281: Chapter 278 The Battle of the Strongest [Fourth Update]

Chapter 278: Battle of the Strongest [Fourth Update, Asking for Votes]

"Shangyuan Xiu has made a move."

"Fang Yu definitely won't be afraid."

"The battle is about to begin."

"The two of them should be the strongest two in District 21." Nearly a hundred Starry Sky Martial Artists in the viewing hall of Baishou City stared fixedly at the light screen projection, especially Li Jue, Aida, and Kunke, who were incomparably nervous.

This battle was of utmost importance.

Fang Yu had the most comprehensive combat power. His Void Flood Dragon Star Phase left him with no weaknesses in speed, movement technique, attack, physique, Domain, and various other aspects. Up until now, no matter what kind of enemy he encountered, none had truly driven him to a desperate situation, and no one dared to say where his limit of strength lay.

Shangyuan Xiu had a speed unmatched in District 21 and a fierce, unpredictable swordsmanship. Relying on his absolutely formidable speed and swordsmanship, he was also recognized by the vast majority of Starry Sky Martial Artists as the strongest person in District 21.

Now.

These two top-rated Martial Artists, whose strength was publicly acknowledged to be formidable, were about to engage in battle.

"Shangyuan Xiu has a higher hope of winning, or at least it's hard for him to lose."

"Mm, his speed is number one, leaving him inherently undefeated, and the might of his swordsmanship is also terrifying... However, Fang Yu is extremely comprehensive with strong vitality, making him very difficult to defeat."

"There is also Zhuang Yiliu by Fang Yu's side."

"It's impossible for Shangyuan Xiu to win fighting two against one, but it's also impossible for Fang Yu and the others to kill Shangyuan Xiu."

"Shangyuan Xiu probably doesn't know Fang Yu's true strength yet." Many Starry Sky Martial Artists communicated with one another, successively making their own judgments.

In their view, this battle could definitely be called a Peak duel in District 21.

"Fang Yu is accepting the battle."

"Zhuang Yiliu has retreated to the side, and Fang Yu is fighting alone." Within the broadcasted projection screen, both sides were already locked in combat, and the battle was incomparably fierce.

...

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Above the towering, continuous mountain ranges within the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range.

"Kill!"

Shangyuan Xiu took the initiative to attack, charging across a distance of several hundred meters in an instant. Though his words showed contempt for Fang Yu, he actually valued him immensely and unleashed his full power right from the start.

"To be able to force Yiliu to such an extent, his strength is not simple." Fang Yu likewise went all out the moment Shangyuan Xiu moved.

Fang Yu's figure flickered, transforming into a three-meter-tall giant. Water and Fire wings simultaneously emerged, and he charged toward Shangyuan Xiu like a God of War of water and fire holding a saber.

As soon as the two of them came up, they both unleashed their strongest moves.

In reality, the basic Divine Abilities of High Grade Star Phases and Super-grade Star Phases were all 'body-type Divine Abilities', which erupted the power hidden within the star acupoint and star core to the limit in a short time... Much like stepping on the gas pedal of a sports car to the maximum in order to reach its power limit.

Secondly, it was to target the advantages of the Star Phase and further strengthen a certain aspect.

For example, with the Rift Star Butterfly Star Phase, the second Divine Ability strengthened the head and wings, enhancing mental perception while increasing movement speed... Fang Yu's second Divine Ability, 'Void Wings', mainly strengthened water and fire manipulation and movement techniques.

Shangyuan Xiu's 'Purple Lightning Thunder Cloud' was similarly the same; his two Divine Abilities made his speed reach the extreme, and the reason he chose a sword as his weapon was because the sword tended toward agility.

It resonated with his Star Phase.

Only by stacking advantages... could the strongest might be brought into play.

"Roar~" "Roar~" As Fang Yu swung his saber, a thought stirred in his mind, forming Water and Fire Flood Dragons. The two roaring dragons coiled around Fang Yu's sides and also whistled as they charged forward to attack Shangyuan Xiu.

"Clang~" "Clang~"

"Clang~" Sabers and swords collided, producing a series of explosive weapon-clashing sounds. Under the impact of the aftershocks, earth-shattering explosions echoed out as the mountain body collapsed. For a time, the two powerhouses actually fought to a standstill.

To be more precise, Shangyuan Xiu held a slight upper hand, though the advantage was very small.

"What?"

Seeing this scene, Zhuang Yiliu was startled in close-quarters combat, Fang Yu had even used his Domain secret art, yet he could still block it perfectly? "Fortunately, I escaped right after my single strike."

Zhuang Yiliu knew best just how formidable Fang Yu's close-quarters combat was.

"My Thunder Swordsmanship actually can't suppress him? Is this Fang Yu's strength this strong?" Shock also flashed across Shangyuan Xiu's eyes.

Having entered the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range for so many days, he had crossed paths with many top-rated participants.

This was the first time he had encountered someone who could frontally block his attacks.

"I need to change my moves." Shangyuan Xiu made his decision in an instant. He had cultivated multiple sets of swordsmanship precisely to deal with different situations, and the previous swordsmanship had the greatest might.

"Thunder Shadow Sword!"

Shangyuan Xiu's sword moves changed instantly. The swordsmanship that previously pursued extreme might instantly became ethereal and unpredictable, with countless bizarre and unfathomable lightning sword lights blooming to completely envelop Fang Yu.

It was like a series of agile electric snakes.

At this moment, the speed of Shangyuan Xiu's swordsmanship reached the extreme. Although its might seemed to have slightly decreased... speed was inherently a form of might.

"Peng~"

"Clang clang! Clang! ~ Puchi."

In just a single exchange, Shangyuan Xiu completely suppressed Fang Yu, forcing him to retreat repeatedly. Even a streak of sword light broke through Fang Yu's defense, leaving a shocking bloody gash on his body.

"Competing in speed?"

"Do you think you're the only one who can change moves?" Fang Yu's eyes turned cold as the saber technique in his hand shifted accordingly. The saber light was continuous and vast, with wisps of water currents emerging amidst each streak of fiery saber light.

Flames filled the sky, yet they formed various astonishing and profound "water curtains".

Spinning like a gigantic Taiji.

When Shangyuan Xiu's sword light touched this streak of 'Water and Fire Saber Curtain', the terrifying power contained within his sword light was involuntarily guided toward other directions.

This caused his swordsmanship to involuntarily fall into disorder.

Water and Fire Return to Origin Second Form — Mirror Flow!

This form was not a simple defense. While the intertwining of water and fire blocked and discharged the force, it also continuously counter-shocked Shangyuan Xiu's sword, throwing his attacks into disarray and weakening them.

The Secret Manual, "Water and Fire Return to Origin".

The first form, 'Burning Abyss', was for offense, and the second form, 'Mirror Flow', was for defense... Back when Fang Yu fought the Qingying Beast King, it was by comprehending a tiny bit of the profound mysteries of the second form that he had blocked the fatal move of the Qingying Beast King.

Having entered the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range for so long.

Among the previous opponents and enemies, no one could block Fang Yu's attacks, so naturally he didn't need to reveal his defensive moves. Until today when he encountered Shangyuan Xiu, whose attacks were indeed terrifying.

For a time.

No matter how swift and bizarrely unpredictable the countless bolts of lightning sword light were, they could no longer shake the defense formed by Fang Yu. While guided by the saber light, the two Water and Fire Flood Dragons joined in as well, making Fang Yu's saber technique increasingly in a state of Perfection.

Shangyuan Xiu's attacks returned empty-handed time and time again.

"How is this possible?"

"Due to the different power of heaven and earth and Star Phases they comprehend, Martial Artists each have their own strengths. Some excel in offense, while others excel in defense... The saying goes that jack of all trades is master of none." Shangyuan Xiu found it hard to believe.

Take himself for example; he also cultivated quite a few defensive swordsmanship techniques, but compared to his offensive swordsmanship, they were still lacking quite a bit.

Zhuang Yiliu was the same. She excelled most at long-range attacks and movement techniques... Her close-quarters combat was also quite good, but compared to close-combat powerhouses of the same level, she was slightly inferior.

Today.

Fang Yu's performance exceeded Shangyuan Xiu's expectations.

Speaking of offense, the strength of Fang Yu's saber attack was not inferior to his at all; it was just that his comprehension of technique was a bit weaker, making it slightly inferior... Speaking of defense, Fang Yu had easily resisted him.

Movement technique? With Fang Yu's wings spread, his movement technique was also extremely brilliant.

...

Inside Baishou City.

"Shangyuan Xiu can't win."

"The path of combining water and fire is indeed strong. To think Fang Yu could combine this path so perfectly."

"Cultivating both water and fire, attending to both offense and defense—how long has Fang Yu even been cultivating to be able to reach this step? Truly incredible." That group of Starry Sky Martial Artists all exclaimed in admiration.

In this battle, Fang Yu completely displayed his talent on the path of water and fire.

You must know that the nearly one hundred Starry Sky Martial Artists present came from dozens of different civilizations, yet not a single one among them walked the path of 'dual-Dao cultivation'.

"Fang Yu has completely blocked it." The eyes of both Li Jue and Aida lit up.

"With this defensive saber technique, even if it's a high-tier patrolling powerhouse who can suppress him, it would still be very hard to kill him." Li Jue sighed with emotion, "Impressive!"

They were all very excited.

"Brother Nanduo, congratulations." Ming Bei smiled and said.

"Fang Yu is indeed impressive." General Nanduo couldn't help nodding, sighing with deep emotion, "Dual-Dao cultivation, attending to both sides so perfectly. As expected of the Void Flood Dragon Star Phase... His future is boundless."

"Mm."

"Theoretically, Super-grade Star Phases all have talents in different directions, but most have strengths and weaknesses, making it hard to balance." Ming Bei couldn't help nodding, "Only the Void Flood Dragon is the most balanced, and it holds even greater potential for the future."

"The evolution of the Universe involves the intertwining of numerous source intents, together forming the complete Law and Dao."

"A single source intent always has flaws... If one wishes to make themselves completely flawless, multiple source intents must undergo Fusion." General Nanduo sighed with emotion, "The combination of different source intents will cause a massive surge in might. Take this Fang Yu, who clearly hasn't comprehended the profound mysteries of source intent from any power of heaven and earth."

"Yet the combination of water and fire has left Shangyuan Xiu utterly helpless," General Nanduo said.

Ming Bei couldn't help nodding.

Everyone understood the reasoning!

However, the path of combining different source intents was too difficult to walk, and it easily triggered cognitive conflicts... Most Super-grade Star Phase Awakenings found it hard to walk through to the end, let alone ordinary Martial Artists.

"Shangyuan Xiu should be about to retreat." Ming Bei suddenly said.

...

Within the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range.

"Peng~"

Shangyuan Xiu successively shifted through multiple sets of swordsmanship, but no matter how he changed them, Fang Yu could easily block them and beat him back time and time again.

Seeing Zhuang Yiliu lingering nearby with a covetous gaze, his heart tightened.

Swish!

Lightning gave birth to clouds beneath Shangyuan Xiu's feet, transforming into a thunder cloud that instantly fled. He rapidly widened the distance between himself, Fang Yu, and Zhuang Yiliu, leaving without looking back.

Fang Yu quickly put away his saber.

"This Shangyuan Xiu is quite cautious. Seeing no chance to defeat you, he retreated immediately, with no thoughts of a war of attrition at all." Zhuang Yiliu walked forward.

"Those who can come to the Hundred Beasts Mountain Range are no fools. Preserving one's life comes first; they won't easily and proactively take risks." Fang Yu smiled and said, "If it were just me and him, he might try a bit longer, after all, he has an absolute advantage in speed."

"But you were right there on the side."

"Your speed is very close to his. Once he gets injured or consumes too much Star Power while fighting me, he might not be your match," Fang Yu said.

Zhuang Yiliu couldn't help nodding, saying solemnly, "This Shangyuan Xiu is indeed a major enemy. His technique Realm is supreme, his speed is fast, and his attacks are strong. Only you can block him; if it were any other participant, I'm afraid none of them would be his match."

This was also the reason why the two of them did not pursue.

They couldn't catch up, so there was no need to waste effort in vain.

"However, I still have to thank him." Fang Yu smiled faintly.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yiliu was stunned.

Thank him?

"If he hadn't chased after you, how could I have run into you?" Fang Yu smiled and said, "In addition, if not for his suppression just now, I'm afraid it would still take me a while to comprehend the key nodes."

"You're going to have a Breakthrough?" Zhuang Yiliu's eyes lit up.

——

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