Ace Of Terrans

The opponent that the people were going to face this time was a race known for their prowess with the sword. If someone was to list the most proficient sword uses then they would definitely name out Sword Mantis race one way or the other.

The race was that of a humanoid creatures. However, they had a mutation in their bodies. Inside their arms there hid a bone that could extend and retract back inside the body. They comprehended sword skills a little easier than the other races. All the members of this race were destined to rise up to the level of a sword grandmaster.

Further levels depended on the chances that the guys found to cultivate and hone themselves. Apart from the skills in their weapons, the people of this race were cruel to each other. They held weekly battles, and these battles were all life and death battles.

Shi Tao sat down on the chair after finishing her presentation. She said, “It is clear that the person we would face would be a sword saint at the least. There is no way someone below that level would even be able to survive the weekly death battles. Who do you think we should send?”

The people began to discuss, before they all cast their gazes at Shi Lang, who waved his hand and replied, “I will not fight, are you all kidding me? We have so many sword saints, I am not going to fight, this is not yet a ripe timing for me to reveal my skills.”

Tian Long sighed and asked, “Your Excellency Shura Supreme, can you enlighten us when would be the right time to show your skills?”

Shi Lang leaned back in his chair and began to use his fingers to calculated a few things and said, “Probably the final fight, the next round. However, I was told that after top fifty ranks, the next round would be a fight between the survivors. This is why I am holding back, otherwise, I could have gone ahead and handled this whole thing myself. I am sure that the strongest of the confident and the surviving races are all holding back their strongest fighters for the last ranking round robin battles.”

The people thought about it and discussed briefly before they nodded. At this moment, Fairy Moon Jade spoke up, “If we need the strongest of us to handle the hopes of survival then we will end up in the bottom of the top fifty, that would be nothing but a shame. To be the last among the surviving races, what sort of humiliation is that?

Also, if we all cannot even survive these battles, then it would be better for us to die and leave everything for the future generations.”

The people understood what she meant and cheered, “Here, here!”

After a few minutes, Shi Tao looked around and asked, “If allowed, then I would like to volunteer for this battle.”

Shi Lang looked at her with a smile on his face. He knew that his daughters were getting restless. The younger three were all outside fighting the strongest of the younger generation to vent out the frustration. The most surprising thing that Shi Lang found out was that Hao Mei had issued challenges on her own initiative. This was unprecedented.

Shi Lang looked at everyone before his gaze set on Tian Long and he asked, “Little lizard, don’t you wish to fight the Sword Mantis?”

Tian Long sensed the provocation lingering in the voice and asked, “Scavenger, are you sure you wish to spur me up like this?”

Shi Lang shrugged and replied, “I would understand if you don’t wish to fight after all, you have once been beaten to eat shit by Old Beiming.”

Tian Long developed a twitch on his temple and he said, “Fuck you, bastard, I…”

He reined his temper and looked at Shi Tao as he asked, “Xiao Tao, would you accept my challenge for the right of representation in this battle?”

Shi Tao looked at the man and nodded. When has the Shura Princess known to fear a challenge? She was the first after disciple of Shi Lang, and also his most loved child. They both didn’t say it out loud much, but they felt an emotion that was beyond the comprehension of all these people.

Shi Tao stood up from her chair and said, “Let us have a duel by sword in two days, Daoist Tian Long.”

Then she cupped her hands in his direction and Tian Long returned the gesture.

…

Two days passed in a blink, and the Sages all gathered around the arena. The arena stands were filled to the maximum capacity as the disciples of the Asura Hall had all returned because Shi Lang had told the people about the duel. Most of the people used swords and they had come to learn from the Duel.

The crowd was all silent and everyone was gazing at the two people in the center of the field. On the side, Yu Xeidi stood with her red eyes looking at the two people and said, “This is a sword duel, no spiritual spells are allowed. Only your swords, the sword intent and sword art will do the talking. No maiming, no crippling is allowed. Respect the dignity of the sword, let the battle begin.”

As soon as her words dropped, the two people flickered and the battle began. The arena echoed with the sound of swords clashing at a high speed and brutal strength behind every attack. The void was cracking from the ripples of the battle, and it was faster than the speed it would repair.

Shi Lang watched with a faint smile and said, “Evenly matched.”

Amelia nodded and said, “It is about time Shi Tao and Tian Long use the sword arts.”

Shi Lang nodded and sure enough, the two people reappeared in the arena and while Shi Tao let out a low shout, “Four Season Sword Art.”

Tian Long said, “Heavenly Spark Sword Art.”

The people watched with their breaths abetted, the scene was nothing short of mesmerizing and destructive at the same time. Shi Tao and Tian Long brought out the best of their abilities and people understood that Tian Long had let Prince Bei Ming win in the last fight by deliberately holding back.

His sword today was sharper than before and it was something that gave him a slight edge over Shi Tao, the person they were watching for the first side.