Chapter 48: The Little Li Flying Dagger—Never a Miss

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"It's actually Crane Among the Clouds!"

"This shameless, despicable scoundrel dares to show his face here."

"And he has the audacity to claim Elder Hong ambushed him—he’s practically begging for death."

"..."

The crowd vowed not to rest until Crane Among the Clouds was torn to pieces.

Crane Among the Clouds felt the intense hostility. All he’d done was make one sarcastic remark, yet so many people condemned him with words as sharp as knives.

Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, Xiang Yingtian stepped in once more, restoring order.

"Please, everyone, calm yourselves. Since Crane Among the Clouds has stepped onto the stage, let his skills speak for themselves."

With a few simple words, he soothed the crowd’s agitation.

The commotion subsided, and everything proceeded in a disciplined manner.

Xiang Yingtian’s gaze turned to Hong Qigong, puzzled as to why Crane Among the Clouds had been sent to the stage. Perhaps this was a chance to rid themselves of Crane Among the Clouds without dirtying their own hands.

Xiang Yingtian could master the scene, but not the thoughts within their hearts.

The crowd’s gaze toward Crane Among the Clouds brimmed with hostility; the desire to harm was impossible to conceal.

Immediately, many cheered for his opponent, hoping he’d teach Crane Among the Clouds a lesson. Ideally, he’d...

Some even drew a finger across their throats in a gesture of execution.

Crane Among the Clouds was so furious his face turned green. All his previous efforts had been in vain; the crowd’s impression of him was deeply ingrained. He needed to leave them with an unforgettable memory.

And now was a golden opportunity.

You righteous folk call me a demon and a heretic. But if I outshine all the others, become the leader of the martial world, and command the six major sects, what will you say then?

Crane Among the Clouds looked ahead. His opponent was a man in his twenties, with a fierce, intimidating face and a body as powerful as a bear—his hardened martial arts made him a force of nature, able to shatter mountains with a single punch.

Crane Among the Clouds, in contrast, was tall and thin, like a stalk of bamboo, ready to be blown away by the slightest breeze.

The disparity in strength was glaring.

The spectators whispered among themselves.

"This lecherous Crane Among the Clouds is getting off easy—he’ll die so quickly."

"He brought it on himself, showing up at the martial gathering."

"Let’s hope he reforms in his next life, and maybe gets a smarter head."

"..."

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The crowd’s words spelled out Crane Among the Clouds’ fate.

His opponent, meanwhile, rotated his neck and stretched his muscles, making a chorus of cracking sounds like beans roasting.

He looked at Crane Among the Clouds, excitement in his eyes—he hadn’t expected such luck.

"Remember, my name is Zhao Jia, so you don’t have trouble finding me for revenge in your next life."

With that, his fists, as big as sandbags, moved through the air, powered by internal energy, generating ear-splitting sonic booms.

Though rough, Zhao Jia knew that even a lion used all its strength to hunt a rabbit. Facing Crane Among the Clouds, a cunning and vile character, he had to be extra careful.

He had no intention of being embarrassed by an upset.

Every step Zhao Jia took shook the ground, radiating a sense of threat.

Soon, he stood before Crane Among the Clouds.

Looking up at Zhao Jia, who seemed like a mountain, Crane Among the Clouds muttered inwardly: Are you sure you’re not a fake?

His mind raced, and his internal energy gathered instantly.

Clenching his fist, he channeled his energy down his arm like a tiger descending the mountain.

Bang!

Their fists met in midair.

An invisible shockwave spread out from their clash.

The floor beneath them could not withstand the force and shattered; cracks spread rapidly like a spider’s web.

"Crane Among the Clouds really doesn’t know his limits—with those feeble skills, he dares to take a punch head-on?" someone sneered.

"Ah!"

A guttural scream pierced the sky, sending chills down the spines of the crowd.

Looking closer, Crane Among the Clouds stood unmoved, calm and composed.

Zhao Jia, however, flew back like a tank struck by a cannonball.

Bang!

His massive body crashed heavily to the ground, shaking the stage.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

Then pandemonium erupted.

"What did I just see? Crane Among the Clouds actually injured Zhao Jia?"

"Who’d have thought his martial arts were so formidable?"

"So what if his skills are strong? I refuse to believe all these people can’t deal with him."

"..."

Listening to the chatter below, Crane Among the Clouds remained impassive.

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Since his goal was to leave a lasting impression, he had no reason to hold back.

He boldly issued a challenge to the assembled martial artists: "If any among you can knock me off this stage, I, Crane Among the Clouds, will let you do with me as you please."

Such audacious words drew everyone’s attention.

They couldn’t help but wonder: Was this really the same despicable, notorious Crane Among the Clouds they all knew?

Below, Xiang Yingtian watched Crane Among the Clouds, surprise in his eyes.

This man’s arrival had disrupted his plans, but the overall situation remained unaffected. In fact, he hoped Crane Among the Clouds would be the last one standing, so he could personally defeat him and boost his own reputation in the martial world.

In a way, Crane Among the Clouds had inadvertently helped him.

"What a boastful remark—let me test you."

A clear, bright laugh drew everyone’s gaze.

Crane Among the Clouds looked over. A young man in blue strode lightly onto the stage.

His features were dazzling, his smile carefree and unruly—a true wanderer of the rivers and lakes.

"Little Li’s Flying Dagger, Ye Kai."

Crane Among the Clouds fixed his gaze on the figure before the stage and slowly spoke his identity.

Descendant of Li Xunhuan, architect of the martial world’s third decade, who later retired with Ding Linglin.

Thinking this, he scanned the audience, but did not see Ding Linglin.

Since the two had never been apart since meeting, there could only be one explanation: they had not yet met.

This gave Crane Among the Clouds an opportunity.

He turned back to Ye Kai, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Little Li’s Flying Dagger never misses its mark—I’ve long wanted to learn from you. At last, my wish may be fulfilled."

"Then watch closely."

Ye Kai spun gracefully; suddenly, a tiny flying dagger appeared in his palm.

It cut through the air without making a sound, vanishing like a meteor streaking across the night.

Crane Among the Clouds’ expression turned grave. He dared not be careless, flooding his body with energy.

Clang!

His longsword, drawn by a subtle trigger, leapt from its sheath into the air.

Crane Among the Clouds sprang upward, grasping the three-foot blade firmly.

With a sweeping motion, his sword sang, unleashing a blast of white energy.

It collided with Ye Kai’s flying dagger.

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