C89 Formation Dao(2)

Gongyang Qiusheng's combat skills aside, his speed and agility are impressive. His technique may not be fully mastered, but it's close. Woo Zhengyang's speed makes it hard to catch up using the Floating Light Step, but the unique qualities of his Sword-shaped Genuine Qi make up for any shortcomings in his movement skills.

"I admit I underestimated you, but I'm the one who's hurt. Why keep chasing me? Let's each go our own way and seek our fortunes. I promise I won't bother you again!"

As the distance between them closed, Gongyang Qiusheng grew anxious. Woo Zhengyang's combat prowess and speed were superior, and his own proud formations were ineffective. Gongyang Qiusheng felt helpless.

Woo Zhengyang ignored him, continuing the pursuit relentlessly. "If you don't mess with me, I won't mess with you. But if you do, you're as good as dead!"

Through corridors and around corners, Gongyang Qiusheng moved aimlessly, yet he couldn't shake Woo Zhengyang.

"I give up. I'll give you the Array Origin Bead I found. Can we call it even?" Gongyang Qiusheng offered again.

"Array Origin Bead?" Woo Zhengyang hadn't heard of this treasure before. It seemed this was what allowed Gongyang Qiusheng to glimpse the secrets of formations.

"The Array Origin Bead can reveal the essence of any formation. With it, you'll find learning formations much easier, and becoming an alchemist or a craftsman will be within your reach," Gongyang Qiusheng explained.

Woo Zhengyang's determination was not something easily shaken. In a flash, the distance between the two had shrunk to less than ten feet. The aura around him shifted as the Floating Light Step faded from under Woo Zhengyang's feet, replaced by the Dragon Countering Nine Steps!

The Dragon Countering Nine Steps is a martial art focused on leg techniques, but its name suggests it substitutes for movement techniques in battle. Normally, Woo Zhengyang's Dragon Countering Nine Steps wouldn't match the speed of a well-practiced Floating Light Step. However, the secrets of the Sword-shaped Genuine Qi opened a door to a new realm, combining physical strength and inner energy.

With this synergy, Woo Zhengyang's Dragon Countering Nine Steps not only gained speed but also increased in power. With the first step, the distance between them widened again. The second step maintained the stalemate, yet the gap exceeded ten feet.

"It seems this kid has some secret technique, but he's finally running out of steam, haha..." Gongyang Qiusheng was just about to celebrate when Woo Zhengyang took a third step.

"Boom..." A dull thud echoed clearly in the quiet passage.

"What’s happening?" Gongyang Qiusheng heard the loud noise from behind and sensed something was amiss. Woo Zhengyang had repeatedly exceeded his expectations, and he had a feeling that another unexpected turn was about to unfold.

Step Four!

Step Five!

Step Six!

A clearer sound echoed repeatedly, and Gongyang Qiusheng's face changed dramatically. Woo Zhengyang's steps weren't fast, but each step covered much more ground than before. By the sixth step, he had covered the same distance as three of Gongyang Qiusheng's. With these steps, the gap between them closed again.

The shrinking distance wasn't the issue; Woo Zhengyang hadn't yet reached a range where he could attack. What truly unnerved Gongyang Qiusheng was the increasing intensity of the sound with each step Woo Zhengyang took. It felt as if the sound was striking directly at his heart, causing a sense of unease.

"This footwork is strange!" Gongyang Qiusheng thought, alarmed. He desperately pushed his own movement skills to the limit, trying to widen the gap between them once more.

By now, Woo Zhengyang had taken his seventh step. The power of the Dragon Countering Nine Steps continued to build, and so did the recoil. Under this recoil, Woo Zhengyang's step spanned a full ten yards. This brought them within two steps of each other, close enough for Woo Zhengyang to attack if he chose to use a weapon.

However, Woo Zhengyang had no intention of using a weapon. This was the first time he had executed the Dragon Countering Nine Steps to such an extent in a battle.

At first, when Woo Zhengyang saw the name, he thought it was a martial arts technique focused on agility. After realizing it wasn't, he regarded it merely as a leg technique. But just now, an idea struck him to use the "Dragon Countering Nine Steps" for pursuit, and he was surprised by how effective it was.

With the added power, each of Woo Zhengyang's steps now carried over a thousand pounds of force. Not only was his chasing speed impressive, but if Gongyang Qiusheng were to be stepped on or kicked, he would undoubtedly suffer significant injuries. Woo Zhengyang was curious to see if Gongyang Qiusheng could withstand his ninth step.

As he pondered, Woo Zhengyang took the eighth step!

The distance between them closed again. Gongyang Qiusheng could even feel the force of Woo Zhengyang's leg as it came close, creating a gust that almost lifted him off the ground!

It was precisely this sensation of being airborne that pushed his speed up a notch; otherwise, he might have been caught by now.