"Then Big Brother Junting, I won't hold back!"
"Come. Since you've experienced 'Hatred,' then let me see the soul skills of the other six emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, love, and evil."
Since the words had already been spoken to this point, Huo Yuhao no longer hesitated. He slowly closed his eyes, his mind immersing itself.
But when he opened them again, the calmness that had originally been in his eyes seemed to dissipate. No, it couldn't be said to have dissipated—rather, it was enveloped by surging rage at the bottom of his eyes, and blazing flames ignited accordingly.
At the same time, the temperature throughout the entire arena plummeted. A woman with a cold and beautiful appearance, dressed in an emerald-green long skirt, appeared behind Huo Yuhao. Her pair of eyes flickering with green light, filled with aggression, could be seen extremely clearly. Snowflakes even appeared out of thin air, rotating around her without any wind.
It's just that under the fluttering of these snowflakes, combined with Huo Yuhao's invisible flames of rage, the snowy white turned half crimson-red.
A mix of red, white, and emerald-green—truly strange.
"It seems the first move is anger."
Chen Junting pointed with his sword. "Come, let me see."
Instantly, invisible sword intent seemed to cause heaven and earth to change color, making the surrounding light seem to dim in an instant, like dark clouds covering the sun, enveloping the sky above Huo Yuhao.
"Forgive me."
At this moment, Huo Yuhao treasured words like gold.
Because in his mind, apart from that baseline of calmness and reason, there was only the rage triggered by the White Tiger Duke's Mansion!
[Cold edge congeals the soul, the jade pot tips over, freezing through a thousand mountains as the great river crosses. No need to deeply hide a three-foot blade; watch instead as breaking ice shatters the cloud city.]
In an instant, Huo Yuhao's body swayed slightly. An indescribable aura instantly erupted from his body.
Almost at the same time, the Ice Empress spirit soul transformed from human form to beast form. The massive Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion pressed down upon the dome of heaven. Its giant pincers seemed to transform into giant blades, carrying an incomparably powerful momentum, like a mountain pressing down from above, directly smashing down toward Chen Junting's head.
"Nice move!"
A sword intent instantly materialized, and a sword swept out horizontally to block!
In order to test the strength of Huo Yuhao's emotion soul skill, Chen Junting didn't choose to attack, but rather treated it with defense.
Clang!
Amid the crisp ringing sound, the heaven-reaching giant blade and the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion spirit soul violently trembled. Even though it was deflected by Chen Junting's sword, the extreme cold intent and emotion congealed rather than dispersing. Even the rage invaded, madly influencing Chen Junting's mind.
Before Chen Junting could even process the rage, in just an instant, the Ice Empress spirit soul dissipated without a trace. The rage in Huo Yuhao's eyes was replaced by the joy he had experienced after joining the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Immediately following, a snow-white nine-tailed fox leaped out joyfully. The third eye at the center of its brow quietly opened, veiled in a dreamlike halo, as if weaving out a mirage.
[The sparrow taps at the window reporting sunny woods; the vine secretly turns over jade-green lapels. Suddenly hearing the oriole tapping jade on the branch; the fox leaps into the water playing with swimming scales.]
"Now it's the next one, the emotion of joy, is it? Then if I do this, how will you choose to respond?"
Saying this, Chen Junting was unhurried, stepping out with one stride.
Dense bloody light spewed forth from his body. The haze before him seemed to be sliced apart by a sharp blade, scattering to both sides. What replaced it was a scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
And this was precisely the Zhuxian Domain.
He really wanted to see just what Huo Yuhao was going to do?
However, upon seeing this, Huo Yuhao remained steady and unflustered. While the spirit soul Ah Li had not yet dissipated, a strange large insect that was entirely snow-white yet had ten golden lines on its body appeared accordingly. And this was precisely Huo Yuhao's first spirit soul—the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm. At this moment, the emotion it represented was: Love!
In an instant, an indescribable atmosphere began to spread across the training ground. There was no heaven-shaking pressure, nor any dazzlingly brilliant radiance. Yet all the people watching the battle from the side, the moment the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm appeared, were all affected. Combined with the joy from just now, they all felt that the air seemed to become viscous and warm, like soaking in the most beautiful dream, causing their heartbeats to unconsciously slow, their breathing to become gentle, and the softest emotions in the depths of their hearts to be quietly stirred.
Ma Xiaotao recalled her teacher and teacher's wife; Ye Guyi recalled her parents who had long since passed away; Beibei recalled the days he spent together with Tang Ya; even Ji Juechen, whose heart was mostly filled with the sword, rippled with a trace of disturbance as Jing Ziyan's figure replaced it; Gu Tianchen and Wu Feng gazed at each other with tender affection...
Even Chen Junting, who was surrounded by killing intent while in the activated Zhuxian Domain, couldn't help but slightly narrow his eyes at this moment.
Even though his expression remained calm, the hand holding the sword unconsciously tightened. In his perception, the entire world seemed to be dyed with a layer of gentle color. That "love" and "joy" emotion originating from Huo Yuhao was like the finest wine, silently and noiselessly permeating his heart's defenses, touching the bottom of his heart.
Buzz—
When the ten golden rings on the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's body emitted radiance, the weakening that the Zhuxian Domain had brought to Huo Yuhao no longer existed.
[Red candles sway their shadows reflecting the west window; love threads secretly tie, winding long around fingers. At the third watch, tears exhausted yet still smiling; illuminating all the eternal cold of the human world.]
This transformation was all perceived by Chen Junting.
"So the soul skill of the 'love' emotion can dispel domains? No, perhaps it can dispel all negative statuses from oneself."
When the mirage dissipated, the spirit soul Ah Li nimbly leaped out, transforming into strands of hazy light and shadow, completely merging into Huo Yuhao's body. Immediately, a layer of that dreamlike halo from just now appeared on Huo Yuhao's body, then turned lustrous and moist.
In an instant, Huo Yuhao's aura greatly increased.
However, at this moment Huo Yuhao was not in a hurry to attack.
[Frozen clouds hang over the wilds pressing cold clothes; old trees with stiff branches cry toward evening. Snow covers a thousand mountains, lost return paths; the empty courtyard locks away all old spring mud.]
Accompanied by the seemingly unconscious murmuring of unmelodious verses from his mouth, an indescribable sorrow enveloped the entire field. The people who had originally been immersed in "love" and "joy" suddenly felt so sad they wanted to spit blood. And this sorrow capable of affecting everyone was also the true portrayal of the emotions Huo Yuhao himself had revealed deep in his heart when his mother passed away.
Along with his murmuring, an ice-blue halo spread out from him like ripples. Where it passed, upon the hard ground of the arena, illusory ice-blue grasses actually grew out of thin air, swaying gracefully, revealing a sense of desolation. Flying snow filled the sky, as if covering the earth.
These grasses were not real, yet they took the form of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, incomparably real as they reflected in each person's heart. They were the condensation of emotion, and also the manifestation of sorrow.
"What a fine 'snow covers a thousand mountains, lost return paths; the empty courtyard locks away all old spring mud'..." Chen Junting lightly extended his palm. A desolate snowflake landed on his palm, rippling with an inconspicuous layer that thoroughly sealed his acupoints. Even his feet were covered by grasses of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. The rooting of the grasses and the freezing of the ice made him temporarily unable to move.
And right at this moment, a massive Emperor Fang Sea Lion phantom enveloped Huo Yuhao. An unprecedented "evil" intent replaced the sorrow from just now. Immediately following, that Emperor Fang Sea Lion phantom merged into Huo Yuhao's right fist, like a fierce wave suddenly rising, transforming into an ice peak. He stepped out with one stride, then directly headed toward Chen Junting, fiercely striking out with one blow.
[Suddenly rising a thousand peaks collapse jade fragments; ten thousand acres of ice fangs forge bone knives. Ink tides turn and spit, eroding mountain bones; cold blades hold the abyss, severing heavenly souls.]
This fist strike looked extremely simple—so simple that anyone could do it.
But the moment this fist strike emerged into the world, Chen Junting's expression slightly changed. Because he clearly felt that this wasn't one fist, but two fists, three fists, four fists... the number continuously interlayed with layers of surging waves!
At this moment, his spiritual power seemed to be burning. All emotions transformed into the purest fuel, continuously driving him forward.
Chen Junting chose to not move at all, directly standing in place.
Seeing this, a flash of astonishment passed through Huo Yuhao's eyes.
He didn't believe that his "sorrow" move could have restrained Big Brother Junting until now. One must know, this was something that even his and Dong'er's martial soul fusion technique "Golden Road" had failed to accomplish.
Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Chen Junting detected that flash of hesitation in the bottom of his eyes, and immediately shouted:
"Continue! You think this can hurt me?!"
The moment these words came out, the hesitation in Huo Yuhao's eyes was immediately cut off by himself. Then the fist's edge remained unchanged, still pressing forward with unstoppable momentum!
Boom rumble!
Amid a burst of violent rumbling, Chen Junting's entire body's blood essence surged, retreating five consecutive steps backward before steadying his figure.
Huo Yuhao pressed the advantage in pursuit. His right hand changed from fist to palm, and in the next moment suddenly raised up. The moment he raised his right hand, the phantoms of the "Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion" and "Emperor Fang Sea Lion" once again appeared behind him, then the two light shadows instantly disappeared.
In an instant, his right palm suddenly became incomparably sharp.
Like a giant sword concealing its edge, suddenly unsheathed!
His right palm fiercely slashed downward.
Without any color, like an ice blade descending from heaven.
This time, Chen Junting no longer defended.
Buzz—
The Seven Kill Sword in his hand immediately emitted a resonant and piercing sword cry, as if venting all the frustration it had just endured.
Then, as the Seven Kill Sword was held diagonally before his chest, all the airflow around him seemed to be attracted by Chen Junting's momentum, rapidly gathering to form a massive vortex. Immediately following...
"One cup, one verse, thirteen strings; wind and rain for half a lifetime, all return to one sword!"
Chen Junting's voice pierced through the clouds. His sword tip pointed directly at the ice edge Huo Yuhao was attacking with. Thirteen azure-blue sword qi beams were like thirteen meteors, slicing through the sky, slashing toward him.
As the thirteen sword qi beams converged in midair, they formed a brilliantly dazzling sword radiance, as if tearing through all obstacles.
Boom—
Sword light flashed. Huo Yuhao, who had been in high spirits just moments ago, was actually sent flying like a cannonball from the slash. Fortunately, Gu Tianchen quickly made a move. A flash of light and shadow passed before he caught him.
Perhaps the final sword strike had been too heavy, or perhaps Huo Yuhao's consumption had been too great. In any case, it wasn't until quite a while later that Huo Yuhao slowly regained consciousness, then gradually opened his eyes. The intense emotions in his eyes gradually subsided, returning to their usual brilliance.
"Whoo—"
He let out a long breath of turbid air. His face couldn't help but carry a trace of weariness, but more than that was enlightenment.
"Big Brother Junting."
Huo Yuhao slowly stood up, then looked at Chen Junting. And Chen Junting sized up Huo Yuhao with satisfaction, nodded, then said, "After fighting an opponent once, how do you feel?"
"Excellent!" This time's completely unrestrained display undoubtedly deepened Huo Yuhao's understanding of emotions by another layer.
"Using emotions to control the spirit, using the spirit to transform into technique. Yuhao, your self-created soul skill, just as you yourself said, is no longer in its embryonic form. But there is still a long road to go before reaching perfection." Saying this, Chen Junting also revealed one point: "As long as you continue down this path, it will ultimately transform into the divine technique most suited to you."
The moment these words came out, the entire field was shocked!
Divine technique?!
Such a high evaluation?
Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao's eyes also carried eagerness to try. But more than that was the question he wanted to ask in his heart. Noticing this, Chen Junting gave him a look, telling him not to be anxious.
So Huo Yuhao asked another point.
"Big Brother Junting, there's still one move you haven't seen."
"You're talking about 'joy,' right."
Chen Junting smiled slightly. "If I'm not mistaken, then this move of yours should be used to recover yourself. Correct?"
"Precisely."
The moment the words fell, a beautiful mermaid phantom appeared beside Huo Yuhao. One could only see her left hand move lightly before her, and a black short flute had already appeared in her palm. It spun around, and under the control of both hands, was brought to her lips.
When the short flute played, a melody that made one's body and mind feel pleasant rang beside everyone's ears. As the melody gradually became cheerful, a patch of illusory seawater enveloped everyone.
As the saying goes: Emerald waves strike reefs, flying jade music; leaping pearls in their tens of thousands play a joyful piece. Swallowing tails calm the glazed sea; laughing, guiding immortal dew to fall from the nine heavens.
When the illusory seawater dissipated, everyone's injuries and soul power were fully recovered. Everything was clearly restored to its original state.
"This move is also not bad."
Having said this, Chen Junting sized up the arena that was no longer in its original shape. Then while pointing, he asked Gu Tianchen:
"Old Gu, when can this be repaired?"
Gu Tianchen thought for a moment. "Probably by this afternoon."
This afternoon?
Chen Junting pondered for a bit, then muttered,
"Then let's call it a day for today..."
Immediately, he said to Huo Yuhao and the others:
"We stop here for today. All of you rest well first, and we'll continue tomorrow. When you can last half an hour against me, then go take the trial. Yuhao, come with me."
Before his voice fell, Chen Junting's figure had already transformed into a faint sword shadow, disappearing from the arena. Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up upon seeing this, and he immediately chased after Chen Junting's direction!
Seeing this scene, everyone also looked at each other in dismay.
They didn't know what those two were going to do?
So Gu Tianchen stepped forward, clapped his hands, and drew everyone's attention.
"Since Old Chen put it that way, then we'll come back tomorrow. But everyone shouldn't relax too much this afternoon either; consolidate what you've just gained."
"Okay!"
"Sure!"
"..."
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