Chapter 38: Competing in the Way of the Sword? You Are Simply Seeking Your Own Humiliation!

Jiang Tian could no longer sit still and shouted angrily, "What is the meaning of this?"

Ye Changsheng slowly looked up and gave a cold, sinister smile. "In short, you are about to die. I will be the one to send you to report to the King of Hell."

Hearing this, Jiang Tian was instantly enraged. "You arrogant brat!"

Without further ado, Jiang Tian’s aura surged violently, his killing intent palpable. His eyes turned blood-red as he locked his gaze onto Ye Changsheng. In the next second, he drew his longsword, the cold blade flashing as it left its sheath.

"In such a hurry already? How is it that a Holy Son like you has so little composure? It seems you’ll need to do some more soul-searching in your next life," Ye Changsheng teased.

Jiang Tian’s face hardened as he let out a cold snort. "If you want to send me down, then I’ll kill you first!"

He pressed two fingers together and slowly drew them across the blade. As his fingertips glided along the steel, brilliant light emerged, coating the entire sword and causing it to hum with a faint, resonant sound.

"Die!"

Suddenly, Jiang Tian opened his mouth and let out a roar that shook the surroundings. He stepped forward, causing the ground to tremble, and transformed into a streak of lightning as he lunged at Ye Changsheng. He swung his longsword, carving a long, silvery arc through the air, aimed directly at Ye Changsheng. This strike was as fast as a shooting star and heavy as a mountain, slicing through the air with a sharp, hissing sound.

"The Spirit Infant Realm truly has some substance to it..."

The silvery sword radiance surged forward like a violent tide, sweeping across the field like a thousand soldiers; it was a terrifying sight to behold. However, facing such a fierce strike, Ye Changsheng remained calm and composed, showing not a hint of panic. He simply tilted his body slightly, a casual movement that allowed him to dodge the attack with ease.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The sword radiance grazed the edge of his clothes, flashing past and creating a breeze that ruffled his hair. It was not that Ye Changsheng was slow to move or failed to keep his distance; rather, everything was under his control, and he was merely toying with Jiang Tian.

"You dodged it?" Jiang Tian’s expression was hideous. His full-power strike had ended up as nothing more than an effort in vain.

The residual sword energy did not dissipate but continued to tear through the woods behind Ye Changsheng. Thick, sturdy trees were sliced in half as if they were made of paper under the impact of the sword light. Accompanied by a series of cracking sounds, the trees collapsed one after another, kicking up clouds of dust.

Ye Changsheng waved his hand to disperse the dust and smiled faintly. "Holy Son Jiang, you are so young, why are your eyes failing you? I am standing right here, so where exactly are you hacking at?"

Jiang Tian sneered, "Don't just hide, you coward! If you have the guts, fight me head-on!"

"We are civilized people. You are a Holy Son, after all—isn't all this killing and fighting rather beneath your station?"

Jiang Tian’s face darkened as he shouted, "Brat, I am the Holy Son here; it is not for you to lecture me on how to act."

"You young people... always so hot-headed."

Ye Changsheng pulled out a suona and blew into it with vigor. The piercing sound echoed across the mountain gate with imposing momentum. Seeing this, Dongfang Ting, who was standing to the side, furrowed his brows and muttered, "A suona? What on earth is this kid playing at?"

Jiang Tian scoffed, "Flashy and useless."

"Open your ears and listen to your lullaby!" Ye Changsheng declared. "The Soul-Severing Melody!"

As he spoke, the sound of the suona became even more resonant. Waves of sound rippled out like water in a lake, spreading rapidly in all directions. Though the sound waves appeared invisible, they struck with the lethality of blades. As the sonic assault descended, Jiang Tian felt his head grow heavy and his vision blur, as if his mind were about to shatter.

Jiang Tian’s cultivation was high, so the effect was limited, but the disciples behind him were not so lucky. They collapsed to the ground, clutching their heads and screaming in agony.

"Ah!" The disciples lay scattered in a pathetic heap. As the sect master, Dongfang Ting could no longer stand by. He stomped his foot, causing the earth to tremble, and raised a barrier that shielded his men. Only then did the disciples recover, though many were traumatized, sobbing uncontrollably or having lost control of their bowels—the luckier ones had simply fainted on the spot.

Dongfang Ting looked up at Jiang Tian and transmitted his voice: "This boy has an extraordinary background and uses strange techniques. Do not be careless!"

"Understood, Master!" Jiang Tian formed a seal with one hand, and majestic sword energy gathered around him, shielding his form. "Sonic attacks? This boy certainly has many tricks up his sleeve! Too bad they are useless against me!"

Despite his words, Jiang Tian’s mind had been left quite dazed by the melody.

Ye Changsheng stopped playing and smiled. "Holy Son, did you enjoy my lullaby?"

"When the suona sounds, ten thousand gold pieces fall! The suona is the king of instruments, so of course it sounds good. It’s just a pity it’s all show and no use in actual combat," Jiang Tian said with contempt.

"No matter. I’m going to bury you anyway, so playing it now just saves me the trouble later," Ye Changsheng replied calmly.

"A joke. In the end, aren't you just a lowly suona player? What skills do you actually have?"

"What skills?" Ye Changsheng smiled.

As he finished speaking, he stepped forward and flashed toward Jiang Tian. Jiang Tian did not take him seriously at all and scoffed, "Do you really think I’m like those pieces of trash? You think you can take me down with a single punch?"

"Whether I can or not, don't you have to try?"

Facing a Holy Son like Jiang Tian, how could Ye Changsheng be careless? He raised a fist, and a fierce, howling wind of power gathered around it.

"Take this!"

With a roar, he threw his punch, which shot toward Jiang Tian like a cannonball. The strike was overwhelming, wrapped in a grand, sweeping force. Seeing this, Jiang Tian shed his arrogance and hurriedly raised his longsword to block.

*Clang!*

The fist and the sword collided with a heavy impact. Both forces erupted simultaneously, causing sparks to fly from the blade, which vibrated and hummed intensely. Jiang Tian gritted his teeth and muttered, "I underestimated you."

"Feel free! The more you underestimate me, the more satisfying it is when I hit you."

"Get lost!"

Ye Changsheng roared and exerted his full strength. The power of his punch exploded, sending Jiang Tian flying backward.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

Jiang Tian’s body trembled as he was knocked back like a kite with a broken string. His feet dragged along the ground, carving deep furrows into the earth. Jiang Tian shook himself off and sneered with disdain.

"I thought you had something special! You’re just a brute with a bit of strength who only knows how to use his fists..."

"Only know how to use my fists?" Hearing this, Ye Changsheng’s temper flared. "Damn it, have I been giving you too much face?"

With that, Ye Changsheng reached out and snatched a longsword that had been stuck in the ground, pulling it into his hand.

"What? You want to win with the way of the sword? My Lijiang Sword Sect specializes in swordsmanship. Comparing yourself to me is merely courting humiliation!"

"Courting humiliation? Those words fit you perfectly!"