Mu Hanyan had been thinking earlier that if she had known, she might as well have launched a sneak attack from behind to kill Jian Jue, but upon seeing Wei Wenshanâs true strength, she realized that even a surprise attack would have been futile.
After all, she had only just ascended to a Sixth-level Sword Master a few days ago, and the experts of the Holy Court, as she knew, often had the ability to cross realms to defeat their enemies, with actual combat power far surpassing those in the same realm.
Furthermore, Wei Wenshanâs cautious and insidious nature truly opened Mu Hanyanâs eyes. With his Eighth Rank Sword Master strength, even in a direct confrontation, Fen Qianji would have a hard time being his match. Yet, he insisted on secretly using poison, unwilling to take any risks.
"I originally didnât want to reveal my true strength so early, but since you are a descendant of one of the Anyun Eight Great Families and the top contestant in the Long Yan new talent competition, Iâll consider it a gesture of respect," Wei Wenshan said mockingly, even pretending to make a salute, with a smile like a cat playing with a mouse.
"The person you want to kill is me, let her go!" Fen Qianji trembled all over and said through gritted teeth.
"Do you think you have any bargaining power?" Wei Wenshan sneered repeatedly, thrusting his sword towards Mu Hanyanâs heart meridian.
This strike was so ruthless, without the slightest intention of holding back.
Mu Hanyan slashed out with all her might, and as the two swords intersected, a surging and powerful force overwhelmed her. Mu Hanyan retreated with Fen Qianji, feeling as though the sea churned in her chest, nearly coughing up blood.
Just as she had anticipated, Wei Wenshanâs real combat power far exceeded his cultivation realm, and the power of this sword strike definitely reached Ninth Rank Sword Master level.
Before Mu Hanyan could steady her steps, Wei Wenshan continued to slash, each sword strike targeting her vital parts, with layers of Qi billowing like boiling sea waves, each wave higher than the last.
Mu Hanyan initially managed to barely cope, but as time went on, the pressure increased, and she felt as if she were drowning in a vast ocean, surrounded by turbulent waves â not to mention defending, she couldnât even escape.
"Mu Hanyan, die for me!" Wei Wenshan suddenly shouted, thrusting his longsword towards her chest.
This sword strike, like thunder, this sword strike, shattering the Nine Heavens!
The breath of death instantly enveloped Mu Hanyan. Even a Great Sword Master facing the might of this sword would likely retreat three times, yet Mu Hanyan couldnât even retreat.
"Mojia Luo... Yesi Hui..." Seeing the terrifying Sword Light approaching Mu Hanyan closer and closer, Fen Qianji suddenly uttered a string of strange syllables.
Divine Language, Forbidden Technique!
The sword in Wei Wenshanâs hand paused slightly, and at this moment, a shadow flashed before Mu Hanyanâs eyes, and Fen Qianji had already appeared before her.
A soft noise sounded, and Wei Wenshanâs longsword pierced Fen Qianjiâs chest, spraying blood that turned into black flames upon leaving his body.
The flames, seemingly from the depths of Hell, tightly enveloped Wei Wenshanâs longsword. He tried forcefully to pull it out but was unable to retrieve it from Fen Qianjiâs grasp, his expression dramatically changing.
Wei Wenshan was indeed cautious and meticulous; seeing the unfavorable situation, he immediately attempted to let go, but unfortunately, it was too late.
Mu Hanyan and Fen Qianji had cooperated countless times in their previous lives, their synergy established long ago, so how could they miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? The Cold Sky Sword stabbed out like lightning.
Wei Wenshanâs whole body trembled, petrified, standing there in a daze. After a long time, he lowered his head to look at the sword blade piercing precisely through his heart meridian.
"Heretical aberration, indeed heretical aberration," Wei Wenshan murmured with endless bewilderment and unwillingness, then fell silent.
Thus, the Eighth Rank Sword Master of the Holy Court fell like a shooting star.
Black flames rushed forth, instantly engulfed Wei Wenshan, turning him into nothingness, leaving not a trace in the world.
With the flames vanished, Fen Qianji fell backward, his life force quickly fading.
"Qian Ji!" Mu Hanyan rushed up, cradling Fen Qianji in her arms.
Scenes from a past life clearly merged with the present, and a clear tear trickled down her cheek.
No, he cannot die, cannot let him die! Mu Hanyan fiercely wiped her tears, took out a large pile of elixirs, whether for healing or Qi Refilling, as long as they werenât poison, she stuffed them all into his mouth, then operated her cultivation technique, channeling Qi, helping him absorb the Dan Power as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Mu Hanyan didnât forget to use the medical skill she had just learned a few days ago to seal several crucial meridians. After all, Alchemy Dao stems from the medical path; even if Danxin Hall specializes in Alchemy Dao, even if medical skills seem of little use on the surface, one must learn at least a bit.
Whether it was the effect of the elixirs, or Mu Hanyanâs medical skills that worked, or perhaps Fen Qianjiâs vitality was strong enough, his breath gradually stabilized, although he remained unconscious, not waking.
Mu Hanyan let out a long sigh of relief, finally having time to check his injuries.
At a glance, Mu Hanyan sharply inhaled, as Wei Wenshanâs last sword was less than half a gap from his heart meridian; a slight tremble of the wrist would have destroyed his heart meridian, and if that happened, even if Mu Hanyan possessed heaven-defying abilities, even if Fen Qianjiâs vitality matched Exotic Beasts, he would undoubtedly die.
Quickly bandaging Fen Qianjiâs wounds, Mu Hanyan wiped the sweat from her forehead before slumping to the ground.
Although Fen Qianjiâs injuries were not fatal, the poison of the Ten Thousand Ants Devouring Heart Pill, if unresolved, would still lead to his inevitable death.
But this Ten Thousand Ants Devouring Heart Pill is a forbidden pill feared across the continent countries, not easily neutralized. If it were easy to neutralize, it wouldnât be called a forbidden pill.
Mu Hanyan thought of instructors Zhu Tianping and Chu Chang, then shook her head. Based on her understanding in recent days, though their acumen in Alchemy Techniques was remarkable, resolving this peculiar poison was beyond their capabilities.
Perhaps, she must seek her Master. As one of the academyâs three leading experts, with connections and insight beyond ordinary people, he might come up with a solution or find a recluse capable of neutralizing the poison.
Seeing Fen Qianjiâs condition completely stabilized, Mu Hanyan decided resolutely to take him to see Gong Hongru.
Just as she reached out, Fen Qianji grabbed her hand, causing Mu Hanyan to pause slightly.
"No! Donât die! Who are you, why do I want to kill you? I donât want to, I know I donât want to, but why, why do I want to kill you, who are you, tell me, who are you..." Fen Qianji desperately gripped Mu Hanyanâs hand, his eyes tightly shut, yet tears continued to flow, his face etched with pain.
Mu Hanyanâs whole body shook, realizing Fen Qianji was clearly experiencing a nightmare with a scenario unfolding in another timeline, years into the future.
Because of her rebirth, Mu Hanyan remembered the events of her past life, while Fen Qianji, though not reborn, saw what transpired years later in that timeline from this dream.
Seeing Fen Qianjiâs pained expression, Mu Hanyanâs heart ached as well. It turns out Fen Qianji didnât want her to die either; he too was in the same agony.
Although Mu Hanyan still didnât know what was hidden in all those events or what ultimately caused Fen Qianji to strike that sword, knowing his true heart made the last bit of hatred in Mu Hanyanâs heart dissolve entirely.
"Qian Ji!" Mu Hanyan gently stroked Fen Qianjiâs cheek, wiping away the tears of pain there.
"No..." Fen Qianji uttered a heart-wrenching cry, snapping his eyes open.