Chapter 575: Sparring (1)

Translated by: La0o9

Edited by: Dr.Lock

Proofreader: Arya

TN: Today I messed around a bit with the page setting, please tell me if it’s harder/easier to read or if there are any problems.

————

Gu Qing Shan felt a bit nervous

Ilya had been the Bramble Bird Kingdom’s military general for many years, her title wasn’t just for show.

The only reason why she got wounded was that she was up against a large number of Entropy Ghosts and an army of several millions while trying to defend the city.

If she really wanted to beat me up for that…

I can only use a Divine Skill to run away.

Deciding that, Gu Qing Shan stood still and waited.

A few moments later, Ilya returned.

“Your pill was great, my wounds have gotten much better” she praised him.

Gu Qing Shan nodded to signal his agreement.

Indeed, in the cultivation world, individual strength wasn’t actually that great.

—–especially after meeting the Combatants of the 900 million World Layers, Gu Qing Shan understood that even clearer.

But the reason why the cultivation world managed to hold off the demon’s fierce invasion for 10 long years was due to the 6 arts.

Divination, Formations, Pills, Smithing, Talismans and Cooking.

These were the culmination of a civilization’s knowledge, they were created by humans, at the same time becoming the tool and basis for them to advance.

“We can set off now to see what the ghost army is planning” Ilya said.

“Yes, I also wanted to do that” Gu Qing Shan replied.

But he didn’t go right away, instead summoned a sword.

The Six Paths Great Mountain sword.

The autumn-like blue sword spun once in the air and turned into Shannu.

“Gongzi, you have use for me?” Shannu asked.

“In case Entropy Ghosts stage an ambush, the people here won’t be able to stop them, you stay here to watch over them and take care of Laura”

“Yes”

“If something happens, use inner sight to contact me right away, you already know all my techniques and abilities”

“Understood, I will pay close attention” Shannu answered.

Gu Qing Shan was a bit more assured.

Since a flying sword and a sword cultivator were always connected through inner sight, no matter what happens, Shannu could temporarily hold the fort for him.

And since Gu Qing Shan had [Ground Shrink], he could easily return here faster than anyone else.

Seeing him be that careful, Ilya silently nodded in approval.

“Ok, let us go” Gu Qing Shan said.

“Indeed” Ilya replied.

The two of them flew out from the city wall, heading towards where the ghosts had retreated.

Gu Qing Shan thought about it for a bit but didn’t take out the airship.

Since they were scouting, there was a need to stay hidden at all times, Ilya herself didn’t summon any steed either.

The two of them melded with the darkness, quickly flying close to the ground.

It wasn’t until they got to the border of the plains that they slowed down.

It was here that the ghosts had rallied before being scattered by Gu Qing Shan again.

There were chaotic marks of destruction all over the place.

“What do you think they’re going to do next?” Ilya asked.

“I’m not sure, I haven’t met many ghosts or revenants yet so I don’t know them well”

Gu Qing Shan explained.

Entropy Ghosts were a unique type of Chaotic Demon Lord, having the ability to pass through everything.

After infiltrating this world, they could scatter into countless ghosts and hellspawns of Huang Quan, or use summoning techniques to call in more ghosts from outside.

This was a unique monster with unique capabilities that Gu Qing Shan had only met for the first time.

Ilya sighed and said: “This was also the first time I’ve seen so many Samsara Daemons, it seems we have no choice but to find them first before probing their next moves”

She pulled out two long daggers emitting a cold chill from behind.

Gu Qing Shan grabbed the air and held the Chao Yin sword in his hand.

Ilya looked at the Chao Yin sword.

“Laura said you have three Legendary swords, enough for her to want them for herself”

Using the Mystic Zones’ standards, items were divided into 4 tiers: Wondrous, Epic, Legendary, Divine.

Wondrous items are only considered decent in a Bramble Bird’s eyes, but they’re first-rate magical items in any other world.

Epic items in any other world are considered treasures that everyone wanted to get their hands on.

But the Earth sword, Chao Yin sword and Six Paths Great Mountain sword were judged by Laura to be Legendary items.

That was why every time Gu Qing Shan used his swords, Laura would watch him closely with clear desire burning in her eyes.

“Ah, that’s right, she said she wanted to trade other things with me for them, but since these three swords are like parts of my own body, I didn’t agree” Gu Qing Shan smiled.

“Then you should be careful, it’s very easy for swords of this level to draw unwanted eyes” Ilya reminded him.

“I understand that”

Ilya changed the subject a bit: “We’re going to have to infiltrate the enemy’s base from here on, but we still aren’t clear of each other’s strength so it won’t be easy to coordinate”

“You mean?”

“Let’s spar for a bit and get to know each other a bit more” Ilya said.

Gu Qing Shan looked at her in surprise as his thought turned quickly.

Ilya is the supreme military general of the Bramble Bird Kingdom, together with Triste they are the two strongest people of the Bramble Bird Kingdom.

And she’s considered a decent Combatant even with the infinite worlds’ standard.

But she wants to spar with me.

This…

…is probably because of that pill…

“How can I actually fight you?” Gu Qing Shan smiled bitterly and continued: “We’re here to scout, let’s leave sparring for later”

“It’ll be a short sparring session, don’t worry, we’ll just exchange 10 attacks, after 10 attacks, I’ll stop”

Ilya looked at Gu Qing Shan and added: “Don’t worry, I’ll limit my power to be just around your level”

Saying so, her presence gradually reduced until it matched Gu Qing Shan’s level.

Gu Qing Shan sighed.

Seems like a fight is unavoidable.

He thought briefly and spoke: “If you limit yourself to just around my level, there might be a problem”

“What problem would that be? Or do you want me to lower my strength further?” Ilya stared straight at him and asked.

“That’s not necessary, I’m just afraid you might be at a disadvantage” Gu Qing Shan replied.

Ilya looked at him and smiled.

“Say that again after you can take 10 attacks from me”

Saying so, she swung both daggers and rushed forward.

Her stance was flexible and sly, seemingly capable of stabbing through Gu Qing Shan at any time during her blade dance.

Even stranger, as Ilya wielded her daggers, her body seems to have entered a blurred state.

Her movements became difficult to judge, both direction and speed.

Gu Qing Shan silently praised, feeling like he had his eyes opened again.

Using the swings of the blade to obscure her body movements, at the same time using those movements to attack, not only did it perfectly fit the characteristics of a dagger, but it was also the pinnacle of the art of assassination.

Although Ilya did reduce her strength, her fighting techniques and experience were still fully there.

Gu Qing Shan decidedly took a few steps back to carefully observe her.

Ilya wasn’t using any special abilities or spells, purely attacking with her daggers.

…without a hint of killing intent no less.

Seems like she’s still sensible enough.

Gu Qing Shan couldn’t use any special sword styles like Secret Arts either.

Seeing him backing off again and again, Ilya stopped and disapprovingly asked: “Do you only know how to retreat? I’ve already limited my strength and you still can’t spar?”

Gu Qing Shan just smiled and stepped forward with his sword.

In a flash, the sword and daggers clashed, both sides not letting up, leaving countless blurry afterimages as they attacked.

Clang, clink, clang, clang clink~!

Soon enough, 10 attacks had passed.

The sword held both daggers back and pushed.

Ilya was pushed back together with her daggers, only regaining stability after 7-8 steps.

She was surprised at Gu Qing Shan: “Seems like you aren’t all talk after all”

—-at which attack did he notice my flaw?

That final attack just now?

No, let’s confirm it again.

Deciding that, Ilya’s presence began to rise.

Gu Qing Shan noticed it right away.

Her power waves now far exceeded the Sainted realm.

And Ilya herself looked extremely excited.

Indeed, normally in battle it’s always a step away from death, how often do you have someone to reduce their strength to your level and spar with pure sword or blade skills?

This was also a good chance to learn from her.

Thinking that, Gu Qing Shan brandished his sword, asking: “Again?”

“Again!”

Ilya disappeared on the spot and reappeared behind Gu Qing Shan.

Her daggers drew several arcs of cold gleams.

Kih!

Gu Qing Shan’s sword stopped them all, quickly maintaining a distance.

“Running again?” Ilya smirked and pursued.

Two figures quickly moved about in the air and ground, weaving evasion with attacks, occasionally metallic sound of weapons clashing could be heard.

At the 30 attack mark, Gu Qing Shan once again held both daggers back with his sword and pushed.

Ilya was sent backwards again.