"Is it you who kidnapped my fiancée?" Han Yan was already simmering with anger when Zirong stepped forward, asking with murderous intent.
"You mean that woman? Yes, we took her." The middle-aged man looked at Zirong with disdain, not bothering to deny it, and replied arrogantly.
"Die!" Getting the answer, Zirong didnât waste any more words and suddenly darted forward, stabbing towards the opponent with his sword.
This sword strike was as swift as a shooting star, as fast as lightning, and unstoppable, filled with all of Zirongâs anger and hatred.
The sword force was also extremely cunning, and the sword hummed, transforming into a thousand sword shadows, each aimed directly at the opponentâs heart meridian.
Even Han Yan couldnât help but secretly admire it. If she hadnât already advanced to the third stage Sword Master, she wouldnât have been entirely confident in parrying this strike from Zirong with just the strength of a first-level Sword Master.
It seems the situation with the fiancĂ©e not only incited his wrath and hatred to the extreme but also pushed his potential to its limits. Han Yan wasnât interested in saying another word of nonsense to the opponent. She was ready to make a move, but seeing Zirong take the lead, she stopped.
During this period, although Zirong appeared calm and composed on the surface and never mentioned Yu Qingwan, Han Yan knew his mind was never truly at peace. Occasionally, she could see the deep worry and anxiety in his eyes.
Itâs just that heâs not the kind of person who gets swept up in romance, nor someone who would lament over minor setbacks or drown his sorrows in alcohol. He knew that no matter how much he worried, it wouldnât help; hence, he kept all his concerns to himself.
At this moment, the long-suppressed anxiety and fury finally found an outlet. If he didnât vent them, Han Yan was really worried it might affect his temperament and lead to drastic changes in his personality.
She definitely didnât want Zirong to become the heartless killing star of the past who could silence crying children just by showing up. Although the current Zirong was somewhat shameless, he was still much more lovable than that killing star who stopped at nothing.
Moreover, with Zirongâs current formidable combat power, he shouldnât be in any real danger. It was a chance to see just how terrifying Zirongâs potential could be when fully unleashed.
Facing Zirongâs limit-breaking fierce sword strike, the middle-aged man also showed a look of surprise, clearly not expecting that just a Great Swordsman could display combat power comparable to a normal first-level Sword Master.
The middle-aged man flicked his wrist, and a longsword appeared in his hand. This sword was a dusky grey, without a trace of brilliance, yet it gave off an eerie and sinister feeling. The longsword trembled rapidly, and the emitted Sword Light was also filled with a sinister aura.
"Clang clang clang..." A dense sound like raindrops clattered as Zirongâs thousand-point sword stars were blocked one by one.
In the muffled sound, the middle-aged man struck Zirongâs shoulder with a palm.
Zirong was shaken by this palm strike, retreating seven or eight steps before barely stabilizing himself. His body was continuously trembling, clearly having suffered some internal injury.
"Such a subtle sword technique, such strong power!" Han Yan was immensely surprised.
Zirongâs earlier beyond-limit sword strike was like a rain of daggers, already exquisite and unparalleled, yet unexpectedly, the manâs swordsmanship was even more exquisite, managing to block every single droplet of the sword rain in the nick of time, and finally landing a heavy palm on Zirong.
This manâs previous strike was likely hiding his strength. Others might not accurately gauge his strength from this strike, but Han Yan could see that his strength should be Fourth Rank Sword Master. If not for Zirongâs exceptional performance catching him off guard, Zirong might have been seriously injured under his hand.
"Not worth a hit!" Injuring Zirong with a palm, the middle-aged man again displayed his arrogance.
"Iâll kill you!" Zirong shouted in anger and charged again.
"Zirong, stop!" Han Yan called out to Zirong. He was lucky to avoid danger earlier because that unexpected strike even surprised Han Yan, catching the opponent off guard. If he acted again, there wouldnât be such good luck, especially with his internal injuries.
Zirong, although unwilling, didnât dare disobey Han Yanâs order. He stopped immediately upon hearing it, slowly sheathing his longsword, though his gaze towards the man remained burning with anger and hatred.
"Smart choice. Iâll say this one last time, hand over those two people, and Iâll spare your lives, otherwise, this village wonât be left even with a chicken or dog." The man pointed his sword at Han Yan, boasting arrogantly.
"You wonât have another chance to say that." Han Yan slowly drew her Longsword, looking at him as if looking at a dead man.
"I didnât intend to kill today, but since youâre courting death, donât blame me." Understanding the implications in Han Yanâs words, the middle-aged man revealed a thick killing intent, sneering as he spoke.
"Master, perhaps we should act together. No matter how strong he is, he might not be our match." Seeing the sneer on the middle-aged manâs lips, the anxious Family Head Fang suggested.
Han Yan, having been a benefactor and harbor to the Fang Family, and now their Sect Master, Fang naturally didnât wish to see Han Yan take risk.
"No need." As Han Yanâs words fell, she already slashed out with a sword.
Against an opponent like this, more people werenât necessarily better. Fang Family Head and the others werenât nearly as strong, and joining the fight might not help much; it might hinder instead.
Sword Light was like snow, Frost Snow Dance, making the surrounding air turn icy cold.
When Han Yan was still in the Swordsman Realm, she had realized this Sword Transformation Technique called Frost Snow Dance through the Cold Sky Sword. Though she wasnât using the Cold Sky Sword now, with the strength of a third-tier Sword Master, the power of this Sword Transformation Technique was even greater. The Sword energy converged into substantial ice and snowflakes, unlike the illusory shadows of the past.
"A third-tier Sword Master indeed has some confidence, but unfortunately, I am a Fourth Rank Sword Master!" The middle-aged man laughed wildly and slashed out with his sword.
The higher the level on the Holy Court Continent, the harder it was for cultivators to advance. Although the gap between a third-tier and Fourth Rank Sword Master seemed small, for most people, it might be a world of difference, a common secret of the Holy Court Continent.
Thus, he didnât think much of Han Yanâs third-tier Sword Master strength.
Unfortunately, he didnât notice that, when he revealed his strength, not only Huayue and the others but even the previously worried Family Head Fang showed a dismissive expression.
At first, seeing through his strength was difficult. His arrogance was intimidating, especially when he threatened the villageâs annihilation, Fang Family Head was indeed somewhat frightened. It turned out that when he gleefully declared his strength, it was merely a Fourth Rank Sword Master.