novelraw Chapter 510 - 0-3:
Chapter 510 - 0-3:
The clash of dense blades echoed over the desolate field of Evil Grass.
Swathes of Evil Grass were severed at the roots by the overflowing Sword Qi. The crooked wooden hut collapsed amid the fierce battle, and the dispersing Electric Arc ignited the dry wood, setting an inferno ablaze in the eternal night.
Shi Wu constantly maneuvered back, leaving chaotic trails in the scorched land imbued with corrosive aura.
Although he had anticipated that this Puki wasn’t weak, he was still incredulous when he found himself unable to parry all of this Puki’s sword moves, relying instead on retreating and dodging the strikes he couldn’t block.
The current situation was truly hard for Shi Wu to accept.
If the opponent were a powerful member of the Demon Race, being suppressed would be somewhat understandable to Shi Wu, given that the human race’s Attributes are not particularly high.
But the opponent was just a Puki!
Yet this Puki’s Attributes were clearly inferior to his, with even its arm strength being less than half of his.
What does this mean?
It means that his decades of rigorous training in Swordsmanship were actually bested by a Mushroom Creature?!
How can this be accepted!
With a move that brushed aside Puki’s tentacled Longsword entwined with Electric light, Shi Wu leapt back half a step, crossing his Dual Swords into a defensive stance across his chest.
"Chaotic Martial..."
[Entanglement]
A tentacle wrapped around Shi Wu’s right arm and yanked down forcefully, interrupting his move.
Simultaneously, using the momentum, Puki’s short legs came assailing.
Puki Puki—
Once touched, it immediately retreated.
Shi Wu staggered back, wiping his nose with his fingertips, smearing a trace of red.
"How can I possibly... again and again... lose to a Puki!"
[Trample]
[Breaking Army]
"Chaotic Martial!"
Filled with shame and anger, Shi Wu charged again, his Dual Swords transforming into a storm.
However, Sword Saint Puki finally drew its second sword, the flames rising from the sword body instantly igniting the surrounding Evil Grass.
It calmly blocked the furious assault, each backward step dodging the blade’s edge just right, not even needing to employ the [Stepping on the Moon] footwork.
Wherever they passed, unfortunate scarecrows caught in the battle were torn to shreds or engulfed in flames, turning to ash.
No. 9 desperately pursued from behind, its short legs hopping over burning Evil Grass, fearing that Shi Wu would fall too far into the depths.
Shi Wu was entirely absorbed in the stormy offense and defense, sweat dripping from his chin.
Yet, the Sword Saint had nearly understood this Puki body’s capabilities, intending to end this guidance battle.
Let’s try this lastly...
He suddenly leaped back, the tentacles entwined with Dual Swords spinning rapidly like a spindle, and in the moment Shi Wu approached, the Dual Swords shot out forcefully.
Clang!
The seemingly light thrust from Sword Saint Puki turned out to contain Spiral Force, and the moment the sword tips crossed, Shi Wu only felt a shock at the tiger’s mouth, almost unable to hold his weapon.
At that moment, two tentacles extended, striking at the crucial points on his wrists. Before the numbness spread, his Dual Swords were deftly taken away.
The pair of weapons, wrapped in sharp killing intent, shot back at him!
At the brink of life and death, Shi Wu timely drew his last weapon, a short sword left by his master!
Flashes of cold light, accompanied by a harsh collision sound, narrowly deflected the two flying swords.
As he looked up still in shock, the silhouette of that Puki was rippling in the scorching air, gradually dissolving into space.
"Did it... fall?"
Shi Wu finally exhaled a breath he had been holding. For a moment there, he really thought he was going to be finished.
Lost to Puki again...
And, unlike the previous two times when he was ambushed, this defeat was through an open and fair sword duel, a complete loss without any tricks.
He could even tell that this Puki opposite him had reserves... this was hard for him to accept.
Looking at his cracked tiger’s mouth, Shi Wu couldn’t figure out what has happened to this world.
How could any random Puki possess the ability to thrash him?
Is he really that weak?
Moreover... this feeling of being bested and humiliated somehow felt familiar to him... even somewhat... enjoyable?
Shi Wu shook his head vigorously, what enjoyment, he’s no masochist!
Puki Puki—
The noise from behind made his muscles tense instantly, but he quickly realized the Puki behind him was not the one wielding Dual Swords.
No. 9 hurriedly caught up from behind, and the first thing it did after stopping was to hurriedly stamp out the fire on its short legs.
"How did it fall? Could it not really be part of the Mushroom Race?" It remained in shock and determined that the first thing to do after leaving was to report to the Mushroom Lord!
Silently, Shi Wu picked up the scattered Longsword and solemnly sheathed his master’s short sword.
"Anyway, let’s get going quickly while we can." He looked at the place where Sword Saint Puki disappeared, feeling uneasy, "I really can’t beat him. If he climbs back up, it’ll be dangerous."
"Who told you to ditch me and go on your own! If the two of us had gone together, that arrogant Puki wouldn’t stand a chance!"
...
The sword light swept across the wasteland like a new moon, dozens of straw men farmers and the Evil Grass fields they guarded were chopped, ignited...
The Sword Saint Puki slowly sat down amidst the blazing flames.
This Puki body has complete resistances and turns out to be quite convenient.
Shi Wu’s last-minute reaction, drawing the short sword to block, was quite satisfactory to him, and as for being suppressed by himself, that couldn’t be blamed on Shi Wu.
After all, every sword move habit Shi Wu had was within his expectations, as if predicting every move of his opponent on a chessboard.
The previous bout not only allowed him to regain the feeling of guiding disciples but also triggered new insights.
Tentacles are indeed handy!
Spiral thrusts and such could never be executed by a human.
And the feeling of seizing Shi Wu’s Dual Swords...
The Sword Saint examined his four flexible tentacles, contemplating whether he could add two more swords?
The more he thought about it, the more right it felt.
Now that he’s Puki, why stick to the human style of Dual Swords?
Besides tentacles, there are those weird Skills...
Thoughts splashed like sparks.
When transcendental to human limitations, Sword Saint’s inspiration gushed like a spring, imagining countless possible combination moves.
It’s a pity there’s no disciple to practice with.
However... looking at those swaying figures in the distant fields... although the scarecrows’ feel was somewhat lacking, given the limited conditions, he would just make do...
...
No. 9 linked up to the Fungal Mat immediately after exiting and started reporting to Lin Jun.
Claiming that it encountered a runaway Puki in the Abyss, which almost slaughtered their Shi Wu, but it was thanks to its timely intervention that defeated the peculiar Puki, though it ultimately let the Puki escape.
Lin Jun instantly knew from No. 9’s description that it was the Sword Saint.
As for the claims about No. 9’s great prowess, Lin Jun automatically dismissed them, as he would never fool his own split soul.
Nevertheless, the Sword Saint disciplining his disciple was none of his business!
So, after telling No. 9 it was old No. 14, Lin Jun casually sent it away.
Lin Jun’s attention was almost entirely focused on the Northern Territory now.
The excavation work finally made new progress... uncovering something big!