Chapter 43: Xu Xiaoshou Blossoms

In the void.Xiao Qixiu was completely stunned. He had thought that "Reverse Sword Control Technique" was Xu Xiaoshou's greatest insight, but it turned out to be just the beginning.

"Who taught him this 'All Things Are Swords'?"

"Is there anyone else in Tiansang Spirit Palace whose sword cultivation surpasses mine?"

"And... while 'All Things Are Swords' is understandable, Mu Zixi actually manifested sword intent as well. What on earth is going on?"

"Do you take her for something non-human?"

From Xu Xiaoshou's perspective, indeed, anyone could be a vessel for "All Things Are Swords." Of course, he had only developed half of this technique.

As spiritual energy popped out the tree seed she had secretly moved, Mu Zixi's face immediately showed an expression of a plot being discovered.

The surroundings were still roaring, but Xu Xiaoshou stood alone in tranquility, seemingly surrounded by ancient trees.

Amidst the impatient waiting of the crowd, Xu Xiaoshou slowly sheathed "Hidden Suffering."

The surrounding sword intent subsided, completely dissipating.

Xu Xiaoshou seemed to give up struggling, letting the ancient trees form a forest.

Audience: ???

"Seriously, is that it?"

"I thought he was charging up a big move, but he didn't unleash anything in the end?"

"He gave up just like that? Well, that's fine; perhaps Junior Sister Mu will stop..."

Mu Zixi would stop?

What a joke!

The young girl saw Xu Xiaoshou sheath his sword, instinctively sensing something was wrong, but couldn't pinpoint the issue. She could only strike first.

"Here I come!"

She clapped her hands again, and hundreds of ancient trees covering the arena surged violently towards Xu Xiaoshou, with him at their center.

Some in the audience had already covered their eyes, unable to bear watching Xu Xiaoshou about to be blown to smithereens.

Facing the roaring ancient trees rushing towards him, Xu Xiaoshou remained unhurried.

He stood in a relaxed stance, his aura slightly subdued, drew his sword an inch, then swiftly resheathed it.

"What's he doing?"

"Drawing his sword?"

"But he didn't draw it?"

Although surrounded by ancient trees, some still managed to glimpse his actions through the gaps and were greatly curious.

The next second, all the ancient trees abruptly stopped. A roar erupted, and Mu Zixi was sent flying by an ancient tree that shot up from beneath her feet.

Everyone was bewildered. What on earth just happened?

Was Mu Zixi going crazy too?

Did she target the wrong person with her move?

In the front row of the audience, Su Qianqian craned her graceful neck, her eyes filled with astonishment.

Others couldn't see it, but with her innate sword intent, she perceived it clearly.

The instant Xu Xiaoshou drew his sword an inch, several fallen leaves were instantly sliced in half.

What a terrifying sword technique!

First, "All Things Are Swords," then embedding intent into form, gathering the vast sword intent back into the sheath.

Then, by drawing his sword for a mere instant, he unleashed a terrifying circular cutting force.

As expected, the hundreds of ancient trees that had suddenly stopped, after a half-breath of hesitation, all broke off at their roots, yet continued their momentum, crashing down above Xu Xiaoshou!

"Boom!"

Another giant mushroom cloud.

Yet, even though the number of ancient trees now exceeded a hundred, this mushroom cloud was noticeably smaller than the previous one.

"Hiss!"

Only then did everyone realize that Xu Xiaoshou's one-inch draw just now had actually sliced through hundreds of ancient trees!

"My heavens, this..."

"Xu Xiaoshou's progress is too immense! This drawing sword technique is just incredibly cool!"

"Boo-hoo, with just that one sword draw, I've already fallen for Xu Xiaoshou!"

Fallen leaves fluttered and debris filled the air on the arena.

Xu Xiaoshou resheathed his sword, standing amidst the pockmarked arena. His demeanor at that moment truly captivated everyone.

Although he had broken the situation with a single sword strike, Xu Xiaoshou frowned.

The sword retraction was executed perfectly; even he himself was extremely satisfied. Mu Zixi had no reason to detect his deeply hidden sword intent.

Yet she had used an ancient tree to launch herself away beforehand, avoiding that sword strike...

Why?

In mid-air, Mu Zixi felt a lingering fear, her little heart pounding wildly.

If not for that tree seed secretly parasitic within Xu Xiaoshou, wouldn't she be decapitated by now?

"Damn Xu Xiaoshou, to use such a vicious move..."

"Alright, I'm going to unleash my big move too!"

A tree seed was thrown upwards. Instantly, an ancient tree rooted itself in the void, then slammed downwards, propelling Mu Zixi towards Xu Xiaoshou.

Chao Qingteng's mouth twitched as he watched. This little girl was truly bold. Wasn't that sword strike that pierced his chest enough to teach her a lesson?

Everyone else was equally confused. Another one daring to get close to Xu Xiaoshou?

That's definitely asking for death!

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes instantly lit up. Close combat—that was absolutely perfect!

The arena beneath his feet cracked open as he leaped up and threw a punch. However, his opponent's response made him dizzy.

Mu Zixi clenched her small hand into a fist, breathed out, and swung a punch back.

"This little girl, has she gone mad?"

"Or was she just caught up in the heat of battle?"

However, there was no room for mercy during a match.

Even if this punch might disable one of Mu Zixi's arms, Xu Xiaoshou still unleashed his full power, showing no pity.

The anticipated sound of bone cracking did not occur. The moment their fists met, Mu Zixi's fist transformed into coiling vines, instantly wrapping around Xu Xiaoshou's body.

His forearms, shoulders, entire body, all turned into vines and coiled around Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had punched cotton; there was no point of resistance, and he stumbled forward.

"Hehe, I'm right here."

A loli-like voice came from behind him. Xu Xiaoshou turned back in horror, only to suddenly realize that the vines entangling him had re-formed into a human shape behind him.

Mu Zixi!

Was she a snake?

She had actually coiled herself around his waist!

"Get off me!"

Xu Xiaoshou struggled fiercely, trying to shake Mu Zixi off, but failed.

"Ugh!"

A sudden pain flared in both his kidney areas. Xu Xiaoshou looked down and saw Mu Zixi's feet had turned into sharp thorns, piercing into his waist.

"Holy crap, don't mess around... ugh!"

Just as he tried to pry her off with his hands, tree roots pierced his shoulder joints, and his hands instantly lost control, hanging limply.

"You parasite, get away from me!"

Xu Xiaoshou panicked. What kind of fighting style was this? It was disgusting!

With only his head able to move, Xu Xiaoshou spun his head to butt her, but hit only air.

"How dare you call me a parasite?"

Mu Zixi grew angry, pouting her small mouth. "Bloom for me!"

Pop!

A red flower popped out from the top of Xu Xiaoshou's head, swaying gracefully.

"Hahaha!"

"Xu Xiaoshou is blooming!"

"Oh my god, how can this be so funny? Is this really a battle? Can't it be more serious?!"

The audience erupted in laughter. Even Su Qianqian, who had initially been extremely worried, couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Everyone was greatly amused, but Xu Xiaoshou was only terrified, his entire body paralyzed.

He was completely dumbfounded!

When did this tree seed get into his body? Even his "perception" hadn't detected anything?

It was far too stealthy!

And blooming was one thing, but after rooting in his mind, this thing continuously released paralyzing agents, making his whole body immobile.

He was practically bound to a chopping block, completely at his opponent's mercy!

He was confident he hadn't underestimated his opponent; he had even used the "Drawing Sword Technique" he had painstakingly comprehended last night, yet he was still captured.

This little girl was just too terrifying!

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