Chapter 55: The Challenge

At the other end of the corridor emerged a cloaked figure garbed in blue; crisp and aloof, like the solitary peak of a frost sky.

“He had no intention of waiting for you originally, but you’re still clever enough to have turned up late, only to meet me by misfortune.” Li Kuangan said.

“Just who are you?” asked Robinson seriously. He had never known anyone like this within the Empire. A martial expert so remarkably distinctive as Li Kuangan should long since have become well-known by name within the Dark Nations.

Li Kuangan displayed no desire to reply to Robinson; instead, his gaze passed over the noble bloodline’s Baron, fixating upon Li Ye’s form standing still across from him and addressing the young warrior directly: “Truly, from earlier when your blade grazed and grazed my arm, I’ve been looking for a reckoning. I’ve been waiting long, hoping your sword would not be squandered on a worthless waste like Lord Nobinson.”

But for Nobinson to be humiliated thus? His fury ignited in an instant as he raged, “Have you forgotten, I hail most anciently from the Holy Bloodline Clans…”

“I know well enough. Indeed it’s none other than yours—the Pasu, am I right?” Li Kuangan countered coldly without hesitation. “Had your so-called Divine Blood scion or even their Duke emerged then, you can be certain I would treat the situation significantly more seriously.” He then finished in disdain, “But someone like you who’s practically plateauing in cultivation’s potential, you’ve no merit left at all and in any interpretation, are just another useless waste of breath.”

No longer desiring dialogue, Robinson brandished forth his great blade furiously; boldly marching straight for Librarian Kuangan, with each footstep a declaration. For him had just suffered an insult against the honor of his entire lineage: Only bloody confrontation might wash clear the taint. Furthermore, holding Barony within the esteemed Pasu clan, Robinson harbored zero apprehension from challenges offered by the likes of him; indeed this, the very bedrock confidence possessed in spades from each and every warrior among the esteemed bloodlines belonging to the pantheon’s top twelve ancient dynasties.

With a flick, Li Kuangan summoned forth Han Yue Long Sha (Sands of the Cold Moon). Ripple spread instantly along blade edge forming an azure cold mist, that surged forward in an instant like a crushing wall of winter chills toward Nobinson.

Roaring in anger, Nobinson surged with scarlet life-force. A brilliant scarlet ribbon erupted down his blade’s length, rushing forward to intercept against the incoming frost.

Upon impact—a brilliant crimson stream was instantaneously congealed! Intangible red aura froze into frigid hoarfrost, fragmenting like frozen shivers raining down.

The baron’s expression suddenly turned ghostly pale; light in crimson flicker within his very pupils fading, barely perceptible now, white vapor seething about him and quickly crystallized upon his shoulders into thin frosty rime across body and arm. Indeed, the majority of his vitality was wiped out at once during that one clash. He was utterly and completely annihilated.

Facing Nobinson’s face drained pale with bitter disbelief, Li Kuangan grinned smugly yet still concealing his actual pride: “I didn’t even go whole-heartedly at you yet.”

Nobinson struggled even merely to croak out through gritte

d teeth: “You—had the blade on your si—”

“Had the blade, you say?” laughed Kuangan mockingly raising Han Yue in an eloquent gesture, “That blade isn’t something you even dare hope to touch for purchase were you destirutioned, selling every possession you held to its hilt!” Smiling wider at him he added cruelly, “Truly, the same old story—your continued presence as a weakling. So next time arrive perhaps not bare-ass naked like today? Bring a proper tool to measure me next time, no? Otherwise you’re truly beneath me in battle.”

Blazing hatred contorting within burning crimson pupils, Nobinson forced himself laboriously forward intending to strike in all or nothing assault. Yet he had proceeded merely the first half-paced stride when—shocking! A shriek tore into air abruptly—flames burst blazing scarlet upon limbs.

“A beast…will…power—…” Nobinson cried out no more, falling flat as fire enveloped his being, his flesh igniting—melting…collapsing completely now a human torch of crimson radiance.

Li turned his sight toward Li Ye, smiling yet carrying unnamable intent within his tone: “Might you be this Zhao family’s ‘Li Ye’, hmm? It is our stage now.”

Studying this enigmatic adversary thoroughly yet feeling completely unaccustomed to his nature—Li Ye’s brows lightly folded. The opponent appeared extremely refined and stunning in face, though somehow missing any of that commanding aura, perhaps even slightly effeminate or coy—his smile particularly beguiling his entire eye’s motion seemed as if to speak, nearly able to charm the soul from body!

Look closer though… and one could quickly notice—absolutely no smile was to be seen within those eyes. Instead, churning in deep depth was only killing intent and razor-edge intent sharpened to its peak in pure martial mastery.

“Are you of the Empire? Li Ye questioned.

“Undoubtedly.”

His brows furrowed tighter. “Indeed we could hold our fight another time, perhaps even more suitable after leaving this ruin?”

“You mean to fight these dark creatures jointly instead? Hmmm, that speech may impress someone gullible but know thus—whatever the situation holds, internecine conflict constantly rages regardless which side you stand on, whether the Empire, the Darkness, or elsewhere inbetween. Enough with talk, I want this duel; no choice here: I, Li Lu Huan shall fight you! Either battle—whether you willing or not matters none.”

The younger one did not waste energy with dialogue. Seizing his blade ‘Doge,’ with both palms, he slowly pulled it up—a glimmering silver sigil design along its surface began pulsing—illuminating one by one. Just from the opponent’s aura, it’s quite clear his character matched perfectly his sword-technique. Both stubborn beyond belief—their mind unshakeable.

The gaze from Lin Kuanagan fixed upon Doge, where primal Force was stored and not fully released—it caused even he to frown for an instant. Suddenly with blade aimed at mid-point distance, he launched forth in blinding flicker—a cobalt thin as hair struck the very edge of Doge.

With crystalline clarity resonating outward like two ancient blades clashing, Doge vibrated intensely from contact. Red flame-like aura flared up again, golden runes now flashing in sequence.

Startled, even Li Ye’s mind reeled. So sudden! This technique—freezing chisel’s touch was harsher than even before; indeed a near complete dispersion and obliteration against Doge’s original aura binding. In this elemental domain of polarizing winter frost and icy force, his ability trailed just slightly behind famed Morning Sun; however by comparison in pure energy mass, Kuangan wielded far superior amounts in depth. Even the probing effort earlier nearly tore Doge from his very hands with its force alone.

Noticed his opponent’s surprised demeanor Kuangan’s brows lightly creared with slight frown. “But hmm, truly wounded gravely are you. The wound indeed far worse than appearance? With only several cuts left in that frame…how shall one truly entertain? What a predicament.”

No shift marked expression of Ye’s exterior; yet inside thoughts indeed danced with suspicion on the identity of this man. Just from testing a short distance attack alone to pierce through defense revealing such truth—that skill alone could never equate with ordinary martial arts practitioners. Beyond that, of course: it stood without argument that Li Kuangan’s own martial realm had attained an unimaginably advanced level. Unless possessing an ability akin to Visione True seeing or something resembling it in power.

However brief the expression lasted, Kuangan resumed confidence in an instant as his mouth spread, forming his earlier playful grin, declaring magnanimously. “Still, better not to overly capitalize in my advantage today. So…shall duel this bout, even under such terms.”

Without even the slightest heed to reaction on opposite side, Kuangan immediately unleashed forth. A slash toward the other’s throat!

Before Han Yue moved completely in view—a water-blue arc already materialized near Ye’s neck!

Fast—too fast! Even Ye’s sharp reflex wasn’t sufficient to avoid its strike. Relying purely upon years and countless duels’ sharpened basics combined with gut instinct honed to survival’s peak. Swiftly raised Doge, intercept it just near neck—an impossibly timed perfect guard to avert otherwise certain death strike in hair-thin proximity.

The blue arc shattered with piercing clarity—the cause only fragments of crystallized ice. However—the impact alone vibrated throughout Ye’s core violently, retreating multiple steps back dazed. Frosty shimmer bloomed faintly atop face and body alike from impact shockwaves radiating from the point of defense alone.

Unlike what transpired with Nobinson moments ago—Ye merely shook himself lightly upon landing and ice shattered outward. As though he only brushed off some early morning snow.

This—was no longer just aura battling for mastery! Indeed—this proved bodily fortitude overcoming frost. With widened eyes brimming with interest, Li Kuangan chuckled, “Now that! Was intriguing indeed!”

Han Yue Long Sha moved like lightning itself as his figure blurred forward several times in quick rapid fire succession, with every blade edge flash appearing near impossible to trace; each slash arriving near Ye simultaneously! So ferociously frequent was the attack flow now that not even his sword techniques nor prior anticipational training would assist in predicting next slashes’ path. Resolving himself to act upon gut feeling, he closed eyes ever so slightly; refraining from even glancing into dazzling blade’s approach, depending solely upon his instincts as he blocked reflexively in blind reaction!

Doge under Ye’s grip swung left, blocked right… movements seemingly crude, lacking apparent rhythm and yet somehow—he blocked each incoming killing frost-blow one by one, not one ever missing, not one ever allowing a scratch passed guard!

“Methinks he wields an excellent swordsman art!” Li Kuangan called out heartily amidst the clash.

Taking yet a further giant-step forward, advancing ten meters across field instantaneously—sword-point already arrived, tapping upon Ye’s exact nose’s skin itself!.

Fast—utterly near to unanswerable speed!

Confronted with such impossible speed from the blade, his ability could scarcely contest Kuangan over fastest strike time. Li Ye—without bothering to avoid at all; chose rather boldly to swing Doge sideways slicing toward Lu Hungan’s waists simultaneously. A mutual-annhilational approach—an all-or-nothing suicidal exchange in which, if Kuang An pierced him into death, his own lower waist would be slashed clean open along the horizon with the Doge’s arc!.

Li Kuangan abruptly released Han Yue mid-swing motion—swiftly slapped its blade sideways sending this once still-honed sharp edge suddenly veering into displacement while also delivering a follow-up thrust of the unlit massive blade—fluid as water meeting air, he again retrieved firm control upon its handle mid-combo and continued its forward penetration with not the faintest hint of a disruption in flow.

Seizing opportunity: Using his rival’s redirected force for leverage Ye twisted sharply downward at Doge’s tip sinking it directly deep into ground; rotating it with sheer force into sudden massive arc across horizontally, cleaving like scimitar scythe aimed straight for Lu Hungan. His opponent’s legs certain to be severed—should this swing even slightly brush past his limbs!

Weighing his options, Kuangan withdrew by a half-pace to evade Doge’s sweeping range, yet never truly conceding any inch—stepping with complex weaving techniques. Even mid-sidestepping evasion technique: one hand simultaneously manipulated Han Yue’s handle, releasing another projectile flight—whirring in an arcing spin as the azure icy blade resumed its flight independently now looping round the room in mid-air, this time descending like a falcon upon Ye from rear.

Instantaneously launching forth once more following defensive maneuver, handless attack resumed: bare-fist offensive initiated against LiYe now in motion.

Currently—independent flight of Han Yue and free from being manually griped by Kuangan, this sword functioned akin as a second perfectly synchronised co-battler—launching in unison against LiYe with seamless timing between each other!

Though now under assault from two separate entities simultaneously, LiYe did not exhibit alarm or retreat. With a fierce determination not to shy nor hesitate, he charged directly forward headstrongly through frosty slashes toward Kuangan, initiating several intense bursts of combat upon collision; only afterward side-stepping and redirecting just enough to narrowly duck under the spinning aerial threat.

Mid-stride of evasion maneuver LiYe reached out behind with the back of his hand, grasping the sword handle behind as if his own rear bore watchful eyes for it in his direction! He caught the sword’s arc with uncanny ease and crossed it before his upper body once caught securely.

Unwavering at that defensive shift, he pressed ever onwards; tracking forward toward his foe.

Upon passing alongside his hovering Han Yue, Kuang An even angled one shoulder’s motion to lightly graze the weapon’s surface; a flip in aerial positioning and—miraculously—the icy blade soared off for the third time straight against LiYe!

This was unlike nothing seen across all battle histories within Ye’s entire being’s existence!

The manner in which both separated forms—their sword and his master interchanging seamlessly while coordinating as individual beings attacking with perfect unity—was surreal and terrifying to imagine. Each movement of their offensive from wherever angle felt unpredictable yet precise; it compressed the battlefield further, suffocating Ye’s mobility options with an overwhelming assault that left only the minutest of openings with which to navigate and dodge successfully.

Forth and against came this whirlwind clash upon narrow ground: LiLu Kuangan was ceaselessly relentless in pressure.

Though in sheer sword skills and martial arts technique, Kuanggan might stand ever-so-slightly lower than Zhao Cunting’s perfected execution of sword-play perfection, yet his speed surpassed, while the sheer depth of chilling ice elemental energy he wielded was unfathomable. The blade’s sharpness was already extraordinary to handle normally, let alone combined under one so terrifyingly skilled in its usage!

Thus—any openings in stance no matter how minute LiYe observed, were rendered instantly useless when met with Kuangan’s unmatched ferocity.

Moment by breath, countless exchanges erupted—blurring the boundary between one blow and the very next.

Li Kuangan, splitting between himself and wielding sword separately—it truly transformed into an endless bloom of deadly techniques—an elegant display rivaling blooming flowers in full array across garden of a prince—staggering to behold…near suffocating in sheer volume of techniques thrown at breakneck pacing, each seamlessly weaving into the other without a pause.

Ye maintained a simple yet profoundly effective approach, grounded heavily not in flashy techniques but in core basics and combat discipline built by years of war campaigns. Basic army fighting techniques made up his core arsenal. Many times—perhaps even lacking technique at all—swiping randomly, striking instinctively left and right.

Still—through this plain yet highly adaptive combat style, Ye deflected—dodged—or managed somehow to negate all attacks with near impossibility! At even most helpless junctures when blocking was infeasible—desperate suicide exchange attacks remained his best tool, even if those required his body’s harm. Through all these exchanges—Lu Huangan frequently found himself compelled to abandon all offensive pushes and fall into defense temporarily, lest both fall in a mutually fatal collapse.

Engulfed deeply in the duel rhythm by now—a brilliant spectacle erupted! LiKuagan transformed into twin blue lights orbiting Ye—fusing himself perfectly with the flight motions and strikes of his flying Han Yue now circling as one unified entity, unleashing a non-stop cascading barrage—storm like a ceaseless waterfall or thunderous unending surge of a mighty river.

Yet amidst those relentless torrent attacks—Ye remained calm. Steady like a rock rooted against river rapids and tempest winds; unmovable by the onslaught’s mightiness!

“Superior! Truly formidable! How fascinating!!” Li exulted repeatedly within the fight, unafraid of giving full praise to his adversary.

Then, near a climax—the momentum abruptly shifted: a step backward.

In an instant—it was over.

Standing calmly now outside ten meter distance, breath unruffled even, sweatless and completely relaxed, Li Kuangan merely regarded across at Li Ye with an almost contemplative gaze upon his countenance.

Before him—stood Li Ye whose chest pummeted and heaved hard for breath. Facial tones waxing pale by each instant. Respiration ragged… drained visibly, his energy fading.

Glancing at Ye now he inquired abruptly. “Yet why…you seem as if your core vitals are damaged somewhere gravely?”

No answer followed. With silent gracefulness: he only reached outward toward Doge blade planted into ground behind his heels—hand firmly regrasped handle…locking gaze fully, eyes fixed solely upon LiKuangan.

For he, standing across from a blade-wielding phantom of such incomparable skill—an unprecedented match whose mastery and power left even legends pale: Faced for the first ever, a foe surpassing any prior in danger! The terrifyingly young rival stood equal if not older than that Zhao Yu Ying whom he remembered clearly—a youthful warrior whose potential perhaps might surpass Fjun Do as well if both shared even comparable grades and equipment within their arms.