Originally, no matter what, a bare palm could never clash with a blade. But after reaching the third level of martial arts, true energy can be freely released from the body. Young Man in White formed his palm into a blade, and as he struck, a layer of true energy naturally coated his palm. With this protection, he could use his bare palm to clash with weapons.

When fist and palm collided, a thunderous sound of energy clashing rang out. William Clark felt an irresistible surge of true energy travel along his broad-backed saber, forcing him to stagger back three steps before he could steady himself.

"To think that a third-level martial artist is this powerful! This is trouble!" Shaking his slightly numb arm, William Clark couldn't help but complain inwardly.

Seeing William Clark looking a bit disheveled, Young Man in White actually began to take him more seriously. In that direct clash just now, he had used sixty percent of his strength, thinking he could send William Clark flying several meters with a single strike. But now it seemed that, although William Clark was only at the mid-stage of the second level, his true combat power was extremely formidable—stronger even than those at the peak of the second level.

Although he knew William Clark was quite strong, Young Man in White still didn't take him too seriously. With a hint of mockery, he said, "Heh, how did that palm blade feel? You killed fifteen of our people—soon, I'll cut you into fifteen pieces to avenge my clan's disciples."

William Clark replied coolly, "If you want to fight, then fight. Enough with the nonsense!" As he spoke, he stepped forward half a pace, swept out his saber, and launched another attack.

No matter how strong someone is, they have weaknesses. William Clark noticed that although this Young Man was powerful, he had a glaring flaw: arrogance and underestimating his opponent. When he took William Clark's strike just now, he clearly had a weapon but didn't draw it—obviously out of pride and contempt!

This arrogance and contempt was undoubtedly good news for William Clark. In an instant, he channeled all his true energy, and his broad-backed saber unleashed "Clear Wind Slash."

Swish, swish, swish—

William Clark struck three times in quick succession.

Clang, clang, clang—

Young Man in White was truly impressive. With a lift of his palm, blue light flowed as his hand danced through the air, actually blocking all three of William Clark's strikes. He exclaimed in surprise, "That's an intermediate martial technique! You can actually use an intermediate technique?"

William Clark sneered. After the three strikes, he silently unleashed another three slashes.

Seeing the saber light crisscrossing everywhere, Young Man in White's expression changed instantly. He shouted, "Impossible! Intermediate combat techniques consume a huge amount of true energy. You're only at the second level—how can you unleash six intermediate slashes in one go?"

Young Man in White could hardly believe William Clark's performance, but the broad-backed saber was already upon him, forcing him to focus and respond with all his might.

"Clang, clang, clang—" After barely blocking William Clark's six strikes, Young Man in White felt his entire arm go numb from the fierce saber force. The true energy coating his palm was nearly shattered by those terrifying three slashes.

Now, Young Man in White deeply regretted not drawing his sword earlier.

A bare palm is still a bare palm—even with true energy, it can't compare to a real weapon. Against weak opponents, a bare palm might suffice, but facing a formidable adversary like William Clark, trying to block with just his palm was a colossal mistake!

Young Man in White was about to dodge aside and draw his sword to finish off William Clark, when suddenly he saw that William Clark's saber didn't pause at all—amidst the flashing blade, another three slashes came forth!

Young Man in White was shocked, an unprecedented sense of danger rising in his heart. He had already blocked six of William Clark's strikes barehanded, greatly depleting his inner energy and suffering internal injuries to his hands and meridians.

At this point, if he tried to block another three slashes barehanded, his hands would likely be severed! Horrified, Young Man in White no longer dared to block head-on. Instead, he used a marvelous footwork technique—Ripple Step—to dodge within a tiny space. His movement was truly extraordinary; in such a cramped area, he managed to perform all sorts of evasive maneuvers, slipping past William Clark's three slashes from seemingly impossible angles!

Seeing Young Man in White resort to evasive footwork rather than blocking his saber head-on, William Clark was secretly pleased. His "Clear Wind Slash" was an offensive saber technique—its first trait was speed, and its second was being as pervasive as the wind, able to penetrate any defense. Since Young Man in White had gone fully on the defensive, it gave him the perfect opportunity to capitalize.

Taking a deep breath, William Clark gathered all his true energy, and his broad-backed saber, like a gust of wind, unleashed another slash!

This was William Clark's tenth Clear Wind Slash!

This strike embodied all of William Clark's cultivation. As the blade swept out, it instantly compressed Young Man in White's space to dodge to a single point—every possible escape route was sealed off by the saber's momentum; there was nowhere left to dodge!

Young Man in White suddenly felt the breath of death rush toward him. His eyes widened, and a look of terror appeared on his face. Forcing down his fear, he swung both palms with all his might to block William Clark's terrifying strike.