Chapter 488: Came For the Crystals

Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

No one saw how the black-clothed man kicked Zheng Chao off the stage. Feng Wu watched in disbelief; he was sure he couldn't have done it so easily.

Ye Mo frowned. He clearly saw that the black-clothed man's moves were eerie, as was his inner qi. His inner qi might not have been as strong as Zheng Chao's, but Zheng Chao was clearly unused to this ghostly fighting style. The man had briefly twisted his body into a double helix; Ye Mo picked it up with his spirit sense.

Ye Mo was sure that if the man used a fighting style Zheng Chao was accustomed to, victory would be hard to predict. As for himself, the threat this black-clothed man posed was far less than Wang Lenchan's, because under his spirit sense, the man's elusive moves were crystal clear.

But for others, it was different. Even Wang Lenchan couldn't be certain of victory unfamiliar with the black-clothed man's moves. Unless Wang Lenchan used his killing blow immediately—but who would use such a move with strong aftereffects so readily?

"This petty power, yet you dare act cool?" The black-clothed man tapped his hands, seemingly unimpressed.

Feng Wu's eyes turned cold. Even if he was no match, he had to attack; otherwise, Jiu Ming Academy would lose face.

Seeing Feng Wu's readiness, the black-clothed man said plainly, "Since you agree to fight, that means you'll give up the crystals if you lose?"

Feng Wu said coldly, "You've got your sly schemes, but those crystals don't belong to me. You won't get them."

Feng Wu had to be careful.

The black-clothed man laughed. "Is the country with the greatest ancient martial arts heritage too scared to even bet this much? I'll be frank: I came for the crystals. If you don't want to fight, fine. Just admit that Chinese ancient martial artists are no match for me."

"Shameless thing, let me test your strength," Zeng Zhengxia stood, drawing the sword he'd received from Ye Mo.

"Hmph, I'm ready to fight anyone, anytime. But if you fight, you accept my challenge and forfeit the crystals if you lose," the black-clothed man said.

Feng Wu waved his hand. "Since you're so confident, let your disciple go first; I'll choose a disciple from our side."

"Okay, Xi Hu, go test these Chinese geniuses," the black-clothed man sneered.

Feng Wu stopped Zeng Zhengxia, saying quietly, "This man is strange. We didn't even see how he knocked Zheng Chao off the stage. I suggest watching his disciple first, then we attack."

Zeng Zhengxia agreed.

Ye Mo sighed. With the unpredictability of those moves, this black-clothed man's disciple would likely win. If Zeng Zhengxia's personal disciple went, Ye Mo would have to help.

Thinking this, Ye Mo prepared some wind blades.

At that moment, Xi Hu walked up and said, "Anyone dare fight me?"

A black level primary stage youth immediately jumped onto the stage. "Some shameless coward dares challenge China? You're asking to die."

This young man was one of the final twelve. He whipped his whip at Xi Hu.

Xi Hu's face fell. He drew two ruler-like blades. The whip was already nearing him; if he didn't dodge, he might be split in two.

As the whip arrived, Xi Hu fell as if struck, but Ye Mo knew the whip hadn't touched him. Ye Mo sighed; this young man was in trouble.

Before the young man could laugh, fear contorted his face, and he fell dead.

Ye Mo noticed Xi Hu's body had lengthened as he fell, extending to the young man's back before Xi Hu smashed his ruler into the young man's heart.

"Martial Brother Wei!" A cry of agony rose from below. A man jumped up, drawing his sword to kill Xi Hu, but before he could strike, Xi Hu disappeared.

When everyone refocused on the stage, the man was dead, the cause obvious from the hole in the back of his head.

This was ghastly. No one had seen how the eerie youth attacked; only Feng Wu and Zeng Zhengxia glimpsed it.

Silence fell. This master and disciple were too creepy; their attacks were unseen, leaving no survivors.

Even Feng Wu and the furious Xiang Mingwang fell silent.

"What—only those two? Does China have no one left?" the black-clothed man challenged contemptuously.

"I'll go," a handsome youth rose angrily. It was Shi Zhongzhi, the top seed.

Feng Wu said, "Without my orders, Jiu Ming Academy does not fight."

Ye Mo told Zeng Zhengxia, "Brother Zeng, tell your personal disciple, Zeng Xihou, to go. I'll teach him a move."

Zeng Zhengxia called Zeng Xihou over without hesitation. He wouldn't trust anyone else with his disciple, but he trusted Ye Mo.

Zeng Xihou was eager to go, but Ye Mo stopped him.

Ye Mo gave him a stack of wind blade rune papers. "Don't talk. He's not as strong; he relies on eerie movements. Throw these papers and shout 'lin.'"

"Yes, Martial Uncle." Zeng Xihou took the papers respectfully. Everyone in 36 River respected Ye Mo because of his master.

Ye Mo had made a full set of wind blade rune papers, not just single ones. He held genuine killing intent for Xi Hu.

Zeng Xihou walked onto the stage. Xi Hu looked coldly at him. "Good, you have the guts to die; you're better than those cowards. China has a few fighters, at least."

Zeng Xihou pinched his fingers, mimicking the killing of an ant.

Aggression flared on Xi Hu's face. "We'll see how cocky you are after I kill you."

Zeng Xihou threw the rune papers and yelled, "Lin!"

Zeng Xihou saw countless blade rays flash. 'What strong sword chi!' he thought.

Splash—blood sprayed everywhere. Even Zeng Xihou was dazed. He knew Ye Mo's rune papers were powerful, having seen Han Yan use them, but he hadn't expected this. Xi Hu was killed instantly.

Zeng Xihou felt nauseous; Xi Hu's head and feet were severed.

"Huh?!" The black-clothed man reacted slowly. His beloved disciple was in pieces?

Furious, he charged onto the stage, raising his ruler, but missed. Seeing Ye Mo take Zeng Xihou, he stopped.

Ye Mo looked at him coldly. "With your meager strength, you dare act cocky and covet the crystals, you Japanese?"

The black-clothed man calmed, his fury gone. He said frigidly, "I, Yoyon Karou, challenge you. If you lose, I'll let you go, but you must give me him," pointing at Zeng Xihou.

Ye Mo said plainly, "Talk after you win. You can't win with your mouth."