Chapter 446

Chapter 446: Flash of Sword Intent

The howling yin winds and swarming ghostly shadows froze abruptly at Ding Haochen’s roar. Like rivers flowing backward to the sea, all dark energies converged into the pitch-black curved blade gripped in his hand.

A black blade light tore through the sky, trapping Ye Yun completely without escape routes.

This was Ding Haochen’s ultimate strike – even he couldn’t control it once unleashed. This attack permitted only advance, no retreat.

Ye Yun’s smile faded into seriousness. Though expecting the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike’s power, its ferocity still shocked him. It threatened to overwhelm even his enhanced physique, becoming the most direct lethal threat he’d ever faced. While Sage Huo Yun and Shui Qingxuan’s techniques had been stronger, those hadn’t pressed against his throat like this blade separating life from death.

The inky light arrived instantly. Instead of retreating, Ye Yun stepped forward, Purple Shadow Sword shimmering with watery ripples.

"Thundercloud Lightning Sword!"

The blade quivered as deafening thunder erupted. Violet electric snakes writhed around it, each spark crackling with apocalyptic power. Within moments, Ye Yun executed the sword technique’s first three moves with such speed they blurred into one motion. Arm-thick lightning bolts shot from the blade body, roaring Divine Thunder clashing against the descending darkness.

BOOM!

Colliding forces birthed a shockwave that rippled outward.

Zheng Tong paled. He’d stood thirty zhang away, confident his near-alchemy pill cultivation could weather any aftermath. Yet when the attacks met, the resulting blast sent him skidding fifty zhang backward.

"How?!" he gasped, robes flapping. "Since when do juniors wield such power?"

"Can’t even you withstand it, Brother Zheng?" called Ding Haochen’s companions from further back.

Zheng Tong’s head snapped toward them – then he shouted "Danger!" and lunged left. The Registered Disciple Ye Yun had previously struck was staggering upright just as the shockwave hit.

Blood sprayed as the youth flew backward again, painting the stones crimson. Zheng Tong caught him midair, retreating another hundred zhang. A feeble pulse fluttered under his fingers.

"How’s Shen?" panted the arriving disciples.

"Half-dead," Zheng Tong snapped. "Take him to Master Tian Yunzi immediately."

The disciples exchanged glances. Tian Yunzi cared little for Registered Disciples – presenting this failure might harm their own chances at promotion.

"Your brotherhood dies here?" Zheng Tong barked.

They stared pointedly at the distant battle where purple lightning held the dark blade at bay. Zheng Tong understood – these youths competed to become Tian Yunzi’s fourth true disciple. Saving a rival wasn’t worth risking their standing. To the master, weaklings deserved their fate.

Zheng Tong shook his head and produced a pill, placing it into the mouth of his dying junior brother Shen. He carried him back to the entrance of his Small Courtyard and laid him on the stone path.

In the distance, the pitch-black blade light and purple sword arc still clashed fiercely, neither showing any sign of retreat, with no clear advantage for either side.

"Ye Yun, your cultivation level is truly remarkable. I’ve underestimated you," Ding Haochen’s voice rang out, strained as he struggled to maintain composure.

Ye Yun had channeled nearly all his Thunder Spirit Qi into the Purple Shadow Sword, his true qi flowing relentlessly. The slightest relaxation would allow the mountain-like black war blade to crash down, leaving him no chance of survival.

"What’s the use of regret now? After shattering your Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike, I’ll end you here!" Ye Yun roared. Were it not for Ding Haochen’s interference, he might have nearly perfected the Sword of the Thunder God by now.

"Our strengths are equal. This stalemate could last hours. Let’s withdraw together and consider this a meeting through combat," Ding Haochen proposed solemnly.

Ye Yun snorted derisively. "Fear speaks now? Too late."

Though nearing his limit, Ding Haochen dared not relent first. If he lost momentum, Ye Yun’s assaults would overwhelm him completely.

"Fear? I merely suggest preserving our strength for the trial. If we both get gravely wounded, Jiang Feiyang’s faction will reap the benefits."

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes, considering. "There’s truth in that."

"Then let’s count to three and withdraw simultaneously," Ding Haochen pressed eagerly, having recognized Ye Yun as the disciple competition’s strongest rival – unwise to confront directly.

"Count away," Ye Yun nodded.

Ding Haochen smiled. "One… two… three!"

As the final number left his lips, he concentrated every drop of true qi into the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike. If Ye Yun withdrew now, the combined force of both techniques would blast through even the Great Demon Body, crushing Ye Yun’s chest instantly.

But Ye Yun was no greenhorn. Years in the Heavenly Sword Sect had taught him trust was folly, especially with rivals. Against formidable foes, mercy meant death.

As Ding Haochen poured all energy into his curved blade, the Nine Nether Demon Slaying Strike descended with apocalyptic force.

Just as triumph curved Ding Haochen’s lips, an overwhelming power erupted from Ye Yun’s Purple Shadow Sword.

Thunder boomed. Electric snakes writhed.

Through the storm, an ethereal sword arc pierced everything – striking the demonic strike head-on.

Crack!

The massive blade suddenly lightened. Before confusion registered, Ding Haochen saw death incarnate – a sword arc cleaving through reality to hover before his heart.

"Sword intent! This is sword intent!"

The scream died in Ding Haochen’s throat as cold steel kissed his neck. A crimson line bloomed across his chest, pain erupting moments before blood drenched his robes.

"Sword intent… He actually…!"

Consciousness faded. The world tilted. His collapsing body struck stone, blood rivers snaking through pavement cracks.

Death and disappearance of the spirit.