The Endless Promise

76. A Higher Sky

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There was tension in the air as two cousins faced off on the large platform of Yue City's Central Arena.

A sudden gust of wind swept across the dueling platform, catching the long sleeves of Xu Min and Xu Haoyuan, as they stared at each other in challenge.

Xu Haoyuan gritted his teeth, frustrated to find that Xu Min had surpassed him again, and was now far ahead, making his own growth seem insignificant.

And it didn't help that both their cultivations were wind-based, which would lead to all sorts of comparisons.

But he resolved himself to fight... As Head Disciple, and the only son of the Sect Leader, he didn't dare forfeit.

"Whirlwind Cut!" He yelled and instantly swung forward, his sword slicing horizontally like a cleaver to split the wind itself.

A sweeping wave of bright green qi howled across the stage, tearing a deep trench in the tiled ground as it surged toward Xu Min, and several disciples leaned back instinctively, shielding their eyes.

But Xu Min didn't flinch.

"Hmph." Xu Min's sword spun in place and then swivelled forward in his own light purple aura to meet the green wave.

The auras collided with a massive hit as purple and green winds mixed, sending a burst of dazzling color across the Arena.

Haoyuan vanished from sight, reappearing beside Xu Min, but Xu Min met his swing with his own sword, which was suddenly back in his hand, and the clash sent another burst of aura around, making the spectators feel like they were in a gale.

Haoyuan narrowed his eyes. "Might of blades!" His sword multiplied into a dozen, all heading straight for Xu Min, but Xu Min remained unfazed, and with a flick of his wrist, hundreds of unseen wind blades met the swords, the rest pushing Haoyuan back and forcing him to defend.

"Hmph." Xu Min vanished, reappearing above Haoyuan with a downward slash, but Haoyuan quickly activated a shield talisman, which deflected Xu Min's wind blades and then exploded, forcing Xu Min himself to leap away.

Haoyuan did not waste the time.

"Seven Petal Storm!" He shouted, slashing seven times in a swift spiral and his aura surged, sending a storm of bright green crescent-shaped blades flying towards Xu Min from every angle.

But Xu Min swiftly cast a seal. "Mirror Lotus."

The seven green blades reflected off seven spinning petals of violet light that had appeared around him. Each petal shimmered brightly, instantly absorbing the green blades and then sending them back at Haoyuan, exactly like a mirror!

"Such control...!" Sect Leader Xu was quite impressed.

Haoyuan was forced to cancel the technique, but his eyes did not dim, and he quickly performed a series of hand seals.

"Heaven Piercer Slash!" His light green aura suddenly surged with tinges of gold, and the wind around the arena thickened, lashing out wildly.

Haoyuan launched forward with a speed hard to follow, and his sword was like a streak of green lightning.

For a brief moment, even Xu Min's brows furrowed. "Hao! I'll fight you properly!"

He held up a hand in a seal, and his sword hovered behind him, spinning faster and faster as his own aura expanded, tinged with silver.

"Falling Star Blade."

There was a large explosion as the two auras collided!

The platform cracked, and the air was distorted as a mighty gale erupted in all directions, forcing the spectators to shield their faces.