91 Ultimate Skill, Dominating the World

Zhan Xiaobai grew anxious. Once entangled, by the time others realized, escape would be impossible. He urged the courier horse to run faster, while violently kicking at Sword Madman’s tail.

The courier horse strained forward, dragging Sword Madman along the ground. Despite being dragged, Sword Madman refused to let go, his face twisted with fury. “I won’t let go! Haha! When the others catch up, just wait for your death! Anyone who dares cross me meets a grim fate!”

Madman!

Zhan Xiaobai cursed inwardly and glanced back. From amidst the chaotic mêlée of players fighting and scrambling, two or three figures—Lone Rogue, Wind from All Directions, and others—emerged. Seeing Sword Madman being dragged ignominiously, they hurried after, shouting, “Don’t run, stand still!” “Brothers, come on, don’t let that treacherous bastard escape!”

Wind from All Directions ran swiftly, nearly catching up to Sword Madman but falling just short. With a flying leap, he grabbed Sword Madman tightly. Sword Madman clung desperately to the horse’s tail. The horse now dragged three people, slowing to about a third of its normal speed. Lone Rogue, trailing behind, lunged forward again. The horse, overwhelmed, let out a mournful whinny and stopped, pacing in place.

Zhan Xiaobai wanted nothing more than to sever that damned tail with a blade, but he had none on hand. Ahead, the NPC Little Beggar fretted helplessly. Without combat strength, he dared not intervene and simply stopped to shout loudly.

Sword Madman and the others scrambled to their feet, clutching the horse’s tail with one hand and drawing his sword with the other, lunging at Zhan Xiaobai.

“Finally caught you! Die!”

Zhan Xiaobai quickly dismounted, narrowly dodging the sword thrust using the courier horse. Anger flared within him. “Sword Madman, we have no grudge. Why persist in this fatal feud? If you’re so capable, bring your full squad next time. If I weren’t alone today, I wouldn’t fear you, madman!”

Sword Madman wildly swung his sword, laughing madly. “Haven’t you heard? They call me Sword Madman in Wuwei! No matter the offense, if you cross me, you die. Even if you’re a mere clown, I’ll chop you down. Gathering troops first? Who do you think you are? I command hundreds—summoned together, we strut through Wuwei City without fear.”

As Sword Madman raged, Lone Rogue dared not intervene for fear of being cut down as well. Wind from All Directions, a skilled guest player, preferred to stay out unless necessary.

Zhan Xiaobai, in a sorry state, could only circle the horse as Sword Madman chased relentlessly.

“Clang!”

A paper fan blocked Sword Madman’s iron sword.

Sword Madman staggered back two steps before steadying himself. He glared and saw a player in white cloth holding a folded paper fan, smiling as he intercepted the strike. Shaking his head with mock regret, he said, “Madman, bullying newcomers again? Not good. I’ve told you many times—protect newcomers, avoid killing. It damages Wuwei players’ reputation…”

Recognizing the player’s face, Sword Madman stepped back several paces, annoyed and embarrassed, eyes blazing. “You… Xiaoyao Sheng! Meddling again!”

Zhan Xiaobai was puzzled by this sudden savior and asked, “May I ask who you are?”

The player in white ignored Sword Madman and turned to Zhan Xiaobai. “Just a humble player, Xiaoyao Sheng.”

Seeing Zhan Xiaobai’s blank reaction to the name, Xiaoyao Sheng added, “Ranked second on the personal strength leaderboard of Xiliang.”

Zhan Xiaobai was unfamiliar with Xiaoyao Sheng or his strength. Though he had often heard from Spring and Autumn Young Hero and A Fei about the Xiliang power rankings, he rarely paid attention to them. His own tasks were too many to keep track of everything.

He only knew the main national leaderboards—village rankings, village chief rankings, wealth, skills, and so forth.

Ranking second in Xiliang marked a formidable player indeed. Zhan Xiaobai felt a sudden urge to ally himself and smiled, “So it’s Brother Xiaoyao. Many thanks for your help. Without you, my losses would have been severe. May I ask which village or guild you belong to? Where do you usually operate?”

As he spoke, the Wuwei trio—Sword Madman, Lone Rogue, Proud Ginseng—and guest player Wind from All Directions, along with some followers, gathered nearby. They were wary of Xiaoyao Sheng and kept their distance.

Hearing Zhan Xiaobai’s words, Lone Rogue scoffed loudly, “Oh, trying to make connections again, calling the second strongest in Xiliang your brother? You really think you’re a big shot! Give us your name, let’s see what title you hold. If you’re bigger than me, I won’t stop you.”

Xiaoyao Sheng wasn’t bothered by Zhan Xiaobai’s casual brotherhood and smiled, “Don’t mind these Wuwei scoundrels. They’re infamous madmen with miserable character; few dare cross them. But with me here, no one can touch you. By the way, brother, what’s your name? You must be from afar, right?”

Zhan Xiaobai smiled wryly and shook his head. “Forget it, I’m just an obscure nobody. Naming myself would only bring laughter. Thanks again for your help. If you ever have time, come visit Little White Village. You’ll be warmly welcomed. For now, I have to hurry back, so I’ll take my leave.”

He mounted the horse again.

“Little White Village?” Xiaoyao Sheng shook his fan in surprise. “So you’re from the world’s number one Little White Village? No wonder you carry yourself so well. Do you know the folks there? Pass along a message for me.”

“Oh? What message?”

“Ah,” Xiaoyao Sheng sighed, “I wanted to be village chief but couldn’t find the village blueprint. Instead, I accidentally learned a general’s ultimate skill—‘Dominating the World’—a fake version—and became a martial artist. Please tell them, Xiliang’s wilderness is harsh and unappreciated by players worldwide. We finally have a village chief famous across the land; don’t let the title of world’s number one slip away. Otherwise, Xiliang players will be looked down upon! I wanted to visit Little White Village myself, but official duties keep me tied up. I entrust this to you.”

Zhan Xiaobai sat firmly on the courier horse, clasped his hands, and smiled, “Thanks for your kind words. I’ll be sure to deliver the message. Farewell.”

Sword Madman and company were furious. “Don’t run! Attack them all!” “No way you’re escaping!”

Leading over a dozen players, they charged forward, ready to fight.

Xiaoyao Sheng turned, blocking the way, unfolding his paper fan. “Hua’s Ultimate Skill: Dominating the World—!”

With a flick of his wrist, a fierce gust formed several razor-edged blades, slashing toward the attackers.

Boom!

Zhan Xiaobai was about to leave but stopped, pulling the reins to look back in shock. The dozen or so players attacking Xiaoyao Sheng were struck by the powerful wind blades and thrown violently back. A formidable sword qi technique—could a player really have learned this? This was clearly a general’s ultimate skill. The title of second strongest in Xiliang was well-earned.

When they got up, most had lost over four-fifths of their HP. One or two low-level players had even died outright. Everyone was pale.

What was this ‘Dominating the World’ technique?

Xiaoyao Sheng resumed his cheerful demeanor, waving the fan. “This move was learned from Hua Xiong, under Dong Zhuo. Anyone who dares defy me, come try!”

“Hua Xiong!”

The crowd gasped.

The famed thirty-eighth ranked player, Wind from All Directions, changed expression and fled immediately. From now on, besides avoiding the number one in Xiliang, he would also steer clear of number two.

Ultimate Skill: Dominating the World [Fake]: +15 qi damage, damage depends on inner strength and skill level. Consumes 50 inner strength points per use. Beginner level, 17/500. Fake ultimate skill with less than a tenth the power of the original.

Description: This move was stolen by Xiaoyao Sheng from Hua Xiong. Born in a wild military camp, Xiaoyao Sheng was captivated watching Hua Xiong’s intense training from hiding. Absorbing the supreme skill, he accidentally grasped a fake version of ‘Dominating the World.’ Discovered by Dong Zhuo’s soldiers, he was killed and reborn in Wuwei City. This skill was acquired purely by chance. Players must have fate and fortune levels both at 99 simultaneously to obtain it.