Page 244

"This move doesn't have a name yet, but since it made you jump off a cliff, let's call it 'Blade Saint's Leap,'" I said with a laugh, holding my blade horizontally across my chest. In reality, the move was originally named 'Herculean Strength to Surpass Mountains and Seas,' but being cornered on my way home by such a formidable enemy reminded me of the tragic tale of Xiang Yu at the Wu River. Even if no one here would understand the reference, I wouldn't dare say that ill-fated name aloud.

Chapter 96: Ambush and the Crimson Lotus Calculation

"Haha, the name doesn't matter. What matters is the quality of the blade art. I, Arshu, have dedicated my life to the path of the blade. In my younger years, I dominated the Southern Mainland with the Heavenly Blade 'Zhan Huang Lei' and my 'Army-Crushing Blade Art.' Later, after I reached the Saint Domain, I created dozens of blade techniques and took great pride in them. However, a century ago, after my battle with the 'War Saint' Leimen, I realized just how vast the world is and how much stronger some forces can be. My blade techniques seemed trivial in comparison, like flashy tricks rather than true art. Since then, I've abandoned all my previous techniques and focused on developing stronger moves to close the gap between my 'Divine Weapon Saint Domain' and Leimen's 'True Saint Domain.' Now, I have only three moves remaining. I had planned to show these moves to Leimen for his critique, but since I have a worthy opponent like you, I will use these three moves to see just how remarkable your blade art truly is."

Despite my provocation, Arshu remained unshaken, his expression one of genuine interest rather than anger. His Heavenly Blade 'Zhan Huang Lei' radiated boundless blade light, enveloping everything in its reach. The rocks and snow within ten feet of Arshu floated into the air, turning into dust. "You are a wolf warrior who surprises me. This is the first of my three techniques. Time... like a blade..."

In an instant, the world dimmed, and everything else faded away, leaving only Arshu standing before me. I was stunned; his blade technique had somehow interfered with my senses. Even more shocking, I couldn't see, feel, or detect any blade aura or attack. The powerful technique that had filled the heavens and earth moments ago had now merged with the dimming world, taking control of all natural changes within a hundred feet, leaving my senses completely disoriented.

A flawless strike.

That was the only thought in my mind. The 'Nine Yin Manual - Heaven Volume' thoroughly explains this level of mastery, and even Leimen's own 'Nine Yin Manual - Earth Volume' offers methods to elevate the 'Qian Kun Extinction Blade' to this level. However, achieving such legendary mastery requires years of rigorous training and mental discipline. While I've enhanced my power to near-Saint Domain levels through various shortcuts, this century-old martial prowess cannot be rushed.

Among all human Saints, only Arshu possesses such profound martial wisdom. The other newly-risen Saints who haven't faced Leimen, and even the successive Dragon Saints with their limited lifespans, cannot compare. Even the 'Flame Saint' Levis, Arshu's contemporary, with his arrogant and violent nature, lacks this level of mastery. Thinking of this, I'm genuinely relieved it was Levis, not Arshu, who confronted Katherine. Otherwise, my preparations wouldn't have been as secure.

But these thoughts were fleeting as the immediate crisis demanded my full attention. Ignoring the all-encompassing yet formless blade technique, I channeled the power of 'Hu Po' once more, sending a brilliant golden blade of light straight toward Arshu's true form—the only target I could lock onto.

"Boom—boom—boom—boom—" Arshu's blade aura was indeed hidden within the world's phenomena. My blade light had barely extended a foot before colliding with his blade force, instantly shattering upon contact. However, I was using the 'Ten Blades Annihilation of Red Dust,' infused with the power of a light element crystal I obtained from the Temple's underground during my theft of a divine artifact. Most magical energies repel each other and require immense effort to compress, but light element magic can stack without interference. That's why I chose it for the 'Ten Blades Annihilation.' The light crystal didn't come from a magical beast but from an angel in the divine realm, making its energy level top-tier even among super magical beasts. Absorbing it required the combined efforts of my Nine Yin Energy, 'Hu Po,' and a magic array set by the 'King of the Undead.' Now, this immense power fueled my 'Ten Blades Annihilation,' merging it with the top-tier light magic 'Holy Spirit Judgment' to create the ultimate technique, 'Blade to Shatter Heaven and Earth,' which even ordinary Saint Domain experts would hesitate to face.

However, Arshu, the most profound of the current human Saints, controlled the rise and fall of all things with his 'Time Like a Blade.' It was as unstoppable as the flow of time itself. For every foot I advanced, my blade was pushed back eight or nine feet. By the time the ninth blade force erupted, it had reached Arshu. At first, he watched as I tried to break through his blade technique, perhaps testing his own skill. But now, he finally acted, shouting as the hidden blade forces in the world were unleashed, pressing down on me with overwhelming power.