Fist vs Sword of Transcendance
T/N: Let me get one thing clear. There is a realm called 'Martial Artist' and the people who cultivate are also called Martial Artists. There is a clear difference between the two. It might get confusing, but I'll try to make them as distinct as possible.
***
Li Ang, wielding a sword enveloped in true qi, which had become extremely rigid, advanced in quick steps!
Mo Qingkuang in the audience clearly saw that this strike from Li Ang was far more powerful and stunning than the one they had clashed with a few days ago in the government office.
What he didn't know was that since his disastrous defeat by him, Li Ang had pleaded with his father for a Qi-condensing pill. That night, he broke through to the second-rank martial master.
The Qi Condensing Pill was a relatively precious second-rank pill, ranked among the most difficult to refine in that category. Its effect made a martial artist's true qi more condensed, providing significant benefits for cultivation advancement.
Generally, after taking a Qi Condensing Pill, as long as one wasn't a martial artist newly entering a particular rank, there was a common increase of one rank. Even for those newly entering the rank, it had an excellent role in consolidating their cultivation.
The downside was that the effects significantly diminished when taken consecutively.
However, Li Ang is still one of the top young talents in the Capital. With the assistance of the Qi Condensing Pill and the daily special training in his family's sword technique, his personal strength has made remarkable progress!
"This is the Li family's Sword of Transcendence! A powerful martial skill for challenging opponents of higher realms!" The spectators recognized Li Ang's sword style, and many had already guessed that it was the Li family's supreme technique, the Sword of Transcendence.
This technique which is passed down in the Li family, gained fame over a decade ago when the Minister of War, Li Ang's father, a first-rank Martial King, slew a third-rank Martial King with a single sword strike, making the Sword of Transcendance renowned!
Sword of Transcendence has since become a classic among the people of Central Province, passed down through generations. Whenever someone speaks of challenging opponents of higher realms, they inevitably think of the renowned Li Family's Sword of Transcendence!
"Young Master Li's Sword of Transcendence is especially known for challenging opponents of higher realms. Lin Yang might be in trouble," someone in the crowd joyfully remarked.
Lin Yang has already become a public enemy in the Capital. Almost everyone hopes for his defeat, even if the hope seems faint.
"Lin Yang has defeated a fourth-rank martial master while being two ranks lower. Moreover, he possesses a Heavenly-rank martial skill! I think Sword of Transcendance might not be enough to defeat Lin Yang," voiced someone in the crowd who held considerable recognition for Lin Yang's strength.
"How is that possible? I believe Young Master Li's Sword of Transcendence is no worse than whatever skill Lin Yang used!" Immediately, a loyal supporter of Li Ang retorted.
***
On the high platform, an elderly man in official robes smiled at a middle-aged man dressed similarly beside him. "Minister Li, your son's sword strike exhibits a style quite reminiscent of your prime. If he were to inherit your true teachings, he might be able to contend even against a fourth-rank martial master."
The middle-aged man was Li Ang's father, Li Zheng, the Minister of War for the Tianxuan Empire.
He stroked his well-maintained beard modestly, saying, "Your Excellency is too kind. The kid is still far from it. A few days ago, when he registered for the martial examination, he suffered quite a lesson. After returning, he has been diligently practising his sword, making some progress."
"I've heard a bit about that incident. I heard it was a young man named Kuang Qing who had a dispute with Young Master Li, and in the end, he gained some advantage," the elderly man, the current Prime Minister Wang Hua, said with narrowed eyes, nodding towards Mo Qingkuang's location.
"Squabbles among children are quite normal! All of them are talents of our Tianxuan Empire. If they lack vigour, how will they stand out in the future?" Li Zheng didn't look at Mo Qingkuang, because Li Ang was already charging towards Lin Yang on the stage.
"Hehehe, let's see whether Young Master Li or that Kuang Qing can defeat this youngster from the Yuan Sword Sect." Wang Hua nodded, shifting his attention to the stage.
Li Ang's sword emitted a chilling brilliance as it refracted sunlight, heading straight for Lin Yang's neck.
Seeing this, Lin Yang's pupils suddenly contracted!
This sword surprised him! Initially, he thought Li Ang was just a playboy in the Capital, practising superficial martial arts and relying on accumulated cultivation through drugs.
However, judging by this sword, it seemed that his seemingly decent opponent possessed some real skills.
Lin Yang no longer took it lightly. This sword was extremely fast, and its purpose was exceptionally clear —to separate someone's head from their body!
Sword of Transcendence, it truly deserves its reputation!
As the long sword closed in, Lin Yang stepped forward, causing the earth to crack, flames roaring on both fists!
"Fire God's Fist!"
Lin Yang did not dodge or evade, meeting the dangerously close sword with the fiery blaze of his fists.
Seeing this, Li Ang sneered inwardly, 'Your physique is indeed robust, being able to contend with Chen Shi without falling behind. But do you think you can withstand my Sword of Transcendance with just your physique? Too naive!'
Li Ang was excited. It seemed that continuous victories had inflated Lin Yang's confidence, daring him to face the intimidating edge of his Sword of Transcendance with bare fists.
It looked like the credit for defeating the disciple of the Yuan Sword Sect would undoubtedly belong to him!
He activated the true qi within him, fully infusing it into the sword. The radiant green glow became even sharper, and the slashing speed increased.
Li Ang felt thrilled, anticipating that this pair of iron fists that defeated Chen Shi would be effortlessly sliced in half by his extraordinary Sword of Transcendence!
*CLANG!*
To Li Ang's surprise, the crisp sound that entered his ears wasn't the 'chirp' of iron entering flesh, but the clashing sound of gold and iron!
Following that, a scorching energy surged through the sword, transmitted to his arm!
The once bright white sword, at the moment of contact with Lin Yang's iron fists, rapidly turned red from the intense heat!
Then, in less than a moment of deadlock, all the true qi infused into the sword by Li Ang was completely incinerated!
The sword, initially made extremely hard by the condensed true qi, once again softened!
It didn't regain its inherent agility but drooped down like a soon-to-melt iron rod.
The searing high temperature almost seared Li Ang's palm, and the intense piercing pain forced him to release his grip on the hilt, relinquishing control over the now-noodle-like soft sword.
He took a step, closing the distance, his fist's momentum unabated, brutally striking Li Ang's chest.
Li Ang grunted, like a kite with a broken string, soaring far away and crashing heavily to the ground.
Li Zheng rushed out immediately on the high platform, picking up his fallen son and checking for signs of breathing.
Li Ang was hanging on by a thread, his life hanging in the balance. Li Zheng observed that Li Ang's entire body was as hot and red as a boiled prawn, and even the exhaled breath felt scorching. Clearly, his internal organs were severely damaged by the fierce flames of true qi.
Li Zheng keenly felt that the violent force was still raging within Li Ang's body.
Li Ang didn't cough up blood not because he wasn't seriously injured, but because a significant portion of his blood had evaporated in this short period, affected by the scorching true qi.