Sword Among Us c1-1268

by Black Swordsman Online

  "Hmph!" Orochimaru snorted coldly and went for his last opponent in Group B—Glutinous Rice!

  'Very good.'

  The more the man underestimated him, the higher Happy's chances of winning became.

  However, when he noticed that Orochimaru's last opponent was his first opponent in the tournament, he could not help but rise an eyebrow, and a solemn expression showed up on his face.

  The girl hadn't had a chance to show her strength to him because Happy had attacked too quickly and viciously. Now, he could see just what sort of abilities this Glutinous Rice had that allowed her to win against multiple opponents and stand among the University of South China's top ten players.

  *****

  Before Happy had even looked at Glutinous Rice, she had noticed the masked boy under the stage. This was the bastard who had made her lose terribly for the first time ever in World of Martial Arts, and it was even during the first round of the first fight in the martial arts tournament. She did not even manage to parry one of his attacks before she was kicked off the stage.

  The moment she lost the fight, the bastard hadn't even looked at her!

  It was the first time she was underestimated by a boy in such a manner. Her whole existence had been ignored…

  It was like a stain she could not get rid of from her life, and it made her incredibly angry and upset. From then on, she swore in her heart that as long as she had the chance, she would definitely take revenge for herself.

  No matter who stood in front of her, she would defeat all her enemies and stand in front of that bastard again. She would make him look her in the eye and acknowledge her abilities! She would make him remember her name!

  One moment ago, this opponent had given her unprecedented pressure, and she felt as if she had no hope of winning, but Happy's arrival had ignited her fighting spirit again, and she burned with an indomitable will for revenge!

  Curiosity lit up in Orochimaru's eyes.

  Just a moment ago, he had sensed that the girl had lost all her fighting spirit. It was a surprise to him when in the blink of an eye, she emanated a great murderous aura. It was interesting.

  His swords flashed. Orochimaru quickly squashed down his curiosity and put on a brutal sneer.

  After all, he was only two fights away from seizing the title of the strongest among all the players from the University of South China. He might as well leave behind an even more interesting show for his juniors to remember his name.

  Right at the start of the battle, Orochimaru pounced on Glutinous Rice like a phantom!

  He was so quick that it was shocking.

  However, after Glutinous Rice experienced her first devastating failure, she learned what swift battles were from Happy, and from the moment she moved out from among the audience, her entire mind and soul were in battle mode. Hence, even though she felt that Orochimaru's momentum was imposing and aggressive, she did not panic.

  She flicked her wrist, and the shadows of white swords instantly appeared in rows. They looked like waves while they overlapped each other to stand in front of her. They resembled a shield formed by sword glares, and they appeared just in time to seal Orochimauru's first wave of attacks. He was forced to bypass the swords to reach her.

  "Chaotic Cloaked Sword!"

  The sword shadows were like the waves in the sea. They were endless and roared while they traveled forward. They showed a beautiful but dangerous picture on the stage, and Happy's eyes lit up when he saw this. Surprise appeared on his face.

  Emei Sect's Chaotic Cloaked Sword specialized in using gentle moves to counter fierce attacks, along with using slow movements to counter swift attacks. By the looks of it, Glutinous Rice had not just entered Grandmaster Realm with this martial art, but had also understood its essence!

  Her heart and soul were one with the sword...

  'Orochimari might need to spend some effort to win this fight.'

  Happy found something in Glutinous Rice that astonished and amazed him.

  Chapter 68 - Killing Intent Under the Stage

  Even though World of Martial Arts had just been recently released, everyone knew that female players' innate status were generally not as good as that of male players besides their Comprehension and Body Movement!

  Emei Sect's martial arts were deliberately created for girls. They aimed to cover up the weaknesses of a female body and placed an emphasis on cancelling and guiding the enemy's attacks. Hence, Emei Sect gained a solid footing as one of the seven great sects; it had unique qi cultivation techniques and methods against martial arts that relied on Arm Strength and Affinity to win. The sect was only second to Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect.

  Chaotic Cloaked Sword might be Emei Sect's basic novice martial art, but any martial art that reached Grandmaster Realm would go through a metamorphosis and be entirely different from its previous self. Besides, Glutinous Rice's demeanor and her actions while she attacked and retreated made Happy sense that her fighting spirit and mind had completely fused with the will of her sword. It had ascended to another level.

  Happy was not the only one. The others also sensed Glutinous Rice's change.

  The one who had the greatest experience of this was Orochimaru. He had a hard time as he stood across Glutinous Rice. One Circle, his opponent in the previous round, had been the most difficult and troublesome opponent in the entire martial arts tournament, and he had to give it his all every time he attacked before he could deliver the slightest bit of damage, but it was different for Glutinous Rice.

  Even if he had an endless amount of strength, he could not use it against her. His attacks would either be sent into the air by the sword shadows, or be gradually dissolved by the layers of sword waves.

  He could not shake off the sword shadows, and it felt as if his weapon was bound by a gentle cloak. He did not know where he could direct his strength, and his subsequent attacks were affected by the will of the girl's sword! This feeling was even worse than fighting against One Circle!

  "You stupid wench!"

  When several of his attacks were dissolved by Glutinous Rice who had neutralized his attacks and launched her own, Orochimaru finally discovered where the problem was! He gritted his teeth, cursed her, and jumped, thereby freeing himself from the overlapping sword shadows that surrounded Glutinous Rice.

  Happy found himself unable to say anything. When he saw this, he knew that things would go bad for Glutinous Rice.

  With Orochimaru's wisdom, it was impossible for him to not be able to notice that Chaotic Cloaked Sword was a sword technique that placed an emphasis on defense, not attack. Once he understood the trick behind the technique and attacked with a goal in mind, Glutinous Rice would be caught in a bad situation.

  'A pity.'

  The next second, Orochimaru used reality to prove that Glutinous Rice had just gained an upper hand for a short period of time. He held his swords in an icepick grip—and now that Happy looked at it carefully, one was longer than the other—the momentum of his attacks changed, and he crashed against the sword shadows around Glutinous Rice, as if the swords were his fangs.

  When he saw Orochimaru rush at her again, Glutinous Rice did not panic. She continued to stick to her plan and defended herself using the Chaotic Cloaked Sword. As long as Orochimaru attacked her, his movements would definitely be led to the path she wanted. As she attacked and retreated, she would use her footwork and the will of her sword to dissolve the attack.

  'This is all there is to Orochimaru…' Glutinous Rice's fighting spirit burned even stronger.

  He, too, defended himself.

  Glutinous Rice's expression changed. From the simple change to a defensive stance, she could sense that the effect of her will of the sword on her enemy had grown lesser. The katana acc.u.mulated power for an attack like a venomous snake hidden in the dark. It would launch its fiercest attack at any time it wanted.

  Glutinous Rice found herself rendered speechless. Orochimaru's decision to remain still to counter her attack had
successfully broken her defense. Happy felt that it was a pity, but a strong fighting spirit rose in him at that moment.

  A powerful opponent who caught his interest and could actually force him to use his full power to fight against him had finally appeared in South China Martial Arts Ranking Board's martial arts tournament. He had not entered the tournament in vain.

  While he thought of this, the stronger of the duo on the stage was instantly revealed.

  After being caught off guard, Glutinous Ricewas forced to retreat. Even as she chained her attacks, there were multiple weaknesses to them. Finally, she was badly injured by Orochimaru, who had acc.u.mulated his power for a long time. His katana brought with it a terrifying flash of red when it slashed at Glutinous Rice's shoulder, and it looked like it had pounced on her like a leopard!

  This was the prelude to Orochimaru torturing his opponents to death after he seized the chance once they lost their ability to counterattack.

  However, when Orochimaru revealed his savage fangs and prepared to kill Glutinous Rice to satisfy the evil d.e.s.i.r.e at the bottom of his heart, a presence that only martial artists could sense charged at him from a distance very close to him. That strange sense of danger made him come to a swift halt, and he stopped by the side.

  Anxious and puzzled, he looked toward the source of that danger and frowned. He saw the masked blue-robed swordsman he had paid attention to a moment ago standing at the foot of the stage. The youth's gaze was as cold as ice! The murderous intent in his eyes seemed to stretch endlessly while he stared at Orochimaru, and there was a small and exquisite throwing knife between his fingers. But the next instant, it vanished from his hands.

  When they noticed Orochimaru's crazed killing intent vanish, the four people on the stage also noticed this scene. Surprise and ease appeared on their faces.

  Fortunately, Orochimaru had stopped. If he caused another bloodbath and slaughtered Glutinous Rice, they might actually truly scourge through the land in search of this crazy senior of theirs who had left the university!

  The system made an announcement in time.

  "Winner of Group B: Orochimaru!

  "Winner of Group A: Happy!

  "The other players will fight for a rank among the top ten players from South China Martial Arts Ranking Board. Happy and Orochimaru will enter the final battle and fight for the title of the strongest in South China Martial Arts Ranking Board along with the right to proceed to the national martial arts assembly!"

  The system's solemn and loud voice made the announcement, but it did not seem to be able to stir up Orochimaru's emotions. His gaze—which was as poisonous as a snake's—stared at the Masked Swordsman whose gaze had returned to being relaxed and calm. Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, and right under the crowd's gaze, he licked his katana, which was stained in blood, in a disgusting manner. He then put on an evil smile that made others shudder.

  Perhaps the others would not sense anything, but Happy, who knew Orochimaru's character and abilities, noticed that he now intended to kill him through that provocative act that made it clear he looked down on him.

  'My life in the game might not be too peaceful and smooth from now on.'

  Happy knew that the killing intent and aura he released just then had alerted Orochimaru. The man would remember him now, and Happy might have already been listed as his greatest enemy.

  When he thought of this, Happy looked up at the stage, and without hiding his killing intent, stared into Orochimaru's eyes.

  One of them was evil, brutal, and wild.

  The other burned with fighting spirit and had a profound look in his gaze.

  The two of them stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds. One of them looked down on the other, while the other looked up because of the height of the stage. There was no one else in their eyes, and when they gazes clashed, it felt as if the temperature in the air had risen a lot more!

  *****

  When Glutinous Rice returned to the audience, her heart still trembled in fear from Orochimaru's tricky sword technique, which had swept past her attacks as if they were twigs. She remembered the terrifying scene where her life was on the line along with Orochimaru's savage face when he showed just how powerful he was.

  She knew that if Happy had not stepped in, Orochimaru's shadow would haunt her for life.

  That person had saved her with his unintentional act, and he was the person who had made her feel the humiliation of losing for the first time. He was also her sworn enemy who allowed her to gain a higher level of understanding of her will of the sword in Chaotic Cloaked Sword once she overcame her humiliation and gained courage.

  For a period of time, her heart was filled with complicated emotions. She could not tell just what she was feeling, and she did not know what sort of attitude she should have when she faced him in the future.

  But there was one thing she was certain of—the title of champion for the University of South China could not be taken by Orochimaru!

  The next moment, Happy and Orochimaru's figures disappeared from the stage, and they appeared on a larger stage thirty-two feet away from them.

  Chapter 69 - Blessed Realm

  There was a flag pole stuck at the center of the stage that had a diameter of sixty-four feet. The flag fluttered when wind blew against it, and written on it was one word—South!

  The system gave a notification.

  The final battle!

  To show the composite qualities of the recommended fighter of the region, the rules for the final match were not the same as for other martial arts tournaments. The competitors had to snatch the flag to win. As long as one of them could remain more than a minute within seven feet of the flag, they would be considered to be the victor.

  During that period of time, if the opponent entered the area of the flag, the time at which the first person stayed in the area would be reduced to zero. The time would only start ticking again once one player was forced out of the area of the flag.

  Throughout the battle, if one of them admitted defeat, died, or was forced off the stage, that person would also be considered to have lost. The person on the stage would automatically be declared to have won the final match and receive the title of first place in the University of South China along with the right to be recommended for the national tournament.

  When the system finished speaking, the matches for the other two stages also came to an end!

  All gazes focused on the two figures who slowly appeared on the third stage.

  Happy was dressed in blue, and his face, which was covered under a piece of cloth, was calm. His expression did not change because the system had announced new rules. He simply stared at his opponent, who was Orochimaru, with a calm gaze. His enemy was dressed in tight-fitting black clothes and held a wakizashi and katana. His gaze was cold and dark!

  Orochimaru looked away when he regained mobility and twirled his swords in an incredibly flashy manner. He then tightened his grip on them and looked up slightly before he swept Happy a glance in disdain.

  "If you admit to defeat on your own, you won't have to suffer in vain."

  As he spoke, his qi exploded!

  Boom!

  His aura increased swiftly, and he reached Gate Realm, but the momentum of his qi did not stop. The aura spreading out from his body continued rising and swelling. He sank down slightly, and a footprint was left behind on the stage!

  A mighty presence that was so strong it could suffocate others went charging at Happy from all areas.

  Boom!

  "Blessed Realm!"

  "This is bad!"

  "That guy actually hid his true power! His qi is one realm higher than ours!"

  Tea Words, Puffy, and the others had disbelief and horror written all over their faces. They s.u.c.k.e.d in a sharp breath together.

  There were only about one thousand players who had reached Blessed Realm in World of Martial Arts, and all of them already had legends and anecdotes about them. No one had thought that some
one so powerful would exist in the University of South China. The more terrifying matter was that this person was an abnormality who would only harm them.

  The people's confidence in Happy taking the title of champion started to fall.

  Under the pressure from Orochimaru's aura, Happy looked like a candle flame which was about to be extinguished by a violent gust of wind when he stood on the stage without activated qi realm. He swayed on unstable feet and looked like he was about to keel over at any moment.

  Happy did not answer Orochimaru. He brought out a medicinal tablet from his Universe Bag and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed it quietly and looked very calm while doing it. It almost seemed like he was just eating noodles in a restaurant, and he didn't even forgot to blow on so they would not be so hot. He completely ignored his predicament and the might Orochimaru showed.

  Orochimaru did not speak. He had a complicated look in his eyes.

  However, for some reason, when he saw Happy's bearing and reaction, as if nothing had happened, he felt that there was something odd. He began to doubt what he saw a little, especially when the youth had not even activated his qi.

  Even if the others could not tell Happy's abilities, would Orochimaru be unable to?

  Happy's fist technique was at Grandmaster Realm. He had, in fact, showed a will of the fist that surpassed what all the other players could currently display. He had a powerful style he could execute freely, and he showed that he had transcended all others in terms of fist techniques. What made Orochimaru the most apprehensive was the presence Happy had accidentally showed under the stage. It was like a knife placed at his neck, and it made him feel a cold chill of having lingered at Death's door for a moment.

  "Come."

  Happy naturally understood that with the experience and cunning of Orochimaru, there was no way he would truly look down on him. His act of showing his full power was just him trying to make Happy show his full power so that he would give himself away and reveal more about himself and his power.