Chapter 156: Ning Qian's Danger

Chapter 156: Ning Qian in Peril

“Bang…”

The Azurewood Arrow transformed from the Azurewood Vine finally struck the ring of condensed azure spiritual power. The ring shuddered violently, then erupted in a dazzling blaze of light.

The arrow pierced into the azure ring. A deafening sonic boom reverberated across the entire arena as the ring exploded, sending azure waves of energy in every direction. A crescent-shaped mass of spiritual energy suddenly took form in midair above the fighting platform. Beneath it, azure spiritual power spilled everywhere, swiftly filling the entire arena.

When the crescent moon took shape, a trace of delight appeared across Ning Qian’s brow. He joined the fingers of his right hand into a sword and abruptly pointed at the moon.

“Crack!”

The crescent moon above the platform suddenly burst apart. The curved arc split into two half-moons, one shooting toward the golden flowing greatsword in the sky and the other toward Xu Mingyuan on the platform.

“Whoosh…”

The half-moon-shaped spiritual energy moved with astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, it had reached Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan did not dare delay. With a beckoning motion, he tried to call back the golden flowing greatsword.

“Bang!”

A piercing noise exploded in everyone’s ears. The other half-moon of spiritual energy had struck the golden flowing greatsword. The sword, which had been humming with metallic resonance, suddenly halted. Its blade bent sharply, transforming into a shooting star that flew beyond the heavens.

A quasi-second-grade spell technique that had yet to unleash its full power could only suffer instant defeat before a second-grade technique operating at its peak.

“Crack…”

Unable to summon back the golden flowing greatsword, Xu Mingyuan had no choice but to circulate his own spiritual power and forcefully withstand the half-moon of energy. The spiritual power condensed in his palms had only just met the half-moon when an overwhelming pressure surged through his hands. Pain shot through both palms, followed by the unmistakable sound of his wrists breaking.

“Swish…”

A blue figure flashed past, and Xie Wenyuan appeared beside Xu Mingyuan.

“Bang!”

The golden flowing greatsword swept through the air. The azure spiritual power struck the curtain of light formed by the sword. Xie Wenyuan, his face flushed crimson, finally managed to block Ning Qian’s Azurewood Chasing the Moon.

Yet even after intercepting this portion of the technique, Xie Wenyuan was far from unscathed. This second-grade spell technique had released its full might. Even with two entire realms between them, Xie Wenyuan had found it exceedingly difficult to withstand.

“Pffft…”

Xie Wenyuan dragged Xu Mingyuan, whose wrists were broken, behind him. Xu Mingyuan bent over and spat out a mouthful of blood. His spiritual weapon had been destroyed and both wrists broken; his injuries were severe.

Casting a cold, sidelong glance at the miserable Xu Mingyuan, Xie Wenyuan turned toward Ning Qian.

“Impressive skill. An impressive spell technique indeed. Who would have thought that one of Jiang Yan’s disciples could beat the second-highest expert of the Golden Flame Sect to the point of vomiting blood and collapsing? If I had not made certain preparations, I truly might have had to stand by and watch Mount Hua assume the position of a fourth-grade sect today.”

“Puff… puff…”

Ning Qian braced both hands against the Azurewood Vine, bent over, and drew in great lungfuls of air. His voice remained utterly calm.

“Master Xie, whatever preparations you may have made, you and your son will not be leaving Eastwood Mountain today.”

“Hahahaha!”

Xie Wenyuan threw back his head and laughed. His expression was arrogant and contemptuous as he looked at Ning Qian.

“Boy, you defeated a single Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Golden Flame Sect and already think yourself invincible? Never mind that Mount Hua has no perfected Foundation Establishment cultivator—even if it did, what difference would that make? Jiang Yan is absent today. I would like to see who can save you now.”

“Junior Brother Xu, step back first.”

Xie Wenyuan glanced at Xu Mingyuan behind him. A chilling light flashed through his eyes as he spoke in a flat voice, though inwardly he was thinking, You concealed a quasi-second-grade spell technique. I will settle that account with you later.

Under Xie Wenyuan’s gaze, Xu Mingyuan shuddered involuntarily. Fear flickered in his heart. Had the sect master discovered that he had secretly kept the quasi-second-grade peak technique instead of turning it in? Had that angered him?

If so, he would have to start considering his escape route.

Xie Wenyuan sent his junior brother away, then took a step forward and crushed a stone tile beneath his foot. He raised his right hand, and the golden flowing greatsword cleaved through the sky before soaring high into the air. It radiated dazzling light, enveloping half the fighting platform.

“Boy, I shall send you on your way today and scout the road ahead for your master.”

Jiang Yan’s brows rose as he straightened and lifted the Azurewood Vine in his hand. With a forceful downward press, the vine shuddered and instantly took root in the ground. In the blink of an eye, that slender vine grew into a towering tree, completely shielding Ning Qian behind it.

A trace of disdain flickered in the corner of Xie Wenyuan’s eye. He joined his fingers into a sword and pointed sharply toward Ning Qian. The golden flowing greatsword let out a mournful howl as it tore through the sky and charged straight toward the Azurewood Vine.

“Clang, clang…”

After several exchanges, the golden flowing greatsword tangled with the Azurewood Vine before flying back into the air and hovering above Xie Wenyuan’s head.

The towering tree transformed from the Azurewood Vine suddenly trembled, then shrank back to its original size and fell into the hands of Ning Qian, who was panting heavily.

“Not bad, boy. You injured an expert of the Golden Flame Sect and still had enough strength to withstand one of my attacks. Today, I am feeling generous. I shall at least leave your corpse intact.”

Xie Wenyuan’s arrogant laughter instantly rang throughout the arena, filling the ears of everyone present.

Monk Kongse frowned. He looked at Xie Wenyuan on the fighting platform, then turned toward Wen Tingshi of the Southern Heaven Sword Sect beside him. The meaning in his gaze was unmistakable. Wen Tingshi possessed the highest cultivation here and represented a fifth-grade sect. Monk Kongse could not simply intervene without consulting him and risk excessively slighting the Southern Heaven Sword Sect.

A mocking glint flashed through Wen Tingshi’s eyes. He looked at Jiang Yan on the elevated platform, whose expression remained tranquil, without the slightest trace of panic or fear. Disappointment crossed his face as he spoke with unconcealed disdain.

“Master Kongse, why are you in such a hurry? If Mount Hua cannot even deal with these few third-grade sects before it, how can it stand alongside several fourth-grade sects? Surely you understand, Master Kongse.”

Monk Kongse’s gaze shifted several times before he finally abandoned the thought of persuading Wen Tingshi. The man had plainly chosen not to aid either side, and further urging would achieve nothing. It would be wiser to make his own preparations early.

With that thought, faint strands of golden light began to gather beneath Monk Kongse’s broad sleeves.

“Whoosh…”

With a point of his joined fingers, Xie Wenyuan sent the golden flowing greatsword shooting forth as a streak of golden light, straight toward Ning Qian, who was still panting heavily.

“Die, boy!”

Xie Wenyuan’s vicious roar instantly reverberated across the arena.

Ning Qian frowned and raised the hand gripping the Azurewood Vine, intending to activate it. Unfortunately, the previous Azurewood Chasing the Moon had consumed too much of his strength. His spiritual power had not yet recovered, leaving him without even a trace of energy to resist Xie Wenyuan’s attack.

“Senior Brother, retreat!”

Seeing Ning Qian in danger, Wensong summoned his own spiritual weapon and prepared to rush onto the platform to save him.

“Old bastard, taking advantage of someone in peril!”

“Bastard! How shameless, bullying someone younger and weaker!”

The Mount Hua disciples’ curses erupted throughout the arena, loud and chaotic.