Chapter 418: Reversed Blood Essence Draining

When the Surging Waves Sword Technique is practiced to its depths, every sword move carries the momentum of crashing waves against the shore. Likewise, when the Flying Fish Sword Technique is mastered, it possesses the lightness and agility of a flying fish. These two sword styles are the very embodiments of weight and lightness, and when displayed together, they are truly a sight to behold.

However, both combatants were still of shallow cultivation, their inner strength not yet profound. After exchanging more than ten moves, their swordplay began to lose coherence, no longer possessing the spirit and charm of before.

At this moment, Zhou Tai’s steps suddenly faltered, seemingly due to a lack of inner strength, and his sword moves slowed. Yuan Guolaing noticed this, seized the opportunity, and thrust his long sword forward. With a tearing sound, Zhou Tai’s left arm was wounded, blood gushing out and instantly soaking his purple sleeve.

From the spectators behind came a loud cry: “Young master, be careful!”

Zhou Tai gritted his teeth, leapt back, sheathed his sword, and pressed his fingers to his acupoint to staunch the bleeding.

Yuan Guoliang, seeing Zhou Tai retreat, did not pursue. Gasping for breath, he said: “Brother Zhou, since you’re already injured, why not yield?”

Zhou Tai clenched his jaw and replied: “This is just the warm-up. Who wins or loses is still uncertain.”

With that, he drew his sword and charged forward once more.

Yuan Guoliang chuckled, and the two resumed their duel.

But now, with Zhou Tai wounded and his qi and blood damaged, his strength was failing. After several more exchanges, he was clearly at a disadvantage.

Seeing this, Yuan Guoliang did not press his attack, merely defending cautiously.

Zhang Xiaohua watched from the side, seeing everything clearly. Unless something unexpected happened, Zhou Tai was certain to lose today.

Even the family members on Yuan Guoliang’s side looked relaxed, quietly discussing among themselves.

But just as everyone thought the outcome was decided, a sudden change occurred in the arena.

Zhou Tai took a deep breath, bit the tip of his tongue until it bled, and spat out a mouthful of blood. His face turned deathly pale. Yuan Guoliang, shocked, exclaimed: “Brother Zhou, there’s no need to go this far! Even if you win like this, you won’t be able to circulate your inner strength for months. What use is there in reaching Mochou City in such a state?”

Zhou Tai’s eyes seemed tinged with red as he sneered: “But if I don’t use the Reversed Blood Essence Draining technique to boost my inner strength, I can’t even get past you, so how could I talk of reaching Mochou City? If you know you can’t win, you can surrender, or you can use the same method.”

“This…” Yuan Guoliang was at a loss for words. To admit defeat in such a favorable situation was impossible; yet to use the Reversed Blood Essence Draining technique to boost his own inner strength was absolutely out of the question.

At this, Yuan Guoliang also gritted his teeth and said_ “Then come at me! I’d like to see what you’re capable of.”

By now, Zhou Tai’s eyes were already bloodshot, his face twisted into a savage expression. He pushed off with his feet, his sword moves as swiftly as a raging gale, fully displaying the essence of the Flying Fish Sword Technique.

The family members behind the two never expected such a turn of events. All of them drew their weapons, concern etched on their faces as they rushed forward to intervene.

Yuan Guoliang had initially intended to rely on his own cultivation to withstand Zhou Tai’s Reversed Blood Essence Draining, but this technique, which temporarily boosts inner strength at the cost of vital blood, was far beyond his expectations. Within just a few moves, Yuan Guoliang was forced into a deadly predicament. Seeing Zhou Tai’s almost crazed state, Yuan Guoliang realized that even if he admitted defeat now, Zhou Tai might not even hear him. And as for the scholar acting as referee, even if he heard Yuan Guoliang’s surrender, what power did he have to ensure Yuan Guoliang’s safety?

Seeing Zhou Tai’s sword like a rainbow, thrusting straight toward his own undefendable chest, Yuan Guoliang gritted his teeth, stopped dodging, and thrust his long sword forward as well, aiming at Zhou Tai’s chest.

It was a move of mutual destruction.

Witnessing this desperate, perish-together moment, not only did the families behind both men cry out in shock, but several highly skilled guards also rushed forward to intervene. Yet in that split second, how could they possibly make it in time?

On the carriage, Nie Qianyu and the now half-sober Little Orange were both terrified, covering their mouths in fear.

And just as Zhou Tai’s long sword was about to pierce Yuan Guoliang’s chest, clarity suddenly returned to his eyes. He saw Yuan Guoliang’s sword also about to pierce his own heart, his eyes filled with terror. But at this point, his inner strength was nearly depleted, his limbs weak and powerless; even if he wanted to withdraw his sword or dodge, he could not. The long sword in his hand, following its momentum, continued inexorably toward Yuan Guoliang’s heart.

Just as tragedy was about to unfold, everyone heard a gentle sigh by their ears: “Ah, was this really necessary?”

The crowd’s vision blurred as a lean figure flashed across the arena—the frail-seeming scholar everyone had forgotten, now standing between the two combatants. With lightning speed, he thrust both hands between them, using only his index and middle fingers to clamp down on the sword tips mere inches from piercing their hearts.

Instantly, the world froze. All eyes locked onto those two fingers gripping the blades.

Before anyone could react or cry out, a thud echoed as Zhou Tai dropped his sword and collapsed to the ground.

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange’s cheers rang out in perfect timing: “Big Brother Ren, long live!”

At this moment, the experts from the sects who had come to assist both fighters also rushed over. Several cried out in alarm, “Young Master!” as they hurried forward, lifting Zhou Tai up in their arms.

Immediately, others shouted loudly, “The Young Master’s injuries are unclear! Brothers, prepare the carriage!”

Yuan Guoliang, still gripping his sword, barely had time to thank Zhang Xiaohua before yanking his blade back to defend. Yet despite his full strength and surging inner energy, the sword remained immovable—as if welded to the scholar’s fingers.

If it could be said that just now, when Zhang Xiaohua approached like a ghost and pinched the tips of the two long swords with his fingers, Yuan Guoliang was merely surprised—never expecting that he had misjudged, mistaking a martial arts master for a mere scholar—then now, he was utterly shocked. Just how much strength could there be between those two fingers? How profound were this scholar’s martial arts skills? In that instant, he could no longer comprehend it. 

He knew very well that the sword he had just thrust into Zhou Tai’s chest, upon seeing Zhou Tai regain consciousness, had already somewhat withdrawn, though not in time. While it could have killed Zhou Tai, the force behind the sword had already been exhausted. Presumably, Zhou Tai was the same upon waking.

 Therefore, as long as one had cultivated internal energy to success, they could easily do as Zhang Xiaohua had—pinching the long sword with ease. But now, Yuan Guoliang had used all his strength, channeling his full internal energy to draw the sword, and yet the situation was worlds apart from before. However, the result was the same: the long sword did not move in the slightest.

At this moment, Yuan Guoliang finally realized that the seemingly refined scholar before him was, without a doubt, a rarely seen supreme master of the martial world.

Thus, Yuan Guoliang hurriedly released his grip, cupped his hands, and was about to speak.

But Zhou Tai, who was being helped up by his subordinates, spoke first: “Wait. All of you, stay where you are and don’t move.”

The members of the Flying Fish Gang, hearing this, knew that the young gang master was unharmed. Their expressions relaxed, and they stood where they were, though they still held their weapons tightly, not letting their guard down.

Supported by his men, Zhou Tai took out a porcelain bottle from his robe, crushed the neck, poured out a brown pill, and swallowed it in one gulp. After a while, a flush appeared on his face. Only then did he speak in a sharp, hoarse voice: “Brothers, put down your weapons. I’m fine.”

The members of the Flying Fish Gang, upon hearing this, all put away their weapons, and the members of the Mirror Lake Gang, under Yuan Guoliang’s signal, also sheathed their arms.

Zhou Tai shook off his subordinates’ support, walked up to Zhang Xiaohua, bowed deeply, and said with a wry smile: “Many thanks, Brother Ren, for saving my life. Just now, I truly misjudged you. Please do not take offense, Brother Ren.”

Yuan Guoliang also saluted in the same manner, saying: “I am the same. Many thanks, Brother Ren, for your righteous assistance. If there was anything inappropriate in my words just now, I hope Brother Ren will forgive me.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled, handed the hilts of the long swords back to the two men, and said: “It was merely a friendly spar, yet it turned into such a commotion and nearly cost both your lives. Let’s not be so reckless in the future.”

Yuan Guoliang sheathed his long sword, his face showing shame. Zhou Tai, weak in his limbs, leaned on his sword and said with embarrassment: “It was all my fault for being too petty. Brother Yuan was not at fault; everything was my mistake. Brother Yuan, I concede this match. I will now return to the Flying Fish Gang.”

Then, he turned his head and called out: “Men, bring over all the valuables we brought with us this time.”

Before Zhou Tai had finished speaking, Yuan Guoliang let out a loud laugh and said: “Brother Zhou, you are mistaken. Since the contest ended without a clear victor, it’s a draw—there is no talk of winning or losing! How could I possibly accept this prize? However, Brother Zhou, you have forcefully used your internal energy. Although you have already taken the miraculous elixir from Spring Rebirth Valley, your body is still weakened. You cannot go to Mochou City like this. It’s best to take the valuables and return to rest. When I have some free time, I will visit the Flying Fish Gang to pay my respects to Brother Zhou.”

But Zhou Tai would not agree, repeatedly waving his hand and saying, “Brother Yuan, please don’t say any more. I used the Reversed Blood Essence Draining Technique and still only managed a draw with you. That already shows who is superior. If we call it a draw, where would I put my face?”

Thus, the two kept deferring to each other—one insisting it was a draw, the other saying the opponent had won—leaving Zhang Xiaohua looking thoroughly exasperated. The two of them wanted him to arbitrate, yet ended up leaving him aside. Where was he supposed to put his own face?

Unable to help himself, Zhang Xiaohua coughed twice.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tai laughed and said: “Brother Yuan, there’s no need for us to argue further. We have a ready-made arbiter here, and he’s even our lifesaver. Why not let Brother Ren give the verdict?”

Yuan Guoliang also nodded: “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

“Heh heh,” Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself with delight, “Now you finally remember this great hero?”

Zhang Xiaohua touched his nose and, with a solemn expression, said: “Your duel just now was truly earth-shattering and moved even the spirits and gods. I have witnessed the bearing of a new generation of heroes in the martial world—my eyes have been opened. From my observation, both of your martial techniques and internal cultivation are first-class, and it’s impossible to distinguish a winner. Although Brother Zhou used the Reversed Blood Essence Draining Technique to forcefully gain an advantage, in the end, there was still no decisive outcome. Most importantly, in a contest like this, what matters is the result, not the process or the means. No matter how complicated things get, only the result counts. Therefore, I believe the two of you should be considered evenly matched.”

After finishing, he looked to both sides and said with a smile: “What do you two think?”