Chapter 9: Armored Cavalry and Clashing Swords

Hong Family!

The previous liveliness had long turned into desolation.

Inside the grand hall, it was a scene of chaos.

The remaining high-ranking members of the Hong Family were either dead or had fled. In the flickering lamplight, only two figures remained. One graceful and refined, the other imposing and heroic.

They were none other than the siblings Ye Qingchen.

After the destruction of the Hong Family, Ye Qingchen did not, as everyone imagined, flee with Ye Qing but stayed behind.

"Brother, let’s go! Since the Ye Family no longer welcomes us, let’s leave..." Ye Qing carefully cleaned Ye Qingchen’s wound with a handkerchief.

The basin of clear water had turned blood red.

Ye Qingchen’s expression was calm as he shook his head and sighed, "We cannot escape! The news of the Hong Family’s destruction would have already reached the clan. It won’t be long before they come to kill!"

"These people are heartless!" Ye Qing trembled with anger, "Brother, if only I had the strength, we wouldn’t be bullied by these people!"

For the first time, she felt the cruelty of this world.

Strength is respected, the strong prey on the weak—this is an eternal truth.

"Moreover, I received news from Zhao Youjing!" Ye Qingchen sighed deeply, "Ye Wushuang is about to advance to Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

"What?"

Ye Qing’s expression changed dramatically.

It’s known that.

Only those who surpass Qi Refining Tenth Heaven are qualified to be called a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

And Ye Qingchen.

Was merely at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer!

Ye Qing suddenly thought of something and hurriedly said, "Brother, don’t worry about me... With your strength, if you flee with all your might, even if Ye Wushuang is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he might not be able to catch you!"

"Don’t say such foolish things. I won’t leave you even if I die!"

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a bitter smile.

To resolve this crisis, only stronger strength would suffice. But just to rescue Ye Qing, he fought the Hong Family and exhausted his strength. Moreover, he was about to face the Ye Family, with its Martial Arts Grandmaster!

Glancing at the exhausted, sleeping Ye Qing, Ye Qingchen let out a long sigh and withdrew his thoughts.

"Right!"

"There’s still the Nine Revolutions Stars Technique!"

Ye Qingchen’s eyes lit up.

Now.

He was at a dead end, and all his hopes lay in this cultivation technique that once brought him back to life!

Suppressing his inner turmoil.

Recalling the method in his mind, Ye Qingchen began to cultivate.

Vast Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi surged continuously into Ye Qingchen’s body, operating according to the ’Stars Chapter’ cultivation technique in a unique trajectory, and after a great cycle, converged toward the Dantian.

The Spiritual Qi transformed into tiny points of starlight, continuously gathering, forming a small star core.

This process was exceedingly smooth, making Ye Qingchen very excited.

Although.

The star core seemed small, yet it appeared to contain the universe.

The hazy Spiritual Qi fell into the Dantian like it had entered a cosmic starry sky, magnificently beautiful.

"Boom!"

In just an instant.

A bright starburst shot out from Ye Qingchen’s body.

"I’ve broken through? I’ve stepped into the Qi Refining Eighth Layer?"

Ye Qingchen widened his eyes, almost unable to believe it.

He had been stuck at Qi Refining Seventh Layer for three years, and the bottleneck that lasted three years broke through in just a moment? Perhaps, this time he could really change the situation! Ye Qingchen desperately suppressed his excitement and decided to continue cultivating.

He wanted to see the true limits of the ’Nine Revolutions Stars Technique’!

Time passed, and, in a blink, the morning sun rose; an entire night had passed.

After sitting cross-legged for a long time, suddenly, Ye Qingchen’s body trembled as if the chains that bound him broke, and nothing could stop him anymore, like a river flowing unstoppably!

Bang!

A violent aura swept directly from Ye Qingchen’s body like a mighty wave.

Crack, crack, crack!

Where the aura passed, the ground around shattered open!

"Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

Ye Qingchen opened his eyes, a sharp glint bursting out instantly.

A terrifying speed!

In just one night.

He advanced from Qi Refining Seventh Layer directly to Qi Refining Tenth Layer, achieving the position of Martial Arts Grandmaster!

All of this seemed incomprehensible.

Yet, all of this seemed inevitable.

Because no one dared to risk their lives battling from a young age like him, gaining cultivation from blood-soaked struggles. And, more so, no one else possessed a heaven-defying cultivation technique like the ’Nine Revolutions Stars Technique’!

"Nine Revolutions Stars Technique, truly extraordinary!"

Ye Qingchen was full of shock.

Delightfully sensing the strength in his body.

He also understood that his rapid progress this time was very likely due to his previously solid foundation and the residual power within, allowing him to advance rapidly! However, next time it might return to normal.

Yet, this satisfaction was considerable for him.

It’s known that.

Normal Qi Refining Martial Artists, upon reaching the Qi Refining First Layer, can only unblock one meridian, and True Qi cannot spread throughout the body.

But the ’Stars Chapter’ took a different approach, condensing a star core within. Where the mind wills it, star power can instantly sweep through the body. Moreover, star power is more refined, qualitatively superior to True Qi, like the difference between a wooden knife and a steel knife.

Simultaneously, star power can temper the physique, making his physical strength surpass those of the same cultivation level!

Ye Qing was practicing swordsmanship, and though unfamiliar, she already displayed a trace of sharpness. Sweat trickled down her cheeks, soaking her hair, and her face was adorably flushed.

"Brother, are you done cultivating?"

Seeing Ye Qingchen awake, Ye Qing hurriedly sheathed her sword and joyfully rushed over.

"Were you practicing the ’Feather Sword Technique’ left by our father?" Ye Qingchen fondly patted Ye Qing’s head.

Ye Qing had practiced martial arts since childhood, but unfortunately, her meridians were naturally blocked, so she never became a Martial Artist.

"Yes, I feel I’ve grasped this swordsmanship, but unfortunately, I can’t understand the last three forms!" Ye Qing pouted, dissatisfied, "Brother, can you teach me?"

"Sure!"

Ye Qingchen did not refuse, as he had been so focused on cultivating recently that he rarely spent time with Ye Qing, leaving him with guilt. Now having some free time, he naturally wanted to spend it well with her.

"This Feather Sword Technique, all the sword moves, can be fused into three forms!"

"The first form is the Sword Shadow Form!"

As Ye Qingchen lifted his sword and struck.

Swoosh!

The sword moved out as swiftly as a phantom, leaving only a dazzling trail of swordlight. As its name suggests, it’s so fast that only the sword shadow can be seen!

And this sword was Ye Qingchen’s greatest trump card.

"What about the second form?" Ye Qing nodded half-understandingly and eagerly asked.

"The second form is called the Killing Sword Form!" Ye Qingchen lifted his sword, yet the sword light was somewhat chaotic, "Unfortunately, I don’t know why; I’ve never been able to understand this move... it’s as if something is missing!"

Ye Qingchen sighed deeply.

"Surround the Hong Family!"

Just then.

Outside the Hong Family, a loud call echoed.

This voice was Ye Cangliu!

Simultaneously!

A series of footsteps sounded like a tide, encircling the whole Hong Family. Figures appeared atop the walls, clearly spying on the situation inside!

It was evident!

The Ye Family had come to kill!

Silently, outside again fell into dead silence.

However, a silent spread of murderous intent like clashing metal expanded.

Silence, for a long while.

But moments later, Ye Qingchen’s eyes flared with resolve.

"Listen up, my sister!"

Ye Qing nodded, clinging tightly to Ye Qingchen, "If you live, I stay with you! If you die, I stay with you too!"

"Don’t worry, I won’t let you die!"

Ye Qingchen nodded resolutely!