Fang Han leapt forward, channeling every ounce of his spirit into the Spirit Wind Sword. The weapon whistled through the air with a shriek like thunder breaking the sky—an explosion of light and motion, blazing like a meteor streaking toward the earth.
In that instant, he felt as though his body and the sword had become one. His consciousness fused with the blade's will—there was no longer man and sword, only the unity of both, cutting through the heavens together.
In the blink of an eye, the Spirit Wind Sword reached the Red Dust Prince's throat. It was so close that Fang Han could almost feel the moment his blade would slice through flesh, staining itself with the blood of the demonic prince.
But—
The air shifted.
A wave of crimson light burst from the Red Dust Prince's body, rippling outward like liquid fire. The Spirit Wind Sword struck the light, only to feel as though it had plunged into a thick swamp—its speed slowed, its strength dampened, its edge trapped.
"You survived the Six Desires Yin Thunder? Impossible! No one resists its poison. You must be carrying a powerful treasure!" The Red Dust Prince spun, his eyes gleaming with eerie demonic light.
Fang Han's mind reeled. A dizziness washed over him, and his body felt paralyzed. His spirit trembled as though his very soul was being dragged toward those glowing eyes.
"The Soul-Capturing Demon Eyes!"
In a flash of desperation, he bit down on his tongue—pain flared, and his mind cleared.
This was one of the Red Dust Demon Sect's forbidden arts, a mental technique that could twist the minds of the weak and plunge them into illusion. It wasn't a physical strike, but its power could cripple an opponent's will. Fortunately, Fang Han had read about this technique in The Compendium of All Realms.
The Red Dust Prince hadn't yet reached the Divine Transformation stage—otherwise, his spiritual power would have turned solid and wiped them all out.
"Red Desire Sword!"
The prince, enraged that his demonic gaze had failed, waved his hand. His rose-colored sword screamed through the air, aiming straight for Fang Han's skull.
Fang Han's blood ran cold. If it hits my head, even the Yellow Springs Diagram can't save me. The artifact only absorbed attacks that struck his body directly—it was a passive defense, not something he could control.
He couldn't take that chance.
With a sharp mental command, the Spirit Wind Sword spun back, intercepting the incoming strike. The two spiritual swords collided midair, their clash scattering sparks that lit the desert sky. Sword-qi howled around them, tearing through sand and air alike.
Damn it! Fang Han gritted his teeth. That protective robe he's wearing—how can it still resist my attacks? If I can't break through, I'll lose everything!
The Red Dust Prince, sensing Fang Han's struggle, pressed his advantage. His swordplay turned ruthless, every thrust aiming straight for Fang Han's head.
"It seems you can't use that mysterious artifact of yours," the prince sneered. "Another treasure like the Heavenly Rooster's Sun Rope—my luck is truly blessed. Two divine treasures in one day!"
Each of his footsteps echoed like a death knell. Step by step, he advanced, driving Fang Han back—three paces, two, one. Sparks rained from their swords as the Red Desire Sword slammed again and again into the Spirit Wind Sword, each impact threatening to shatter Fang Han's defense.
The pressure was crushing. Fang Han's focus stretched to its limit; one slip of concentration and his spirit link to the sword would falter—then death would follow in a heartbeat.
Just as the prince raised his sword for a killing blow—
A crimson shadow shot from the ground.
"Red Yi Junzhu!"
The princess's blade flashed with lethal precision, thrusting straight at the Red Dust Prince's throat. Her timing was flawless, her strike sharp and sure—the mark of a born assassin.
The prince's eyes widened. Crimson ripples flared once more around his body, spreading outward like water disturbed by a stone. The princess's sword struck the ripples and slowed, trapped as if caught in invisible waves.
"Perfect timing!" Fang Han's heart surged. This is it!
The prince's distraction caused his Red Desire Sword to hesitate. Fang Han seized the moment—his mind flared, commanding the Spirit Wind Sword to strike with explosive force. The Red Desire Sword was knocked from the air, crashing into the sand below.
Fang Han didn't hesitate. Gathering all his spirit into a single thought, he brought the Spirit Wind Sword down once more.
Crack—!
The crimson barrier around the Red Dust Prince shattered.
"You think you can kill me?" the prince bellowed, his rage shaking the air. His body blazed red again as he poured all his energy into his enchanted robe, forcing the light to reform.
"Break!" Fang Han roared.
A burst of black smoke exploded from his body, coalescing into a massive demonic face—the Heavenly Wolf's Seven Fiend Smoke!
Fang Han spat a mouthful of blood onto it, the smoke writhing and howling as if coming alive. The demon face opened its fanged mouth and lunged.
With a terrifying crunch, it bit deep into the Red Dust Prince's crimson light—and tore a piece away.
The prince's eyes went wide with horror. "The Heavenly Wolf's Seven Fiend Smoke! That was in Wang Molin's possession—how do you have it!?"
But his words died in his throat. The black smoke surged, devouring his light, then his flesh. In moments, his body convulsed, darkened, and fell lifeless to the sand.
"Collect."
Fang Han murmured the command, and the demonic smoke retreated into his body, returning to the Yellow Springs Diagram.
Normally, any artifact absorbed into the Diagram would have its will erased—but because Fang Han had bound it with his blood, its connection to the Nine Apertures Golden Elixir allowed his treasures to remain untouched.
The Heavenly Wolf's Seven Fiend Smoke—a relic he had taken from a fallen foe—had finally proven its worth.
The Red Dust Prince was dead.
Red Yi Junzhu stared in shock, her sword trembling in her hand. "He… he's dead?"
Fang Han exhaled slowly, exhaustion washing over him. "He's dead. Now move—clean the battlefield. We've won."