Cyclebreaker: Rise of the Martial Emperor

Chapter 45 – Draw the sword

Luo Xiu's punch seemed ordinary, but it was accompanied by a resounding tiger's roar. The brilliance of True Qi burst forth, transforming into a white tiger that pounced fiercely at Nie Xiaodie.

The punch carried the tiger's roar, with visible sound waves rippling through the air, causing many below the platform to feel their eardrums vibrate and their vital blood churn.

"What an incredible fist technique! It has captured the essence of the Dragon-Tiger Fist, even surpassing the Grade-Two level, reaching a whole new tier!"

Among everyone present, Lu Feichen, the Master of the Outer Sect, undoubtedly had the sharpest eye. He immediately saw that the Grade-Two Martial Technique, Dragon-Tiger Fist, in Luo Xiu's hands, had transcended the technique itself, surpassing the so-called Perfection level.

As the saying goes, "The student surpasses the master," transcending Perfection is reaching a state of mastery, where an ordinary martial technique can be executed with power far beyond its inherent potential!

"Butterfly Dance Movement Technique!"

Though startled, Nie Xiaodie remained composed. She lightly tapped the ground with her toes, her graceful figure spinning in midair, drifting to a distant spot.

At the same time, she raised her spear horizontally, her red dress billowing in the wind, blocking the residual force of Luo Xiu's punch.

"Boom!"

The sound of air exploding echoed from the dueling platform. Luo Xiu's punch didn't hit Nie Xiaodie directly, but the fierce residual force still sent her flying, almost causing her to fall off the platform.

"What a marvelous movement technique."

Luo Xiu praised. Back when they sparred at the Qingyun Martial Hall, Nie Xiaodie's movement technique was far less refined than it was now. Clearly, after losing to him, she had trained diligently, not only enhancing her spear technique but also mastering the Grade-Four movement technique.

With her Grade-Four spear technique and movement technique mastered, she could easily secure a top-three position in previous entry assessments.

If Nie Xiaodie had challenged either Xu Ping or Wang Can, she would have had a fair chance of winning.

However, she chose to challenge Luo Xiu, whose true strength had only been partially revealed!

Thus, after just seven moves, Nie Xiaodie was already panting, forced to the edge of the dueling platform by Luo Xiu's Mysterious Evasion Technique combined with the Dragon-Tiger Fist.

"Smack!"

Luo Xiu delivered a punch, True Qi and internal force surging, shaking the spear and causing Nie Xiaodie's stance to falter, making her fall off the platform.

Luo Xiu hadn't used his full strength with that punch, so Nie Xiaodie landed steadily without injury.

However, neither Zeng Kun nor the stronger Nie Xiaodie could make Luo Xiu draw his sword.

"How strong is his sword?"

Everyone below the platform held their breath, filled with curiosity about the sword Luo Xiu carried on his back.

Of course, some believed that Luo Xiu's refusal to draw his sword was purely out of disdain for others, to showcase his overwhelming strength.

However, only Luo Xiu himself knew that since achieving Minor Achievement in the Swift Sword Art, his swordsmanship had reached a new realm, far beyond the so-called Grade-Four Perfection.

The sword is a killing machine; when drawn, it must taste blood!

This was why Luo Xiu refrained from drawing his sword. After all, it was merely a martial assessment, and unless absolutely necessary, there was no need to harm others.

Otherwise, even Nie Xiaodie wouldn't be able to withstand a single strike from his sword, let alone last eight moves before losing.

Unbeknownst to all, the challenges for the third place and below quickly concluded.

Next, it would be the final showdown among the top three!

"I forfeit the challenge!"

Xu Ping stood up and declared directly.

No one was surprised by Xu Ping's decision. He excelled in movement techniques and wasn't confident in defeating Wang Can, who specialized in blade techniques. Moreover, being in the top three already guaranteed his entry into the Free Spirit Outer Sect, so there was no need to risk it.

At that moment, a figure leaped onto the dueling platform.

It was none other than Wang Can, ranked second!

Wang Can's action was undoubtedly a challenge to Luo Xiu, instantly heightening the atmosphere to its peak.

"Wang Can has mastered the Grade-Four Blade Technique, and it's said he also practices the Wang family's Grade-Four Internal Cultivation, the 'Ice Qi Refining Art'!"

"With Wang Can's strength, he should be able to force Luo Xiu to draw his sword, right?"

Amidst the crowd's anticipation, Luo Xiu ascended the dueling platform.

One was a fourteen-year-old at the second layer of the Qi Sea Realm, practicing the Pure Yang Technique, with Grade-Four Swordsmanship at Perfection!

The other was a fifteen-year-old at the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, practicing Grade-Four Internal Cultivation, with Grade-Four Blade Technique at Major Achievement!

In terms of martial techniques, Luo Xiu had the upper hand, but Wang Can's cultivation was slightly higher than Luo Xiu's. Who was stronger remained uncertain!

On the dueling platform, Wang Can stared at Luo Xiu, exuding a chilling aura that caused the temperature within several meters around him to plummet.

Of course, this chill wasn't due to ice elemental power but rather the unique effect of Wang Can's cultivation method.

However, if he could cultivate this method to the Innate Realm, he could develop genuine ice-attributed True Qi.

"Judging by the aura, this Wang Can is almost comparable to the fourth layer of the Qi Sea Realm."

Zhang Lüliang kept a close eye on the two in the arena, hoping Wang Can could defeat Luo Xiu, preferably crippling him or leaving him half-dead.

"Luo Xiu, I told you, the first place will surely be mine!" Wang Can's face was filled with confidence as he sneered, "If you think I'm merely at Major Achievement in the Grade-Four Blade Technique, you'll be disappointed!"

Wang Can raised his long blade horizontally, "A few months ago, while battling demonic beasts in the deep mountains, I stumbled upon a relic and obtained a Flying Light Mountain-Cleaving Blade, a Human-Grade High Tier battle blade!"

"Not only that, I also acquired a Grade-Five Mountain-Cleaving Blade Art and a Grade-Five Flying Light Movement Technique! I've cultivated both martial arts to Minor Achievement, stronger than your Grade-Four Swordsmanship at Perfection!"

As Wang Can's words echoed, the Masters of the Eighteen Cities Martial Hall in the spectator seats couldn't help but be moved.

Although Grade-Five martial arts weren't much to Lu Feichen, the Master of the Outer Sect, the fact that a fifteen-year-old like Wang Can could have such an opportunity was enough to make people take notice.

Opportunities like this are rare and cannot be sought.

This vast world is boundless, extending over countless years, with many ancient and mysterious relics. Some fortunate individuals have benefited from them, leaping over the dragon gate and gaining fame.

Though obtaining a Grade-Five martial arts inheritance is relatively common, such an opportunity isn't available to everyone.

Generally, the minimum requirement for cultivating Grade-Five martial arts is the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, which Wang Can met. Cultivating Grade-Five martial arts to Minor Achievement in a few months demonstrated his extraordinary martial talent!

It was this opportunity that gave Wang Can such confidence, making him determined to win the first-place reward in the entry assessment.

"Blades and swords have no eyes. I advise you to surrender, or it won't be good if you get hurt," Wang Can said coldly.

Since obtaining the Grade-Five martial arts inheritance, he had kept it a secret, fearing it would bring disaster to his family.

But now, as he was about to become a Free Spirit Outer Sect disciple, there was no need to hide it anymore. He appeared even more arrogant and overbearing.

Luo Xiu couldn't stand anyone acting superior in front of him. He sneered, unconcerned, "Is Grade-Five martial arts that impressive?"

"What arrogance!" Wang Can's eyes grew colder, "Do you believe I can defeat you in three moves?"

As he spoke, a powerful and fierce aura surged from Wang Can, making him seem like a blade, sending chills down people's spines.

No one thought Wang Can's claim of defeating Luo Xiu in three moves was an exaggeration. Instead, they believed it was entirely plausible because he practiced Grade-Five martial arts, far superior to Grade-Four!

"Defeat me in three moves?"

Unexpectedly, Luo Xiu laughed heartily, disdainfully glancing at Wang Can, "I don't need three moves; I can defeat you in one. Do you believe it?"

One move!

Countless people below the platform were dumbfounded, staring at Luo Xiu as if he were a monster.

Wang Can, at the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, practicing Grade-Five martial arts, claimed he could defeat Luo Xiu in three moves. Yet, Luo Xiu retorted, saying he could defeat Wang Can in one move?

At this moment, Luo Xiu unexpectedly displayed his strong side.

By nature, Luo Xiu was relatively low-key, but he was now full of spirit and confidence because Lu Mengyao was watching him.

In front of the woman he liked, how could he tolerate someone being arrogant in his presence?

Hearing Luo Xiu claim he could defeat him in one move, Wang Can's face turned livid, his chest filled with raging anger.

"You're courting humiliation!"

Clang!

Wang Can suddenly drew his blade, the cold gleam on the blade gathering as he slashed fiercely at Luo Xiu.

The entire dueling platform was enveloped in a chilling aura, with frost forming on the ground, causing many below to shiver from the bone-chilling cold.

With the True Qi and internal force of the third layer of the Qi Sea Realm, combined with a Human-Grade High Tier battle blade and Grade-Five Blade Technique, Wang Can's strike was formidable!

The blade's edge seemed like an ice mountain crashing down, enough to make even the fourth layer of the Qi Sea Realm wary and avoid its sharpness.

Facing such a formidable Wang Can, how could Luo Xiu possibly win in one move?

In everyone's eyes, Luo Xiu's claim of defeating his opponent in one move was nothing more than a jest.

Watching the fierce, icy strike, Luo Xiu remained calm and composed.

"Grade-Five Blade Technique?… It's nothing special!"

His voice was calm, yet it seemed to carry a magical power. He slowly reached for the hilt of the sword on his back.

"Sword out!"

In an instant, everyone saw a flash of black light.

"Clang!" "Clang!"

A quick look at tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w will leave you more fulfilled.

The sword was drawn and returned to its sheath in one fluid motion, without the slightest pause!

"Thud!"

Wang Can's figure flew backward, blood spurting from his chest, landing several meters away.

"This can't be! How could I lose?"

His proud Grade-Five Blade Technique was defeated in one move, leaving Wang Can in disbelief, his eyes vacant as if in a trance.

Suddenly, Wang Can's eyes turned blood-red, charging at Luo Xiu like a madman, shouting, "The first place is mine, no one can take it, I'll kill you!"

"Bang!"

As Wang Can charged, Luo Xiu mercilessly kicked him in the chest.

Wang Can spat out a mouthful of blood, several ribs breaking on the spot, his body flying like a kite with a broken string.

Yet, Wang Can, in a state of mental collapse akin to going berserk, felt no pain, his eyes bloodshot as he charged again.

Luo Xiu frowned, preparing to knock Wang Can unconscious to stop his relentless assault.

"Stop!"

At that moment, Zhang Lüliang, the chief examiner, flashed a cold glare, shouting angrily as he rushed forward.

He appeared between Luo Xiu and Wang Can, delivering a palm strike with both hands.

"Bang!"

Wang Can was sent flying by the powerful palm wind, landing unconscious below the platform.

Meanwhile, a palm wind also struck toward Luo Xiu.

However, unlike the palm wind aimed at Wang Can, Luo Xiu could sense a sharp killing intent from the one directed at him.