Chapter 96 Condensing Sword with Qi

Both men smiled at each other. One of their bodies shifted, assaulting Xiao Chen's front like a streak of lightning. The other leapt into the air and attacked his head from mid-air.

They had discerned clearly Xiao Chen's moves. Furthermore, they were fast. If Xiao Chen dealt with the earthbound fighter, he would have been sneak attacked by the other from mid-air. Likewise, he would be assaulted by the one on the ground had he paid attention to his airborne companion.

Sure enough, after pushing the man on the ground, Xiao Chen was hit by his airborne companion on his shoulder. He was fortunate to be protected by his Mystic Skill and did not suffer any serious injury. However, now he was shackled hand and foot. He could not deal with both men simultaneously.

Unless he could conjure up a doppelganger outside his own body through his willpower. This doppelganger must have the same abilities as himself. Yet only a Nascent Soul cultivator could do this. And his Mystic Green Skills needed to reach the Core Forming Realm before he could execute it.

The two worked flawlessly in tandem with each other. Although Xiao Chen was nimble, he was soon at a disadvantage. He was very nearly hurt by a few vicious Sword Qi in his carelessness. The Zhou State warriors beneath started to yell angrily, "Hey, two fighting one! It's not fair!"

Those from the Qing State yelled back as well. "In the last match, didn't you people do the same?"

No matter what the din was outside, Xiao Chen could not allowed himself any distraction. He gradually found himself in a fix, his every stroke and movement restrained by both men. He could not execute his skills at all.

Under the platform, Luo Shangyan frowned deeply, her hand clutched tight. Xiao Chen's heart sank. He could hide no more. He had not dared to use too much of his Mystic Cyan Cultivation Method or the Yaoguang School skills as he realized shrewdly that Xuanyue's eyes were already shining with a peculiar light.

Right now, he moved his fingers slightly to cast a spell and started to execute the Immortal Illusive Steps from the Immortal-override Steps. Illusionary shadows streaked here and there. It was almost impossible to tell which was his true body. The two men immediately lost their advantage. Shocked gasps broke out from beneath. "The Illusionary Duplication! The long-lost Illusionary Duplication! Could he be a disciple of the Ancient Immortal Clan?"

The Immortal-override Steps was an original creation of Ling Yin. There were 36 stances. It was most marvelous for attack, defense, or simply to escape an enemy. Yet a touch of feminine grace could be detected from its body movements. But Xiao Chen was so gifted; he changed the stances so that he resembled a handsome young man instead.

Surprised gasps rose and fell from under the platform. The two men could not tell which of the one dozen shadows was his true body. Their flying swords hacked wildly and they were soon injured by Xiao Chen, their defense lapsing.

Xiao Chen's form resembled a phantom. At times he leapt up and at others he shifted sideways on the platform. There were times he merged with the illusionary forms, at others he split into three. Indeed, he was as unpredictable as a deity or a demon. The two men opposite him began to panic. They felt as if they were sneak attacked by countless foes. Dodging one form, they realized it was unreal, yet had they stood still, it might turn out to be the real Xiao Chen himself.

Far away on the high platform, Yu Wenji was beaming and cheering loudly. By his side Princess Xuanyue, however, started to frown deeper and deeper. She asked herself, "How did he even learn the Coalesced Colors Equal to Dust skill, which hasn't been imparted to an outsider before? He seems to execute it exceptionally! Where did this man come from... ?"

The battle lasted for 30 minutes. The two Qing State cultivators finally lost and were hurled down the platform. A commotion rose among the crowd. Only a single cultivator was left from the Qing State. From his earlier duels, it looked as if Xiao Chen would easily defeat his final opponent.

However, they did not realize that beneath his seemingly easy conquest, the battle was really full of risky strokes and moves. Now, even Xiao Chen had exerted much of his True Energy. He would be at a grave disadvantage were he to fight on.

Suddenly, a figure flashed and a cyan figure landed on the platform. It was none other than Ouyang Yu. He approached Xiao Chen a little and asked in a deep voice, "Where is Ah Xue? Is she here? Where is she?" When he saw Xiao Chen leap up the platform, he began to search frantically for Li Muxue's figure but did not find her.

The thought of Li Muxue wrenched Xiao Chen's heart. He said coldly, "I want to know that as well. Where have the Skygale Sect taken her?"

"Taken who? I don't understand you!"

"Alright, stop talking and draw your sword now!"

"You!" Ouyang Yu was quite enraged. "Don't think that I can't beat you. This is the Violet Manor, not the Human World! There are no restrictions here!"

"Then you can try," Xiao Chen answered coldly. He observed the man and realized that he must be at Lvl 3 Foundation Building Realm. There were no restrictions in the Violet Manor. He had exerted too much of his True Energy earlier and was not confident now. He only wanted to enrage his opponent to disturb him psychologically.

Upon seeing the two men freeze, those under the platform began to talk. "What happened to them? Did they know each other? Were they former enemies?"

Suddenly, a deep, vigorous voice resounded on the high platform. "It's 11! Stop the fight and recommence at one o'clock!"

There were to be two hours of rest and the extra hours benefited Xiao Chen greatly. Ouyang Yu waved his robe sleeve coldly. "Don't disappoint me in the afternoon." He stood on his toes and floated down the platform.

Xiao Chen too turned to step down. He walked down to where the Teal Jade Sect disciples were. Ten of them immediately clustered around him. Even Liu Fenghuang was grinning. "Are you hurt, Junior Brother Han?"

Xiao Chen smiled lightly and shook his head. He walked over to Liu Yunzheng's side and cupped his fists. "Master." Liu Yunzheng nodded. "Well done. You've worked hard."

Yu Wenji and the rest also came forward, one after another. It seemed that the Zhou State was about to lose when Xiao Chen turned the tide. Victory today would depend on the final duel. The Penglai Islanders were naturally very displeased. Many of them started to look disdainful. "That's because we did not step out to fight. How else could you have hogged the limelight?"

Penglai Island was the strongest and their three competitors would take part on the second and third day. Even the best Qing fighter today out of the eight was only in the middle stages of the Foundation Building Realm. Their best warriors were reserved for the next two crucial rounds. They thought that they would easily win the first. They had not anticipated Xiao Chen's interference.

Two hours passed quickly. The first day of the Immortals League Competition had reached a most intense climax. The competitors from both states went up the platform, saluted each other and began to strike.

Xiao Chen had recovered his True Energy somewhat. His palm blow was exceptionally powerful, overturning the floor tiles, causing large fragments to fly. Ouyang Yu was unwilling to be outdone. Their palms clashed and the winds and clouds turned violently. Waves of qi began to overlap; those closer to the Wind Floating Platform began to feel a massive wave of energy spreading to themselves.

"Ice Freezing Skill!" Ouyang Yu suddenly took out an Immortal's Sword and moved his fingers to cast a spell at the sword. The surrounding temperature began to drop drastically. A 20-centimeter thick sheet of ice began to form on the platform instantly. Even Xiao Chen's feet were caught in the ice.

"Gold Break!" With a bellow, Xiao Chen executed a stroke from the Xiao family's ancient martial arts. His fist blew the ice half a meter away apart. Splinters of ice swirled in the air. Xiao Chen executed another stroke, almost sweeping away ten thousand soldiers. The shreds of ice in the air instantly transformed into countless blades, whistling toward Ouyang Yu.

"A mountain of peace!" Ouyang Yu chanted an incantation. With a buzz, several icebergs emerged all around him, blocking off the ice shreds assailing him.

"Sky Incinerating Sun!" Xiao Chen finally executed the fire-style magic arts of the Mystic Cyan Sect. The flames rose to 10 meters high, its dark smoke billowing. The entire Wind Floating Platform seemed wrapped in fiery flames. Numerous people felt the unbearable scorching sting on their faces and retreated backward.

When the fire had subsided, they saw Ouyang Yu's entire body wrapped in an Ice Barrier. Suddenly, a sword radiance flashed. An icy sword streaked out to hack at Xiao Chen. Its coldness was quite extreme and it seemed to freeze the air wherever it went. Xiao Chen ducked and the flying sword skimmed past his shoulder. All at once, a chill entered his body. Even his hair and eyebrows froze with a thick layer of icicle.

"It's cold frost! Cold Frost Sword!" All at once, someone yelled out below in astonishment.

Cold Frost Sword was ranked 17th in the Tome of Legendary Weapons. Only a Mystic Ice Body could practice it. Otherwise, the practitioner would suffer the counter-effect of the chilling cold assaulting his heart. Ouyang Yu had just such a rare Mystic Ice Body.

Xiao Chen did not dare understimate him. He hurriedly chanted an incantation and erected a Defense Barrier all around his body. He did not dare to face the sharp edge of the Cold Frost Sword since its coldness was too extreme. Soon, he was in a disadvantageous position.

The Qing warriors cheered relentlessly while Yu Wenji began to frown deeply. This duel decided the outcome of today's battles. But Xiao Chen had no weapon to ward off the cold frost. There was really no help for it.

Originally, his Unsullied Immortal's Sword in the Divine Vessel was ranked 7th, far above Cold Frost. However, the Unsullied Sword was a gift from Yu Yifeng and the Jade Qing Sect was from the Qing State. If he had flashed it out, they might suspect him to be from the sect.

Ouyang Yu went on a fierce offensive. Xiao Chen could not parry Cold Frost directly and his entire body was covered in a layer of ice. His actions slowed gradually. Suddenly, his fingers moved and he cast a spell. Immediately, a half-illusionary, half-substantial Immortal's Sword appeared in his hand.

With a loud ding, it struck out and parried the stroke from Ouyang Yu's Cold Frost Sword. Astonished gasps arose from below. "Condensing Sword with Qi! Has he reached the Core Forming Realm?"

Condensing Sword from Qi was a skill of a Core Forming Realm Cultivator. Yet this sword which appeared right now in Xiao Chen's hand was a real Immortal's Sword condensed out of True Qi.

Array Formation... Illusionary Duplication. And now, Condensing Sword with Qi. This anonymous young man seemed to give them so many astonishments from the start.

The crowd from the Zhou State burst into cheers. He was turning the situation around again.