Boom!
Jian Wuji’s sword strike was vicious, like a dragon emerging from its lair or molten lava bursting forth, aimed to pierce Ling Xiao’s heart.
“Ha!”
Ling Xiao didn’t move, merely letting out a fierce roar.
Boom!
In that instant, the terrifying sword qi shattered, dissolving into specks of light, unable to even breach Ling Xiao’s protective Heavenly Essence.
Yet the power of Ling Xiao’s dragon roar didn’t dissipate, surging toward Jian Wuji.
“Immortal Guides the Way!”
Jian Wuji, shocked that his strike failed, retreated in a daze as the force came at him, then slashed backward with his sword.
This strike was a sudden thrust during his retreat, not only powerful but also unexpected.
The terrifying sword qi was mere inches from Ling Xiao.
To the watching warriors, this strike seemed impossible for Ling Xiao to counter, with no outcome but injury or defeat.
“Cloud Dragon Divine Step: Phantom Array!”
In that moment, Ling Xiao’s figure vanished, and the entire stage seemed engulfed in an illusion, the space itself appearing distorted.
Bang!
Ling Xiao’s figure reappeared, his palm striking toward Jian Wuji’s chest.
But Jian Wuji wasn’t to be underestimated. He instantly condensed a sword body, boosting his defence several times, his form like an unedged sword.
After taking Ling Xiao’s blow, Jian Wuji thrust his sword at Ling Xiao’s throat.
This was no longer a mere duel but a fight to the death.
Crack!
Ling Xiao’s response was even more astonishing. His right hand, shimmering with black-golden light, caught Jian Wuji’s sword between two fingers, halting the attack.
“Sword Shadow Maze Technique!”
Jian Wuji’s counter wasn’t weak.
As one of the Six Princes, he wouldn’t be without skill.
Moreover, he had inherited the Sword King Canon, a legacy combining movement, internal energy, martial techniques, and defensive skills.
The Sword Shadow Maze Technique was an advanced movement formula.
It was elusive and sharp as a blade.
Paired with swordsmanship, it allowed for attack and retreat, incredibly powerful.
Against another opponent, Jian Wuji’s technique would likely lead to an instant defeat.
He hadn’t even bothered using it against Lan Yuer, intending it for Ji Mingkong.
But now, he had no choice but to use it to deal with Ling Xiao.
Using the technique, he easily broke free from Ling Xiao’s grasp, his figure turning into fleeting afterimages, invisible to the naked eye.
“I can’t keep up with my eyes!”
“Is this Jian Wuji’s true strength? He wasn’t even serious against Lan Yuer.”
“Amazing, reacting so quickly in such a short time. Truly one of the Six Princes.”
“But Ling Xiao’s incredible too. He still hasn’t used any martial techniques. Is he really planning to defeat Jian Wuji, one of the Six Princes, with just ordinary attacks?”
“Hard to say!”
Those who had called Ling Xiao overconfident and arrogant were now confused.
Jian Wuji’s performance was striking, yet he couldn’t defeat Ling Xiao, showing just how formidable Ling Xiao was.
“Go to hell! The future is mine, not yours!”
Suddenly, Jian Wuji, moving at high speed, closed in on Ling Xiao.
In that instant, his explosive force peaked, his body and sword nearly becoming one.
“Sword King Canon’s Ultimate Technique: Sword King’s Wrath!”
It was truly like a sword king’s fury, the terrifying sword qi slicing through the air, chilling the onlookers’ faces and hearts.
“Is this your strongest move? What a disappointment!”
Ling Xiao stood still, not moving an inch. So far, he hadn’t even used ten percent of his strength.
He’d let Jian Wuji perform to learn from him.
As the saying goes, among three people, there’s always a teacher. Ling Xiao didn’t look down on those weaker than him, believing everyone had strengths worth learning.
Jian Wuji was no exception.
Having learned what he needed, there was no reason to let Jian Wuji continue.
Undeniably, Jian Wuji was strong, as his defeat of Lan Yuer proved.
Against any opponent outside the Six Princes, Jian Wuji would likely dominate and win.
Sadly, he faced Ling Xiao.
The gap in cultivation and skill was insurmountable.
From the start, his defeat was inevitable.
Still not drawing his sword, Ling Xiao decided to give Jian Wuji a somewhat dignified end.
He slowly gathered Heavenly Essence Force, forming a massive Hell Dragon Sword in his hand.
Suppressing his force to about ten percent, he infused it with devastating Sword Intent and struck.
“Heavenly Vein Air Sword: Hell Dragon Sword!”
Facing this strike, Jian Wuji’s face changed, terror fully exposed.
Only now did he realise Ling Xiao’s refusal to use a sword wasn’t disdain but because he was too weak.
The gap between him and Ling Xiao was like heaven and earth.
When he tried to react and block, he could do nothing.
Ling Xiao’s Hell Dragon Sword was like a roaring flood.
And he was but a tiny infant in its current.
No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t escape the terrifying impact.
Boom!
It didn’t even seem like a sword, so massive it nearly spanned the stage’s width as it struck.
“Hmm, still didn’t control it well.”
Ling Xiao frowned. The force was slightly too much; it wasn’t necessary.
“It seems my control over Heavenly Essence Force isn’t as refined as with True Essence Force.”
As he reflected, a figure flew off the stage, blood staining it vividly.
Half of Jian Wuji’s body was nearly severed, despite his desperate defence.
Of course, he wouldn’t die.
At the Heavenly Vein Warrior stage, as long as the brain and heart remained intact, one could survive.
But he’d likely need to be remade as a half-puppet, or he’d be crippled, unable to move.
What was this? How was he so strong!
Jian Wuji’s eyes held not anger but despair, utter despondency, and a loss of will to live.
“Sorry, I misjudged the force. I only meant to take your arm, not ruin your lower body.”
Ling Xiao wasn’t mocking but genuinely apologising.
He held no deep grudge against Jian Wuji. The enmity from their brothers’ feud had been settled long ago, and after so much time, his hatred had faded.
