From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 239 Special Training Counterattack: Xiao Yao's Strategy to Break the Stalemate

The black vortex spun faster and faster, emitting a sharp whistling sound, like the roar of a wild beast, which made my eardrums ache.

From the center of the vortex, a gigantic figure slowly emerged, towering into the clouds and almost obscuring the entire sky.

I had to strain my neck to barely make out its entirety.

It was a humanoid phantom, but it was much larger and more terrifying than any of the previous phantoms!

It was shrouded in black mist, obscuring its face; only two crimson lights could be seen, making it appear like a demon from hell, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression.

The air around me seemed to freeze, making it difficult to breathe, and my heart was beating faster and faster, almost as if it would jump out of my chest.

I gripped the sword tightly in my hand, my palms were covered in cold sweat, and an unprecedented sense of fear gripped me.

"What...what is this?" I swallowed hard, my voice so dry it was almost inaudible.

The enormous phantom did not answer, but slowly raised a hand and suddenly swung it down at me!

I instinctively raised my sword to block, but I felt an overwhelming force strike me. With a "bang," the sword in my hand was knocked away, and I was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

My internal organs felt like they had shifted out of place. The intense pain made me groan, and a mouthful of blood gushed from my mouth.

I struggled to stand up, but found that my body was out of control, my limbs were weak, and it was extremely difficult to even move a finger.

The enormous phantom raised its hand again, preparing to launch an attack.

I closed my eyes in despair, waiting for death to come.

"boom--"

Another loud bang, and I was thrown back again, crashing heavily into a boulder, everything going dark.

I felt my consciousness gradually fading away, and the pain in my body becoming increasingly blurred.

Am I going to die here?

No! I can't give up!

I struggled to open my eyes, and a figure vaguely appeared before me.

"You...you are..." I managed to say, but found that I didn't even have the strength to speak.

The figure slowly walked up to me, squatted down, and reached out a hand to gently stroke my cheek.

“Xiao Yao…” a deep voice sounded in my ear, “Did you see that? This is the consequence of your failure…”

In the darkness, the enormous phantom let out a chilling laugh, the sound seeming to explode directly in my mind.

"Weakling, this is your fate."

A flash of scarlet light, and the scene before them changed abruptly.

I saw myself lying in a pool of blood, with Wen Chen standing beside my corpse, his eyes empty and his face expressionless.

All around were raging flames that engulfed everything.

My sect, my friends, everything...

They all turned to ashes.

"No! This isn't real!" I screamed in agony, but no sound came out.

The phantom's cold laugh rang out again: "This is your future. You are destined to fail, destined to lose everything!"

My heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, and a suffocating pain spread through me.

I began to doubt myself, my choices, and everything about me.

Am I really destined to fail?

Darkness surged in like a tide, surrounding and engulfing me.

I feel myself sinking, falling into an endless abyss.

Just then, I heard Ziyun's sharp voice, coming from a great distance, yet clearly reaching my ears.

"Xiao Yao? She definitely can't do it! With her limited abilities, she thinks she can pass the special training? That's just wishful thinking!"

Another voice chimed in, "That's right! They don't even know their own worth, daring to challenge the elders' special training. They're really overestimating themselves!"

"I heard that she has been beaten to the point of near death by Phantom, and probably won't last much longer."

These sounds were like sharp blades, piercing my heart again and again.

Anger, resentment, and unwillingness...

A mix of emotions almost tore me apart.

My body trembled, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh, yet I felt no pain.

I gritted my teeth and struggled against the encroachment of darkness and the fear within my heart.

"I...I won't give up!" I squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, using all my strength.

The phantom seemed to sense my change; the crimson light became even more dazzling, and its enormous figure slowly approached, bringing a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Oh? Still not willing to give up? Then let me see how long you can hold out!" It let out a chilling laugh, slowly raising a hand, black mist swirling around its fingertips, forming a massive black vortex...

"I will make you witness firsthand how all your hopes will be shattered..."

Black mist billowed, and a stench filled the air. The immense pressure made it almost impossible for me to breathe.

I felt a tightness in my throat, and a fishy, ​​sweet taste spread through my mouth.

Give up resistance?

No, I never give up!

But I know that a head-on confrontation would only lead to repeating the same mistakes.

I must find another way.

Purple Cloud's mockery, Frosty Moon's worries, Mysterious Wind's encouragement, Spirit Heart's prayers...

All the sounds seemed to be separated by a membrane, distant and indistinct.

All I could see was that enormous black vortex, spinning wildly and devouring everything.

I took a deep breath and felt the cold air fill my lungs, which strangely calmed me down.

I did something that no one expected—I didn't dodge, but instead charged towards that huge hand without hesitation!

"Is she crazy?" I heard someone exclaim.

"You're asking for death!" Zi Yun's sharp voice carried a hint of pleasure.

The wind howled, my clothes fluttered, and I heard the piercing screams of phantoms.

fear?

I've long forgotten about it!

My eyes burned with a fierce flame, a determination to burn my boats and a courage to fight to the death!

It was getting closer and closer; that enormous hand was about to crush me.

I could feel the suffocating oppression, and even smell the decaying odor in the black fog.

At that critical moment, I saw it!

At the center of the swirling black mist on the phantom's chest, there was a faint golden light, flickering like a firefly.

that's it!

I poured all my spiritual power into the tip of the sword and, without the slightest hesitation, pierced straight at that point of golden light!

"boom!"

There was a loud bang, as if the heaven and earth were shaking.

I felt a powerful force push me away. I staggered back a few steps, steadied myself, and looked up.

The enormous phantom began to tremble violently, and the black mist churned even more violently, emitting a shrill roar.

The golden light grew brighter and brighter, eventually bursting forth with dazzling brilliance that enveloped the entire illusion.

As the light faded, the enormous phantom vanished, leaving only specks of golden light that drifted down slowly, like stars in the night sky.

silence.

Deathly silence.

I slowly straightened up, my chest heaving, but a victorious smile appeared on my lips.

I did it!

The next moment, a deafening roar of cheers and applause erupted.

I saw Shuangyue's expression of mixed surprise and joy, Xuanfeng gave a thumbs up, Lingxin covered her mouth excitedly, and even Ziyun's face was full of shock.

I gently wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and sheathed the sword.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp gaze fall on me.

I turned my head and looked, and there I saw...

Elder Yan stood not far away, his usually stern eyes now showing a hint of admiration.

He walked over slowly and said in a deep voice, "Not bad, you did very well. You were not deceived by the illusion, but found its weakness and struck it down. This calmness and decisiveness is something many disciples lack."

Hearing the elder's praise, a warm feeling welled up in my heart, and the previous fatigue and pain seemed to disappear.

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my excitement, and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Elder."

Elder Yan nodded, his gaze falling on the sword in my hand: "Your swordsmanship is sharp, but lacks variation, making it easy for your opponent to predict. I have a sword technique here called 'Flowing Cloud Sword Technique,' which is perfect for you to practice." As he spoke, he took out an ancient-looking book from his sleeve and handed it to me.

I took the sword manual with both hands; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, carrying a faint fragrance.

Upon opening it, one sees a dense collection of sword techniques, each one so lifelike it seems to leap off the page.

My heart was pounding. This was Elder Yan's unique sword technique!

Elder Yan continued, "This sword technique emphasizes using softness to overcome hardness and is unpredictable. Go back and study it carefully; perhaps you can make a breakthrough."

"I will remember your teachings, Elder." I bowed again, my heart filled with gratitude.

The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique uses softness to overcome hardness—isn't that exactly what I need right now?

I felt that my strength could be greatly improved, and an excited feeling spread through me, as if a power was surging within me, wanting to break out of my body.

Elder Yan looked at me and said, "The challenges ahead will be even greater; you must not be arrogant or complacent."

"Disciple understands." I nodded solemnly, my gaze firm.

I know this is only the first stage of the special training, and there are even more severe tests waiting for me.

But I believe that as long as I persevere and forge ahead, I will definitely be able to overcome all difficulties and ultimately achieve success!

I gripped the sword manual tightly in my hand, feeling the warmth emanating from it, as if I were holding my future in my grasp.

Suddenly, I sensed a powerful energy fluctuation emanating from the depths of the training ground, carrying a hint of danger...

I looked up abruptly in the direction from which the energy fluctuations were coming, and a chill ran through me.

“That is…” I murmured to myself, tightening my grip on the sword hilt slightly.

A voice came from behind, "The final challenge has begun."