Chapter 59: Butterfly

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Butterfly

In truth, Li Heng’s current placid expression wasn’t the sign of a calm and composed mind that Lin Jiangang had assumed; he was just feeling a little sleepy.

He had been in a Dungeon all day, killing soul beasts for what felt like an entire day. On top of that, he’d spent two or three hours dying in the Ice Jiao Lake Dungeon. After all that, even a Soul Apprentice would feel a bit exhausted.

Besides, Li Heng had already estimated that he could probably handle eight Strong Cyan Tigers on his own, but he had no intention of saying so.

’I can, but there’s no need!’

He wasn’t about to pay homage to a classic trope and declare, "I want to fight ten!" It was too much of a flex, and there was a risk of getting injured.

At the same time, Li Heng considered that there was no point in being the center of attention. ’Purely to flex in front of two big shots?’

’But the thing is, the two big shots already think I’m strong. Is there really any need to flex even more?’

’Better to just get this over with and go home.’

Moreover, since the number of opponents was the same, the winner would be the one who finished faster. Li Heng was confident he could deal with the same number of Strong Cyan Tigers in under five minutes.

"I’ll take five Strong Cyan Tigers as well, then," Li Heng said, his voice calm.

Lin Jiangang nodded, feeling that Li Heng’s choice was a steady one. For some strange reason, it felt like he was ordering food at a restaurant, but the feeling quickly vanished.

He then signaled the staff. They would wait for Zhang Xue to finish her medical treatment and come down from the sparring ground before Li Heng went up to fight.

Lin Jiangang didn’t offer Li Heng any words of encouragement. Although their interaction had been brief, he already understood that this student had a reserved personality and didn’t talk much.

But his state of mind... had likely reached a level where he was no longer swayed by joy or sorrow from external matters.

And while Wang Junde didn’t say anything, the more he thought about the tone of Li Heng’s "I’ll take five Strong Cyan Tigers," the more it sounded like someone ordering a dish from a menu.

’Are you here to have dinner or something?’

But complaints aside, Wang Junde heard a great deal in Li Heng’s nonchalant tone. If nothing else, that attitude and confidence alone far surpassed 99% of his peers!

Before the two could dwell on it further, the claw marks on Zhang Xue’s back had been treated. She had also taken the appropriate elixir and was slowly walking toward the three of them.

"You did well! Go get some rest for now." Wang Junde waved his hand, telling Zhang Xue to take a break. The previous battle had been spectacular, but also extremely draining.

"I feel much better after taking the elixir. I want to watch Student Li Heng’s fight." Zhang Xue didn’t go down to rest, instead shifting her attention to Li Heng.

Everyone present understood her decision. After all, the stakes were high, and there was only one spot for promotion. Whether she succeeded or failed, she wanted to witness the outcome with her own eyes.

As Zhang Xue’s words fell, everyone’s gaze focused on Li Heng!

Li Heng was seen walking unhurriedly toward the sparring ground, grasping his Cyan Blade Longsword!

And opposite Li Heng were five hungry, furious tigers!

ROAR~

ROAR~

...

At this moment, the soul beast sparring ground presented two completely different "pictures." On one side were the chaotic, rage-filled roars of the Strong Cyan Tigers echoing through the air.

On the other was the expressionless, even slightly haggard and weary, sword-wielding youth.

The visual impact created by this stark contrast had a certain effect on the other three.

Lin Jiangang: ’As expected of a genius of the Sword Way. His mental fortitude is truly taking shape!’

Wang Junde: ’To remain so composed and calm under such pressure... regardless of whether Li Heng succeeds in this competition today, with this kind of talent... his future is boundless!’

Zhang Xue: ’Isn’t he nervous at all?’

Li Heng, of course, had no idea how rich the inner lives of these three were. At this moment, he was staring at the five Fine Steel Cages that were about to open.

He subconsciously activated the Wolf Walk Technique, lightly raising the Cyan Blade Longsword in his hand.

"Ghost Butterfly Illusion Sword!"

At almost the exact moment the five Fine Steel Cages swung fully open, Li Heng’s body moved as well!

A flash of sword light followed!

The instant he drew his sword, its light flickered, and one after another, bright, silvery butterflies burst into existence before everyone’s eyes!

At the same time, these silvery butterflies "shrouded" Li Heng’s entire figure.

"This is..."

"This..."

The instant the silvery butterflies appeared, Wang Junde’s eyes flew wide open. He stared intently at the butterflies enveloping Li Heng!

As he stared, he muttered to himself, "Impossible! This is impossible! Has he completely mastered the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship?!"

Lin Jiangang’s reaction was no different from Wang Junde’s; his heart was also filled with astonishment!

’This is... mastery of the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship?! It’s only been a few days!’

He understood!

If this was the case, then everything made sense!

After the mock college entrance exam, Lin Jiangang had his subordinates collect information on Li Heng. He learned that after teleporting out of the secret realm, Li Heng had gone to a skill shop and purchased the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship.

And... in front of many people, he’d had a reaction to the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship and entered a state of epiphany!

Lin Jiangang had always wanted to ask Li Heng the specific reason he had torn the Teleportation Talisman.

He simply couldn’t believe that someone who possessed Sword Intent, even if he was just a student, would be so afraid of soul beasts that his legs would turn to jelly, leaving him unable to walk and forcing him to tear a Teleportation Talisman to escape!

Now, seeing these silvery butterflies, Lin Jiangang understood why Li Heng had chosen to teleport out of the secret realm at that time.

Lin Jiangang was certain that Li Heng must have had an insight into the Sword Way back then, which was why he had unhesitatingly chosen to teleport away and immediately go to the skill shop!

’That must be it!’

’Li Heng, as expected of you! You really haven’t let me down!’

"Wait! This... It doesn’t seem to be just the Mist Butterfly Swordsmanship? There are traces of the Illusionary Butterfly Swordsmanship as well?!"

Beyond the silvery butterflies, Lin Jiangang suddenly thought of something, and the shock in his heart grew even more intense.

’It seems Maple City has struck gold this year!’

A young genius of the Sword Way from an ordinary family, destined for the top rankings!

What was this?!!

A genius of the Sword Way who could grasp the essence of advanced swordsmanship from a Low-Level Swordsmanship! And his physical constitution was already approaching that of a Soul Warrior!

Within a year, Li Heng would undoubtedly become a Soul Warrior!

Perhaps... it wouldn’t even take a year!

Lin Jiangang said no more, merely watching in silence as Li Heng was surrounded by the silvery butterflies, his heart still a storm of crashing waves.

Due to their own cultivation levels and strength, Wang Junde and Lin Jiangang saw things very clearly and knew exactly what Li Heng’s move implied.

As for Zhang Xue, the moment she saw those butterflies, she had already forgotten that the sword-wielding youth not far away was her competitor.

She was completely mesmerized by the illusion of the butterflies that had appeared.

’So handsome!’

’And so beautiful!’

Although Zhang Xue’s mind was somewhat blank, two seemingly contradictory adjectives appeared together to describe the youth swinging his sword in the distance.

The three of them had originally thought Li Heng’s battle would last at least a few minutes.

But none of them had ever imagined that the moment five silvery butterflies landed on the Strong Cyan Tigers, the battle would already be over...