Reborn in a cultivation world with my Ex girlfriends-Chapter 56: The Trident’s Wrath and the Underdog’s Gambit

The moment Zhao Shen summoned his azure trident, the entire hall seemed to tremble under its presence. A weapon infused with water-attribute spirit energy, it crackled with condensed moisture, making the very air feel thick and heavy. The audience held their breath, knowing that a real spirit weapon in battle was no laughing matter.

Wang Li tightened his grip on Shadowfang, his black dagger. The contrast between their weapons was obvious—one was a legendary artifact, powerful and refined. The other was a simple assassin's blade, meant for quick, lethal strikes.

But Wang Li had never been one to care about odds.

He exhaled and steadied his stance.

"Scared?" Zhao Shen taunted, spinning the trident effortlessly. The weapon whistled through the air, leaving behind a faint mist. "I'd understand if you wanted to back out."

Wang Li smirked. "Scared? More like excited. It's not every day I get to fight someone carrying a glorified fishing spear."

The crowd gasped at the insult. Even the elder watching them raised an eyebrow.

Zhao Shen's smirk faltered. His grip on the trident tightened.

"You're going to regret that," he said coldly.

BOOM!

Without warning, Zhao Shen lunged.

His trident shot forward with terrifying speed, its tip coated in concentrated water Qi, aiming directly for Wang Li's chest. Wang Li barely had time to react—he twisted his body at the last second, feeling the sheer force of the attack graze past him. The impact alone sent a shockwave across the hall, causing the walls to rumble.

Too strong. Too fast.

Wang Li didn't even have a chance to counter before Zhao Shen followed up with another strike—this time sweeping his trident horizontally.

Wang Li ducked, barely avoiding a decapitating blow. The wind pressure from the attack shredded the stone floor beneath him.

He rolled backward, gaining some distance.

Zhao Shen's expression remained unreadable.

"This isn't a battle you can win with speed alone," he said. "You're already losing."

Wang Li scoffed. "Is that what you think?"

Without another word, he vanished.

The crowd gasped as Wang Li reappeared behind Zhao Shen, dagger flashing in the dim light.

But Zhao Shen wasn't an amateur.

He spun his trident behind him with unnatural precision, blocking Wang Li's dagger before it could pierce his back.

CLANG!

Sparks flew.

Zhao Shen twisted, using his superior strength to slam the trident's shaft against Wang Li's ribs.

CRACK!

Wang Li was sent flying, crashing into the stone floor. Dust exploded outward.

Mu Qingling flinched. "That was brutal..."

Lin Ruoyan clenched her fists. "He's still standing."

Sure enough, Wang Li pushed himself up, coughing slightly. The taste of iron filled his mouth, but he ignored it.

Zhao Shen sighed, shaking his head. "Persistent, but pointless. If this were a real fight, you'd be dead."

Wang Li wiped the blood from his lip.

"Well, too bad it's not," he said, forcing a grin.

Zhao Shen's eyes narrowed.

Then, without warning, Wang Li charged again—but this time, he wasn't aiming for Zhao Shen.

He was aiming for the trident.

His speed doubled, his movements erratic, his dagger flickering in and out of sight like a shadow.

Zhao Shen tried to react, but Wang Li's unpredictability threw him off.

SLASH!

With a precise strike, Wang Li's dagger clashed against the trident's base, causing it to vibrate violently. Zhao Shen's grip momentarily loosened—just enough for Wang Li to strike again.

BAM!

He kicked the weapon, disrupting Zhao Shen's stance.

The trident wobbled.

The crowd froze.

Even Zhao Shen's eyes widened in shock.

Nobody—nobody—had ever dared to attack the weapon itself.

For a split second, Zhao Shen was completely open.

And Wang Li took full advantage.

"Shadow Fang Technique—Piercing Night!"

His dagger disappeared into thin air.

Zhao Shen instinctively raised his arms—but Wang Li had already moved.

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The dagger reappeared below him, aimed directly at his exposed shoulder.

SLICE!

Blood sprayed into the air.

Zhao Shen stumbled back, clutching his arm, his breath sharp. His face twisted in shock and disbelief.

The entire hall was silent.

Even the Sect Master's eyes gleamed with intrigue.

Zhao Shen's hands trembled slightly. Not from fear, but from sheer humiliation.

Nobody had ever drawn his blood in a duel.

Wang Li twirled his dagger. "You talk a big game," he said casually, "but I don't see you laughing anymore."

Zhao Shen's rage was palpable.

He raised his trident again, and the air shifted.

The water around him began to pulse violently, condensing into a swirling typhoon of raw power.

"I was playing nice," Zhao Shen said, his voice low and dangerous.

"Not anymore."

The storm in the hall intensified, winds howling, droplets of water slicing through the air like blades. The entire chamber began to shake under his power.

Wang Li felt his heart pound.

This... was about to get a lot worse.