December tenth.
Heavy snow fell, concealing all signs of life.
Ten days remained until the Dragon Country Martial Rankings, scheduled for December twentieth.
Chen Jiuyang, however, was three hundred kilometers away from Dragon Capital.
He had traveled one hundred kilometers while injured, taking four days.
Champions from other provinces had already gathered in Dragon Capital, diligently training for the Dragon Country Martial Rankings. Yet, Chen Jiuyang, the champion of Feng Province, was still far away. Whether he could arrive in Dragon Capital on time was uncertain.
The Dragon Country Martial Rankings did not wait for latecomers. If Chen Jiuyang failed to reach the venue before the competition, he would be disqualified.
One hundred kilometers in four days. If this continued,呵呵…
Someone sneered.
On this day, after completing the hundred-kilometer stretch, Chen Jiuyang was met by another hundred martial artists. A half-step Heavenly Realm martial artist was stationed there. As for what lay before him…
Jiang Haoran said, "Marquis Xuanyang, my promise has been fulfilled. I bid you farewell."
With that, Jiang Haoran let out a cold laugh and departed, soaring through the wind and snow.
Chen Jiuyang’s eyes remained calm as he looked at the formation before him. "Three hundred kilometers left. Are you going to obstruct me every hundred kilometers?"
"If you act this way, are you not afraid that I will slay your descendants on the Dragon Country Martial Rankings in the future?"
"An old man cannot rely on his bones and sinews. In my old age, sitting at home is tedious. It is better to contribute to my descendants." It was an elder with white hair, exuding an aura of decay. His aged eyes gazed at Chen Jiuyang and he said calmly,
"I am Ruan Xiucheng, the patriarch of the Ruan family in Xijiang Province. Marquis Xuanyang, just as before, accept three of my moves, and I will escort you fifty kilometers."
"Three moves? Fifty kilometers?" Chen Jiuyang’s brow furrowed. Killing intent flared in his eyes as he looked at Ruan Xiucheng. He shouted loudly, "Old man, how shameless of you to bully me!"
"You have lived a lifetime, do you know the meaning of shame?"
"I am on my last legs, not knowing when I will die. What need have I for face?" Ruan Xiucheng’s loose, deeply grooved cheeks looked at Chen Jiuyang. "You have two paths: accept my three moves, or kill these hundred martial artists and carve out a bloody path?"
Chen Jiuyang scoffed, "Truly relying on your age and showing no shame. Since you have appeared before this Marquis, do I have a second choice?"
"Old cur, bring it on. Three moves, let's see if you can kill me!"
"Zheng!"
Chen Jiuyang drew his Yan Sheng Saber. Though injured, his aura was domineering, possessing an unyielding, majestic presence.
"Good."
"First, accept my move – Mountain Split!"
As the voice fell, a vast and terrifying divine might suddenly manifested. A phantom image of a great saber appeared, cleaving towards Chen Jiuyang.
"Swish swish swish!"
The phantom image of Chen Jiuyang's Yan Sheng Saber suddenly surged, directly clashing with Ruan Xiucheng's divine might move!
"Zzzzzz!"
The blades of the two sabers met. Though mere phantom images, they felt as solid as substance, emitting a piercing metallic clang and sparks.
This was the friction between qi and true qi.
"Da!"
Chen Jiuyang's saber was no match for Ruan Xiucheng's. Chen Jiuyang's Yan Sheng Saber phantom image did not dissipate, but the force he endured was like a great mountain. His feet sank into the ground.
"Ch—"
As the immense force pressed down, the back of Chen Jiuyang's Yan Sheng Saber slowly pressed onto his shoulder, sinking into the flesh. A wound immediately opened on Chen Jiuyang's shoulder, and blood flowed out.
Veins bulged on Chen Jiuyang's forehead, his face flushed red as he struggled to resist.
"Such profound qi and blood." Ruan Xiucheng showed a hint of surprise. "The path of divine abilities has not been walked by anyone for centuries. To witness it now, it is truly extraordinary. To withstand my divine might without dissipating at the third level of the Earth Realm."
Immediately, the pressure on Chen Jiuyang suddenly eased. Ruan Xiucheng's first move had been executed.
"Hoo hoo hoo!" Chen Jiuyang panted heavily, his face flushed red.
Ruan Xiucheng's eyelids twitched as he looked at Chen Jiuyang. "Marquis Xuanyang, do you wish for a moment's rest?"
"No need." Chen Jiuyang said coldly, "Old man, I am in a hurry. Display your second move."
These people had completely thrown away their shame. Chen Jiuyang understood their intention: to detain him here and prevent him from arriving in Dragon Capital within the stipulated time.
How could Chen Jiuyang waste any more time with them?
"Good."
"As expected of a young hero. If you can overcome this tribulation, you will truly be a roc spreading its wings, with boundless prospects."
Ruan Xiucheng applauded and then unleashed his second move:
"Subduing Dragon Saber!"
"Dang dang dang!"
Suddenly, three phantom images of giant sabers appeared, cleaving towards Chen Jiuyang.
The previous move had already injured Chen Jiuyang significantly, causing his saber to draw his own blood.
Now, how much damage would these three sabers inflict on Chen Jiuyang?
Though they could not take Chen Jiuyang's life, their purpose was to inflict injuries, hinder his progress, and vex him.
Chen Jiuyang’s expression darkened as he looked at the three saber phantoms. The Yan Sheng Saber in his hand suddenly surged, "Yuan Dao—Breakthrough!" m..oΓg
"Boom boom boom!"
Visible golden-red qi and blood ignited around Chen Jiuyang.
"Dang!"
"Bang—"
"Ohm!"
The three great sabers struck the phantom image of the Yan Sheng Saber. In that instant, Chen Jiuyang's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. However, the Yan Sheng Saber phantom image remained intact, protecting Chen Jiuyang's form.
A dull thud sounded. Although the saber phantom remained, the ground around Chen Jiuyang sank downwards.
"Creak creak creak—"
Chen Jiuyang's bones creaked softly, and his body trembled.
A moment later, the three great saber phantoms dissipated, and blood seeped from Chen Jiuyang's pores. The Yan Sheng Saber phantom image also dissipated.
"At the end of your strength, why force yourself…"
Those observing in secret shook their heads, but more knew that Chen Jiuyang had stepped onto the path of divine abilities. His martial will must not collapse, or his martial path would be ruined. Therefore, even if he forced himself and was injured, he had to persevere on his martial path.
Ruan Xiucheng narrowed his eyes. With this move, Chen Jiuyang's injuries had worsened.
Ruan Xiucheng said, "Marquis Xuanyang, do you wish for a moment's rest before accepting my third saber?"
Chen Jiuyang held the Yan Sheng Saber, its tip stuck in the ground. His body was barely steady as he panted and said,
"...No need. Display your third move. This Marquis is busy rushing."
"Good."
Ruan Xiucheng chuckled. The more Chen Jiuyang forced himself, the better it was for him.
This was Chen Jiuyang's own doing; he had given Chen Jiuyang a chance to rest.
"River Shatter!"
A turbid, numbing aura suddenly manifested, and a blood-red executioner's saber fiercely chopped down towards Chen Jiuyang.
It was accompanied by thunderous sounds, the roars of vengeful spirits, and the howling of a great river. Ruan Xiucheng's move was more terrifying than the previous two.
Chen Jiuyang stared at this move, his eyes turning red, and roared, "Old cur!"
Ruan Xiucheng smiled faintly. "I gave you a chance to breathe earlier, but you refused it. How can you blame me?"