As the saying goes, an inch longer, an inch stronger.
As the saying also goes, an inch shorter, an inch more dangerous.
Duels between spear cultivators and sword cultivators are often the most spectacular and eye-catching.
Zhang Ergou was discussing matters of divination and fate-altering with Li Zhan when he suddenly heard his name and paused.
However, he quickly reacted and leaped onto the arena.
He directly faced Li Xun's undisguised hostility and fighting spirit.
Zhang Ergou smiled faintly and even waved at Li Xun.
Instantly, Li Xun was petrified. He didn't know whether to smile or not, and the situation became extremely awkward.
The tense atmosphere dissipated in an instant.
Fortunately, this awkward situation didn't last long. Zhang Ergou drew the long spear from his back and looked directly at Li Xun with a serious expression.
*Hum!*
Li Xun also drew his sword.
As the sword was unsheathed, the air seemed to freeze. It was clearly no ordinary weapon. Zhang Ergou's plain black long spear looked rather ordinary in comparison.
Neither side spoke further. The great battle was imminent.
As time passed, the long sword in Li Xun's hand began to hum.
The long spear held by Zhang Ergou also trembled violently.
Yet, neither of them made the first move.
It was as if the one who attacked first would be at a disadvantage.
The plaza and the stands fell silent, with everyone's eyes fixed on the two figures in the arena.
After holding their weapons and remaining in a stalemate for nearly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they finally attacked simultaneously.
Both attacked at the same time. Li Xun swung his sword, and a crimson giant snake slithered like lightning towards Zhang Ergou.
"Sword intent manifesting form! This youngster has been hiding quite deeply."
Someone exclaimed, and the smile on Jian Ying's lips widened.
Earlier, when he heard Dan Feng had received Zhang Ergou's promise, he had felt some envy.
But that emotion had long since vanished. Now, it should be others envying him, Jian Ying.
There was a significant gap between a genius who had comprehended sword intent and a master who could manifest sword intent into form.
Seeing Li Xun unleash this move without holding back, others no longer favored Zhang Ergou.
Although Zhang Ergou had performed exceptionally well before, a sword master capable of manifesting sword intent into form was beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Everyone seemed to have already foreseen Zhang Ergou's defeat.
"Hmph, showing off, aren't you? Now you're scared stiff, aren't you? Li Xun, well done! It's best if you cripple that kid."
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, Li Qian watched the arena with intense focus, hatred evident in his eyes.
*Hiss...*
The green snake shadow shrieked and lunged directly at Zhang Ergou.
As Li Xun made his move, Zhang Ergou also attacked. However, his spear movement seemed much more unpretentious.
It appeared almost silent, as if Zhang Ergou had merely swung his spear casually.
There were no anomalies.
The crowd couldn't help but sigh at the obvious disparity between them.
Li Xun grew even more contemptuous of Zhang Ergou. How could a spear cultivator who hadn't comprehended spear intent contend with him?
He could already imagine Zhang Ergou being torn to shreds by his sword intent.
*Screech~~*
The green snake shadow let out another cry. Those with keen senses instantly felt a tremor in its cry, as if it had encountered something terrifying.
Li Xun was also startled. His sword intent was connected to his mind, and he felt a primal shudder from the information transmitted by his sword intent.
"How is this possible?"
Zhang Ergou had merely swung his spear. That move, by all appearances, was an ordinary strike.
How could it cause his formed sword intent to tremble?
*Screech~~*
This time, the cry wasn't just perceived by those with keen senses; everyone could feel the snake shadow's fear.
People could even see the snake shadow, which had been charging at Zhang Ergou, desperately trying to escape, to distance itself from him.
"What's happening? What is this?"
Those in the plaza who had previously worried about Zhang Ergou's defeat were now utterly incredulous.
That was manifested sword intent, after all. They had never heard of sword intent being frightened and fleeing.
People began to speculate what terrible thing Li Xun's snake-shaped sword intent had encountered.
The peak masters also rose from their chairs in shock.
The anticipated one-sided battle seemed to have not materialized.
Or rather, the scene they had predicted, of Zhang Ergou being defeated with a single strike, had not happened at all.
Jian Ying's smile froze. The setback had come too quickly. He had just been basking in the compliments and congratulations.
Now, the swordsman he had favored seemed to have achieved no remarkable effect with his first move.
Instead, he had been suppressed by Zhang Ergou.
Everything happened in a flash. After another mournful cry, the green snake shadow vanished.
It dissipated into nothingness, as if it had never existed.
"I don't believe it! Zhang Ergou, die!"
Li Xun roared and leaped into the air, unleashing an even colder and sharper sword qi from his long sword.
*Hiss~*
With a high-pitched cry, the snake shadow transformed into a lightning bolt and charged at Zhang Ergou again.
This time, the snake shadow's color was more condensed, and its form was considerably larger than before.
Jian Ying felt a bit relieved. Although he didn't understand what had happened with the previous strike, seeing that Li Xun was not discouraged, he felt temporarily at ease.
"Heh, truly persistent. I'll kill as many as you send. A mere little snake, thinking it can compete with my iron spear."
Zhang Ergou said loudly, his body slowly ascending into the void, as if walking step by step.
His movement immediately drew gasps of astonishment. His ability to walk in the air was far more impressive than Li Xun's leap.
In terms of flair, Li Xun was no match for Zhang Ergou.
"Brother Ergou is still so playful."
Li Zhan couldn't help but rub his forehead.
"Has he always been like this?" Qu Yao's beautiful eyes widened, as if she were seeing Zhang Ergou for the first time.
"You'll understand gradually in the future."
Li Zhan didn't know how to describe Zhang Ergou.
"I will."
Li Zhan glanced at Qu Yao strangely and said no more.
...
The crowd only saw Zhang Ergou holding his long spear horizontally in front of him, but they didn't see the invisible flames clinging to it.
As Zhang Ergou swung his spear, the spiritual fire nimbly lunged at the snake shadow.
As if to confirm Zhang Ergou's words, the deep green snake shadow was engulfed by an invisible force the moment it appeared between them.
Just like last time, it disappeared in a most peculiar manner.
Silence!
Absolute silence!
The vast plaza was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. Even Li Xun, facing Zhang Ergou, froze in place.
His sword intent was his greatest reliance, yet it had vanished twice without a sound.
He hadn't even figured out what Zhang Ergou had done.