Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Waves of Books

"Cang!"

Another crisp metallic clang rang out as Lou Yun’s right leg slammed into the page. True to its name, the page was hard as iron. Lou Yun felt only a slight pang on his leg; his trousers and skin were torn. Yet, the page itself was flung away by the force carried within his kick.

Although his right leg sustained a flesh wound and its speed and power diminished upon impact with the page, the momentum remained unchanged. It still whistled fiercely towards Han Rui.

Han Rui’s expression shifted again. He’d thought launching a single page would definitely halt Lou Yun’s kick, but it had barely slowed it down. Frowning, he swung his right hand, bringing his magical weapon book directly into collision with Lou Yun’s right leg.

Upon impact, Lou Yun stood firm, unmoved. Han Rui, however, staggered backwards four or five paces before steadying himself.

Comparing sheer strength, Han Rui was simply not on the same level as Han Tie Feng. Even Han Tie Feng could not withstand Lou Yun’s power, let alone Han Rui!

That said, Han Rui was much faster than Han Tie Feng. Though the exchange felt slow, it was actually lightning-fast. In an instant, both had launched attacks at least twice, and the initial clash concluded with a clear, temporary victor.

Although Lou Yun appeared to hold the upper hand, he felt no cheer. His success felt like a sneak attack against an unprepared Han Rui. His injured right leg was a wound, while Han Rui remained perfectly unscathed. When it came down to it, Lou Yun had suffered the greater loss.

Han Rui, however, saw it differently. A grimace twisted his face. Lou Yun’s relentless offensive had humiliated him in front of his clansmen—an insult his proud nature could not abide. He was now sincerely ashamed into rage.

"Lou! Prepare to die!"

With a furious bellow, he wildly flipped all the pages in his magical weapon book. The frantic rustling sound of paper filled the air.

This sight stirred something within Lou Yun. He could almost predict Han Rui’s coming attack. His mind raced, rapidly strategizing countermeasures.

Sure enough, just as Lou Yun anticipated, after a furious cascade of flips, the pages within Han Rui’s magical weapon book emitted continuous whooshing sounds. In an instant, all the pages detached from the binding. They did not immediately shoot towards Lou Yun but instead hovered in the air around Han Rui.

A gloating, malevolent smile played on Han Rui’s face. He uttered no words, yet his triumphant expression clearly warned Lou Yun: you are finished this time!

Lou Yun gazed at the multitude of golden pages suspended in the air, drifting near Han Rui, but a counter-strategy already formed in his mind!

It seemed Han Rui intended to use the floating, seemingly inert pages to exert psychological pressure on Lou Yun, simultaneously showcasing his strength to his clan to reclaim some of his lost face. He paused deliberately for a moment before violently waving his hand.

high-level rank technique, magical weapon book – Waves of Books!

At his command, the countless pages surged like an army given orders. They connected edge-to-edge into large sheets, layer upon layer, densely accumulating until it transformed into an unending ocean of books, visually truly resembling colossal waves. All of it shot towards Lou Yun at an astonishing speed, accompanied by sharp "swoosh!" sounds piercing the air.

A single page had already left a scratch on Lou Yun’s leg. If this whole book-wave barrage actually found their mark, his body would become riddled like a sieve, utterly scarred.

To everyone present, facing Han Rui’s onslaught of Waves of Books, Lou Yun’s best course of action was clearly evasion—though even that would prove difficult. The attack covered far too extensive an area!

Contrary to all expectations, Lou Yun stood motionless in place, facing the roaring tide of books bearing down upon him.

Had he been scared stupid? Forgotten even to dodge?

Han Tie Feng’s brow furrowed deeply. He simply couldn’t fathom how Lou Yun planned to counter Han Rui’s assault, especially with his right arm nearly unusable!

Just as the Waves of Books were about to engulf him, a faint smile appeared on Lou Yun’s face. Suddenly, a whoomph echoed as fierce flames erupted from his body! He became completely engulfed, a burning figure wreathed in fire!

At that precise moment, the Waves of Books crashed upon him. The relentless "swoosh swoosh" sound filled the air as the pages, mere moments from touching his skin, were instantly reduced to wisps of smoke by the Fusang Fire before dissipating into nothingness.

Witnessing this scene, everyone’s eyes, especially Han Rui’s, widened in utter disbelief. Undeniably, this method was decidedly the optimal counter against the Waves of Books!

Though the pages shimmered realistically, they were fundamentally constructs formed from spiritual energy. The Fusang Fire, a celestial blaze capable of incinerating all things, consumed them with ease. Each page, requiring only minimal spiritual energy due to its tiny surface area to sustain its shape, proved exceptionally combustible. In a short time, the Waves of Books that Han Rui took such pride in were completely obliterated by Lou Yun’s Fusang Fire.

As the last page vanished into smoke, the Fusang Fire enveloping Lou Yun finally extinguished itself. Lou Yun’s body remained entirely unharmed.

Though outwardly unscathed, Lou Yun had expended a significant amount of spiritual energy. The sheer quantity of pages in the Waves of Books, relentlessly crashing upon him wave after unyielding wave for almost an entire quarter-hour, meant he had sustained the Fusang Fire for just as long. This significant drain, piled onto the expenditure from his earlier battle with Han Tie Feng, left Lou Yun dangerously low on spiritual energy!

Now, Han Rui’s features and muscles all but twisted into a knot. His once rather handsome face was now monstrously hideous. How could he have anticipated the devastating counter to his believed coup de grâce?!

Contrary to Han Rui’s prior declaration of death, Lou Yun stood before him completely unharmed, serene and unperturbed—hardly needing even to shift his stance while effortlessly dissipating Waves of Books. Han Rui’s face was utterly obliterated, any shred of dignity erased!

Though Han Tie Feng had also fallen before Lou Yun, he had at least exchanged three raw, powerful blows—each escalating in might and destructive fury. Their clash had been thrilling, even magnificent. Han Rui, in stark contrast, found himself thoroughly dominated by a one-armed opponent! Utterly unacceptable!

Lou Yun remained composed, analyzing his next move. Calmly countering the attack was one thing, but Han Rui specialized in weapon techniques. He surely kept reserve skills hidden away. Meanwhile, Lou Yun teetered dangerously close to depletion. Could he withstand another onslaught? Surrounded by the watchful eyes of the Han Family, escape seemed utterly impossible!

My death means little… but what about my family?

Lou Yun had originally intended to trade his life for his family’s freedom. But learning the Han family, one of the Nine Clans, controlled Gu Feng Nation revealed his plan as a hopeless dream. He understood now: his death would only ensure the Han Family pursued his loved ones more relentlessly!

I absolutely cannot die here!

Lou Yun vowed silently within his heart: No matter the method, I must escape today! Then find a way to rescue them!

But saying it was easy; execution was immensely difficult. Escape? How?

Not discounting the surrounding Han Family members, even that lone Elder could probably end him without effort. Fleeing was impossible even at peak condition with all limbs intact… let alone his current state!

Suddenly, Han Rui threw back his head and let out a roar of utter fury, both hands clawing violently at his own hair!

The roar subsided. Han Rui lowered his hands. Glowing lights flickered in each palm, rapidly coalescing into magical weapon books.

As soon as the two books formed, they ascended into the air. The glow on Han Rui’s hands didn’t fade. Immediately, two more books materialized.

Same as before, they floated upwards. Han Rui’s hands, still radiant, continued summoning more magical weapon books!

Lou Yun watched Han Rui’s actions with focused confusion. What was he doing now? Was he planning to attack Lou Yun directly using the books to form another giant wave?

If so, Han Rui’s attack variety seemed painfully uninspired… Yet, regardless of his thoughts, Lou Yun resolved not to let Han Rui comfortably accumulate undisturbed. He had to interrupt—immediately!

Gathering power in his feet, Lou Yun charged at Han Rui, one-handed grip firmly on the Dream Emperor Sword!

Though wielding it with only one hand, Lou Yun had honed his skills long ago by simultaneously directing common weapons and magical weapons with both hands. His sword technique was unaffected. Executing the technique Sword Piercing Cloud Shadows, he thrust fiercely at Han Rui!

Han Rui didn’t even glance towards Lou Yun. He merely gestured casually, and one of the floating magical weapon books instantly accelerated, streaking towards Lou Yun. As it flew, its size rapidly increased, swelling into a meter-tall tome by the time it met its target.

Undaunted, Lou Yun maintained his thrust. But the huge book suddenly flipped open! Blinding light burst from its pages! Caught unprepared, Lou Yun involuntarily squeezed his eyes shut.

With a loud whoosh, the open book flung itself around Lou Yun… then snapped shut with a sharp, heavy SLAP!