Vol.3-Chapter 35 – I Gave You Face, But You Didn’t Take It

When Zhao Jiuge released Moon Dance Star River, rays of silver sword energy gushed out. A faint layer of silver light dyed the surrounding area. The sword energy gathered to form a magnificent star river.

Yu Zhengen’s 11th strike was like a profound wave from the vast ocean.

When Moon Dance Star River appeared, Zhao Jiuge used the group attack style without hesitation. This was a spell created by a Mahayana Realm cultivator, so its power was extraordinary.

The silver rays of sword energy flew out of the star river and faced the mighty wave from Yu Zhengen.

Several consecutive rumbles echoed, and ripples spread out from their collisions. The surrounding plants were torn apart and some directly turned to dust.

The area a few dozen meters around them had turned into an open area. No plants remained, only the bare ground.

Even the people watching felt endangered by the shockwaves of the battle. They had to use their spirit force to protect themselves and quickly escape outside of the range of the shockwaves.

Senior Brother Zhang from the Water Moon Temple had a complicated gaze and also felt a bit envious. He wondered when he would have this kind of cultivation and strength!

The other people also felt dazzled by the power Zhao Jiuge and Yu Zhengen had displayed. ?They all naturally yearned to climb higher.

At this moment, the battle between the two continued, and Yu Zhengen had already released the 14th strike.

Bang.

Another thunderous rumble echoed after a collision, so loud that even the earth trembled.

Yu Zhengen was clearly not as proud as before, and his expression was heavy. The Giant 18 Fold Waves consumed a large amount of spirit force, and he only dared to use it because of his grade-6 spirit core. However, it was already the 14th strike and yet Zhao Jiuge was still very calm.

There were a total of 18 strikes. While each sword strike would have its power increased several fold compared to before, the spirit force consumption would also increase several fold! Although the river of silver sword energy before Zhao Jiuge had become dim, he showed no signs of not being able to keep up!

Although Zhao Jiuge looked calm, he was sweating in his heart. It looked like there were many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the Huaxia Dynasty. It looked like the holy lands were not the only place where geniuses appeared. Sometimes, the first-rate sects could produce a genius as well.

Yu Zhengen was much stronger than most of the inner sect disciples of the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect. If Zhao Jiuge’s spirit core hadn’t been upgraded from grade-7 to 8, and he hadn’t learned the spell from Elder Waning Moon, then he might not really be able to beat Yu Zhengen.

The Giant 18 Fold Waves was indeed a mysterious spell, and Zhao Jiuge admired it greatly. Fortunately, with his grade-8 spirit core, he could defend against it. His spirit force was being consumed rapidly, but he could still hold out.

At this moment, they were competing with purely the strength of their cultivation; it had nothing to do with treasures or anything else.

Yu Zhengen raised his heavy sword once more. The light around his sword moved even faster and he swung down once more.

The 15th sword strike smashed down toward Zhao Jiuge under everyone’s dumbfounded gazes!

When Zhao Jiuge saw Yu Zhengen’s tired expression, his mouth curved up into a smile.

He raised the Cold Underworld Sword and sent silver sword energy flying out once more. The difference was that Zhao Jiuge had accelerated the output of his spirit force with no regard for consumption. He released all of the sword energy for Moon Dance Star River at once!

After exchanging blows so many times, Zhao Jiuge had gained some experience and also found the shortcoming of this spell. After each blow, there would be a moment of rest before the next strike. This was because after releasing the sword energy, the spirit force in one’s body would stop for a moment and couldn’t keep up a continuous attack.

Zhao Jiuge had found this shortcoming and was ready to end this battle. He used both the single and group attacks from Moon Dance Star River at once during this gap to defeat Yu Zhengen during his opening.

Zhao Jiuge couldn’t help but think,?“Teacher was indeed right. It's just like how heaven always leaves a ray of hope for cultivators to achieve immortality. Everything has its pros and cons and is balanced. When a spell gives you great power, there is naturally a weakness.”

At this moment, Yu Zhengen had already released the 15th strike. The violent and powerful sword strike was rushing toward Zhao Jiuge. It gave him the illusion that a violent and mighty wave was rushing at him.

Zhao Jiuge couldn’t help but chuckle, and his eyes shined. This was the moment!

Several rays of sword energy fell like meteors and smashed into that powerful wave. The trees around them crackled and branches and leaves fell to the ground.

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed. The four weaker Water Moon Temple disciples had to release spirit force to protect themselves from the aftershock.

The wave was split apart by the star river. Zhao Jiuge’s expression changed. The 15th strike was already so powerful, it was difficult to imagine what the last three strikes would be like. Could it be that Yun Zhengen’s spirit core’s grade was the same as his?

However, Zhao Jiuge had no chance to see the power of the last three strikes because Yu Zhengen wouldn’t have the chance to use them.

When the wave and star river disappeared, a silver moon formed by several rays of sword energy appeared. Yu Zhengen’s eyes were filled with shock as the silver moon flew toward his body.

They had been exchanging blows for a while now, and he didn’t think Zhao Jiuge had been holding back. After releasing a powerful attack to block the 15th strike, Zhao Jiuge still had the power to release a second strike.

He had just released a strike, so the spirit force in his body had stalled for a moment. How could he have the time to block the silver moon that had suddenly appeared?

During the moment Yu Zhengen’s expression changed, his mind rapidly thought of different ways he could survive this attack. However, Zhao Jiuge’s timing was very good—he had picked the perfect moment. Yu Zhengen had many ways of defending against the attack, but he didn’t have any spirit force to use them.

Although this was only a brief moment of time, even if he took out a treasure, he would still have to inject spirit force into it to protect himself.

Seeing the silver moon made of sword energy closing in, he could feel a prickling sensation on his skin. Yu Zhengen knew he could no longer hesitate. He clenched his teeth and endured the heartache he felt as he took out an item.

Yu Zhengen was suddenly holding a brown and black puppet. The puppet was about ? of a meter tall. It was composed of ghost wood and the outside was wrapped in a material from the Barbarian Forest. The entire puppet was tied up in a blood-red rope.

The puppet’s forehead had a shining blood-mark. Yu Zhengen had already dropped his blood on it, and it was used to save his life.

A faint and mysterious spirit pattern appeared on the surface of the puppet. This was given to him by his teacher to be used to save his life at a critical moment. It was only good for one use and was rather precious. It was said to come from the Hundred Thousand Mountain Range in the Barbarian Forest.

In order to save his life, Yu Zhengen had to disregard how precious it was. After all, if that sword energy landed on his body, he would die due to not having any spirit force protecting him. Normally, he would just be seriously injured, but the gap Zhao Jiuge had found was too good!

He threw the puppet into the air and the looming spirit formation around it was activated. The blood drop on its forehead was particularly eye-catching.

This puppet didn’t need spirit force to activate; it was activated by spirit force fluctuations. The silver moon that was flying toward Yu Zhengen suddenly changed directions and flew toward the puppet instead. Zhao Jiuge was shocked. It looked like there were too many mysterious things in this world.

All the sword energy landed on the puppet and then a muffled sound echoed. The puppet fell from the sky and laid on the ground. At this moment, the puppet was completely dark and didn’t show any hint of the spirit pattern that was on it.

Although the main attack had been attracted by the puppet, Yu Zhengen was still injured by the shockwave. However, the injury wasn’t serious.

There were a few marks on his golden sword robe and a few streaks of blood flowing out. All Giant Sword Sect disciples practiced body refinement; otherwise, the injuries would’ve been worse.

It was already obvious who was stronger.

“I’ll be taking the Seven-Colored Flowing Light Grass. Do you still have a problem with that? Remember to watch your mouth. You can eat wantonly, but you can’t speak carelessly. This time, I’ve just given you a little lesson.”

Seeing this situation, Zhao Jiuge no longer intended to kill him. Although he had the intent to kill earlier, the dispute between them wasn’t that big of a deal. He wasn’t a ruthless person that would kill innocent people. The two of them were both disciples from orthodox sects, so it wasn’t good for them to kill each other.

“I’m not convinced!”

Now that he could use his spirit force again, he was filled with anger because his precious treasure had been used. He let out a loud roar and the vein on his forehead popped.

This Giant 18 Fold Waves was interrupted. Even with his grade-6 spirit core and his mid stage Spirit Core Realm cultivation, he wouldn’t be able to use it again.

However, although he couldn’t use the spell, he could still use his spirit force. Yu Zhengen didn’t think much and launched several rays of sword energy. He was very angry about losing face before his two junior brothers and the disciples from the Water Moon Temple. He was unconvinced, feeling that Zhao Jiuge had just gotten lucky.

Zhao Jiuge’s expression sank when he saw this and cursed, “I gave you face, but you didn’t take it.”

He wanted to end this matter like this since he was going to obtain the Seven-Colored Flowing Light Grass. However, he didn’t think Yu Zhengen would still want to fight. After being provoked again and again, Zhao Jiuge let out a cold snort. Some people wouldn’t learn until you taught them a lesson!