Chapter Twenty-Six: Evenly Matched

Arrogant people always have the means to back their arrogance, and Hao Po certainly possesses such means!

Haotian watched Xiaoshan struggling, his expression serious as he spoke.

Means.

Indeed, becoming a martial artist is simple. Out of ten, five comprehend inner force, but to break through the two vital meridian channels and step into the innate realm is rare. Many are blocked from the threshold of the innate, unable to cross it in their lifetime, growing old and dying outside that gate.

Only a select few break through the limits of ordinary humanity and enter the innate realm. Hao Po stands ahead of countless others. This is a world where martial strength reigns.

That is his capital!

Haotian and Haoyun exchanged glances and nodded. They, too, are martial artists, yearning to stand atop the masses and become heroes in people's hearts.

Just as a poor man, unable to provide for himself, thinks only of money, their goal is to be that distant savior, the one who rescues the world.

This is not only their wish, but the "desire" in everyone's heart.

A streak of sword light grew larger in Xiaoshan's pupils. His expression was heavy, hands gripping his sword, the tip pointed at the approaching sword light.

A black shadow slowly crept from his arm onto the blade. Instantly, the ground trembled, and the surrounding meteorites began to float.

In a breath, they circled Xiaoshan, drifting around him. Black spots bloomed across the sword; his body moved, and the tip stabbed into the meteorite to his left.

The meteorite immediately projected a massive phantom from within. To the naked eye, it seemed to swell a little. With a swing of his arm, the meteorite shot forth, aiming directly at the giant sword light.

Under the brilliance of the sword light, the meteorite seemed pitifully small. The two met, like an egg striking a stone—completely unmatched.

The black meteorite collided with the sword light, yet not a spark was produced; it was as if the meteorite was devoured by the sword light in the blink of an eye.

Bang!

In the silence, the sound was piercing. The meteorite had crashed to the ground.

Compared to before, it now bore streaks of red, resembling blood, like bloody scars.

The sword light, too, seemed to fade significantly. On the other side, Xiaoshan wasted no time, his blade striking the meteorite.

The meteorite suddenly emitted a vast phantom, which then melted into the stone and vanished.

Xiaoshan's arm moved swiftly, one meteorite after another responding to his actions. Ruoxi looked closely and saw they were lining up to be "devoured" by the sword light.

In a flash, the sword light shrank at a speed visible to the eye, until the black spots on Xiaoshan's sword disappeared one by one, and the meteorites dropped to the ground.

The sword light was now right before him. Xiaoshan gasped, mouth open, sword held defensively before him, hoping to block the blow.

The sword light struck the blade in an instant, blood erupting. Xiaoshan closed his eyes, his teeth bared.

He was knocked back by the sword light, mouth opening as fresh blood sprayed forth, staining the ground red.

His face paled instantly, half-kneeling, sword plunged into the earth, breathing raggedly.

Across from him, Hao Po was visibly shocked, clearly not expecting this outcome. He slowly raised his sword, and the blade, once dim, gleamed anew.

Hao Po's face grew somber; a mist of blood once more circled his sword.

Blood was already dripping from his hand, falling drop by drop onto the ground.

He's performing a blood ritual!

His sword is no ordinary blade!

As this was spoken, the blood streaks on the meteorites slowly drew out, and the blood mist flowed back into the sword.

Xiaoshan wiped the blood from his mouth, slowly rising.

The blood mist merged again with his sword, which glowed with a red radiance.

This sword is sealed; otherwise, he could never control it! Haoyun exclaimed.

Only after sealing it can he wield part of its power!

Haotian's gaze sharpened upon hearing this—Xiaoshan had actually forced Hao Po to such a point.

The scene shifted suddenly. Xiaoshan raised his sword, his pupils deepening to pitch black, launching his attack.

It was as if the injuries he had sustained were nonexistent; his steps grew lighter, leaping like a fierce tiger.

The last wisp of blood mist fused into the blade. Hao Po's wound had closed, no longer bleeding. His left hand drew his sword, the sub-blade now held tight.

Both mother and child blades lifted, and Hao Po's aura transformed, murderous intent radiating from him, intimidating all.

Strangely, his right side was blood-red, while his left remained normal.

He lifted his ankle, and like a leopard, he shot forward, fully prepared.

Hao Po regarded Xiaoshan, all previous calm replaced by utter terror.

Right hand holding the mother sword, he aimed it at Xiaoshan. The long blade raised, both hands coming together. His left hand circled the wide sword's hilt.

The blade spun in his clenched fist, a whirlwind rising. With a push from his left hand, the wide sword flew out swiftly.

Ruoxi looked closely—the move was identical to Haotian's earlier sword throw, save for one blade spinning and the other rushing straight.

The same move? Ruoxi wondered.

As Hao Po unleashed his strike, the dust around him floated, the blood-red sword like a drill, where its shadow swept, dust billowed, its might astonishing.