Chapter 301 - 297: The Cold Gleam of the Glowing Treasure Sword
Chapter 301: Chapter 297: The Cold Gleam of the Glowing Treasure Sword
"So that’s what happened. I was nearly careless." Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s gaze fell upon Ye Xing again, and this time, he was finally taking him seriously. Clearly, Ye Xing’s previous display of strength hadn’t been worth his notice, but if he could heavily wound Meng Shuming with a single sword strike as his disciple claimed, then he demanded caution.
"Senior, look at you. At your age, is it really appropriate to be swinging swords and sabers around? Why don’t we just shake hands and make peace? It would be so much better to bury the hatchet!" Ye Xing said.
"Heh, while I may be a bag of old bones, I can still handle it. You were able to heavily wound my disciple, Meng Shuming, with a single strike. I’m quite curious to see if those sword techniques of yours can harm me as well!"
With that, Tang Ancestor Li Qishan retrieved a Red Gold Long Saber from his Qiankun Bag. The blade was engraved with patterns of fire, and as he channeled his Innate True Essence into it, the weapon seemed to erupt in blazing flames.
The smile vanished from Ye Xing’s face, replaced by an incredibly solemn expression, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. ’Do we really have to fight? Damn it... has this old monster broken through his Ren and Du Meridians or not?’
’His cultivation is too powerful. I have no confidence I can beat him. Oh well, I’ll just have to give it my all and leave the rest to fate!’
With a glint in his eye, Ye Xing put away the Cyan Blade Treasure Sword he was holding. He then opened his Qiankun Cloth Bag and retrieved a black Treasure Sword.
It was unclear what kind of ore the Treasure Sword had been forged from. It radiated a sinister Demonic Qi and was pitch-black from hilt to tip. Along the dark blade, a cold light seemed to flow and flicker. This was the very ’Glowing Sword’ that Ye Xing had obtained from the Daluo Demon Sect’s Treasure Land.
The Glowing Sword, like the three Nameless Broken Sword Techniques, had been found beside the skeletal remains of that powerful expert from the Daluo Demon Sect.
The Glowing Sword was a Top-grade Treasure Artifact, making it extremely precious and rare. The Cyan Blade Treasure Sword, while also a Treasure Artifact, was merely a Low-grade Treasure Artifact.
Weapons were categorized into Mortal Iron Level, Fine Steel Level, and the precious Treasure Artifacts. Mortal Iron Level weapons were commonplace. Some Martial Dao novices just starting their training used them, and even a farmer’s tools could barely qualify. Fine Steel Level Weapons were more valuable, typically forged from Refined Steel. Many Postnatal Realm Martial Artists with decent cultivation used weapons of this grade. As for Treasure Artifacts, only Innate Realm experts were generally qualified to wield them. Of course, some exceptionally powerful masters on the Wind and Cloud List might also possess one. The Cyan Blade Treasure Sword was a prime example, which Ye Xing had previously obtained from the Gale Swordsman, Zhao Tianxuan.
However, even among Treasure Artifacts, there was still a distinction between good and bad. The difference between a Low-grade Treasure Artifact and a Top-grade Treasure Artifact wasn’t just in their astronomical price gap—their power was also worlds apart.
Tang Ancestor Li Qishan was nothing like National Master Meng Shuming. He was a seasoned veteran of the Innate Realm with an incredibly profound cultivation. It was highly likely he had even opened his Ren and Du Meridians. Against such a powerhouse, Ye Xing didn’t dare be the least bit careless.
The Cyan Blade Treasure Sword was no longer adequate for this fight. Only by choosing the far more powerful Glowing Sword could he hope for a significant boost to his combat strength.
Ye Xing gripped the Glowing Treasure Sword, and the aura around him began to soar, his green robes fluttering though there was no wind.
’This... Such powerful Sword Intent! There really is something strange about this kid!’ Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s dull, aged eyes narrowed slightly. He stared intently at Ye Xing, poised to react at a moment’s notice.
"If it’s a fight you want, then take this! I’m dying to see just how tough you old-timers really are!" Ye Xing’s eyes turned cold as he activated the Nameless Sword Techniques, frantically pouring True Qi into the Glowing Sword.
As he channeled the Nameless Sword Techniques, the light from the Glowing Treasure Sword pulsed erratically. A terrifying killing intent caused the surrounding temperature to plummet, and a dreadful wisp of Sword Qi coalesced and shot toward the heavens!
"Nameless Broken Sword—Second Technique!"
It was as if the world plunged into darkness, day turning to night. The color drained from Tang Ancestor Li Qishan’s face, his pupils constricting violently.
Though it was broad daylight, the overwhelming Sword Intent instantly robbed Tang Ancestor Li Qishan of his sight. The people, the trees, the palace halls—everything vanished. He was surrounded by utter darkness.
Amidst the hazy darkness, a beam of sword light suddenly flared to life, piercing toward his chest at an unparalleled speed.
’This... How is this possible! The power behind this strike—’
Down below the Ancestral Dragon Hall, Meng Shuming’s mouth hung agape, his eyes wide with terror. He stammered in a trembling voice, "The power of this strike... it’s many times stronger than the one he used on me! How can this be? How can this be?"
Meng Shuming’s expression was one of utter shock and horror. The strike Ye Xing had used on him had already seemed terrifyingly strong, nearly killing him in one blow. Yet, compared to the technique now aimed at the Tang Imperial Ancestor, that previous attack was child’s play. They weren’t even on the same level.
And Meng Shuming was right—the two techniques were simply not on the same level. Though both were part of the Nameless Sword Techniques, the one he had faced earlier was only the first style.
Ye Xing possessed a total of three styles of the Nameless Broken Sword Techniques. Against a Junior Innate Realm opponent like Meng Shuming, the Nameless Broken Sword First Technique was more than enough. He had used that same technique to instantly kill Broken Water Blade Dong Yuan as well.
However, Tang Ancestor Li Qishan was a different story entirely. He was a one-hundred-and-eighty-six-year-old monster with an immeasurably profound cultivation, a veteran Innate Realm expert. If Ye Xing didn’t go all out, he doubted he could even land a scratch.
Therefore, Ye Xing had no choice but to use the Nameless Broken Sword Second Technique—a move he hadn’t fully mastered yet. He even swapped his Cyan Blade Treasure Sword for the Top-Grade Treasure Sword, the Glowing Sword, to unleash his full power.
SWISH! CLANG!
SCHLICK!
A saber and a sword clashed, followed immediately by the sound of a blade sinking into flesh.
The entire area fell silent. Below, the numerous Guards, the Imperial Army that had just arrived, and even Emperor Li Bi were all dumbstruck, staring in utter shock at the two figures on the roof of the Ancestral Dragon Hall.
’This... How can the Lord of White Cloud be so terrifying? Even Master, with his level of cultivation, was actually...’ National Master Meng Shuming’s eyes were filled with dread as he looked up at the two figures.
On the roof of the Ancestral Dragon Hall, Ye Xing’s brows were furrowed as he panted heavily. ’This old monster’s cultivation is truly terrifying. I used the Broken Sword Second Technique with my full strength and still couldn’t kill him!’
That’s right, the Tang Imperial Ancestor had not been killed. In that fleeting instant, Tang Ancestor Li Qishan had struck out with his saber, slamming it against the Glowing Treasure Sword. The thrust, which had been aimed straight for the heart, was knocked off course. Nevertheless, the Glowing Treasure Sword still pierced his shoulder blade, wounding him. Crimson blood gushed forth, staining his shoulder red.
"HACK... COUGH, COUGH!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan coughed, then suddenly thrust his left palm toward Ye Xing’s chest.
The color drained from Ye Xing’s face. He hastily yanked his sword free and shot backward, panting heavily as he stared at the old man.
"HACK... cough... Your technique is truly terrifying, lad. A pity it wasn’t enough to kill me!" Tang Ancestor Li Qishan said, his gaze turning icy. With his left hand, he quickly struck several acupoints around the wound on his right shoulder to stanch the bleeding, then switched the Red Gold Long Saber from his right hand to his left.