Chapter 74

Hein's aura was deflected to one side, crashing to the ground with a loud boom, creating a large pit half a meter deep.

Although Ji Ran managed to withstand this blow, it was not an easy feat. The disparity in strength was too great; no matter how much he deflected, some of the force still transmitted to his body.

Taking a step back, Ji Ran felt his entire body shake. A fifth-level swordsman, indeed, was no ordinary opponent!

Therefore, he could not let Hein continue his offensive!

Turning around, he took a step forward and swung his sword!

A half-meter-long aura of sword energy spurted from the tip of the Chuxiao sword, as solid as a physical object, extending his sword by half a meter. The power of this extension was extraordinary. Hein's aura, which enveloped his entire body, could easily withstand Ji Ran's ordinary attacks, but under the pressure of the sword energy, a gap appeared in Hein's aura!

Hein was greatly alarmed. Although his aura did not provide extremely strong defense, it usually had some obstructive effect on others' auras. This second-level swordsman could actually break through his aura with his own aura?

"Is this aura solidification?" His eyes narrowed. Aura solidification was a highly advanced technique, extremely powerful but also very draining. Could this Ji Ran be trying to fight to the death with him?

He could not lose to him! The only thought in Hein's mind now was this. His clothes had already been torn by Ji Ran, causing him to lose face—this was evident from the expressions on the surrounding students. He could claim it was a momentary lapse, but what about now? If he lost in a direct confrontation, how could he still have a place in the Azure Wind?

He had to win! Blood rushed to Hein's head. Even if it meant exposing his true strength and increasing the jealousy of his fellow disciples, he had to defeat this Ji Ran!

Otherwise, his status with Teacher Alexander would plummet!

Swinging his sword, the aura flowed with the blade, forming a thin, fan-shaped layer of aura, which he then thrust forward. As a fifth-level swordsman, Hein naturally mastered various sword techniques using aura—indeed, sword skills.

The massive fan-shaped aura flew directly toward Ji Ran, making it impossible for him to resist directly. Although the sharpness of the aura was not as great as that of sword energy, it was still relative—daring to resist it head-on would likely result in being cut in half.

Jumping up! The lightness skill in martial arts games not only increased speed but also enhanced jumping ability. Top-tier lightness skills could even allow players to change direction mid-air, though not for long, but in combat, they could be very effective.

However, the lightness skill of the Hidden Sword Manor, Zhi Chi Tian Ya, emphasized short-distance rapid and flexible movement, with little enhancement in jumping height. Therefore, in "Swordsmen Unrivaled," the disciples of the Hidden Sword Manor often learned two additional lightness skills.

Ji Ran had also learned a lightness skill, one of which was specifically for jumping, Fu Yao Zhi Shang. The first level of Fu Yao Zhi Shang did not allow for a very high jump, otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to self-inflict an injury to jump in the battle with the fifth-level priest. But now, it was enough to dodge the fan-shaped aura.

With a swoosh, Ji Ran's figure soared into the air. Swinging the Chuxiao sword, a sword energy shot toward Hein. Taking advantage of Hein's moment of dodging the sword energy, Ji Ran twisted his body in mid-air and landed, immediately thrusting his sword at Hein again!

His goal was simple: to attack continuously, leaving Hein no chance to use those powerful sword skills!

The sword skills in this world were not as intricate as the Four Seasons Sword Technique, but they were more grand and imposing. In a direct confrontation, Ji Ran had no confidence in withstanding Hein's attacks with his current strength!

Fei Hua! Ji Ran used the sword skill first. This dazzling sword skill instantly formed a dozen large sword flowers in front of him. Even Hein, a fifth-level swordsman, could not distinguish which sword flower was the real attack. But as a fifth-level swordsman, he wouldn't be hit just because he couldn't tell—so he took a step back.

Ting Lei! Ji Ran pressed his advantage, stepping forward and swinging his sword again. The deafening sound made everyone around him jump, and Hein, who was directly in the line of fire, involuntarily paused.

An opportunity! Sword energy surged, and Ji Ran fully unleashed the Four Seasons Sword Technique, one sword move after another, with sword energy crisscrossing, completely enveloping Hein!

Hein's teeth ground together. How could this be! He, a fifth-level swordsman, was being suppressed by a second-level swordsman! The other's aura was not strong, but it had a special penetrative power. His aura defense could not completely block the other's aura!

He could not keep retreating. If he didn't take control of the battle, he might end up in a dire situation, allowing Ji Ran to gain the upper hand!

Hein saw Ji Ran's figure and suddenly turned, making a spinning motion. The long sword, held in both hands, made a large circle. Then, this aura circle began to spin on its own, flying toward Ji Ran.

The Circular Dance Kill, a sword skill passed down from the sword master Alexander. It was both offensive and defensive, highly controllable, and extremely lethal!

Hein's aura also had some solidified characteristics. The sharp aura circle spun in mid-air, directly slashing toward Ji Ran. Not only that, Hein raised his sword and attacked Ji Ran from both sides. Despite his agility and the speed boost from the Chuxiao sword, Ji Ran was still in a very difficult position.

After two consecutive rolls, Ji Ran barely managed to avoid the aura circle. Raising his sword, he blocked Hein's attack, but the impact forced him to lean back and roll away again.

Hein, not letting up, took advantage of his advantage and refused to let Ji Ran catch his breath.

"Perfect score in the sword skill exam, so what?" Hein swung his sword, filled with aura, creating a straight line of aura that sent Ji Ran flying. A deep, three to four-meter-long trench was left on the ground.

"Is a gold-level sword skill so impressive?" Hein swept his sword, and another aura forced Ji Ran to jump hastily. As the aura passed, the shrubs and grass were cut in half...

"Jumping up to be a target?" A sneer of disdain appeared on Hein's lips. He had been careless earlier, not expecting Ji Ran to use such a tactic. This time, he would not let the boy land safely!

Swinging his sword, a stream of aura was thrown directly at Ji Ran in mid-air. With no place to borrow force, where could he escape?

However, Ji Ran clearly did not use this lightness skill to seek death.

Treading the Clouds. The second level of Fu Yao Zhi Shang, rising higher! With a swoosh, the aura passed under his feet, and he completely avoided it!

"Damn!" Hein didn't expect the aura to directly injure Ji Ran, but being dodged was still very frustrating.

He suddenly bent down, pulling his sword back. Turning sharply, he swung his sword! A thick beam of aura shot straight up into the sky!

This beam of aura almost covered all the space around Ji Ran. It seemed there was no way for him to avoid it!

But in the next moment, Ji Ran's figure in mid-air suddenly disappeared.

Zhi Chi Tian Ya! This lightness skill could be used not only on the ground but also in the air. At the critical moment, Ji Ran instantly moved away from his original position and rushed back to Hein's side!

Hein sensed danger and immediately took a step back, raising his sword. With a clang, the Chuxiao sword, enveloped in sword energy, struck Hein's sword!

Flipping and landing, Ji Ran took a small step back, then kicked off with one foot and charged forward again!

Hein was filled with intense hatred. Fighting a second-level swordsman to this extent, he had already lost all his dignity. As a fifth-level swordsman, he could not defeat a second-level swordsman with a decisive blow, but instead, was forced into this situation!

Why was this guy so fast? Why did he feel restrained, as if even the air around him was against him?

Death! He must die!

With no more reservations, Hein's only thought now was to kill Ji Ran and wash away his humiliation!

Boom! The aura exploded again. Hein held his sword with both hands, raising it high. The aura spurted from the sword, extending it several times. Aiming at Ji Ran, the sword was suddenly slammed down!

As it fell, the aura on the sword gradually spread, and in the end, it seemed like he was holding a massive pillar, directly smashing toward Ji Ran!

The surrounding spectators had long since run far away. At first, they dared to watch from close by. But as the fight intensified, it was clear that Hein was using his full strength. A fifth-level swordsman, a disciple of a sword master, could not be without some means.

If they dared to get closer now, they might be caught in Hein's aura, and that would be a bad deal.

But Ji Ran could not leave. Seeing the overwhelming aura pillar, Ji Ran could only take a deep breath.

Avoiding it was not impossible, but it would lead to continuous attacks from Hein. The use of Zhi Chi Tian Ya also had limits and could not be used continuously. Therefore, he had to attack!

Even if he had to withstand the overwhelming aura, he had to move forward and attack!

Charging forward! Kicking off with both feet, Zhi Chi Tian Ya! Ji Ran did not dodge in another direction but charged directly toward Hein!

During the sprint, Ji Ran slightly changed direction. The aura landed on his side with a boom, hitting the ground. Although he avoided the center, he was still affected by the aura. But at this moment, the sword energy burst, forming a defensive shape!

A circle of sword energy enveloped Ji Ran's body, withstanding the aura's attack. Although his body was hit by the aura, his internal organs were shaken, and he couldn't suppress the sweetness in his throat, with blood surging up, he still did not stop.

Duan Chao!

Rushing to Hein's side, a flash of sword light!

The Chuxiao sword drew a line, directly slashing toward Hein's chest!