The Unparalleled Sword Emperor
Chapter 279 - 278: The First Battle of the Imperial Banquet

Chapter 279: Chapter 278: The First Battle of the Imperial Banquet

Upon Bai Huatian’s declaration.

All the warriors present understood that the highlight of the imperial banquet had begun.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"Your Majesty is wise."

The civil and military officials echoed unanimously.

Bai Huatian let out a hearty laugh: "Alright, in that case, any warrior under the age of twenty within the Chaoyang Palace can mount the stage to challenge an opponent. If they defeat their adversary, they possess any Hunting Garden points their opponent has."

"After the banquet, warriors can use their points to exchange for any prizes from the royal family’s prize pool."

"Let’s begin."

Declared Bai Huatian.

Whoosh——

As soon as Bai Huatian’s voice fell, Qi Rui’s figure flashed up from the seats of the nobles and appeared on the martial arts stage in the center of Chaoyang Palace, approximately a kilometer in width.

"Lin Bai, come forward and face your death!"

The moment Qi Rui set foot on the stage, a loud roar resounded.

Qi Rui’s voice was full of boundless rage, his words raging like fire that burned the world.

His voice was overpowering, drowning out all other sounds.

The civil and military officials, and wealthy merchants, were all stunned, watching the furious Qi Rui.

"As expected, he’s going for Lin Bai."

"Isn’t that the case? Lin Bai upset the plans of the Prince’s Mansion, Qi Rui will definitely kill Lin Bai to vent his anger."

"Qi Rui is not someone to be trifled with. This man, with a cultivation of the Heaven Martial Realm Third Layer, who is renowned for his decisive killing and cruelty in military, is brutal."

"Yes, Lin Bai is only at the Heaven Martial Realm First Layer, it’s estimated that he might not escape death."

Many warriors sighed softly, as if they were envisioning the scenario of Lin Bai being squashed to death by Qi Rui.

Bai Xiaoxiao and Bai Huatian also looked a bit uneasy.

Bai Huatian remained silent.

Bai Xiaoxiao was looking worriedly at Lin Bai.

Chen Gong’s mind tightened, and he put his hand on Lin Bai’s shoulder, asking, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

"I have to." Lin Bai got up from his seat and walked onto the Martial Arts Stage.

The confrontation between these two prodigies immediately ignited the enthusiasm of all the warriors present: "It’s starting, it’s starting."

One was Qi Rui, the famous young prince in the military, and the other was Lin Bai, a once-in-a-lifetime genius of the martial arts sect.

Their fight was destined to be a fierce and intense duel.

Killer intent emanating from his eyes, Qi Rui glared at Lin Bai, gritting his teeth and saying, "If it wasn’t for you, how could my Prince’s Mansion reach such a state? I’m going to make you pay a hundredfold for all of this today."

Lin Bai’s eyes were downcast, his voice low and hoarse, carrying a killing intent as he replied, "The moment you insulted me during the Heavenly Sacrifice, you were already a dead man."

"Insult you? Haha, is it an insult to call you a waste with a Yellow Level First Grade Martial Spirit? Isn’t that the truth?" Qi Rui sneered.

"I admit I have a Yellow Level First Grade Martial Spirit, but I’m not worthless." Lin Bai murmured.

"Whether you’re worthless or not, you’ll find out soon."

Qi Rui lost his patience, making a single leap.The vigorous aura of his body erupted, sweeping across the whole field.

In this aura, it seemed like thousands of soldiers were rushing towards Lin Bai.

"Hundred Battles Fist! Iron Horse Ice River!"

Qi Rui’s form moved like lightning, rapidly closing in, and a devastatingly powerful punch struck.

This punch, heavy and filled with force, seemed to bear a thousand pounds of strength, enough to shatter mountains.

"It’s the Hundred Battles Fist, an Earth Grade 7 martial technique, and also one of the unique martial techniques in the Prince’s Mansion, right?"

"Exactly, the technique is not only firm and strong, but also extremely swift. The punch is as heavy as Mount Tai, and as fast as lightning!"

"Difficult to handle indeed."

Many warriors recognized the origin of the Hundred Battles Fist and exclaimed in surprise.

"Three Immortal Fingers!"

"One finger to Earth, two fingers to the Heaven, three fingers inviting reincarnation!"

Lin Bai remained calm, standing in place and pointing at the void three times consecutively.

Immediately, three streams of brilliant light erupted and struck Qi Rui.

"Get lost!"

"Hundred Battles Fist! Capture the King amidst Ten Thousand Troops!"

Qi Rui was like a raging lion, his ruthless punch shattered Lin Bai’s Three Immortal Fingers, then rapidly neared Lin Bai.

Slam!

The moment Qi Rui broke down the Three Immortal Fingers and neared Lin Bai, he was already in front of Lin Bai.

Lin Bai’s complexion changed slightly, and the Qingge Sword suddenly appeared in his hand.

There was a loud boom.

Qi Rui’s punch struck heavily on the Qingge Sword held by Lin Bai.

The first collision between the two was close combat.

Although Qi Rui made such a ferocious punch, it didn’t knock Lin Bai back when it hit his sword.

"Sword Intention!"

"Astonishing Wind Sword Skill!"

The Sword Intention spread out, a vast and boundless killing intent filled the void, ready to strike.

The Astonishing Wind Sword Skill counterattacked.

Each sword light condensed into a storm, sweeping outward.

Fist and sword continuously collided in mid-air.

Loud bursts of impactful noise echoed throughout the Chaoyang Palace.

For a while, Lin Bai and Qi Rui were inseparable.

"I didn’t expect Lin Bai to have comprehended the Sword Intention!" Bai Huatian exclaimed incredulously.

In the Shenwu Kingdom, the number of people who could comprehend Sword Intention could be counted on one hand, since ancient times.

Now in Shenwu Kingdom, only three people possessed Martial Intent.

One was the Saint of Canghai Yuntai Palace, Duan Canghai, one was the Princess of Shenwu Country Bai Xiaoxiao, and one was Lin Bai.

Bai Xiaoxiao’s Martial Intent was enlightened from Lin Bai’s Sword Intention.

And Lin Bai’s Sword Intention had already reached the late phase of the first order.

Clash——

Lin Bai knocked Qi Rui away with a single stroke.

"This one sword, I want your life!" Lin Bai roared, murderous intent spreading rampantly in his eyes.

"Sword Intention! Eternal Silence of Mountains and Rivers!"

Lin Bai wielded his sword and swiftly leaped forward, Sword Intention rushed into the sky, slashing down wrathfully along with the Qingge Sword.

A terrifying force of the Sixth Grade Spirit Tool filled the sky, rumbling as though a meteor smashed into the earth.

The combination of a Sixth Grade Spirit Tool, Sword Intention, and Eternal Silence of Mountains and Rivers—this triple layered power could destroy everything and kill all gods!

"Is he this strong?"

"Lin Bai’s one sword, it almost matches up to the power of the Fourth Layer of the Heaven Martial Realm!"

"Yes, it’s too terrifying."

Seeing this sword fall, all civil and military officials felt a shudder through their bodies.

The Xu Family Leader narrowed his eyes and said with cold cynicism in his heart: "I finally understand why my son was defeated by your hand. His death was not unjust."

Bai Huatian’s eyes were filled with astonishment, whispering: "The only person who could display such extraordinary combat power in the same realm probably is the Saint from the Canghai Yuntai Palace. Now, there’s a second one."

Bai Xiaoxiao maintained her usual calm expression, rather indifferent.

Bai Xiaoxiao had long known that Lin Bai possessed the power to defy the heavens and alter fate. Now that she saw Lin Bai burst forth with full force, she was also excited in her heart.

"Hundred Battles Fist! Over a million dead bodies!"

Qi Rui was being attacked by Lin Bai’s ruthless strike.

He wore a terrifying face, stepping forward instead of retreating. The strongest move in the Hundred Battles Fist exploded in his hand.

Inside the Chaoyang Palace, the momentum was transformed into a wild storm engulfing the whole place.

Many warriors of the Earth Martial Realm were all left in an awkward state due to the pressure from Qi Rui and Lin Bai’s confrontation.

Rumble, rumble——

The two moves collided, causing an earth-shattering boom. The Chaoyang Palace was also violently shaking.

Luckily, Chaoyang Palace was made with special ores. If one wanted to destroy the Chaoyang Palace, it would require a force from at least the Divine Elixir Realm.

Splat——

The overpowering impact force scattered.

Qi Rui’s figure was in a pathetic state as he was knocked away, covered in blood.

He landed in a corner of the Martial Arts Stage. There was a sword mark from his left shoulder to his right abdomen. Under the wound, therefore exposing Qi Rui’s internal organs and his glaring white bones.

"Uh..."

Qi Rui fell to the ground, and blood quickly dripped out, forming a river.

Lin Bai landed, and upon seeing Qi Rui’s current state, his eyes changed drastically once more. He activated his Feng Lei Divine Wings Skill, transforming into a residual shadow and moved towards Qi Rui’s throat.

"What is Lin Bai trying to do!"

"Judging from the appearance of Lin Bai, he intends to kill Qi Rui."

"People can’t be killed in the Imperial Banquet Martial Arts Competition!"

All the civil and military officials and businessmen there cried out in shock, they had already noticed Lin Bai’s intentions, he was going to kill Qi Rui.

Lin Bai’s eyes shimmered with murderous intent.

His desire to kill Qi Rui, Lin Bai had already formulated it in the Heavenly Altar.

Lin Bai had said, with this sword, he intended to annihilate everyone who looked down on him!

"Kill!"

Closing in on Qi Rui, Lin Bai furiously brought his sword down.

The Sword Qi broke through the air like lightning, aiming to sever Qi Rui’s head.

"Bastard!"

The Prince of Qi was furious, seeing his beloved son about to die, he immediately jumped up from his seat, and the tremendous combat power of the Heaven Martial Realm Ninth Layer erupted.

His figure shot forward, arriving in front of Qi Rui, and punched heavily towards Lin Bai’s chest.

With this punch, the Prince of Qi was filled with absolute hatred for Lin Bai.

The powerful force of the punch, if it hit, Lin Bai would undoubtedly die!

"Hmm? Prince of Qi, do you consider my Spirit Sword Sect as decoration?" Chen Gong angrily lifted into the air, his treasure sword flew out from his storage bag, landing in his hand, he thrust it straight towards the Prince of Qi.

The Prince of Qi’s punch shattered the momentum of Lin Bai’s sword.

At the same time, Chen Gong’s sword shattered the offensive momentum of the Prince of Qi.

Both sides stopped their attacks.

The Prince of Qi glared intensely at Lin Bai, his eyes like those of a wild wolf, as if he would like to devour Lin Bai right on the spot.

The Prince of Qi roared, "The Imperial Banquet Martial Arts Competition has long established rules, no killing is allowed. My son had already been defeated earlier, Lin Bai, yet you still tried to kill him! You broke the competition rules, I ask His Majesty to execute Lin Bai!"

Chen Gong remained silent, guarding Lin Bai behind him, watching the Prince of Qi intently.

Lin Bai let out a disdainful sneer.

Bai Huatian laughed out loud and said, "This is the first time of the competition, perhaps Lin Bai doesn’t know the rules, or perhaps he couldn’t hold back, I don’t think it’s a big deal, Prince of Qi, you asking me to punish Lin Bai heavily, I’m afraid it’s too excessive."

"Alright, Qi Rui is gravely injured, I have already arranged for royal physicians, you can hand over Qi Rui’s token to Lin Bai, then take Qi Rui for some rest."

An arrogant smile drawn on Bai Huatian’s face.

The Prince of Qi’s face flickered, the existing power was no longer in his hands, Bai Huatian was no longer afraid of the Prince of Qi.

"Your command will be obeyed." The Prince of Qi pulled the token from Qi Rui’s storage bag, threw it to Lin Bai, then picked up Qi Rui to leave his seat, handing Qi Rui over to the royal physicians.

And Chen Gong and Lin Bai returned to the seats of the Spirit Sword Sect.

"Just a bit more, if it were not for the Prince of Qi’s intervention..." Lin Bai felt a bit regretful, he was just a bit short of killing Qi Rui.

The Prince of Qi seated, looking at the military genius behind him, he coldly said, "Next, you should go up, challenge Lin Bai in rotations, don’t let him have a breather."

"Zhan Feng, you’re a good friend of Qi Rui, and your martial arts talent is far superior than Qi Rui’s, you will play your part at the end. By the time they worn down Lin Bai’s True Qi, it’s your turn to take stage and kill Lin Bai."

"You must kill him."

The Prince of Qi said coldly.

"Yes, Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly kill Lin Bai, to avenge the Qi Prince Mansion." Zhan Feng respectfully replied.