Chapter 157 A Battle of Ruthlessness

As Shui Zhi spoke, he revealed two tokens with a flip of his hand.

“These are from two Blood Kill Camp students I killed three days ago. Do you know them?” Shui Zhi asked. The smile on his pretty-boy face would make anyone who saw it shiver uncontrollably.

Lin Xun looked over and confirmed that the two tokens were from Blood Kill Camp students. It was impossible to falsify the tokens.

Also smiling, Lin Xun casually wiped off the blood on his blade and remarked, “You seem to be rather proud of yourself?”

The two individuals were separated by only a hundred feet. Although they looked like two friends casually chatting, the atmosphere was strangely suffocating.

The miasma in the forest seemed incapable of enduring the suffocating pressure any longer and suddenly scattered in all directions.

“The stronger the opponent, the prouder I will feel when I kill them. These two were not worthy.”

Shui Zhi waved the two tokens in his hand as a smile blossomed on his thin lips, “Do you think killing you will make me feel proud?”

He kept the two tokens and began to toy with his bronze short-blade as killing intent stealthily crept out in his night-blue whirlpool-like eyes.

The atmosphere turned increasingly oppressive as a terrifying pressure spread from Shui Zhi’s slim body.

“Why so much nonsense when you’re going to kill me? I’d like to ask my own question as well. Do you agree when I say you’re lacking in the intelligence department?”

Lin Xun stood straight as he smiled and looked at Shui Zhi. The aura around Lin Xun’s body was akin to a volcano that was about to erupt at any moment.

“Haha.” Shui Zhi laughed loudly, “Such tricks might work on brainless idiots, but it is laughable to use them on me.”

Lin Xun earnestly replied, “I don’t think it’s funny. In my view, you’re a complete dumbass and can’t be much stronger than your so-called brainless idiots.”

Shui Zhi asked, “Oh? Shall we compare our skills then?”

“Stupid, do you even need to ask?” Lin Xun had already drawn his blade and dashed forward.

Swoosh!

A sharp blade sliced through the air at a precise and vicious angle; it was a simple and direct attack.

Lin Xun had been constantly probing the other party during their brief conversation, hoping to find an opening. However, it had ultimately been a fruitless endeavor. This made Lin Xun realize that this opponent was very different from the norm and battle was probably the only place he would have any chance of finding an opening.

“You look like you’re in a rush. Could you have used up too much energy and plan to end this as quickly as you can?”

Shui Zhi softly chuckled as a cold and cruel smile rose from the corners of his lips. At the same time, his body also dashed forward.

Bzz!

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

His blade emitted a peculiar hum as if excited to feast on fresh blood as it also hacked towards its opponent in the most simplest and direct manner.

Lin Xun did not dodge and the blade instantly penetrated his right shoulder with a shlick, causing a spurt of blood.

Shui Zhi was slightly taken aback. Soon after, his eyes narrowed as he subconsciously attempted to continue pushing the blade through with a roar.

However, Lin Xun had already taken the opportunity to charge into Shui Zi’s chest and execute a twisting thrust from the Defeat Army Blade, leaving a bloody wound on his chest.

It was a fighting style where you intentionally received an attack to deal damage!

Shui Zhi had never imagined that Lin Xun would engage in such a vicious and crazy tactic from the start.

However, Lin Xun had also underestimated Shui Zhi’s response. If it was anyone else, they would have probably opted to avoid first and try to take things slow in this situation.

Shui Zhi had not done so. After receiving the attack, he stifled a groan and exerted force through his bronze short blade. The blade ripped apart Lin Xun’s left shoulder, tearing off a chunk of flesh to reveal the eerie white bone beneath.

At the same time, Shui Zhi’s right arm ruthlessly smashed at Lin Xun’s head.

Comparing who is more vicious?

I, Shui Zhi, have never been afraid of anyone!

In an instant, the two individuals exchanged over a dozen blows in close quarters. The bronze short blade and the Defeat Army Blade ferociously clashed, both pulsing with an air of reckless desperation.

Blood continuously sputtered as alarming wounds rapidly appeared on both of their bodies. However, neither party showed any substantial change in expression.

In fact, neither of them made any noise either.

From a distance, it looked like two ruffians were competing to see who was tougher. Although their moves were simple, a true expert would understand how terrifying the battle actually was.

It was not a contest of technique but guts and resolve!

Thud!

Moments later, the two combatants suddenly separated.

Lin Xun’s entire body was covered in blood and wounds, and the rapidly flowing blood made him seem as if he was a blood man. However, his handsome face was cold and impassive and his emotionless eyes seemed to flash like lightning.

On the other side, Shui Zhi’s hair was messily scattered and his body was also riddled with wounds. His pretty-boy face was ice-cold as if he had no emotion.

Sparks flew as the two individuals’ gazes clashed. With cold snorts, they charged forward again to engage in close combat.

Thud thud thud!

There were no screams and no conversation, only the dull thud of objects colliding, the sound of blood spurting and metal slicing into flesh.

These noises did not give off any pressure but they did give rise to fear and made people’s scalps turn numb.

It was a battle where life and death would be determined by mere inches and any slight delay in response might lead to death.

At the same time, it was also a very unique and rare fight. Both parties displayed similar strength, technique, resolve, and battle instinct. Otherwise, such a situation would never have occurred.

After all, a slightly weaker or less strong-willed person would have been killed long ago!

Fifteen minutes later.

The two combatants split off once again.

Lin Xun panted heavily, and some of his long, bloody hair was stuck to his face. His body resembled a beehive that had been pierced full of holes. There were too many wounds to count and bone was even visible in some places.

On the other hand, Shui Zhi was in a similar state.

Anyone else would feel like escaping in such circumstances. Or their wills would have crumbled, making them give up.

However, neither Lin Xun’s nor Shui Zhi’s had wavered even the slightest from start to end.

Their eyes were tightly locked onto each other with both seeing the other’s killing intent and will to fight.

Both of them knew that whoever fell first would lose.

Such a person can’t be allowed to live!

The same thought flashed in their heads.

From this, it was clear that both individuals had already recognized the other as a true threat that needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible to prevent potential problems in the future.

However, just as they prepared to attack again, the sound of rushing wind was heard from the distant forest. Something was rapidly approaching them.

Both individuals’ pupils shrank slightly as their gazes collided once more as if saying: the next time we meet will be your death!

The two backed away in unison.

Neither party could determine who was coming and neither dared to bet it was their ally. Hence, they did not hesitate to withdraw.

A group of figures soon appeared and found Lin Xun’s and Shui Zhi’s battlefield. It was Shaman Ye Ling, Lie Ke, and the others.

“It’s Shui Zhi’s aura!”

“He must have fought against the enemy!”

One of the brute experts exclaimed, managing to sniff out Shui Zhi’s scent from the traces on the battlefield.

“He must have found the culprit.” Shaman Ye Ling’s expression sank, “We were a step late.”

“How hateful!” Lie Ke ground his teeth. They had not dared to make any noise while they approached. Who could have expected that their arrival had spoiled Shui Zhi’s battle?

“The culprit should have been seriously injured and escaped in that direction!” Shaman Ye Ling pointed in a certain direction, “Shui Zhi probably fled in another direction. It must have been because he was also gravely injured. Otherwise, he would never have left like this.”

“Shaman Ye Ling, where should we go? Do we save Shui Zhi or continue pursuing the culprit?” Lie Ke was uncertain what their next course of action should be.

Shui Zhi was one of the outstanding geniuses of the younger generation who was supremely talented and was highly regarded by the higher-ups in the tribe. If something unfortunate happened to him in this dangerous forest because of his injuries, the consequences would be dire.

However, they absolutely could not give up on chasing the culprit either because he had the Water Tribe’s sacred treasure. How could they allow the enemy to take away their supreme treasure?

“We go after the culprit!” The one to answer was not Ye Ling but Shui Zhi, who suddenly emerged from the forest. He had returned.

The sight of him made those present both excited and alarmed. He was in really bad shape, with countless wounds dotting every corner of his body and blood still rapidly flowing from them.

“What are you guys still standing around for? Quickly go and chase him!” Shui Zhi was slightly pissed. If these idiots had not suddenly arrived and interrupted the battle, Lin Xun might have already been slain.

Lie Ke and the others returned to their senses. They gritted their teeth, turned around, and dashed into the forest.

Only Shaman Ye Ling stayed behind. He worriedly looked at Shui Zhi, “Shui Zhi, your injuries…”

“I’m fine.” Shui Zhi frostily interrupted. Clearly peeved, he asked, “Why did you guys appear here? Do you know that your arrival ruined things for me!”

Shaman Ye Ling displayed a bitter expression, “That person killed several of our tribesmen but more importantly, he stole our sacred treasure, the Heavenly Water Sacred Bead!”

“What!”

A chilling light shot from Shui Zhi’s eyes as his expression darkened, “What a bunch of useless idiots! Why did you not report such important news earlier!?”

Shaman Ye Ling’s expression grew increasingly bitter, “There are many of the empire’s soldiers in Demon Cloud Ridge. If news of the sacred treasure got out, things would become too problematic.”

Shui Zhi coldly said, “More like you’re afraid of the tribe’s punishment!”

Shaman Ye Ling fell silent. Shui Zhi had identified his greatest worry.

Shui Zhi took a deep breath and commanded, “Send out a signal to tell all the water tribe experts in Demon Cloud Ridge to gather here immediately! We must take back the sacred treasure this time at all cost!”

Shaman Ye Ling’s expression changed drastically, “We cannot. It will create too huge of a disturbance and draw too much attention!”

Shui Zhi retorted, “Who cares about such things as long as we seize back the sacred treasure?”

His attitude was firm.

Shaman Ye Ling’s expression changed indeterminately for a long time. In the end, he gritted his teeth, retrieved a black bone horn, and placed it on his lips.

Woowoowoo~~

Black circular light rippled from the horn and stealthily spread in all directions.