The Three Realms Thief Chapter 80

The wind howled.

The afterglow faded.

Xu Yuan’s figure was stretched by the light of his sword, like a lone traveler in the desolate world, with no companions.

The sun set in the west, and a heartbroken man stood at the edge of the world.

Yang Xiaobing watched this scene, covering her mouth, her eyes welling up with tears that streamed down her face.

She had already participated in various independent admissions tests for universities, so she naturally had some insight.

“Image” (意象 – Yixiang).

This term is only encountered at the university level.

—This indicates that a skill has undergone a complete transformation, gaining recognition from the Dao of Heaven. The practitioner’s martial spirit and philosophy resonate with the “Heaven, Earth, and Man,” thus receiving the enlightenment of the Dao of Heaven.

With “Image,” one can even stand firm in the literary and artistic circles, which aim to enlighten the world!

She remembered how he practiced swordsmanship until his arms were too tired to lift, she remembered his hard work over the years, and she remembered his full effort in the monthly exams.

—So this was his “Image”, so this was how lonely he was.

Yang Xiaobing let her tears fall, biting her lip tightly, not caring even if it bled, her eyes fixed on Xu Yuan, unwilling to look away for a moment.

“Teacher, is that an Image?” a student asked.

“Yes, it is an Image,” the white-haired elder said, staring unblinkingly at the stage.

The young teacher also sighed with admiration, “At this age, with this swordsmanship, to have even developed an Image—how can one describe such limitless potential?”

Looking at Jiangbei City No. 5 High School.

The principal’s mouth was wide open, almost unable to close.

“Teacher Liu Mingdao!”

The principal solemnly extended his hand to Xu Yuan’s homeroom teacher, Liu Mingdao.

“Principal!” Liu Mingdao quickly extended his hand as well.

The two large hands gripped each other tightly, shaking vigorously up and down.

The principal nodded forcefully.

“It’s settled, brother.”

Liu Mingdao’s face was flushed with excitement, and he nodded in agreement.

—It’s settled, brother!

In the future, when Xu Yuan returns from Yuheng or Luofu to give a report, or when he achieves the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage, the school will hang banners and set off firecrackers—

Wouldn’t he say, “This is a student I taught!”

On the stage.

In the silence.

A gentle breeze began to blow.

He raised his hand, forming a sword art, and said, “Ten swallows return to their nest, go.”

Swallow’s Return.

Ten swords moving in unison.

Under the twilight sunset, ten swallows flew far and returned to their nest.

His fingers were nimble and coordinated, subtly manipulating sword arts in the air, as fast as lightning yet pleasing to the eye, looking like he was conducting a grand symphony.

The setting sun silently scattered behind him.

Strands of golden light materialized, transforming into ten rapidly spinning flying swords that slashed through the air towards Zhang Pengcheng.

“Multiple Flying Sword Technique!”

Zhang Pengcheng’s heart pounded with fear. He immediately switched to a two-handed grip on his sword, trying his best to block the incoming swarm of flying swords.

A clang erupted from his sword, carrying immense power, as it collided with the first flying sword.

Then came the second, third, fourth, and fifth—ding-ding-dong-dong-ding-ding!

The clash of swords was continuous, echoing ten times in an instant.

“Aaaaaah!”

Zhang Pengcheng roared.

Fighting ten flying swords with a single sword—that was the true value of Zhang Pengcheng, the best in Xiaoxiang!

He felt a surge of confidence and immediately prepared to counterattack.

But in the next instant—

The ten swords were knocked away but did not scatter. Instead, they circled in mid-air, then reconnected, forming a twilight sun.

Swallow’s Return!

They returned, reformed, and were ready to strike again!

And the setting sun.

That person stood in the afterglow of the fierce sun, watching him from afar.

So, this was just the beginning?

—Damn it.

Zhang Pengcheng gritted his teeth, gripping his sword with both hands, and shouted, “Come!”

The person remained silent.

The sunset dispersed.

Ten golden rays poured down, not one by one as before.

This time, it was ten swords dancing in unison!

Zhang Pengcheng’s entire body radiated a turquoise spiritual power, and he loudly declared, “Watch me block your ten swords with one!”

Clang!

The first sword was deflected by him.

He fought and retreated, using one sword to block repeatedly.

It was at this moment!

Xu Yuan patted the sword scabbard at his waist, and the Qiongxia Sword flew out of its sheath, slashing continuously in mid-air.

Yan Song Sword Art · Three Questions!

If the attacks of the ten flying swords had caused Zhang Pengcheng to struggle to parry, then this single sword strike was the final straw that truly overwhelmed him!

Zhang Pengcheng brandished his sword, creating a myriad of afterimages, and retreated rapidly, deflecting four flying swords in succession, reaching his limit.

He looked at the Qiongxia Sword, which was bringing up the rear, feeling the terrifying sword qi it exuded. His desire to fight instantly vanished.

“There are more swords? I surrender!”

He shrieked.

Before his words could fully register, Xu Yuan’s fingers danced rapidly.

The remaining six long swords that had flown in front of Zhang Pengcheng simultaneously deviated from their trajectory, instead slashing towards his flank.

This was simply the most natural thing to do.

The opponent had already surrendered.

Of course, the moves should be withdrawn.

However, this youth had already unleashed his full power, and attempting to withdraw his attack now would be extremely difficult.

So his swords slashed at the empty space to the side!

Six swords continuously slashed at empty space.

The seventh sword—

As the Qiongxia Sword flew, it suddenly shifted to the other side, unleashing three successive fierce sword auras imbued with brilliant golden light!

People only saw that as Zhang Pengcheng surrendered, seven swords all avoided him.

But they didn’t know that all seven swords struck the demon!

“Ahahahah!” The demon, which had been quietly waiting to ambush, did not expect all the flying swords to slash at it.

Gold spirit governs sharpness!

The monster’s scream tore through the roof.

If you listened closely, there was even a hint of disbelief.

How could this be—

Such a coincidence—

All the flying swords hit me?

No matter what.

Since it didn’t dodge, it would never have another chance to dodge!

Xu Yuan’s sword arts changed like lightning.

Golden light swirled and slashed horizontally, encountering the monster’s body with almost no pause, instantly dismembering it.

The monster’s body parts were scattered across the ground, black blood emitting white smoke. In a short while, it lost all vitality and slowly sank into the ground, eventually disappearing without a trace.

Not until this moment.

Did the killing intent in Xu Yuan’s eyes gradually dissipate?

Had it not been for this round, had it not been for putting on a show for the whole audience— I should have used Dark Spirit just now.

The Gold Spirit was displayed for everyone to see, including the monster!

In this way, the monster, intending to ambush me, was instead successfully killed by me using my own intentions against its intentions.

A dead monster is a good monster.

The monster’s corpse vanished.

Zhang Pengcheng surrendered and stopped fighting.

Xu Yuan glanced at the corner of his eye.

Above his head—

A glittering ocean hovered erratically, like a river of stars.

That was the jackpot.

He won!

He only won in the last move!

His ten fingers moved slightly, as naturally as when operating a combat simulation in a virtual cabin all those years ago.

But this was even more thrilling than virtual combat.

As his sword arts changed, the Qiongxia Sword flew back first, returning to its sheath with a “clang.”

Then.

The ten flying swords flew back silently, hovering around him.

The entire stadium fell silent.

The teenagers watched in bated breath, as if witnessing a grand event, a spectacle that would remain deeply etched in their memories for many years to come.

Some were the scenery on stage, while others watched the scenery from below.

Each had their youth, each left their mark.

Everyone was watching.

But then, those swords swayed and suddenly all fell from mid-air, scattering across the martial arts arena.

—His spiritual power seemed to be exhausted.

Not only his spiritual power.

The continuous manipulation of flying swords just now had also put immense strain on all ten of his fingers.

Now his hands trembled uncontrollably, and his body swayed precariously, as if he could no longer do anything.

At this moment.

Anyone could easily kill him!

A figure flickered.

Yang Xiaobing had already landed on the stage, standing beside him. With one hand, she held a talisman, observing her surroundings, while with the other, she unhesitatingly supported him.

It was only after Yang Xiaobing came onto the stage that Xu Yuan, with a thought, collected all his flying swords back into his waist bag.

The two stood firm.

Xu Yuan looked at Yang Xiaobing in surprise.

Why did you come up?

Yang Xiaobing looked stern, observing her surroundings, and whispered, “I was afraid someone would take advantage of your exhaustion to secretly do mischief. This has happened before.”

Xu Yuan was silent.

Sorry.

I was just acting.

After all, the other party even summoned a ghost.

I was truly uneasy and wanted to see if there were any hidden assassins, so I pretended to be exhausted.

Who knew I would deceive this simple-minded Xiaobing.

She actually dared to扶我 in front of everyone?

I remember she wasn’t this thick-skinned. Tsk tsk, how impetuous for a girl—

How can I be at ease letting you go out into the world alone in the future?

“You’ve shown me mercy.”

Xu Yuan gasped for breath, bowing to his opponent with exhaustion.

His hand trembled slightly, as if he had used all his strength.

Shouldn’t I continue acting?

If Xiaobing knew I still had strength—

She would kill me.

“I can’t believe such swordsmanship exists in someone of the same age,” Zhang Pengcheng said, shaking his head.

“You’re going to Yuheng, right?” Xu Yuan asked.

“Ah, yes,” Zhang Pengcheng replied.

Xu Yuan glanced at Yang Xiaobing.

Yang Xiaobing smiled, feeling as if she were treading on floating, colorful clouds, both happy and surreal.

—Defeat every senior high school student who goes to Yuheng.

He said it.

He did it.

Even the strongest person in Xiaoxiang Province was defeated by him.

—He was doing this to vent her anger!

If he kept fighting, everything Han Chaosheng had said to her would be completely overturned!

Zhang Pengcheng, unaware of the many private matters between the two, asked, “You’re so strong, which university did you get into through independent admissions?”

“I want to test into Luofu,” Xu Yuan said.

“What a pity,” Zhang Pengcheng said, “I was admitted to Yuheng. Otherwise, I could have consulted you more often. Wait, why aren’t you applying for Yuheng?”

“Yuheng doesn’t think I’m qualified, but you and I share similar interests and admire each other. If you’re willing to try for Luofu with me, we can at least be companions,” Xu Yuan said sincerely.

This person displayed a gentlemanly demeanor before and after the battle, which suited his taste well.

Furthermore.

Poaching from Yuheng wasn’t a bad thing either.

Zhang Pengcheng said in surprise, “You can control eleven flying swords simultaneously in the Qi Refining stage, and Yuheng didn’t want you?”