Chapter 223: Finally, the Shou Took Action, the Beauty's Heart in Turmoil, the Sword Departs

Pfft!

This sudden shift in the conversation left Qiao Qianzhi unable to hold back, and he sprayed out all the tea in his mouth in an instant.

Cheng Xingchu was momentarily stunned and hadn't even spoken yet when Xu Xiaoshou continued:

"If you win, you can earn the respect of me and Yu Zhiwen. If you lose, you'll give me this sword—how about that?"

He gestured to the side, where Yu Zhiwen looked utterly perplexed.

Why are you dragging me into your contest?

"Compare our physical bodies?"

Cheng Xingchu appeared furious, his hair practically standing on end, but in reality, he still had his wits about him. After all, no one who reached his position was a simple fool.

The mere words "physical body" made him think of the rumors that had been spreading wildly in the outer courtyard lately.

Xu Three-Head, Xu Six-Arms, Xu True Dragon...

Could it be that Xu Xiaoshou was the legendary outer courtyard senior brother, that rare innate physical body?

Jiang Bianyan and Yu Zhiwen immediately thought of something too, exchanging glances with thoughtful expressions.

Cheng Xingchu asked in shock and suspicion, "So you... really have an innate physical body?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't answer, which was as good as admitting it. All he offered was a cold laugh.

So what if it's an innate physical body?

No matter how tough the body, it would still be pierced in an instant by his sword!

"The rules are fair enough—they favor you, but as for the stake..."

Win or lose all depends on his own sword?

Cheng Xingchu sneered and shook his head mockingly: "You must really think I'm an idiot!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

The air fell silent for a second.

Pfft!

Qiao Qianzhi sprayed hot tea from his mouth again, mist filling the air.

He quickly set down his teacup, not daring to drink any more. Tea served by Xu Xiaoshou was pure poison!

Three veins bulged on Cheng Xingchu's forehead, twitching one after another.

He gasped for breath, staring intently at the serious-faced young man across from him, seemingly at a loss for words.

"How about this?" Xu Xiaoshou said, seeing he wasn't responding. "If you don't like it, I'll change the rules. We'll compare our sword skills, and the stake stays the same."

Cheng Xingchu was completely baffled. He felt like he was being toyed with like a monkey.

"Fine, let's go with that!"

Though it seemed like an impulsive roar, it was actually the result of careful thought.

This guy isn't afraid of death—he's actually giving up the advantage of his innate physical body to compete in sword skills. Does he really think he can crush me in every way?

"Sit down."

Xu Xiaoshou gestured for Cheng Xingchu not to act rashly. Once he was seated again, Xu Xiaoshou spoke casually: "Swordsmanship is all about the 'sword' and the 'way.'

"To avoid any bad blood, let's both stay put and just use our words to discuss our swords. In the end, where this Ling Jian goes will depend entirely on its own will."

"How about that?"

Everyone was stunned. This form of competition was a first even for the three big shots on both sides, and surprise showed on their faces.

But Cheng Xingchu laughed.

He was the master of the Ling Jian. Though he had experienced Xu Xiaoshou's infuriating way with words, as for convincing his own sword...

"Ha! Xu Xiaoshou, do you really think you can make things happen just by saying them?"

"This kind of contest, I, Cheng Xingchu, accept!"

"Bring it on!"

He pressed down on his Ling Jian and turned his head dismissively: "I'd like to see how you convince my..."

Before he could finish, the sword in his hand trembled violently, leaving Cheng Xingchu frozen.

Those wisps of drifting white Jian Qi—this was...

"Jian Yi?"

His eyes widened in an instant. Xu Xiaoshou wasn't just an innate physical body—he also had innate Jian Yi?

This double cultivation of sword body was as rare as phoenix feathers across the entire continent, and here was Xu Xiaoshou, that kind of figure?

Cheng Xingchu panicked. He never expected this outcome.

It was like someone might casually remember the tallest mountain in the world, but asking them to know and describe the second tallest would be tough.

Maybe some people knew, but they must be incredibly bored!

Cheng Xingchu wasn't bored. Even if he happened to know there was an innate physical body in Ling Gong, he wouldn't bother finding out who it was.

If not for that flash of insight, he might not have even realized Xu Xiaoshou was that outer courtyard senior brother.

So now, he could only desperately press down on his Ling Jian.

After all, he hadn't even comprehended acquired Jian Yi... He was on the spiritual technique path, not the realm path!

"You tricked me?"

Cheng Xingchu's eyes turned red. As the master, he actually had to struggle just to keep his sword from leaving—this was a humiliation!

"How did I trick you?"

Xu Xiaoshou looked baffled and retorted: "Even in a life-or-death battle, you can't demand the enemy reveal their trump cards in advance, let alone when we're just sitting here discussing philosophy!"

Cheng Xingchu instinctively felt something off about that statement, but he couldn't pinpoint the problem anymore.

Spiritual energy surged from him, just to hold down that fifth-grade sword.

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Xu Xiaoshou looked completely at ease, but the sword was shaking violently.

This was the power of the realm path—against those on the spiritual technique path, as long as they didn't strike first, they'd never get the chance.

Watching Cheng Xingchu's face grow more and more twisted, Xu Xiaoshou reminded him: "Remember, no striking out!"

Cheng Xingchu's face turned green.

If things kept going like this, he wouldn't be able to control his sword. Better to launch a spiritual technique now and shatter Xu Xiaoshou's scheme completely!

His eyes narrowed, and he immediately drew his sword!

A sword light seemed about to flash out, but at that moment, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly turned his head toward Yu Zhiwen. Her slender fingers, which had been about to move, froze instantly.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the young man reached out into the void.

"Sword, come!"

Clang—

With that command, the unborn spiritual technique shattered in an instant, turning into a mist of spiritual energy that scattered like rain.

Like a divine decree, Cheng Xingchu's Ling Jian could no longer be held back. It leaped from his hand, tracing a perfect sword flower in the air before landing steadily in Xu Xiaoshou's right hand, glowing with treasure light.

There was a dull thud.

The wind from the sword's arrival stirred the strands of hair on Xu Xiaoshou's forehead, brushing against Yu Zhiwen's delicate face as she sat beside him.

Xu Xiaoshou smirked, adding a touch of playfulness, and lowered his voice:

"Stay out of it—this is a contest between men!"

Yu Zhiwen was completely mesmerized.

The flair of that "Sword, come!" The unhesitating way he caught the sword without looking back...

And with the spiritual mist falling like rain behind him, it blurred everyone else around them.

It was as if they were in a fairy realm, just the two of them.

Thump, thump!

The sudden acceleration of her heartbeat made her body tremble. She quickly pushed back her chair with a scrape and retreated, hurriedly putting distance between herself and Xu Xiaoshou.

Screech—

The harsh sound echoed through the grand hall, but Yu Zhiwen didn't care.

It was embarrassing enough that her secret attempt to help had been exposed, and then there was that sudden glance from Xu Xiaoshou...

It was too close!

It seemed like she'd fallen for Xu Xiaoshou's charm!

Thump, thump, thump...

In the hall, the mist dissipated.

The way the two faced each other so intimately made jealousy flare in Cheng Xingchu's eyes.

"Die!"

He sprang up, no longer caring about any rules—he just wanted to smash Xu Xiaoshou's head and reclaim his sword!

"Sit down!" Xu Xiaoshou didn't even turn his head, issuing a sharp command.

A boom echoed in response, and as Cheng Xingchu barely rose, a Jian Qi pierced straight through his body.

It not only shattered his chair but also forced his legs to bend, leaving him suspended awkwardly in midair!

Only then did Xu Xiaoshou withdraw his gaze from Yu Zhiwen's flushed face and glance back at the one trying to cause chaos.

Gripping the sword lightly, he tapped it on the table, his voice calm and unhurried:

"I said it's a sitting discussion, a sitting discussion..."

"If you won't sit, how can we discuss?"