Chapter 416 - 217: Wind Manipulation Technique, Another Win

Chapter 416: Chapter 217: Wind Manipulation Technique, Another Win

Yang Wenqing stood up. Lan Ying raised her little head and let out a soft "CHIRP."

"Do your best, Qingqing."

Yang Wenqing reached out, stroking her warm, smooth feathers with the back of his fingers. Then he turned and strode toward the ring.

At the same moment, at the edge of the Beixuan Sect’s seating area, Shi Zheng gripped the wide-bladed shortsword he had been polishing for a full quarter of an hour. He then stood up. The Five-Colored Sparrow on his shoulder took flight, landing back on the chair’s backrest to watch him walk toward the ring.

The two came to a stop in the center of the ring, standing ten zhang apart.

A breeze blew in from the sea, sweeping over Shi Zheng’s silent, rock-like face and across Yang Wenqing’s calm, water-still features.

"Senior Brother Shi, please guide me."

"I wouldn’t dare presume to guide you, Junior Brother Yang. Please, begin."

The moment the words left his lips, Shi Zheng moved.

His left foot stomped hard on the ground, and the dark cyan stone tiles beneath him let out a muffled THUD. He shot forward like a black bolt of lightning, his blade trailing a blazing golden tail flame as he went straight for Yang Wenqing.

His fighting style today was identical to the one he used against Lin Xiyun yesterday. Or rather, it was the only style he knew.

Gather power, charge, and slash.

On the battlefield, life and death were decided by a single strike. There was no need for a second move.

However, his blade cut through nothing but air.

Just an instant before the golden gleam of the blade could reach him, Yang Wenqing’s figure, like a feather lifted by the wind, floated lightly off the ground. He rose to a height of five zhang, the hem of his robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze, with nothing beneath his feet.

Seeing this, Wu Qing shot upright. She even forgot that she was still regulating her breath, forgot the turbulent qi and blood in her meridians. Lin Xiyun’s hand, polishing the Myriad Phenomena Celestial Disc, froze in mid-air. Leng Zhi lifted her gaze.

Even Lei Yue’s stern, iron-like face betrayed a flicker of imperceptible surprise.

A Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivator flying—and one under thirty-five at that. It was illogical.

The Wind Manipulation Technique was indeed an art that could be learned in the Marrow Cleansing Realm. But between the Wind Manipulation Technique and true flight, there was a chasm that most Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivators could never cross in their entire lifetime.

This chasm was the need for a massive amount of Five Yang Qi. Theoretically, a Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivator under the age of forty would have nowhere near enough accumulated Five Yang Qi to sustain flight for any significant length of time.

Yet here Yang Wenqing was, hovering five zhang above the ring, his aura stable, without the aid of any external object.

Shi Zheng tilted his head back to look at the figure suspended in the air. He didn’t give chase—not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t. Furthermore, his ranged attacks were too simple and would be easily dodged by Yang Wenqing, who had cultivated a True Spirit Sea.

Moreover, no matter how unpredictable his Escape Technique was, he couldn’t possibly launch a sneak attack with his opponent looking down on him from above. Meanwhile, his opponent could freely use the Sword Control Technique to strike at his weak points.

The moment Yang Wenqing’s feet left the ground, this match was already over.

After a moment of silence, Shi Zheng lowered his blade. The tip tapped the ground with a faint "CLINK." Then he turned to face the Beixuan Sect’s seating area and looked toward that burly, mountain-like figure.

Lei Yue met his gaze for a breath.

Then, Shi Zheng turned and cupped his fist. "I concede this match."

He accepted this outcome.

On the battlefield, an enemy you cannot reach is an enemy you cannot defeat. This was a truth he had learned over a dozen years on the frontier.

No one thought there was anything wrong with Shi Zheng conceding, nor did anyone feel Yang Wenqing’s victory was undeserved. To be able to master the Wind Manipulation Technique at this realm was a part of one’s strength—in fact, the most indisputable part.

Wu Qing stared blankly at the figure slowly descending from the sky. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found no words came out.

Lin Xiyun gently folded the soft cloth and tucked it into her sleeve.

Leng Zhi sat at the edge of the Yunji seats, her Sword Box resting across her lap. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the figure on the ring. Just then, she felt a familiar gaze upon her.

Ge Yunhai didn’t turn his head. He simply placed his teacup gently on the small table, making a soft "CLACK."

Leng Zhi said, "He still can’t achieve true flight. If he dares to fly in front of me, he’ll be a living target in the sky."

Hearing this, Ge Yunhai picked his teacup back up and took a slow sip.

Now, among the disciples of the other two sects, only Leng Zhi had yet to face Yang Wenqing. If Leng Zhi lost to him, then Yang Wenqing would certainly be the champion of this tournament.

On the ring, Qin Huaiming announced the result in a clear voice, "First match of the third round: Yang Wenqing of Xuanyue wins."

Yang Wenqing bowed with cupped hands to Shi Zheng. Shi Zheng silently returned the gesture. Then, the two of them walked back to their respective seating areas.

Lan Ying flew over, flapping her wings, and dived straight into Yang Wenqing’s arms. She rubbed her little head vigorously against his collar, her irrepressible joy echoing in his Spirit Sea: "Qingqing, you’re amazing!"

Yang Wenqing gently stroked her back feathers, saying nothing.

Qin Huaiming did not let the Martial Arts Arena remain quiet for long. Once Yang Wenqing and Shi Zheng were seated, he once again announced loudly, "Second match of the third round: Leng Zhi of Yunji versus Wu Qing of the Beixuan Sect."

Wu Qing stood up and said in a very soft voice, "I concede this match."

No one in the Martial Arts Arena spoke.

Wu Qing didn’t look at anyone. She lowered her gaze and slowly sat back down in her chair. Her hands rested on her knees, her knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Ever since she had forcefully channeled her qi and blood to power the array yesterday, her participation in the subsequent matches had been doomed.

On the ring, Qin Huaiming nodded slightly and continued, "Second match of the third round: Leng Zhi of Yunji wins."

Then, Qin Huaiming continued his announcement: "Third match of the third round: Sun Chen of Xuanyue versus Lin Xiyun of Yunji."

Sun Chen stood up and gave Yang Wenqing a nod. The little fox, Red Shadow, looked up from his feet and let out a faint "YIP."