I Grind to Martial Saint

Upon hearing the Hunter’s report, Priest Dong burst out laughing. ”Excellent, excellent, excellent!!!”

”It seems Heaven always leaves a way out!”

”I never thought an Xu Chang would show up right when we were at a complete loss!”

”If he really kills Han Yuan, our Wangling Sect might just have a chance to bring Cangshui County under our control.”

After all, Cangshui County Town seemed to be thriving.

In truth, however, it all rested on the shoulders of one man: Han Yuan.

The moment he died, the entire Cangshui County Town would likely descend into utter chaos.

Then, the Wangling Sect could fish in troubled waters. They might actually have a real opportunity.

The more Priest Dong thought about it, the more excited he grew. ”Relay this news to the High Priest at once.”

They didn’t have many men in Cangshui County Town right now. To take it, they would have to rely on Tongming County to dispatch more people.

Of course, Priest Dong was confident the High Priest would not let this opportunity pass.

”Understood.”

The Hunter hurried off to carry out Priest Dong’s orders.

’Han Yuan... let’s see you survive this time!’

A crooked grin spread across Priest Dong’s face.

.......

「Seven days passed in a flash.」

On this particular day, Cangshui Pier was overflowing with people.

Based on his travel time, Xu Chang, who had departed from Mingzhi County by water, was due to arrive right about now.

The season was now approaching summer, and the weather had grown hot.

The sun was particularly scorching today, drenching everyone in sweat, yet not a single person left their spot.

”He’s here!”

”Xu Chang is here!”

A loud shout erupted from the crowd.

Everyone hurriedly turned their gaze toward the river’s surface.

In the distance, a lone skiff slowly glided toward them.

An elderly figure in white robes stood at the prow, his hands clasped behind his back.

Even from a great distance, many in the crowd could feel a sharp, piercing aura.

”What a terrifying presence.”

”Looks like the rumors were true. Xu Chang must have actually reached the Gang Essence Realm!”

”This time... Director Han is probably done for.”

The onlooking Martial World Wanderers murmured amongst themselves.

....

”This sight... it’s quite nostalgic.”

”This is how I went to Mingzhi County back then.”

”I never thought the roles would be reversed, with me waiting for him.”

Standing at the edge of the pier, Han Yuan gazed at the distant skiff, his expression full of emotion.

’Perhaps this is the Martial World, where grudges and debts never cease.’

He waved his hand, signaling for Zhou Yuanhu, Zhai Mu, and the others to step back.

At the same time, the Government Officials maintaining order also began clearing the area.

In an instant,

a large, open space was cleared on the pier.

Seeing this, a glint appeared in many of the spectators’ eyes. They scrambled atop the nearby warehouses or onto the mountain-like stacks of cargo.

They knew the dueling ground was to be the pier itself.

The skiff drew ever closer to the pier.

Xu Chang saw the powerful figure standing alone at the landing.

The moment their eyes met!

SHING~

CLANG!

It was as if the hum of a sword and the ring of a saber echoed through the void!

”Han Yuan?”

Xu Chang narrowed his eyes and asked in a clear voice.

”I am,” Han Yuan replied at once.

”Very good!”

”Today, you will pay for what you did to my Cyan Cloud Sect with your life!”

Xu Chang let out a low growl.

Even though the skiff was still dozens of meters from the landing, he pushed off with his toes and vaulted into the air.

In an instant, he crossed the dozens of meters of open water. His hair and beard whipped about as he drew a White Sword, thrusting it forward like an immortal descending from beyond the sky!

This was a killing blow!

All the killing intent he had built up for days was concentrated in this single thrust. One could only imagine how terrifying it was.

The very air seemed to be pierced by this strike.

That utterly terrifying killing intent enveloped Han Yuan.

If Han Yuan’s spirit were to be overwhelmed by the killing intent,

then he would die by this very sword strike.

’What vicious Swordsmanship!’

But Han Yuan’s spirit was not affected in the slightest.

He was a Great Demon, utterly brutal and violent. How could he possibly be intimidated by killing intent!

SHIING~

Grinning fiercely, Han Yuan drew his Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber, stomped his feet, and launched himself into the air!

SCREEE~

The cry of a vicious bird shook the surroundings.

The air surged around Han Yuan, forming the phantom of a vicious bird with wings outstretched, radiating a heaven-shakingly ferocious aura.

Thousand Falcons Streaming Light Sky Slash!

Han Yuan drew an incredibly vicious and cold arc of light with his saber, savagely cleaving down at the airborne Xu Chang!

No one had expected it.

With no warning, no exchange of pleasantries,

the duel between the two men had begun so suddenly.

And from the very first move, both had used such terrifying techniques!

Saber and sword clashed violently in mid-air!

BOOM!!!!

Vicious Sword Evil and sharp Sword Qi collided, stirring up a terrifying Gang Feng.

The two figures fell back!

Han Yuan landed on the pier.

And Xu Chang landed back on the lone skiff.

This time, his gaze grew grave.

From that brief exchange, he knew his opponent’s strength was far greater than he had imagined.

’Winning this fight will be much harder than I thought.’

”Han Yuan... I originally came here only to kill you.”

”Now, it seems you are qualified to sharpen my Sword Dao.”

Xu Chang stated calmly.

His entire life was dedicated to the Sword Dao.

He believed that the stronger the opponent, the better they could sharpen his own Sword Dao.

”Sharpen?”

”I’m going to crush your skull.”

Han Yuan grinned.

”Then let’s see if you have the skill!”

Xu Chang leaped up once more. In mid-air, his wrist trembled, creating an intricate sword flourish as he rapidly descended.

With battle intent surging in his heart, Han Yuan swung the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber, unleashing a wide, powerful slash!

BANG~

The vicious, tyrannical gleam of his saber shattered the sword flourish.

Xu Chang was sent flying back several meters by the force of the blow, landing precisely on the edge of the pier.

But without a moment’s pause, he erupted with even more terrifying speed. The White Sword in his hand was instantly dyed a blood-red color as he thrust it forward!

It was as if he had drawn a thin red line through the air.

Han Yuan was about to press his advantage, not expecting such a sudden burst from his opponent. He swung the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber with both hands, unleashing a slash with the force of a thunderbolt!

BOOM~

A sound like muffled thunder suddenly echoed across the pier.

The moment the crimson sword-light and the pitch-black Sword Qi collided,

the two figures engaged in a frantic melee!

Han Yuan unleashed his Eight Extremes Blade Technique. It was ferocious and violent, as if he intended to slash through the eight directions and devour the world!

Xu Chang’s Swordsmanship was bloody and vicious, every move aimed to kill, making it exceptionally terrifying.

Furthermore, as a Gang Essence master, the Gang Qi he channeled into his blade was far sharper and more fearsome than ordinary Sword Qi.

Even Han Yuan sometimes struggled to keep up with the old man’s pace, and was occasionally nicked by the sword.

But Xu Chang discovered that Han Yuan’s body was abnormally tough. Even his Sword Aura could do no more than break the skin.

From the look of things, he only held a slight upper hand.

”Miss Huang... do you think Brother Han will win?”

As a good friend of Han Yuan, Zhang Cang had of course come to watch.

He stood with Huang Xian’Er on a warehouse roof and asked nervously.

He had always seen Han Yuan completely crush his opponents; he had rarely seen such a tense and evenly matched battle.

”As I see it, the odds are fifty-fifty.”

”For Han Yuan to be able to contend with a Gang Essence Realm master like Xu Chang using only his True Qi Cultivation... that level of strength is already terrifying.”

Even Huang Xian’Er didn’t dare to make a definitive judgment.

Hearing this only made Zhang Cang more nervous, and his eyes remained glued to the fight on the pier.