Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Ye Feng’s temper flared at Xiao Chen’s attitude. He crouched like a hunting panther before swinging his blade, powerful sword intent erupting from him.

Boom!

Sword light burst forth, tearing a large hole in the cloud boat. Xiao Chen’s eyes widened, and he raised his arm to block the attack. The sword light ricocheted, but not before slicing a few strands from his sideburns and leaving a long, bloody gash on the back of his hand. His face darkened.

Ye Feng leveled his blade at him. “You want me to move? Let’s see if you’re strong enough to make me. How dare a random stray bark at me?”

Although Ye Feng acted like an obedient little brother around Li Guanqi, in front of outsiders, he was a prodigious sword cultivator in his own right.

He gave Li Guanqi face because of their relationship, and he also gave Meng Wanshu face because she was Li Guanqi’s childhood sweetheart. She was even prettier than he’d imagined, and he was more than willing to call her his sister-in-law.

As for everyone else? They didn’t deserve the same respect.

Xiao Chen touched his sideburns and glared at Ye Feng. He asked coldly, “You scum, do you even know who I am?”

Ye Feng charged, sword in hand. “Why the hell would I care who you are? Fuck off!”

Boom! Xiao Chen’s eyes flashed coldly. A nine-chi-long fire-red spear appeared in his hand in a flash of silver. He gave it a sharp shake, the four-cun-long red tassels swinging wide, and the tip clashed against Ye Feng’s blade.

Boom!

The floorboards beneath their feet exploded.

Li Guanqi straightened up. Through the array barrier inside the room, he sensed a powerful aura from outside. Meng Wanshu’s eyes dimmed slightly, and her expression stiffened. Li Guanqi noticed but did not ask questions, rising from her lap.

He reappeared outside the boat and saw two figures locked in intense battle. A youth with a fire-red spear was moving at lightning speed, with two five-zhang-long jiao dragons[1] flanking him and attacking Ye Feng from both sides.

With a sharp gaze, Ye Feng thrust his sword repeatedly, the angles of his attacks shifting unpredictably. The white-robed youth matched him blow for blow, parrying every attack. Metallic clangs rang out in rapid succession.

Li Guanqi squinted, eyes flashing coldly. He shook his wrist and commanded in a low voice, “Nine Heavens! Eat them up!”

Roar!!

A dragon’s roar shook the heavens.

Xiao Chen’s chest tightened. He turned toward the cloud boat and saw a youth standing atop it. He had black hair tied casually behind his head and stood ramrod straight with a confident bearing. His sharp features were framed by a well-defined jawline and white peach blossom eyes. A cold smirk played on his lips, slightly wicked yet still handsome. Lightning crackled around him, and a gigantic purple dragon appeared at his side.

The dragon lifted its head and roared at the sky, cold light flashing in its golden eyes.

Roar!

Its aura erupted. With a shake of its tail, it shot toward the two gray jiao dragons. Before Xiao Chen could react, Nine Heavens had pinned one of them against space with its claw.

Roar!

Nine Heavens shook its tail, exuding raw violence. It looked down, opened its jaws, and sprayed dragon’s breath at the trapped jiao dragon.

Boom!

Lightning struck, punching holes through the surrounding space. Half of the jiao dragon was burned to nothing.

“No! How dare you!”

The other jiao dragon buckled under Nine Heavens’ aura, wailing pitifully, looking like it wanted to flee.

Nine Heavens swung its tail.

Boom!

The tier-five jiao dragon exploded.

Nine Heavens grabbed the first jiao dragon’s carcass—only half remaining—and tossed it into its mouth. It chewed, then swallowed.

Xiao Chen glared daggers at the thirty-zhang-long dragon. His aura surged. He was at the peak of the early Illusory Refinement Realm.

The weather changed instantly, and the wind howled. Fire power spread across the land, and a strange, destructive flame dyed the entire sky red. He swung his spear, sending Ye Feng hurtling hundreds of zhang away.

A ball of fire appeared in his palm. His spear glowed blood-red, bright flames twisting around it. Xiao Chen stomped hard in midair, shattering the air beneath him, then twisted at the waist and hurled his spear.

“God of Archery!”

Boom!

The spear flew like an arrow, piercing through space and hurtling toward Nine Heavens’ head.

Meng Wanshu cried out, “No!”

Boom!

The cloud boat exploded, and Li Guanqi vanished.

The sword coffin flew open and the Red Lotus Sword shot out, its four-chi-long blade erupting with sword intent that shot up into the sky.

Boom!

Nine Heavens straightened its posture, eyes filled with rage. But it did not move, knowing that Li Guanqi was about to act.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Li Guanqi was forced back three zhang. He’d deflected the spear’s thrust with his blade. A surge of vital energy coursed through him, unleashing lightning power.

Xiao Chen caught the returning spear one-handed, but the impact sent him hurtling over a hundred zhang. His face paled. The friction had turned his palm bloody.

He narrowed his eyes at Li Guanqi. “Who are you?”

Li Guanqi gave Xiao Chen a cool look and motioned for Ye Feng to go back.

“I should be the one asking. Who are you?”

Xiao Chen smirked. As if answering was beneath him, he turned to Meng Wanshu. His expression softened into a warm, gentle smile, eyes crinkling with apparent delight. He put away his spear and clasped his hands behind his back. “What a coincidence, Wanshu! You’re here too?”

He continued, “Why are you always trying to avoid me? How’s your father? I haven’t visited him in a few years. Has he asked about me?”

Li Guanqi turned his head calmly.

“Xiao Chen.” Meng Wanshu’s voice was laced with frustration. “Can’t you just drop dead already? You’re so irritating.”

1. 蛟龙 / Jiao dragons are aquatic dragons with no horns, considered the less evolved versions of true dragons. ☜