze steady as I watched Ling Xue struggle. "So I've decided, this path will be mine until I achieve complete mastery over myself."
Ling Xue's brows furrowed as she strained against an invisible force, her body trembling but unable to move. Despite her best efforts, it was as though her very essence had been bound.
"Oh," I added casually, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "You might be wondering why you can't move."
Her eyes widened in realization, flicking between me and her immobilized form. She looked more like a trapped butterfly than the predator she had been moments ago.
"You see," I continued, taking a step closer, "right now, you're a sword. And a sword doesn't move unless its master commands it."
Her breathing quickened, and a spark of fear flashed in her bright eyes. For all her skill and cleverness, she was utterly helpless in this moment. The crowd was silent, their collective shock palpable as they witnessed the impossible.
"You're now my sword," I said lightly, my voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight. Ling Xue's trembling halted as her eyes locked onto mine, uncertainty flickering in her gaze.
"I'll admit," I continued, my tone reflective, "I've been a bit foolish. I comprehended the Way of the Sword in its conventional form, following the established path instead of forging my own. But that's not who I am."
Ling Xue's confusion shifted to curiosity, though her body remained motionless, bound by the principles of my mastery.
"After this tournament," I said, stopping just a step away from her, "I plan to shatter my current comprehension of the Dao, to tear it down completely and rebuild it from the ground up. My Dao won't be one of imitation or convention. It will be something that challenges me, something that pushes me to my limits."
I leaned slightly closer, my voice soft but resolute. "My Dao should be something I pour my heart and soul into. It will be mine, and mine alone."
The air grew still as my words settled over the stage. The crowd, the judges, and even Ling Xue seemed to hold their breath, the weight of my declaration leaving a lasting impression.
"I'm taller," I said with a smirk, stepping closer to Ling Xue to confirm my suspicion. Sure enough, I was a full head taller than her. At 4'2", I towered over her 4'0" frame, not by much, but enough to feed my ego.
Yes, I walked over here specifically to compare our heights. Ling Xue might have been in her twenties, but her petite stature made this moment feel oddly satisfying. Saiyans, after all, didn't hit their growth spurts until they were around fifteen years old. That meant I was stuck at this height for a while.
And as long as this kid... I mean adult, was around to make me feel taller, I wouldn't have to deal with any Vegeta Complexes. No short-term energy for me, thank you very much.
Ling Xue's eye twitched, a flicker of frustration breaking through her previously playful demeanor. If looks could kill, I'd be a pile of ash by now. She clearly wanted nothing more than to pounce on me and sink her teeth in, whether out of rage or to drain my life force, I couldn't quite tell.
But she couldn't move, and that made it all the sweeter.
All she could do was glare, her bright eyes practically burning holes through me. To her, I wasn't just an opponent anymore, I was a tantalizing meal just out of reach. Her frustration was palpable, and I could see the gears turning in her head as she desperately tried to think of a way to close the gap in our strength.
With a smirk, I took control, manipulating her movements with a flick of my will. Ling Xue stiffened, her eyes widening in alarm as her body turned away from me and began walking toward the edge of the stage.
Step by reluctant step, she moved closer to the edge, but just as she reached it, I stopped her. Her body pivoted sharply, facing me once again, her glare searing with uncontained fury.
I added a flourish to my control, forcing her to bow deeply, not once, but several times in succession. The crowd erupted into laughter, and I could feel Ling Xue's rage radiating like a furnace. Her face burned a vivid crimson, her humiliation was as palpable as the cheers from the onlookers. After a final bow, I sent her falling backward.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone