Chapter 367 Battle of Xiaoyao
"Xiaoyaozi can see other dimensions? That can't be right..." Hao Jiu thought it might be a coincidence.
"It doesn't matter. I'm just about to test this man's abilities." Xiang Yu was certain that he and Xiaoyaozi had just made eye contact across the distance, but he didn't believe that Xiaoyaozi had actually seen him. Perhaps it was just his intuition.
Although Lingjiu Palace is large, at Xiang Yu's current speed, he can get anywhere in the blink of an eye.
The so-called forbidden area in the back mountain is actually a burial ground, or an ancient battlefield.
In short, it has existed for a very, very long time, perhaps even longer than Lingjiu Palace, so long that the undead and the like have long since disappeared.
Within the forbidden area, Xiaoyaozi stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed at a 45-degree angle to the upper right, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.
"He's quite the actor. Why don't we walk around him and see if he can actually see us?" Hao Jiu suggested.
"Since you've come, why not show yourself?" Xiaoyaozi's voice was loud and clear, showing no signs of aging. His white hair and beard only added to his charm.
Xiang Yu opened an air door from the side, slowly stepped out of the alternate dimension, and turned to look at Xiaoyaozi. He saw that the other party was obviously stunned, seemingly not expecting that his words would actually trick someone into appearing, and in such an abrupt way.
You must know that there is no cover in that area. Anyone who comes must either use earth magic or a sleight of hand, and they must be extremely skilled, otherwise they will never escape Xiaoyaozi's notice.
"You sensed me?" Xiang Yu thought to himself that martial arts were truly a mysterious thing. First, Zhongxing Shuo broke through the domineering defense of the clone, and now Xiaoyaozi could even sense the existence of another dimension.
"Your magic is superb. What brings you to my Xiaoyao Sect?" Xiaoyaozi was still recalling the scene of the other party's appearance. First the feet, then the legs, and then the body, it was as if the other party had walked out of a room. It was something he had never heard of before.
Suddenly, an imperial sword appeared in Xiang Yu's hand. "If you use a sword, then I'll use a sword too. If you win, I'll tell you; if you lose..."
"What if we lose?" Xiaoyaozi instantly felt an invisible pressure, an inexplicable sense of crisis, a feeling he hadn't experienced in decades.
Unexpectedly, besides that bald monk, there is someone in this world whose martial arts cultivation has reached such a level, and at such a young age. The killing power emanating from him can only be described as overwhelming.
This is a true powerhouse who emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
"If you lose, you'll come with me and give up everything here." Xiang Yu said, then slung the Emperor's Sword behind his back. "Make your move! Use your strongest techniques, don't hold back!"
"So that's how it is. You misunderstood and thought that you only wanted to fight me because you saw me? Then I'll give it my best. But even if I lose, I won't go with you. You can make other demands. As long as it doesn't violate morality, I will keep my word! But if I win, you will join the Free and Unfettered Sect and call me Master!"
After speaking, Xiaoyaozi immediately took action, using the Lingbo Weibu (a martial arts technique) at will, which was far superior to Duan Yu's mediocre skills.
However, the words spoken by Xiaoyaozi before using the Lingbo Weibu technique already contained internal energy, and were one of Xiaoyaozi's ultimate skills: Transmitting Sound and Capturing Soul! Those with weak minds can even be controlled by the opponent!
Xiang Yu only felt slightly uncomfortable. He could withstand the old devil Shou Jun's bewitching magic, so how could this little trick have any effect on him?
Swish, swish, swish...
In an instant, Xiaoyaozi unleashed thirty-six sword strikes, which were the ultimate sword techniques contained in the six styles of the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, which could only be performed by those with supreme internal energy cultivation.
Both are Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand techniques, but Xiaoyaozi's version is at least several times more powerful than Tianshan Child Granny's. It is truly unpredictable, unpredictable, and dazzling.
"Hit him?" Xiaoyaozi wondered, puzzled that his opponent hadn't dodged or evaded at all!
A loud crackling sound followed, and sparks flew everywhere!
Xiang Yu's current use of domineering aura is far stronger than when he fought the vampire system. Ordinary people can't even touch Xiang Yu's clothes, as they are all blocked by the needle-like armor formed by his domineering aura.
However, six of Xiaoyaozi's swords touched Xiang Yu's clothes, but they were completely blocked by his Haki and Armament Haki, leaving no wounds whatsoever.
Xiaoyaozi was shocked. “Indestructible? No, if you hadn’t deliberately let me have my way, I wouldn’t have even been able to cut your clothes. Your inner strength is so powerful that it’s materialized?”
Xiang Yu did indeed hold back just now, testing Xiaoyaozi's attack power by adjusting the strength of the needle armor, but the result was that it was not as good as Zhongxing Shuo's fusion of the Sunflower Manual and the Star Absorbing Technique.
"You didn't use your full strength, so I'll fight you until you do. You'd better dodge!" Xiang Yu said, then symbolically swung his sword lightly, and a huge sword aura formed from domineering energy flew over!
Whoosh!
Xiaoyaozi dared not be careless and hurriedly used Lingbo Weibu to dodge the attack by relying on his senses. At the same time, he channeled his true energy and internal force into the blade of his sword, turning complexity into simplicity to stab Xiang Yu in the ribs.
boom!
The rocks in the distance of the forbidden area crumbled, and Xiang Yu's domineering sword blade cleaved a terrifying crack in them.
bite!
The sword in Xiaoyaozi's hand was slightly bent and could not advance an inch, but it was firmly pressed against Xiang Yu's skin, and there was still a follow-up attack.
"Be careful!" Xiaoyaozi smiled slightly. Although the opponent's sword that split mountains and shattered rocks was powerful and the defense that was impervious to blades and spears was invincible, he also had his own way of countering it. It was the Xiaoyao Sect's ultimate technique, the Beiming Divine Art, which could absorb people's internal energy!
In "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", Duan Yu often loses control when using the Beiming Divine Skill to absorb other people's internal energy, and his body must be in contact with the other person's body. However, Xiaoyaozi's Beiming Divine Skill can be used through a sword!
"You also know the Star Absorbing Technique?" Xiang Yu asked in surprise, as he sensed that the killing intent that had not yet been transformed into domineering energy was rapidly decreasing.
"What I used was our sect's ultimate technique, the Northern Darkness Divine Art, not the Star-Absorbing Technique you mentioned." Xiaoyaozi was horrified. When he first activated the Northern Darkness Divine Art, he didn't absorb anything. After activating it at full power, it finally had an effect, but what was he absorbing? There was no internal energy at all, just terrifying killing intent that made people tremble!
In fact, the Star Absorbing Technique originated from the Northern Darkness Divine Art, but its power was greatly reduced because some of the techniques were lost.
However, because Zhongxing Shuo had a system, his Star Absorbing Technique could be combined with the Sunflower Manual, and its power actually rivaled that of the Northern Darkness Divine Art.
After all, the Sunflower Manual is an extremely powerful and unparalleled martial art. When it is renamed the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, it can even stir up a bloody storm in the martial arts world, and there are countless people who desperately want to obtain it.
"Who exactly are you!" Seeing that the Northern Darkness Divine Art had no effect, Xiaoyaozi decisively retreated. Fortunately, his opponent had not displayed any powerful agility or lightness skills, so he should be able to protect himself without too much trouble. He might even have a chance to win after a period of fighting!
"I am... Xiang Yu, the Overlord! This time, it's my turn to attack, be careful!" Before Xiang Yu finished speaking, he vanished in an instant!
Xiaoyaozi, "..."
Chapter 368 A Bet's a Bet
During the battle, the enemy suddenly disappeared; either they ran away, or...
Clang!
Xiaoyaozi pushed the Lingbo Weibu technique to its limit, twisted his body to block Xiang Yu's sword, and was then sent flying by the blow!
Is it possible to use a light and agile weapon like a sword like this?
Despite Xiang Yu's previous feat of splitting a mountain in two with a single sword strike, in Xiaoyaozi's eyes, Xiang Yu's swordsmanship was not particularly skillful; he merely relied on his powerful internal energy to create a terrifying effect.
Even if he were holding a sword, he could do it barehanded.
The true test of swordsmanship lies in close-quarters combat, which demands speed, versatility, and precision, combined with body movements that allow the sword to become one with the user, as if the sword were an extension of their own arm.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Yu used his sword as a large stick or even a hammer, which was clearly meant to smash!
Isn't he afraid of breaking the sword?
Xiang Yu was not afraid, but Xiaoyaozi was!
Swish, swish, swish...
"What a fine sword!" Xiaoyaozi also realized that the sword in the other party's hand was an unusual kind of sword.
Ordinary swords can cut hair in an instant and slice through iron like mud. Although the blade is sturdy, it can't compare to a thick weapon like an iron rod or hammer. But this sword can!
The key is that the sword itself is not very heavy; the reason it can produce a hammer-like effect is precisely because the opponent's strength is so great.
Although Xiaoyaozi managed to deflect most of the force of the sword strike he had just received, the impact still caused him severe pain in his internal organs, to the point that he did not want to take a second strike.
At this moment, Xiaoyaozi remembered the other party's previous words, "You use a sword, and I will use a sword too!"
"Your preferred weapon is not a sword! I don't need your concession, I'll use what you're best at!" With that, Xiaoyaozi unleashed the Xiaoyao Sect's most superior martial art, Xiaoyao Yufeng!
Xiaoyaozi instantly took to the air. Being able to use the wind to his advantage was already a top-notch skill, but to fly by the wind was an even greater supernatural ability!
However, Xiang Yu's eyes lit up when he saw the other party fly up. "In that case, I won't be considered to have bullied you. Overlord Moon-Shaving Step!"
Whoosh!
Clang!
boom!
Earth and rocks flew everywhere!
Xiaoyaozi was actually slammed into the ground by Xiang Yu with a single blow!
Fortunately, Xiaoyaozi himself was extremely strong. With his Xiaoyao Wind Control and Lingbo Steps, he was able to turn around the moment he was buried.
But Xiaoyaozi noticed that Xiang Yu's weapon had suddenly changed to a long halberd!
Where did they hide such a huge thing before?!
Moreover, the opponent's straightforward and lightning-fast movement technique could even be used in the air.
Tap tap tap...
Xiang Yu used the Moon-Shaving Step repeatedly in the air, saying, "Your flying technique is quite good, and you can move freely in the air, but if you have no other means, then admit defeat."
Of course, Xiaoyaozi had other unique skills, such as the Tianshan Six Yang Palm, but upon closer examination, it seemed that his opponent was stronger than him in every aspect except that his moves were not as varied.
No matter how varied the moves are, they must ultimately land on the opponent and cause damage. However, the opponent's almost tangible protective aura made it impossible for Xiaoyaozi to find a way to attack.
Xiaoyaozi sighed and sheathed his sword. "I admit defeat, but I really want to know who you learned your martial arts from, to have such skill at such a young age."
"What I'm using isn't martial arts, but domineering aura. If you want to learn, I can teach you, but you have to be willing to accept the consequences and come with me." Xiang Yu put away the Overlord Divine Halberd and landed on the ground.
Xiaoyaozi's eyes widened. This time he saw it clearly: the opponent's halberd had vanished into thin air. "You have a universe hidden in your sleeve? Are you a deity?"
"Compared to mortals, it does indeed possess some divine power. But if martial arts are cultivated to the highest level, one can achieve things like flying, escaping, and living forever. Isn't that also a method of immortality?"
When Xiang Yu saw the girl, he was quite amazed. Many immortals could not achieve immortality, but he did not expect that mortals in this martial arts world had already achieved it.
However, this kind of immortality is not true immortality. One might live for a few hundred years, but there is definitely no chance of living for thousands or tens of thousands of years.
"I'm afraid even immortals have varying strengths, right? Today, Xiaoyaozi has truly experienced the saying that there are always people more powerful than you and heavens beyond heavens. Where do you want me to go with you?" Xiaoyaozi changed his mind. The other party's level had already exceeded his imagination. It seemed that even the pinnacle of martial arts that he had always pursued was not as high as this person's.
"That is another world, or perhaps many worlds. My goal is to unify all the heavens and myriad worlds. Would you like to come with me to see the scenery of the heavens and myriad worlds beyond the heavens?" Xiang Yu extended an invitation to Xiaoyaozi. This person was definitely a genius and worth recruiting.
Hao Jiu had told him that the Xiaoyao Sect was proficient in everything from medicine, divination, astrology, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, mechanics, odd jobs, trade, agriculture, drinking and singing, drinking games and riddles, the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, Qimen Dunjia, farmland irrigation, economics and military strategy.
As the founder of the Xiaoyao School, Xiaoyaozi naturally mastered all of them. Unfortunately, none of his disciples and grand-disciples were as brilliant as him. Therefore, each person could only learn a few, resulting in the loss of many of them.
Now that I've met the real Xiaoyaozi, how could I let him go? Even if it's just sweet talk and deception, I have to accept it!
"There are heavens beyond heavens, so it's true. So you came here to conquer this world? Then how do you intend to rule this world?" Xiaoyaozi asked solemnly.
"I will choose a representative from this world, someone with extraordinary strength or someone I will train to become an extraordinary powerhouse. However, they will generally not interfere with the normal operation of the world, and will only come out to save the world in the event of external invasion or a major disaster."
It's like raising the banner of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, over in this world, with my power protecting this region. At the same time, everything in this world will be at my disposal, or perhaps I won't need it, but that doesn't matter. Being able to bring peace to this region is enough.
"However, I did not come to this world just to conquer, but also to complete a mission. Do you know anyone in this world whose strength has suddenly increased dramatically, enabling them to do some things that are beyond reason and incomprehensible?" Xiang Yu asked.
"Are you really Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King from history?" How could Xiaoyaozi not have heard of Xiang Yu? At first, he thought the other party was using the name of the Hegemon-King, but now...
"Yes and no. I am Xiang Yu, the overlord of another world. With the help of a true god, I defied fate and achieved what I have today." Xiang Yu opened his golden double pupils to prove his identity.