Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating a lone figure in white robes, sword in hand. In an instant, hundreds of soldiers charged toward Li Guanqi.

He let out a quiet sigh, tightened his grip on his sword, and charged. In the dim alley, the gleam of his blade wove a continuous arc of silver light.

Li Guanqi closed in on Tang Chongqing at lightning speed. Blood splattered around him as light flickered off his sword.

Every strike of his blade was precise and ruthless. Limbs were severed and bodies torn apart, mixing with the pouring rain. Li Guanqi moved like the wind—swift and unstoppable.

Amidst the relentless rain, he was a razor’s edge, cutting through every defense in his path. Then, just as he drew within five zhang of his target, Tang Chongqing’s eyes flashed with a cold light.

Sensing danger, Li Guanqi leaped into the air.

The stone pavement beneath him exploded as two binding talismans shot up from below.

Clang!

A sharp cry of a sword rang out as a flying sword streaked toward him.

Just before the blade pierced his face, Li Guanqi twisted his sword in a reverse grip and deflected it. He used the force to propel himself another ten feet into the air.Tang Chongqing smirked coldly and waved his hand. The swords of the surrounding soldiers suddenly flew into the air as if controlled by an invisible force.

In an instant, four longswords streaked toward Li Guanqi.

With nowhere to evade, he barely managed to parry them but still took several cuts. As he fell, another sword shot up from the ground, aimed straight at his back—a strike as swift as it was treacherous.

Yet Li Guanqi showed no panic. He tapped his feet lightly against the courtyard wall to flip midair. His sword met the incoming blade with pinpoint accuracy. He twisted it at the hilt, then hurled it back towards Tang Chongqing.

However, just before it could strike, a barrier of vital force materialized before Tang Chongqing, stopping the blade an inch from his forehead.

Tang Chongqing dismounted slowly. The two stared at each other from ten zhang away.

The downpour blurred the battlefield. A shadow stirred from within the imperial carriage—someone drawing back the curtain to watch Li Guanqi.

Tang Chongqing casually flicked his fingers, recalling the flying sword to his hand. His gaze darkened. “You haven’t even reached the Foundation Establishment Realm?”

Li Guanqi smirked coldly. “The Qi Refining Realm is more than enough to kill you.”

“Hah! Such arrogance!”

Boom!

The stone pavement beneath Tang Chongqing’s feet shattered without warning. He lunged at Li Guanqi with lightning speed, but Li Guanqi had already sensed the attack.

Their figures flickered in the rain as their swords clashed, sparks flying with every strike. Yet the longer they fought, the more alarmed Tang Chongqing became.

Li Guanqi’s breath remained steady throughout the battle, even after slaying hundreds of soldiers. His physical strength rivaled that of pure martial cultivators, and every sword strike was powerful and decisive. Within mere seconds, Tang Chongqing’s hands were torn and bleeding.

Boom!

Tang Chongqing unleashed a surge of vital force, his sword strikes growing even fiercer.

However, Li Guanqi’s movements were too quick and his figure too elusive, allowing him to evade the fatal attacks every time. The battle continued in the rain, with hundreds of exchanges already made.

And in every clash, Li Guanqi’s swordsmanship proved stronger, faster, and sharper. At least thirty percent more so.

Then, just as Tang Chongqing forced him back with a strike, Li Guanqi suddenly sheathed his sword.

A chill ran down Tang Chongqing’s spine. He instinctively stepped back.

Li Guanqi did not retreat. He charged.

Clang!

A flash of cold steel streaked through the air like lightning.

Drip. Drip.

Blood spilled from Tang Chongqing’s chest. He furiously pulled multiple talismans, sending icicles and fireballs hurtling toward Li Guanqi.

Li Guanqi dodged, weaving through the onslaught.

He leaped into the air, forming seals with both hands. His vital qi soared to life.

Boom! Crack!

The dark clouds above churned. Lightning flared wildly.

Li Guanq’s voice thundered through the storm. “Spell number 246!

“Break Formations, Lightning Spear!”

Boom!

Tang Chongqing’s face twisted in horror. He threw out multiple defensive talismans, forming layers of barriers.

But Li Guanqi poured every last ounce of his vital qi into his spell.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The barriers shattered.

The massive, four-zhang-long lightning spear tore through the sky and impaled Tang Chongqing’s chest, pinning him to the stone pavement.

Lightning surged violently as Tang Chongqing let out a bloodcurdling cry. Then, his body turned into a charred husk.

He was dead.

Li Guanqi landed heavily, gasping for breath. He immediately took out two spirit stones to replenish his energy.

“Father!”

Tang Yi let out a scream of despair as he witnessed his father being struck down by lightning. His troops had already been slaughtered, and now, consumed by fear, he hastily yanked on his horse’s reins, attempting to flee.

Li Guanqi’s eyes glowed coldly. With a flick of his foot, he kicked a fallen longsword into the air. He channeled his energy, spun midair, and struck the sword’s hilt with a powerful kick.

Whoosh!

The blade whistled through the rain, piercing Tang Yi’s back. With a dull thud, he collapsed to the ground.

Li Guanqi caught his breath, then stepped into the Li residence’s entrance.

“Cease at once!”

His voice, amplified by vital qi, shook everyone to their core. He lifted his jade slip and declared, “I am Li Guanqi, disciple of the Heavenly Lightning Peak of the Daxia Sword Sect!

“I have come under sect orders to investigate the chaos in the Xuantian Dynasty!

“Tang Chongqing, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, violated cultivation laws by interfering with mortal dynasties. His execution was justified!

“The Li family, loyal and righteous, was falsely accused! They are innocent!”

Li Guanqi turned his gaze toward the imperial carriage. His voice was sharp and authoritative.

“Ji Congyuan, as the emperor, you have appointed a cultivator as an Imperial Advisor and listened to treacherous whispers. You have violated the laws!

“From this moment onward, your rule is revoked! The Daxia Sword Sect will determine the next course of action!”

A frail middle-aged man stepped out of the carriage. He saw the jade slip in Li Guanqi’s hand, then trembled and bowed. “Ji Congyuan obeys the decree of the Esteemed Cultivator.”

Inside the Li residence, Li Ren and Li Shenzhi—both drenched in blood—exchanged glances of relief.

Li Shenzhi finally recognized the white-robed figure outside.

He recalled their brief encounter at the Drunken Flower Brothel and murmured, “Li Guanqi, I owe you a great debt!”