Sword Among Us

Happy had exchanged three hundred blows with Elder Xing in the blink of an eye. During that period of time, the intensity and danger of the fight was self-evident. Happy knew clearly just how great was the damage from a martial artist at the peak of Inaction Realm, and he did not dare to be the slightest bit careless.

 He used his Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms with Ten True Dragon Styles, and he advanced as well as retreated as necessary. His offense and defense were perfect and executed with ease, and he became increasingly proficient with his attacks.

 However, as they fought, the weaknesses Elder Xing revealed grew smaller, and Happy found it hard to find chances he could exploit to deal greater damage to Elder Xing.

 The duo fought from the palace to the ground, from the left of the training ground to the right. Qi forces clashed madly against each other, and dust swept through the air between them. Dragon roars could also be heard nonstop!

 Bang! Bang!

 Loud bangs could be heard nonstop.

 Phantasmal Shadow, Momo, and the others were highly entertained by the fight. They carried the golden bell far away before they sat down to watch.

 ‘They sure are not worried about me.’ Happy laughed wanly.

 If they joined the fight right then, they would suffer unnecessary damage and interrupt his rhythm, but weren’t they a little too free?

 What Happy did not know, however, was that after Phantasmal Shadow and Momo watched the fight for a while, they understood that there was no way Xing Wuzui would win. As the fight progressed, Elder Xing’s qi went down drastically, while Happy remained at his peak with Nine Yang Divine Skill. Since one side became weaker while the other remained at its best, Xing Wuzui was bound to lose.

 Phantasmal Shadow’s words had caused Momo to become interested and curious about the current situation in the game…

 “Thailand?”

 “Along with some small countries like Vietnam…” Phantasmal Shadow’s tone was very serious and strict.

 Momo frowned in puzzlement. “How could there be any good players in those countries?”

 No matter what, World of Martial Arts was a game for Chinese. Most of the martial arts that the people were familiar with were Chinese martial arts from the world of martial artists in the past and the martial arts from wuxia novels.

 Phantasmal Shadow clearly knew about the views in the country, and she knew that many players did not treat the players from other countries as anything! She was the same. She did look down upon them in many areas, but a battle replay some time ago had broken her perception that there were no good martial artists in other countries.

 “In truth, no matter where anyone is, there will always be some amazing people there,” Phantasmal Shadow said. “Besides, World of Martial Arts has always been a place full of the unknown and miracles. Look, Happy is in Life and Death Realm, just like us, but we can’t fight against someone like Elder Xing…”

 Momo frowned a little. “Are you saying?”

 “If we have to say that Happy is a rare genius and someone who is suited for World of Martial Artists, how can you be certain that no other people like him will show up in the future?” Phantasmal Shadow asked while looking Momo in the eyes.

 “Impossible,” Momo stated without any hesitation. “There will be no second Happy in World of Martial Arts.”

 Momo knew Happy’s strength clearly, and she refused to believe that anyone else could do what he did.

 However, with just two questions, Phantasmal Shadow caused Momo to falter. “What about One Emperor? How do you explain him?”

 Momo fell silent.

 Indeed, if Happy was publicly acknowledged as the strongest player in the game, then One Emperor was an elite who caused the greatest unease and was the most unfathomable in the game! He was also someone who many people widely believed to be an elite born for World of Martial Arts!

 “Alright, even if there are truly great players in the southwestern countries, can they actually compare to Happy? I don’t think the situation in the countries will allow them to have people like Happy, right?”

 Phantasmal Shadow said nothing. She smiled faintly and looked at Happy fighting intensely against Xing Wuzui before she said slowly, “Of course, they cannot hope to compare to Happy, but there are a few of them who are really powerful. I heard that quite a number of powerful players on Dragon Rank and some famous players in West Region have already lost to them.”

 “You seem to have a great understanding about the players at the borders.”

 “I’m from Yunnan. The southwestern countries have caused quite the storm at our side for a long time, but as of now, they have not affected the center of China.” Phantasmal Shadow’s explanation made Momo feel a little at ease.

 “The Thais are rather good with their fists…”

 “They don’t like weapons. The young Thais and Vietnamese nowadays prefer using their fists, especially fierce and strong fist and kick techniques. There are many martial arts from West Region that have circulated to that side, and the selling price of those manuals is very high. Many foreigners love putting on disguises to enter the center of China to buy and obtain fist and kick technique manuals.”

 Phantasmal Shadow clearly knew a lot about it. She mentioned everything with ease, but her tone gradually turned solemn. “It is also because of this that there is one characteristic generally found among the people from those small countries: their Affinity and Arm Strength are especially high!”

 “Hmm?” A small hint of surprise finally appeared on Momo’s face.

 When Phantasmal Shadow said that, she explained. “Since they train with their fists and legs for a long period of time, their bones are incredibly sturdy. Their Affinity is high then, and during battle, their defense and offense are very strong.

 “Also, those with high Arm Strength can basically use their arms as weapons. They’re as tough as steel, and the speed of their fists is so fast that it’s astonishing.”

 When Phantasmal Shadow saw the derisive look reappear in Momo’s eyes, she continued explaining. “It’s precisely because of them focusing on fist and kick techniques that their hand-eye coordination is surprising. And since they like fierce and strong fist and kick techniques, every single one of them can be considered to have practiced a high-tier defensive body fortification skill.

 “They’re incredibly hard to deal with! Our people in West Region have gradually lost their right to voice their opinions in this regard.”

 “All of West Region?” Momo frowned when she heard that. “Tower Master Shadow, don’t forget that Mu Clan has quite a number of branches in West Region.”

 “I know this, of course. The people from the small southwestern countries all know how strong Happy is, and they know about his connection with Mu Clanm, so they usually avoid those from Mu Clan when they see them. They do not take the initiative to provoke them.”

 She stopped talking for a moment, and her tone changed. “But it’ll be difficult to say whether that will remain that case in the future. I heard rumors from the grapevine in the southwest that those people seem to be organizing a group of elites to deliberately challenge China’s best, which is Happy.”

 “Hmph! The likes of them?”

 Momo snorted scornfully. She looked at the battlefield in the distance, and she was just in time to see Happy go after Xing Wuzui and beat him the moment the elder slowed down.

 Elder Xin staggered, finding himself forced into a defensive position, and Momo became even more contemptuous of what Phantasmal Shadow had said about the union of great players from the southwestern countries.

 “Miss Momo, don’t underestimate them. There are some among them who have Arm Strength and Affinity that has surpassed two hundred. They’re human-shaped fighting machines, and if they really take action, even Zhou Yu might not be able to have an easy time against them.”

 Momo said nothing. She might look down on Zhou Yu, but she had met him briefly while they were at Hero’s Mountain Villa, and she knew that he had extraordinary strength. He was one of the eight elites publicly acknowledged by everyone in the game!

 “That’s all I have to say!” Phantasmal Shadow did not intend to continue with her explanations. She just gave Momo a warning with very clear and simple words. “Miss Momo, if you’re free, please mention this to Happy. Consider this as a show of kindness from me.”

 Right when she finished speaking, a loud dragon roar rang through the field. With a loud bang, Xing Wuzui went crashing into a palace to the right. Happy went after him and delivered three consecutive palm strikes.

 With a long and loud bark of laughter, Happy shot backwards. Then, under Momo, Phantasmal Shadow, and the others’ shocked gazes, he exerted force in one hand, and a fierce palm strike landed on the golden bell.

 Clang!

 A clear bell chime rang, and the golden bell howled as it flew horizontally to the rightmost palace. A second large hole was formed on the wall!