Chapter 276: Chapter 276: Ruining Your Appearance
In the square, He Qin and Qin Huan stood ten steps apart, staring at each other.
Qin Huan scrutinized He Qin, a cold smile on his lips. "You must be happy that Luo Feng defeated Li Feng. But don’t get too complacent; he will soon be defeated by my elder brother!"
"Not necessarily."
He Qin remained unfazed, her calm tone carrying a surprisingly powerful weight.
Upon hearing her words, Qin Huan sneered, his expression ferocious. "Even now, you continue to defend him! Fine, then don’t blame me for not holding back!"
The jealousy in Qin Huan’s eyes made him appear somewhat deranged as he fixed a chilling glare on He Qin.
If he couldn’t have her, neither would others.
He decided to take advantage of their duel to give He Qin an unforgettable lesson.
"When this duel is over, you’ll probably be crying and begging me!"
Qin Huan gripped his Longsword, a cold smirk forming in his heart.
"Enough of your nonsense. You were disrespectful at Yunlan Peak. Let’s settle this matter here today!"
CLANG! A flash of snowy light cut across the square as He Qin’s Cold Snow Sword was drawn from its sheath.
"You’ll regret saying that!"
A wicked grin touched Qin Huan’s lips. His figure flickered, appearing five steps in front of He Qin like a streak of lightning.
HUM!
He casually flicked his Longsword, and clusters of cold sword light, following the violent tremor of the blade, enveloped the area before him with a speed that caught everyone off guard.
Such a fast sword!
This was the only thought that remained in the minds of many as they watched Qin Huan attack.
Qin Huan’s sword was unimaginably fast. Many hadn’t even seen him make a move before the seamless streams of sword light shot out, as dazzling as fireworks, radiating an overflowing, sharp aura.
Facing the layers of sword light, He Qin calmly stated, "We both cultivate Fast Sword. Let’s see whose sword is faster!"
SWISH!
A cold light flashed in He Qin’s beautiful eyes. With a flick of her fair wrist, the Cold Snow Sword vanished from sight, counterattacking at an even greater speed, instantly delivering twenty-four thrusts.
CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG...
The tips of their swords collided, erupting in a shower of brilliant sparks.
Sharp Sword Qi shot out in all directions. Some even landed near the spectator stands, instantly boring deep pits into the ground and causing gasps of alarm.
Both cultivated Fast Sword and possessed impressive attainments in Sword Dao. When they moved, their swords were like lightning, their figures like gusts of wind.
Their figures were obscured by the sword light, leaving only sheets of sword light visible, like flashes of lightning in the dark, shining incessantly.
"Their swords are so fast! I can’t even see how many exchanges they’ve had."
"You want to see how many exchanges they’ve had? I can’t even see their figures anymore."
"It’s incredible! To have such Sword Dao attainments at their age! They might even be superior to some seniors who have been immersed in Sword Dao for many years."
"The young surpass their elders; age doesn’t represent everything. Luo Feng comprehended Grand Momentum at fifteen. Throughout the entire Canglan Dynasty, I doubt anyone can match that."
"Well said. Witnessing such a duel makes this trip worthwhile!"
"I wonder who will win."
The atmosphere in the entire square once again reached a boiling point.
The battle between Luo Feng and Li Feng was a collision of power against power—shocking, certainly, but lacking in sophistication.
The battle between He Qin and Qin Huan, however, was more a display of evolving techniques, each with unique characteristics, brilliant and dazzling.
"Such brilliant Swordsmanship! He Qin’s Sword Dao attainments seem to have improved recently! There’s a restrained sharpness in her Swordsmanship, somewhat similar yet distinct from the aura of Traceless Young Master Ji Wufa, who has comprehended Sword Intent..."
Bing Ruolan, herself a Sword Dao expert, watched the two dueling in the square, lost in thought.
However, she didn’t know that this was all related to Luo Feng.
Hearing this, Luo Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. He hadn’t expected Bing Ruolan to be so perceptive.
He Qin had concealed her Sword Intent, which ordinary people would struggle to detect, yet Bing Ruolan had still perceived it.
"This girl’s talent in Sword Dao is truly remarkable!" Luo Feng muttered to himself, then said to Bing Ruolan, "Ruolan, watch closely. The good part is about to begin."
Just as Luo Feng’s voice fell, a loud shout suddenly echoed across the square.
"He Qin, take this!"
Qin Huan had thought that with his mid-stage Hell Realm Cultivation, he could easily suppress He Qin.
However, he hadn’t expected her sword moves to possess a seemingly invisible added strength. Even after exchanging over a hundred blows, they were still evenly matched.
He, with his higher Cultivation, had been unable to gain the slightest advantage for so long. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of shame and anger. With a loud shout, he gripped his Longsword hilt with both hands. His entire body erupted with brilliant golden light, sharp as needles, radiating an intense aura.
"Thousands of Light Golden Sword!"
Qin Huan’s eyes were wide with rage as his Longsword, now rendered a crimson-gold, slashed down at He Qin from above.
The golden light transformed into innumerable sharp swords, like a swarm of locusts, blanketing the sky as they swept towards He Qin.
WHIZ, WHIZ, WHIZ, WHIZ, WHIZ, WHIZ...
Wherever the sword light passed, the hard stone floor of the square became riddled with holes, not an inch left intact.
"Ivy School’s Falling Maple Swordsmanship..."
He Qin showed no intention of retreating. Her Cold Snow Sword transformed into a streak of cold light, thrusting out continuously. The air distorted, and one stream after another of Invisible Sword Qi appeared silently.
BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG...
Explosive sounds filled the square. All of Qin Huan’s golden Sword Qi detonated five steps in front of He Qin, bursting apart.
It was as if an invisible wall stood before He Qin, one that not even a fly could pass through.
"So fast! He Qin actually managed to block such a dense barrage of attacks. Truly incredible!"
"In terms of speed, the two seem evenly matched, but it looks like Qin Huan hasn’t used his full strength yet."
Low discussions rippled through the square.
Qin Huan stared at He Qin, his expression incredibly ugly.
He originally thought that defeating He Qin would not be a challenge.
However, to his surprise, even his Thousands of Light Golden Sword couldn’t do anything to He Qin.
Her Cultivation was a level lower than his, yet the power of her Sword Qi was no less than his own. It simply defied reason.
"Damn it, when did she become this strong!?" Qin Huan roared inwardly, his eyes full of resentment.
The more outstanding He Qin was, the more unattainable she seemed, and the deeper the hatred in his heart grew.
"I don’t believe you can block this strike of mine!"
Qin Huan gritted his teeth, his aura suddenly surging. His Longsword drew a semi-circle in the air, and layer upon layer of golden Sword Qi poured out.
Through the sword light, Qin Huan looked at He Qin with a savage grin. "Take this strike of mine—Falling Maple Autumn Kill!"
As his voice fell, Qin Huan thrust his sword forward.
In an instant, countless golden maple leaves fluttered about, transforming the entire square into what seemed like an autumn maple forest, a scene of breathtaking beauty.
SLICE!
A golden maple leaf swept past, instantly carving a terrifying, foot-deep gash into the hard surface of the square!
"It’s the killing strike of Falling Maple Swordsmanship—Falling Maple Autumn Kill! This Swordsmanship has no discernible pattern and is filled with killing intent at every turn. He Qin is in danger."
"He even unleashed Falling Maple Autumn Kill. Qin Huan’s Cultivation is higher than He Qin’s; this indirectly proves his Swordsmanship isn’t as good as hers."
"Hmm. But in a duel between Martial Artists, only the result matters, not the process."
"That’s true."
Watching the golden maple leaves drift through the air, a wave of astonishment swept through the square.
"Falling Maple Autumn Kill—that’s the highest realm of Falling Maple Swordsmanship! In terms of killing power, it’s among the best of Profound Level, low-grade Martial Arts. Moreover, this sword technique’s killing intent is formless; once trapped, it’s very difficult to defend against."
Zi Yuan, familiar with the Martial Arts of various academies, recognized Qin Huan’s technique at a glance and couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
In the entire pavilion, only Luo Feng remained calm and composed.
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH...
Layers of maple leaves swept out, sealing off all space around He Qin, leaving her no room to evade.
He Qin’s expression remained unchanged, a cold light flickering in her beautiful eyes. Invisible Sword Qi protected her entire body, shattering all the maple leaves that drew near.
The battle reached a stalemate for a moment. Everyone was focused intently on He Qin, wondering how she would break this deadlock.
And just then, Qin Huan, who had been standing at the edge, had a flicker in his eyes. He stealthily retrieved a cyan iron pellet from his storage ring.
This cyan pellet was called the Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet, refined from collected Rotten Bone Miasma. Although its power was less than the Sky Gang Thunderbolt Bullet, the miasma within it was intensely corrosive; even Gang Qi couldn’t completely block it.
"You asked for this! Once I disfigure you, I’ll humiliate you ruthlessly!"
Qin Huan glanced at He Qin with a cold smile and poured True Qi into the Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet.
"He Qin, beware of the hidden weapon!"
Just as Qin Huan was about to throw the Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet, Luo Feng’s voice suddenly rang out.
From the beginning, Luo Feng could sense Qin Huan’s murderous intent, so he had been keeping a close eye on him.
"How did he find out!?"
Qin Huan was startled, but the arrow was already nocked; he had to release it. His expression turned vicious, and with a flick of his hand, he threw the Rotten Bone thunder bomb, sending it flying towards He Qin’s face.
No one had expected such a turn of events. Everyone’s eyes widened, and many forgot to even close their mouths.
In the third pavilion, Zi Hongyuan and the others turned pale with fright.
Zi Yuan and Bing Ruolan’s faces were ashen, their small hands clenched tightly.
Luo Feng’s brow also furrowed slightly. At such a distance, even if he wanted to intervene, it was too late. Everything depended on He Qin herself.
"Qin Huan, you are truly shameless!"
Alerted by Luo Feng, He Qin noticed Qin Huan’s action. Killing intent flickered in her beautiful eyes, and deep within her pupils, a snow-cold light shimmered.
Her Cold Snow Sword trembled slightly. He Qin stood, her focus absolute. Suddenly, a bone-chilling aura radiated outwards, and an icy killing intent swept across the four directions.
In that instant, the temperature of the entire square plummeted. Many people couldn’t help but shiver, as if something frigid had swept through their hearts, chilling them to the core.
"Sword Intent—Annihilation! Snow Covers a Thousand Peaks!"
Sword Intent!
As she stepped forward, the Cold Snow Sword in Bing Ruolan’s hand instantly vanished. A cold wind gusted, and goose-feather snowflakes began to fall, dancing in the air. The entire space of the square seemed to solidify.
CHH, CHH, CHH...
As the snowflakes landed on the golden maple leaves, a chilling aura radiated out. The golden maple leaves were instantly frozen into ice crystals, which then fell to the ground and shattered into nothing.
That Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet was also frozen solid by the frigid Sword Intent, unable to advance another inch.
"Sword Intent! Such powerful Sword Intent!" Cries of astonishment rose from the square.
Bing Ruolan looked at the dumbfounded Qin Huan with icy eyes and sneered, "Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet—returning it to you!"
SWISH!
With a point of her sword tip, a beam of snowy Sword Qi enveloped the explosive bullet and shot it towards Qin Huan.
BANG!
The Rotten Bone Explosive Bullet exploded in front of Qin Huan. A cloud of yellow mist erupted, enveloping him.
SIZZLE...
When the Rotten Bone Miasma touched the ground, it immediately emitted corrosive sounds.
"AH! AHH! My face..."
WHOOSH!
Qin Huan rushed out of the miasma, clutching his face with both hands. He stumbled and fell to the ground, howling incessantly as blood seeped out from between his fingers.