Zhang Ergou dared not think further. He had seen descriptions of this state in a secret manual.
It stated that when a cultivator's soul strength reached a certain level during cultivation, it could leave their body.
This was called soul projection.
Could his current state be soul projection?
How could that be? What was his cultivation level? He was merely a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Although his soul strength was stronger than that of an ordinary person, it wasn't by much.
Even a mighty Nascent Soul stage cultivator would find soul projection difficult, and it depended on opportunity.
Unable to comprehend the reason, Zhang Ergou stopped dwelling on it and prepared to return to his body.
He had already sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching the battle platform.
Although the person was well-hidden, they could not escape Zhang Ergou's soul sense.
As an alchemist, Zhang Ergou's soul strength was much stronger than that of cultivators at the same level.
With his soul free from his body, his perception was even sharper than before.
He could now clearly observe scenes a mile away.
A figure carrying a large saber, though trying hard to suppress himself and deliver a surprise attack,
had no idea that Zhang Ergou had undergone such a change while meditating.
If it were before, Zhang Ergou might indeed have been ambushed.
"Hmph!" The person wore a dark green daoist robe, with disheveled hair covering one eye. He held a large saber in his hand, its weight comparable to Zhang Ergou's long spear.
The man leaped onto the stage and, seeing Zhang Ergou still sitting on the ground with his eyes closed, a cruel smile spread across his face.
He slowly raised his saber, already envisioning the scene of Zhang Ergou's head being severed.
"Coming?"
Before the man's saber was raised above his head, Zhang Ergou spoke calmly.
"En?"
Liu Feiyang's eyes narrowed, a cold glint shooting from them. He hadn't noticed when Zhang Ergou had stood up.
What surprised him even more was that Zhang Ergou's eyes had remained closed, only opening as his saber was about to be raised.
How did this brat discover me?
"May I ask your esteemed name?"
Zhang Ergou asked indifferently. After half an hour of meditation, he seemed like a different person.
Less impetuous, more composed, even his tone had become much steadier!
"When did you discover me?" Liu Feiyang was extremely confident in his stealth abilities, capable of concealing not only his body but also his aura and cultivation.
It was only at the moment he attacked that he expected to be noticed. But to be discovered by Zhang Ergou before he even made a move was a frustration almost greater than being defeated by him.
"Senior Brother, you haven't answered my question yet."
Zhang Ergou's composed demeanor made Liu Feiyang want to lash out. Both were inner disciples, so why the pretense of profundity!
Suppressing his impatience, Liu Feiyang replied curtly, "Liu Feiyang!"
"So it's Senior Brother Liu, a pleasure to meet you!"
Zhang Ergou cupped his fists and bowed towards Liu Feiyang, who held his saber mid-air.
Liu Feiyang felt incredibly awkward. His attempted sneak attack had failed, and now he was in this situation. If he didn't return the bow, it would seem rude.
Would that make him seem ill-mannered?
"Enough of the pleasantries, I'm here to teach you a lesson today. What's with all this tedious etiquette!"
Making up his mind, Liu Feiyang was not one to dwell on such things. He swung his saber towards Zhang Ergou.
"Senior Brother Liu, aren't you being a bit too hasty!"
Zhang Ergou's calm voice rang out, and his movements were far from slow as he dodged.
"If you wish to fight, Junior Brother will oblige. What is the meaning of striking without speaking?"
His annoying words surfaced again, making Liu Feiyang's face turn green.
"Go to hell! Why so many words? I'm here to fight you, not to exchange insults!"
Saying this, Liu Feiyang swung his saber again, slashing towards Zhang Ergou's side.
"Oh dear, Senior Brother Liu, you say you want to fight Junior Brother, and I will certainly accompany you to the end, but why do you insult my grandfather?"
Zhang Ergou seemed to have transformed into a chatterbox.
"Zhang Ergou, shut up!"
Liu Feiyang roared, unable to contain himself. He detested people constantly babbling in his ear.
Now, this Zhang Ergou was incessantly talking, how could he stand it.
"Senior Brother Liu, you still haven't explained why you insulted my grandfather. And why are you telling me to shut up? Don't I even have the freedom to speak?"
"I'll explain your grandfather!"
*Boom!*
Dust and smoke billowed. Liu Feiyang's saber strike missed Zhang Ergou but gouged into the bluestone ground, sending dust flying.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Senior Brother Liu's skills are not that great, but his temper is quite fierce. Look at you, you've damaged the ground. If the elders question this, you will be primarily responsible!"
Zhang Ergou's face remained calm, and his tone was mild, but his words almost made Liu Feiyang spit blood.
What did he mean by 'skills not that great, but temper fierce'?
He, a master nearly ranking within the top eighty on the inner disciple list, was being belittled so severely.
If one can endure this, what can't be endured!
"Ah! Zhang Ergou, take this!"
Liu Feiyang roared in fury, a saber energy fiercer than before slashing towards Zhang Ergou.
*Boom!*
With a loud bang, another piece of bluestone ground was shattered.
"You have considerable strength, but your accuracy is somewhat lacking. Senior Brother Liu, didn't you practice accuracy more during your cultivation? I have experience in that area!"
Zhang Ergou spoke again.
"Zhang Ergou, do you only know how to dodge? Fight me honorably!"
Ignoring Zhang Ergou's nagging, Liu Feiyang swung his saber and attacked.
A tide of berserk spiritual energy surged towards Zhang Ergou with reckless abandon.
Before Zhang Ergou had provoked Liu Feiyang, he could still dodge Liu Feiyang's attacks by relying on his agile footwork and speed advantage.
But Liu Feiyang, consumed by rage, seemed like a different person. His moves were no longer structured or methodical.
Instead, he wildly slashed at Zhang Ergou, pouring more spiritual energy into each strike.
The surrounding spiritual energy in the heavens and earth also became agitated due to the saber energy's influence.
"Mistake, mistake. I never expected this guy to be more troublesome when enraged than when calm."
Zhang Ergou had truly hoisted himself by his own petard.
When he first heard Liu Feiyang's introduction, his concise words made him believe Liu Feiyang was a man of few words.
Therefore, Zhang Ergou deliberately made small talk to provoke Liu Feiyang.
However, the outcome was completely contrary to his expectations. The enraged Liu Feiyang not only did not lose his composure due to his fury but his attacks became even more ferocious.
It left him struggling to cope!
"Senior Brother Liu, you've been fighting for so long and still haven't hit me. Isn't it my turn now?"
Zhang Ergou dodged another saber energy slashed by Liu Feiyang, his body moving with nimble grace.
A long spear was thrust directly towards the enraged Liu Feiyang...