Chapter 117: The Will to Win (Grand Explosion)

(An explosive 6,000-word chapter!)

“Qi Refining Stage Seven? And such a brutal, ruthless Martial Cultivator…”

Xu Xuan took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the man in the mysterious dark robes. Immediately, he felt an overwhelming aura of malevolence that made his heart tremble. This opponent was clearly a battle-hardened Martial Cultivator, a deadly master who had slain countless foes.

At this moment, Xu Xuan seemed to hesitate, analyzing his chances of victory.

“…Obviously, Dongfang Ba wants your life.”

Zhang Yuhan stepped before him, a gentle fragrance accompanying her elegant presence. Her crimson lips parted softly, whispering a tender suggestion.

With the soothing words of the most beautiful woman in Huanglong, it would be difficult for an ordinary youth to resist her charm. The reasonable course would be to step down and retreat gracefully.

“Heh heh, Brother Xu, are you afraid now? Usually, those desperate to obtain the ‘Three Spirit Deer Blood’ are scholars seeking to save their dearest and closest. If you miss this chance, you may regret it for a lifetime. Though your opponent is strong, you’re not required to defeat him outright — just endure for one hundred rounds, and your wish can be fulfilled!”

Dongfang Ba spoke with the certainty of a man holding the winning hand, his tone dripping with endless temptation.

Meanwhile, Zhang Feng wore a worried, urgent expression. “Listen to me, do not agree to this!”

Zhang Yuhan sighed softly. In Xu Xuan’s eyes, she saw a resolute determination and a confidence that defied all understanding.

Where could such confidence come from?

She could not comprehend, nor did she know, but Zhang Yuhan realized that no amount of persuasion from them would sway him.

“Fine, I agree.”

Xu Xuan’s voice was firm and resolute.

As he consented, a flicker of secret joy passed simultaneously through the eyes of Dongfang Ba and Senior Brother Jiang, as if their scheme had succeeded.

“However…” Xu Xuan’s voice suddenly faltered, then shifted tone, “this is a wager battle. The young master Dongfang must prove that he truly possesses the Three Spirit Deer Blood, and there must be a witness, right? Otherwise, why should I trust you to honor your promise?”

At this moment, Xu Xuan’s face was calm, his eyes like still water, devoid of any emotion.

Such a gaze made Zhang Yuhan’s delicate eyes tremble, sending an inexplicable chill down her spine. She was certain that Xu Xuan was supremely composed and rational. If so, why would he make such a choice that seemed almost certain to end in defeat?

“Brother Xu, you are cautious indeed,” Dongfang Ba said, slightly surprised. He patted a storage pouch and produced a small black vial. “This is the Three Spirit Deer Blood!”

But now, a credible witness was needed. The group exchanged glances.

“Let me be the witness,” said the elderly man in the cultivation robe who had previously traded with Xu Xuan. He strolled over leisurely, took the black vial from Dongfang Ba, examined it for a moment, and nodded. “Indeed, this is Three Spirit Deer Blood, and there is quite a substantial amount.”

“Master Hu’s appraisal — I suppose none here will object,” Dongfang Ba said, clearly recognizing this Elder of the Refining Spirit Stage.

Xu Xuan nodded slightly. Dongfang Ba, as a Martial Cultivator, typically engaged in close combat, often suffering muscle and bone injuries. Being from an ancient Martial Cultivator family, it was reasonable for the young master to possess such a precious vial.

Soon after, the group ascended to the fifth floor of Zhang Tianling Tower, where a small dueling platform, about a dozen zhang in length and width, awaited.

Zhang Feng reluctantly activated the formation on the platform. Immediately, a blue water curtain enveloped the surroundings, providing defense strong enough to negate attacks below the Refining Spirit Stage.

Whoosh!

The man in the dark robes leapt lightly, leaving behind a flickering afterimage, arriving on the dueling platform like a ghostly apparition.

Xu Xuan’s heart tightened; this dark-robed man specialized in speed and agility, no wonder he was nicknamed “Ghost Wind.”

“Brother Xu, you can still quit now,” Zhang Feng advised earnestly.

Teng!

Xu Xuan’s figure flickered, and he leapt simply and directly onto the dueling platform.

“Heh heh, kid, first let me declare to the witness: our duel is life-or-death, no quitting before one hundred rounds,” the dark-robed man said with a smirk, playful eyes glinting.

“Fine! Whether dead or crippled, I accept the bet,” Xu Xuan responded firmly. Both declared their terms to the witness. After all, Huanglong Spirit City was a region governed by laws, with the highest authority being the Spirit City Lord appointed from above.

With everything set, a heavy silence fell. The two on the dueling platform faced each other at a distance.

The dark-robed man crouched slightly, hands shaped like eagle claws, a faint gray true energy flowing through his arms and legs. He resembled a taut bow ready to unleash.

It was hard to imagine the terrifying scene if this Refining Qi Stage Seven Martial Cultivator unleashed his full power.

This was the strongest Martial Cultivator Xu Xuan had ever faced. Compared to the one-eyed leader of the Blood Spirit Thieves, it was on a different level.

“Hmph, Ghost Wind’s power at Refining Qi Stage Seven in Huanglong City is a nightmare. Countless cultivators at Qi Refining Stage Five or Six have been sliced like carrots by him,” Dongfang Ba said coldly.

Senior Brother Jiang nodded silently. Though Xu Xuan had performed admirably in the secret realm, facing the ruthless Ghost Wind would likely end in utter defeat. At least, he believed he had no chance against Ghost Wind.

A sinister, eerie aura radiated from Ghost Wind. His eyes were cold as ghostly lightning, chilling to the soul.

“Alas, Brother Xu, why are you so stubborn? Even I fight Ghost Wind with utmost caution,” Zhang Feng said anxiously.

“There’s no choice now. It’s up to fate. Perhaps he can create a miracle,” Zhang Yuhan sighed softly. Though she spoke thus, her heart held no hope, only a trace of regret. This youth had great potential, his proud and unrestrained spirit even moved her slightly.

Around the platform, people’s thoughts varied, but a life-or-death battle was inevitable.

Suddenly, a flicker of afterimage—Ghost Wind moved!

Whoosh—

A pale gray shadow streaked across the platform, suddenly flashing to Xu Xuan’s side. A ghostly claw sliced through the air, aiming straight for Xu Xuan’s head.

So fast—too fast!

True to his name, Ghost Wind moved like a specter.

By the time you see his action, it’s already too late—the true attack is already before your eyes.

Those watching—led by Zhang Feng—held their breath, eyes fixed on the resolute youth.

Yet, as Ghost Wind’s opponent, the youth remained motionless, like a stone statue, face as cold and mechanical as a machine, eyes stagnant as still water.

In the presence of such a fierce and formidable adversary, his composure was at least admirable.

Whoosh!

A pale gray claw slashed toward Xu Xuan’s head, almost impossible to evade.

At the moment of peril, Xu Xuan’s body twisted like a serpent, his joints folding in an incredible, sudden way.

Yes—folding!

In an instant, Xu Xuan’s figure shortened by nearly half, causing the fierce claw to miss its mark entirely.

The onlookers were stunned.

“So he uses stillness to counter motion,” Zhang Feng said, relief flooding his voice.

“This kid has some skill. But can stillness really counter motion against such an overwhelming power gap?” Dongfang Ba sneered coldly.

After missing, Ghost Wind was slightly surprised but didn’t hesitate. He moved like lightning.

Unexpectedly, just as he moved away, Ghost Wind suddenly crouched low, then sprang backward, spinning to counterattack with a claw aimed at Xu Xuan’s legs—an unexpected backhand strike!

The crowd gasped. Zhang Feng’s heart, just eased, tensed again, pupils shrinking.

“Excellent!” Dongfang Ba applauded enthusiastically.

Ghost Wind was indeed a battle-hardened, cunning fiend.

Swoosh!

A faint gray cold light sliced toward Xu Xuan’s legs. With a Refining Qi Stage Seven Martial Cultivator’s strength, even iron and stone would be severed.

And at this moment, Xu Xuan was still in his folded, half-squatting stance—dodging would be incredibly difficult.

“This Ghost Wind is so sly!”

Xu Xuan suddenly inhaled sharply. Using the momentum from his folded stance, he sprang upward.

Teng!

His body moved like a venomous snake, leaping into midair, narrowly evading the strike.

Seeing Xu Xuan airborne, Ghost Wind’s face twisted with mocking disdain. In a flash, he darted to strike again, greatly reducing Xu Xuan’s ability to evade midair.

Stomp!

Xu Xuan used the void beneath to gain leverage, flipping midair and shifting several zhang away.

Yet, he underestimated Ghost Wind. Before he landed, a flicker of afterimage shot out!

Ghost Wind truly intercepted his landing spot.

No escape!

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