Master Yan Ci, being a seasoned expert, felt an intense sense of danger upon seeing Ye Qiu’s sword intent, his expression instantly turning grave.
His hands swiftly formed seals, and he shouted, “Lin, Bing, Dou, Zhe, Jie, Zhen…”
Boom!
A dazzling white light, thick as a bucket, fiercely struck the sword intent Ye Qiu had unleashed.
Not far away.
Qian Shan Xue’s delicate face was filled with worry, “Yan Ci has cultivated the Nine-Word Mantra to the sixth word. Can Ye Qiu withstand it?”
“Ye Qiu’s sword intent is very strong…” Before Qiu Shan Nan Ge could finish, Ye Qiu’s sword intent sliced through the white light.
Master Yan Ci’s face changed drastically. He quickly channelled his true qi, and in an instant, four strands of true qi gathered on his fist.
“Die!”
Master Yan Ci threw a punch at Ye Qiu’s sword intent.
With this punch, Master Yan Ci was fully confident that, even if he couldn’t severely injure Ye Qiu, shattering the sword intent would be more than enough.
Yet, the next second, Master Yan Ci’s pupils contracted sharply.
He hadn’t expected his fist’s force to sink like a stone in the sea, causing no ripple, nor stopping Ye Qiu’s sword intent.
A terrifying killing aura descended.
“Not good, this kid’s sword intent is unstoppable.”
Master Yan Ci turned to flee.
But it was too late.
“Boom!”
Ye Qiu’s sword intent came down, striking Master Yan Ci’s head.
Pfft—
Master Yan Ci’s head split like a watermelon, blood and brains splattering.
His body collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Qian Shan Xue and Qiu Shan Nan Ge’s mouths fell open, their faces filled with shock.
This was Master Yan Ci, the head of Jiguang Temple!
The second most powerful figure in Great East martial arts, second only to the martial god Miyamoto Musashi, and Ye Qiu had killed him in a single move?
If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have believed it.
It felt too unreal!
Ye Qiu looked at Master Yan Ci’s corpse, mentally assessing his own strength.
“I’ve cultivated two strands of innate true qi, received the inheritance of Tsukahara’s Sword Saint, and survived the heavenly tribulation. My strength has grown rapidly.”
“Since I can now kill a four-strand true qi expert in one move, it means I can handle a five-strand expert with ease.”
“Even if I face a six-strand expert in the future, I can hold my own, and at the very least, I can protect myself without issue.”
Ye Qiu realised his innate true qi was far stronger than acquired qi, allowing him to fight above his level.
This was good news for him.
“With a bit more effort, once I cultivate four strands of innate true qi, I should be able to challenge a nine-strand expert.”
Ye Qiu turned, looking at Qian Shan Xue and Qiu Shan Nan Ge, and asked, “Are you both alright?”
The two women shook their heads.
“Xiao Xue, fetch me a set of clothes. I need to change,” Ye Qiu said.
“Mm.” Qian Shan Xue nodded and quickly left.
Then, Ye Qiu looked at Qiu Shan Nan Ge with a smile, “You must have a lot of questions for me, don’t you?”
Qiu Shan Nan Ge nodded.
“Follow me.” Ye Qiu walked to the Tranquil Spring.
“What are we doing here? You’re not…” Qiu Shan Nan Ge suddenly thought of a possibility but didn’t finish before Ye Qiu tore off his tattered clothes.
This little rascal…
No, big rascal.
Qiu Shan Nan Ge’s face flushed red. She stole a glance at Ye Qiu’s body, then quickly looked away, her face burning.
Splash!
Ye Qiu jumped into the hot spring.
Qiu Shan Nan Ge, feeling awkward and about to leave, couldn’t resist asking, “What was all that thunder at the back mountain earlier?”
“Want to know? Come here.” Ye Qiu beckoned to Qiu Shan Nan Ge with a mischievous grin.
“What are you up to?” Qiu Shan Nan Ge immediately grew wary.
“Come scrub my back,” Ye Qiu said, “If you scrub my back, I’ll tell you about the thunder.”
“Then I’d rather not ask.” Qiu Shan Nan Ge turned to leave.
“Nan Ge, wait.” Ye Qiu called after her, saying, “I’m heading back to Hua Guo.”
Qiu Shan Nan Ge paused, asking, “When?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Ye Qiu said, “I’ve lingered in Great East for a few days. It’s time to go back.”
“Nan Ge, you really won’t consider scrubbing my back?”
“Miss this chance, and who knows when the next one will come.”
Qiu Shan Nan Ge felt a flicker of temptation but, fearing Qian Shan Xue might return and see them, feigned indifference, “I’m heading back.”
She left in a hurry.
“Sigh, this woman’s strange. Her body’s so mature, yet she’s so reserved with her feelings.”
Ye Qiu sighed.
Shortly after Qiu Shan Nan Ge left, Qian Shan Xue returned with clean clothes. She knelt by the hot spring, gently massaging Ye Qiu’s shoulders with great tenderness.
“Is the pressure alright?” Qian Shan Xue asked softly.
“Could be a bit stronger,” Ye Qiu said.
Qian Shan Xue applied more force, “Is this good?”
“Perfect, feels amazing.” Ye Qiu looked utterly relaxed.
Only then did Qian Shan Xue ask, “Did you gain anything at the Enlightenment Platform?”
“Yes,” Ye Qiu said openly, “I received the inheritance of Tsukahara’s Sword Saint.”
“Really? That’s wonderful!” Qian Shan Xue’s face lit up, as if she were happier than if she’d received the inheritance herself.
Ye Qiu said, “Tsukahara’s Sword Saint left behind a sword technique called the Killing Technique. It’s very powerful.”
Qian Shan Xue immediately made the connection, asking, “Is that the sword technique you used to kill Yan Ci?”
“Mm,” Ye Qiu said, “Unfortunately, after I received the inheritance, the Enlightenment Platform was destroyed. Xiao Xue, you don’t blame me, do you?”
Qian Shan Xue smiled, “Why would I blame you? As long as you gained something, that’s what matters.”
So understanding!
Ye Qiu added, “Later, I’ll teach the Killing Technique to you and Nan Ge. Once you master this sword technique, your strength should increase significantly.”
Qian Shan Xue said, “This is Tsukahara’s Sword Saint’s inheritance. Why should we learn it?”
Ye Qiu replied, “I won’t be by your side all the time to protect you. If your strength improves, I’ll feel more at ease.”
So he was worried about her safety.
Qian Shan Xue understood Ye Qiu’s concern and felt especially happy.
“By the way, the thunder at the back mountain earlier didn’t affect you, did it?” Qian Shan Xue asked.
“No,” Ye Qiu didn’t mention it was his heavenly tribulation, changing the subject, “Xiao Xue, I’m heading back.”
Qian Shan Xue’s hands paused, and she asked, “When are you leaving?”
“I’ll spend today with you, then head back to Hua Guo tomorrow morning.” Ye Qiu turned, seeing Qian Shan Xue’s face dim.
Clearly, she was reluctant to see him go.
Not knowing how to comfort her, Ye Qiu pulled Qian Shan Xue into the hot spring, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her.
Soon, Qian Shan Xue clung to Ye Qiu like a water snake.
In an instant, the water rippled…
