Seeing Zhang Yan admit it, Shen Lintuâs expression immediately changed a bit, his gaze both excited and somewhat urgent, saying: "I wonder where this saber is now?"
Zhang Yan said calmly: "This item is fated with a disciple of mine, and has already been bestowed."
Shen Lintu frowned, remaining silent for a while, then slowly said: "Let me tell you, this treasure can help this old Daoist unlock the barrier and climb the Dharma mountain again. I rushed here upon hearing the whereabouts of this treasure, my urgency beyond words, I only ask you to hand it over to avoid unnecessary conflict."
As he finished speaking, his expression was extremely stern.
Cultivators have always hated those who block their path most, considering them life-and-death enemies. This was Shen Lintu explicitly telling Zhang Yan, if you refuse to hand over this True Artifact, then thereâs no retreat for me today, only a life-and-death battle with you.
He presumed that with his status as a Nascent Soul Third Realm cultivator, his Daoist cultivation far surpassed Zhang Yanâs, and by saying this, he believed Zhang Yan would feel immense pressure and reconsider.
But little did he expect, upon hearing this, Zhang Yan raised his eyebrows and laughed aloud, saying: "Daoist Shen, if you wish to take this item, you may come for it yourself, why waste more words?"
Seeing Zhang Yanâs strong and fearless response, Shen Lintuâs face darkened with faint anger, saying: "Since you donât understand good and bad, thereâs no need for more words, letâs settle the ownership of this saber here and now."
With a flick of his sleeve, he swiftly moved a hundred yards away, stood firm, and with a wave of his hand, a dual-edged flying saber, half a foot long, flew from his back, hovering above his head.
The blade was pointed at both ends, spindle-like, its body jade-like and even whiter than snow, exuding a chilling Qi radiance under the scorching sun.
Seeing that negotiation was impossible, he felt a murderous intent, pointing forward, the blade spun and transformed into a white light slashing forward.
The saber came with unparalleled speed, reaching Zhang Yan in the blink of an eye.
As a Nascent Soul Third Realm cultivator, Zhang Yan knew there was nothing trivial about Shen Lintu. Previously, he fought the Divine Venerable statue of Lie Xuan Sect, relying then on the Forbidden Array of Double Moon Peak to suppress and refine it. This time, without anything to rely on, he dared not be careless. He formed a sword technique with his hands, and with a sharp sword cry, the Star Sword Ball swiftly flew out, bursting with divine might to meet the sabre light.
Shen Lintu sneered, directing the saber with a spell. The blade split, transforming into two flying sabers, positioned left and right, intending to bypass the sword light. However, the Star Sword Ball suddenly trembled and transformed into two sword glows, attacking separately.
In a flurry of clangs, swords and sabers clashed hundreds of times in an instant. The flying sabers had split into twenty-seven, while the flying sword burst into sixteen sword lights, battling with full force. Despite being outnumbered, the superior speed allowed it to barely manage.
Shen Lintu chuckled: "Youâve got some skills, letâs see how you withstand this."
He extended his left hand, conjuring a misty white Qi, his right hand directed it to merge into a white saber. Using a spell, more blades emerged from the Qi, finally forming twenty-seven sabers before stopping.
Gazing forward, with a flick of the wrist, he incanted "go", sending the twenty-seven white sabers flying forth.
These didnât join the previous melee, but circled around, attacking from an open angle.
Zhang Yan had previously encountered Chongyue True Light Disciples, even acquiring the Leaving Origin Yin-Yang Flying Saber cultivation method from Elder Beigong Hao. He understood that this profound Gate Dao Skill, when mastered to great depths, could rival the Flying Sword Skill, so he did not underestimate it at all.
Pointing with his forefinger and middle finger, he conjured a water glow from thin air, scattering waves, surging tides, enveloping the incoming sabers, causing their tips to dip, seemingly about to dive in.
Shen Lintu sneered, muttering a spell, causing the white sabers to vibrate. They transformed back into energy, escaping the water glowâs constraint. Reformed again as pitch-black in color, shadow-like, they swiftly pierced through the water glow, attacking Zhang Yanâs inner circle.
The Leaving Origin Yin-Yang Flying Saber is famed for "saber conceals method, refining Yin and Yang". At Shen Lintuâs level, the Yang Blade can be shifted to Yin Blade and vice-versa at any time, able to change between firmness and softness with spells during a battle array, maneuvered at will.
This foundational technique, Shen Lintu sought the Yin Slaughter Saber because if held as a Yin Blade, and refined into a Yang Blade by his mana, the fusion would reveal the rare mystery and advance him to the Cave Heaven Realm.
With this reasoning, despite any struggle, he wouldnât let Zhang Yan slip away without obtaining the saber, even if it meant pursuing to the ends of the earth.
Seeing that the flying sabers, not yet upon him, were already oozing with sinister Yin energy, making him feel as though immersed in cold water, Zhang Yan swung his broad sleeve, invoking the Earth Splitting Qiankun. Sensing the approaching saber Qi, it emitted a ten-zhang wide golden light curtain, fully surrounding him.
The fierce saber Qi constantly impacted, causing the golden light to quiver and ripple. Just as it seemed about to break, the Qiankun Leaf trembled, solidifying it once again.
Shen Lintuâs eyes grew cold, muttering spells again. His shoulders trembled, releasing twenty-seven white sabers from his left shoulder. He shouted, converging the saber light to form a radiant five-foot-long Yang Blade.
Unlike the previous white sabers, this one seemed a treasure. He reached for it, holding it aloft, slicing towards the Qiankun Leaf, releasing a dazzling stroke, hitting directly and within moments, slashing through the protective golden light!
...
...(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)