Chapter 508: Sword Qi Doppelganger
Zhang Ruochen's appearance caused quite a stir in the Martial Market Arena.
After all, Zhang Ruochen was now ranked sixteenth on the Heavenly Ranking, and he bore the title of the Buddha Emperor's Heir. To the crowd, a match between him and Huang Shenyi was far more exciting than one between Huang Yanchen and Huang Shenyi.
"Zhang Ruochen... he actually came back..."
Ao Xinyan glanced at Huang Yanchen not far away, her emotions in turmoil and her heart filled with worry.
After all, Zhang Ruochen's opponent was the number one on the Heavenly Ranking, Huang Shenyi.
The strength Huang Shenyi had just displayed was utterly unstoppable, like an undefeated war king. Who could stand against him?
Moreover, legend had it that no one who fought Huang Shenyi ever walked off the battle platform alive. Xun Long was the sole exception.
But was Zhang Ruochen's strength a match for Xun Long's?
Ao Xinyan knew Zhang Ruochen's abilities well. Though he was indeed formidable, he was still too young. At the very least, he couldn't possibly be a match for top-tier experts like Xun Long and Huang Shenyi.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen appear, Cheng Yue Star Envoy sneered, "If Zhang Ruochen had hidden away and trained for a few more years, he might have caught up to Huang Shen Star Envoy. But I never expected him to be so foolish as to come back early. After today, there will be no more Buddha Emperor's Heir in this world."
Hearing Zhang Ruochen's words, Huang Yanchen was naturally deeply moved. Yet Cheng Yue Star Envoy's words held some truth—Zhang Ruochen's return now was ill-timed.
If, because of her, Zhang Ruochen died by Huang Shenyi's sword, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
Huang Yanchen quickly walked down from the viewing platform and blocked Zhang Ruochen, who was about to step onto the battle platform. Her sapphire-blue eyes locked onto his, and she shook her head.
A smile appeared on Zhang Ruochen's face. "Senior Sister, it's just Huang Shenyi. There's nothing to worry about."
"I caused this trouble, so let me handle it. Your talent is... a little higher than mine. In the future, you can avenge me."
A resolute look flashed in Huang Yanchen's eyes.
She had always been proud and unwilling to admit defeat, carrying an indomitable momentum.
One person, one responsibility—she didn't want to drag Zhang Ruochen down.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and grabbed Huang Yanchen's wrist. "The future is still so long. If I pushed you out to settle things every time you caused trouble, what use would I be? You're my fiancée. It's my duty to stand in front of you and shield you from the wind and rain. Isn't it?"
Huang Yanchen bit her lip tightly, her eyes glistening as two full teardrops slid down her cheeks.
In the distance, Duanmu Xingling heard Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen's words and saw how close they were. For some reason, her heart felt both envious and a little bitter.
On the Heavenly-level battle platform, Huang Shenyi wore a smug smile.
No matter how despicable the means he used, he had ultimately forced Zhang Ruochen out and achieved his goal.
Back when they were competing for the position of young master of the Black Market First Class Hall, he had lost to Di Yi. But he had never accepted it, never believing Di Yi was superior to him.
Di Yi had only gotten the position because of his stronger family background. In terms of talent, Huang Shenyi believed he surpassed Di Yi.
When Di Yi fought Zhang Ruochen, he not only lost but also lost his demon heart, bringing shame to the Black Market First Class Hall.
If he could defeat Zhang Ruochen, or even kill him, then the higher-ups of the Black Market First Class Hall would surely reconsider making him the young master.
"Zhang Ruochen, today is your death day."
After obtaining the Black Tortoise inheritance, Huang Shenyi's first target had been Di Yi. Since Zhang Ruochen had appeared, he would kill Zhang Ruochen first. With such a feat, who in the Black Market First Class Hall would dare defy him?
Huang Yanchen stepped back, and Zhang Ruochen steadily ascended the Heavenly-level battle platform, standing opposite Huang Shenyi.
Huang Shenyi held his sword in one hand and placed the other behind his back. "Zhang Ruochen, you're too impulsive. Throwing away a bright future for a woman. With your talent, as long as you don't run into me, you might become a saint in the future. Why do something so foolish?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Weren't you waiting for me to show up? How could I disappoint you?"
A cold glint flashed in Huang Shenyi's eyes. "Do you think you'll have a chance to walk off this battle platform alive today? Do you believe I can cut off your head before you even have a chance to surrender?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. "Surrender? Why would I surrender?"
Huang Shenyi had thought that once Zhang Ruochen stepped onto the platform, he would immediately surrender or flee. That way, though he'd lose face, he'd save his life.
But he never expected Zhang Ruochen to be so arrogant as to actually want to fight him. "Haha! Zhang Ruochen, do you think that just because you defeated Di Yi, you're invincible among your peers? I've inherited the ancient divine beast Black Tortoise's legacy. Fighting me is like throwing an egg against a rock."
"It's just the Black Tortoise inheritance, not the actual divine beast Black Tortoise. Even the strongest person in the world can be defeated, let alone... you." Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
"Hmph! Dealing with you is more than enough."
Huang Shenyi didn't want to waste any more meaningless words with Zhang Ruochen. The moment Zhang Ruochen stepped onto the Heavenly-level battle platform, he was already a dead man.
"Zhang Ruochen, isn't your sword path cultivation quite impressive? Then I'll defeat you with the sword and show you what a true sword master is."
"Swish!"
With a flick of Huang Shenyi's finger, the sacred sword in his hand shot out like a black beam of light, aimed at Zhang Ruochen's heart.
Seeing Huang Shenyi use the flying sword technique, Zhang Ruochen was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Huang Shenyi's sword path cultivation to be so advanced, having already reached Sword Heart Illumination.
However, Huang Shenyi was only at the initial stage of Sword Heart Illumination, while Zhang Ruochen was at the intermediate stage.
Zhang Ruochen pressed two fingers together, forming a sword seal, and pointed forward. With a "swish," the Abyssal Ancient Sword flew out of its sheath, also using the flying sword technique.
"Clang! Clang!"
The two sacred swords clashed rapidly in the air above the battle platform.
Countless sword qi flew out from the sword bodies, transforming into hundreds of sword shadows that wove around the two of them, colliding and attacking each other.
Zhang Ruochen stood still, unmoving like a god of the sword. With his sword intent heart, he controlled the sword qi, turning it into a torrent of sword qi that actively attacked Huang Shenyi.
That torrent of sword qi was formed from hundreds of sword shadows, unstoppable, as if it would devour Huang Shenyi.
"His sword path realm is this powerful?"
Huang Shenyi realized that Zhang Ruochen's sword path realm surpassed his own. Relying solely on sword path power, he couldn't defeat Zhang Ruochen.
"Break!"
He took a sudden step forward, grabbed the sword hilt, and channeled all his true qi into a slash at the torrent of sword qi.
With a thunderous roar, the torrent of sword qi was shattered by Huang Shenyi's single strike.
"Clang!"
But the Abyssal Ancient Sword flew out from behind the torrent of sword qi, aimed at Huang Shenyi's brow.
Huang Shenyi reacted with incredible speed, quickly swinging his sword to strike the Abyssal Ancient Sword's blade, knocking it off course.
"Swish!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword spun in a circle in midair, arcing around to Huang Shenyi's back and stabbing toward his spine.
In an instant, the Abyssal Ancient Sword pierced through Huang Shenyi's protective heavenly armor.
Huang Shenyi had no choice but to spin around quickly, gripping his sword with both hands and unleashing a defensive move.
His arms straightened as he poured true qi into the sword body, activating the sacred sword's power, and thrust it forward.
The tips of the two swords collided.
The shockwave traveled from Huang Shenyi's arms to his legs, then to the ground.
Under the impact of that force, the entire Heavenly-level battle platform shook with a thunderous boom. If not for the protective array inscriptions, the platform would have shattered into pieces.
Just as Huang Shenyi thought he had blocked the Abyssal Ancient Sword—
Suddenly, two sword qi projections flew out from either side of the Abyssal Ancient Sword's blade, aimed at Huang Shenyi's eyes.
"How is this possible?"
Huang Shenyi's expression changed. In the critical moment, he mobilized every ounce of strength, a whirlwind rising from the soles of his feet as he quickly withdrew his sword and retreated.
Although the two sword qi projections didn't hit his eyes, one of them flew past his temple, cutting the skin and leaving a half-inch-long bloody gash.
Huang Shenyi retreated all the way to the edge of the Heavenly-level battle platform before stopping, staring in shock at Zhang Ruochen standing across from him. "Sword Qi Doppelganger? You've reached the intermediate stage of Sword Heart Illumination?"
"Swish!"
The two sword qi projections flew back and merged with the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
Zhang Ruochen reached out and grabbed the sword hilt, letting out a soft sigh. "Pity. So close."
That strike had been truly unfortunate.
If Huang Shenyi's reaction speed had been even a fraction slower, the two sword qi projections would have pierced through his head.
The most important hallmark of the initial stage of Sword Heart Illumination was condensing a sword intent heart, allowing the use of the flying sword technique.
Once the flying sword was unleashed, it could kill from dozens of miles away.
The most important hallmark of the intermediate stage of Sword Heart Illumination was unleashing Sword Qi Doppelgangers.
When a martial artist's cultivation reached a certain level, they could condense doppelgangers to assist the original body in various tasks.
The same applied to swords.
Once one reached the intermediate stage of Sword Heart Illumination, a martial artist could make their sword condense Sword Qi Doppelgangers.
A Sword Qi Doppelganger was formed from ninety-nine strands of sword qi. Though its explosive power wasn't as strong as the sword body itself, it could achieve unexpected effects, catching people off guard.
"Boom!"
The battle on the Heavenly-level battle platform shook the entire venue.
The martial artists present had already dropped their jaws in shock, never expecting Zhang Ruochen to be so powerful.
(One more chapter to come.)