Chapter 421 - 226: Defeating the Grandmaster

Chapter 421: Chapter 226: Defeating the Grandmaster

Yao Yilong tensed, about to pursue and finish off Xie Yuan, when a clear, angry voice erupted from below:

"Fuck it, I can’t take this anymore!"

He instinctively turned his head and saw Zhang Junyi pull out a purple talisman, toss it into the air, and pierce it with his Peach Wood Sword.

KABOOM!

A clap of thunder suddenly echoed through the night sky. A massive serpent of lightning coiled around the Peach Wood Sword, making it look like a Magical Artifact of the Thunder Department True God.

"Master, aid me!"

Zhang Junyi roared, slashing his wooden sword at the sky. A bolt of thunder and lightning shot across the heavens, striking directly at the mid-air Yao Yilong!

Yao Yilong’s expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to dodge, the phantom image of a treasure tower suddenly materialized around him, freezing him in place.

Huie Jue’s towering frame shone with a golden light, his pupils turning pure gold. He held up a radiant Slaughter Tower, and inside it, a tiny figure could be seen—it was Yao Yilong!

However, immobilizing a Grandmaster was clearly an immense drain on Huie Jue. Even shrouded in golden light, his face grew pale. He likely wouldn’t be able to hold on for much longer.

But that one moment was enough. Zhang Junyi’s lightning bolt struck the immobilized Yao Yilong with perfect accuracy. His body instantly erupted in electrical fire, turning him into a mid-air torch.

Huie Jue’s Treasure Tower instantly vanished. Golden beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he stared intently at the flaming man in the sky.

"Daoist, is that sword of yours reliable?"

"It’s a Shenxiao Thunder Talisman from my master. It ought to have some effect,"

Zhang Junyi said, his voice filled with divine power as the wooden sword in his hand still crackled with electricity.

"A Shenxiao Thunder Talisman... That’s good, then."

Huie Jue was exhausted. Manifesting his Arhat Body consumed a vast amount of energy, and using a Magical Artifact to trap a Grandmaster on top of that had completely drained him. He could barely stand.

Just as Zhang Junyi was about to speak, his gaze sharpened. He saw the flames in the sky instantly extinguish.

Yao Yilong’s figure was revealed. His robes were tattered and scorched, and his once-black hair was blasted into a wild mess, the tips still glowing with tiny embers. He was a pathetic sight.

But his expression was frigid. The Qi and Blood in his body was so potent it was nearly visible, casting a crimson glow on the surrounding air and causing it to twist and distort.

Yao Yilong shot a glacial look at the solemn Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi, his bone-chilling voice echoing across the land:

"Was that your trump card?"

Zhang Junyi and Huie Jue pressed their lips together in silence. Yao Yilong sneered, his gaze shifting to the deep crater below.

"If that’s all you have, you still can’t save him.

"Xie Yuan, you die today!"

The old man’s presence flared as he pointed his Long Sword downward and charged.

Zhang Junyi’s expression turned grim. He swung his Peach Wood Sword again, unleashing all the remaining lightning. Huie Jue’s face paled as the phantom of the Slaughter Tower reappeared in his hand, once more aiming to envelop Yao Yilong.

But this time, Yao Yilong was prepared. A thumb ring on his finger suddenly shattered, unleashing a wave of white light that blocked both the phantom tower and the lightning.

A Magical Artifact!

A high-level protective Magical Artifact, capable of blocking their attacks!

Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi’s expressions changed drastically. They never imagined Yao Yilong would be willing to sacrifice such a precious item just to kill Xie Yuan.

After all, items like that were meant to save one’s life, and Yao Yilong could have easily dodged their last attack.

But he was willing to sacrifice it to kill Xie Yuan swiftly and decisively, leaving no loose ends.

Panic seized them both. They had used up all their tricks and had no other way to help Xie Yuan!

This attack from Yao Yilong was fueled by rage and backed by his full power—an assault he wouldn’t need against most Grandmasters. How could Xie Yuan possibly withstand it?

They watched helplessly as Yao Yilong charged, sword in hand, toward the deep crater on the ground. It felt as if time itself had slowed.

Suddenly, Yao Yilong faltered. A flash of light erupted from his body, accompanied by what sounded like something shattering. He then shot sideways, moving clear of the large crater.

Xie Yuan leaped out, landing on the edge of the crater and facing Yao Yilong.

Light flickered around Yao Yilong as his figure blurred, his speed now far greater than before. Then, he shot backward in an explosive retreat, vanishing from the long street in the blink of an eye.

Huie Jue and Zhang Junyi froze, staring at each other in confusion, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

’Did Xie Yuan just scare Yao Yilong off by jumping out of the crater?’

’It’s not like he’s that ugly, is he?’

Xie Yuan stood silently, watching the direction in which Yao Yilong had fled. He gripped a small sword in his hand, the one containing Li Xingtuo’s Floating Light and Shadow Sword Intent, and did not relax his hold.

It was the faint, almost imperceptible Sword Intent emanating from this small sword that had frightened away the heavily weakened Yao Yilong.

’But this was his final, life-saving trump card. He was unwilling to use it without absolute certainty.’

’Earlier, when he’d intercepted Yao Yilong in the sky, he would have been forced to use the small sword then if not for the sudden insight that had allowed his Sword Heart to parry the attack.’

’And just now, as Yao Yilong attacked, he had intended to use the Sword Intent to end the battle for good. But Yao Yilong must have sensed it, for he’d immediately used a Magical Artifact that seemed to increase his speed, allowing him to instantly evade the small sword’s lock.’

’Still, it meant he had saved the precious item.’

Seeing Yao Yilong had retreated, Xie Yuan glanced at the monk and Daoist behind him and sighed.

"Let’s go. We’re drawing a crowd."

The intense commotion had long since attracted the attention of the city’s experts. In the distance, several floating figures could be seen, furtively observing the scene.

However, upon recognizing Zhang Junyi and Huie Jue, whose affiliations were clear, and seeing Yao Yilong retreat, the onlookers did not approach.

Xie Yuan calmly swept his gaze over the figures. He noted their gazes sizing him up—some curious, others holding a deeper, hidden meaning. He met each of their stares one by one before turning and swiftly departing with his two companions, completely unfazed.

The distant Grandmasters watched them for a moment, finding it odd when the three young Martial Artists seemed to simply vanish after turning a corner. They merely exchanged glances—Grandmasters from the various, competing factions within the vast Jinling Prefecture—before dispersing on their own.