Chapter 170 - 161: Xisha’s Rules

Chapter 170: Chapter 161: Xisha’s Rules

There was one thing, however, that made the spear-wielding senior feel different from Lu Bichuan. His spear thrusts and movements weren’t particularly fast, but when he used his Body Technique, a faint white light flashed at his feet.

Li Heng focused on the light at the senior’s feet. After a moment of thought, he began to execute the Ghost Butterfly Illusion Sword.

And so, as the spear-wielding senior began to move, Li Heng drew his sword and sprang into action.

The spear and the Longsword soon clashed, and the sound of scraping metal instantly filled Laundry Lane.

The spear-wielding senior was completely taken aback that Li Heng had reacted so fast and blocked his attack. The long spear in his hands even faltered for an instant.

But he only paused for a moment before attacking again, changing his thrust to a swing and bringing the long spear down on Li Heng with both hands.

Li Heng saw the senior’s change in attack—the entire movement—with perfect clarity, and he raised his sword to parry.

To Li Heng, it felt like the senior’s movements had gotten a little faster.

Li Heng originally considered just ending it and attacking directly with the techniques of the Ghost Butterfly Illusion Sword.

But seeing the serious look on his opponent’s face, he held back. He could feel that even though the senior’s expression was ferocious with every attack, he was clearly holding back, not using his full strength.

Li Heng felt a little grateful. He knew this senior was desperate to defeat him and get out of laundry duty, but he was also afraid of hurting him, so he was only making probing attacks.

Since his opponent was being courteous with his techniques, Li Heng naturally returned the favor with respect. He frequently used moves from the Ghost Butterfly Illusion Sword, but only to defend, never to attack.

Occasionally, he would use the Wolf Walk Technique to dodge the senior’s flourishes.

’Sword users... they really are all the same!’

Gu Qingwu thought to herself as she watched Li Heng, who only defended and never attacked. After that thought flashed through her mind, her eyes, though still on the sparring pair, glazed over. Her mind had drifted elsewhere, her gaze no longer lingering on Li Heng.

And Gu Qingwu wasn’t the only one who thought so. As time went on, the spear-wielding senior also began to realize what was happening.

Although he wanted to win the spar, he truly didn’t want to injure Li Heng, so he had been gradually increasing the force of his attacks.

But as he ramped it up, he found that Li Heng perfectly parried every single one of his attacks.

Or to put it another way, Li Heng neutralized his every move. In the end, even when he used his full strength, the tip of his long spear still couldn’t touch the hem of Li Heng’s clothes.

The fight between Li Heng and the spear-wielding senior lasted about three minutes from start to finish.

After Li Heng blocked his final thrust, the spear-wielding senior stopped his assault. He planted his long spear in the ground and leaned his shoulder against it.

The senior’s expression was complicated. In a slightly apprehensive tone, he asked, "Li Heng... are you... a Soul Warrior?"

Seeing his opponent had lowered his weapon, Li Heng put away his Empty Cicada Longsword. "Yeah! I got lucky recently. I only just became a Soul Warrior not long ago. Senior, about this..."

The spear-wielding senior glanced at Li Heng, then at his companion to the side—the one he’d been washing clothes with for a year. The companion’s expression was complicated, as if he were lost in deep thought.

The senior sighed, then slowly walked over to Li Heng and extended his right hand.

"Junior Li Heng, welcome to the Xisha Area! No wonder you were the only one to come in with this year’s first batch. With your level of strength, you must be the strongest of the new students."

Li Heng shook his hand and replied humbly, "You’re too kind, senior. Your spear technique is incredible, and thank you for taking it easy on me just now. When it comes to real combat experience, I’m sure I can’t compare to you. Thank you for holding back!"

Hearing Li Heng’s words, the senior, though still a little dejected, managed to crack a smile. "You’re too polite, junior. From now on, I guarantee your clothes will be spotless!"

When Gu Qingwu saw that Li Heng’s attitude after winning the spar wasn’t aggressive or arrogant, but rather humble and friendly, she was suddenly taken aback. Her breathing lost its rhythm, causing the white veil over her face to flutter gently.

Gu Qingwu stared at Li Heng as he conversed with the two seniors, even managing to crack a joke or two. She found herself captivated, her gaze lingering on him for a long, long time...