Chapter 103: Secret Technique: Falling Flowers Affection, Body Sect Attacks!
Facing the overwhelming onslaught of Golden Leaves, Lin Xuan still carried the copper staff on his shoulder, his smile unchanged.
Then he moved, and the wings of Shikigami: Nue behind him suddenly unfurled!
Golden lightning coiled around those purple-black wings. With a single flap, Lin Xuan's figure shot into the sky like an arrow from a bow!
And his target was exactly Yu Mengdi, who was flying in mid-air!
"Coming right at me!"
A flash of joy crossed Ye Wuqing's eyes; this was the opportunity he had been waiting for!
As long as Yu Mengdi could hold out and not be instantly killed, Lin Xuan, with his back exposed, would definitely be hit by his Golden Leaves!
"Mengdi! Hold him back!"
He shouted sternly while waving both hands. The sky full of Golden Leaves instantly changed direction, shooting toward Lin Xuan's back like a dense swarm of golden arrows!
Wherever each Golden Leaf passed, the air was sliced with a faint whistling sound.
In mid-air, Yu Mengdi instantly understood Ye Wuqing's intention upon hearing his shout.
She gritted her teeth and suddenly retracted her wings, forcing her body to a dead stop in mid-air!
Immediately after, she turned to face the incoming golden figure head-on!
"Come on!"
Yu Mengdi held her swords in both hands, and the sacred golden light surged violently once more!
She knew she was no match for Lin Xuan, but she only needed to hold out for an instant! Just one instant, and Ye Wuqing's attack would land!
This was their only chance!
Lin Xuan looked at Yu Mengdi charging toward him, then glanced at the rain of golden arrows behind him, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.
He didn't slow down, nor did he look back again.
He simply raised the copper staff in his hand and swept it toward Yu Mengdi!
The copper staff, entwined with golden lightning, dragged a brilliant trail of thunder through the air, smashing toward Yu Mengdi with a world-destroying momentum!
Yu Mengdi's pupils constricted. The terrifying lightning pressure made every hair on her body stand on end, and the shadow of death instantly enveloped her heart!
But she did not retreat.
Captain, you absolutely must not miss!
She screamed inwardly, holding her swords with both hands and meeting the lightning-wrapped copper staff with all her strength!
"CLANG—!!!"
The massive roar of metal clashing shook the arena once again!
The moment the Sacred Twin Swords collided with the copper staff, Yu Mengdi regretted it.
That power was simply not something she could withstand!
The terrifying force traveled through the sword blades; the webbing between her thumbs and index fingers instantly split, and blood splattered!
The two Sacred Twin Swords, formed by her First Soul Skill, were directly knocked out of her hands, dissipating into specks of golden light in mid-air!
As for her, she was struck in the chest by the follow-through of Lin Xuan's staff. She spat out a mouthful of blood and fell toward the ground like a kite with a broken string!
Yu Mengdi was defeated by just one strike.
But her mission was complete, because at this moment, Ye Wuqing's sky of Golden Leaves was less than an inch away from Lin Xuan's back!
"I've got him!"
A light of wild joy erupted in Ye Wuqing's eyes!
At such close range and with such a dense attack, Lin Xuan absolutely could not dodge!
As long as it hit, even if it didn't defeat him outright, it would be enough to heavily injure him!
Once Shrek's ace fell, the remaining Soul Sects wouldn't be worth mentioning!
The entire audience held their breath.
In the Sun Moon Team's rest area, Xiao Hongchen suddenly clenched his fists.
"Dodge! Hurry up and dodge!"
He almost shouted out loud, yet Lin Xuan didn't dodge; he didn't even turn around.
Just as the sky full of Golden Leaves was about to pierce his back, a layer of faint Soul Power suddenly rose from Lin Xuan's body.
That Soul Power wasn't powerful; it could even be called inconspicuous. It was like a thin veil, gently enveloping Lin Xuan's entire body.
But the next moment the Golden Leaves touched that layer of light, a series of soft pops rang out.
"Bang bang bang—"
The sky full of Golden Leaves, Ye Wuqing's all-out attack, the moment they touched that layer of light, it was as if they hit the hardest barrier and were all bounced away!
One by one, the Golden Leaves flew backward; some shattered instantly, while others spun and splattered in the air, unable to get even an inch closer to Lin Xuan!
The wild joy on Ye Wuqing's face instantly froze.
He widened his eyes, looking at this scene in disbelief.
"How... how is this possible?!"
His all-out strike, his strongest attack, was actually... bounced away?
What on earth was that thin layer of Soul Power?!
The entire arena fell into a dead silence once more, followed by an even more frantic outburst of exclamations from the stands!
"What was that?!"
"His Soul Power can actually bounce away attacks?!"
"What kind of f*cking defense is this?!"
In the Sun Moon Team's rest area, Xiao Hongchen stood up abruptly, his heterochromatic eyes wide with shock.
"That's..."
He muttered to himself, his face full of shock.
"Soul Power externalization? No! Soul Power externalization couldn't possibly have such strong defensive power! That's... that's..."
He couldn't say it because he had never seen such a thing—no, to be precise, no one had.
Above the Soul Fighting Platform.
Lin Xuan slowly turned around and looked down at the completely stunned Ye Wuqing below.
He still carried the copper staff on his shoulder, surrounded by golden lightning, with that layer of faint Soul Power light still enveloping him, making him look like a Thunder God descended to the world.
"Is that all?"
Although Lin Xuan appeared calm on the surface, he actually couldn't help but break a sweat for himself.
What he had just used was the secret technique of the Three Great Families for countering Domains—Falling Flowers Affection.
Like Simple Domain and Hollow Wicker Basket, it was a secret technique used to counter Domain Expansions. The difference was that the core of Falling Flowers Affection was to use cursed energy to automatically counter a Domain's guaranteed-hit attacks, bouncing away all physical attacks through extreme control of cursed energy.
However, since he hadn't used it for a long time, and Soul Power was not entirely equivalent to cursed energy, some of the control techniques in Falling Flowers Affection couldn't be perfectly applied to Soul Power. Thus, until just now, Lin Xuan didn't have 100% confidence in perfectly executing Falling Flowers Affection.
But he was only worried about whether he could use it; as for whether it could block Ye Wuqing's attack, Lin Xuan didn't care at all.
Falling Flowers Affection could block Sukuna's Domain slashes; a mere Soul King's attack wasn't even qualified.
Ye Wuqing opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound.
His pride and joy, the Golden Leaves, his all-out strike, couldn't even break through the opponent's defense?
How was he supposed to fight this?
On the other side of the battlefield, Tang Xiaolei had been beaten out of shape and was lying on the ground on the verge of death.
Bei Bei looked up at the figure bathed in golden thunder in mid-air, his mouth twitching.
"...What on earth is that defensive skill of his? Is it another ability of a Shikigami? No... just how many Shikigami does he have?"
Xu Sanshi had a look of intoxication. "Cool! That's so f*cking cool!"
Wang Dong curled his lip. "Tsk, just showing off..."
Despite saying that, he couldn't help but keep glancing at Lin Xuan out of the corner of his eye.
He Caitou scratched his head. "So... are we still fighting?"
Ning Tian stood to the side, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda still rotating in her palm, but she had forgotten to release any Martial Soul abilities. She just looked up at the figure in mid-air, the light in her eyes growing brighter and brighter.
The more brilliant and powerful Lin Xuan was, the more determined she became in her heart.
Above the Soul Fighting Platform, Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the remaining five people below.
Ye Wuqing, the fallen Yu Mengdi, the shivering Blood Wolf, Yang Yifan who was kneeling on the ground, and Shangguan Can who was holding his bell, not knowing what to do.
He gently landed back on the Soul Fighting Platform, tapped the copper staff lightly on his shoulder, and asked with a smile,
"Still fighting?"
Ye Wuqing fell silent. He lowered his head, looking at his trembling hands, then at his teammates who had completely lost their will to fight.
After a long time, he took a deep breath, his voice raspy and full of bitterness.
"We concede."
Continue fighting? How?
His own all-out strike didn't even work on Lin Xuan, and if the opponent landed one staff hit, he'd be sent to meet his ancestors.
"Being born in the same era as you is truly a misfortune," Ye Wuqing said, looking at Lin Xuan with a bitter smile.
He could already see the scene of geniuses even stronger than him meeting Lin Xuan and having their Dao hearts shattered. Perhaps they would have been top-tier powerhouses in any other era, and that era might even have been named after them.
But Ye Wuqing was now certain that as long as Lin Xuan didn't die, this era was destined to be his.
Lin Xuan smiled and shook his head, saying softly,
"At least you have the chance to see the highest mountain, don't you?"
Ye Wuqing couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, then he smiled, a sincere smile.
"Yes, a powerhouse is a powerhouse anywhere. Compared to being a powerhouse among the weak, being called a powerhouse among powerhouses is what I truly want."
After a moment of silence, the entire arena erupted in mountain-shaking cheers once again!
"Shrek!! Shrek!!"
"Lin Xuan!! Lin Xuan!!"
The figure with the copper staff on his shoulder and lightning coiling around him merely glanced at the cheering crowd and turned to walk off the stage.
Behind him, the referee was stunned for a good while before finally reacting and announcing loudly,
"Round robin tournament, third round, first match: Shrek Academy wins!"
Although this match was over, in the eyes of some powerhouses, the impact of this match was just beginning.
However, Lin Xuan had already left Star Luo Square with the rest of Shrek Academy amidst the cheers of the entire arena.
Arriving outside the Star Emperor Hotel, Lin Xuan suddenly stopped.
"Lin Xuan, what's wrong?" Ning Tian, seeing Lin Xuan suddenly turn to look at the corner on the right side of the hotel, couldn't help but ask with concern.
Lin Xuan shook his head, gently stroking Ning Tian's smooth platinum-blonde hair, and smiled.
"It's nothing. Go into the hotel with Teacher Wang and the others first. I have some business to take care of outside."
Feeling the touch on her back, Ning Tian's cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered,
"Um... alright then, just be careful."
After watching Ning Tian, Wang Yan, and the others enter the Star Emperor Hotel, Lin Xuan's smile faded, and he turned to walk toward the corner of the hotel building.
Turning the corner, he saw an empty alleyway, but Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes and spoke up.
"You two, since you're here, why hide and skulk around? Why not show yourselves?"
"Impressive."
A series of crisp claps rang out. In the previously empty alley, the void distorted, and then two strange figures appeared out of thin air.
These two middle-aged men looked quite ordinary, but their builds were very peculiar.
One had an exceptionally thick right arm, while the other was small and thin with an enormous head, looking like a big-headed doll.
As expected, it was Lang Ya and Yu Tao from the Body Sect... Lin Xuan understood immediately. A fairly strong Spiritual Power had been intentionally radiating toward him from here since a moment ago; he didn't even need to think to know someone was trying to lure him here.
"Little fellow, you dare to come here alone? Aren't you afraid we might do you harm?" Lang Ya, who looked like a big-headed doll, said in a low voice, looking as if he were about to strike at any moment.
"You can try," Lin Xuan said calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Since you've sought me out, it means you believe my Martial Soul is a Body Martial Soul. In that case, as members of the Body Sect, why would you harm me?"
Hearing this, both Lang Ya and Yu Tao were stunned for a moment, then both burst into laughter, their eyes filled with praise and admiration as they looked at Lin Xuan.
"Good, good, good! As expected of a disciple of our Body Sect. Not only is your strength extraordinary, but your insight, courage, and wisdom are all top-tier among men," Lang Ya said with a laugh, clapping his hands.
The Body Sect really is overbearing. I haven't even said I'd join, and they're already considering me a disciple?
Lin Xuan was somewhat speechless, but he was also a bit surprised; he hadn't expected the Body Sect to actually come looking for him.
After all, whether a shadow is a part of the body is hard to answer definitively, but it seemed that at the very least, the Body Sect believed it was.
"Since you know of the Body Sect and are aware that your Martial Soul is a Body Martial Soul, then what follows will be easy to handle."
Lang Ya continued, "The purpose of us two brothers seeking you out is simple: we want to lead you back to the Sect. Although your Martial Soul is a shadow and its characteristics are strange, you don't need to doubt it. I can tell you clearly that what you possess is a true Body Martial Soul."
"We've encountered cases like yours before. For this, we generally have a method of identification. It's very simple: we just see if your Body Martial Soul can be excised."
"For example, the eyes of an Eye Spirit can be gouged out. Although a shadow cannot be cut, similarly, if your body is cut, the shadow will also be missing that part."
Lin Xuan remained silent, his attitude unreadable. Lang Ya didn't mind and simply continued.
"And the Shadow Martial Soul you possess is among the highest quality of all Body Martial Souls that have ever appeared. Furthermore, I can now make a promise on behalf of our Sect Master: as long as your physical constitution can withstand the impact of a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring in the future, we will exert the full strength of the Sect to help you hunt 100,000-year-old Soul Beasts."
"And there's no limit to the number. If you can absorb five hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, we'll hunt five 100,000-year-old Soul Beasts for you! If it's ten Soul Rings, then ten 100,000-year-old Soul Beasts! Naturally, any Soul Bones produced from hunting these 100,000-year-old Soul Beasts will belong to you. At that time, you will be one of the candidates for the next Sect Master. How about it?"
Hearing this, Lin Xuan finally reacted.
"It really sounds hard not to be moved. Compared to Shrek Academy, it seems to be more than just a level better," Lin Xuan said with a smile.
Hearing this, Lang Ya and Yu Tao's eyes lit up, and they were overjoyed. From the sound of it... Lin Xuan seemed to have some dissatisfaction with Shrek Academy?
Wasn't that perfect? If you don't like Shrek Academy, then come to the Body Sect!
Unfortunately, Lang Ya and Yu Tao had no experience in the workplace; they didn't know that a leader's preceding words are all nonsense, and only the words after the "but" are the key point.
"But," Lin Xuan said, looking directly at the two whose expressions changed slightly, "I don't want to join the Body Sect right now."
"Why?!" Lang Ya was dumbfounded. "Could this crappy Shrek Academy possibly understand Body Martial Souls better than our Body Sect?"
"Brother, why waste words with him? Wouldn't it be easier to just take him back to the Sect?" Yu Tao raised his thick and long right arm and reached out to grab Lin Xuan.
"By then, he'll have to join whether he wants to or not!"
A cold light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes as he said in a low tone, "You two, is this how the Body Sect treats possessors of a Body Martial Soul?"
"Don't be impulsive!"
Lang Ya firmly held down Yu Tao's exceptionally thick right arm with considerable force, clearly afraid that his hot-tempered brother would mess things up.
Yu Tao still wanted to break free, but after being glared at fiercely by Lang Ya, he could only withdraw his arm resentfully, muttering something under his breath in dissatisfaction.
Lang Ya turned his head toward Lin Xuan, squeezing a somewhat stiff smile onto his massive face.
"Little brother, my brother's temper is a bit short. Don't take it to heart."
He paused, his tone becoming a bit more sincere. "But since you know of the Body Sect, you should also understand that we have always treated possessors of Body Martial Souls as our own children. Those words just now were by no means malicious."
Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged as he gave a slight nod, accepting the apology.
Seeing this, Lang Ya continued, "However, I still hope you can seriously consider coming back to the Body Sect with us. The Sect's high regard for you is by no means an empty claim."
Lin Xuan looked at him and, after a moment of silence, finally spoke.
"First."
He held up one finger.
"I am a person who believes in finishing what I start. Since I am currently at Shrek, I will finish my studies first. Shrek is an academy; it doesn't force its students to stay or leave, at least on the surface."
Lang Ya's eyes flashed with a hint of appreciation upon hearing the first half, but after the second half, he and Yu Tao exchanged a glance, both their faces showing undisguised disdain.
"Doesn't force students to stay or leave?" Yu Tao sneered, shaking his head like a rattle.
"Bah! If they really encountered a genius like you, do you think they could still sit still? We in the Body Sect have no respect for Shrek's hypocritical ways."
Lang Ya didn't speak, but his expression clearly showed agreement.
Lin Xuan remained non-committal and held up a second finger.
"Second, Shrek gave me a 100,000-year-old Soul Bone."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of both Lang Ya and Yu Tao changed simultaneously.
"A hundred-thousand-year?!" Yu Tao's eyes widened.
"Those old fogies at Shrek actually went all out with such an investment this time?"
Lang Ya's brows furrowed tightly.
A 100,000-year-old Soul Bone was no ordinary gift. No matter which power it was placed in, it was a supreme treasure capable of causing internal strife. That Shrek could give one to Lin Xuan showed just how much they valued him.
"Leaving aside whether I could just walk away regardless of this sentiment."
Lin Xuan's gaze swept over their faces, his tone flat.
"Even if I were heartless and left with you directly, do you think those people in the Sea God Pavilion would agree?"
Lang Ya fell silent, and so did Yu Tao.
Of course, they didn't fear Shrek. The Body Sect always acted overbearingly; if they really wanted to snatch someone, they would dare to take direct action.
But the problem was, it wasn't just a matter of whether they could snatch him away.
A 100,000-year-old Soul Bone was an immense favor. For a Soul Master, it was probably second only to the debt of saving one's life.
Although sentiment, to put it bluntly, had no real Entanglement force and depended entirely on what an individual thought.
But because of that, it was the best way to see a person's character.
If Lin Xuan could leave today because of a 100,000-year-old Soul Bone, would he leave the Body Sect tomorrow because of a treasure from the even wealthier Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Lang Ya looked at the youth before him, considering this question seriously for the first time.
And Lin Xuan gave his answer in his heart as well.
meeting.
Of course I would.
Some things, if you don't do them, you never will; but if you do them, you do them to the end.
"Third."
Lin Xuan held up a third finger and looked directly at the two.
"I don't want to join the Body Sect right now. It's as simple as that."
Lang Ya opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Lin Xuan's next words.
"Even if you forcibly take me away now, what would you gain?"
"A disciple who harbors resentment? A genius who might waver at any moment because of an olive branch thrown by a stronger power?"
"If that were the case, would you dare to nurture me with peace of mind?"
The alley fell into silence. Lang Ya and Yu Tao exchanged a glance, both seeing complex expressions in the other's eyes.
After a long while, Lang Ya slowly nodded.
"Little brother, you're right. My brother and I will not force you today."
He paused and continued, "Furthermore, during the tournament, we will protect you from the shadows. It's not surveillance, but protection. People of the Body Sect cannot be allowed to suffer losses while outside."
"However..."
Lang Ya changed the subject, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful.
"Once the Sect Master hears news of you, what he will do is not something we can decide."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't respond.
Lang Ya said no more, simply nodding to Lin Xuan before exchanging a look with Yu Tao.
Their figures began to turn ethereal, as if melting into the air, and vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Once again, Lin Xuan was the only one left in the alley.
He stood where he was, casually stretching his neck, then his gaze swept almost imperceptibly toward the top floor of the tall building opposite the Star Emperor Hotel.
With just a single glance, Lin Xuan withdrew his gaze and turned to walk toward the hotel's main entrance. His pace was steady, and his figure soon disappeared into the brightly lit hotel lobby.
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