Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Boom boom boom!

Clang!

The two moved at extreme speed, trading dozens of strikes with every breath.

Lu Tao’s sword met Xiao Chen’s spear again and again, but the spear never wavered. Xiao Chen fully exploited the spear’s advantage, thrusting to pierce before swinging the shaft up to press his attack.

Xiao Chen had entered a state of complete focus, his spear moving exactly as his heart willed. For a time, he steadily forced Lu Tao back.

In a duel of sword against spear, the sword lacked both reach and raw power. A spear could also be wielded like a staff, sweeping and smashing with a force that was difficult to block.

Whenever Lu Tao got close, Xiao Chen adjusted his grip, shortening it to strike with both ends of the spear.

Suddenly, Lu Tao’s sword broke past the spear’s range, aiming straight for Xiao Chen’s face.

Screech!

A piercing sword cry rang out. Xiao Chen gripped the shaft of his spear and used a binding technique to deflect the blade, his expression unchanged. The move followed the same principles as the binding techniques found in sword arts, but carried far greater force. Once caught, escape was almost impossible. The webbing between Lu Tao’s thumb and index finger split open, leaving his guard wide open.

Without even turning, Xiao Chen changed his stance. His spear shot out like lightning toward Lu Tao’s face. It was a return thrust. Xiao Chen had yet to turn, but the spear was already there.

The strike was vicious. Xiao Chen had hidden it so well that it was utterly silent. Not even the surrounding space rippled.

By the time Lu Tao reacted, the cold spear tip was already upon him.

Pfft!

Lu Tao screamed in pain. The spear had pierced his abdomen. Xiao Chen lifted the spear and twisted the shaft with both hands. If he completed the motion, it would tear Lu Tao’s abdomen apart.

Without hesitation, Lu Tao grabbed the spear’s red tassel and slashed at Xiao Chen’s hands. The sword light came fast and fierce, forcing Xiao Chen to retreat.

Pfft!

As Xiao Chen retreated, he yanked the spear free, leaving Lu Tao’s waist drenched in blood.

Lu Tao’s expression darkened, and his clan members frowned. They could tell that Xiao Chen was no weakling, and his body showed no trace of demonic qi.

With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Chen sent a thin arc of crimson droplets flying from the spear tip. “You hurt my Third Brother. It’s time to settle the score.”

Xiao Chen had no intention of letting them off—not after what they’d done to Cao Yan. Then again, Lu Tao had no intention of letting Xiao Chen walk away either.

Boom!

Their auras surged to their peak once more, and they charged at each other, heedless of their wounds. The shockwaves of their clashes hammered the barrier again and again. Dust rose across the arena as trench after trench tore open across the platform.

Boom! Boom!

“Seven Stars Sword Art, Army Breaker!”

The moment Xiao Chen sensed the fierce momentum of Lu Tao’s sword, he abandoned every defensive technique and poured all his vital force into his spear. A terrifying killing intent erupted from the Divine Slaying Spear and shot into the sky.

Spear intent filled the air. Using a profound sprint technique, Xiao Chen shot forward like lightning. His spear thrust forth like a dragon.

“Raging Flame Technique, Roaring Wave Tide!”

Boom!

Spear shadows filled the sky like a gathering storm. Sword light shattered, and spear shadows scattered. The two traded blow after blow without pause. Lu Tao’s sword left countless afterimages, while Xiao Chen’s spear strikes were just as swift and unpredictable.

Sparks burst with every clash of their weapons, and the spectators clenched their fists, barely daring to breathe.

Lu Tao’s sword style was fast and ferocious, his dantian and soul brimming with vital force. But Xiao Chen pressed forward, bearing down on him with relentless, desperate force.

As their wounds mounted, the battle grew more brutal. Lu Tao’s face had grown gaunt, his eyes glazing over. He was covered in ghastly wounds, and his skin was smeared with blood and grime. He panted heavily. He had never expected to be pushed this far.

Xiao Chen was no better. His right arm was gone, and he gripped the spear clumsily in his left hand, bracing himself against the ground with it. A large chunk of his scalp had been cut away, blood running down his forehead and blurring his vision. More blood surged up his throat, and he coughed, the sound hoarse and ragged as a broken bellows.

Just then, Lu Tao bit down and shattered the jade pendant on his wrist.

Crack!

A drop of golden spirit liquid flowed from the pendant into his mouth. Xiao Chen tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Li Guanqi’s eyes trembled. Within that single drop, he sensed vital force so thick and heavy it defied description.

Xiao Chen stopped holding back as well. He pulled out a large chunk of radish and shoved it into his mouth, but he needed time to refine it.

Lu Tao had no intention of giving him that chance. He stared at Xiao Chen, eyes cold. “You’re a worthy opponent. But it ends here! Wild Heaven Blade Dance Sword!”

Lu Tao poured all his remaining power into this single strike. Violent sword qi erupted from him, swelling into a massive storm over a hundred zhang wide.

In the distance, the one-armed Xiao Chen stood rooted to the ground, without a trace of fear. Xiao Chen knew this was their final clash. He and Lu Tao both had reached their limits.

Xiao Chen let out a ragged breath and coughed. A faint, unreadable smile touched his lips. He lifted his head. Through his blurred vision, all he could see was the storm of sword qi bearing down on him. Before it even reached him, countless cuts opened across his skin.

Xiao Chen paid it no mind, pouring all his strength into the Divine Slaying Spear. The spear trembled as wind-and-fire vital force erupted from within him. The heavenly fire raged, sweeping outward, barely holding the storm at bay.

“Divine Slaying Spear Art, Rampaging Dragon!”

A clear, resonant dragon’s roar echoed out. The spear turned into a black blur, shooting forward at blinding speed. Flames scorched the heavens as spirit light condensed into a hundred-zhang-long dragon, roaring toward the storm. At the dragon’s head was Xiao Chen himself, gripping the spear in his remaining hand, his face twisted in a ferocious snarl.

“DIEEEEE!!!”

Boom!

A terrifying explosion erupted. Sword qi filled the air while endless flames engulfed the entire battle platform.

The array’s barrier shuddered violently, distorting everything inside. All anyone could see were countless golden sword lights and overwhelming flames sweeping across the platform.

A hush fell over the crowd. The crowd craned their necks, desperate to see what was happening inside.

Eventually, Nangong Xuandu said calmly, “The second match goes to the Lu clan.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

As the dust cleared, Lu Tao came into view, swaying on his feet and leaning on his sword with only half his body left. His consciousness had reached the brink of collapse, yet his hollow eyes refused to close.

Swoosh!

Li Guanqi flashed onto the platform. He looked at Xiao Chen, who was half-kneeling on the ground and propped up by his spear. The sight pained him.

Xiao Chen’s entire body was in tatters. Beyond his severed right arm, the flesh of his torso and limbs hung from his bones in ragged strips. Inside that storm, he must have endured hundreds, perhaps thousands, of sword strikes.

Li Guanqi suppressed his killing intent and looked up, only to see Zhou Shiyu standing on the viewing platform.