Chapter 114: The Challenge

The Next Day.

The news that Feng Qingge, the legendary figure of the Sakura Nation’s martial world, had issued a challenge to Xiao Yu had already stirred up a great commotion throughout the martial arts community. It was still before dawn, yet the crowds were already swelling along the road leading to Mount Fuji.

At the summit of Mount Fuji, a solitary figure sat cross-legged on a rock, serene and composed. Before him lay an exquisite long sword. Though his eyes were tightly shut, the overwhelming aura radiating from him proclaimed his immense strength.

This man was none other than Feng Qingge. He had risen to fame nearly fifty years ago and had never suffered a defeat since his debut. Even the peerless genius from the Yin-Yang Bureau, Anpei Qingzong, had only managed a stalemate against him.

Time slowly passed as the sun began to rise on the horizon. The summit of Mount Fuji was now packed with spectators, both on the ground and hovering in the air, all gathered to witness the impending battle. Among them were members of the Shinto Shrine, including Tojo and others.

Half an hour slipped by, yet Xiao Yu had still not appeared. Whispers and murmurs about Xiao Yu and his companions started circulating among the crowd.

At that moment, Feng Qingge suddenly opened his eyes, two beams of piercing light shooting forth. He slowly lifted his head and scanned the crowd before speaking calmly: "Xiao Yu, since you have arrived, why not show yourself?"

As his voice fell, a sharp whistle echoed through the air, followed by a terrifying streak of sword energy slicing across the sky, hurtling toward several men who had been whispering among the crowd moments before.

Those who had spoken recklessly about Xiao Yu barely had time to react before the sword energy struck their necks. They clutched their throats and collapsed to the ground.

Just then, a black figure sped in from afar, landing gracefully on the ground. It was Xiao Yu. Notably absent were the Twelve Celestial Descendants, who were usually inseparable from him; their whereabouts were known only to Xiao Yu himself.

"You must be Feng Qingge?" Xiao Yu asked calmly, ignoring the earlier attack that had stirred anger.

In Xiao Yu’s memory, Feng Qingge was at least seventy years old. Yet this man before him appeared no older than forty, quite different from the rumors.

"I am Feng Qingge," the man replied, rising slowly. "I understand your confusion. When a martial artist reaches a certain level, they can maintain their youthful appearance. Xiao Yu, it is an honor."

"Hmm, I didn’t expect to have such prestige as to even draw out a master who vanished for decades like you," Xiao Yu smiled faintly. "But I wonder, have you come for the sake of martial arts, or for some other reason?"

"Since your arrival in the Sakura Nation’s martial world, it has been thrown into chaos. Many warriors have perished at your hands and those of your brothers. My challenge to you, despite the difference in our strength, is merely to help restore some dignity to our martial world," Feng Qingge explained.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu nodded lightly and said slowly, "Good. I was afraid you would claim to come for the Sakura Nation itself. If that were the case, I might not be able to resist wiping out everyone here before our fight. Though these people are weaker, at least it would leave your nation battered."

"Hahaha!" Feng Qingge suddenly burst into laughter, a fierce aura erupting from his body, causing the air to sizzle. The sheer force pushed the surrounding martial artists back several steps.

"They say the Summer War King’s power is overwhelming. I regret missing that battle back then. But now it seems your title is undeserved. You are indeed arrogant. I really don’t understand how the Shinto Shrine’s weaklings suffered such losses under your command."

"Yes, you make a good point. But what I want to know is whether you intend to fight or not. I didn’t come here to listen to your nonsense," Xiao Yu said fearlessly, scratching his ear.

"Kill! Senior Qingge must slay this demon!"

"Kill the demon! Avenge our fallen comrades!"

Before the two could engage, the crowd erupted in shouts of fury. When Xiao Yu had arrived earlier and slain several low-level fighters, these onlookers had already been enraged.

"Very well, Xiao Yu. Today, let me see what you’re truly made of," Feng Qingge said coolly. With a wave of his right hand, the long sword appeared in his grasp, and an aura of peak martial prowess spread from him.

Xiao Yu merely smiled in response. With a flick of his right hand, a long sword materialized, and he leapt into the void, releasing an aura that rivaled Feng Qingge’s own.

"Rain of Swords!"

From the void, Xiao Yu shouted fiercely. A powerful spiritual energy condensed into thousands of sword shadows. As he swung his sword, the myriad sword images shot downward, not only targeting Feng Qingge but also sweeping up those watching below.

As the sword shadows rained down, screams echoed from the crowd. No one had expected Xiao Yu to shamelessly attack the spectators. The Sakura Nation’s warriors suffered heavy casualties. Fortunately, Feng Qingge reacted swiftly, his imposing aura shielding those near him, preventing a complete massacre.

The Sakura Nation’s strongest, standing in the void, were also caught in the onslaught. They fought with all their might to resist Xiao Yu’s fierce assault, yet many were struck and fell from the air.

All of this had been Xiao Yu’s plan from the start. He knew that once Feng Qingge announced his challenge, many from the Sakura Nation’s martial world would come to watch. This suited Xiao Yu’s previous desire to wipe out the nation’s warriors in one fell swoop.

"Hahaha, so these are the warriors of your Sakura Nation? Pathetic and weak. Since I arrived here, all I’ve met are elders. Are there no strong peers among you?" Xiao Yu laughed loudly, disdainfully surveying those below.