Chương 15: Bloodthirst Technique Instant Strike
Biên tập viên: Atlas Studios
"For you to achieve a breakthrough during battle, you are truly a combat-oriented prodigy. You are the type that the sect favors the most. It's a shame that you committed an unforgivable mistake and invited death upon yourself." Standing before Zhuge Xiang on the dueling platform, Zhao Feiyun's gaze conveyed the certainty of facing a deceased individual. It appeared as if he held complete control over the situation.
His unwavering confidence was not unfounded. Being at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, equipped with a pair of boots embedded with one-star Dharma artifacts and a pair of short knives possessing the same, he was confident in securing a place within the top five. Naturally, he did not consider Zhuge Xiang, who had only comprehended Qi Force a mere half a month ago, to be his equal. Such was common sense.
However, could Zhuge Xiang, who had a Super Game System, be deduced using common sense?
Zhao Feiyun's composed tone and air of control evoked repulsion. Nonetheless, Zhuge Xiang remained unaffected by his words. He calmly grasped the Blood Refined Saber resting on his back and spoke with composure, "Did you bring the Blood Spirit Fruit?"
The Blood Spirit Fruit served as the prize for their duel. No declaration of victory was necessary. However, Zhuge Xiang's words radiated more confidence than Zhao Feiyun's. His serene demeanor suggested that he already had the Blood Spirit Fruit within his grasp.
"The Blood Spirit Fruit is here. What kind of reward can you offer?" Zhao Feiyun queried Zhuge Xiang, reaching into his pocket and producing a thumb-sized fruit.
"There's no need to say anymore. You can't win…" Seeing that Zhao Feiyun had brought the Blood Spirit Fruit over, Zhuge Xiang showed no intention of wasting any more time. He brandished the Blood Refined Saber in his hand, unleashing a scarlet saber light with the amplified power of the Dharma artifacts boots. Even the nearly 200,000 spectators failed to sway his state of mind.
"Arrogant!" Zhao Feiyun was enraged when he saw Zhuge Xiang pouncing at him. He raised the short knife in his hand to counter Zhuge Xiang's attack. Being at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, Zhao Feiyun firmly believed he could defeat Zhuge Xiang.
The short saber and the Blood Refined Saber clashed. Although they were both at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, Zhao Feiyun had recently achieved this breakthrough. On the other hand, Zhuge Xiang was merely 500 EXP away from advancing to the third level of the Qi Nourishing stage. Moreover, there was no doubt that the short saber possessed greater attack power than the Blood Refined Saber.
During the forceful collision, Zhao Feiyun felt a powerful impact surging towards him. He couldn't help but take two steps back. The web between his thumb and index finger, gripping the short knife, tingled slightly, leaving him wide-eyed in disbelief.
Impossible! Could this individual, who had only comprehended Qi Force for half a month, surpass him, a practitioner at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, in terms of attack power and EXP? Was it possible that this person possessed a two-star Dharma artifact?
Regardless, Zhao Feiyun was astounded to discover that he, positioned at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, was actually inferior to Zhuge Xiang in terms of pure strength. Although it was difficult to accept, it remained an undeniable truth.
Seeing that Zhao Feiyun was forced back by him and could not control his body for a moment, Zhuge Xiang stomped his feet and wanted to follow up with another attack. However, Zhao Feiyun had cultivated the Ghostly Steps, granting him remarkable agility that surpassed others. Moreover, he had acquired a pair of boots capable of enhancing his movement speed. Utilizing the Ghostly Steps, he moved like a slippery loach, effortlessly evading Zhuge Xiang's blade.
"Although I don't know why your attacks are so powerful, I practice the Ghostly Steps and possess a pair of Dharma artifacts that boost my movement speed. You won't even come close to touching my clothes. Your defeat is inevitable."
Using the Ghostly Steps, he made a series of mistakes and retreated thirty to fifty feet. Zhao Feiyun stared intently at Zhuge Xiang. Although Zhuge Xiang's attack power shocked him, Zhao Feiyun was still full of confidence in his victory.
Without uttering a word, Zhuge Xiang pursed his lips slightly. It seemed as though he tacitly agreed with Zhao Feiyun's statement, but he refused to give up. He raised his Blood Refined Saber and continued his relentless onslaught. However, with Zhao Feiyun's utilization of the Ghostly Steps, Zhuge Xiang found himself unable to even graze the fabric of Zhao Feiyun's attire.
Among all the martial arts techniques in existence, speed was the one invincible attribute. Despite Zhuge Xiang possessing greater attack power than Zhao Feiyun, his superior strength proved futile against the advantage of speed.
Although Zhao Feiyun's attack power was slightly inferior, the physical resilience of a cultivator at the Qi Nourishing stage was not significantly higher than that of an ordinary person. Hence, considering the present circumstances, Zhuge Xiang was evidently at a disadvantage.
Nevertheless, Zhuge Xiang's duel continued to captivate the attention of the majority. His cultivation level at the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage was already impressive, and the fact that both participants wielded two Dharma artifacts resulted in a higher combat prowess compared to the other dueling platforms.
Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun possessed distinct characteristics—a penchant for high attack power and exceptional speed, respectively. Each of them had their own strengths. However, in a Qi Nourishing stage duel, superior attack power was more advantageous than sheer speed.
"Did Zhuge Xiang truly comprehend Qi Force only half a month ago? How could he exhibit such remarkable strength in such a short period? Even Zhao Feiyun, equipped with two Dharma artifacts, was pushed back by him?" Many disciples who had comprehended Qi Force below the stage found themselves drawn to the battle between the two combatants. Although Zhuge Xiang appeared to be at a disadvantage, his combat prowess earned the admiration of onlookers.
"Perhaps his enhanced attack power is attributed to the Dharma artifacts and saber he wields, right? It's hard to believe that he could achieve a breakthrough to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage in just half a month." Such thoughts circulated among some observers, causing many to nod in agreement. Compared to the notion of Zhuge Xiang achieving another breakthrough within a mere half month, they were more inclined to believe that he possessed a Dharma artifact capable of significantly augmenting his attack power.
"He has indeed comprehended Qi Force for half a month. It seems to be accurate. Haven't you noticed? Until now, Zhuge Xiang hasn't employed any martial arts techniques. It's evident that half a month isn't sufficient for him to master a martial art. While his cultivation can be enhanced with the aid of elixirs, there are no shortcuts when it comes to mastering martial arts." Some astute observers were quick to notice Zhuge Xiang's battles. They recognized that he relied solely on straightforward attacks without the application of any martial arts techniques.
"Hahaha, Zhuge Xiang, you can't even touch the corner of my clothes. What good is high attack power? However, my speed qualifies me to eliminate you." With the augmentation of the Dharma artifacts, Zhao Feiyun's Ghostly Steps became even more elusive. A smug smile adorned his face. For Qi Nourishing stage cultivators, speed was a significant advantage. This was precisely why the Ghostly Steps held such popularity in the Martial Storage Pavilion.
Zhuge Xiang laughed arrogantly and remained silent. Despite relying on the swift movements granted by his Dharma artifacts to evade vital attacks each time, he had already sustained six or seven wounds. It was evident that he couldn't shake off Zhao Feiyun's pursuit, fueling his arrogance even further.
"Zhuge Xiang…" Niu Geng clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with nervousness. It seemed as if he desired to rush forward and assist.
"The outcome has been determined…" Lu Yuling's anticipation gradually faded as she gazed at Zhao Feiyun's smug expression. Initially, she had hoped that Zhao Feiyun would push Zhuge Xiang to his limits. However, she now understood that the result of this duel had already been sealed.
As the saying went, one would lose if one defended for a long time. Although Zhuge Xiang had dodged many vital points, his speed was still inferior to Zhao Feiyun's. The Ghostly Steps circled around Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun finally discovered a fatal flaw.
Zhao Feiyun seized this opportunity and stabbed the dagger in his hand towards Zhuge Xiang's back like a venomous snake. The cold blade was enveloped in an aura of death. This flaw was very big. He had already figured out Zhuge Xiang's speed. Zhao Feiyun knew that Zhuge Xiang would not be able to dodge this attack. He had won.
Zhao Feiyun was not the only one who believed this. Even the spectators below the dueling platform shared the same conviction. The limitations of Zhuge Xiang's speed were readily apparent. Given his velocity, he would undoubtedly be unable to react in time to counter this strike. Zhao Feiyun was surely going to emerge triumphant…
However, would the ending truly unfold in this manner? It was undoubtedly implausible. Setting aside the Blood Lightning Slash for now, even if Zhuge Xiang had not had enough time to accumulate Qi, he had yet to utilize the Bloodthirst Technique. Once he activated the Bloodthirst Technique, which augmented all his attributes by 50%, Zhuge Xiang's overall combat strength would double or even triple at the very least.
Bloodthirst Technique!
Zhuge Xiang's Bloodthirst Technique was activated at the critical moment. Numerous pores on his crimson Qi Force surfaced, appearing even denser than before. Furthermore, faintly visible were ghastly faces formed by the blood-red Qi Force. They contorted in agony, ferocity, and madness…
While the countenance created by the scarlet Qi Force was not inherently aggressive, at first glance, it appeared peculiar and eerie. With the Bloodthirst Technique in motion, Zhuge Xiang sensed an inexhaustible surge of strength coursing through his body. It was no joke that all his attributes had increased by 50%.
"Kill!" Zhuge Xiang's speed, attack speed, and attack power were all increased by 50%. Suddenly, it seemed as though the Blood Refined Saber in Zhuge Xiang's hand had vanished. The abrupt surge of velocity and power left everyone stunned.
Zhuge Xiang transformed into a blood-red shadow. In an instant, he materialized behind Zhao Feiyun. The scarlet Qi Force dissipated, and the Blood Refined Saber was slowly sheathed. The spectacle from earlier seemed almost illusory.
However, a ghastly slash materialized on Zhao Feiyun's countenance as he let out a cry. Bright red blood, mingled with a white substance, gushed from his head to his neck. Zhao Feiyun's eyes widened, and the smug and arrogant expression froze on his face as his body collapsed like a mountain…
Below the dueling platform, everyone's eyes were wide open. The scene that had just erupted in an instant had given them all a fright. Initially, they had presumed Zhuge Xiang to be inevitably defeated, but they had not anticipated his sudden surge. The reversal from a seemingly fatal situation was too unforeseen.
Among the nearly 200,000 present, Lu Yuling was perhaps the sole individual unruffled by the outcome. Witnessing Zhuge Xiang swiftly slay Zhao Feiyun, she remained unperturbed. However, a tinge of surprise flickered in her eyes. The appearance of blood-colored Qi Force and a spectral visage seemed to be phenomena exclusive to the Advanced level of the Bloodthirst Technique…
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