Chapter 27 Single Elimination Open Tournament: Round One
“Old man…” Xuan Luo quietly murmured. Seeing Tian Yu Zi act like this, Xuan Luo felt an emotion he could not explain. Perhaps it was because they had spent two years day and night; his attachment towards Tian Yu Zi has deepen. Aside from Guan Shan Jue, Tian Yu Zi is the other person in his heart.
“You little monkey! If you don’t kick their a.s.s, I’m not going to be done with you! I’m going to die from anger!” Originally, Xuan Luo wanted to comfort Tian Yu Zi; but his words shocked him. He was lying down and he still got shot? (He wasn’t actually shot. He just meant Tian Yu Zi was angry at him even though he didn’t do anything) What the heck.
It’s not surprising that Tian Yu Zi is so angry. He’s fed up with Chun Yang Palace’s bullying.
“Forget it. Let’s go. This time, no matter what, we have to get Zi Yang Palace’s face back!” (The concept of face mainly has to do with pride). Xuan Yuan Duan Ai consoled on the side.
“Yes!” Xuan Luo and Tang Chen both agreed. Regardless, they must win back their face! (LOL this sounds so funny when I translate it! Aahahaah)
There were already many disciples waiting underneath the ba gua stage. After all, this compet.i.tion only takes place every three years. Although the end result had always been the same, it was still a hot topic amongst the disciples.
The zhang lao in charge of the event stood on the stage and announced the start of the compet.i.tion. Although his voice was timid, everyone heard him.
“The compet.i.tion between Chun Yang Palace and Zi Yang Palace is officially starting. In regards to the rules, you all know by now. Since we are under the same Clan, we are not battling to slaughter each other. You only have to touch your opponent. If any issues arise, I will personally come on stage to end your battle. Remember, no harming your opponent!” The zhang lao in charge then lightly leaped and flew from the stage onto another viewing platform.
On that platform stood Zhang Men, Tian Yu Zi, Wu Ya Zi, and the zhang lao in charge. From their spot, they were able to oversee everything.
“How do we enter the stage?” Xuan Luo was confused. This is his first time competing. Although Xuan Yuan Duan Ai and Tang Chen had told him the rules before, currently he is still clueless.
“In the elimination battle, you want to preserve your spot. Whoever that gets kicked off stage or loses will have to get off. The winner will continue to stay on the stage as he waits for his next opponent. Since both sides can only send out three disciples, the three partic.i.p.ating in the elimination battle will definitely be partic.i.p.ating in the group battle as a trio as well.” Tang Chen explained.
At that moment, Wu Di leaped up from the bottom of the stage onto the ba gua stage. As he looked down at Xuan Luo and them, he turned to his shi xiong and laughed, “Shi xiong, I will cover the first round. You probably don’t even need to come on stage!”
Wu Di was extremely confident. He looked at Xuan Luo’s direction and jeered. “Haha. You guys won’t be able to handle one of me!”
Since Xuan Yuan Duan Ai and Wu Di pretty much hates each other’s guts, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai was immediately provoked and totally enraged. He did not discuss with Xuan Luo and Tang Chen, and directly leaped onto the stage. “I have defeated you once. And I can defeat you infinite times!”
“Oh, is that so?” Wu Di sneered. “If I weren’t so careless last time, you wouldn’t have won. Today is no longer the past. This time, I shall return the shame that you have brought onto me. Haaaa!”
Wu Di pulled out the sword from behind him and headed straight for Xuan Yuan Duan Ai.
At that split second, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai moved. Actually, in Zi Yang Palace, very few people have practiced the sword. Xuan Yuan Duan Ai is one of the few. According to Tian Yu Zi’s theory, if one were to practice the sword, he/she must be able to release the ultimate strength within it. Fists was mandatory because fists is part of the body. If one cannot master his/her own body, then he/she will definitely be unable to release the ultimate strength of a sword (something that is the extension of the body).
But Xuan Yuan Duan Ai felt differently. He didn’t have that much time to practice the fists. He firmly decided to practice the sword. And this jian fa is from Tian Yu Zi. Originally, Tian Yu Zi wasn’t willing to teach it to him. However, his abnormally determined expression touched Tian Yu Zi’s heart. Hence, Tian Yu Zi pa.s.sed on the teachings to him.
The jian fa he is using is Wu Dang’s Heaven and Earth jian fa. This jian fa uses the sequence of movement to attack and defend. But Xuan Yuan Duan Ai used his own talents and figured out how to changed this jian fa from a one sword attack to a double sword attack.
Anyhow, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai quickly drew out his sword as Wu Di drew his.
*Clashing sound*
When the two swords collided against each other, a metal collision sound could be heard echoing through the stage.
Both of them were swift and quick. Within a few minutes, they had already fought a couple of rounds.
Xuan Yuan Duan Ai couldn’t help but frown as he fought with Wu Di. Wu Di’s strength has increased dramatically since they last fought. Xuan Yuan Duan Ai can feel his stress increasing. Despite that, he is unwilling to give up. As he is blocking Wu Di’s attacks, he is also looking for any breakthroughs (holes/errors he could cut through his attack).
For the past two years, Wu Di was strikingly diligent. He spent most of his time practicing nei li. The Wu Di today is totally different from the Wu Di two years ago. His strength has increased substantially; as well as his confidence. The defeat and shame he had experienced from losing to Xuan Yuan Duan Ai remained deeply hidden within his heart. Thus, whenever he had time, he would go and cause trouble at Zi Yang Palace.
Xuan Yuan Duan Ai usually do not allow Wu Di to provoke him. He could tell that Wu Di’s strength has increased a lot. Once, Wu Di came to start s.h.i.t and he decided to fight him. At that time, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai already felt the stress. Although he had won, it was a very difficult win. Hence, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai often goes behind the mountain to look for Tang Chen to discuss how he could improve his skills. For a period of time, he didn’t even deal with any of Zi Yang Palace’s issues.
Tian Yu Zi and Wu Ya Zi basically do not care what their disciples do to each other as long as they do not openly break any Clan rules. In the past, the conflict between the two groups were not as obvious. However, in the past year, problems have been ongoing; causing things to be the way they are now.
Although Xuan Yuan Duan Ai’s strength has also increased, right now, it was evident that Wu Di was overpowering him.
When battling, the goal is to counter every strike. Chun Yang Palace focuses on nei li, therefore, their style are definitely not as good as Zi Yang Palace. However, they are able to use nei li to compensate that. Within a short amount of time, they are able to upgrade their style. But at the same time, their flaws are much more obvious.
Seeing how he could not attack, Wu Di started to become slightly anxious. He quickly turned to his xin fa and added it onto the sword. Slowly, Wu Di’s sword emitted a faint mist. It was faint, but it still existed.
Xuan Yuan Duan Ai sees this and knows he is in trouble. Wu Di is trying to end the battle early. Earlier, he was able to see there were many flaws in Wu Di’s attacks. He kept looking for an opportunity, but hasn’t succeeded yet.
Both of them stood on stage with their swords extended straight at each other. The fire within their eyes were evident. When it came to posture and att.i.tude, neither of them were weaker than the other.
With nei li on his side, Wu Di slyly grinned. His smile made him look a bit like an evil villain. Suddenly, his feet moved as he thrust his sword at Xuan Yuan Duan Ai.
The more rushed a person is, the more obvious their mistakes are. Seeing Wu Di’s move, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai smiled. He thrust out his sword as well to meet Wu Di’s.
Once again, the two sword striked against each other. But this time, no sounds could be heard.
Tang Chen made an a.n.a.lysis. He lightly whispered, “Xuan Yuan doesn’t have much advantage this round. The nei li added onto the sword is extraordinary. We can’t even heard the sounds.”
Xuan Luo was confused, and quickly asked, “How can no sounds be heard if two swords meet?”
“The nei li is wrapped around Wu Di’s sword. To some degree, it dissolves the strength of Xuan Yuan’s sword. He wants to lower the risk of getting hurt.” Actually, that’s only one of the ways to use nei li. After a certain level, the nei li can be outer projected. But it seems like Wu Di did not take advantage of this.
As the two swords contacted, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai could feel Wu Di overpowering him. He quickly tries to save himself by increasing the strength of his hand and avoiding to get close to Wu Di.
At that instant, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai found an opportunity and the single sword he was using turned into two. With two swords, he returned the strikes.
“Xuan Yuan is using his killer move, we are going to win!” Tang Chen smiled with satisfaction as Xuan Yuan Duan Ai’s single sword became double swords.
Xuan Luo was in shock. All along Duan Ai xiong was actually using two swords!
Wu Di was caught off guard. He didn’t expect Xuan Yuan Duan Ai to be using two swords. At that moment, he didn’t know what to do.
On the other hand, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai’s demeanour totally changed. It’s as if all his inner potential is being released. Originally, the double sword is his killer move. Thus, he must and cannot lose. Once a person’s inner fire has been stirred, there is no turning back.
At that moment, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai’s double swords striked and flung Wu Di’s sword off his hands.
Immediately, Xuan Yuan Duan Ai took the opportunity and combined his two swords into one again, and landed it right next to Wu Di’s neck.
“Woah! Duan Ai xoing won!” screamed Xuan Luo. He was so thrilled, he jumped up.
Seeing this, all the disciples from Zi Yang Palace went crazy. Remember, they had always been pushed down by Chun Yang Palace. Back then, they didn’t even dare to breathe.
“I….I lost…” Wu Di didn’t know how he lost. His knees weakened and he landed on them in defeat. He couldn’t focus. He couldn’t believe the outcome. But seeing the light beam next to his neck, cold sweats ran down….