Chapter 71: Angelic Holy Sword VS Soul-Chasing Sword, The Sword Path's Dusty Heart (4K)

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Spring came and went, and autumn arrived. Time flew by like a white horse passing through a gap, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed. If counted from the day Ling Bai entered Shrek Academy, it had been six months already.

After completing the inner courtyard's new student assessment task and capturing Medusa, Ling Bai returned to a peaceful and fulfilling study life. In the early morning, he would have breakfast with Senior Sister Han Ruoru, then go to the Library to read classics or attend some interesting courses. In the afternoon, he would friendly spar with the many inner courtyard disciples waiting at the Soul Duel Arena, honing his combat awareness and techniques. In the evening, after sending Ning Tian to the Soul Conductor Department, he would train the little rookie Wu Feng in the outer courtyard.

To avenge their humiliation at the hands of Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, the two girls trained almost to the point of madness.

As soon as the Soul Master class ended, Ning Tian and Ling Bai, along with Wu Feng, hurriedly ate dinner and then rushed to the Soul Conductor Department building to pester Xian Lin'er for intensive soul conductor knowledge. In just three months, they independently manufactured a complete Level 1 Soul Conductor Device, becoming Level 1 Soul Conductor Masters and are now striving to become Level 2 Soul Conductor Masters.

Xian Lin'er, as a teacher, was delighted by Ning Tian's outstanding talent and passionate attitude towards soul conductors, wishing she could directly pour all her knowledge into her beloved disciple's head. Therefore, she became even more strict and meticulous.

The enthusiasm of the teacher and student duo made the neighboring Qian Fufu tremble, clasping his hands together and silently praying that Qian Duoduo wouldn't pressure himself.

Wu Feng's effort was no less than Ning Tian's. She didn't reveal to Ning Tian that she had asked Ling Bai for extra training, hoping to surprise Ning Tian with a big improvement.

Ling Bai kept it a secret, and while Ning Tian was learning about soul conductors, Wu Feng was enduring intense practical combat training.

According to the teachers patrolling the outer courtyard's Soul Duel Arena training room, they could hear a woman's惨烈 scream every night, occasionally mixed with a cold and stern male voice, giving commands like 'continue,' 'don't stop,' 'get up,' and 'you can't handle it after just a few minutes'...

Wu Feng, though spoiled and stubborn, had the greatest strength of never giving up easily. She gritted her teeth and endured the relentless attacks of the Six-Winged Angel, improving from being defeated in three seconds to ten seconds, thirty seconds, one minute, three minutes...

Ling Bai personally witnessed Wu Feng's growth. The young girl fulfilled her vow under the night sky, stumbling but determinedly moving forward.

Failure is not scary; what's scary is losing the will to fight.

Ling Bai was very pleased that Ning Tian and Wu Feng could grow from their failures.

At this moment, Ling Bai was heading to the inner courtyard's Soul Duel Arena. Today was the Seven Monsters Challenge, a competition among fourteen geniuses under the age of twenty, where only the seven strongest would earn the title of Shrek Academy's Seven Monsters and qualify to represent Shrek Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Duel Tournament held every five years.

The weather today was not good, even very bad. Cold winds howled, bringing a bone-chilling cold. The sky was dark and gloomy, with thick clouds gathering, foretelling an impending storm, making people feel an inexplicable oppression.

The importance of Shrek Academy's Seven Monsters goes without saying. The academy specially sealed off the entire Soul Duel Arena, not allowing any spectators to enter to avoid interference.

Ling Bai walked straight into the Soul Duel Arena. There were already many people gathered inside. At a glance, the most prominent was a woman in red, with a slender and well-proportioned figure, long fiery red hair cascading to her waist, flawless features, and a pair of mesmerizing pink eyes. Her arms were crossed, accentuating her already ample and sexy figure, enough to make 99% of women feel inferior.

The moment Ma Xiaotao saw Ling Bai, her eyes lit up, and she said, "You're finally here. Now we only need Dugu Lin."

Ling Bai smiled lightly and replied, "Not the last one, someone is giving me a cushion, which is good."

Chu Qingtian approached quietly and whispered, "Brother Ling, are you nervous?"

"Why should I be nervous?" Ling Bai countered.

Chu Qingtian was momentarily stunned, then suddenly reacted and said helplessly, "...Right, I forgot you're different from us. You can easily secure a place among the Seven Monsters."

Ling Bai's reputation had long spread throughout the inner courtyard. Inner courtyard disciples below level 65 would generally avoid him, no questions asked. They had all been beaten up at the Soul Duel Arena. All of the main Shrek Academy Seven Monsters, except for the auxiliary-type Gongyang Mo, had suffered at his hands.

"Don't say discouraging words. The Electric Mad Leopard has a slightly higher quality than the Lightning Leopard. Even with a soul ring difference, you have a chance to defeat Xi Xi," Ling Bai patted Chu Qingtian's shoulder to comfort him.

"Sigh, I'll do my best..."

Chu Qingtian sighed deeply, knowing the odds of defeating Xi Xi were at most 20%.

Now everything was ready except for Dugu Lin. The crowd waited until thunder cracked and heavy rain poured, but still, there was no sign of Dugu Lin.

"Elder Xuan, when will the challenge start?" someone asked impatiently.

In the center of the Soul Duel Arena, Elder Xuan was still his usual unkempt self, a chicken leg in one hand and a wine gourd in the other, enjoying his meal. A transparent soul power barrier surrounded him, preventing the rain from spoiling his food.

Elder Xuan looked up at the sky, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Dugu Lin has not arrived at the Soul Duel Arena within the specified time, and is considered to have voluntarily given up the candidacy for Shrek Academy's Seven Monsters!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Ling Luochen let out a sigh of relief, her tense body relaxing. According to the challenge rules, only a fellow control-type soul master like Dugu Lin could challenge her.

Dugu Lin's poison skills were terrifying. A four-ringed Bilihui poison could suppress a five-ringed ice element. Dugu Lin had broken through to Soul King three months ago. If Dugu Lin challenged her, Ling Luochen had little confidence in winning and would likely have to step down from the main Shrek Academy Seven Monsters.

Although it seemed unambitious, Ling Luochen was secretly relieved. She had received seven years of education from both the inner and outer courtyards of Shrek Academy, and the resolve to fight for Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year glory was deeply ingrained in her bones.

Ling Bai frowned. Dugu Lin might not value the title of Seven Monsters much, but she didn't seem like someone who would easily give up the chance to earn honor.

Did something happen?

Elder Xuan put away his wine gourd, wiped his greasy hands with his clothes, and announced in a loud voice, "I hereby declare the Seven Monsters Challenge begins! Challengers, choose your opponents!"

Six people stepped forward to select their targets among the Seven Monsters. Electric Mad Leopard Chu Qingtian VS Lightning Leopard Xi Xi, Ghost Vine Zhou Sen, auxiliary-type Pan Tao VS Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo, and to everyone's surprise, Strong Gorilla Tai Xing challenged the top-ranked White Tiger Dai Yueheng.

Seeing Tai Xing getting closer, even Dai Yueheng, an experienced senior student, couldn't help but widen his eyes.

A Soul Master challenging a Spirit Emperor.

Not a big brother, how dare you!

Are you also called Ling Bai?

"I know I can't beat any of the Seven Monsters," Tai Xing shrugged, answering Dai Yueheng's confusion, "So I hope to challenge the strongest, at least to gain more experience."

"Alright, I will give it my all."

Dai Yueheng respected Tai Xing's courage to climb the peak.

Chen Zifeng closed his eyes tightly, praying fervently, "Ancestor Tang San, please, no one finds me! No one finds me!" Then he slowly opened his eyes, only to see an exceptionally handsome face.

Ling Bai!

"Junior Brother Ling, to be honest, the opponent I least want to face is you."

Chen Zifeng's expression turned as unpleasant as if he had eaten a fly. Last month, he had been matched with Ling Bai in the Soul Duel Arena, and the result was being thoroughly beaten.

Compared to the flawless abilities of the Six-Winged Angel, Chen Zifeng would rather face the Spirit Emperor Ma Xiaotao head-on.

"Tai Xing challenged Dai Yueheng, and Ma Xiaotao found Qian Fufu," Ling Bai said.

The implication was that he could challenge three people, and with Dai Yueheng and Qian Fufu already taken, only Chen Zifeng was left in the arena.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zifeng's expression turned even worse, as if he had eaten two flies.

"The match begins!"

Elder Xuan ignored Chen Zifeng's desire to cry and directly unveiled the Seven Monsters Challenge.

"Junior Brother Ling, let's talk this through, okay?"

Chen Zifeng knew that a direct attack would not be enough to defeat Ling Bai, so he abandoned brute force and chose to use his wits.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Zifeng chuckled and said, "You have the Holy Angel Sword, and I have the Soul-Chasing Sword. How about we seal our soul skills and soul power and just compete in swordsmanship?"

"Swordsmanship... are you sure?"

Ling Bai's expression was subtle.

"Yes, yes!"

Chen Zifeng nodded rapidly, seeing this as the only chance to turn the tide.

"Alright."

Ling Bai agreed, and golden light gathered in his right hand, forming the magnificent Holy Angel Sword.

The moment the Holy Angel Sword appeared, an unstoppable momentum burst forth. Without even looking, one might think that a sharp sword, not a person, stood here.

Seeing this, Chen Zifeng's demeanor shifted from playful to serious. Dense blood-red light rose, and he held a blood-colored slender sword, the top-tier strong attack-type weapon soul, the Soul-Chasing Sword. A heavy, bloody smell permeated the air.

Facing each other from a distance, both searched for flaws in each other's aura. Their bodies seemed to freeze, but their momentum rose wildly, with their essence, energy, and spirit all focused on the blade!

Sword Art Secret Technique, Gathering Momentum!

I underestimated him, he really can...

An expert sees the subtleties. Discovering that Ling Bai knew swordsmanship made Chen Zifeng's mindset slightly explode. The Six-Winged Angel was an extremely versatile soul, but versatility sometimes means complexity. The Holy Angel Sword was not a weapon soul; it was just a weapon. Ling Bai shouldn't have learned swordsmanship specifically for it.

The change in mindset gradually allowed Ling Bai to overwhelm Chen Zifeng. In a few more minutes, the Holy Angel Sword, enhanced by Gathering Momentum, would be unmatched by the Soul-Chasing Sword!

Chen Zifeng made the first move, unwilling to sit and wait for his fate. The Soul-Chasing Sword was bathed in blood-red light, devoid of any soul power, yet it embodied speed and sharpness in a new realm!

Ling Bai seemed to have anticipated this, and his feet moved rapidly, his body shifting sideways. The Holy Angel Sword flickered, and several golden sword shadows met the Soul-Chasing Sword.

The sound of swords clashing echoed continuously. Chen Zifeng's sword was as fast as a gale, the sword shadows like a storm, exuding a formidable aura. Each sword move had a different speed and strength, aiming for vital points, ruthless and deadly. To his surprise, Ling Bai not only resisted but his Holy Angel Sword's sword path was even more tragic and fierce!

One sword, multiple shadows!

Kill!

Seeing the golden 'kill' character, like iron and silver hooks, Chen Zifeng's eyes nearly bulged out. The Soul-Chasing Sword was a blood-soaked sword, and in terms of killing intent, only one sword in the Douluo Continent surpassed it!

Chen Zifeng couldn't believe it, nor did he want to. How could Ling Bai know that sword technique!

Amidst countless cold sword shadows, the two figures rose, fell, charged, and turned, seemingly attacking without defending, each move and technique showing great finesse. The sword moves were no longer limited to swordsmanship; they were a spontaneous display of a lifetime of learning. Unconsciously, they had exchanged a hundred moves without using soul power, both giving their all.

The Holy Angel Sword and the Soul-Chasing Sword clashed, their figures crossing in the rain, like two lightning bolts piercing the rain curtain. Water splashed up from the ground, and the clashing of swords echoed in the Soul Duel Arena, like a grand symphony.

"They two..."

"Pretty cool!"

Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, and others, who had finished their battles, turned their gazes toward them, their mouths forming O shapes. Even the Tuantie Douluo Elder Xuan nodded in approval. This match was not just a competition of swordsmanship but also a feast of beauty!

Their sword moves became even more fierce, their long swords slicing through the rain, causing a howling wind.

The final move.

They thought simultaneously.

The sword Chen Zifeng wielded had a faint blood-red figure of a world-shaking demon god behind it, the slender sword shadow merging with the Soul-Chasing Sword, as if the Netherworld had descended upon the world, filled with overwhelming killing intent!

Kill!

Chen Zifeng was confident this was the most killing-intent-filled sword he had ever wielded. He looked at Ling Bai, hoping to see shock and fear in his eyes.

Eye to eye, Chen Zifeng's body suddenly trembled violently, but he didn't notice because all his attention was on Ling Bai's golden eyes, unable to focus on anything else! In those golden eyes, he saw a torn earth, countless fallen bodies, heads rolling, and a river of hot blood. Killing intent and bloodlust burned fiercely in the depths of the golden pupils!

Kill!

In a split second, both of them condensed and released all their sword skills, and in the same instant, their swords crossed, their figures passing each other!

Back to back, Ling Bai's Holy Angel Sword hummed, a strand of golden hair falling from his forehead. He seemed oblivious, closing his eyes to feel something, immersed in the rhythm, moves, techniques, and form displayed by the two of them, finding it increasingly hard to extricate himself.

"Clang—"

The clear sound of the Soul-Chasing Sword hitting the ground rang out. Chen Zifeng's tiger mouth split, leaving a large X-shaped mark on his chest, shallowly penetrating the skin, a beautiful blood flower blooming through his clothes. He looked down and smiled bitterly.

"I lost. Thank you, Junior Brother Ling, for showing mercy. But I have one last question for you. Our Chen family's Soul-Chasing Sword technique is one of the most killing-intent-filled sword techniques in the Douluo Continent. Who did you learn your sword skills from, to be able to suppress the Soul-Chasing Sword in terms of killing intent?"

Ling Bai slowly opened his eyes, a brilliant golden light shining from them, and said:

"The sword's might pierces the heavens, the killing intent soars above the clouds.

A predecessor from the Nine Treasures Crystal Tower ten thousand years ago, Sealed Title: Sword, the Dusty Heart of the Sword Path."

(End of Chapter)