Even so, he had high-cultivation cultivators by his side to guard him, and his experience in duels was limited to a few with members of his own clan. If he could return to his clan and successfully condense a Golden Core, he would not fear a battle with Zhang Yan. However, at this moment, he was truly unprepared.
But Zhang Yan was different. The path he had walked up to now was one of sheer bloodshed, carved out with his own strength. Compared to him, the untested Xiao Han was far inferior in both willpower and determination.
When Zhang Yan saw his demeanor, he couldn’t help but frown and shout, "I heard that your noble family selected a few contenders to face me in battle. I assumed they would be extraordinary talents, yet here we stand, and you dare not even draw your sword? How could someone like you be worthy of being my opponent?"
These words immediately enraged Xiao Han, and shame turned into anger. He shouted, "Zhang Yan, do you think I’m afraid of you?"
He shook his robe sleeve and summoned a Seal.
The Dharma Treasure rose into the air, its surface facing downward. As talismanic script flowed across it and was about to release its radiance, a point of Clear Light flew out from the space between Zhang Yan’s brows and instantly froze the Seal in mid-air, preventing it from descending.
Xiao Han was both shocked and furious at the sight. He took a few steps back and stealthily retrieved a fine needle from behind with one hand, muttering to himself, "Zhang Yan, do you think I can’t deal with you?"
With a flick of his finger, the needle silently flew out, circling once in the air before aiming for the back of Zhang Yan’s head.
This needle, named "Yin Du Dragon Whisker Needle," had a hardened tip as tough as metal, while the trailing end was soft like cotton threads and light smoke. It moved with extreme speed, and once it entered the body, it would roam through the internal organs and qi meridians, tearing them apart, leaving the opponent utterly defenseless.
However, the sword ball between Zhang Yan’s brows seemed to perceive the danger and instinctively leapt forward. A flash of sword light struck down, hitting the needle. Yet the needle curved, bounced, and broke through the obstruction, continuing its trajectory toward Zhang Yan.
Xiao Han was ecstatic, ignoring the outcome. He quickly formed a spell and summoned a Dharma Sword into the air, driving it to strike down at Zhang Yan’s head.
At the same time, he let out a shout. Above his head appeared a shimmering seven-colored cloud of radiance, and amidst its brilliant hues emerged a blazing Yang Fire. The fierce flames surged forward, burning toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold sneer playing on his face. Tilting his head ever so slightly, the Dragon Whisker Needle bounced off his temple with a metallic "clang." Then, raising his hand, he grabbed hold of the incoming Flying Sword. With a slight squeeze of his five fingers, he snapped the blade in two and tossed the broken fragments casually at his feet.
As the blazing Yang Fire converged toward him, Zhang Yan extended both hands in a swift motion, summoning a Beast-faced Great Saber into his grasp. With a shout and a downward swing of the saber, its sword light swept across, tearing through the incoming flames like fabric. He then stepped onto Cloud Mist, advancing boldly forward.
"Power... Power Dao?"
Xiao Han’s expression changed drastically. He had never expected his meticulously planned attacks to be neutralized in an instant. Seeing Zhang Yan rushing toward him with saber in hand, as ferocious as a tiger pouncing on its prey, fear flashed in Xiao Han’s eyes, and he froze on the spot.
As Zhang Yan approached, his gaze sharpened. With a swift swing of his saber, the strike was impossibly quick. Xiao Han instinctively shifted his body, but the blade landed squarely on his shoulder. Staggering and falling to the ground, Xiao Han finally came to his senses. Realizing the danger, he gritted his teeth against the pain from his shoulder, swept his sleeve, and transformed into a ray of light to escape.
Just as Zhang Yan moved, he felt a faint resistance under his blade. It became evident that the opponent had treasure clothes protecting him. He snorted coldly and focused his thoughts, summoning three hundred sixty-five drops of You Yin Heavy Water above his head. With a gesture, the drops converged in pursuit of Xiao Han’s retreating figure.
Xiao Han barely managed to fly about a hundred zhang before encountering a layer of smoke blocking his path. Knowing full well this was Lu Mei Niang’s handiwork, anger surged within him. Yet before he could find another route, the pursuing drops of Heavy Water had already arrived. His back felt as though struck by a hammer, his vision darkened, and with a piercing cry of "waa!", he plummeted to the ground, unable to get up.
Seeing Zhang Yan striding toward him, saber light shimmering with bone-chilling cold, Xiao Han’s heart filled with terror. He threatened, "Zhang Yan, I am of the Xiao Clan! If you kill me, aren’t you afraid of their retaliation?"
Zhang Yan responded with a cold laugh. Without hesitation, he raised his saber and struck. The blade flashed, and a severed head rolled to the ground.
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)