Blind Spot
Chapter 555 - 510 bad luck four

Chapter 555: 510 bad luck four

"Brother Bailu, it’s been so long, do you still remember Yuan Qi?" a man in green robes with antlers on his forehead called out to him with a smile and a wave.

"Yuan Qi!" Li Chengyi laughed. "Of course, I remember."

Back then, when he had gone to the Suyue Sect, the first person he sparred with was Yuan Qi, who had been guarding the gate.

"It’s been three years since we’ve seen each other, and I’ve greatly improved. Dare you try a match with me?" Yuan Qi’s face revealed an eager anticipation.

"This... isn’t that a bit...," Li Chengyi hesitated.

"What’s there to hesitate about? Come, come, we’ll stop when one acknowledges defeat," Yuan Qi enthusiastically said.

"Mainly, I’m afraid I might accidentally hurt you... after all, a visitor should be a friend," Li Chengyi said helplessly.

"So confident?" Yuan Qi’s expression stiffened, his interest now piqued even more.

As the strongest among the Qingying Group leading the team this time, he had the task of assessing the next generation of the Faceless Sword Sect.

He didn’t expect that upon just meeting, he would encounter Bailu, the same person he had lost to years ago.

"We haven’t even fought yet, and you’re so sure you’ll win? Do you still think it’s three years ago?" Yuan Qi raised his eyebrows.

"How about this?" Li Chengyi smiled, "I’ve been wanting to add some Snow Lotus to The Garden recently, not those with pale yellow and black cores; I want other types. If I win, Brother Yuan, how about you gift me some of these Snow Lotus flowers, regardless of their age?"

"Fair enough, and if I win?" Yuan Qi smiled.

"Whatever I have with me, you can choose," Li Chengyi generously offered.

"Good! It’s a deal!" Yuan Qi declared loudly.

The two quickly came to an agreement and immediately headed to a nearby dueling platform used specifically for internal disciple matches.

Given their level of strength, naturally, they had to use a platform designated for overseer-level duels.

One was the leader of the Four Junior Swords of the younger generation of the Sword Sect, and the other was a young master leading the team from the Suyue Sect.

An outer sect master challenging Li Chengyi was such an attraction that it immediately drew a crowd of onlookers.

They had just stepped onto the platform, taken their positions, and activated the protective formation.

Then they saw a group of elders who had been chatting at the Four Seas Pavilion also come out, each with an interested look, pausing at a distance to watch the battle.

The elder from the Suyue Sect was a beautiful woman with rabbit ears, accompanied by the senior brother Huo Qingkong, and the gentle-faced Elder Mu Ling.

Aside from them, about a dozen more people surrounded one of the coming figures. There were people from both their sects among them.

Li Chengyi could feel the constant gazes falling on him, bringing a subtle touch of perception.

Especially the look from Huo Qingkong, as it swept over him, was like a knife—sharp and very distinct.

He felt a chill in his heart and respectfully saluted the senior brother and others from afar.

Huo Qingkong had changed noticeably from three years ago; his demeanor remained gentle and polite, but there was an indescribable oddness to his ever-smiling face.

"Ready!" Bai He, the judge, called out loudly.

Li Chengyi quickly regained his focus and looked across the ten or so meters to Yuan Qi.

"Begin!"

As the word fell, Yuan Qi’s body swelled up and, in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a three-meter-tall figure, covered in black fur, with green glowing runes and bands circling and flying around him.

To guard against any surprise attacks from the Faceless Sword Sect, he had maximized his defenses immediately.

Once he confirmed that Li Chengyi hadn’t made a move, he somewhat relaxed, bent over, concentrated, and locked eyes with his opponent.

"Be careful...."

"Please." Li Chengyi gently drew out the Dingyuan Sword, pointing it diagonally toward the ground.

Whoosh!

In an instant, a flash of green light, and Yuan Qi had already crossed the distance of the arena, aiming a claw strike directly at Li Chengyi’s chest.

Swish!

The attack missed its mark.

With a slight turn of his body, Li Chengyi evaded the blow.

Even with just a few speed-enhancing Origin Seals, the gap between them was simply too vast.

So vast that even with his own weaknesses, he could easily handle his opponent’s moves.

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!!

Green flashes followed one after another, with Yuan Qi accelerating constantly, clawing madly at Li Chengyi time and again.

But to no avail, his claws seemed only a bit short each time, yet that small bit might as well have been a chasm.

On the stage, streaks of green light circled Li Chengyi without ceasing, but no matter how hard he tried or which moves he executed, they only ever brushed past Li Chengyi.

Without any superfluous movement, Li Chengyi merely tilted his head, turned his body, and stepped aside with such simple actions, he perfectly dodged Yuan Qi’s all-out offensive.

This vast disparity was not only evident to the Elders and officials watching the battle, but also to Bai He and Zhao Yuan, and even the other weaker direct disciples could clearly see the huge gap between the two combatants.

"It’s no wonder he’s known as the ’Little Qing Kong.’ Disciple Bai Lu’s strength is truly extraordinary," Elder Tu remarked, watching Li Chengyi with a glint of indescribable shine in his eyes.

"That may be, but Disciple Bai Lu is Disciple Bai Lu, and I am me; our future paths are not the same," Huo Qingkong replied with a smile.

"Perhaps... but he really does remind me of your early days... With such strength, even we can’t fathom the depth..." Elder Tu responded.

Huo Qingkong smiled and focused his gaze on Li Chengyi, seemingly admiring his junior brother’s duel, but in fact, his brow furrowed slightly, as if he had discovered something about Li Chengyi.

’This kid named Bai Lu seems rather unusual...’ the Demon Emperor’s voice echoed once more in his ear.

’That’s none of your concern,’ Huo Qingkong responded inwardly.

’In the entire sect, only two Elders and your leader are beyond my sight, but now, a mere teenager has managed to do the same... quite astonishing,’ the Demon Emperor mused.

’It’s fine, being the foremost who can suppress all others, he is bound to have his own secrets,’ Huo Qingkong replied.

’But no matter what secrets or talents he possesses, he could never compare to you,’ stated the Demon Emperor.

Huo Qingkong did not respond, for he believed this as well.

Deep within him, a figure enshrouded in black aura sat cross-legged, floating silently, waiting for the right moment to unleash its full power and break free from all restraints.

’The technique you provided is indeed extremely powerful, the calamitous qi was easily suppressed.’

’But you don’t have much time left. Hehehehe!’ the Demon Emperor laughed, ’The malevolent aspect that is gathering strength is becoming more potent. If you continue to simply suppress it, it won’t be long before you can no more, and it will completely replace you. So... the fusion of good and evil is the only path ahead for you!

Once integrated, your power will reach its pinnacle in an instant, surpass the Nineteen Seals, ignite the True Fire in a complete Realm, exceed your master, and become the strongest in the Faceless Sword Sect!

By then, what great tribulation, what destined calamity, they all shall be mere ants beneath your sword, dispelled with a mere wave of your hand.’

Huo Qingkong again remained silent, turning back to the present to discuss the details of martial prowess between the two sects with Elder Tu.

On the stage, Li Chengyi had already evaded at least dozens of strikes.

He decided it was time to end this uninteresting sparring.

"Be careful, I’m about to strike back."

Li Chengyi gently clutched the hilt of his sword, gazing at the green-glowing figure flying toward him.

There were no special moves, no dodging.

Just a draw of the sword, one swing.

Whoosh!!

A flash of silver light zipped by.

Yuan Qi passed by from the side and heavily fell to the ground, half kneeling without moving.

Thin lines of blood began to appear on his shoulder.

"I’ve lost..." He stood up with some disappointment in his voice.

Although he had anticipated that he would likely be defeated, the magnitude of the gap... still far exceeded his imagination.

"I concede," Li Chengyi nodded with a smile.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve sparred with Brother Bailu, today I also wish to try."

Suddenly, from below, Zhao Yuan also flipped over, entering the stage in an instant.

This member of the Four Junior Swords who had grown considerably, her strength was much greater than it was three years ago.

Her eyes, fixed on Li Chengyi, were filled with the flames of fighting spirit.

"No problem, anyone who wishes to try can come up one by one after this," said Li Chengyi, his expression gentle. It was very similar to Huo Qingkong from back in the day.

At these words, Zhao Yuan’s expression subtly changed.

Because the subtext of his statement was that dealing with her would require very little time, leaving plenty more for fights with others.

"Still so arrogant..." Zhao Yuan bit her lip, "Compared to three years ago, I am no longer the weakling I once was!!"

With a low shout, she leaped into the air.

Drew her sword.

Instant Prison!!

A streak of lightning-like cyan sword light burst forth, slashing towards the Dingyuan Sword in Li Chengyi’s hand.

She wanted to prove it!

Prove the struggles and efforts she’d made day and night for these three years!

Prove that she, Zhao Yuan, also had the talent and the right to stand beside the eldest brother!

If she could defeat Bailu in front of the eldest brother and become the strongest among the Four Junior Swords...

He would certainly...

Clang!!

A crisp sword ring exploded beside Zhao Yuan’s ear.

At that moment, her sword light, like an out-of-control kite, lifted and flew off into the high sky, disappearing from sight.

On the stage, a long sword’s edge quietly hovered at Zhao Yuan’s throat.

It was indeed the Dingyuan Sword from Li Chengyi’s hand.

"I concede, Junior Sister," Li Chengyi said with a smile as he withdrew his sword.

Another sword strike!

At this moment, the crowd below had started to feel that something was amiss.

Two people in a row had been defeated by a single sword strike, and while Yuan Qi’s precise level of expertise wasn’t well known among those from the Suyue Sect,

Zhao Yuan, who came afterward, was one of the Four Junior Swords who frequently showed her skills in front of everyone.

Many were aware of her strength, and aside from the other members of the Four Junior Swords, no disciple was a match for her.

But such an expert, who had even formed the Origin Seal...

Standing on the stage, Zhao Yuan’s pretty face turned from green to pale as she descended in silence with her sword, not uttering a word, her eyes reddening - the blow was clearly a heavy one.

"Let me try!!" At times like these, there’s always someone willing to play the hero.

A tall man dressed in the black attire of an official, wielding a sword stepped onto the stage, his gaze fixed on Li Chengyi.

"I am Feng Yun, Brother Bailu; please."

"Please," Li Chengyi once again raised his sword, turning to face his opponent.

"Be careful, I have broken through the sixth layer of the sword technique; my attack is far from comparable to the previous two," Feng Yun said earnestly.

Seconds later.

A streak of sword light flashed by.

Feng Yun clutched his wrist, his face flushing red as he staggered off the stage.

Yet another sword strike.

Even an official had been defeated!

A new wave of noise erupted from the crowd below.

Then another person stepped onto the stage.

Again, just one sword strike.

One sword.

One sword.

One sword.

Each person who came up to challenge Li Chengyi was defeated by a single sword strike.

After fifteen battles against fifteen challengers, Li Chengyi remained unchallenged on the stage, standing like an unbeatable peak growing ever more majestic.

The disciples who were initially just watching the spectacle, their expressions changed drastically.

Those who followed onto the stage were almost all at the level of an official.

There was even a high-ranking official who had perfected the Faceless Sword Technique, the foundational skill, to completion.

But such a strong practitioner was still subdued... by just one sword.

That was a master who had condensed the Four Seals!!

After defeating the last person, Li Chengyi felt it was about enough; he hadn’t expected that Zhao Yuan’s challenge would bring such a commotion, but establishing his prestige in this manner wasn’t a bad outcome at all.

He was also ready to step down from the stage.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve crossed swords with you; why don’t I join in,"

A clear male voice rang out not too far away.

Li Chengyi’s heart gave a jolt as he looked up in the direction of the voice.

It was Huo Qingkong!