Seeing Xiao Yang accept the challenge, everyone present revealed looks of shock.
What kind of joke was this?
Even if Xiao Yang’s cultivation was extraordinary and he had defeated those centurions, defeating Commander Huo Gang of the 5th stage Vajra Realm was still nothing but a fantasy.
“Xiao Yang, don’t force yourself. Hurry up and hand over the Tiger Tally and go back,” Qingluan hurriedly tried to persuade him.
Ning Hongye did not speak, but her thoughts were the same.
If Xiao Yang stepped onto the Life-and-Death Arena, surviving was not impossible, but the chances were extremely slim.
“Since ancient times, literature has no first place, and martial arts has no second. Who is strong and who is weak can only be known after fighting!”
Xiao Yang was full of confidence, exuding a domineering aura that looked down upon all others, as if no one in the world was worthy of his regard.
In truth, his acceptance of this life-and-death battle was not a moment of impulse, but the result of careful consideration.
Previously, whether killing Kato or brutally beating the centurions, all his battles had been one-sided. His opponents were too weak, and victory came far too easily.
But Huo Gang could truly be considered a strong opponent.
Xiao Yang intended to use Huo Gang as a whetstone to temper and refine his own strength.
“Ninth Prince, are your words true?” Huo Gang asked again.
“They are true. Come and fight!”
Xiao Yang curled his finger at him.
“What a fearless calf that does not fear the tiger. Since that is the case, then follow me onto the Life-and-Death Arena!”
Huo Gang strode out of the Vermilion Bird Army Camp, walking several hundred meters until he arrived at an ancient arena.
The arena covered a vast area. Its surface was filled with marks carved by blades and axes, as well as mottled bloodstains.
Over thousands of years, no one knew how many martial artists had spilled their blood there.
“Look quickly! Commander Huo is about to fight a life-and-death battle!”
“Who is so bold as to dare challenge Commander Huo?”
“I heard it is General Ning’s fiancé, the Ninth Prince of the Northern War King’s residence!”
“A pampered young noble who has never set foot on a battlefield dares to fight Commander Huo to the death. Isn’t that like a mayfly shaking a tree, completely overestimating himself?”
Many elite soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Army gathered around to watch, their discussions full of noise.
However, public opinion was overwhelmingly in favor of Huo Gang.
“Ninth Prince!”
At this moment, Huo Gang stood atop the Life-and-Death Arena and looked toward Xiao Yang from afar. “I am a 5th stage Vajra Realm martial artist. I cultivate the Thunderclap Saber Technique, which I have already mastered to perfection. I will not bully you. I will let you take three moves!”
“No need!”
Xiao Yang shook his head and said seriously, “Commander Huo, you should strike first instead. Otherwise, I fear that once I make a move, you will fall immediately.”
He was not exaggerating.
Previously, Ning Hongye had given him the Thunderclap Saber Technique, but under the effect of the Unrivaled Dual-Pupils, it directly transformed into the Immortal King Grade Thunder Prison World-Destroying Saber, and he even mastered the first move, Thunderflash.
However, the power of Thunderflash was too great. It could be called a killing move.
Yet these words sounded like mockery to everyone else.
“Arrogant brat!”
Huo Gang instantly flew into a rage. His eyes turned red as an astonishing aura erupted from his body.
“This commander joined the army at sixteen, followed Old General Ning in campaigns across all directions, stained my saber with blood, and killed countless enemies!”
“And you, a mere ignorant child, dare to look down on me?”
“Clang!”
Huo Gang drew the battle saber from his waist and slashed forward. The blade was like cold lightning tearing through the sky as it shot toward Xiao Yang.
“So fast!”
Xiao Yang was secretly shocked. Huo Gang truly lived up to being a 5th stage Vajra Realm martial artist. He was far stronger than those centurions, even leaving afterimages in midair.
However, Xiao Yang had already cultivated the Thunder Prison World-Destroying Saber to the perfect level. He understood Huo Gang’s techniques completely and could see every change and weakness.
“Step!”
Xiao Yang merely shifted slightly to the side and easily avoided the strike.
“You got lucky. Take another strike from me!”
After missing once, Huo Gang attacked again, his saber strikes becoming faster and faster.
For a moment, the Life-and-Death Arena was filled with countless saber shadows.
“As expected of Commander Huo!”
“With this kind of offensive, that kid would already be chopped into pieces, sliced a thousand times over!”
The elite Vermilion Bird Army soldiers watching were filled with excitement.
But to everyone’s surprise.
Facing the overwhelming saber shadows, Xiao Yang repeated the same tactic, dodging easily. His movements were as agile as a loach.
Forget about being injured. Not even the corner of his clothes was damaged.
On the other hand, after a series of fierce attacks, Huo Gang was already panting heavily, as if the one at a disadvantage was him.
“Kid, why do you only know how to dodge? Do you not dare face me head-on?”
Huo Gang felt extremely stifled. It was as if all his techniques had been seen through by the opponent, leaving him unable to exert his strength.
After so many years of fighting, this was the first time he had encountered such a strange opponent.
“Commander Huo, your saber strikes lack force, your footwork is sluggish, and not a single move is worth praising. You truly disappoint me. Do you have any trump cards left? Use them all,” Xiao Yang said calmly.
He had fully mastered the Immortal King Grade Thunder Prison World-Destroying Saber, which was a perfected and upgraded version of the Thunderclap Saber Technique.
Looking at Huo Gang’s saber techniques now was like a university professor watching an elementary student solve advanced mathematics problems. Flaws were everywhere.
“You!”
Huo Gang was furious. He felt that his dignity as a martial artist was being trampled underfoot.
“Brat, since you seek death, then I will let you see my true strength!”
In the next moment, he gripped the battle saber tightly. His entire aura changed drastically, as if he had merged with the Heaven and Earth itself.
“Thunderclap Saber Intent!”
He roared loudly, carrying an overwhelming, destructive force as he surged toward Xiao Yang.
“My heavens, it is saber intent!”
“Commander Huo has actually comprehended such an esoteric power. It seems he is not far from breaking through to the 6th stage realm!”
“That kid could have ten lives and still not be enough to die!”
The elite Vermilion Bird Army soldiers were all extremely excited, convinced that Xiao Yang was doomed.
However, Xiao Yang was not afraid at all. Instead, his fighting spirit soared.
“Commander Huo, let me teach you what the true Thunderclap Saber Technique is!”
In the next instant, he also drew his battle saber and directly unleashed Thunderflash.
“Slash!”
Before this strike, Huo Gang’s saber intent collapsed instantly and shattered at the slightest touch.
It was suppression by rank and quality.
“This… how can he be so strong? It is over. My life ends here!”
Huo Gang instantly sensed the enormous gap between them. He felt that his decades of life had been lived in vain. His will to resist collapsed completely, and he closed his eyes, waiting for death.
The next moment, the cold battle saber rested against Huo Gang’s neck.
But at the final moment, Xiao Yang restrained his strength. He only cut the skin on Huo Gang’s neck and did not take his life.
“Heavens! Commander Huo was defeated?”
“Someone pinch me. This can’t be an illusion, right?”
The elite Vermilion Bird Army soldiers were all filled with disbelief.
“You… why didn’t you kill me?”
Huo Gang’s face was ashen. His lips trembled as he looked at Xiao Yang.
According to the rules of the Life-and-Death Arena, he should not have left alive.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yang spoke, “Loyal bones are buried everywhere beneath green hills. Why must one be wrapped in horsehide to return? Commander Huo, you are a warrior. Even if you die, you should not die here. The battlefield is your final destination!”
Hearing these words, Huo Gang’s entire body trembled.
Loyal bones buried beneath green hills, wrapped in horsehide to return.
He had never heard such a powerful poem before, yet it came from the mouth of a Ninth Prince of the Northern War King’s residence.
“Thud!”
Suddenly, Huo Gang knelt on one knee and said respectfully, “Ninth Prince, earlier it was Huo’s discourtesy. I offended you and the General.”
“Since you spared my life, from this day forward, Huo is willing to redeem my sins through merit and die on the battlefield!”
“Commander Huo, there is no need for this. Please rise.”
Xiao Yang helped him up, and the two of them walked down from the Life-and-Death Arena together.
“Commander!”
The few centurions who had caused trouble earlier also gathered around, their expressions complicated, unable to speak for a moment.
“All of you, do you not owe General Ning an apology?” Huo Gang said in a deep voice.
After hesitating for a long while, they finally walked toward Ning Hongye.
“General Ning, we are sorry…”
“We were wrong. We should not have killed your horse!”
“Please punish us as you see fit!”
…
“One hundred strikes with the staff, demoted to common soldiers,” Ning Hongye said coldly.
“Yes, we are willing to accept the punishment!”
The centurions nodded repeatedly and were taken away by the guards.
Afterward, Ning Hongye looked toward Xiao Yang again, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a strange light.
She had only taught Xiao Yang the Thunderclap Saber Technique not long ago. How had his saber skills already reached such a level of mastery, and that final move even seemed to have been improved?
Could he truly be a genius?