Chapter 66: Engulfed in a Fierce Struggle

An interesting incident took place in Training Hall No. 4 at Dawnlight Academy.

A group of first-year students had gathered together, their faces displaying varying degrees of mockery, eager to watch what they believed would be an entertaining spectacle—a first-year challenging the swordsmanship instructor.

“Kid, are you ready?” Standing at the center of the hall, Xiao Yuqi swung a broad, formidable greatsword.

While it was a standard-issue greatsword from the academy’s training hall, its twenty-kilogram weight and blade as wide as a person’s waist were no joke.

In truth, Xiao Yuqi was hardly the type to pick on students for amusement. The main reason she had sought out Si Kongxu was at the principal’s request. The moment Si Kongxu had selected his courses and reported them via the school’s system, the principal had immediately approached Xiao Yuqi, asking her to keep a close eye on this particular student.

Right now, the principal regarded Si Kongxu as the school’s treasure. After all, he was the only one who had personally witnessed Si Kongxu being transported somewhere by Ye Fei’s stone sculpture. The principal likely understood more about the implications of that place than even Si Kongxu himself.

“Hey, have you picked your weapon yet?” Seeing Si Kongxu lingering indecisively in front of the weapons rack, Xiao Yuqi grew impatient.

“Hold on, there are so many weapons here! How am I supposed to choose?” Si Kongxu grumbled irritably.

“You just need a sword. Why make things so complicated?”

“Even the swords come in a dozen types,” Si Kongxu complained, feeling a headache coming on. The academy was clearly well-funded; not to mention the other weapons, there were at least ten different kinds of swords alone: greatswords, rapiers, flexible swords, short swords… The sheer variety made it hard for him to decide.

“You’re not thinking of backing out, are you?”

“As if!” Si Kongxu shot the nagging woman a glare, then finally selected a sword of moderate length and width.

“Beautiful teacher, we agreed—you can only use the same level of strength as me,” he emphasized, as if afraid Xiao Yuqi might accidentally kill him by overexerting herself.

“Yes, yes, you’re such a nuisance,” Xiao Yuqi replied, waving her hand dismissively. Her sleek hair was already tied up in a neat ponytail.

“Watch out, kid!” Once Si Kongxu was ready, Xiao Yuqi stomped down and launched herself forward.

She wasn’t particularly fast—her speed barely reached mid-tier Moxuan level—but her movements were uncanny, as if utilizing some special footwork technique.

“What the—?!” At the sight of Xiao Yuqi’s ghostly approach, Si Kongxu instinctively pulled back, putting distance between them.

Seeing him respond with the right reaction so quickly, Xiao Yuqi’s eyes glimmered with approval.

“Good reflexes, but that alone won’t help you!” she called, continuing her mysterious charge.

Si Kongxu could see her clearly, yet he couldn’t grasp her rhythm—it was like watching a slow, erratic object: visible, but unpredictable in its next move.

“Damn it!” Suddenly, Si Kongxu’s nerves tensed. A massive blade crashed down before him, and unable to dodge, he barely managed to raise his sword in time to block.

Clang—

The two iron swords collided. Since Si Kongxu had no time to brace himself, he was sent flying by Xiao Yuqi’s blow.

Not missing a beat, Xiao Yuqi pressed her advantage, moving with astonishing agility. Even the impressive curves of her chest seemed to do nothing to hinder her movements.

This left Si Kongxu frustrated. Even with his “Limitless Martial Mastery”—a skill that let him push his technique to the utmost—he couldn’t adapt to Xiao Yuqi’s bizarre footwork, and so could only be forced on the defensive.

“Hah!” In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yuqi was upon him as he retreated.

“Don’t underestimate me!” Si Kongxu’s eyes sharpened.

If she were crushing him through sheer overwhelming strength, he’d have no complaints. But since her power was being restrained to match his own, he refused to lose!

As Xiao Yuqi bore down on him with her massive sword, Si Kongxu abruptly halted his retreat, his calves tensing with sudden force to stop himself dead.

Xiao Yuqi’s greatsword came crashing down. Si Kongxu could sense she had no intention of killing him, but if this blow landed, he’d certainly be left half-crippled.

But just then, Si Kongxu twisted his waist and abdomen, spinning his entire body horizontally a full three hundred and sixty degrees under the power of his core muscles.

The falling greatsword brushed past him by a hair’s breadth.

“What?!” Xiao Yuqi gasped. She had assumed this little spar would end here, but at the crucial moment, Si Kongxu managed a perfect dodge.

“It’s not over yet!” Si Kongxu roared. Having just completed his spin, he slipped to Xiao Yuqi’s flank, lashing out with his sword.

Clang—

The harsh sound of metal striking metal rang out again, but this time, it was Xiao Yuqi who was driven back.

After striking, Si Kongxu immediately put space between them. The attack had been unexpected, but it was impossible to defeat a sword instructor like Xiao Yuqi with just a single move. Thus, he wisely pulled back.

“Not bad, kid. Your combat skills are impressive.” Xiao Yuqi shook out her sword arm, a motion that instantly highlighted her fine figure.

For a moment, the male students watching from the sidelines were momentarily entranced.

“Hmph.” Sensing the lecherous gazes, Xiao Yuqi snorted coldly, and the attention instantly snapped away.

The duel between Si Kongxu and Xiao Yuqi had everyone’s full attention. Though their contest was “merely” sword against sword, it was thrilling to watch.

If not for the lingering contempt in their hearts for Si Kongxu, the so-called “King of Losers,” applause would likely have erupted already.

“Haha, Si Kongxu, right? Well fought! Let’s see who dares call you ‘King of Losers’ from now on!” To everyone’s surprise, Cao Dongcheng actually cheered Si Kongxu on; clearly, he was the straightforward type.

“With strength like yours, it’s no wonder certain people are jealous and always target you…” As he spoke, Cao Dongcheng glanced meaningfully in Quan Jin’s direction—his point was obvious.

Quan Jin, meanwhile, stood quietly aside. Yet his clenched fists and the throbbing vein at his temple betrayed his inner turmoil.

He looked down on Si Kongxu from the bottom of his heart, but he was self-aware enough to realize the two duelists were far beyond his own capabilities. Xiao Yuqi, as a mentor, was naturally strong, but even though Quan Jin had some skill himself, he didn’t believe he could withstand Si Kongxu’s attacks.

Meanwhile, Si Kongxu paid no attention to the drama unfolding between Cao Dongcheng and Quan Jin, focusing all his attention on Xiao Yuqi.

He knew that unless he found a way to counter her strange footwork, defeat was only a matter of time. But even with his “Limitless Martial Mastery”...

Wait! Suddenly, Si Kongxu’s eyes widened. His “Limitless Martial Mastery” united mind, technique, and body into one—a supreme ability. In matters of skill and technique, there was nothing he could not achieve.

So then… could Xiao Yuqi’s footwork be considered a technique?