Chapter Sixty-Five: That Sword

Qin Yi stared in astonishment at the emerald water dragon, his eyes wide with wonder. It was not simply the power he sensed within that green dragon, but rather a subtle, inexplicable aura that he could not quite name. He and Zhang Chen had both studied the ancient remnants of the "Heaven-Piercing Codex" atop Jade Spirit Peak. While he was not as deeply versed in the Dao of Talismans as Zhang Chen, his own cultivation was nothing to scoff at—being the peerless Dao Embryo, after all. He was well aware of Zhang Chen’s abilities and secrets, yet the talisman Zhang Chen now summoned seemed to carry something new, something beyond the ordinary.

An artistic conception—an elusive, indescribable quality.

Qin Yi turned to glance at the old man Jiang, who was watching Zhang Chen’s move with satisfaction, stroking his snowy beard. In that instant, Qin Yi understood.

Old Jiang, basking in his pride, caught Qin Yi's gaze and looked even more pleased with himself.

With a thunderous crash, the green water dragon surged forward, slamming into the four members of the Qian family. Seeing Zhang Chen dare to face them all at once with nothing but a talisman, the four scoffed and rushed to meet the attack head-on.

As the green dragon struck, it shattered into streams of water that flowed over the Qian family, streaming down their bodies and pooling onto the ground. The water quickly vanished, as if it were absorbed by the earth or by roots hidden beneath the surface.

Once the last traces of water disappeared, the four Qian family members were revealed. They were not gravely injured—at most, their robes were torn and sodden. But they looked bedraggled, their dignity washed away by the deluge.

Qian Ji Qing, displeased by their sorry state, snapped, “Split into two pairs and take on each of them! I don’t believe these boys can hold out long against two opponents each.” For anyone seeking to fight two at once, a swift victory was essential—a truth every cultivator on Divine Continent knew. However great your skill, facing two relentless foes for long would inevitably wear you down and break your rhythm.

“I think you’d all do better to stay and face me together, don’t you?” Qin Yi stepped forward, blade in hand, blocking the pair who tried to bypass him to attack Zhang Chen. He smiled and tossed a taunt over his shoulder to Old Jiang: “You’ve already taught Zhang Chen your tricks. If you dare hold back with me, let’s see if Jiang Yao will still learn swordplay from you.”

Old Jiang squinted at him, then, after a long pause, growled, “You little devil. Ruthless, aren’t you?”

Qin Yi only laughed in reply, “At least you know when to yield.”

In the next instant, slender threads of snowy sword energy coiled around his blade, Feixue. Qin Yi’s figure flickered, vanishing from sight and leaving only a ghostly afterimage. He reappeared beside Qian Hongfu, thrusting with a cunning arc, his “Demon-Slaying Slash” aiming straight for his foe.

Old Jiang frowned at this, muttering, “Be decisive. Make it clean.”

Qin Yi grinned without breaking stride. Instead of following through with the same attack, he switched to a direct thrust, combining the unpredictable movements of the Taiyi Star Shift with his own speed to strike at Qian Hongfu.

Suddenly, the clear sky rumbled with thunder. A brilliant talisman blazed overhead, and a dazzling bolt of lightning crashed down, striking at the three Qian family members other than Qian Hongfu.

This time, Qin Yi was not so surprised—he had seen Zhang Chen’s brilliance already.

Qin Yi’s sword thrust at Qian Hongfu, who barely managed to twist aside, the blade missing its mark. Yet, with a swift twist, Qin Yi reversed his grip, slashing again. Qian Hongfu dodged once more, escaping with only a rent in his robes, no blood drawn.

Old Jiang scolded, “Boy, you’re still not getting it!”

Qin Yi glanced back, grinning, “Don’t be impatient, Old Jiang. Let me show you something in a moment.”

Old Jiang responded with a dubious “Oh?” and then, with a haughty tone, “Let’s see what you’ve figured out.”

Qin Yi smiled, vanished again, and—just as before—appeared at Qian Hongfu’s side, repeating the exact same move.

Old Jiang frowned, wary but withholding judgment for now.

Qian Hongfu, lips twitching in anger, snapped, “Qin Yi, are you making a fool of me?” This time, he didn’t bother dodging. Having just faced the same attack, he knew what to expect. Channeling his energy, his right fist blazed red as he swung at Qin Yi.

At that, Qin Yi’s lips curled into a foxlike grin. Abruptly, he halted his charge and slashed in place. Four arcs of sword energy burst forth, each snowy white and more lethal than before, slicing through the air with biting cold, aimed at the four foes.

Old Jiang’s face broke into a smile of satisfaction.

Qian Hongfu, feeling the chilling intent, recognized the speed and sharpness of the four slashes. Suddenly, he shouted, “Retreat! It’s the Demon-Bane Strike!” Of the Three Slashes of Taiyi, this was the fastest and most lethal. From afar, it could be defended against; at close range, it was nearly unstoppable.

But even though he realized the danger, it was too late. Each of the four Qian family members was slashed, blood welling from fresh wounds.

Jiang Fengnian, witnessing it all, turned to Old Jiang and laughed, “No wonder they call him the Peerless Dao Embryo. Am I right?” He had read about such prodigies in the Dao Palace’s vast library, but seeing it in person was another matter entirely.

Old Jiang allowed himself a small smile but waved it off dismissively, “He’ll do, I suppose.”

Jiang Fengnian only smiled in response.

Qin Yi turned to Old Jiang, chuckling, “Well, what do you think? That one was all my own idea.”

Old Jiang’s face soured, “You’re not even worthy to carry my boots, compared to how I was in my youth.”

Qin Yi only smiled, then turned solemn, “Then, Master Jiang, please watch this next strike.”

Hearing himself addressed so formally, Old Jiang straightened, stroking his snowy beard, eyes fixed on Qin Yi.

Zhang Chen came to stand at Qin Yi’s side, grinning, “Don’t forget there’s still a Divine Transformation Talisman Master here.”

Qin Yi shrugged, “As you please.”

Zhang Chen bristled with anger—after all the changes he’d undergone, this boy still dared look down on him! He began to gather his own talismanic energy.

Qin Yi raised Feixue, right arm level with his shoulder, sword tip aimed at the Qian family. He planted one foot and, maintaining the same posture, seemed to float gently in midair.

Zhang Chen was taken aback—the movement was all too familiar.

Old Jiang and Jiang Fengnian both stared, stunned, especially the former.

Qian Ji Qing and Qian Hongfu steeled their gazes, but with Old Jiang and Jiang Fengnian present, Qian Ji Qing dared not act. Besides, he couldn’t believe Qin Yi could actually unleash that sword strike—he himself had witnessed Old Jiang’s strike before, and its power was enough to rend heaven and earth.

Qin Yi hovered in the air just as Old Jiang had the night before, then landed softly. As he touched ground, a slender, snowy beam of sword energy extended slowly from Feixue’s tip.

Old Jiang looked skyward, then closed his eyes.

With a single stroke, Qin Yi turned resolutely, fixing Old Jiang with a steady gaze. “Master Jiang, let’s see if you’ll ever look down on me again.”

Zhang Chen, watching Qin Yi pass by, was momentarily stunned, but quickly returned to focusing on his talisman.

Qin Yi’s sword, just like Old Jiang’s the night before, suddenly accelerated, unleashing a tremendous, overwhelming sword intent that swept toward the Qian family.

Qian Hongfu, recognizing the danger, turned and ran—he had seen firsthand what Old Jiang’s sword could do over the Southern Sea. The other three, though less familiar, had also heard tales of that devastating strike.

Yet, just as they turned to flee, the earth trembled and a deafening boom echoed. The ground exploded before them, revealing an ochre talisman that blocked their retreat.

Qian Ji Qing frowned deeply.

Trapped between the talisman and the overwhelming sword intent surging from behind, the four turned ashen with terror, their screams splitting the air.

“Ah—!”