Jing Jianjue, with his sword drawn, had no choice but to strike, watching Han Yan gracefully retreat, forcing him to regroup his sword force and attack Han Yan with a slash.
Unfortunately, in the gathering and releasing, the power of the sword was far less dominant than before.
Han Yan slashed out with a sword, and simultaneously, a golden light flashed on her body, activating the Absolute Defense of the Cangxuan Cloud Silk again, with the Glazed Glass Holy Robe also appearing upon her.
"Puff!" Han Yan spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
Jing Jianjueâs ultimate sword, supported by the full power of the Magic Artifact, was undoubtedly tyrannical. Even with Cangxuan Cloud Silk and Glazed Glass Holy Robe protecting her, she still suffered some internal injuries.
However, a light smile appeared on her face. This sword was Jing Jianjueâs ultimate sword, but it wasnât hers. Donât forget, she still had a move, Star Falling in Eight Desolates, left unused.
"I said Iâd end it, and you actually believed it? With your brain, I wonder how you cultivated to such a realm?" Han Yan said disdainfully.
"Han Yan, even if you dodge this sword, what can you possibly do about the next one?" Jing Jianjue said furiously.
A full-force strike met only with Han Yanâs retreat; he felt a hollow emptiness, and Han Yanâs mockery was a tremendous humiliation for him.
"You wonât have another chance for the next sword." Han Yan shook her head, confidently asserting.
"Ah..." Just as her voice fell, the tragic cries of Qin Ba came echoing.
The full power of the templeâs magical artifact had been delegated to Jing Jianjue alone, rendering their strength momentarily restored.
If the contest with Huayue had been originally fought with their true capabilities, it wouldnât have been an issue, but from the beginning of the engagement, they were relying on the enhanced strength from the magical artifact. Now, with strength suddenly declining, how could they possibly adapt?
Under the Innate Divine Ability of Huayueâs Thunder Sound Sky Shake, his chest seemed struck by a giant stone, fracturing his meridians one by one.
Huayue wouldnât miss such an opportunity, letting out a long cry and slashing out, man and sword as one.
With the tragic cry, Qin Baâs sword shattered into pieces, then his Qi Sea broke apart, and his strong body fell weakly to the ground.
If it were another opponent, perhaps Huayue might have shown mercy, but Jing Jianjue and othersâ intentions to kill Han Yan had been clear from the beginning. If not for discovering the Innate Divine Ability, perhaps Han Yan would have already perished at their mutual hands. Against such adversaries, how could Huayue afford to be lenient?
The next to fall was Lu Zhenhuan. His battle with Zirong was balanced on the edge of life and death, but losing the magical artifactâs enhancement affected him more than Qin Ba. If Jing Jianjue had succeeded in killing Han Yan with his hoped-for strike, he might have persevered a while longer.
Unfortunately, Jing Jianjue couldnât achieve it, so his defeat was inevitable.
Zirongâs icy sword pierced diagonally from below, striking into his Qi Sea, clearly indicating that even if he kept his life, his cultivation was utterly wasted.
Yet, the spectators werenât concerned with his cultivation, but rather watching the angle at which the sword penetrated, each fostering the same query: apart from his cultivation being ruined, could he preserve anything else important?
Of course, verifying such questions is impossible now, but everyone felt chills descending from their feet, prompting them to clench their legs tighter.
Jiang Yuzheâs sword simultaneously pierced into Liang Qianâs Heart Meridian.
Among the group, perhaps Huayue was the coldest and most ruthless, Zirong the sly and vicious, but in terms of cruelty, Jiang Yuzhe surpassed them. Being from a prominent family, he was accustomed to familial strife and spared no empathy or compassion.
Without another glance at their fallen adversaries, the three turned in unison, slashing towards Pei Qiuyi.
Pei Qiuyi, already terrified by the seemingly insane Tang Bufan, lost all will upon seeing them team up against him and instinctively attempted to flee the competition platform.
Unfortunately, though his movement was swift, Huayue and the othersâ actions were swifter.
Three sword lights enveloped him simultaneously.
"Boom" The Sword Shield, initially challenging for Qin Ba to break, was shattered under the combined strike of the three.
And Tang Bufanâs sword finally landed on him.
This was Tang Bufanâs sole successful strike in the entire match, but it proved to be a fatal attack for Pei Qiuyi.
The cold swordâs edge pierced the Heart Meridian, passing through his body.
Gazing at the gleaming sword edge, secondly trickling with droplets of blood, Pei Qiuyi steadily collapsed, wide-eyed, dazed, empty, bewildered.
He couldnât comprehend why his Sixth-level Sword Master strength, bolstered by a magical artifact, failed against a mere Second-level Sword Master opponent, ultimately dying by the opponentâs sword.
To fight with will, to hunt with lifeâitâs terrifying, indeed terrifying. This was his sole contemplation in his final moments.
"Hahahaha..." Tang Bufan laughed wildly.
On the platform, with clothes drenched in blood, every shred of clothing exposing flesh amidst tears, yet unaware, Tang Bufan yelled into the sky, evoking a profound chill in everyoneâs hearts.
"Madman, this guy is a madman." Someone stated with a trembling voice.
"Not just a madman, but a madman possessed." Someone added.
The name Madman Tang Bufan began circulating throughout Shangyue City, and soon across Shangyue, eventually extending across the entire Continent. Even if one day, he resumed his original name of Han Bufen, the fame of Madman Tang Bufan remained long on the Continent, rivaling that of Demon Sword Hua Yue, Demon Sword Zirong, and Ghost Sword Jiang Yuzhe.
"Han Yan, I never expected you to be so underhanded!" Seeing his four disciples, two dead and two wounded, Jing Jianjueâs heart churned painfully as he spoke through gritted teeth.
"Iâm not underhanded; youâre too foolish." Han Yan said contemptuously.
She wasnât stupid either, knowing full well she couldnât triumph over Jing Jianjue, empowered by a magical artifact, how could she actually fight him to decide everything with one sword strike, determining more than just victory, but life and death.
In truth, her previous powerless retreat was seven parts genuine, three parts feigned, aiming to provoke Jing Jianjueâs underestimation, pushing him to fight her at all costs with all energy.
Unanticipatedly, he truly fell for it, heedlessly prioritizing his own advantage, concentrating all magical artifact power on himself. Perhaps, in Jing Jianjueâs eyes, he already held the upper hand; a minor boost in strength might suffice to slay Han Yan on the spot.
Unfortunately, he wasnât aware this was the misconception Han Yan deliberately led him to.
"Han Yan, dare you fight me alone, fair and square?" Jing Jianjueâs shame and annoyance made his face redden.
"Idiot!" Han Yan berated again.
How ridiculous for him to say this: earlier, when he believed he had the upper hand, there were no calls for an individual duel, yet now, at this moment, he desired a fair fight. Surely, good fortune shouldnât favor only him.
Initially, seeing him prideful, despite him being an adversary, Han Yan maintained the due respect of a swordsman. Yet, after hearing his request, her disdain for him grew significantly.
"Attack!" Han Yan decisively ordered with a wave.
A roar followed, and Huayue, Zirong, Jiang Yuzhe, and Tang Bufan joined forces to assault Jing Jianjue.
"Star Fall, Eight Desolates!" Han Yanâs strongest sword was finally unleashed.
This was the true final sword!
"Stop!" On the viewing platform above, Wu Tianxiong suddenly stood.
Yet, since stepping onto the platform, Han Yan discerned Jing Jianjueâs resolute intent to kill. Not inclined towards kindness herself, against an enemy determined to end her life, Han Yan couldnât possibly cease.
Feigning obliviousness to the command, Han Yanâs longsword continued its downward slash.
Huayue and others exhibited no hesitation; five sword lights like a giant web, persistently shrank, unremittingly pressured.
"Puff!" Jing Jianjue spewed fresh blood, his body collapsing onto the competition platform.
If empowered by the templeâs magical artifact, he might have barely fended off their combined strike, though injured but not gravely. Yet, with Qin Ba and others dead or wounded, the sword array activating the artifact had been long shattered. Facing such combined force with his true capability of an Eighth Rank Sword Master, how could he withstand it?
The fierce qi surged within, instantly shattering his meridians and energy sea, even his bones fracture, rolling his eyes over, fainting on spot.
(Little salted fish turnover~~ What seasoning would you like to eat~? Asking weakly for monthly ticket recommendation and perfectly rated review~)