The Challenge of Chu Xingkuang

Dugu Jianmo, orphaned and solitary from childhood, lived only for the sword. When the strongmen of the Southern Wastes were insulted, he stepped forward without hesitation. His iron sword swept across the sky, battling the assembled masters, shattering the Purple Prison Space and crushing Nether King’s Divine Wheel. He defeated the leading scions of several royal families in Yindu and silenced every expert present.

Now, one of the Four Heroes of Yindu had returned, boasting that he would cut down Dugu Jianmo within eighty moves, dismissing the barbarians of the Southern Wastes as beneath notice.

Chu Xingkuang, clad in a purple robe, radiated surging primal energy. His great cloak billowed without wind, snapping loudly. All the noble scions around him were thrown back. From his eyes shot two beams of purple light, each two meters long, almost material, like two divine swords exuding an oppressive aura.

Nearby, many cultivators of lesser strength cried out and shut their eyes. In that instant, whether because of the two purple beams or Chu Xingkuang’s sky-piercing killing intent, many around him trembled as if struck by lightning. One could imagine how powerful and fearsome Chu Xingkuang was. The Four Heroes of Yindu had dominated the imperial capital for years—they were no idle boast.

Xiao Chen stood like a pine, utterly calm, even as rolling murderous aura surged toward him like an angry sea, nearly swallowing him. But he was like a rock in the midst of the storm, standing firm and upright. At that moment, all eyes focused on him.

The Third Princess of the Great Shang Kingdom even lifted a corner of her veil, revealing half of a face as delicate as fresh snow, radiant as divine jade. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with brilliance as she gazed at the strongman whom Dugu Jianmo had praised. Other noble ladies of the capital also cast curious glances at this mysterious master.

Bo Shi, Chen Hangjin, and the scions of several royal clans stared unblinkingly at Xiao Chen. Dugu Jianmo’s iron sword had swept through the Poetry and Sword Gathering, silencing everyone. Now he claimed this man was stronger than himself—what kind of figure must he be? Their eyes blazed, as if trying to pierce into Xiao Chen’s body and see the truth.

The scene was quiet save for faint sounds. All attention was fixed on that one figure.

In the distance, Yin Feng’s eyes burned. “It’s him. He’s finally come.” He had fought Xiao Chen once at Moon-Viewing Tower and knew well the mysterious expert’s power and terror. Against Chu Xingkuang, he might even put up a fierce fight. But as to victory—he dared not imagine. The Four Heroes of Yindu had long established their might, leaving an indelible impression on all the noble scions.

Yan Qingcheng’s beautiful eyes showed a flicker of doubt. Him again? This man was a Southern Wastes expert, yet she had never seen him. Could he be Zhao Chongyang, the most mysterious of the Four Southern Wastes Powerhouses? But Xiao Chen had altered his bearing and suppressed his formerly blade-like sharp aura; she could not recognize him at all.

Qilao and Yuwen Feng also harbored doubts. They knew this man was not Zhao Chongyang, for both had encountered him before. Unable to guess, they could not fathom the identity of this young man from the Southern Wastes.

“You are the number one expert of the Southern Wastes?” Chu Xingkuang’s sword-like brows rose, light blazing from his eyes, an indescribable aura radiating from his entire being. He truly carried the unquenchable aura of the battlefield, making everyone’s hearts tremble. Many noble ladies of the capital turned their heads, their eyes sparkling. After all, he was one of the Four Heroes of Yindu, a figure many women had admired.

“No.” Xiao Chen answered calmly. Under the gaze of countless experts, he appeared unconcerned and at ease, standing as still as an evergreen divine pine.

“No?!” Chu Xingkuang’s brows shot up.

Thousands of people erupted in commotion. Had they mistaken him? Was Dugu Jianmo toying with them? Chaos spread through the crowd. Even the Third Princess of Great Shang showed a puzzled expression. Many began to shout, turning their gazes toward Dugu Jianmo, who carried an iron sword on his back.

“I am a rogue cultivator from overseas,” Xiao Chen said at that moment. With these words, he once again became the focus of attention. Overseas rogue cultivators rarely set foot on the Eternal Continent for decades at a time, and to the crowd they seemed extremely mysterious.

Dugu Jianmo added, “I never said he was the number one expert of the Southern Wastes. I only said he was stronger than me. He once fought the number one expert of the Southern Wastes for an entire night and they ended in a draw.”

By Moon Lake, the clamor swelled. Everyone murmured, staring at Xiao Chen with astonishment. Thinking back, Dugu Jianmo’s words had truly never claimed this man was the Southern Wastes’ best—he had only said he was stronger than himself. The crowd had been led astray. Tying with the Southern Wastes’ best, admitted by Dugu Jianmo to be unequaled—Xiao Chen drew attention from all sides and became the focus of the gathering.

Xiao Chen did not deny these words further. He only looked calmly at Dugu Jianmo.

“Ha ha… So if I defeat him, it’s the same as defeating the Southern Wastes’ number one?” Chu Xingkuang laughed, brimming with supreme confidence.

The emotions of the thousands surged. They anticipated a peak duel between Chu Xingkuang, one of the Four Heroes of Yindu, and the overseas rogue cultivator who had tied the Southern Wastes’ champion.

“Who is the Southern Wastes’ number one?” Chu Xingkuang turned to gaze at the aloof Dugu Jianmo.

“He has vanished,” Dugu Jianmo replied. He had spoken more today than in an entire year, especially when the Southern Wastes’ top expert was mentioned. He no longer hoarded words.

“Who?” Chu Xingkuang seemed deeply interested.

Everyone present was hooked by Dugu Jianmo’s rare loquacity. All at Moon Lake wanted to know who that person was, since even Dugu Jianmo admitted he could not defeat him. Yan Qingcheng, Qilao, and Yuwen Feng paid close attention, eager for a definite answer.

“Xiao Chen.”

Only two words. Having said them, Dugu Jianmo turned and strode away with the iron sword on his back.

“Xiao Chen…” Everyone murmured the name. In that moment, many exclaimed in surprise. The noble scions of Yindu, well-informed, knew it was a name that had once shaken the Southern Wastes. Yin Feng had said at Moon-Viewing Tower that only Xiao Chen of the Southern Wastes could match the strongest experts of Yindu. Bo Shi and Chen Hangjin showed surprise mixed with sudden understanding; several royal families all knew of the bloody night in Heavenly Emperor City. The Third Princess of Great Shang seemed to recall certain events and sighed regretfully. “So it’s him…” she murmured.

The beauties of Yindu around her were all keen-minded. One smiled and asked, “Your Highness, have you met that man?” The Third Princess only smiled and shook her head, saying nothing more.

Yan Qingcheng was momentarily stunned at hearing the name. Distant memories resurfaced—was it that man from three years ago? Her heart grew a little complicated, but she quickly calmed down. Qilao and Yuwen Feng showed understanding; especially Yuwen Feng, who had once suffered a crushing defeat at Xiao Chen’s hands. In reflection, he had to admit that defeat had been no injustice.

“Ha ha…” Chu Xingkuang laughed uproariously. “So that’s who it is. I’ve heard of him. If it’s him, I can only say that the Southern Wastes barbarians are no more than this!”

“Too arrogant!” “This man is insufferably overbearing!” Many among the crowd who had come from the Western Regions, the Northern Deserts, and the Southern Wastes to attend the Poetry and Sword Gathering at the Sea-Moon Pavilion were angered and disgusted.

Chu Xingkuang’s gaze turned cold as he swept his eyes across the crowd. “I heard he mastered a secret art—burning his own life force to kill several demigods. What’s so impressive about that? It’s not true cultivation. If not for that self-harming method, what would he be? If he dares fight me, in ninety moves I’ll cut off his head! Nothing but a barbarian!”

It was Chu Xingkuang’s nature: he always belittled his enemies, believing himself supreme, but in real battle he never underestimated any opponent. He gave a cold snort, his piercing gaze sweeping over everyone. “You don’t agree? Watch me defeat him.” As he spoke, he pointed at Xiao Chen.

At that moment, Dugu Jianmo, carrying his iron sword, walked up close to Xiao Chen and said in an almost inaudible voice, “Now I’m sure… it’s you.” Three days earlier, when Dugu Jianmo first saw Xiao Chen at Moon-Viewing Tower, he had already suspected. Today he had come early to Moon Lake and waited until Xiao Chen appeared. Some say the one who knows you best is not a friend but an enemy or a rival—perhaps there is truth in that. Dugu Jianmo and Xiao Chen shared no friendship. In Dugu Jianmo’s heart, Xiao Chen was merely a powerful opponent. He had not identified Xiao Chen from his aura, nor from his appearance, but purely by instinct.

Xiao Chen remained silent. Dugu Jianmo departed and became an observer.

Chu Xingkuang strode forward, standing opposite Xiao Chen, then swept his gaze over the noble scions of Yindu. “I will restore your honor. Today I will cut off his head here.” The scene fell silent. Chu Xingkuang against the overseas rogue cultivator—it was a match everyone anticipated.

“Are you ready?” Chu Xingkuang fixed his eyes on Xiao Chen, pressing him relentlessly.

“Why should I fight you? I have no desire to exchange blows,” Xiao Chen said, still composed despite being at the center of the storm.

“Because I want to fight you!” Chu Xingkuang’s presence was imposing, his dominance plain for all to see. “You have no choice but to fight!”

“Who do you think you are?” With a tone that was half mockery, half disdain, Xiao Chen spoke calmly and turned to leave.

“Ha ha…” Chu Xingkuang laughed. “Leaving? Impossible!”

Hong! Like a bolt of purple lightning, he struck out a palm in that instant. Primal energy seethed like boiling water; purple energy waves rolled up layers of murderous aura, surging toward Xiao Chen to engulf him.

Xiao Chen did not turn his head. He slightly curled the index finger of his right hand and flicked it gently.

Lingxi Sword Ripples, inherited from the Rhino Elder of the savage tribes, were no ordinary sword qi. Centered on Xiao Chen, ripples spread outward like water waves—seemingly gentle, but the moment they touched the purple force, the sword ripples erupted violently. It was as if a thousand white waves surged, and by Moon Lake a thunderous roar shook the heavens. Clearly visible, a forty-meter-diameter energy source churned like an angry sea, with Xiao Chen at its center. All the purple energy was shattered and dispersed. Chu Xingkuang himself flipped backward, flying out of the forty-meter circle.

Though his movements were swift, half his sleeve drifted into the circle and instantly turned to ash, vanishing into the air.

In one move, Chu Xingkuang was forced back, stunning everyone. Thousands stood agape. A quick-witted cultivator threw his sword into the circle. The forty-meter light source of the sword ripples had not yet fully dissipated; faint ripples still trembled, but in an instant the sword was shattered to powder. Thousands were dumbstruck. The Lingxi Sword Ripples were terrifying—they seemed capable of destroying everything. No wonder Chu Xingkuang had flown backward at the first touch.

So this was the master Dugu Jianmo had praised—the equal of the Southern Wastes’ number one, Xiao Chen? The Third Princess of Great Shang and a dozen Yindu beauties all rose from their seats. Bo Shi, Chen Hangjin, and the scions of several royal families stepped forward in shock. Yan Qingcheng, Qilao, and Yuwen Feng showed astonishment. The Western guests A Shui, A Bing, and Huo Xiao were also amazed. Every spectator was astounded. The scene fell into a dead silence. This mysterious overseas rogue cultivator seemed unfathomable, drawing everyone’s gaze.

Chu Xingkuang showed no embarrassment. Instead, he nodded. “I underestimated you earlier. Now you are worthy to be called an opponent.” It was only now that he asked Xiao Chen’s name. The crowd muttered to themselves—Chu Kuangren was truly arrogant, only now regarding his opponent as an equal. Everyone was eager to know the name of this mysterious rogue cultivator.

Xiao Chen swept his eyes across the assembly. “My name is Xiao Shishui. But I did not come here to fight; I have no wish to exchange blows.”

“The Lingxi Sword Ripples once shook the world in a certain era. Now that they appear again, how can you disappoint me?” Chu Xingkuang sneered. “Today I retract my earlier words. I will not cut off your head—I will spare your life. Go ahead and release your full power.”

Chu Xingkuang’s arrogance and self-confidence pressed hard. Xiao Chen looked at him coldly. He did not want trouble, but that did not mean he feared it. Now that he had cultivated the Eight-Aspect Worlds and his divine art was newly formed, even if he ignored its power, in terms of speed alone even Deathless Longevity experts could not corner him. If trouble truly arose, he was confident he could escape.

“Don’t force me to kill you.”

Only five words, uttered from Xiao Chen’s mouth. Not only did they make Chu Xingkuang pause, they stunned the thousands present. This one… was even more overbearing! Five words expressed his intent: he was not afraid to fight, merely unwilling. If he did fight, he would simply cut down his opponent. Everyone was shocked. This overseas rogue cultivator was truly a character—colder and fiercer than Dugu Jianmo, wilder than Chu Xingkuang. Beneath a calm exterior lay the heart of a warrior.

The name Xiao Shishui was deeply etched into everyone’s memory in that moment.

“Let the battle begin!” “Overseas rogue cultivator versus Chu Xingkuang!” The crowd shouted, even more eager for the clash.

Chu Xingkuang sneered, unconcerned. He dashed forward like lightning, shouting, “Let me see if you have grasped the true meaning of the Lingxi Sword Ripples!” In an instant he reached Xiao Chen. His body spun into the air, purple light swirling around him. A divine sword of condensed purple radiance appeared in his hand, slashing downward from above.

Xiao Chen stood steady as a rock, unmoving. But from his eyes shot two sharp beams, like lightning splitting the sky. This time the Lingxi Sword Ripples did not appear. Xiao Chen’s body moved with his heart; his hands traced mysterious trajectories. He formed a seal with his body, a dharma seal completing itself.

The Fearless Lion Seal!

Fierce as a comet striking the earth, it traced a dazzling arc and shot upward. With a clang, it struck the purple divine sword. Still as a pine, moving like a rushing wind, Xiao Chen soared into the sky, exchanging over a hundred blows with Chu Xingkuang in an instant, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air. The Fearless Lion Seal pushed ferocity and violence to the extreme.

After a hundred exchanges, both landed. Chu Xingkuang raised his sword and charged forward again, swinging grandly, cleaving at Xiao Chen. The divine sword constantly shattered the void, its contained power evident, issuing a faint, mournful sound as it stirred the very heavens.

Xiao Chen was unafraid. The Fearless Lion Seal swept out horizontally. His body was like a phantom—nimble as the wind, violent as thunder.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Xiao Chen’s hand seals met the divine sword, sparking a cascade of brilliant light like a meteor shower. He attacked relentlessly, overwhelmingly powerful. Finally, Xiao Chen brought his hands together in a seal. A sky-shaking lion’s roar burst forth, and the phantom of a three-headed Golden Lion King appeared, charging at Chu Xingkuang.

This was the true meaning of the Fearless Lion Seal!

The lion phantom looked exactly like the three-headed golden lion from the Southern Wastes beast king tournament three years ago. The seal technique was a divine skill Xiao Chen had obtained from the Pure Land, nearly fully divine. The one who taught him, Wang Xianpo, had once integrated the supreme Buddhist mysteries with the secret arts of the Forest Tribe to create her own unparalleled techniques, but she never forgot the divine powers of Buddhism, passing them all to Xiao Chen.

After training in the Fearless Lion Seal, Xiao Chen had once suspected that the Golden Lion King from the Southern Wastes beast king tournament might truly be a buddha.

“Roar…” The golden lion became almost real. Its three heads roared skyward as it pounced on Chu Xingkuang. Blinding golden divine light exploded, forcing everyone to shut their eyes. It was as if the heavens and earth were overturned. Waves of energy erupted continuously. Moon Lake’s waters churned, and many spectators in the distance staggered, some even falling to the ground.

When the light faded, the Golden Lion King had vanished, and the purple divine sword in Chu Xingkuang’s hand was shattered by the Fearless Lion Seal. Everyone was deeply shaken. This overseas rogue cultivator, Xiao Shishui, was too powerful. They had thought the Lingxi Sword Ripples were his only reliance—now it seemed he commanded more than one divine art.

Chu Xingkuang snorted coldly, stepped forward, and with a clang, purple light flowed, and a new purple divine sword coalesced in his hand.

Xiao Chen stood still as a pine, coldly watching the approaching Chu Xingkuang. The hand seals he formed now were completely different.

The Unmoving Wisdom King Seal!

This time, Xiao Chen clapped his hands together in a seal. The phantom of the principal Wisdom King materialized, its enormous figure blotting out half the sky. It reached down with a massive palm, shaking all directions.

Boom! The purple divine sword shattered. The blow swept Chu Xingkuang away, sending him tumbling backward in a fluster.

Uproar filled the arena. Not that they had not expected Xiao Chen to be strong, but such terrifying power shocked everyone into disbelief. After landing, Chu Xingkuang showed no sign of discouragement, only intensified battle intent. Now his face was utterly grave. Seeing Xiao Chen display successive divine arts, he decided to hold nothing back, revealing the divine methods that had made him the pride of the younger generation.

“Report!” At that moment, a distant shout rang out. An armored soldier ran to the edge of the dueling ground, knelt on one knee, and reported to Chu Xingkuang: “An urgent heavy letter!” Chu Xingkuang stepped back and strode out of the dueling area. The fight was interrupted.

Before Chu Xingkuang could open the letter, two cultivators surrounded him. “Brother Chu, let us deal with that brat.” One was tall, a full three heads above ordinary men, with a cold, unruly look. The other was beardless, with sunken, sinister eyes, tall and thin, seeming weak but exuding a dark, chilling aura. “No, wait until I read the letter and finish my duel with him.” Chu Xingkuang refused flatly. “We must fight…” Everyone saw the three arguing. Their identities raised suspicion—how dare they speak to Chu Xingkuang like that? They must be no ordinary men.

One of them, ignoring Chu Xingkuang’s obstruction, dashed into the arena and appeared before Xiao Chen. Outside the arena, Chu Xingkuang fumed but forced down his anger. These two were recently hired retainers of very unusual origin—young scions of the powerful and mysterious Tiger Family of the Central Plains. If not for his fear of their background and the fact that they were genuinely strong, Chu Xingkuang would have ordered them killed. But when he tore open the letter, his mood improved. He burst out laughing. “That bastard is coming back too. And he dared to play a joke on me with an urgent heavy letter. Haha… The capital is about to get lively.”

Hu Zitong, tall and unruly, looked like a difficult customer. He stared at Xiao Chen and said, “Did you fight Xiao Chen three years ago?”

“What do you want to know?” Xiao Chen watched him calmly.

“You two ended in a draw?”

Xiao Chen gave a noncommittal grunt.

“Meaning you two became friends out of mutual admiration?”

“So what if we did?”

“Then I knew it! You two had that dogshit mutual respect and became friends. So today, if I kill you, you won’t die unjustly!” Hu Zitong, as savage as a wild man, spoke with dark menace.

“Who are you? Why do you say that?” Xiao Chen’s gaze was cold.

Like a wild man, the unruly giant lowered his voice. “My name is Hu Zitong. Three years ago, that damned Xiao Chen killed one of our brothers and two demigods of my Tiger Family. He made a name for himself. We brothers swore to destroy everything he holds dear. If I kill you, if he is still alive, he will surely show himself.”

“What kind of logic is that?” Xiao Chen’s eyes gradually filled with cold fury. “This is not a place where your Tiger Family rules unchecked. If you die here, no one will speak for you!”

“Ha ha…” Hu Zitong laughed uproariously. “Before the sacred arts of the Tiger Family, do you have any chance of victory? Besides, half the blood flowing in my veins is White Tiger blood.”

Xiao Chen smiled, his tone calm. “Then let actions prove it.”

He had encountered members of the Tiger Family. Originally, he had not wanted to indiscriminately kill Tiger Family disciples. But seeing Hu Zitong’s attitude, he changed his mind. Sparring him… would not be easy. Killing him was non-negotiable. Even if Hu Zitong now wanted to avoid a fight, Xiao Chen would not let him go. He had already pronounced the death sentence. Xiao Chen decided to unleash his full power, holding nothing back.

Shua! Like a fleeting shadow, Xiao Chen shot forward in an instant. He attacked without restraint, unleashing the Lingxi Sword Ripples inherited from the Rhino Elder of the savage tribes. Both index and middle fingers flicked out. A sixty-meter-diameter circle of destruction appeared, ripples spreading, and a terrifying fluctuation pulsed outward.

“Open!” Hu Zitong seemed to know the danger. He bellowed. White light blazed around him, and a white tiger materialized behind him, claws bared, emitting overwhelming power. He slammed a fist forward, and bolts of lightning cracked out—his divine art, Destruction Lightning. But it could not withstand the assault. The lightning was instantly shattered by the sword ripples, dissolving into nothingness. The sword ripples spread, like the tolling of a bell, an ethereal, drifting note. Ring after ring of sword ripples sounded like a death knell.

“Dang…” The reverberations lingered.

“Ah…” Hu Zitong screamed. His legs disintegrated in an instant, turning to dust. He shot up in terror, barely avoiding complete annihilation of body and soul. Though he escaped the sixty-meter circle, without legs, how fast could he go? Xiao Chen smiled coldly, leaving an afterimage as he closed in.

The supreme art inherited from Wang Xianpo of the Forest Tribe was unleashed.

The Divine Rhythm Flower-Picking Seal!

A colossal phantom appeared, bearing Xiao Chen’s striking likeness, cold and merciless with a faint smile, holding an unnamed celestial blossom in its hand. Swoosh! The divine flower left its hand, enlarging to the size of a house in an instant. Its petals were crystalline and translucent. One by one, they fell like razor-sharp blades.

“Puff!” Blood burst forth. Hu Zitong’s arms, chest, and abdomen were severed in an instant, leaving nothing behind—only a mist of blood in the air. And his head, frozen in terror, floated among the remaining petals.

Nearby, the beardless Hu Zifeng nearly fainted. His cousin had been utterly destroyed in an instant, killed before his eyes—he could hardly believe it. Roaring with rage, he charged forward.

In the distance, Chu Xingkuang took all this in, anxious but helpless, unable to stop it. “Damn it! Those two bastards… they died, but the city is harboring a grown tiger! They’re bringing me trouble!” Chu Xingkuang bitterly regretted ever taking these two as retainers. Though both were formidable, now that they had caused trouble, their background would be a problem. Hu Zitong’s head, floating among the fading petals, was full of terror and disbelief. A faint spiritual fluctuation emerged: “I… I was a master at the early stage of the sixth heaven of Spirit-Treasury… and I was killed…”

“Even the seventh heaven, I would kill without mercy.”

Xiao Chen’s icy voice shattered the last shred of his consciousness. As Hu Zifeng rushed forward, Xiao Chen curled his ring finger and gently flicked it.

The head floating among the fading petals, under the ripple of the sword, burst with a bang!

By Moon Lake, the crowd erupted. Thousands cheered. Xiao Chen’s performance was breathtaking.