Astral Apostle

Chapter 488: Advantage; Sorcery (1)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Thank you for letting me win.”

Zhou Jing shook his spear and retracted his gaze from the defeated martial artist.

After defeating more than ten opponents in a row, his waist was no longer sore, and he was no longer panting. He felt even more energetic than before.

He glanced at everyone, his gaze mainly focused on the people from the various sects. He knew that these were the main force of the challenge, and most of the martial artists were just watching the show.

“I wonder if any other hero wants to exchange pointers?”

Zhou Jing asked loudly.

At this moment, a bald old man walked out of the crowd. His Mediterranean hairstyle was quite recognizable, and it was obvious that he was famed in the martial world.

Seeing this person, the surrounding martial artists stirred.

“It’s the Desert Bald Eagle Sha Xingzhou!”

“This expert was also invited?!”

“Is he very powerful?” A martial artist from the south asked curiously.

“It’s not about whether he’s powerful or not. He’s a very special person… In short, if you go to the northwest and listen, everyone will know about Senior Sha’s deeds.”

When Zhou Jing heard this, he roughly understood that the person in front of him was a famous hero in the northwest. He had more weight than the previous dozen or so people. He could not help but secretly size him up.

Sha Xingzhou coughed and braced himself to cup his fists, “I’m Sha Xingzhou. I’ve been invited by West Sand Sect to exchange pointers.”

Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows, but he saw some clues.

This person’s gaze was evasive and he did not have much confidence. He looked strong on the outside but was actually weak on the inside. At this moment, coming out was like chasing a duck onto a perch.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Zhou Jing laughed in his heart, but his face was calm as he raised his spear and pointed it diagonally.

Since the situation had already reached this point, Sha Xingzhou made up his mind and decided to take a gamble. He spread out his hands and circled around Zhou Jing, looking for an opportunity.

Looking at the probing exchanges in the field, the surrounding martial artists who were watching the show also lowered their voices and chatted softly,

“That Chen Feng has challenged more than ten people in a row. He must have consumed a lot of internal force.”

“Senior Sha’s martial arts are superb. He definitely won’t let Chen Feng go too easily.”

Sha Xingzhou: “…”

It sounded so awkward!

He gritted his teeth and twisted his feet. Suddenly, he stabbed out with his hand and grabbed out with his claws, causing the wind to whistle. It resembled an eagle soaring through the sky.

Zhou Jing nimbly dodged to the side. The white tassel spear in his hand moved like a spirit snake, and the wooden pole shook. With a crack, it collided with Sha Xingzhou fists and palms. In an instant, a few moves had passed.

After exchanging blows, he realized that this person surnamed Sha was stronger than the previous people, but his strength was limited. He had the combat strength of about 0.8 spears.

(TL Note: Zhou Jing’s own gauge of strength is how much serious spear thrusts needed to finish off a person…)

“Your claw technique is not bad, but it’s a little slow.”

Zhou Jing commented casually.

Hearing this, Sha Xingzhou was secretly angry. His claws became even fiercer, fully displaying his Eagle Claw technique.

However, no matter how he attacked, he could not break through Chen Feng’s impenetrable spear screen. From time to time, his palm would even hurt, as if he was dealing with a cactus.

“Damn it, how did this thief train his martial arts? He’s actually so superb!”

Sha Xingzhou became even more shocked.

After walking for more than ten moves, Zhou Jing suddenly switched from defense to offense. He threw out his spear and passed through the gap to hit the bottom of Sha Xingzhou’s body. Like a python, he swept his opponent into the sky.

His opponent’s body swayed in midair. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhou Jing smashed down with his spear. The end of the spear hit Sha Xingzhou’s waist and abdomen, causing him to fall and roll on the ground a few times.

“Wow!”

Sha Xingzhou spat out a mouthful of water and curled up into a ball while holding his stomach. He felt as if his skin was about to be beaten out.

“Aiyo, Master Sha has fallen!”

Everyone from West Sand Sect exclaimed and hurriedly went forward to support him.

Zhou Jing put away his spear and stood up. Seeing him being helped away, he grinned and said, “Looks like you’re not stable enough. You have to practice more.”

“Don’t be arrogant. The ground is clearly too slippery. Otherwise, how could you easily defeat Senior Sha?”

A disciple spoke indignantly.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone laughed.

“Quick, shut up…” Sha Xingzhou was so embarrassed that his face turned red. He felt that he could not face anyone anymore. He pulled the disciple and urged anxiously, “Hurry up and help me down!”

The disciples hurriedly helped him off the stage.

At this moment, an old man with white hair and a long beard slowly walked into the arena.

“Your spear technique is extraordinary. Do you have the guts to see my sword technique?”

Seeing this person, the noisy crowd suddenly returned to silence.

Immediately after, many martial artists burst into an uproar.

Compared to Sha Xingzhou just now, this person was even more revered!

“It’s Sword Saint Senior Zhuo!”

“A peerless expert like him is actually here!”

Zhou Jing dug his ears. He felt that this commotion was familiar, as if he had only heard it a few minutes ago.

However, before he could speak, some of the sect members opposite him became anxious and surrounded Zhuo Jianchen. They tried to persuade him otherwise,

“Senior Zhuo, you’re the one holding the fort. Why are you attacking now?”

These people’s original plan was to let a group of experts take turns to exhaust Zhou Jing. In the end, they would let Zhuo Jianchen and the other top experts step out to take advantage of him. They did not think of attacking now.

However, Zhuo Jianchen waved his hand and said calmly, “Everyone, there’s no need to persuade him anymore. This person’s martial arts are superb. I’m happy to see him and don’t want to take advantage of him. My sword technique has already reached the level of perfection. I have to use valuable opponents to sharpen myself before I can improve further. I was just thinking of using him to test my sword moves.”

Hearing this, the sects were helpless and could only stop persuading him.

Zhuo Jianchen came to Zhou Jing and stood in front of him. He pulled out his sword, looked up, and slowly spoke,

“I’ve been practicing the sword for nearly 60 years and have formed my own lineage. I’ve created the ultimate technique, the Soaring Sky Sword Technique. One of the ultimate moves, the Sword Qi Crossing the Stars, has made me the Sword Saint. Ever since I mastered it, there have been few opponents in the world. The sword in my hand is called Fear Extinction. It has been with me for 16 years. After my sword technique has been mastered, it hasn’t drunk human blood for nine years. Today is the day I’ll be enlightened… Chief Chen, are you ready?”

Zhou Jing: “…”

This old man was talking so much nonsense. He was even better at pretending than him.

However, he actually looked quite good. Perhaps this was the packaging.

“If you want to attack, attack. Why are you talking so much nonsense? Could it be that your mouth is stronger than your sword technique?”

Zhou Jing clicked his tongue.

“Arrogant.” Zhuo Jianchen’s expression darkened, his tone unhappy.

He casually held his long sword with a dignified aura as he calmly spoke,

“You’re a junior. I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll let you attack first.”

Seeing his attitude, many martial artists were immediately convinced.

“As expected of the Sword Saint.”

“This is the bearing of an expert!”

Seeing this, Zhou Jing’s expression became even stranger.

Was this person addicted to pretending?

He even asked me to attack first, as if he was teaching a junior.

Was this old fart underestimating his enemy or was he really that confident?

Zhou Jing decided not to think about it anymore and prepared to stab forward.

Seeing that the other party was so confident, he exerted a little more strength to test the waters.

“Good timing!”

Seeing that his opponent was moving, Zhuo Jianchen shouted.

With a flick of his wrist, sword shadows instantly filled the sky. Light flowed on the sword, as if stars had spread out in the blink of an eye.

This scene was huge, and the surrounding martial artists were all shocked.

“This is the Sword Qi Crossing Stars? Amidst the brilliance, there’s killing intent everywhere. As expected of a Sword Saint, he used such a high-level move!”

Luo Zhen’s eyes lit up as he praised in his heart.

However, in the next second…

A cold light shot into the stars. In the next moment, the light that filled the sky was instantly shattered and dissipated.

The tip of the spear pierced through Zhuo Jianchen’s shoulder and lifted him in the air. Blood dripped down from the longsword in his hand.

A simple spear thrust broke this astonishing sword move.

Everyone was about to cheer when their voices were immediately held back, and their expressions froze.

Zhou Jing held the spear in one hand and lifted Zhuo Jianchen in the air. Looking at the other party’s incredulous expression, he could not help but raise his eyebrows.

“Sword Saint, that’s it? I didn’t even use any strength, but you were already hit.”

“You, you’re actually so fast?!”

Zhuo Jianchen’s eyes widened in shock.

He had just seen Zhou Jing’s previous performance. Although he was powerful, he did not feel that he was unattainable. He felt that he already knew what to do.

In his opinion, with his ultimate move that had been tempered thousands of times, there was a high chance of winning even if he did not defeat his opponent. This way, he would win the bet, which was why he was confident in attacking.

However, he did not expect Chen Feng’s speed to suddenly increase by several times. No matter how exquisite his moves were, they were useless.

“In the world of martial arts, only speed can’t be broken. As long as one’s speed is fast enough, they can turn something rotten into something magical. All kinds of moves can be used, but the most ordinary thrust is an ultimate move that can’t be broken.”

Zhou Jing replied casually before pulling out his spear.

Zhuo Jianchen fell to the ground and covered his bleeding wound, but he did not look angry. Instead, his tone was complicated,

“What you’re saying is the truth of martial arts. With your speed, no matter how proficient ordinary people are in martial arts, they’re not your match. I’ve fought countless experts in my life, and your martial arts are almost invincible in the world. It’s not an exaggeration to call you the number one in the world. I’ve lost this time.”

Immediately after, Zhuo Jianchen looked around at the surrounding martial artists and smiled bitterly,

“I often boast about being the number one in the world in sword techniques. After living for so many years, I finally know that there’s someone better than me. Today, I was defeated and I’ve let down the invitation of the various sects. I’ve lost all my face. In the future, I’ll retreat into seclusion and no longer ask about the martial world. Goodbye!”

With that, he circulated his weightless technique and passed through the crowd, running down the mountain.

“Heh, you really know how to talk and run quickly.”

Zhou Jing raised his eyebrows and smiled playfully.

Many people from the martial world looked at each other in shock.

The Sword Saint had been beaten to retirement?!

Moreover, before he left, he even personally confirmed that Chen Feng’s martial arts had reached an invincible state.

Since ancient times, no expert in the martial world had really received this honor. Even if there were similar self-appointments, they could not convince the public.

Could it be that they could witness Chen Feng create history and reach the top of the world today?

The surrounding crowd was in an uproar as they discussed.

On the other side, the expressions of the various sects were ugly. They felt their faces burning.

It was fine if this Sword Saint left, but he had to say a bunch of polite words and deliberately praise Chen Feng to protect his reputation. However, this ended up roasting them over a fire.

At this moment, Zhou Jing retracted his gaze and turned to look at the various sects.

“Is there anyone else who wants to spar with me?”

Everyone was shocked at his sudden verbal jibe and remained silent.

Luo Zhen gritted his teeth in frustration.

Chen Feng’s arrogance had already overshadowed the entire venue and suppressed everyone. Now, many of the experts who had been invited to help had already retreated.

He had a feeling that they would not be able to win the bet in today’s Martial Arts Conference.

Luo Zhen could not help but scan the people present, wanting to find the death warriors of the Imperial Court hiding among them, but he did not manage to find anything.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that someone was patting his shoulder from behind.

Luo Zhen turned around, and his expression changed into surprise.

“Martial Uncle, why are you here?”

“Hmph, if I didn’t come, who would clean up the mess you caused?”

The person who came was an old man with white hair and a youthful face. He was wearing a simple Daoist robe. Although he was standing in a conspicuous position, the others subconsciously ignored him as if he did not exist.

The Nanhua Faction was divided into secular and hidden sects. The secular sect would take over the position of the sect master and manage the sect’s affairs, while the hidden sect was where the orthodoxy was located and had the true inheritance of spells.

This old man with white hair and a youthful face was Daoist Jade Cloud, a member of the Southern Hua Sect’s hidden side.

Hearing this, Luo Zhen immediately perked up and straightened his back.

Although he was the sect master, he did not have the right to command the Hidden Sect. However, they were all from the same sect, and their interests were related. At this moment, the Hidden Sect was willing to help.

With such strong support, Luo Zhen immediately felt confident again. He could not help but feel a sense of superiority.

So what if your martial arts are good? Our sect has experts who cultivate spells!

“Martial Uncle, what do you plan to do? Are you going to fight him?” Luo Zhen asked in a low voice.

Daoist Jade Cloud snapped,

“I’m not good at martial arts. Do you think I’ll go up and ask for a beating? I can just use a little technique here. This person is just a martial artist. I don’t think he can withstand it.”