Chapter 26

Lan Boyu was drenched in sweat, unable to speak another word, his heart filled with terror: "Where did this kid learn such sword techniques, forcing me to the point where my true qi is useless!"

No matter how strong one's power is, if it can't hit the target, it's useless!

Lan Boyu was beaten by Xiao Ran to the point where he couldn't fight back. In his frustration, he let out a cold snort, his speed increased dramatically, and he suddenly retreated, escaping Xiao Ran's attack range!

For a second-layer Qi Practitioner to be forced back by a third-layer Body Cultivator was already a significant loss!

Xiao Ran couldn't catch up due to his slower speed!

A deep sense of dread flashed in Lan Boyu's eyes. No matter how highly he had regarded Xiao Ran, he never expected his sword techniques to be so exquisite.

Xiao Ran's sword was more agile than a bird and more slippery than an eel. Lan Boyu couldn't even touch Xiao Ran's sword, unless he was willing to take a hit!

Now, he had placed Xiao Ran on the same level as himself, or even higher, and he dared not be the slightest bit careless!

"To think he could force me to this extent!"

A hint of killing intent flashed in Lan Boyu's eyes as he pounced on Xiao Ran. It seemed like a straight attack, but those with keen eyes could see that his footwork was incredibly complex, making it hard to discern his true intentions!

Xiao Ran stood still, his long sword thrust out simply, yet it blocked all of Lan Boyu's forward paths!

Lan Boyu swung his palm, a sound like wind and thunder, creating a strong palm wind that seemed almost tangible!

Xiao Ran's sword trembled, and the weak, high-frequency vibrations at the tip of the sword dispersed the palm wind.

Breaking the momentum relies on finding the rhythm and pattern of the opponent's true qi, as well as the weak points during movement, and using the sword to disperse the true qi with specific frequency and method.

Although Lan Boyu's attack was not true qi but just a gust of air, the principle was the same!

This was an Empty Palm Strike!

At the second layer of Qi Cultivation, one needs to hit the opponent to attack with true qi, which disperses once it leaves the body. However, the dispersed true qi can still create a strong air current to injure the opponent from a distance!

This is the principle of the Empty Palm Strike!

*Pah...*

It was like setting off a large firecracker!

The palm wind turned into a fierce storm, causing Xiao Ran's long sword to tremble violently!

"Indeed, your weakness is your lack of strength!"

Just as Lan Boyu's joy was rising, Xiao Ran's sword, like a fish in water, suddenly changed direction, using the force to point at Lan Boyu's waist!

"How is this possible? How sensitive is his perception to be able to use the air currents I stirred to increase his speed!"

Lan Boyu was stunned by Xiao Ran, and with no more hesitation, he flashed away, circling around Xiao Ran!

He occasionally unleashed Empty Palm Strikes, creating strong gusts of wind!

A second-layer Qi Practitioner using a guerrilla tactic against a third-layer Body Cultivator was, without a doubt, a complete loss of face!

But he couldn't afford to care about that. If he lost today due to carelessness, he would truly lose face!

Xiao Ran knew he couldn't match Lan Boyu in speed. His feet were rooted to the ground, like a reef in a storm, unmoving!

He only needed to thrust his sword out from time to time, and Lan Boyu would have to retreat as if he were about to hit the sword.

Even attacking from behind was no challenge for Xiao Ran!

For the martial artists of the Ancient Continent, at the third layer of Body Cultivation, they had already achieved a body as flexible as a coiled snake and bones as supple as willow branches, not a bit inferior to the best yoga masters on Earth!

Although Xiao Ran seemed to be holding his own, his heart sank slightly. He couldn't compete with a second-layer Qi Practitioner in terms of endurance!

Lan Boyu's tactics, though embarrassing, were the most correct response!

No matter how out of control his emotions were, he wouldn't let negative emotions affect his judgment in battle!

On the Ancient Continent, a Qi Practitioner must have such a mindset!

"How can I win? This isn't a solution!"

In an instant, Xiao Ran had an idea. When Lan Boyu attacked from behind, he deliberately left a flaw in his sword technique!

"Great opportunity!"

Lan Boyu was overjoyed. He wasn't afraid that this was a trap set by Xiao Ran.

For a third-layer Body Cultivator to use his back as bait, it required immense courage!

Even if it was a trap, once he got close, Xiao Ran couldn't do anything!

Lan Boyu approached Xiao Ran from behind, his hand creating a strong gust of wind, and he struck Xiao Ran's back. He wouldn't kill Xiao Ran!

But if Xiao Ran was hit by this palm, he would have to lie in bed for at least a year.

The crowd was worried for Xiao Ran. His sword techniques had already won their admiration, and they didn't want to see him lose!

Only Lan Boyu's eyes showed excitement. Xiao Ran had been putting up a good fight for too long, and the longer Xiao Ran held on, the more uncomfortable Lan Boyu felt!

Just when everyone thought Xiao Ran was doomed!

Xiao Ran's wrist turned, and he met Lan Boyu's palm with the hilt of his sword, simultaneously striking Lan Boyu's abdomen with a backhand!

It was the only move in the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms that attacked from behind—Dragon Tail!

He put all his strength into this palm!

Lan Boyu felt a strange vibration from the sword hilt, and most of his true qi was dispersed, slowing his attack!

"So, he used this strange method to break my true qi..."

But Xiao Ran couldn't completely break his true qi. A strand of true qi followed the sword hilt into Xiao Ran's body, wreaking havoc inside.

Lan Boyu was stunned, and his movements slowed, unable to block in time. With a loud *thud*, his abdomen was hit by Xiao Ran!

The force of the palm was immense, and Lan Boyu was sent flying!

Struck in the abdomen, his true qi immediately surged back, rebelling within his body!

Xiao Ran hit Lan Boyu's abdomen, but it felt like hitting a rotten hide, and his hand was immediately swollen, with faint cracks appearing in the bones.

This was the first time Xiao Ran had made physical contact with Lan Boyu, and he was injured on the first try!

*Boom...*

Lan Boyu landed heavily on the ground, unable to catch his breath for a long time!

Xiao Ran forcefully suppressed the trembling in his hand, sheathed his sword with a casual air, and shook his head, his tone tinged with disappointment: "Second-layer Qi Practitioner, second-layer Qi Practitioner... heh heh, nothing special!"

After saying this, he didn't even look at the two, as if they were no longer worth his attention, and turned to leave!

"I haven't... I haven't..."

Lan Boyu's injuries weren't severe, but speaking caused his breath to catch, and his true qi went wild, scaring him into silence, unable to say the word "lose."

He watched the crowd make way for Xiao Ran!

"Remarkable, a Body Cultivator defeating a Qi Practitioner, without a hint of mysticism!"

"The Lan family must be blind. If I had a daughter, I'd marry her to him!"

"The Lan family has really lost face this time...

What's the point of Lan Yan'er being at the third layer of Qi Cultivation? Once this young master of the Xiao family reaches the first layer of Qi Cultivation, he might surpass her!"

"Indeed, it's karma..."

"A second-layer Qi Practitioner is just like this, truly disgracing us martial artists!"

Hearing this, and seeing everyone's disdainful looks, Lan Boyu spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted!

He was enraged!

Xiao Ran seemed not to hear the praise, showing a detached demeanor!

He walked out slowly, turned to a secluded corner, and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. He wiped his mouth and muttered, "Looks like I need to enter the Qi Cultivation realm as soon as possible.

This time, I won't wander around until I succeed in Qi Cultivation!"