Chapter 423 - 420: Slaying Yuan Zhan
Chapter 423: Chapter 420: Slaying Yuan Zhan
"A Grand Merit as a bounty?"
Fang Han’s eyes narrowed. ’No wonder Yuan Zhan looked so excited to see me.’
A Grand Merit was equivalent to three minor merits and could be exchanged for a Grandmaster Level Technique or some precious Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. For any Elder, it was an irresistible temptation.
"That’s right."
The curve of Yuan Zhan’s lips grew more pronounced, his sunken eyes gleaming with greed.
"Your head is worth one Grand Merit in the Netherworld Pavilion. I can’t believe my luck, running into you like this."
He slowly raised his long saber. Its blade was as black as ink, reflecting a cold, sinister light under the sun.
The aura around him surged, and the terrifying pressure of a Late Stage of Third Grade expert bore down on Fang Han like a physical mountain.
"Today is the day you die."
Before his voice had even faded, Yuan Zhan moved.
His figure transformed into a streak of black light, his speed astonishing. In an instant, he was in front of Fang Han.
The long saber, wreathed in dense black Qi Force, shrieked as it tore through the air, cleaving straight for Fang Han’s head.
The strike was fast and vicious, with no intention of testing the waters.
The air ripped apart like cloth as sand and stones were kicked up from the ground around them.
Fang Han’s gaze sharpened. He brought the Cloud Splitting Sword up before him to block the strike head-on.
CLANG—!
The resounding clash of metal echoed as sparks flew in all directions.
An immense force traveled through the blade. The ground beneath Fang Han’s feet cracked and splintered, yet his body didn’t move an inch.
His 100,000 jin of physical strength from the Entry Level of the Xuanwu True Skill, combined with his Early Third Grade Inner Qi, allowed him to channel the Perfection stage of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting and block Yuan Zhan’s strike.
"Hm?"
A flicker of astonishment crossed Yuan Zhan’s eyes.
Although he hadn’t used his full strength in that strike, it was still seventy or eighty percent of his power. An ordinary Third Grade Martial Artist would have been severely injured, if not killed, by that blow.
Yet this young man had taken it so effortlessly.
And if his senses weren’t mistaken, the young man’s Cultivation had already broken through to the Third Grade.
’Only twenty years old, and he’s already broken through the bottleneck to the Upper Three Grades that stumps countless others.’
"To have already broken through to the Third Grade... what terrifying Talent. A pity you have to die here today."
Yuan Zhan sneered, and his Saber’s Momentum changed.
His long saber transformed into a sky full of black afterimages, raining down like a torrential storm.
Each strike, wrapped in a bone-chilling black Qi Force, completely enveloped Fang Han.
Instead of retreating, Fang Han advanced. His Cloud Splitting Sword danced like a spinning wheel as streams of cyan Sword Qi crisscrossed, clashing violently with the storm of saber shadows.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG—!
The sound of metal on metal exploded in a dense staccato, like popping beans, sending sparks flying.
The two figures clashed fiercely in the open space before the mine.
Fang Han pushed the Wind and Cloud Escape to its limit. His figure became erratic and unpredictable as he weaved through Yuan Zhan’s sharp Saber Momentum.
He didn’t clash head-on with Yuan Zhan, instead relying on the agility of his Body Technique to find an opportunity to counterattack.
Yuan Zhan’s Saber Technique was fierce and domineering, each strike carrying Mountain-Splitting Stone-Shattering Momentum.
But Yuan Zhan’s Body Technique was clearly inferior. After several dozen exchanges, Fang Han had managed to cut in from the side several times, nearly landing a sword strike.
’What incredible Swordsmanship!’
A grave look flashed in Yuan Zhan’s eyes.
’This young man’s strength far exceeds my estimations.’
’His physical strength is astonishing, his Swordsmanship is sharp, and his Body Technique is as elusive as a ghost.’
’He’s clearly only in the Early Third Grade, yet he’s able to fight me, a Late Stage of Third Grade expert, on even footing, not losing out in the slightest.’
In the distance, Wu Zheng, who was lying on the ground, struggled to push himself up. His eyes fell on the cyan-robed figure in the center of the fray, a look of astonishment on his face.
He had thought Fang Han wouldn’t last ten moves against Yuan Zhan.
But unexpectedly, dozens of moves later, not only had Fang Han not been defeated, but he was fighting Yuan Zhan to a standstill.
And the reason was—
"Third Grade... Fang Han has actually broken through to the Third Grade!"
Wu Zheng muttered to himself, his voice hoarse.
He finally understood why the Sect had sent a True Disciple like Fang Han to support him.
Not only had Fang Han broken through to the Third Grade, but upon breaking through, he immediately possessed combat strength comparable to the Late Stage of Third Grade.
’Such Talent, such strength... ’
The disappointment in Wu Zheng’s heart had long since vanished, replaced by joy.
CLANG—!
Another fierce collision.
Fang Han and Yuan Zhan both retreated several steps, facing each other from a distance of several zhang.
Yuan Zhan stood with his saber in hand, his expression as dark as water.
He hadn’t expected Fang Han to be this difficult to deal with.
After dozens of moves, not only had he failed to defeat his opponent, but he had been forced into several dangerous situations himself.
’He’s actually this troublesome!’ Yuan Zhan thought.
He took a deep breath, and the aura around him suddenly exploded.
Black Qi Force gathered frantically on his long saber, solidifying until it looked tangible. The blade hummed and trembled, letting out a hungry cry.
The next moment, he moved.
This strike was faster and more ruthless than any before.
The saber’s light transformed into a bolt of black silk, slashing straight at Fang Han with a terrifying power that seemed capable of tearing through anything.
Not only was this strike at full power, but it also utilized an explosive technique to temporarily enhance the power of his Inner Qi eruption.
It was, without a doubt, his peak strike.
Fang Han’s pupils contracted slightly.
He could feel that this strike’s power far surpassed the previous ones.
But he did not retreat.
The Inner Qi from the Cyan Profound Technique surged through his body at an unprecedented speed, pouring entirely into his Cloud Splitting Sword.
A cyan-gold radiance exploded from the sword’s blade, accompanied by a clear, ear-splitting ring.
He unleashed the full Wind Momentum of his Perfection-stage Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, pushing it to its absolute limit.
His 150,000 jin of physical strength erupted without reservation.
He slashed out with his sword!
The cyan sword rainbow and the black saber light collided violently in mid-air.
BOOM—!!!
An earth-shattering explosion erupted.
A shockwave spread out in all directions like a tsunami. Everywhere it passed, a layer of the ground was scoured away as rubble shot out and dust filled the air.
At the center of the Qi Force, Fang Han and Yuan Zhan both grunted and were thrown backward.
Fang Han retreated five steps, each step leaving a deep footprint in the hard ground.
Yuan Zhan retreated four steps, likewise carving deep gouges in the earth beneath him.
’I still couldn’t take him down!’
Yuan Zhan’s expression completely darkened.
’I used an explosive technique at full power, and I still didn’t gain the slightest advantage.’
’This young man’s strength is far beyond what I predicted.’
"Fang Han..."
Yuan Zhan ground his teeth, his voice low and hoarse.
"Everyone has underestimated you."
Fang Han didn’t speak. He simply stood with his sword, his gaze as calm as still water.
’Based on that exchange, the Perfection stage of the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, 100,000 jin of physical strength, and Early Third Grade Inner Qi—’
’The combination of these three is enough to face a Late Stage of Third Grade expert like Yuan Zhan head-on.’
’But that’s not enough.’
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, and the Inner Qi from the Cyan Profound Technique surged once more.
But this time, he didn’t use the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting, but rather—the Grandmaster Level swordsmanship, the Sky-Splitting Sword Technique.
BZZZT—
In the next instant, an indescribable aura suddenly emanated from him.
The aura was incredibly sharp, carrying with it a terrifying Tearing Realm, as if it could shred anything to pieces.
The Wind Sword Intent erupted!
On the Cloud Splitting Sword, the cyan-gold radiance suddenly changed, transforming into a nearly transparent yet tangibly solid sharpness.
The sword’s blade hummed and trembled, like a long-starved beast that had finally scented blood.
"This is..."
Yuan Zhan’s pupils contracted violently as a chill shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his skull.
Sword Intent!
’This young man has actually comprehended Sword Intent!’
"Not good!"
Yuan Zhan was scared out of his wits and tried to retreat with all his might.
But Fang Han’s sword had already arrived.
There were no fancy Transformations in this strike, just a simple thrust.
But the moment the sword thrust forward, the world seemed to freeze for an instant.
Wherever the sword’s tip passed, a thin, silent fissure split the air.
The fissure was as clear as a razor’s cut through paper, and it lingered long after.
Even more terrifying was the formless Spiritual Shock that surged forward with the thrust.
It was the pressure inherent to Sword Intent, a strike aimed directly at the soul.
Yuan Zhan felt his mind thunderously shake, his consciousness lapsing for a split second.
That single moment was the difference between life and death.
When he came to his senses, the Cloud Splitting Sword was already upon him.
He could only swing his saber with all his might to parry.
CLANG—!
The long saber and the Cloud Splitting Sword collided, producing a dull clang of metal.
But the power contained in this strike was far beyond Yuan Zhan’s expectations.
The sharpness of the Wind Sword Intent, 100,000 jin of physical strength, and Early Third Grade Inner Qi—
The combination of these three produced a power that a Late Stage of Third Grade expert could no longer withstand.
CRACK—!
With a sharp snap,
the high-quality long saber in Yuan Zhan’s hand broke in two.
Half of the blade spun through the air and embedded itself in the dirt several zhang away.
The Cloud Splitting Sword’s momentum didn’t diminish, carrying its remaining terrifying power as it viciously slashed into Yuan Zhan’s chest.
PFFT—!
The dull sound of a sharp blade sinking into flesh echoed in the night.
The high-quality black Soft Armor Yuan Zhan wore was torn apart like paper before the sharpness enhanced by the Sword Intent.
The Sword Qi pierced through the armor, leaving a hideous gash on his chest that nearly cleaved him in two.
Blood gushed out like a fountain, instantly dyeing half of his clothes red.
"AARGH—!"
Yuan Zhan let out a blood-curdling scream as he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string.
He slammed heavily onto the ground several zhang away, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
He lay in a pool of his own blood, trembling all over and gasping for breath.
He looked down at the terrifying wound on his chest, from which blood was gurgling out, faintly revealing the stark white of bone.
"Sword Intent... You’ve actually comprehended Sword Intent..."
Yuan Zhan’s voice was intermittent and so hoarse it was barely audible.
His sallow face was filled with incredulous horror.
’Early Third Grade at twenty years old.’
’Comprehended Sword Intent at twenty years old.’
He knew all too well what these two things meant when combined.
’With such Talent and such strength, given time, he will surely become a Grandmaster.’
And he had actually tried to take this person’s head for a merit reward.
Extreme fear flashed in Yuan Zhan’s eyes.
’Flee!’
’I have to flee!’
He struggled to get up, preparing to use his trump-card Escape Secret Technique.
However—
how could Fang Han possibly give him that chance?
Having already used a trump card like Sword Intent, he naturally had no intention of letting Yuan Zhan leave alive.
SWOOSH—!
A cyan shadow flashed.
Fang Han’s figure appeared beside Yuan Zhan like a phantom.
The Cloud Splitting Sword slashed out once more.
This strike still contained the sharpness of the Wind Sword Intent.
The Spiritual Shock inherent to the Sword Intent surged toward him again.
Yuan Zhan’s mind went blank for a moment, and his preparation to use the Secret Technique involuntarily slowed for an instant.
That single instant cost him his life.
When he came to, the Cloud Splitting Sword had arrived.
He didn’t have time to use his Secret Technique and could only raise his Broken Saber with all his might in an attempt to block.
CLANG—!
The Broken Saber was knocked from his hand.
The Cloud Splitting Sword continued unimpeded, slashing viciously at his neck.
PFFT—!
A spray of blood erupted.
His head flew high into the air. The headless body twitched twice from inertia before crashing to the ground.
Blood soaked the ground.
Yuan Zhan, an Elder of the Netherworld Pavilion and a Late Stage of Third Grade expert, was dead.