Dominating Martial King-Chapter 44 - 41 Cutting Corners

44: Chapter 41: Cutting Corners

44 -41: Cutting Corners

When Chu Xisheng stepped onto the stage, more than four thousand disciples in the training field buzzed with murmurs, whispering to each other in hushed tones.

Amidst the crowd, Hu Kan watched Chu Xisheng in disbelief, “This guy actually made it to the finals.”

With a complex expression, Hu Lai commented, “A cow really flew to the sky.”

Is that not true?

thought Hu Kan.

If Chu Xisheng really took first place in this examination, it would be quite the spectacle.

There were many exaggerated rumors about Chu Xisheng in the Martial Arts Academy.

Some of the rumormongers were those saved by Chu Xisheng, motivated by their admiration; some had ulterior motives; and others were simply jesting.

As for those who heard these rumors, most took them as jokes for amusement – very few truly believed them.

And yet, this guy might actually win the first place in the Inner Sect—

He shook his head, feeling the thought ludicrous, “Who do you think has a better chance of winning?”

“He Chao, of course.”

Touching his chin, Hu Lai answered without hesitation, “This man’s Nine Palace Sword and Nourishing Essence Skill have both reached the Third Level, and his Light Cloud Jump is at the Second Level Realm.

It’s said he possesses the ‘talent’ of the Unbreakable Hand, which, combined with the Nine Palace Sword’s Good Defense, can be described as a perfect match.

He Chao’s strength is only slightly inferior to the West Courtyard’s top seed, Liu Xingruo, ranking him within the top five in the Inner Sect, leaving Chu Xisheng with only a slim chance of victory—”

Standing beside them was Chu Yunyun, her hands clasped behind her, gaze fixed on the stage, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Chu Xisheng to awaken the First Tier ‘Time Instant Shadow Body’ on the eve of battle, and make it all the way to the finals.

By now, Chu Yunyun couldn’t help but look forward to Chu Xisheng winning and claiming the ‘Secret Technique Totem.’

However, He Chao’s strength was indeed formidable, his combat power approaching the Eighth Rank.

If she were Chu Xisheng, she would have at least a thousand ways to triumph over the strong with the weak and defeat He Chao, but she could not fight in Chu Xisheng’s place.

On the stage, Chu Xisheng held his saber tightly, focusing on his opponent.

With a Third Level Nine Palace Sword, a Third Level Nourishing Essence Skill, and a Second Level Light Cloud Jump—theoretically, even mastering the First Level Light Cloud Jump, he shouldn’t stand a chance against He Chao.

However—

Chu Xisheng’s gaze drifted downward, toward He Chao’s belt.

It was obvious the latter was from a wealthy family, his attire quite ostentatious.

Tied around his waist was a buffalo hide belt inlaid with jade, and on the left side hung a jade pendant.

The pendant was quite long, reaching down to the hem of his tunic.

The pendant’s cord was woven from a blend of silk and gold thread, very sturdy.

A hint of abnormality flickered in Chu Xisheng’s eyes.

That was his chance to win, but he only had one opportunity.

At that moment, the copper coin thrown by the referee finally landed with a ‘clank.’

Chu Xisheng struck with his saber before his adversary, but He Chao, drawing his sword with barely a moment to spare, managed to block just in time.

“Junior Brother Chu has a swift saber!”

He Chao was taken aback; had he drawn his sword any slower, he would have already lost to Chu Xisheng.

He then became exceedingly cautious, blocking systematically a few times, after which he discerned Chu Xisheng’s real intentions and feints.

The guy in front of him was a one-trick pony, with only a few saber moves practiced to great speed and ferocity.

He Chao switched from defense to offense, and after several exchanges, he became even more confident and assertive.

He wielded his sword in wide, powerful arcs.

Having discerned Chu Xisheng’s reality and illusion, he concluded Chu Xisheng’s saber was fast, but due to the Nourishing Essence Skill, it was slightly weaker in strength compared to his own.

He believed by overpowering him, he could quickly resolve the fight.

A smirk even appeared on his face, “Upon closer inspection, that’s all there is to it—”

But a gleam of sharpness flashed in Chu Xisheng’s eyes.

At this moment, as He Chao performed a turning jump slash, his left-hand jade pendant swung upwards.

In that instant, Chu Xisheng’s feet stomped heavily on the ground as his figure suddenly sped up and shifted positions.

While dodging the slashing sword of He Chao, he moved swiftly to He Chao’s left side.

His saber swung diagonally, aiming for He Chao’s waist.

He Chao could not help but raise his eyebrows slightly.

This guy’s movement technique was impressive indeed!

Although his opponent only mastered the First Level Light Cloud Jump, in terms of speed alone, he had surpassed He Chao, who had reached the Second Level Light Cloud Jump.

If Chu Xisheng had adopted a Floating Battle Technique strategy, He Chao would have found it very tricky.

But he knew his opponent was ill and had poor stamina, so this was not a concern.

The Floating Battle Technique would only cause Chu Xisheng’s strength to be exhausted in an extremely short period of time.

He Chao had been on guard against his opponent’s movement technique from the beginning.

Anyone who could win in the first round, their movement techniques wouldn’t be too shabby.

Chu Xisheng was fast, but not fast enough to decide the outcome.

With a point of his toe, He Chao’s figure fiercely shifted to the right, just right to dodge the edge of Chu Xisheng’s saber.

But then he was stunned for a moment, as Chu Xisheng’s attack was not aimed at him, but rather at the Jade Pendant hanging at his waist.

When He Chao dodged, the Hundred-refined Light Steel Saber just swept across the cord of his Jade Pendant, followed by a twine and a roll.

He Chao only heard a ‘bang’ as his Jade Inlaid Belt was forcibly ripped apart by the cord.

A sly smile also appeared on Chu Xisheng’s face at the same time.

Confusion filled He Chao’s heart, what exactly was this guy trying to do?

Meanwhile, the more than four thousand disciples below the stage were once again astir.

They were not astir because of He Chao’s broken belt, but because of the sudden display of movement technique from Chu Xisheng.

He Chao hadn’t seen Chu Xisheng when he was chopping bamboo leaves, so he didn’t understand the situation.

But for the more than four thousand people present, Chu Xisheng’s previous clumsy movement technique was etched in their minds.

Chu Yunyun blinked, her expression one of surprise.

When did Chu Xisheng’s Light Cloud Jump reach the first layer?

Was it a breakthrough during combat?

Liu Xingruo from the West Courtyard stomped his foot heavily on the ground, his face looking extremely ugly.

This Chu Xisheng had hidden his incompetence to such an extent!

Combining his Light Cloud Jump with his talent, both the flexibility of his movement technique and his speed were close to the third layer of Light Cloud Jump!

Xiang Kui from the Martial Arts Academy’s South Courtyard had a small smirk on his lips, thinking that this guy really knew how to bide his time.

This meant that during the final stage of the first round, Chu Xisheng still had reserves?

How insidious!

But then their attention was drawn to the scene on the stage.

Chu Xisheng’s saber swings were now wide and powerful.

He switched to holding the saber with both hands, bringing a heavy chop down on He Chao.

He Chao thought this guy must be getting desperate, this was entirely ‘fighting your opponent’s strength with your weakness.’

He laughed heartily, casually blocking, and when their weapons clashed, there was a ‘clank’ of heavy metal.

“Watch closely, Junior Brother Chu, I will defeat you within five exchanges—”

He Chao couldn’t continue, only because he found his pants were slipping down.

The two exchanged blows once more, and with the force of their collision, He Chao’s pants slipped even more severely.

He Chao hurriedly reached out, grabbing his pants.

He thought to himself that his pants couldn’t fall down, more than four thousand people were watching!

In front of all these eyes, if his pants were to drop, how could he face living on?

But this way, He Chao could only use one hand against two, and his movement technique was greatly limited as well.

In his mind, he suddenly realized.

Was this Chu Xisheng’s goal with that earlier saber strike?

He Chao couldn’t help but wail, “Junior Brother Chu, you are despicable!”

Chu Xisheng gave a chuckle upon hearing this, the third cut even more forceful.

“Senior Brother He speaks erroneously.

As martial cultivators, it is natural to use every means available to us in a fight!”

He Chao, with the strength of only one hand, was no match for Chu Xisheng’s two, and the heavy saber blows made He Chao stagger unstably.

Then, turning with a pleading look to the two judges on the platform, he said, “Instructors, my belt is broken, I request a pause to change belts!”

The two instructors exchanged glances but pretended not to hear.

Where was the rule about pausing a fight to change belts?

Moreover, it was your own flamboyance for wanting such a long Jade Pendant, who could you blame?

Chu Xisheng’s lips curled upwards; he swung his saber again, preparing to strike with twelve percent of his strength.

But at that moment, with a loud bellow, He Chao threw his sword away and jumped back while holding his pants with both hands.

“I admit defeat, I admit defeat, isn’t that enough?

Chu Xisheng, you are utterly shameless!”

At these words, Chu Xisheng laughed, feeling as if the ‘Secret Technique Totem’ was already beckoning to him.