Section 12: Lightning? It Cannot Block My Path Forward!
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
“Qingluo Yi.” He stretched out his limbs, letting the Swift Thunder Vine spread across his body. The vines intertwined, quickly weaving into a dense, blue vine armor that covered him from head to toe.
Chu Yun had already charged in.
“You step back. The Cultivation Method I’m about to use is immensely powerful, something you, a freshman, cannot withstand. Surrender quickly to avoid physical pain. It would be terrible to be seriously injured and bedridden at the very beginning of your studies,” Yan Que said coldly, attempting to persuade Chu Yun to yield with the tone of a senior student.
Chu Yun’s charge did not slow.
“Hmph, I offered you kind advice, and you bring suffering upon yourself. Then you have no one to blame. Swift Thunder Vine, root yourself and obstruct the enemy!” Yan Que sneered, issuing a new command.
The Swift Thunder Vine rapidly pierced the surface of the combat arena, burrowing deep into the ground to absorb Earth Vital Energy. Simultaneously, it either shot out leaf blades or wove into whips to impede Chu Yun’s charge.
“This is bad. Judging by this formation, Senior Yan Que is about to use that move!”
“That move’s power is immense, an indiscriminate attack, almost unbeatable!”
“Young Tiger Chu Yun is in for a world of trouble. Unless he retreats immediately.”
“He isn’t retreating; he’s still pushing forward. Alas! He’s just showing off his courage for a moment. The outcome is already decided.”
The crowd trembled in unison. Seeing Yan Que’s stance, cold sweat broke out. They sighed collectively, certain that Chu Yun’s lack of foresight meant his inevitable defeat.
Chu Yun’s expression was utterly cold. The Drunken Snow Saber in his hand danced into a blizzard, emanating chilling air and the aroma of potent wine. The saber’s light was sharp and invincible, shredding countless branches along its path. Broken vines and leaves flew around him.
“Freshman, ignorance is weakness. Let me show you the origin of the Swift Thunder Vine’s name. Now, finish him!” At this point, Yan Que appeared calm and composed, leisurely issuing the “finish” command.
The vines continuously absorbed Earth Vital Energy. Now, their branches trembled, rapidly forming numerous deep blue fruits. These were the renowned Swift Thunder Fruits, which would erupt with plasma and lightning, capable of shattering stones and mountains.
“It’s over,” Yan Que said with a sigh, watching Chu Yun approach. “Learn from your mistakes and accumulate knowledge. Remember, in battles between Beast Tamers, you must know yourself and your enemy. I know you inside out, yet you know nothing of my Cultivation Method. Your defeat was sealed from the start.”
“Chu Yun is finished!”
“Senior Yan Que is still much more skilled.”
Exclamations of admiration arose from the crowd. Some had already covered their eyes, unable to bear witnessing Chu Yun’s impending tragic fate.
“Swift Thunder Fruits, explode for me!” Yan Que roared suddenly.
*Boom, boom, boom…*
At this moment, explosions echoed continuously, deafeningly loud. The light was blinding, and lightning flashed and thunder roared in the arena, with plasma spraying everywhere. Spectators covered their ears and closed their eyes.
The Swift Thunder Fruits detonated, their attacks particularly powerful. They even endangered the Swift Thunder Vine itself. Under the onslaught, many vines were caught in the explosions, torn to shreds. Scattered remnants of vines and leaves flew everywhere, obscuring the sky.
“The explosion of the Swift Thunder Fruits is a tactic that harms both sides. Chu Yun, you should consider yourself honored to have forced me to use this move. Remember this feeling well, and recall it when you oppose scholars like us commoners in the future.”
Yan Que inwardly sneered. Though protected by the Qingluo Yi, he still felt the tremor of the explosions, his body rocking internally and his chest feeling constricted. After this battle, his Demonic Plant, the Swift Thunder Vine, would lose twenty years of cultivation. Moreover, he would need to recuperate carefully for half a month and could not perform a second Swift Thunder Fruit explosion within that time.
However, this sacrifice was worth it compared to the victory he would gain.
Yet, just as he believed the situation was settled, he suddenly heard a collective gasp from the spectators!
“Impossible! Did I see wrong?” someone exclaimed.
“Amidst such dense explosions, the Young Tiger is still advancing! Is this a dream?” Someone slapped themselves, then clutched their face in pain, gasping.
The Swift Thunder Fruit explosions continued, but they were no longer as dense as before. Now, sporadic flashes of lightning were no longer blinding. Those outside the arena stared, eyes wide, watching the scene unfold with disbelief.
Chu Yun was advancing!
He stepped forward amidst the explosions and the lightning, never retreating!
“How can this be happening? This saber technique, this saber technique!” Even Yan Que was stunned once he saw clearly.
The surrounding Swift Thunder Fruits exploded violently, yet they could not stop Chu Yun’s advance. The Drunken Snow Saber danced in his hand, creating a brilliant, snowy arc of light.
Slash, lift, cut, shave – the four basic saber techniques flowed effortlessly from Chu Yun’s hands. They connected seamlessly, without the slightest pause or impediment.
At this moment, Ning Yiyi’s eyes widened, Hua Ying’s mouth hung open, and Jin Bihan stared blankly. Everyone was dumbfounded, their hearts deeply shaken.
“This is the Young Tiger! He’s too fierce; even lightning can’t stop his steps!”
“With a saber in hand, he’s invincible! No wonder he could kill the Blighted Wolf. This wasn’t luck; it was pure strength!”
The shockwaves of the explosions washed over him but were dissipated by his saber’s momentum. Lightning strikes were guided away by the saber’s body. Chu Yun wielded the Drunken Snow Saber with practiced ease, as if it were an extension of his own body.
“Such saber techniques are possessed only by wanderers who have practiced demonic sabers for decades and faced death countless times. Did Chu Yun start practicing saber techniques in the womb?”
Yan Que could hardly believe his eyes. Such saber techniques were already perfected, with man and saber merging into an inseparable whole.
“Chu Yun is only thirteen years old. This cannot be wrong. Therefore, it can only mean he is an unparalleled saber prodigy! I thought I had the victory in hand, with a significant advantage. I never imagined that the truly advantageous one was him!” Yan Que could only find this explanation in his heart, his spirit shaken, his will to fight already crumbling.
“One Saber, One Cut!” Chu Yun cleaved the lightning and strode forward. He unleashed the final move of the Shu Family Island Saber Techniques. Instantly, the saber’s light retracted, its momentum vanished, leaving only the Drunken Snow Saber, as if carved from ice and snow.
The saber drew an unfathomable and mysterious trajectory, directly piercing the Qingluo Yi and striking Yan Que’s chest.
Blood spurted out. The Swift Thunder Vine branches twitched as if electrocuted, quickly falling still. Yan Que’s eyes widened as he fell backward, looking up at the sky!
The entire arena fell into a deathly silence, which, after a long while, erupted into a thunderous roar.
“He won! The Young Tiger Chu Yun defeated Senior Yan Que. He truly is the strongest freshman in history!”
“He cut through everything without stopping. No matter how Senior Yan Que attacked, he met force with force, and with one final saber strike, Senior Yan Que fell.”
“Damn it, we can’t get into the arena. Senior Yan Que looks seriously injured…”
“Cough, cough, you win. I… I never expected you to be this strong. Cough, I misjudged you.” Yan Que lay on the ground, a massive saber wound stretching from his upper right chest to his lower left, bleeding profusely. One hand couldn’t cover it.
His injuries were severe but not fatal.
In the final moment, Chu Yun had reined in some of his saber’s power, but he had delivered a sufficient lesson.
“I said I only speak with facts. I have no interest in the struggle between commoners and noble families. Do not block my path forward, Yan Que.” Chu Yun looked down at his fallen opponent and slowly sheathed the bloodless Drunken Snow Saber into its scabbard behind his back.
His voice carried a strange power, and the surroundings fell silent. In the entire combat arena, only his faintly spoken words could be heard.
After saying this, his expression unchanged, he stepped over Yan Que’s body and walked out of the arena. The crowd automatically parted, not a single student daring to block his path.
