Chapter 578: Chapter 562 The Three-Move Agreement
Admiral Changkong didn’t mind the seemingly scornful remark; twenty years ago, he had learned not to grow angry or impatient due to an opponent’s provocation.
In his understanding, Zhao Changhe was clearly trying to enrage him… Information from all sources indicated that Zhao Changhe had a profound research on the human body’s Blood Evil, suggesting that “anger” could be easily exploited.
In a world with True Qi, it isn’t always “the young are to be feared for their strength.” Since powerful cultivation can keep the body from aging too quickly, a martial artist’s prime can often last quite long. Conversely, as Inner Strength requires a lengthy accumulation and rich combat experience, as well as years of polishing and insight into martial arts techniques, the youth are quite deficient, hence the “Hidden Dragon List.”
Excluding those bugs like Xia Longyuan who have entered the Imperial Realm, it is generally believed that the true peak age for martial artists is their thirties or forties. By then, True Qi has accumulated sufficiently, combat experience is incredibly rich, all manner of refinement and insight has reached perfection, and they have not started to age, making it their strongest period. The stronger the cultivation, the longer the prime can last, going into the fifties or sixties while still at the peak.
Of course, when it’s time to age, one will still grow old. The Inner Strength might become even more solid, but the body’s functions are no longer what they once were, which is the natural way of the rise and fall of the sun and moon. Below the Imperial Realm, it is still “martial”, not yet touching the “Mystical.”
Half of the people on the Heavenly List are in their forties — this is their golden age. The Great Shaman Bo, Yuxu, Ye Wuzong, these people are already old, and if they can’t enter the Imperial Realm then they have actually started to decline. Of course, the old tiger’s vigor remains, and this so-called decline is not perceivable by ordinary people; only when clashing with peers can they feel a hint of helplessness.
Admiral Changkong is forty-seven or forty-eight this year — this is his pinnacle moment. In a few more years, perhaps he may begin to slide because he already feels that there is no longer any possibility of improvement. At a certain age, one cannot escape the natural order of things.
He wanted to see, at his peak, where he would ultimately stand in this lifetime.
His longsword pierced through the misty spray across the sky, slashing at Zhao Changhe’s throat. To the onlookers from afar, it resembled a sea eagle skimming the water’s surface, its arc both beautiful and mystical.
What seemed a bulky Dragon Sparrow moved agilely in an upward diagonal flick, as if responding to the sea eagle, like water droplets splashed upon the water’s surface.
Even though it was a clash of blades, it felt like observing a painting.
At this level of martial arts understanding, these two men were completely in harmony with nature, establishing the most fundamental difference between themselves and those still perfecting their own martial arts. People couldn’t even comprehend how the force between their blades erupted; aside from its visual appeal, nothing else could be discerned.
However, those with a bit of knowledge could see that Admiral Changkong’s blade was too mystical; ordinary people couldn’t even catch its trajectory, and attempts to block it would be in vain. Yet in Zhao Changhe’s eyes, the opponent’s landing point seemed as if it had been practiced thousands of times. He knew precisely when it would be at its strongest, and preemptively intercepted it just before Admiral Changkong’s power reached its peak.
On the level of “technique,” they had both reached the summit, and neither could hope to gain an advantage in terms of skill. What could finally be compared was the clash of power — the strengths and weaknesses were evident upon impact, something that technique could not compensate for.
At the moment their blades collided, every ear heard an incredibly muffled sound, which was not at all what one would expect from the clash of swords; it was like a mallet striking a large drum, the thunderous sound reverberated like rolling thunder.
Those with a bit of understanding could already see: “Both men’s Energy Transfer actually emulated the deep sea’s watery nature, heavy and oppressive, likely to crush an ordinary person upon contact. If the opponent’s force intruded, it would be diffused layer by layer, rendered completely ineffective.”
“And both used the same technique to counter each other, nullifying the effect and instead creating a sound like muffled thunder.”
“Then what do we do if we face this move?”
“…You’re asking me? I’d use my neck to break it.”
While the crowd discussed, there came the second move over there.
“Thanks for that, Commentator.” Zhao Changhe laughed: “Could you also commentate on this strike of mine?”
It was unclear how he extricated himself from their deadlock; since both parties emulated sea water characteristics, their True Qi was as closely intertwined as two oceans merging. Separating them was not so easy. Yet when Admiral Changkong was still unable to pull back for a change in technique, Zhao Changhe’s blade deftly shifted, skimming smoothly along his sword’s surface.
There was no other reason except that Zhao Changhe had forcefully torn apart the entanglement with the brute strength of his Blood Shura Body.
To the eyes of the onlookers, suddenly the waves disappeared, the sky and islands vanished.
All that was left was a vast expanse of blood-red, nothing else, an endless oppression causing distant watchers to want to scream in madness.
One could hardly imagine what Admiral Changkong felt facing this attack.
A streak of sword light flashed through the blood-red, void of heaven and earth, void of others and self.
Heaven and earth devoid of self, Hell is Like This!
Two moves merged into one — clearly a single strike!
“Clang!” Admiral Changkong, drenched in cold sweat, blocked with his blade horizontally and retreated several dozen feet.
In that moment, his mind had truly blanked out. Zhao Changhe’s current “Heaven and Earth Devoid of Self” had a striking effect on spirit control, momentarily blinding the opponent’s perception with Evil Qi, extremely difficult to guard against in battle. Fortunately, those who face the Sea Emperor’s constant cryptic whisper and mental erosion have grown accustomed to it; otherwise, this could have taken his life.
On Zhao Changhe’s record, there was an assassin, Ying Shuang from Listening Snow Tower, who ranked higher but had been taken out in such a frustrating manner…
Although Admiral Changkong’s mind merely blanked for an instant and immediately recovered, it was still slightly hasty, and his blood Qi briefly went into disarray. He retreated quickly, distancing himself, and watched intently for Zhao Changhe’s third move.
Everyone felt their hearts rise to their throats, secretly wondering if the third move could truly determine the victor?
Even the Water Being currently battling San Niang thought, even though Admiral Changkong was at a disadvantage, his skill level was indeed very high. The likelihood of Zhao Changhe delivering a fatal strike in one move still seemed very slim. What technique would Zhao Changhe’s third move employ?
The next moment, a burst of blood surged, and Zhao Changhe’s eyes turned crimson red. With a small jump mid-air, he delivered a straight downward slash—directed at the Water Man!
The Half Moon Blade Light, instead of the usual Horizontal Slash, turned into a vertical sweep, reaching the back of the Water Man’s head where the Crystal Core was located instantly.
Admiral Changkong, who was retreating to guard, voiced “?”
Water Man “???”
This was an unforeseen incident that even Admiral Changkong, the party involved, hadn’t anticipated, let alone anyone else.
The Water Man was dealing with San Niang when it was suddenly struck on the back of the head where the Crystal Core was by this combination attack, divine and ferocious. It didn’t even have time to react, instinctively intending to liquefy into a wave to dodge, but San Niang was not one to hold back, converting her whip into a fist and ruthlessly pounding the spot where the Crystal Core was.
With a loud “boom,” water splashed everywhere, and blood trickled from San Niang’s mouth corner. The Water Man had been shattered to pieces and was slowly reassembling from the splashes.
Anyone who had ever fought this creature would know that at this moment, it was also “injured” severely. Previously it had run away to bend over an octopus, showing this same state.
But this time, it didn’t run. An extremely annoyed voice came from the Void, “Zhao Changhe… Where is your warrior’s heart?”
Zhao Changhe performed a Dragon Sparrow back lift, barely deflecting a slash from Admiral Changkong that came perilously close.
In the midst of the fierce battle, suddenly shifting his target, he was naturally full of openings, and Admiral Changkong took the opportunity for a round of quick attacks that left him in a tight spot. However, hearing the Water Man’s words, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “I’m not even on the Chaotic World List, and there’s no act to put on. What warrior’s heart are you playing at? It’s a pity lime isn’t usable now; otherwise, I would’ve thrown it in your face.”
The countless onlookers’ mouths hung open in shock.
Zhao Changhe backed away step by step under the onslaught of Admiral Changkong, laughing as he spoke, “I’ve never crossed hands with the Admiral before, and I don’t understand your martial arts at all. I can’t even achieve knowing myself and knowing my enemy. How can I say I would defeat you in three moves? Do the heroes of the sea truly believe themselves to be calm, or could it be that they think all men of Central Earth are conceited fools?”
Admiral Changkong spoke in a deep voice, “The moment you mentioned three moves, was it all for this slash?”
“Of course. The moment I mentioned three moves, even if the Admiral was not angered, he would inevitably form a subconscious belief that I would certainly launch an attack. The first move was attack versus attack, and the second move’s rapid assault further reinforced this belief. On the third move, not only the Admiral would surely adopt a relatively conservative strategy, but even the Water Man’s thoughts would be on how I would cut you down, creating the opportunity… wasn’t that so?”
Zhao Changhe wasn’t really aiming for Admiral Changkong from the beginning; what did his own ranking on the Chaotic World List matter to him? Was this the time to prove his ranking in a one-on-one fight? Was he being paid?
San Niang’s bones were not yet fully healed. She originally could barely win against that Water Man, but now she wasn’t suited for prolonged fights. No matter how you thought about it, helping San Niang take down the Water Man first was the logical choice.
Admiral Changkong’s expression didn’t change, “Good. But have you ever thought that if you had continued to press me and launched attacks, I could have died? Now you reveal your weakness and are under pressure… could it be that the one who will die is you?”
Zhao Changhe showed his teeth in a smile, “But I have a backup plan.”
As his voice fell, a shout erupted from behind Admiral Changkong, “Traitor, meet your death!”
“Swoosh!” Nearly identical to Admiral Changkong’s saber technique, a strike sliced towards the back of Admiral Changkong’s neck.
At the same time, Hua Zhenming also arrived, slicing at Admiral Changkong’s lower back.
Zhao Changhe’s “backup plan” arrived.
Was this battle coming to an end?
A sharp “cling” resounded, and in the midst of the onlookers’ stupor, Zhao Changhe blocked Admiral Changkong’s blade with his own, but his left hand unexpectedly drew a sword to his side.
It was Hai Qianfan’s blade.
He appeared to target the back of Admiral Changkong’s neck, but with a skillful twist, he struck Zhao Changhe’s waist.
However, Zhao Changhe seemed to have anticipated this all along. His left-handed sword came out, breaking through the sudden sneak attack without a hitch.
The sharp Sword Qi pierced straight through, the overwhelming pressure of the blade like a tsunami was penetrated by this single thrust, channeling into the meridians and shaking Hai Qianfan to the point where he couldn’t gather strength for the next strike.
The longsword deftly turned, touching the slightly delayed blade of Hua Zhenming on the side.
The triple assault was broken in one fell swoop.
“Boom!” San Niang’s Fist Power reached Hai Qianfan’s face, accompanied by her chilling voice, “Uncle Hai… I’ve always tried to find excuses for you, but in the end… you have let me down, greatly let me down…”
The onlooking crowd could barely keep up with their thoughts.
After all this time, this was the true intent behind Zhao Changhe’s claim of resolving the fight within three moves.
If he didn’t take advantage of their gathering to eliminate their strongest link, the Water Man, before they were fully prepared, how could they continue the fight at this moment?