Starforce Warriors

Countless gazes converged on Li Xiaofei. On such an occasion, with so many scrutinizing eyes, anyone else would have certainly felt uneasy under that much pressure.

But for Li Xiaofei? It was nothing. Having fought on battlefields across Earth and Outer Space, he had witnessed all kinds of scenes. Compared to those grand battles, the pressure at this moment was nothing more than a gentle breeze caressing the hills.

"The reason Jiepeng's Asuka was able to gain the upper hand was because of the weapon he wielded, which contained hidden and powerful energy. It was not due to his true strength. Everyone saw it as well. At the beginning of the duel, he was completely suppressed by Daoist Sanjue. He was never a match. Relying on the advantage of a weapon is no different from cheating in an exam. Victory achieved in such a way is neither honorable nor legitimate."

Li Xiaofei's voice echoed throughout the arena. His voice was so clear and resounding that many people felt as if he were speaking right next to their ears.

Wang Fei stared blankly at the fair-skinned, chubby man standing in the center of the ring, unsure of what she was feeling inside. At this moment, Li Xiaofei appeared imposing and grand. His demeanor was exceptionally dazzling.

Meanwhile, Miss Fan, who was seated nearby, beamed with joy and couldn't help but clap enthusiastically. The panel of judges received the objection and began discussions again. However, the Jiepeng representatives could no longer endure it.

"What do you mean?"

"Can't afford to lose, is that it?"

"Weapons are a part of a warrior. Isn't defeating an opponent using a weapon completely normal?"

"The people of Great Xia are truly laughable."

"Ridiculous! By that logic, should soldiers on the battlefield be required to throw away their guns and fight with their bare hands?"

The swordsmen from the Sword Sect also stepped forward, ridiculing Li Xiaofei with sneers and mockery.

Asuka was especially arrogant. He held his sheathed demon blade and said indifferently, "I'm not surprised. This is just the usual behavior of you Great Xia people. You're prideful, arrogant, and unable to accept defeat. Hah! Unwilling to accept the result? Fine, I'll give you a chance. In ten minutes, have that Daoist fight me again. You can even use stronger weapons. How about it?"

Asuka was deliberately setting a trap. In his mind, Daoist Sanjue had already been infected by the demonic energy of his blade. He was half-dead, and incapable of fighting anymore. Besides, Great Xia couldn't possibly find a weapon that could rival his demon blade within ten minutes.

To his surprise, Li Xiaofei merely glanced at him, nodded calmly, and said, "It's a deal."

With that, he turned around and left. His gaze, however, was as if he were looking at a pile of dung, which instantly ignited a surge of fury in Asuka's heart.

His expression darkened as he flicked his fingers. A streak of sword qi shot out silently, heading straight for the back of Li Xiaofei's knee. Asuka wasn't foolish enough to injure someone outright in such a setting.

He only wanted to make Li Xiaofei stumble and fall to his knees in front of the crowd, humiliating him in public. However, the sword qi sank into Li Xiaofei's body as if it had vanished into thin air. It disappeared without a trace.

Li Xiaofei remained completely unfazed, continuing his graceful stride off the stage and into the distant passageway.

At the same time, the panel of judges approved the rematch request. Since both sides had agreed, they saw no reason to deny it. Standing at the entrance of the passage, Li Xiaofei suddenly seemed to remember something. He abruptly turned back.

"Almost forgot."

Li Xiaofei turned around and gestured toward the arena.

Whoosh!

A blur of blue shot into the air, streaking like a single bolt of blue lightning before landing firmly in his palm. It was the Azure Soft Sword.

During the previous battle, Asuka had used the energy of his demon blade to crush this legendary weapon of the Kongtong Sect into a lump of scrap metal. Li Xiaofei held the ruined sword and turned to walk toward the passageway. This scene made many of the Jiepeng warriors, including Asuka himself, flinch.

Telekinesis?

No.

It had to be some kind of ability to manipulate metal. Otherwise, to summon an object from over forty meters away with such precision was simply too terrifying.

Li Xiaofei entered the resting hall. Countless gazes turned toward him. Unlike when he first stepped into the hall, the looks he received this time carried respect. Everyone now fully recognized him as their leader.

"Leader." Daoist Sanjue stepped forward. "Thank you. I am willing to fight again. Even if it means my death, I will not retreat."

Even though he knew he stood no chance, Daoist Sanjue was still ready to step onto the arena again. He had his flaws, like any man. But when it came to the greater cause of his people and nation, he would never falter.

Everyone who looked at him now had deep respect in their eyes. Even Li Guorui suddenly felt that his earlier sharp remarks might have been a bit excessive.

Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "No, this time when you step onto the stage, it's to defeat that birdman[1] and display the might of Great Xia. It's not to lose."

"But my sword..." replied Daoist Sanjue.

"Isn't it right here?" said Li Xiaofei as he took out the Azure Soft Sword, now crushed into a crumpled mass.

It looked like a wad of scrunched-up waste paper. The blade was twisted beyond recognition. It's completely drained of its former vitality.

A flicker of pain flashed through Daoist Sanjue's eyes. This was the sacred weapon of the Kongtong Sect. Its sharpness could slice through hair in midair, cut gold, and shatter jade.

It had been passed down for over two centuries. Yet now, it had been destroyed because he lacked the strength to protect it. He was a disgrace to his ancestors.

"This sword is a divine weapon of Great Xia. It should not be ruined by the hands of demons." As he spoke, Li Xiaofei held the deformed hilt with one hand, while his other hand traced the blade with two fingers.

Zzzzt!

A sound like molten iron plunging into water echoed through the hall. The twisted and curled-up soft sword straightened as it followed his fingers. It was as if he had performed magic. Not only was the blade restored, but even its broken edges were renewed. No, they had become even sharper than before.

The Azure Soft Sword had come back to life. Faint streaks of blue light shimmered across its surface like flowing water from the Milky Way. It was exuding an almost sentient energy that was ethereal and dreamlike.

"Here." Li Xiaofei handed the sword back to Daoist Sanjue. "Take it. Fight again. Reclaim the honor that belongs to you."

Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Daoist Sanjue slowly took hold of the sword that had accompanied him for nearly seventy years. The hilt felt familiar in his grip, yet the energy that surged through it was something entirely new. It was gentle yet formidable.

Daoist Sanjue felt an unprecedented sense of comfort and strength. This sword wasn't just alive. It had become divine. The immense energy contained within it was vast and boundless, yet obedient and tame, filling Daoist Sanjue with an incomparable sense of confidence.

How could this be?

Even after witnessing Li Xiaofei's miraculous feats several times now, he still found it hard to believe. This wasn't something a mere human could accomplish. Only a god could achieve such a thing.

"There's only one minute left." Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "If you don't step onto the stage now, you'll be disqualified by default."

Daoist Sanjue took a deep breath. Gripping his sword tightly, he strode toward the arena.

Come.

Let's fight.

Jiepeng scum...

I will make you all perish.

1. The name Asuka means Flying Bird in Japanese. ☜