Chapter 12: The Fate of Qin Mengzu
Liang Xi? You piece of trash, you dare to come here to court death? You are not even worthy of carrying my shoes! Qin Zhen sneered.
Of course, as long as you are willing to kneel right now and kowtow to me while calling me Grandpa three times, I might still consider sparing your life. After all, many years ago, I shared a deep friendship with your late father. Didn't your mother suddenly rush to save you earlier? Even now, you can still cry and scream for your mother to come and rescue you. Wanting to play the hero like others—do you even possess the qualifications?
Very well! Since you have stepped forward now, do not say I did not give you a chance. I am standing right here. As long as you can land a single strike on me, I will leave immediately, and every single person here will be spared. Well? Do you dare? If you lack the spine, then get lost at once!
Qin Zhen dared to mock Liang Xi like this because Liang Xi currently looked utterly exhausted, with floating footsteps and a chaotic aura. Against such a person, there was no need to even throw a punch; a single finger would be enough to topple him. Yet, even in this state, he still forgot not to show off in front of women!
Liang Xi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and breathed heavily. It seemed that being able to forcefully stand up just now had already drained every ounce of his strength. Su Wen was not made of stone, especially when a stranger she had just met was treating her with such kindness. "Brother Liang, step back! You are no match for this man. It is not worth throwing away your life for someone like me. I cannot let you meet the same end as my sister!"
Qin Zhen! Your opponent is me! This has nothing to do with anyone else!
Puff!
No sooner had Su Wen stood up than she violently spewed a mouthful of blood! Her pale face turned almost translucent, and she collapsed back to the ground, utterly limp!
Hmph, you? Su Wen, right now you do not even have the strength to stand up, yet you still wish to fight me? You defend Liang Xi so fiercely—could it be that you have taken a fancy to him? Hahaha! What a pity, Liang Xi's girlfriend Ji Anran surpasses you a hundredfold in beauty. Do you not feel ashamed standing before her?
Bang!
A massive blue fist shadow slammed heavily into Qin Zhen's face!
Boom!
Qin Zhen, who had just been full of arrogance, was violently smashed against the wall. He felt as though his bones were about to snap! What on earth had just happened? Who had struck him?
Now that I have hit you, are you leaving or not?
With that, Liang Xi lightly threw another punch forward! A colossal red fist shadow, roaring like an angry male lion, charged fiercely toward the utterly terrified Qin Zhen, as if in the next second, that furious beast would tear him to pieces!
Boom!
The heavy blow struck Qin Zhen once more, causing the earth to tremble violently. It seemed as though with just a fraction more force from Liang Xi, this entire space would shatter once again!
Bang!
Qin Zhen's body was now heavily driven deep into the mountain wall, and the torrents of blood he spewed crimsoned his clothes. Everyone stared at Liang Xi with a mixture of shock and disbelief. How, how could this be possible? Liang Xi had clearly suffered severe injuries prior to this; why could he suddenly erupt with such terrifying might? Just how many unknown secrets did this kid hold?
This was the supreme miraculous utility of the Scroll of Lingyun, capable of instantly restoring a dying, heavily injured person to their former formidable cultivation without any backlash. Although Liang Xi himself did not understand the underlying cause, he knew one thing: right now, he was capable of accomplishing anything!
Boom!
The mountain wall shattered into pieces!
Hahaha! This is simply wonderful! To think that you little bastard can still possess such formidable cultivation at a time like this. This is more like it! Only thus do I have the motivation to defeat you! You thought that a mere two punches could defeat me? How naive!
If Liang Xi had been terrifying just moments ago, then Qin Zhen—who could still erupt with such ferocious battle intent after absorbing two heavy blows—was a truly horrifying existence. Those two devastating strikes had merely caused the man to bleed a little; fatal damage had been entirely avoided!
Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade!
Qin Zhen finally drew forth the weapon he had treasured for many years. It was a blade that inspired pure terror simply by looking at it: thick-backed, thin-edged, pitch-black as ink. The crimson edge seemed to silently declare the countless martial masters who had perished by its hand in the past; what did a mere Liang Xi amount to in comparison?
At this moment, terrifying red flames suddenly ignited along the crimson blade. Their ultra-high temperature illuminated Qin Zhen's frantic face, adding an even more sinister and violent edge to his expression!
Boom!
The scarlet flames fused with a ferocious blade radiance, sweeping toward the calm Liang Xi with an utterly barbaric momentum. The crimson fire transformed into an awe-inspiring red dragon, its arrogant head glaring down at the minuscule Liang Xi, seemingly ready to obliterate the tiny figure in a split second!
Hahaha! Liang Xi, you kid are quite impressive, actually forcing me to use the Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade. To die under this move is your supreme glory. Rest assured, once you die shortly, I shall find a favorable geomantic spot and send your woman to accompany you. How is that? Am I not treating you well?
Swish!
The mighty, arrogant fire dragon had completed its charging phase, hurtling toward Liang Xi with a force sufficient to annihilate everything in its path. This kid was dead for sure this time. The corners of Qin Zhen's mouth curled higher and higher, his eyes flashing with madness!
Damn it, why did she lose most of her mobility precisely at this moment? "Liang Xi, run! Don't worry about us! Remember to avenge us in the future!" Ji Anran shrieked frantically, her voice so loud that a flush bloomed across her pale face.
Boom!
"No!!!"
Amidst Ji Anran's despairing cry, the Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade slammed heavily into Liang Xi, swallowing him instantly within the blazing, searing flames!
Hahaha! Excellent, excellent! Liang Xi, you are finally finished now. Yet, it is somewhat regrettable that you will not live to witness how your woman dies!
Qin Zhen, I swear! As long as I live, I will kill you! Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will never let you go!
Ji Anran finally uttered a venomous vow! Never in her life had she felt such intense rage. The fire of fury burning within her heart was sufficient to incinerate everything!
Su Wen, meanwhile, stood frozen in a daze. She could not believe that Liang Xi, who had been so full of confidence just moments ago, was now dead. This was entirely her fault; had it not been for her, Liang Xi would undoubtedly have been safe and sound!
Hahaha, what a formidable oath! To prevent that day from arriving, you proud daughter of heaven can only die right here today! You will soon be reunited with your man; you must be overjoyed, right?
Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade!
The crimson blade radiance charged with ferocious momentum, this time hurtling toward the composed Ji Anran. She would not concede defeat, nor would she ever choose to die here. The Water Control Art still held a final technique she had yet to unleash; today, even if it cost her life, she would inflict a heavy blow upon this damned man!
Boom!
The astonishing shockwave destroyed everything in the surrounding vicinity once again!
Hahaha! Silly girl, do you know my power now?
It seems I arrived just in time! You stubborn girl, you simply refuse to listen to my words. Didn't I tell you I would be fine? What were you planning to do just now? To perish together with this man?
It was Liang Xi's voice! He was actually not dead?
The dust and smoke cleared, and Ji Anran—who had been ready to face death just moments before—stood meekly like a wrongdoer, lowering her head as she was gently scolded by the young man before her.
It was him—it was Liang Xi! He truly was not dead. To Ji Anran's ears, these gentle reprimands sounded like the most enchanting music in the world!
You're still smiling? Hmph, if I hadn't arrived in time just now, you would be dead, you know that? Go on, sit aside and properly reflect on yourself. Do you know where you went wrong?
"Okay."
Ji Anran obediently sat to the side, resting her chin in her hands, gazing with infatuation at her man. No matter the circumstances, Liang Xi was truly handsome!
You... you actually didn't die? How is this possible? My Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade has never failed!
This was madness, sheer madness! Liang Xi was standing right before him, completely unharmed. How could this be?
You can treat me however you please, but the moment you attempted to harm Anran, I vowed never to spare you! This time, I will have your life!
Snowflake Fist!
Ji Anran lightly threw a punch forward, and instantly, the entire space froze. The ambient temperature plummeted sharply, and in a flash, a massive fist shadow exuding chilling frost materialized before the crowd. The moment this fist shadow appeared, everything around it instantaneously turned to ice!
The lunar-cold Qi from the Earth Scroll of the Scroll of Lingyun had finally erupted once more! The frost-like cold felt as though one had plunged into an icy abyss. At this very instant, Qin Zhen felt as though his very soul was freezing over!
Was this Liang Xi's true strength? This damned bastard—to think that even at this juncture, he could still wield such terrifying might! "Hmph, do you think I will be frightened by these flashy tricks?"
"I hold the Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade; with it in hand, I fear no one!"
The Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade? Are you referring to that pile of shattered junk on the ground? I forgot to tell you—my lunar-cold Qi can freeze everything in this world! Now, die for me!
Boom!
The chilling, bone-numbing Snowflake Fist smashed heavily into Qin Zhen's body. At that moment, Qin Zhen felt the blood throughout his entire body freeze solid. This was true, absolute cold!
Visible frost devoured the once-arrogant Qin Zhen at astonishing speed, turning his expression to one of utter terror. "No! You cannot kill me!"
Explode!
Boom!
Following a deafening blast, Qin Zhen's body burst apart violently, turning into a pile of ice shards! Everything was finally over now. The few remaining disciples of the Qin family who had escaped the calamity stared with sheer horror at the calm Liang Xi. How—how could this be possible? The peerless, overwhelmingly powerful Qin Zhen had just died like this?
"Let's go, everything is over now!"
"Indeed, it is time for it to end!"
Swish!
A sharp blade edge pierced straight through Liang Xi's flesh once again!
"You are young after all. Did you truly think that freezing me would mean my death? Boy, I tell you now, as long as my spirit remains undestroyed, no matter how severe my internal injuries, I can instantly regenerate! Had you delivered a follow-up strike with a sword Qi at the very end, perhaps I truly would have perished. But what a pity, you no longer have that chance!"
"It now appears that the one who dies in the end is still you!"
Puff!
A mouthful of blood spewed wildly from Liang Xi's lips. This turn of events happened far too quickly; Qin Zhen was truly a formidable opponent!
Hahaha! Even if I must die, I will drag you down with me!
Qin Zhen frantically shoved the injured Liang Xi. In any case, Qin Zhen retained very little cultivation by now, but if he was destined to die, he would take this damned Liang Xi with him!
Yet Liang Xi naturally would not afford Qin Zhen the opportunity to counterattack. He gently pressed his palm against Qin Zhen's lower abdomen. "The one who dies is you!"
Soul Burning!
Ah!!
The searing, scorching flames of the soul instantly engulfed Qin Zhen. The fire opened a gaping maw, looking utterly ferocious and terrifying! Qin Zhen's arms remained locked tightly around Liang Xi as he emitted a shrill, miserable scream!
"This is the soul fire, some superficial techniques I once learned from Elder Luo Mingyu. To think it would actually come in handy at a time like this! Qin Zhen, you surely never imagined that you would ultimately perish at the hands of Elder Luo!"
"I am not reconciled! A mere soul fire—what can it possibly do to me?"
Qin Zhen struggled frantically, but the harder he struggled, the more fiercely the soul fire burned!
"It is useless. You likely never knew just how terrifying the soul fire truly is. No one can save you now!"
Liang Xi spoke in a weak voice, pressing a hand to his abdomen, though threads of fresh blood continued to ooze persistently between his fingers.
"Hahaha! Very well, I admit defeat to your hands today. However, do you think you will survive? Right now, do you feel your entire body turning cold, as if trapped in a freezing abyss? The blade strike I dealt you earlier carried an intense cold poison. From our previous exchanges, I clearly discerned that your attribute is yin and cold."
"You were already wounded to begin with, and now the cold poison has invaded your body. Tell me, which of the two of us will have the last laugh? Hahaha!"
Cough, cough, puff!
Overexcited, Qin Zhen coughed violently and spat out another mouthful of blood! Yet his expression was filled with utter satisfaction. Liang Xi was finally going to die, and he would die by his own hand!
"All you troublesome fellows deserve to die. It is only regrettable that my own abilities are limited, allowing me to strike down only you!"
"I never imagined you would go to such lengths to plot against me, knowing my attribute is yin. Yet you failed to understand the principle of the mutual transformation of yin and yang. Your cold poison has long since ceased to have any effect on me. Take a closer look at who it was you actually critically injured!"
An even more astonishing scene unfolded: Liang Xi, who should have been heavily wounded and dying, calmly stepped out from behind Qin Zhen, completely devoid of any wounds on his body. What on earth was the reason for this?
Meanwhile, the Liang Xi standing before Qin Zhen gradually dissolved—it had been nothing more than an illusion!
"I enjoy using the Flying Bird Phantom Dance to escape. Having practiced it for a long time, I grew fond of leaving behind a few phantoms just in case!"
"Hahaha, well played! To lose to someone like you is no disgrace. However, do not be too smug just yet, kid. You must know that once I die, you will plunge into genuine trouble. By then, not a single soul will be able to save you, and every last one of you will die!"
At this moment, Qin Zhen was bellowing with fury!
"Do you truly believe I would swallow these claims of yours? Though I am eager to know who the great figure behind you truly is, die now!"
A surge of astonishing power suddenly erupted from Liang Xi's palm. The suffocating feeling and immense pressure brought by this force instilled genuine terror in Qin Zhen!
"Lord! Save me!"
Boom!
"Lord, save me" became Qin Zhen's final words!
Bang!
Simultaneously, Liang Xi was blasted backward by a massive force, tumbling through the air several times before managing to steady himself.
"You dare to kill my subordinate? Prepare to meet your death!"
"Great Sun Reincarnation Palm!"
A colossal golden palm print surged toward him against the wind, glowing with a golden radiance resembling a blazing sun, inspiring infinite hope. Yet Liang Xi knew clearly in his heart that this power brought only deep terror, not hope!
"Boy, do you know what a hundred generations of reincarnation entails? Experience it fully today!"
Bang!
The hopeful Great Sun Reincarnation Palm struck Liang Xi heavily!
Unlike any other palm technique in the world, this Great Sun Reincarnation Palm plunged the victim deep into a mental realm where they would witness their past self, whether good or bad, forced to accept it without refusal. No one could endure such mental shock; they would fall into a fatal loop of introspection, tormented by the thought of why they had been such a person in the past.
"You are quite resilient, kid, enduring so much. Yet how long can you possibly hold out? For these many years, not a soul has ever been able to withstand this palm strike of mine! Your persistence surprises me greatly. However, everything ends here! In my eyes, you are already a dead man!"
"Wait! When did I ever say you could leave? You don't even show your face or tell me your name, and you wish to depart?"
"Frost Heaven Shield!"
Liang Xi abruptly broke free from the shock of the Great Sun Reincarnation Palm—how was this possible? Simultaneously, he flicked his finger forward, causing the air around that figure to rapidly condense into a sealed space.
"Oh? Not bad, breaking free from my control in an instant. What? Do you think a mere Frost Heaven Shield can stop me? If I wish to leave, you cannot hold me! As for my name, it depends on whether you have the ability to make me speak it!"
Bang!
The Frost Heaven Shield shattered into pieces! A figure rapidly separated itself, turning around to reveal an astonishingly youthful face. Yet the profound vicissitudes of life hidden within those eyes could not be masked!
This person was an expert—a peerless expert! With a sweeping grasp through the empty air, the Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade, long reduced to countless fragments, instantly reassembled and flew back into his hand. "The Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade... hmph, it has been truly a long time. Back then, when I bestowed it upon Qin Zhen, I never imagined he would dare treat it thus. A fine divine weapon reduced to scrap iron in his hands!"
The Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade seemed to possess a spiritual sentience, bursting with brilliant red radiance in this person's grasp. "Is that so? It seems your own days have not been very smooth either! Very well, in that case, the two of us shall wage a great battle!"
"Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade!"
The exact same move, unleashed by a different person, possessed an entirely different might! The identical crimson blade radiance transformed into dozens of ferocious, mighty lions charging toward Liang Xi! The sheer momentum caused the earth to rumble with terrifying tremors!
"Kid, you must know that this Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade was originally my unique skill, which I imparted to that Qin Zhen brat. Unfortunately, he proved to be a total waste, failing to master it properly even after all these years before being defeated by you. Today, I shall let you truly witness the authentic power of this move!"
"This is the first stance: Tiger Roars in the Forest!"
Roar!!
The overwhelmingly formidable sonic wave directly coalesced into a colossal blue iron fist, carrying world-destroying power as it smashed heavily into the spatial domain. Yes, this stance—Tiger Roars in the Forest—was not meant to destroy any single individual, but to obliterate the entire space itself!
Boom, boom, boom!
At that moment, space fractured and distorted! The destructive power unleashed surpassed every technique known in this world!
"A brat who has barely stepped into the martial path, what gives you the right to be so arrogant? Now, you even dare to kill my subordinates. It seems you are unqualified to know my name after all. Die!"
All the gathered power fused together, manifesting before Liang Xi as an ancient beast baring razor-sharp fangs, threatening to swallow him whole in a single gulp—and indeed, it moved to do so!
Had he been striving with utmost diligence ever since he began cultivating? It seemed that against this power and this opponent, he truly had no further options left. Was this the end of the line for him?
Liang Xi's consciousness finally began to scatter. Indeed, he lacked any remaining strength. So be it; he had done his utmost!
Striving with your utmost? Have you truly given everything? Is there genuinely no other way left? Liang Xi, wasn't it you who said that under no circumstances must you ever give up?
"The matter has not reached its final moment yet; why are you surrendering? Did I misjudge you?"
Who was that? Who was speaking? Why did he see Ji Anran at a time like this? Had she truly met a tragic end? Indeed, the situation had not reached the bitter end; why should he concede defeat? Once he surrendered, everything would vanish into nothingness! Anran, I once promised you that I would protect you forever, and I will never break my word to you!
Boom!
With a deafening explosion, a battered and disheveled Liang Xi burst forth from the smoke and fire. Although his movement technique was swift, a portion of his hair had been singed by the flames.
"Today, unless you leave behind both your life and your name, do not dream of leaving alive!"
"Sword God Descent!"
An incomparably terrifying sword Qi erupted around Liang Xi's entire body, rapidly consolidating into the form of an elderly man in azure robes!
"Child, you have done well enough. Leave the rest to me. Rest assured, this person and I are old acquaintances; he will not leave today, and not a single one of your companions will come to harm!"
"Qin Mengzu, do you think that donning a black cloak means I would fail to recognize you? No matter what guise you assume, I can spot you instantly. Hmph, putting on airs of profound mystery before me is utterly laughable! You are a grand master of your generation, yet you have grown so shameless as to make a move against a junior. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? You seek an opponent? Very well, I shall be your opponent!"
Qin Mengzu never expected that even the Sword God would appear. This old bastard was truly troublesome, yet he was not about to cower. "Sword God, you have already been reduced to a spiritual entity, yet you still insist on meddling in other people's affairs? Have you forgotten why you were reduced to a spirit in the first place—was it not precisely because of your habit of meddling? After all these years, you haven't changed in the slightest!"
"Do you truly believe I fear you now?"
"Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade!"
The crimson blade radiance instantly morphed into five red celestial dragons, hurtling toward the Sword God!
Liang Xi never imagined that the person fighting him was actually the ancestor of the Qin family. Why would he go to such lengths? Had the Sword God not arrived, he truly would have been helpless!
The Sword God snorted coldly, paying no heed whatsoever to the incoming Tyrannical Heaven Annihilation Blade. "Hmph, you truly are a disappointment. Having practiced for so many years, you remain utterly useless!"
"Break!"
The Sword God's cultivation far surpassed Qin Mengzu's. Without even striking a blow, he merely flicked a single finger lightly against the void before him. The empty space instantly unleashed a formidable wave that surged like a giant billow, violently churning the surrounding air and sky!
Bang!
The shore-shattering impact caused Qin Mengzu's internal blood to churn violently. He attempted to resist the Sword God's power, but against this man, he was entirely powerless, subjected to a completely one-sided suppression!
Puff!
A mouthful of blood erupted wildly from his lips!
"Will you truly discard our past friendship for the sake of such a man?"
Realizing he was no match for the Sword God, Qin Mengzu could only play the emotional card, hoping the Sword God would spare him for the sake of their past ties. "Everything that just transpired was merely a misunderstanding! As you yourself stated, I am a grand master; how could I possibly lower myself to bicker with a junior? Liang Xi, it was all a misunderstanding, wouldn't you agree?"
"It was no misunderstanding. If attempting to take my life counts as a misunderstanding, that is utterly absurd! Expecting forgiveness is an absolute impossibility. You must die here today. If my guess is correct, you are the mastermind behind all these events, are you not?"
"Hahaha! True enough. As long as Nanshi exists, my Qin family will forever be suppressed. I toiled to establish the Qin family back then not to witness such an outcome, but for the future of my clan. Everything I have done was for the Qin family! Sword God, if others fail to understand me, so be it, but do you too doubt me?"
"Me? I follow Liang Xi's lead now. He summoned me forth, and I shall do whatever he commands. You witnessed it clearly just now: he demands your death. Though we shared a deep friendship in the past, countless years have passed, and I have long since forgotten it. To me, the person before my eyes right now is what matters most!"
"Qingfeng Sword!"
Sword like a gentle breeze, breeze like a sword! Wave after wave of atmospheric shock swept toward Qin Mengzu once again. Within the domain of that air current, resistance against the might of the Qingfeng Sword was utterly impossible!
"Damn it, I will fight you to the death today! Do you truly think I fear you?"
Qin Mengzu was burning with fury. Since the other party refused to grant him a way out, he had no need to preserve any facade of courtesy!
"Great Sun Reincarnation Palm!"
The gigantic golden palm imprint materialized once more. This technique not only plunged the target into reincarnation, but possessed the power to cast all creation into a cycle! Space itself froze solid at that instant!
"Well? You didn't expect this, did you? I actually mastered the sole counter to the Qingfeng Sword—the Great Sun Reincarnation Palm! Sword God, you forced my hand. Had you allowed me to leave earlier, none of this would have occurred!"
"Liang Xi, you must die today! Do you think that having the Sword God protect you renders me helpless?"
"Great Sun Reincarnation Formation!"
Instantly, several golden pillars of light sealed off the Sword God's movements. "Sword God, I know you are formidable, and that no matter how many years I cultivate, I can never surpass you. Therefore, I must ask you to remain quietly aside for a brief moment. Once I eliminate Liang Xi, I shall offer you my apologies!"
Silencing the Sword God first was the only way to eradicate Liang Xi without distraction. The kid was already this formidable; if allowed to mature, he would undoubtedly become a grave calamity in the future!
"Hmph, do you think a mere Great Sun Reincarnation Formation can trap me? Are you unaware that your hundred generations of reincarnation hold no effect over me? If you truly slay Liang Xi today, I guarantee I will not spare you!"
"Liang Xi, with no one left to interfere, let me witness what kind of tricks you still have up your sleeve! Stripped of the Sword God, in my eyes, you are nothing more than waste!"
"Sword God, you are utterly powerless now. Rest assured, I shall slay him right before your eyes, causing you eternal regret! What use is your formidable strength when there remain things you are utterly powerless to change?"
"Ultimate Fist!"
This punch was destined to be Qin Mengzu's final technique. Liang Xi could sense that the man's power was rapidly draining away, gathering every last shred of his remaining strength to manifest the form of a war god. Clad in dazzling silver armor that shone brilliantly beneath the sunlight, the war god possessed a fist comparable in size to a hill!
"It is useless, kid! You are dead for sure today!"
The hill-sized iron fist roared through the air, smashing viciously toward Liang Xi. At that moment, terror filled Liang Xi's eyes; the Scroll of Lingyun he had practiced failed to yield the slightest effect!
"Die, kid! You should feel honored that you forced me to deploy such a formidable technique, proving that I acknowledge you as a worthy opponent. It is merely a pity that such a talent cannot be brought under my command! Someone like you must die!"
"Yet, I shall remember you!"
Boom!
The hill-sized fist slammed heavily into Liang Xi's body. Following this strike, survival was out of the question for Liang Xi!
"Qin! Meng! Zu!"
Boom!
The Sword God forcefully shattered the Great Sun Reincarnation Formation, an action achieved at the steep cost of depleting a portion of his spiritual essence. Yet at this moment, he could no longer afford to hesitate!
Swish!
The fierce, peerless azure sword Qi instantly leveled every hill in the vicinity. The sheer destructive power far surpassed any prior technique. Qin Mengzu never anticipated that the Sword God would go to such lengths for a mere kid, willing to expend his own spiritual power?
"Sword God, your anger is in vain. That hateful brat is already dead. Since I am no match for you, let us part ways here!"
"Wish to leave? Get back here!"
The Sword God's hand caught the retreating Qin Mengzu, hurling him back violently. "What did I state earlier? I declared that if you killed Liang Xi, I would never let you go. It appears you truly believed I was merely jesting?"
Swish!
A furious arc of sword Qi cleaved directly toward the terrified Qin Mengzu!
Puff!
A mouthful of blood spewed from Qin Mengzu. Terror gripped his heart—did he truly make a miscalculation? No, he had never been wrong, nor would he ever be! Liang Xi deserved to die! Even if he had to repeat it all over again, he would make the exact same choice!
"Very well! Since you insist on fighting, I shall humor you!"
Bang!
Yet the Sword God afforded him no opportunity to counterattack!
"Fight? Hmph, you are mistaken. What I want is for you to die!"
"With this single strike, everything ends here!"
"Old friend, receive this final sword strike of mine! I have prepared it specifically for you!"
"Great Sun Reincarnation Sword!"
A golden blade of Qi rapidly condensed—a strike capable of obliterating everything, representing the absolute pinnacle of the Sword God's might. Following this strike, his spiritual essence would be completely exhausted, plunging him into a prolonged slumber. Yet today, every action he took was fully worth it!
"Die! No one can save you now!"
The overwhelmingly powerful sword finally smashed down upon the utterly horrified Qin Mengzu!
Bang!
At the very instant before he could execute Qin Mengzu, the Sword God's spiritual essence finally depleted entirely, causing him to vanish into nothingness! Qin Mengzu had snatched his life back from the jaws of death!
At this moment, his face turned pale with lingering fright. It was dangerously close—that madman had genuinely intended to slay him!
Though uncertain of the exact sequence of events, it appeared he had emerged victorious after all!
Hahaha! I am truly one favored by the heavens. No matter what transpires, the ultimate victor is always myself. It was so in the past, it is so in the present, and it shall remain so in the future! Sword God, formidable though you are, after our numerous clashes, you have always suffered defeat by a narrow margin. This is the Mandate of Heaven, and Heaven's mandate cannot be defied!
Now, he alone stood as the supreme power, unmatched by any living soul!
"Liang Xi, weren't you quite arrogant just moments ago? What has become of you now? You are dead!"
Swish!
A sharp blade of sword Qi pierced straight through his flesh!
"I witnessed everything that transpired earlier. Go to your hell!"
"This strand of sword Qi belonged to you from the start. Did you truly believe your schemes were hidden from me? You planted this sword Qi within my body, hoping I would burst apart mid-battle!"
"However, there is one detail you likely failed to anticipate. Due to my cultivation of the Scroll of Lingyun, my physique has undergone certain alterations. I possess the ability to absorb foreign sword Qi, and you are the very first person to discover this!"
"No matter how your techniques transform, they ultimately stem from sword Qi. As long as it is sword Qi, I have nothing to fear. It now appears you are indeed no match for me!"
A single sword strike piercing the throat!
How could this be? He was a grand master who had survived countless battles of all scales; why had he suffered defeat at the hands of a junior?
He felt unreconciled—truly, deeply unreconciled! Yet what use was reconciliation when he could no longer do a single thing?
"What? You, such a person, are unwilling to accept defeat? Hmph, very well. Since that is the case, it seems you have no choice but to die. Ah, my apologies, I misspoke—in the eyes of everyone else, you are already a corpse!"
"If you still wish to fight, I can accommodate you, though you likely lack any remaining cultivation by now. Therefore, this battle concludes with your defeat after all!"
"Your grand scheme has ultimately come to naught!"
"No, I have not failed! I will never fail! In this world, I alone am the supreme existence, and not a single one of you is my match!"
"Qin Mengzu, you violated the ancestral precepts by forcibly resurrecting as a spiritual entity and committing innumerable atrocities. Do you still refuse to acknowledge your wrongdoing?"
"Sword God? You are actually still alive? Why—why must it be thus? After all these years, why do you refuse to let me go? Had you simply let me be, I would never have become what I am today! It was all your fault. All these years, my frenzied pursuit of cultivation—do you know why I endured it? Simple: solely to surpass you! As long as I could surpass you, I was willing to pay any price!"
"Yet why, why have I still failed while you, whom I clearly struck down and destroyed earlier, managed to survive? What secrets do you possess that remain unknown to me?"
The Sword God slowly materialized. "It is quite simple: because my true body never once appeared, and what you struck down earlier was nothing more than an illusion. A person like you did not deserve such an end, yet things have degenerated to this point due to your own faults, leaving no one else to blame. For the sake of our past friendship, I am willing to grant you a final shred of dignity. Leave. Go to some place where no one knows your name and live out your remaining days in obscurity. Liang Xi, tell me, is this acceptable? Though this wretch is a scoundrel, we were old acquaintances after all, and I truly cannot bear to witness him end up in such a state. He has made countless enemies throughout his life; once others learn of this, humiliation will be the least of his concerns!"
"Since senior has spoken, this junior has no objections whatsoever!"
"Very well!"
"Will you get lost at once?"