Dual Cultivation Chapter 1143: A Brief Exchange
Previously on Dual Cultivation...
"Join you... the Limitless Sword Sect...?" An amused chuckle escaped Su Yang's lips upon hearing the man's suggestion.
Countless attempts had been made by the Limitless Sword Sect to bring him into their ranks back then, despite his affiliation with the Celestial Sword Sect. Naturally, none of those efforts bore fruit. To make matters worse, driven by spiteful revenge for his preference toward the Celestial Sword Sect, they had devastated the entire sect following his death.
"What's so amusing?" The man scowled, a subtle trace of discomfort appearing on his features.
Su Yang erased the grin from his expression and replied in an icy tone. "If an unqualified person tried to take you as their disciple... Wouldn't you find that ridiculous too?"
"What?! Not qualified?!" The attractive man cried out, refusing to accept what he'd just heard.
Among the elite sects of the Divine Heavens stood the Limitless Sword Sect. If they lacked the credentials to instruct in sword arts, no one else could possibly boast such authority!
Displeasure shadowed the man's countenance. "If you believe the Limitless Sword Sect falls short in teaching you, then name—who does qualify?"
Su Yang feigned a brief contemplation before answering with a gentle smile, "Should I choose one, it'd be the Celestial Sword Sect."
The attractive man's features stiffened at Su Yang's surprising response.
"HAHAHA!"
Loud guffaws erupted from him all of a sudden, as he gripped his belly and smacked his leg over and over.
"The Celestial Sword Sect?! That worthless spot lacking even one Swordmaster? In case you didn't know, let this senior inform you! Long ago, our Limitless Sword Sect's unmatched sword skills completely demolished the Celestial Sword Sect. These days, they're just scraping by to exist!"
"To imagine you'd seek entry into that trashy sect brimming with worthless prodigies! You surely can't grasp Sword Will! It's absurd I even entertained that idea! A dual cultivator handling Sword Will? Spare me the joke! Hahaha!"
"Hey." Su Yang interjected abruptly, cutting off the attractive man's chuckles. "From your attire, it seems you're a Core Disciple of the Limitless Sword Sect, correct?"
"Indeed." The man affirmed with a smug tilt of his head.
"Since you're so assured of the Limitless Sword Sect's sword arts, how about we verify it immediately, right on this spot?"
The man arched his brows, appearing baffled by Su Yang's sudden proposal.
"Verify? Who's going to test me?" he inquired.
A serene smile graced Su Yang's face as he lifted his arm and directed it toward his own form.
"You wished to verify if I possess Sword Will, didn't you? This seems like the ideal chance, wouldn't it?"
"You intend to cross blades with me...?" The man could scarcely credit his hearing.
Su Yang lifted a brow, his tone laced with a touch of taunt. "Hm? Are you saying you lack Sword Will?"
"Who dared claim I lack Sword Will?!" The attractive man erupted in fury the instant Su Yang implied as much.
To someone of Core Disciple status like him, that statement amounted to pure insult.
"Within the Limitless Sword Sect, grasping at least Basic Sword Will is required to ascend to Core Disciple!"
"Then we'll share a quick clash employing Basic Sword Will," Su Yang suggested next.
"This instant? In this location?" The man questioned.
He gave a nod.
"Just one clash. Does fear hold you back?"
"Naturally, I'm concerned—concerned I could unintentionally end your life!" he bellowed in anger. "I'm present as a visitor. Though a Core Disciple of the Limitless Sword Sect, slaying a fellow sect's disciple on their grounds is forbidden! It's like demanding I end myself!"
"No need for concern; I assure you, you'll face no repercussions even if you happen to kill me by mistake. I vow it." Su Yang assured.
He shifted his attention to Lin Xinyi and added, "You'll serve as witness. Should misfortune befall me, inform the rest of my words, alright?"
"Are you certain this is wise...?" Lin Xinyi queried, her brow creased in concern.
They'd been on the verge of entering the Eternal Yin Yang Caves, yet somehow, peril had thrust itself upon them out of nowhere?
While Su Yang had bested Yun Xiao Hong, the foe before him now was a Core Disciple from the formidable Limitless Sword Sect, famed for its battle expertise. Against such an adversary, Yun Xiao Hong paled in comparison.
Still, she chose to place faith in Su Yang.
"Alright, I vow to inform the Elders he bears no blame should harm come to you," she stated shortly after.
Su Yang faced the man once more and offered a smile.
"You caught that. Or is there yet another reason to dodge your own disgrace?"
Su Yang's words made the attractive man quiver. Silently, he drew forth a stunning green blade from his spatial ring.
He held the sword aloft and proclaimed, "Wang Haoran is my name, and I take up your challenge."
"I never expected to draw this sword quite yet, yet..."
Su Yang pulled out his recently obtained Empyrean-grade sword and stated, "Xiao Yang is my name."
For almost a complete minute, the pair stood still as stone figures. Abruptly, they slashed their swords in unison without prior signal.
Their Sword Wills smashed together in the following moment.
"Impossible!" Wang Haoran cried out in astonishment before sharply contorting his frame, as if dodging an invisible force.
"Cough!"
In the subsequent instant, Wang Haoran spewed a gush of blood. He'd dodged the Sword Will proper, but its emanating aura, grazing him lightly, sufficed to damage his innards.
He swiftly pressed a hand to his lips, then whipped around to stare at Su Yang, eyes bulging with astonishment and incredulity.
Su Yang steadily held his stare and remarked in a tone of letdown, "Was that your finest effort? You raised my expectations in vain. I'd assumed the Limitless Sword Sect had advanced greatly after overpowering the Celestial Sword Sect. At this caliber, it's hard to fathom your victory over them."
"Y-You... who in blazes are you?!" Wang Haoran yelled, his stare quaking with confusion and terror.