"Where is your sword?" Qin Jianyi asked aloud.
Tang Fei had a sword at his waist, crafted from the long horn of a mythical Yin Jiao, known as the Yin Erosion Sword.
Tang Fei had asked the old man to name the sword, but he refused.
Therefore, this Yin Erosion Sword still had no official name to this day.
Tang Fei, afraid of death and having many enemies, carried it with him at all times.
Moreover, the Yin Erosion Sword was extremely bizarre; carrying it brought a continuous stream of chill that seeped into the body, triggering the spontaneous rotation of the Yin Yang Qi within.
Day after day, year after year, it allowed his Yin Yang Qi to reach a terrifyingly profound level.
Tang Fei, who subscribed to the belief that one should not waste opportunities, couldn’t bear to put it down.
Tang Fei didn’t draw the Yin Erosion Sword from his waist, but motioned to Qin Jianyi instead and said, "Lend me a sword."
Qin Jianyi understood Tang Fei’s intent, a smile curling on his lips as he said, "Just like last time."
"Just like last time."
Qin Jianyi flicked his finger lightly, and the willow branch in his hand split into two.
The tail end flew towards Tang Fei, who reached out and caught it. The supple willow branch, infused with Yin Yang Qi, instantly became as straight as a reed and as hard as iron.
Tang Fei waved it lightly and praised, "Good sword."
"A good sword also needs good swordsmanship to match."
"I’ve come upon a new sword move, would you like to try it?"
"Oh?" Qin Jianyi’s face lit up with delight, akin to a connoisseur of beauty discovering a rare gem. "Does this sword move have a name?"
He had experienced Tang Fei’s "Unyielding" before, hence the curiosity about the name of this new move was quite intense.
"Why not test the sword first?" Tang Fei suggested.
Seeking to maintain some mystery and the profundity of the Sword Dao.
"As I desire, I dare not impose," Qin Jianyi laughed heartily.
He didn’t hesitate, soaring into the air as the willow twig in his hand transformed into a dark, long sword.
With one strike, it was as if the sun broke through the sky; the golden light dazzling, resplendent, and blinding.
It was still the Qin Family’s Ultimate Skill, "Sunlight Slash."
Compared to two years ago, the sunlight was now more dazzling, and the sword’s momentum was even more massive.
Last time, with one slash, a radius of several meters sparkled with tiny points of light.
This time, dozens of meters around were filled with intense light that was too brilliant to look at directly.
Countless specks of starlight were countless threads of Sword Intent.
Then, all the starlight began to converge, transforming into a long rainbow that slashed towards Tang Fei’s head.
People around panicked and scattered.
Though they stood far enough away, the sight of the sky filled with light and the terrifying Sword Qi still spread fear among them.
They feared for the starlight falling upon them.
Tang Fei moved as well; his actions contrary to Qin Jianyi’s.
If Qin Jianyi was flamboyant and extravagant, then Tang Fei was the epitome of depth and restraint.
His body turned into a ghost, becoming an elusive shadow.
Indeed, under the broad daylight, his figure vanished without a trace.
His figure disappeared, and so did the sword in his hand.
Yet, that eerie, bewitching, and chilling Sword Intent intensified.
The Sword Intent was omnipresent, making it unavoidable and indefensible.
This sensation made Qin Jianyi very uncomfortable, more so than when they last crossed swords.
Fortunately, he could still sense Tang Fei’s aura.
As long as the aura was there, his Sword Intent could lock onto him fiercely.
Losing to Tang Fei the first time didn’t bother him.
First, he wanted to lose; losing would elevate Tang Fei further, making him a more glaring target.
He understood those people, they wouldn’t allow a newcomer to snatch their glory and challenge their authority.
Unexpectedly, he survived.
Second, he was also concealing his skills; he hadn’t exerted his full strength and saw no need to fully engage with such a ’minor character’.
At that time, Tang Fei had just arrived and was without roots or prospects, hardly a concern even though he had already displayed an extremely close relationship with the Princess.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rashly fought with a mere willow branch against an opponent he barely knew.
That wasn’t characteristic of Qin Jianyi.
This time was different.
Although the method of the contest was the same, using randomly snapped branches as weapons,
Qin Jianyi truly wanted to win.
As the Qin Family faced turmoil and attacks, he needed to stand out and act.
He wanted to show everyone under Star Sky that the Qin Family still stood unshakeable.
With such outstanding members of the Qin Family, shaking their foundation would be exceedingly difficult, demanding a heavy price.
He wanted to win, to triumph openly.
Since Tang Fei was the sharp blade aimed at the nine major families, he’d first blunt this blade, chop off this arm.
Thinking this, Qin Jianyi once again channeled the Yin Yang Power within his body.
He must strike to kill.
Even if not possible, this sword must inflict some fatal damage.
Tang Fei disappeared.
His figure was gone, the sword was gone.
The aura, too, was gone.
Except for the omnipresent Sword Intent, his entire presence seemed to have vanished,
leaving no trace of his existence, as if he had truly become a dead man, a shadow...