Translator: CinderTL
"Kill me?"
Qi Liang's gaze shifted sideways as over a dozen more figures emerged from the shadows—all disciples of the demonic sect, subtly encircling Fang Qingge.
Three days and two nights had passed since Qi Liang summoned his disciples, and they had finally begun to arrive in succession.
"Now what?" Qi Liang smirked triumphantly. "After that last strike, your Spiritual Power must be nearly depleted, right?"
Such a powerful technique would undoubtedly consume vast amounts of Spiritual Power. Even for someone at the Mid Stage of Dao Seeking, maintaining it would be difficult.
"Hmph, then let's find out!"
Fang Qingge stood tall, his head held high, but his heart sank slightly. After a night of relentless pursuit and that final strike, his Spiritual Power was indeed running low. But...
Fang Qingge glanced at the unconscious Luo Changtian behind him, his eyes hardening with resolve. He would never abandon his friend!
Even if death awaited him, he would ensure it came before his friend's!
Because... this was his Dao.
To protect those beside him from oppression, to shield the world's masses from suffering, to defend the sacred heavenly dao from desecration!
To safeguard the eternal peace of heaven and earth!
"Kill!"
Qi Liang charged forward, leading the attack. The disciples swarmed behind him, unleashing their diverse techniques in a coordinated assault.
Fang Qingge gripped his Jade Clarity Longsword tightly, his lips parting slightly as he murmured, "Azure Lotus, speak."
In an instant, the jade-green blade bloomed like an azure lotus. Ethereal projections coalesced around the sword, layering upon each other like overlapping petals, creating a breathtakingly beautiful illusion.
"Go!"
Fang Qingge pressed two fingers together, forming a sword gesture against his forehead. With a soft incantation, the sword intent lotus surged forth, instantly plunging into the crowd.
Qi Liang was both astonished and filled with admiration. Truly, this is Fang Qingge, he thought. His extraordinary strength aside, his unwavering loyalty to his friends, his willingness to risk life and limb for them—that kind of righteousness is truly admirable.
Who wouldn't want a friend like that, someone you could rely on in times of crisis?
"Sigh..."
Qi Liang parried the ethereal sword intent with his own blade. Though he admired Fang Qingge, he showed no mercy in his counterattack. Their conflicting loyalties left them no choice but to clash blades.
"Rumor has it that Fang Qingge possesses unparalleled talent, having created the world-renowned Qingge Sword Intent. Seeing it today, I can confirm its extraordinary power. Fortunately, I too have gained some insight into the sword dao. Today, I shall test my skills against yours!"
"Bring it on!" Fang Qingge replied, his guard up, refusing to underestimate Qi Liang.
With these words, Qi Liang slowly closed his eyes. He casually tossed his sword into the air, where it hung upside down above his head, spinning ceaselessly with a faint, ringing hum.
A layer of deep emerald light coalesced at the sword's tip, initially as small as a green bean. As the longsword spun faster, the bean rapidly expanded, gradually transforming into a fist-sized orb of light.
The orb gradually stretched and flattened, revealing a shadow within—the phantom of a longsword, entirely deep emerald.
As the orb contracted, the sword's form gradually materialized, merging seamlessly with the blade suspended above, transforming into a brand-new deep emerald longsword.
Qi Liang extended his fingers, and the longsword fell into his palm. He gently stroked the blade, his voice filled with nostalgia. "This sword is named 'Shallow Shadow,' a keepsake left to me by my mother."
As he spoke, his eyes lowered, radiating an aura of solitude. The sorrow in his heart permeated the surrounding air, drawing others into its depths.
Jiang Qinqin sighed, inexplicably reminded of her past—the hardships of her childhood and the father she had personally slain.
Fang Qingge's instincts sharpened. He sensed a shift in Qi Liang's intent, making him feel more dangerous and threatening.
"Fang Qingge," Qi Liang said, "the world hails you as the foremost genius of the sword dao. I refuse to accept that. Since childhood, I have practiced swordsmanship before my mother's grave, never missing a single day, for over fifty years."
Qi Liang's expression softened as he raised his sword toward the azure sky. "Today, with my mother as witness, I shall prove my sword dao."
Fang Qingge's expression grew even more solemn. He nodded slightly. "Very well."
Their eyes locked, their auras intertwining. In a realm unseen by Jiang Qinqin and the others, the silent battle had already begun.
At that moment, Luo Qingwei arrived with her entourage. Her gaze immediately fell upon the two figures facing off in the arena, and then upon Luo Changtian lying motionless on the ground, his fate uncertain.
"Brother!" Luo Qingwei cried out in alarm, rushing to Luo Changtian's side. She checked his pulse and pressed her hand to his chest, confirming he was still alive. Only then did she exhale in relief.
Her eyes then blazed with hatred as she glared at Qi Liang, each word dripping with venom as she forced them through clenched teeth: "Did you injure my brother?"
Qi Liang seemed oblivious to her question, his focus entirely fixed on Fang Qingge.
"I'm talking to you!" Luo Qingwei drew her sword with a clang, its razor-sharp blade pointing directly at Qi Liang.
"Qingwei, take care of Brother Luo first," Fang Qingge instructed quietly, without turning his head.
"No! I will avenge my brother myself!"
Before Luo Qingwei could finish speaking, Fang Qingge cut her off. "You are no match for him. Besides... this is a battle between the two of us."
Consumed by hatred, Luo Qingwei refused to listen. She stomped her foot fiercely and charged forward, sword raised.
Jiang Qinqin and the others naturally couldn't allow Luo Qingwei to disrupt the duel, so they intervened, and a chaotic battle erupted.
As the fighting intensified, reinforcements gradually arrived from all sides: the Source Worship Sect led by Fang Qingge, the Harmonious Mountain Praying Dao Sect led by the Luo Family siblings, and disciples from the demonic sect.
Qi Liang remained oblivious to the outside world, completely immersed in his own mental realm. Holding his longsword horizontally before him, he said calmly, "Brother Fang, be careful."
Before the words had even left his lips, his figure vanished, leaving behind a faint emerald glow in the air. In an instant, he reappeared before Fang Qingge, as if teleporting.
Boom!
The clash of their swords produced no crisp metallic clang, but rather a thunderous roar. A massive shockwave surged outward, the residual Spiritual Power spreading in all directions, leaving onlookers in awe.
Disciples from other sects who were observing couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "Is this fucking Dao Seeking Realm?"
A Dao Seeking Realm cultivator nodded in agreement. "Indeed... the gap is far too great."
Luo Qingwei turned to watch the battlefield, momentarily stunned. Could someone actually fight Fang Qingge to a standstill?
Jiang Qinqin was equally incredulous. Since joining Qi Liang, she had never seen him fight at full strength, assuming he was only skilled in scheming and manipulation. She never imagined his true power could be so terrifying, completely matching Fang Qingge's.
Fang Qingge and Qi Liang had no time to notice the outside world, their minds fully immersed in their opponent. At this stage, even a moment's carelessness could be exploited to end the battle.
Qi Liang's speed was nearly impossible to defend against. His body moved with his sword, the blade often appearing before he himself could be seen. His sword techniques were elusive and unpredictable; against anyone else—even Tu Wanshan or Luo Qingwei—he would have already secured victory.
But unfortunately for him, he faced Fang Qingge, whose swordplay was flawless and impenetrable. No matter how treacherous the angle of attack, Fang Qingge blocked it with ease.
(End of the Chapter)
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