Chapter 2221 - 1195: Dharma Sect Prisoner 2

Standing behind him, the Forbidden Army showed no mercy either; they lifted their hands and brutally jabbed him in the kidneys with the hilt of their swords. The pain caused this Dharma Sect expert to stagger a few steps, his face twisted in anger, looking very displeased.

As Elder Kunpa stood up, the scene suddenly quieted down, and Elder Kunpa began a lecture directed at the Dharma Sect expert in the center of the arena.

Meanwhile, a Forbidden Army member positioned slightly behind Yang Xiao began translating for him, keeping pace:

"Mahasha, you infiltrated our Esoteric Sect territory, killing our people, an unforgivable crime; however, the High Priest is merciful, and he’s willing to give you a chance to live."

"As long as you defeat this young man here, the High Priest will let you go and return to the Dharma Sect."

"By the way, let me tell you that this young man is none other than Yang Xiao, the one you’ve been desperately searching for. He is now our Esoteric Sect’s young priest and the adopted son of our High Priest."

Upon hearing the name Yang Xiao, Mahasha nearby turned his head sharply to look at Yang Xiao, shock in his eyes. But soon after, that shock transformed into intense killing intent.

After running through the necessary procedures, there was no need for further words. With a command from the High Priest, the Forbidden Army standing nearby stepped forward, unlocking the wooden shackles and ankle chains on Mahasha and brought over a large knife engraved with a blood groove.

Mahasha slowly stretched his stiff, numb limbs due to confinement, fixing an openly provocative gaze on Yang Xiao.

Being an elder of the Dharma Sect, he naturally knew the name Yang Xiao. It was precisely him who ruined the Sect Hierarch’s grand plans, nearly sparking a war between the Dharma Sect and Esoteric Sect.

If he could kill him and decapitate him, it would be a major accomplishment upon returning to the Dharma Sect, potentially being promoted as a candidate for City Lord.

Though Dharma Sect and Esoteric Sect are adversaries, the Cannibal Buddha’s promise holds considerable weight. Since he made a promise in front of so many people to let him go, he surely won’t go back on his word.

What Mahasha doesn’t understand is, this Yang Xiao should theoretically be an ally of the Esoteric Sect. So why would the Cannibal Buddha watch him die with eyes wide open?

He can detect that Yang Xiao’s spiritual power level has just broken through to Ghost Level, while Mahasha’s strength surpasses the Peak of Ghost Level, forming an insurmountable disparity between them.

This gap cannot be bridged by any Resentful Eye ability or cunning skills. Even with his current injuries reducing his combat effectiveness, dealing with a mere Ghost Level novice is still a piece of cake.

"Something feels off, totally eight out of ten points off..." Even as a seasoned battlefield veteran, Mahasha’s sensitivity to danger is high; he realizes this kid is not that straightforward.

Following the Cannibal Buddha’s teaching, Yang Xiao cannot achieve victory dishonorably in this match. Thus, he sheds his disguise, no longer suppressing his own strength, fully displaying his Upper Ghost Level spiritual power intensity.

Soon enough, as his power is thoroughly unleashed, gasps of surprise come from the Esoteric Sect elders’ stand.

The technique of concealing one’s strength was taught to Yang Xiao personally by Jiushan Cangxuan. Unless faced with a spiritual Magic Artifact Angel Envoy, regular Angel Envoys—even at the Half-step Nether Realm or reaching Netherworld Realm rank level masters—are unlikely to spot any flaws. This technique is also greatly admired by Dean Sheng.

The shock these Esoteric Sect elders feel is understandable. After all, just a year ago, Yang Xiao had only just broken through to Ghost Level, and progress as swift as this defies the understanding of many.

Yang Xiao dares not underestimate this Mahasha either, whose strength is considerable. His spiritual power intensity has surpassed Ku Daoist, breaking through the Peak of Ghost Level.

Even carrying injuries currently, he’s likely not easy to contend with.

Key point is that Yang Xiao cannot use any of his surprise attack skills; the High Priest’s order is to use just this knife to deal with the opponent.

Yang Xiao sighed inwardly. Were it not for the High Priest’s order, he would’ve already launched a surprise attack when the opponent was careless, having at least a 70% chance of killing him in one blow.

With a samurai puppet, a Mirror Ghost, plus himself, the three of them together could deal with this guy in a single confrontation.

No point thinking about this or that anymore, Yang Xiao cleared the chaotic thoughts from his mind, refocused his energy on the opponent before him, slowly clenching the knife hilt in his hand.

"Ready to die?" Yang Xiao coldly asked.

The other seemed to understand as well, perhaps from deciphering contempt in Yang Xiao’s gaze. The next second, he roared furiously, swinging up the large knife, and charged toward Yang Xiao, each step weighing heavy as a thousand pounds, his advancing momentum like a tank.

"Turns out he’s a tough nut to crack..." Yang Xiao’s heart skipped a beat, realizing the opponent chosen by his adoptive father was not picked at random.

This guy clearly looks like the type of master who goes hard in a straightforward way, following the overpowering everything rule, similar to the Cannibal Buddha and Wu Qingcang—very difficult to deal with.

But since he’s here, having faced the Cannibal Buddha, Yang Xiao’s built a resistance to face him, let alone a mere level-surpassing Ghost Level novice.

Yang Xiao stomped his foot on the ground and rushed forward toward the opponent too.

This time he switched to wielding the knife with both hands. As spiritual power flowed abundantly, the ring-headed saber in his hands emitted shrill droning, heralding the beginning of this duel.

As they closed in, Yang Xiao struck first with a slash from below upwards, employing the Reverse Kasaya Sword Technique aimed at the opponent’s lower body.

And this Mahasha, a battle-hardened veteran indeed, exerted his waist, twisting his body while slashing diagonally downward.

Calling it a slash is also like a smash; the opponent’s power is extremely strong. When the two weapons collided, Yang Xiao felt as if hit by a massive hammer, his blood surging, retreating continuously seven or eight steps before coming to a stop.