Chapter 429 - 426: Evenly Matched
Chapter 429: Chapter 426: Evenly Matched
’He recovered this quickly?’
Fang Han stood with his sword drawn, his gaze fixed on Yuan Ye, who had pulled away. His heart sank.
’As expected of a Second Grade Martial Artist. He recovered from the Spiritual Shock so fast that my follow-up attack failed.’
"You’ve actually comprehended Sword Intent?"
Yuan Ye steadied himself and looked down at his chest.
A faint sword mark scarred his black robe—a remnant of that last strike’s lingering power—but it hadn’t broken the skin.
He raised his head, his gaze landing on Fang Han.
The initial underestimation and casualness in his sharp, eagle-like eyes had vanished, replaced by a trace of solemnity.
"No wonder Yuan Zhan died at your hands."
A moment ago, the Spiritual Shock from the Sword Intent had sent him into a momentary trance.
Had he not been a Second Grade Martial Artist, with spiritual power far surpassing that of Yuan Zhan, who was at the Late Stage of Third Grade, that brief trance would have been enough for Fang Han to grievously wound him with a single strike.
’Not only has he broken through to Third Grade, but he’s also comprehended Sword Intent. Such Talent, such strength...’
Yuan Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the storm raging in his heart.
This boy must not be allowed to live!
A surge of killing intent erupted from him.
He threw both fists forward, unleashing a barrage of black Fist Seals that hammered toward Fang Han like cannon fire.
Each Fist Seal was condensed to the point of being tangible, carrying a terrifying power capable of shattering mountains and sealing off all of Fang Han’s escape routes.
’So what if he comprehended Sword Intent?’
’His Early Third Grade Cultivation is his greatest weakness!’
’Even with the boost from Sword Intent, how much power can he truly wield with an Early Third Grade Cultivation?’
’Can he really cross an entire Great Realm and contend with a Second Grade Martial Artist like me?’
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH!
Fang Han’s expression was grim. The Cloud Splitting Sword spun like a wheel in his hands.
He channeled his Wind Sword Intent to its fullest, sending streams of Cyan Sword Light to clash violently with the black Fist Seals.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Every collision erupted with an earth-shattering boom.
Shockwaves radiated outward in waves, leaving a terrifying scene in their wake.
To the left, a grove of trees was swept by the lingering power of the Sword Intent. They snapped silently in half, the cuts as smooth as a mirror’s surface.
To the right, mountain boulders were struck by the aftershocks of the Fist Seals and exploded, sending a shower of shrapnel flying.
The ground was plowed into a crisscrossing network of deep ravines, the earth at the edges churned up and scorched black.
Within a radius of dozens of yards, the area was a scene of utter devastation.
Yuan Ye’s Fist Technique was ferocious and overbearing. Each punch carried enough terrifying power to grievously wound a Martial Artist at the Late Stage of Third Grade.
Yet, Fang Han’s Swordsmanship didn’t lose any ground.
The sharpness of the Wind Sword Intent compensated for the gap in cultivation between him and Yuan Ye.
Every sword strike he unleashed could slice open and tear apart Yuan Ye’s Fist Seals.
But what made Yuan Ye even more wary was the inherent Spiritual Shock that came with the Sword Intent.
Every time sword and fist met, that formless Spiritual Shock would surge like a tide, stabbing directly at his mind.
Even though he was prepared and circulating his spiritual power at full capacity, the shocks still felt like needles pricking his mind, leaving him unsettled and unable to unleash his full power.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—
The two figures flickered rapidly across the ravaged battlefield, every collision erupting with a deafening roar.
"Even if he comprehended Sword Intent, he shouldn’t be this strong!"
The more Yuan Ye fought, the more shocked he became.
He never imagined that, as a Second Grade Martial Artist with an entire Great Realm between them, he would be unable to defeat Fang Han. ’Even with Sword Intent, Fang Han is still only in Early Third Grade. Logically, he shouldn’t be able to fight me, a Second Grade Martial Artist, on equal terms.’ But he soon discovered the reason.
In addition to his Early Third Grade Cultivation, Fang Han’s physical strength was astounding. That seemingly slender body concealed incredible physical power.
It was at least one hundred thousand jin of physical strength.
’A young man in Early Third Grade who has not only comprehended Sword Intent but also tempered his body to such a degree?’
"What a monster!"
Yuan Ye suppressed the horror in his heart, his attacks becoming even more ferocious.
He unleashed both fists, a rain of Fist Seals, each punch heavier and faster than the one before.
Fang Han met the assault calmly, his Cloud Splitting Sword transforming into streaks of cyan light.
He pushed his Wind Sword Intent to the limit. Each slash carried a sharpness that could tear through anything, along with the Spiritual Power to assault the mind.
Sword light and Fist Seals intertwined, shockwaves spreading wildly in all directions.
PSSSH—!
The sword light and Fist Seals collided again, and both retreated several steps.
Fang Han steadied himself, his gaze falling on Yuan Ye, his breathing slightly hurried.
The cyan-gold Inner Qi still surged within him, but the continuous all-out attacks had already consumed nearly half of it.
Yuan Ye was also panting slightly, his sharp, eagle-like eyes filled with solemnity.
Even after all this time, he had failed to gain any advantage.
This young man, merely in Early Third Grade, had used his Sword Intent and incredible physical power to fight a Second Grade Martial Artist like him to a stalemate.
’I can’t drag this on any longer.’
Yuan Ye’s thoughts raced. ’This place isn’t far from the Qingxuan Sect’s mine. If the Qingxuan Sect Elder, Wu Zheng, arrives as reinforcement, the situation will turn against me.’
He took a deep breath. The black Qi enveloping his fists surged as he prepared to use an explosive technique for an even more ferocious assault.
Just at this moment—
Fang Han moved.
He fully unleashed the Wind and Cloud Escape technique. His body transformed into a streak of pale cyan light, and instead of retreating, he advanced, lunging straight for Yuan Ye.
The Cloud Splitting Sword slashed out diagonally. The Wind Sword Intent on its edge was so condensed it seemed tangible, carrying a sharpness that could tear through anything as it aimed for Yuan Ye’s midsection.
The strike was fast, ruthless, and came from an awkward angle.
Yuan Ye’s expression changed slightly. He thrust out both fists, two black Fist Seals meeting the sword light.
But Fang Han’s Sword Momentum changed abruptly in midair, shifting from a diagonal slash to a horizontal slice.
Like quicksilver, the sword light flowed through the gap between the two Fist Seals, heading straight for Yuan Ye’s abdomen.
The switch was dazzlingly fast.
Yuan Ye’s pupils suddenly shrank. He tried his best to dodge, but Fang Han’s sword strike was too fast.
SHRIIIP—!
The blade sliced across Yuan Ye’s abdomen. His black robe tore, revealing a piece of black Soft Armor that glowed with a faint light.
The Hidden Force infused in the sword penetrated the Soft Armor, leaving a half-foot-long gash on his abdomen.
Fresh blood seeped out, soaking his clothes.
"Hmph—"
The instant the blade sliced his abdomen, Yuan Ye’s right fist, wrapped in dense black Qi Force, also smashed straight into Fang Han’s left shoulder.
This punch, long in the making, was as fast as lightning.
Having landed his strike, Fang Han’s Sword Momentum was spent; it was too late to dodge.
BANG—!
With a dull thud, Yuan Ye’s fist landed squarely on Fang Han’s left shoulder.
The Silver Soft Armor on Fang Han’s body flashed, deflecting part of the force. However, the Hidden Force in the punch still penetrated the armor, leaving a bloody, mangled wound on his left shoulder.
An intense pain shot through his shoulder, and his entire left arm instantly went numb.
He was lucky to have reached the Entry Level in the Xuanwu True Skill, which gave him a formidable physique; otherwise, the injury would have been far more severe.
"Ngh..."
Fang Han let out a muffled grunt, his body retreating several steps to the side before he stabilized himself.
They stood several yards apart, facing each other down.
Fang Han glanced down at his left shoulder. His robes were torn, revealing a clear fist mark on the Silver Soft Armor beneath. A sharp pain pulsed from the wound.
Yuan Ye also looked down at his abdomen, where the half-foot-long wound was still bleeding, staining the hem of his black robe.
Neither had been able to gain an advantage.
"Good swordsmanship."
Yuan Ye raised his head, his gaze falling on Fang Han, his voice low and hoarse.
Fang Han didn’t speak, just stood holding his sword, his gaze as calm as still water.
The next instant—
The two moved at the same time.
Yuan Ye thrust out both fists, black Fist Seals hammering toward Fang Han.
Fang Han’s sword flashed like a rainbow. He unleashed his Wind Sword Intent to its fullest, the Cyan Sword Light meeting the Fist Seals head-on.
BOOM BOOM BOOM—!
Deafening explosions rang out one after another, shockwaves spreading out in waves.
The two figures clashed violently on the ravaged battlefield, every collision erupting with an astonishing roar.
Although Fang Han’s left shoulder was injured, the formidable physique granted by his Xuanwu True Skill meant his movements were not significantly hindered.
Likewise, the wound on Yuan Ye’s abdomen didn’t affect his combat strength; his assault remained just as ferocious.
Sword light and Fist Seals intertwined, blood splashing amidst the collisions.
Another wound appeared on Fang Han’s right arm, while a sword gash opened on Yuan Ye’s left side.
Wounds continued to accumulate on both of them, but neither would yield an inch.
Just at this moment—
WHOOSH!
A figure shot over from the direction of the Qingxuan Sect’s mine.
The newcomer wore a Qingxuan Sect Elder Robe. His face was pale and his aura was faint; it was Wu Zheng.
During his fight with Yuan Ye, Fang Han had sent out a distress signal, which Wu Zheng had seen.
His gaze swept across the battlefield, landing on the figure fighting with Fang Han.
He recognized this person as Netherworld Pavilion’s Elder, Yuan Ye.
However, this didn’t match the intelligence report stating he was at the Late Stage of Third Grade. The man was clearly a Second Grade Martial Artist.
"True Inheritor Fang, I’ve come to help you!"
Wu Zheng bellowed, thrusting out both fists. Two ice-blue Fist Seals carrying a bone-chilling cold shot straight toward Yuan Ye’s back.
Yuan Ye was entangled in a fight with Fang Han when he suddenly felt a chill from behind, his expression changing slightly.
He abruptly sidestepped to avoid Wu Zheng’s attack, simultaneously throwing a punch at Fang Han, forcing him back several steps.
"Wu Zheng."
Yuan Ye’s gaze swept over Wu Zheng, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
’Normally, I wouldn’t spare a second glance for a Third Grade Martial Artist like Wu Zheng. But now, after fighting Fang Han for so long, my Inner Qi is severely depleted. Wu Zheng’s arrival is enough to tip the scales.’
"Yuan Ye, you’re actually a Second Grade Martial Artist now!"
Wu Zheng yelled, attacking again with both fists. Ice-blue Fist Seals shot toward Yuan Ye, carrying a biting chill.
At the same time, Fang Han attacked as well, his Cloud Splitting Sword becoming a cyan streak as he stabbed at Yuan Ye from the other side.
The two, one on the left and one on the right, coordinated perfectly.
Yuan Ye’s expression was grave as he thrust out both fists to meet their two-pronged assault.
BOOM! BOOM!
With two loud booms, Yuan Ye’s figure was blasted back several steps.
Although he blocked their attacks, the combination of Wu Zheng’s frigid Inner Qi and Fang Han’s sharp Sword Intent was deeply unsettling.
Fang Han and Wu Zheng exchanged a glance and pressed the attack again.
Although Wu Zheng was injured, his icy Inner Qi could effectively slow Yuan Ye’s movements.
This gave Fang Han the opening to suppress Yuan Ye with the sharpness of his Wind Sword Intent and its Spiritual Shock.
Working together, they gradually pushed Yuan Ye onto the back foot.
’Damn it.’
Yuan Ye knew there was no chance of victory today. If he kept fighting, not only would he fail to kill Fang Han, but he might also lose his own life.
He threw a fierce punch to force Wu Zheng back, then turned to flee.