The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Part Two (Newly Revised)
On the eve of the competition, in the He family's camp.
"Du Taibai's sword intent is ashes." Under the dim light, Xin Ruien was still radiant.
"ash?"
“Yes, the embers after a fire,” Xin Ruien said confidently, “fiery, shapeless embers.”
Su Yishan leaned against the sword stand, but didn't put even a fraction of his weight on it. It was just that he looked like he was leaning against the sword stand. He spoke carefully and precisely, "I've seen Du Taibai's duel. He can conjure two bodies, without a real form, making it impossible for people to hit him. It seems that, as you said, he is indeed like flying ashes."
“It’s not ashes.” Xin Ruien shook his head. “Many of those who were defeated by Du Taibai suffered burns.”
The scene of Du Taibai's clone being severed reappeared in Su Yishan's eyes. The scattered sand and dust were not heading towards the direction from which the attack was launched, but rather unusually, against the wind, heading towards the attacker.
“It’s embers.” Su Yishan suddenly realized, “As long as we attack once, we will definitely suffer a round of burns.”
This will no longer be a contest that ends with a point; for He Zian, every swing of his sword will be a self-destructive attack.
“An enemy that cannot be hit.” He Zian fell into deep thought.
“Once we launch an attack, we will be the ones who suffer the consequences.” Su Yishan murmured, “This is an enemy that cannot be defeated.”
“It can be defeated.” Xin Ruien said decisively. “There is only one way, a way that only you, Zian, can do.”
He Zi'an looked at Xin Rui'en with unwavering eyes. In her eyes, there was endless worry.
"This will be a test of endurance."
*
Du Taibai's sword intent unexpectedly changed form, catching He Zi'an off guard.
Perhaps due to the rain, Du Taibai's sword intent transformed from ashes into silt. The shattered silt from his clone clung to He Zi'an like a malignant tumor.
The scorching mud covering him was burning him, and the mud beneath his feet was tangling around him.
He Zi'an's body was slowly becoming cumbersome. His sword was slowly becoming sluggish.
With a single sword strike, accompanied by the whistling sound of the sword dancing through the air, the clay figure shattered, even those in He Zi'an's blind spot were reduced to fragments on the ground.
The charred clay figures were reshaped and sprang forth one after another, their legs bent at bizarre angles as they rapidly advanced.
He Zian's breathing became increasingly heavy.
The clay figures shattered simultaneously once again.
Despite some mishaps, the competition is still proceeding according to their plan.
*
"Miss, what is the only solution you mentioned?" Su Yishan asked.
“He can indeed create clones,” Xin Ruien said. “In the worst-case scenario, he might still have some power left, and it’s not just two bodies.”
He Zi'an's expression was grave. "Rui'en, do you already have a way to identify Du Taibai's true identity?"
“We have no way of knowing his true identity.” Xin Ruien shook her head.
"Miss, please stop keeping me in suspense."
“This isn’t magic; Du Taibai can’t just vanish into thin air. We don’t need to figure out his true form.” Xin Rui’en’s gaze shifted to the old sword case in the corner of the tent. “We just need to destroy all of his bodies at once.”
“But his clones can regenerate indefinitely.” Su Yishan had doubts about Xin Ruien’s statement.
“Everyone has their limits,” Xin Ruien sighed. “That’s why I said this will be a test of endurance.”
*
Du Bai's situation was indeed not as optimistic as everyone thought.
He originally intended to use two clones as feigned attacks while his real body sought a way to win. Initially, things went smoothly.
But He Zian's sword intent suddenly changed. The longsword was clearly slashing towards the clone in the north, but the real body in the south was also struck for some unknown reason. The three bodies that Du Taibai had created with all his might exploded almost simultaneously.
That was an attack without any apparent source. He Zi'an didn't make a move, yet the strike had already landed on Du Taibai. This left Du Taibai with no way to dodge, and he could only swallow the sudden damage.
Even so, Du Taibai maintained his offensive posture, not giving He Zian a chance to breathe, while also pondering He Zian's offensive tactics.
This is a war of attrition. If Du Taibai cannot figure out He Zian's methods, he doesn't know whether he or He Zian will fall first.
Raindrops fell, their sounds echoing and reverberating through the black mud. The incessant noise only made Du Bai, who was already anxious, even more agitated.
The untimely rain made his concentrated sword intent heavy and his movements sluggish.
In Du Bai's view, this was a trial rain, an obstacle he had to overcome.
*
The curtains of Lingguang's tent fell, and the darkness inside returned to normal.
"You mean all four Xuanyuan Sword Hearts are in Black Mountain?" Xiang Yu stared at the constantly flashing red light in the darkness.
"That's right."
"I never expected to gather here." Xiang Yu covered his mouth, his middle and ring fingers rubbing his stubble back and forth. "The missing sword heart should be in Canghai Sword Manor."
"I need your help."
“I understand,” Xiangyu said reliably. “Now that we are in this together, I will do everything in my power to help you.”
"They've already started. Just now, someone stole a sword core."
Xiang Yu could sense that Ling Guang's words were noticeably hesitant.
"I don't recommend you make a move too early," Xiangyu said. "The best strategy is to sit back and watch the tigers fight."
The only point of light in the tent also disappeared.
"Don't forget that the Hall of Longevity also possesses a sword heart," Xiang Yu added. "Before they start fighting, we should mainly observe and wait."
Fine raindrops fell on the top of the tent, making a pitter-patter sound.
Xiang Yu stood up from the bamboo stool, his clothes rustling as he moved. His eyes had perfectly adapted to the darkness, and now he would use them to search for the light.
"Do you want to go and take a look?" Xiang Yu then remembered the purpose of his trip and asked, "It's going to be very lively today. The future leader of the alliance may be one of the two people today."
Xiang Yu lifted the curtain a crack, and the dim light barely broke through the shadow beside him. He remained in that position, waiting for an answer.
“No need,” Ling Guang said listlessly. “I have no interest in these ordinary people.”
"I will come back and tell you the result." The curtain fell, and everything returned to how it was before.
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