Sovereign of Stars-Chapter 5 – Head-to-head

He accepted the challenge!
"
"Su Xin actually dared to accept the challenge?"
"He's really overestimating himself. Does he think it's still three years ago?"
The martial arts arena was abuzz with chatter. Most people thought Su Xin was overconfident, especially those from the Faction of Retainers, who openly mocked him.
It was well known that Hong Fang had long reached the peak of the eighth level of the True Martial Realm. Even against an average ninth-level opponent, he could still put up a fight.
As for Su Xin, from his recent bout with the battle puppet, it was clear he had only just entered the eighth level of the True Martial Realm. He barely managed to hold out for thirty-eight breaths using his footwork.
He could only barely sustain himself with his footwork... whereas Hong Fang had faced the battle puppet head-on and lasted forty-one breaths.
The difference in their strength was obvious.
"He's being impulsive," Su Bohang frowned upon seeing Su Xin accept the challenge.
Although the entire Su Family harbored resentment towards Su Xin, when it came to outsiders like the Faction of Retainers, they stood united.
He felt Su Xin was being impulsive but didn't stop him. After all, it was common for the young members of the Su Family to compete against each other.
"Very well."
Hong Fang sneered coldly, "After all, he's the young master of the Su Family, once recognized as the top genius of the Su Family. It's said that in the entire Heavenflame Dynasty, his talent was among the best. If I can humiliate him in front of so many people, it would be quite an achievement."
With this thought, Hong Fang drew the battle knife from his waist, "Su Xin, I'll let you make the first move."
Su Xin didn't waste any words. He tightened his grip on his long sword and immediately dashed forward.
Whoosh!
Without any fancy moves, he swung his sword down with overwhelming force.
"He's not using his footwork and is charging straight at me with his sword? Trying to go head-to-head?" Hong Fang laughed.
"Too reckless," Su Bohang shook his head.
A newcomer to the eighth level of the True Martial Realm going head-to-head with someone who had long reached the peak of the eighth level?
Isn't that courting death?
Hong Fang sneered, swinging his battle knife horizontally, unleashing a burst of powerful spiritual energy.
Clang!
The battle knife clashed with the long sword, and for a moment, neither gained the upper hand. Clang! Clang! Clang! Several more clashes followed, each resulting in a draw.
"How is this possible?"
Hong Fang was shocked, "I've used nearly eighty percent of my strength, which should easily crush an average eighth-level opponent. But in a direct clash, I haven't gained any advantage?"
After the initial shock, Hong Fang's anger surged. He unleashed his full strength, and the violent spiritual energy erupted from his battle knife.
Even so, he still couldn't gain a clear advantage.
"What's going on?"
"Hong Fang's cultivation is clearly much higher than Su Xin's. In a direct clash, Hong Fang should be dominating. But why isn't he gaining any advantage?"
"Is Su Xin's strength really this strong?"
The spectators were all bewildered, even Su Bohang, a master of the Sea Transformation level, looked puzzled.
They all noticed that Su Xin was using the Mountain-Crushing Sword Technique, a very basic sword technique, not particularly high-level, just focused on power. In contrast, Hong Fang's knife technique was clearly more advanced, and should, in theory, unleash greater power.
"Just as I thought."
Su Xin chuckled inwardly, "
After cultivating the Bloodline Inheritance Cultivation Art, the quality of my spiritual energy has significantly improved, allowing me to unleash greater power instantly. Even though I've just entered the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, the power I can unleash momentarily is slightly stronger than this peak eighth-level opponent.
"
"
And next...
" Su Xin's eyes focused.
"
Brat, die!
"
Hong Fang, now furious, seemed like a mad beast, no longer holding back. Lightning flickered across his body as he gripped his knife with both hands and slashed down like a bolt of lightning.
Thunder Origin Force, Seven Thunder Blade!
This was Hong Fang's strongest move!
"
Mountain-Crushing Style!
"
Su Xin still used the most powerful move of the Mountain-Crushing Sword Technique. In terms of technique alone, it couldn't compare to Hong Fang's Seven Thunder Blade.
But as Su Xin swung his sword, a trace of bloodline power merged with his spiritual energy.
Boom!
A loud explosion, waves of energy surged.
Hong Fang had thought he could crush Su Xin with his strongest move, but as his battle knife clashed with Su Xin's sword, he felt an overwhelming force, like a primordial beast, crashing into him.
"
Ugh!
"
A mouthful of blood spurted from his mouth, his battle knife flew from his hand, and his body was sent crashing to the ground like a cannonball.
"
Ninth level! This power can only belong to the ninth level!
"
The thought flashed through Hong Fang's mind before he lost consciousness.
The martial arts arena fell silent.
Everyone stared in disbelief at Su Xin and the severely injured, unconscious Hong Fang.
It was clear that Hong Fang had given it his all, even using his strongest move, yet he still lost to Su Xin.
And it was a direct clash, with Su Xin's sword leaving him severely injured and unconscious.
"How could this happen?"
They couldn't understand how Su Xin, who had just entered the eighth level of the True Martial Realm, could defeat someone who had long reached the peak of the eighth level.
Moreover, Su Xin's sword technique was clearly inferior to Hong Fang's.
"This kid..." Even Su Bohang was full of doubt.
Only Su Xin knew the reason behind it all.
And now, he was filled with joy.
"
Bloodline power, this is the power of the bloodline!
"
Su Xin clenched his fists, his eyes shining brightly, "
And I only slightly guided it, using maybe twenty to thirty percent of my bloodline power, yet the power of my sword increased nearly tenfold, severely injuring Hong Fang with one strike.
"
If just a slight guidance could do this, what would happen if he unleashed it fully?
Moreover, his bloodline had only recently awakened, and his own strength was still too weak. He could only use a small portion of his bloodline power. Only when his strength grew would he be able to use more, and it would be even more formidable.
"
Ah!
"
Taking a deep breath, Su Xin noticed everyone around him was watching. He didn't say much, collected himself, and left.
He never bothered to spare Hong Fang another glance.
After all, he never considered Hong Fang a worthy opponent. The fight was merely to test the power of his bloodline.
Zhao Qing, who had enlisted Hong Fang to deal with Su Xin, wore a grim expression.
"
Su Xin, he actually managed to defeat Hong Fang head-on. It seems I'll have to wait for my brother to return to teach him a lesson!
" Zhao Qing clenched his fists, glaring at Su Xin's back.
"
Just wait, Su Xin. You may have some strength, but you're nothing compared to my brother. When the Sword Order Battle comes, my brother will show all the Su Family disciples what true despair is!
"
Proofreader & Editor: Lyra