Chapter 020: Holy Light Cross Slash

“This is the Earth Spirit Combat Qi of the Belinger family!”
Someone suddenly exclaimed.
Du Fan was shocked. He had heard of this Earth Spirit Combat Qi before—rumored to focus more on defense than offense. When mastered to its extreme, it could create a solid protective barrier all over the body, capable of blocking most combat qi and magic attacks.
Of course, if that were all it could do, it would be of little use. Beyond defense, its greatest advantage was enhancing weapons, endowing ordinary weapons with some magical properties—this was the fundamental reason why Earth Spirit Combat Qi became the Belinger family’s secret combat technique.
It was clear now that the dark green long sword in Mas’s hand must have been enhanced by Earth Spirit Combat Qi; otherwise, such an anomaly wouldn’t have occurred.
Du Fan didn’t dare delay. He tapped his toes lightly on the ground, suddenly retreating backward. Then, with a touch of his right hand on his space ring, he drew out the long sword, Silver Moon. With a swift swing, a beam of pure white combat qi shot toward Mas along the sword’s trajectory.
In lower-level martial artist battles, there were no overwhelming displays—only direct clashes of skill and strength. Thus, facing Du Fan’s Holy Light Combat Qi, Mas scoffed disdainfully. Without hesitation, he twisted slightly to avoid the sword wind, his dark green long sword slicing toward Du Fan’s face like a venomous snake.
Du Fan sneered. He lightly tapped his sword, and without any visible movement, a cross-shaped beam of combat qi suddenly appeared at the blade’s tip.
The magnificent combat qi, carrying a faint holy light, slashed toward Mas. This move exuded an indescribable sense of purity and nobility.
Mas was stunned, barely having time to react. His dark green long sword emitted a crisp “ting” as it broke into two, yet the holy light-like combat qi continued advancing toward him.
Fortunately, Mas practiced Earth Spirit Combat Qi. Although his current strength meant the protective barrier formed by his combat qi wasn’t very large, he still raised his hand abruptly, channeling all his combat qi to create a tan-colored shield in front of him.
The cross-shaped Holy Light Combat Qi slammed into the shield with a crisp sound, but the shield trembled and managed to block the attack—proving that Earth Spirit Combat Qi, known for its defensive capabilities, truly lived up to its reputation.
Yet, what was most astonishing was Du Fan’s move.

“Holy Light Cross Slash!”
Everyone in the audience took a sharp breath. They never expected Du Fan to use one of the Holy Church’s most secret techniques. Although its attack power wasn’t very high, it was a mandatory skill for the Church’s Templars. It was said to have a significant attack boost when facing dark creatures or demons.
Moreover, this technique had thirteen levels. At its highest level, even when confronting prehistoric beasts or towering mountains and oceans, a single swing could “judge” the opponent.
“Earth Spirit Combat Qi—truly living up to its reputation,” Du Fan smiled slightly. “But I wonder, how many of my swings can you block?”
As he spoke, Du Fan gently swung his Silver Moon sword again. The silver-white blade flickered in the air, with light spots reflecting the sunlight, trails of the sword’s movement, and streams of radiant combat qi combining to create a profoundly sacred scene.
A few devout believers even thought they saw angels circling above.
Under this utterly holy attack, Du Fan’s slender figure appeared incredibly handsome on the combat platform. Whether they were noble ladies or common girls, all of them stared at him with stars in their eyes.
They had seen many battles, but who had ever seen someone so dashing while swinging a sword? This “Holy Light Cross Slash” was truly breathtaking.
Yet to Mas, this stunning technique seemed filled with murderous intent.
As Du Fan swung his sword, cross-shaped beams of holy combat qi rushed toward his barely holding back shield. Before he could block even a few, Mas felt his hands weaken, and his shield shattered with a “ding” sound. Then, a beam of radiant combat qi struck his chest. Mas felt a bitter taste in his throat, spat out a mouthful of blood, and collapsed backward.
The next moment, all the strange phenomena disappeared. Mas only felt a slight sting in his throat.
Du Fan’s silver sword was pressed against his throat. With a holy smile, Du Fan seemed to chuckle a few times before saying, “Young Master Mas, now—has it been you who won, or me?”
“Snap—”

The teacup in Archbishop Anthony’s hands somehow fell to the ground at some point. His eyes were slightly unfocused as he couldn’t help but whisper, “He’s mastered it? This kid actually mastered the ‘Holy Light Cross Slash’… It seems his talent is truly extraordinary. He rose three levels in combat energy in just three months and also reached the third level of the ‘Holy Light Cross Slash’. I initially just wanted to give it a try; I never expected him to actually master it… Soaring high… Soaring high… Could it be I misjudged this kid before? Thankfully, I’ve already warned Joshua to be careful; otherwise…”

At this point, Archbishop Anthony let out a long sigh. Although many people in the Holy Church practiced the ‘Holy Light Cross Slash’, most couldn’t go beyond the first level. Those who managed to reach the third level already had exceptional talent. Even in that hidden prison of divine power, few could reach the third level. As for reaching the highest level, it seemed no one else had achieved it except the first Pope.

As for why Du Fan could so easily break through the level barrier of this technique, it wasn’t really complicated. The set of techniques he practiced, known as the “Ten Thousand Methods,” was said to be the source of all techniques in the Roland Continent, and the ‘Holy Light Cross Slash’ was naturally included. So, it was only natural for him to break through the barrier effortlessly.

Looking at Du Fan on the combat platform, the atmosphere grew somewhat quiet.

Du Fan withdrew the long sword he had pressed against Mars’s throat and glanced back, smiling faintly. “Is there anyone else who wants to give it a try?”

All those who had been eager to try became silent. Now everyone understood that this young master Du Fan was no longer the worthless Du Fan of before. It wasn’t easy to take advantage of him.

Moreover, the looks from those lowly people around were also uncomfortable. It was said that Du Fan had a high reputation among those lower-class folks. If you offended him, it might not lead to serious consequences, but there would be constant petty revenge.

It was said that once a noble mocked Du Fan as worthless. After that, no one in their family could buy anything when they went out, and even hotels refused to serve them. That noble was almost driven to death by those lowly people. In the end, starving almost to death, the noble’s entire family had to go to the church to apologize before Du Fan would relent. Otherwise, that noble would have become the most unjustly killed in history.

Mars got up from the ground, his face turning red and white alternately. He no longer had his earlier arrogant attitude. Though he wanted to say something, every time he opened his mouth, nothing came out. In the end, he could only stomp his feet and run away in shame.
The mocking laughter of those around him made him wish he could crawl into some crack.
“Is it that big of a deal to defeat a worthless guy?”
Suddenly, a cold voice rang out. Everyone was slightly startled and glanced in the direction of the stands.
A young man with a gloomy expression stepped forward from among the Roland Academy students. With his arms crossed, his demeanor was extremely arrogant. This man was Elvis.
Du Fan couldn’t help but frown as he stared at him. He couldn’t tell how deep Elvis’s intentions really were, but since he could stand there, he must be no ordinary person. But what did this mean? Was he planning to step in himself?
While thinking this, Bruce already turned around and glared at Elvis, shouting, “Elvis, since when do you get to speak here?”
“Why not?” Elvis looked at Du Fan. “This guy used cheating tactics to win ten matches in a row right in front of our Roland Academy students. He completely disrespects us. Teacher, I ask you to allow me to step in and test this guy’s skills. I don’t want our Roland Academy to have a scoundrel who only knows how to cheat.”
Bruce was stunned, seemingly unsure how to decide.
Du Fan sneered inwardly. What a perfect act, what a well-crafted excuse. It seemed they definitely wouldn’t let him off easy this time. It was a pity they all thought Du Fan was an easy target to crush at will.
Under these circumstances, Du Fan knew that whatever Bruce replied would be a blatant insult to him. If he agreed to Elvis’s request, it would confirm his guilt of cheating. If he refused, it would show that he considered himself no match for Elvis.
Du Fan had never been passive. Instead of letting others toy with him, he might as well show them his own skills.
With that thought, Du Fan sneered and stared at Elvis, saying firmly, “Sir, since you put it that way, how about we have a life-or-death duel?”
Book 3: Northern Snows