Ji Changfeng held the Dragon-Slaying Sword loosely in his hand.
His calm gaze rested on the aloof young woman before him, a flicker of heartache passing through his eyes…
Sigh.
Xueqi is perfect in every way, except for that stubborn streak.
Lu Xueqi caught the trace of concern in his eyes.
For reasons she couldn't quite grasp, her heart ached. She silently tightened her grip on the Tianya Divine Sword.
Hmph!
I don't need your pity!
Didn't you say you'd avenge your Senior Sister?
Come on, then!
Hoo…
Lu Xueqi exhaled softly.
Gripping Tianya, she began to rise into the air.
Above the Nine Heavens, fierce winds whipped up, sending her hair and skirt fluttering wildly.
She gazed boldly at the sky, her exquisite face as cold as frost, her eyes startlingly clear. No matter how fiercely the winds howled, she refused to yield even half a step…
That was Lu Xueqi—a singular woman.
Beauty, strength, stubbornness, and aloofness all woven into one.
Lose even a fraction of that, and she would no longer be Lu Xueqi.
Ji Changfeng watched the scene unfold in silence.
He made no move to act.
Instead, he stood rooted in place, quietly admiring the breathtaking moment.
Swish—
As sword light flickered, the winds and clouds of the heavens shifted!
Lu Xueqi slowly raised her head.
She tilted her snowy neck, gazing upward.
In that moment, the winds stilled.
The world seemed to fall silent.
Rumble—
A low, surging roar echoed from the heavens above.
It reverberated through the entire expanse of the world.
Clang—
A clear, crisp sword cry rang out.
Lu Xueqi reversed her grip on the Tianya Divine Sword.
Radiant azure light bloomed, bathing her in its glow. Her skirt billowed, her hair danced in the air.
Her face like frost, she formed a sword gesture with her hand. Stepping through the seven-star pattern, she took seven precise steps in midair, her divine sword pointing skyward.
In an instant, her flawless complexion turned deathly pale.
Not a trace of color remained.
She had poured every ounce of her spiritual energy into this single strike.
"Nine Heavens' Mysterious Brake, transform into divine thunder; with the majestic might of the heavens, I guide it with my sword!"
Her cold, clear voice resounded through the world.
In that moment, the heavens and earth lost their luster.
Rumble—
A deafening thunderclap roared from the sky above.
Dark clouds gathered in an ominous mass.
Black clouds press upon the city, threatening to crush it!
The winds howled fiercely once more.
The crowd around the arena gasped in shock.
"The Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique?"
"She… she's actually using the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique?!"
The elder overseeing the match wore a look of urgent concern.
What is going on here?
How did a simple spar escalate into a life-or-death battle?
And now she's even unleashing the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique?!
Zhang Xiaofan stared blankly at the spectacle created by the technique.
His lips twitched slightly.
He lowered his head in silence.
Five years ago, that night… it wasn't so different from this…
On the high platform, the sect leaders' faces shifted.
Master Shuiyue's delicate features were etched with panic.
"Qi'er…"
She knew all too well that with Lu Xueqi's current cultivation, she could only barely grasp the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique. To fully execute it…
It was nearly impossible.
Tian Buyi's expression was grave.
But considering Ji Changfeng's strength, he ultimately held his tongue.
"Senior Sister, trust in Changfeng," Su Ru said softly, gently squeezing Shuiyue's hand in reassurance.
"Mm…" Shuiyue nodded faintly.
Her worried gaze lingered on Lu Xueqi's figure. Now, she could only place her hopes in Ji Changfeng.
Please, Changfeng… handle this.
Tianyun Daoren, Zeng Shuchang, and Shang Zhengliang were utterly dumbfounded.
Is this really the Seven Peaks Martial Assembly?
Are disciples these days this ferocious?
To think someone could wield the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique?!
The three turned to Daoxuan and the others, only to find them equally stunned.
Daoxuan Zhenren stroked his beard.
He glanced at Lu Xueqi with surprise. To think a female disciple from Xiaozhu Peak could wield the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique at Jade Purity Ninth Layer?
The Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique was no ordinary art. Even cultivators at the Upper Purity realm struggled to wield it…
Daoxuan's gaze shifted.
Lu Xueqi's face was ghostly pale—she was clearly overextending herself.
He shook his head slightly.
Yet he wasn't overly concerned for her safety.
After all, Ji Changfeng was right there.
That lad's got his eye on this girl, hasn't he?
Heh, a perfect chance for a hero to save the beauty.
Daoxuan chuckled to himself.
On the Arena
Blood trickled from the corner of Lu Xueqi's mouth.
She might have appeared majestic, but in truth…
The pressure was immense!
The relentless force from the heavens bore down, churning her qi and blood, shaking her meridians.
Her spiritual energy was nearly depleted.
She might not be able to sustain the Divine Sword Thunder-Control Technique much longer.
Rumble—
Thunder roared ceaselessly from the sky.
Lu Xueqi bit her lip, unwilling to give in.
She stood alone amidst the storm of wind and thunder, her figure swaying, her face deathly pale.
To onlookers, a trace of sorrow flickered in the aloof girl's eyes. Against the boundless pressure of the heavens, she seemed so small…
Rumble!
The thunder gathered, a faint backlash of infinite force looming.
Pfft—
Lu Xueqi spat out another mouthful of blood.
Her skirt fluttered, her hair danced wildly. A wave of helplessness washed over her…
In the end, she couldn't wield this supreme technique.
Her gaze drifted downward, to the upright figure below. He stood calmly, watching the thunder above, his divine sword faintly poised…
Swish—
Lu Xueqi could hold on no longer.
Biting her lip, she released Tianya, her slender form plummeting from the Nine Heavens like a fallen immortal.
"Qi'er!" Master Shuiyue's face paled.
She moved to intervene.
But someone was faster.
Swish—
Ji Changfeng took a single step.
Like a sharp sword, he shot into the clouds, catching the delicate figure in his arms.
He glanced down.
The aloof girl in his arms was deathly pale, stirring pity in anyone who saw her. Her lips were colorless, a trace of sorrow glimmering in her eyes.
"Senior Sister Lu."
"Is winning or losing really that important?"
As Lu Xueqi teetered on the edge of unconsciousness, a soft chuckle sounded in her ear.
She struggled to open her eyes.
She found herself cradled in a warm embrace.
The spirited young man wore a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned by the thunder above.
What… did he just call me?
Lu Xueqi's heart skipped a beat.
She stared blankly at Ji Changfeng, her frail form resting securely in his arms. All the turmoil in her heart stilled.
In his arms…
Nothing could harm her.
Ji Changfeng produced a Great Yellow Pill and gently brought it to her lips. "Senior Sister, open your mouth~"
Instinctively, Lu Xueqi parted her lips.
The pill melted instantly, its potent energy spreading through her meridians, warming her from within…
She gazed at Ji Changfeng, dazed.
In that moment, her eyes saw only him.
Clang—
A crisp sword cry rang out.
Ji Changfeng, one arm cradling the beauty, summoned the Dragon-Slaying Sword with the other.
He looked skyward.
The endless thunder above left his expression unchanged.
Even in the face of the boundless might of the heavens, he seemed so small.
But…
What of it?
"I have one sword!"
"It can vanquish all foes!"
His voice resolute, Ji Changfeng stepped forward, sword in hand.
In an instant, still holding the beauty, he ascended to the Nine Heavens.
Under every gaze, he slowly raised the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
His eyes gleamed with razor-sharp sword intent, his spirit unyielding as he faced the heavens.
Rumble—
A deafening thunderclap rolled through the sky.
A fierce bolt of lightning, carrying the immense power of the heavens, descended as if to tear Ji Changfeng apart.
The crowd instinctively shut their eyes.
Swish—
But in that moment, a dazzling sword light flashed.
Ji Changfeng swung his sword.
A colossal wave of sword qi surged forth, cleaving toward the thunderbolt.
The sword light was radiant.
It was blinding.
As if…
It was the only sword in the world!
The only sword in everyone's hearts!
Swish—
As the sword light blazed, a clear, resonant voice echoed in every ear:
"Let me ask the world's sword cultivators—who can withstand my single strike!"
The words fell.
The sword qi shattered the thunder.
It split the clouds!
Above the Nine Heavens, only a figure in white stood tall.
The beauty in his arms stared, wide-eyed, at the spirited young man before her, utterly captivated.
[…]
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