Infinite Regressor: SSS-Ranked Skill In Cultivation World!
Chapter 69: Forgotten Dark Forest (2)

Chapter 69: Forgotten Dark Forest (2)

Fang Yu’s pupils contracted.

"You... you know my cultivation level." His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "You’ve been watching me."

’There it is,’ Shi Jing thought with satisfaction.

Without warning, Fang Yu lunged forward, his rusted blade cutting through the air with surprising speed.

The crimson streaks along the metal left trails of bloody light as he aimed directly for Shi Jing’s throat.

"Seven Blood Finger — First Finger!" Fang Yu roared, his desperate qi pouring into the attack.

Shi Jing sidestepped effortlessly, his movement technique flowing like mist in the wind.

To Fang Yu’s eyes, it appeared as though Shi Jing had simply... flickered out of existence for a split second.

’This movement technique again,’ Elder Wang observed from his hiding spot, his eyes gleaming with interest.

’No matter how many times I see it, I still can’t fully grasp its principles.’

"Impressive," Shi Jing commented as he reappeared three steps to the left, completely unruffled.

"That sword art... it’s not from the Sword Cloud Manor’s orthodox methods, is it?"

Fang Yu spun around, his face pale with exertion and shock. "Impossible... how did you—"

"Avoid your attack?" Shi Jing finished, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Perhaps the real question is: why are you so eager to kill someone who hasn’t even drawn a weapon?"

Indeed, Shi Jing’s hands remained empty, his posture relaxed and non-threatening. Yet something about his calm demeanor only served to make Fang Yu more agitated.

"You’re toying with me!" Fang Yu snarled, raising his sword again.

"Fine! If you want to see my true power—"

"Your true power?" Shi Jing interrupted, his tone shifting slightly colder.

"I’ve already seen it. A demonic sword art. Tell me, Fang Yu of the Sword Cloud Manor, where did you get this?"

Fang Yu froze, his sword trembling in his grip. "How... how do you know my name?"

Shi Jing’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it.

"The same way I know about the forbidden technique you stole, the elders you betrayed, and the blood debt you’ve accumulated over these past months."

’That’s a lie I made up on the spot, but seeing his state, I doubt he would be able to reason out the truth.’ He thought inwardly.

The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, as if the very trees were waiting to witness what would unfold next.

Fang Yu’s face went through a spectrum of emotions—shock, fear, rage, and finally, a twisted sort of resignation.

"So you do know," he whispered, his voice carrying the weight of a man who had nothing left to lose. "Then you also know that I can’t let you leave this forest alive."

The crimson streaks on his sword began to pulse more violently, and a nauseating aura of decay began to emanate from the blade.

The surrounding vegetation actually began to wither where the aura touched it.

"Blood Corrosion Art!" Fang Yu screamed, pouring every ounce of his qi into this art.

"If I’m going to die anyway, I’ll drag you down with me!"

The rusted sword began to drip with actual blood—whether his own or from his previous victims, Shi Jing couldn’t tell.

But the technique was undeniably powerful, far beyond what a Middle-Stage Qi-Refinement cultivator should be capable of.

’Ah,’ Shi Jing realized with interest.

’So this is what he stole. A Blood Art. No wonder the Sword Cloud Manor wants him dead so badly.’

How could a righteous force such as the Sword Cloud Manor let its disciple escape knowing that they used a Blood Art?

One has to know that Blood Art is forbidden. Regardless of the Demonic Path, or Righteous Path forces, they all hunt Blood Art Cultivator with devout effort.

This is perhaps due to the innate nature of the Blood Art itself.

At this moment.

Elder Wang’s eyes widened from his concealment.

’Blood cultivation? This Fang Yu is more dangerous than the reports indicated. But this works even better—let them exhaust themselves with these trifle conflicts.’

Shi Jing remained motionless as Fang Yu charged toward him, the corrupted blade leaving a trail of withering destruction in its wake.

At the last possible moment, when the sword was mere inches from his chest, Shi Jing moved.

But this time, instead of simply dodging, he reached out with two fingers and caught the blade between them.

The sound of metal grinding against what seemed like indestructible stone echoed through the forest. Sparks flew as the corrupted qi met an immovable barrier.

"Impossible!" Fang Yu gasped, straining against Shi Jing’s effortless grip.

"No Qi-Refinement cultivator can stop the Blood Corrosion Art with bare hands!"

Shi Jing’s expression remained serene, though there was now a glint of something dangerous in his eyes.

"You’re absolutely right," he said quietly. "No Qi-Refinement cultivator could."

With a flick of his wrist, Shi Jing sent Fang Yu stumbling backward, the rusted sword spinning from his grasp to embed itself in a nearby tree.

The tree immediately began to rot and crumble.

"W-what are you?" Fang Yu stammered, scrambling to retrieve his weapon.

"I told you already," Shi Jing replied, brushing imaginary dust from his fingers.

"Just a passerby. Though..." he paused, his gaze growing thoughtful.

"I must admit, your technique is quite fascinating. But to think someone would be desperate enough to cultivate with blood art. The Sword Cloud Manor’s intelligence clearly inadequate."

’He’s probing,’ Elder Wang realized from his hiding spot. ’But what is his true cultivation level? Those movements, that defense... could he be hiding his realm?’

Fang Yu yanked his sword from the dying tree, his breathing ragged. "You’re playing with me," he snarled. "Fine! If conventional attacks won’t work—"

He bit down hard on his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto his blade.

The crimson streaks flared with renewed intensity, and his aura suddenly spiked beyond the Middle-Stage of Qi-Refinement.

"Blood Sacrifice Burst!" Fang Yu roared. "I’ll burn my life force if necessary!"

’Foolish,’ Shi Jing thought, watching as Fang Yu’s lifespan visibly shortened with each passing second.

’His mental state is deteriorating at such extreme rate that he’s willing to cripple himself for a single attack. Fortunately, this is better for me...’

Instead of preparing a defense, Shi Jing did something unexpected. He began to retreat, his movements seeming slightly more urgent than before.

"Backing away now?" Fang Yu laughed maniacally as he pursued. "Too late! The Blood Sacrifice Burst can’t be stopped once it’s begun!"