Chapter 754: Everybody Reaps A Reward
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yun Yang tried his best to prop himself up, but could only feel his limbs turn to jelly. Not being able to stand, he sat on the ground, smiling with a grimace, "What contentment! Such satisfaction! Elder Ling, we need to spar more often in the future. A satisfying exchange like this is truly a first in my life! I reckon my saber techniques would improve within a few more rounds of this."
Ling Xiaozui let out a dry cough. With a dark expression, he mumbled, "Brother Dugu shall accompany you if we were to spar again in the future. It is a blessing of a lifetime for me to have experienced a demonstration of this ultimate technique. How would I dare ask for more? As a man, our virtues lie in being contented and grateful. If something was to be overdone, it would be as bad as doing lesser than what's required."
Dugu bellowed angrily, "Brother Ling, that's not very grateful of you!"
Ling Xiaozui rolled his eyes and took a few shaky steps forward. "Whatever it is, I'll not entertain this any further…
...
Outside, in the yard, the fighting had already attracted everyone's attention.
Presently, Fang Mofei, Xiao Shaoqing, Bai Yixue, Lao Mei, the four noble Young Masters, Shangguan Lingxiu, Yun Xiaoyao and more were quietly standing at a corner of the yard, staring in their direction with incredulous expressions.
In the skies, behind the veil of the underworld, the Ten Kings of the Concourse of the Underworld stared at the scenario which had unfolded below, their eyes wide as their jaws gaped open. A strong sense of disbelief was mirrored in their orbs.
"T-that's... Yun Yang?"
"You don't say!"
"The one he was brawling with... was that Ling Xiaozui? The Ling Xiaozui? The unrivaled expert?"
"You don't say!"
"T-then..." First Court King Qinguang was the most shocked among them.
He was thinking about the first time he had met Yun Yang. Shaking his head, he felt as if he was dreaming, overwhelmed by a sense of dizziness…
"Y-you— give me a pinch."
"Argh—"
He emitted a painful moan at the rough treatment.
...
On the main street a little further away, the emperor's carriage was headed towards the Residence of Yun. As he caught sight of the dark, murky fog looming above the residence, he could not help but mumble to himself, "Why is it so gloomy..."
As he spoke, a brutal shriek rent the air.
"Argh—"
The emperor was startled, while the two highly-experienced veterans beside him, Qiu Jianhan and Fang Qingtian, let out an involuntary shiver, their faces turning as white as sheets.
"Ghosts!"
Now, that was quite a non-typical way of putting it. The scream had originated from a being whose presence was even worse than that of a ghost - a Yama King!
Dugu Chou might have verbally claimed that he would not keep Yun Yang company. Deep down in his heart, however - he was quite eager to spar with him!
Dugu Chou thoroughly understood that Yun Yang's true cultivation base were levels away from theirs if they were to be compared. However, it was precisely due to this fact that they were still left with room to deal some punches against each other. If they were to face such a flawless technique when both their base levels were equal, they would have died eons ago!
It was a full-on display of strength, for it had always been the quickest way to improve one's power. Take Ling Xiaozui's fight today as an example; although he had endured a severe loss of face in the process, the exchange of punches was extremely beneficial for the advancement of his combat abilities and cultivation base.
However, such an opportunity to improve oneself was difficult to come by, especially since Yun Yang possessed such a superior saber technique, wielded with such immense pressure – If he were to spar with Yun Yang with a strength suppressed to match Yun Yang's level, he could have gained many advantages from their exchange!
To sum it up, if he could block a flawless attack like that with a strength similar to its level, was that not evidence that he had a deeper understanding of the martial arts?
Although this opinion of his had not yet been realized, both Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou had very esteemed reviews on Yun Yang's Saber Truth: Destiny Blade. They would have found it difficult to produce such a formidable technique of that level, no matter how much they tried. However, under the stress of such an incredible technique, gaining huge improvements was definitely not impossible to achieve.
Dugu Chou had gauged that Ling Xiaozui had already gained a new piece of information from the incident at the Residence of Nine Supremes. Adding on the fight today, he was only waiting to claim the entire reward for himself. His abilities would most certainly improve, and perhaps they would even supersede his own!
Although Dugu Chou's state of mind was not butter to the point of bearing a grudge or any deep resentment, being unhappy about the whole affair was inevitable. After all, he was known for being the best in the world until he was beaten by the Ling Xiaozui, the unrivaled expert of the new generation - he would eventually feel a little displeasure!
Since Yun Yang had expressed his wishes to have another round of sparring, Dugu Chou naturally would not allow Ling Xiaozui to seize the limelight. It was better to advance forward together!
However, today would not be the day, even if they were to carry on with their sparring. Yun Yang had thoroughly exerted himself to his limit - his body was severely ravaged. Even with Emie's little trickles of power to assist, he would not be able to get up on his feet anytime soon.
Saber Truth: Destiny Blade - every move and stroke was flawless and perfect. However, it was precisely due to this reason that performing it required one to exert an immense amount of Qi, especially the last move - Eighteen Levels of Hell. After unleashing that move, the entire reserve of Yun Yang's mystical Qi would be drained entirely - even the strength deep in his bones would be sucked dry. After every fight, Yun Yang, finally being able to relax, would be left in an extremely, energy-deprived condition. Even his bones felt soft to the touch, which would make it impossible to spar within the upcoming hour.
"There will be ample time for that later."
Being the true experts of cultivation bases, Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou naturally understood the reasons behind Yun Yang's present condition. Inherently, they did not insist on it.
They were not at all worried. After all, the two of them would be residing in the Residence of Yun for quite some time – was that not a chance presented right before them?
Yun Yang draped himself over the chair without an ounce of energy left in him, yet, his heart was filled only with joy.
The benefits he gained from their sparring this time around was enormous - it was the most he could possibly obtain!
Ling Xiaozui was like a sturdy rock in the midst of a vast ocean, a mighty cliff in the middle of a storm – he could block every blow, and like a massive hammer, return the attack at lightning speed!
This allowed Yun Yang to have a deeper understanding of these moves.
If it was not for Yun Yang's own lack of energy, and if they could carry on with this exchange of skills, allowing him the opportunity to exercise these moves with complete freedom, the benefits gained would certainly be tremendous!
However, Yun Yang remained unfazed.
He sat on a chair. Looking at Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou, he simpered mildly.
With the two of them here, how could he not have the chance?
...
The banquet had arrived promptly on time, as planned earlier and was graced by the presence of three uninvited guests - the emperor and his two esteemed personnel from the military. The party of three seated themselves without feeling the slightest bit of reservation.
This was the residence of King Yun, which also meant that it was his house, which rarely saw the appearance of strangers. Nonetheless, although he was the sovereign of a nation, there was still a need to be on good terms with the likes of Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou.
As Yun Xiaoyao saw how his elder brother - the emperor - invited himself, he simply upgraded the whole banquet into a nation-wide celebratory feast and humbly invited His Majesty to be seated at the position of the host. He still had to give a little face, somewhat.
"Young Master Yun, this... this wine..." Xiao Shaoqing began fervently. "I came to know that you were in possession of the God of Wine - Feng Xiange's - wine?"
Upon hearing the mention of those three words 'Feng Xiange', Dugu Chou only felt a belly-full of melancholy. With one swift kick, Xiao Shaoqing arced through the air at the very next instant.
"Feng Xiange might be a fake, but wine from the God of Wine is genuine," said Ling Xiaozui in a neutral tone. "Think about it. Either God of Wine Feng Xiange was Mr. Nian's incarnation all along, or Feng Xiange had already been killed by Mr. Nian. It's either one or the other - there was no other answer to it."
"No matter what the outcome is, Feng Xiange, the God of Wine..." Ling Xiaozui sighed as he spoke. "... will never appear in this world again."