Chapter 40: Battle Against Zhang Hanxiao

Chapter 40 – Battle Against Zhang Hanxiao

Zhang Hanxiao, the top-ranked disciple in Qingyun Sect’s mission records, was undeniably powerful.

Although he indulged in gambling and pleasure, his talent was remarkable. At not even thirty, he had already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Within Chixiao Peak, he was slightly older than Mu Baishuang and Li Qingran, though his cultivation level was lower than that of Lu Changtian and others. However, he had always kept Li Qingran firmly under his thumb.

Back when she was still on Chixiao Peak, Zhang Hanxiao often used her as a sparring dummy, and she had never been able to defeat him.

Both of them practiced Chixiao Peak’s signature sword technique—Little Formless Sword.

Zhang Hanxiao had mastered the technique, while Li Qingran, having joined Chixiao Peak later and being neglected by Daoist Qingxuan, had barely reached the entry-level stage after three years.

Facing Zhang Hanxiao, whose swordsmanship, inner strength, and cultivation level were all superior, it was impossible for Li Qingran to feel no pressure.

Yet, she held her Su Xian Sword firmly.

“Li Qingran, I heard from Senior Brother that you managed to cultivate to Qi Refinement Perfection despite your shattered Dantian? Impressive perseverance. If only you had worked this hard back when you were on Chixiao Peak. But back then, you wasted your days fooling around. Now that you finally want to improve, it's too late.”

Zhang Hanxiao instinctively reached for his flying sword, only to grasp at empty air.

Only then did he remember—he had already gifted his preferred sword to Mu Baishuang.

Now, he was left with nothing but a low-grade artifact sword, a dull, worn blade he usually used for chopping vegetables.

He pressed his lips together but still pulled it out.

Against Li Qingran, even this broken sword would be enough.

“Li Qingran, I’m at mid-stage Foundation Establishment. If I fight you at full power, it wouldn’t be fair. So, I’ll suppress my cultivation to Qi Refinement Perfection, just like you.”

Zhang Hanxiao pointed his sword at Li Qingran, tilting his chin arrogantly.

Not far away, Daoist Qingxuan twitched slightly, his face darkening further.

This idiot.

Even if Zhang Hanxiao suppressed his cultivation, Li Qingran still had no Spiritual Root due to her shattered Dantian.

If he wanted to make it look "fair," he should have suppressed his cultivation to mid-stage Qi Refinement at most.

How the hell did he end up recruiting such an embarrassing fool into Chixiao Peak?

Sect Master Wu Duantian understood Daoist Qingxuan well. This elder cared deeply about his reputation.

Seeing Daoist Qingxuan’s face turning black as coal, Wu Duantian figured that once today’s ordeal was over, Zhang Hanxiao would likely be sent to reflect in the Cliff of Penitence for six months. ŗΑNОᛒÈ𝐬

However, Li Qingran did not respond to Zhang Hanxiao’s taunts.

Instead, she drew her sword—a flash of cold lightning as she charged straight at him.

“Junior Sister, your **first stance, ‘Frightening the Branches,’ is still lacking!”

Zhang Hanxiao laughed, leaping into the air as his sword slashed downward.

Three illusory sword shadows converged toward Li Qingran—one of Little Formless Sword’s deadliest moves, "Solitary Goose Shadow".

In the past, Li Qingran had lost to this very attack countless times.

But today, it no longer felt so difficult to deal with.

Even though Zhang Hanxiao had suppressed his cultivation, his mastery of the sword technique remained lethal.

Yet, in Li Qingran’s eyes, his movements seemed slower than before.

Why…?

Is it because of my Supreme-Grade Dantian?

The moment the thought surfaced, she was certain of it.

A Supreme-Grade Dantian was incredibly rare—even in ancient times, it was highly coveted.

There was no way it wouldn't have special abilities.

Her thoughts flashed by in an instant.

She locked onto Zhang Hanxiao’s real body amidst the sword shadows—

Clang!

Their swords clashed.

Zhang Hanxiao’s smug expression froze.

He had aimed straight for Li Qingran’s weakness, attacking with an unstoppable killing move—

But it missed.

On the ground, a broken blade lay motionless.

He lowered his gaze.

His own sword had been severed in half.

A low-grade artifact sword was destroyed in a single strike?!

Zhang Hanxiao looked at Li Qingran in disbelief.

She stood a few steps away, sword in hand, a faint frosty mist curling around the blade.

The sword’s jet-black body gleamed under the light. Its pure white hilt contrasted starkly against the red tassel swaying in the wind.

That wasn’t her original sword.

“That sword is no ordinary weapon,” Wu Duantian squinted slightly.

“If I’m not mistaken, that sword is at least a top-tier artifact. The chilling aura running down its blade suggests it’s one of the finest even among top-tier artifacts. With further nurturing, it could easily develop a sword spirit, elevating it to the level of a true spiritual weapon.”

Daoist Qingxuan’s expression darkened as his fingers tensed on his sword hilt, his teeth grinding audibly.

He wanted nothing more than to cut Zhang Hanxiao down himself.

Earlier, he had felt embarrassed when Zhang Hanxiao used his full cultivation level against a Qi Refinement cultivator.

Now, he felt even more humiliated watching Zhang Hanxiao’s sword shatter in one strike.

And if Zhang Hanxiao actually lost?

That would be an even bigger disgrace.

Forget about artifacts—weapons were part of a cultivator’s strength.

But this Su Xian Sword was definitely overpowered.

For a Nascent Soul cultivator, this quasi-spiritual weapon was ordinary.

But for a Qi Refinement or Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was a priceless treasure.

Who was this mysterious benefactor?

What was his connection to Li Qingran?

Why would he go to such lengths to help her?

Or was it that… to him, a mere top-tier artifact sword was nothing worth caring about?

While Daoist Qingxuan’s thoughts were in turmoil, the battle on the grand square had already shifted dramatically.

With his weapon destroyed, Zhang Hanxiao didn’t dare to clash directly with Li Qingran.

With a longer reach, her flying sword made up for her weaknesses in technique.

Zhang Hanxiao tried to drag out the fight, hoping to exhaust Li Qingran’s Spiritual Qi.

But as time passed, he was the one running out of energy.

“Impossible! Before, she would have long since exhausted her Spiritual Qi!”

Seeing Li Qingran fighting fiercely without any signs of fatigue, Zhang Hanxiao’s mind wavered—

A fatal mistake.

Li Qingran did not waste the opportunity.

Her sword technique suddenly shifted—from a cautious approach to an overwhelming assault.

Her robes fluttered like a dancing butterfly.

Little Formless Sword – Ninth Stance: Dancing Shadows Beneath the Trees.

Her wrist trembled—

Her sword seemed to split into countless light fragments, each precisely aimed at a vital point.

She felt it completely now.

This Supreme-Grade Dantian wasn’t just improving her Spiritual Qi capacity.

It was enhancing her comprehension as well!

Li Qingran’s heart grew warm.

She knew how precious that elixir had been.

Yet Senior had given it to her without hesitation.

“Senior, I won’t let you down!”

“Li Qingran, don’t push your luck!” Zhang Hanxiao roared.

He unleashed his full power, restoring his Foundation Establishment cultivation.

But at that moment—

Li Qingran’s sword struck.

Blades of golden light rained down.

A miserable scream rang out.

Zhang Hanxiao’s body was sent flying, rolling across the dust-covered ground, his chest and limbs covered in deep sword wounds, blood seeping from every cut.

Three steps away,

Li Qingran sheathed her sword and stood tall.