Wielding his blade, Ning Yue met Feng Hai head-on. Neither gave an inch, exchanging over ten offensive and defensive moves, each one lethal.
The Cold Light Blade suddenly flared with a radiant glow, swirling into a flurry of blade-flowers, like silver snakes dancing wildly in the darkness, momentarily blurring Feng Hai's vision.
Ning Yue seized the opportunity, stepping with Star Mark Step, turning his blade to strike Xu Mu, who was hesitating to the side.
Moonlight, like gauze, gently enshrouded the blade, concealing the Cold Light Blade's sharpness, making it resemble a crescent moon. Only Xu Mu, facing it directly, could feel just how vicious this gentle strike truly was!
This was a strike of ultimate slaughter, uninhibited, capable of cutting down all things!
The junior officers guarding the courtyard gate were mesmerized by the stunning blade, now realizing the might of their Xiaoqi.
A fleeting strike descended!
The fierce blade glow was long and sharp, cutting ripples through the surrounding air. The sudden gust of wind, like clouds and mist, swirled around the blade, chilling Xu Mu to the bone.
He was already fearful, knowing that even at his peak, he would struggle to block this blade. So, he took to his heels, retreating while urgently shouting, "Brother Hai, help me!"
Feng Hai, having just escaped the intense clash and gaining a brief moment to catch his breath, heard the call. Though annoyed by Xu Mu's earlier slackness, seeing Ning Yue's killing move about to be unleashed and Xu Mu unable to block it even with his life, he could only draw his blade and charge forward.
The Cold Light Blade cleaved down with the force of splitting a mountain, its glow dimming the moonlight. Terrified, Xu Mu hastily raised his long blade, firmly establishing his horse stance in early defense, his feet rooted as if to the ground, even cracking the bluestone slab.
Who knew the blade would suddenly turn again, letting the moonlight shine empty and the fierce wind flow sideways.
The originally murderous Cold Light Blade was abruptly sheathed backward by its master. This imminent strike, for any Lianrou (Body Refinement) Realm Xiaoqi, would have been impossible to recall, yet it followed Ning Yue's twisting waist and turn.
Military Basic Blademanship — Horse-Turning Blade!
A sudden turn of the blade, and a cold light flashed before the eyes!
No one expected that Ning Yue's second target would not be Xu Mu, but the strongest among them, Feng Hai!
In a flash of lightning, Feng Hai, who had just lowered his guard, felt his heart leap into his throat. He hastily raised his long blade horizontally across his chest to block.
"Clang!" The sound was heavy and long, echoing for a long time.
This was the first weapon collision since the two sides began fighting.
With one strike, Feng Hai's blade broke before him, and his right arm, capable of lifting a cauldron, was severed at the elbow!
"Pfft!" Feng Hai, at the peak of the Lianrou (Body Refinement) Realm, was struck by the blade qi, spitting blood as he fell to the ground, his face turning ashen white as snow in an instant.
Xu Mu, with his blade raised and foot planted, was utterly bewildered, frozen like a wooden chicken in an instant.
......
"Hmph!" The blue-robed Baihu's face was frosty, and even the evening breeze felt colder. His heart was filled with intense hatred. With a swirl of his cloak, he drifted away with the night wind.
Xiao Wenjie stared blankly at the scene beneath the eaves, speechless for a long time.
Although Xu Mu, still capable of fighting, remained in the field, and Ning Yue was still panting heavily, any discerning person knew that the moment Feng Hai fell, the outcome was decided.
Is this really the Lianrou (Body Refinement) Realm?!
Xiao Wenjie mused that even when he first stepped into the Yijin (Tendon Changing) initial realm, he probably wasn't this formidable.
His blademanship was perfectly fluid, clearly a sign of complete mastery. His movement technique was ethereal and traceless, at least a high-grade Profound-tier skill, and he had cultivated it to a deep level.
"Among these three thousand Xiaoqi, even including those old fellows who have honed their skills for over a decade, I'm afraid no one can suppress him now."
He suddenly recalled that night, Ning Yue rushing to the inner city gate, a human head hanging from his waist. He still remembered Ning Yue saying at the time, "I was lucky to win."
He had been dismissive then, but now he understood: when two foes meet, there is no such thing as luck.
"What a pity. It seems I will have to personally send you on your way."
A soft sigh was left on the eaves as Xiao Wenjie headed straight for the Martial Arts Pavilion.
"Pop... Hiss—" A wisp of goatee was unconsciously plucked by Old Fu, and it took him a while to feel the pain.
He looked into the tent. Xue Ren's breathing was steady, and he was completely buried under the covers, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep.
......
In the spacious inner courtyard, the bluestone slabs were marred by deep, bottomless scars from the aftermath of the battle.
An old general with white hair and beard stood in a corner of the courtyard, his fingers trembling slightly, causing his long blade to shiver uncontrollably, as if it too had been scared out of its ferocity.
"Clang!" The long blade finally fell to the ground, and Xu Mu followed, kneeling on one knee to steady his uncontrolled body.
Although the previous strike had not landed on him, it had completely shattered his fighting spirit.
The old general, who had fought countless battles and was about to return home in glory, at this moment resembled an old man in his twilight years. At this very moment, he didn't know what to say.
It was their own impure intentions to begin with; it was Xu Mu himself who wanted to earn some extra money against his conscience before returning home. What else could he say?
But if he said nothing, would Ning Yue, who had become addicted to killing, let him go?
Those words of regret and plea for mercy were stuck in his throat, unable to be spit out or swallowed, like a fishbone lodged there, truly damn uncomfortable!
As Ning Yue looked back, the lamps were bright, and the evening breeze ruffled his clothes. Suddenly, he felt a sense of weariness.
"You may go! I will arrange for the two of them properly."
So, Xu Mu sadly got up and left.
He had arrived with his blade and wine, old yet vigorous, but as he turned to leave, he resembled a pathetic defeated dog.
From then on, they would never meet again.
Ning Yue waved towards the entrance.
Wei Xian and Liu Song quickly led their men to bandage Feng Hai's severed arm to stop the bleeding, helped up the unconscious Chen Ye, and then rushed them to the military doctor.
On the sixth day of the fourth month, the long, endless night was finally coming to an end.
Ning Yue stood alone in the empty, silent courtyard, unwilling to move for a long time. He looked up at the night sky, where the crescent moon hung like a hook.
......
The lamp in the side room of the small courtyard had been lit all along. At one point, the lamp flickered, and a figure in a green robe sat cross-legged on the bed. Ning Yue, having just witnessed the treachery of human hearts, took out the Three Calamity Dragon-Tiger Mixed Yuan Skill that his good brother had given him from his in arms.
It wasn't until two days ago, when he received this cultivation method, that Ning Yue truly understood how expensive the favors of aristocratic families were!
This cultivation method inherited from ancient Daoists was a genuine top-tier Earth-grade profound art, allowing one to cultivate all the way to the Acquired Realm.
The First Calamity — Falling Scales Burning Heart: Supplemented by Dragon Heart Fruit, dragon fire burns skin and tendons, reshaping the flesh like profound steel. Upon completion, one can reach the Great Accomplishment Realm of the Outer Heavens.
The Second Calamity — Tiger Ghoul Devouring Soul: Supplemented by Profound Flood Dragon Marrow Tempering Pill, it draws the fierce qi of the White Tiger into the body, forging bones and cleansing marrow, achieving the supreme Golden Body Jade Marrow physique. Upon completion, one can reach the Marrow Cleansing Realm.
The Third Calamity — Dragon Tiger Harmonizing with the Dao: Reversing Yin and Yang, changing qi and blood, requires Sulfur Flame Spirit Saliva to protect the body to cultivate. Upon completion, one can directly enter the Acquired Realm.
Among these, Xue Ren had already prepared the Dragon Heart Fruit and the Profound Flood Dragon Marrow Tempering Pill for him. Only the Sulfur Flame Spirit Saliva was truly too rare, and even the Xue Family found it difficult to locate.
But for now, it was enough.
Without further ado, Ning Yue decided to break through to Yijin (Tendon Changing) tonight.
The situation was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, and he had to increase his strength for self-preservation.
But just as he concentrated to summon his panel, a knocking sound came from outside the door, causing Ning Yue to frown.