Chapter 213: The Skystrike General of the Xianzhou Yaoqing — Feixiao Arrives!

Now Yanqing had finally met someone worthy of being called his rival.

One was the legendary sword prodigy of the Xianzhou, blessed with extraordinary martial talent and already serving as a Cloud Knight Lieutenant despite his young age.

The other was a swordsmithing genius who was equally gifted with the blade.

A true clash of titans.

"...Why are you watching like this is a show?"

"Yanqing is your disciple!"

Evan simply waved his hand.

"Leave the kids to settle the kids’ business."

"Just enjoy the show."

He narrowed his eyes with a grin.

Those Borisin had actually managed to escape from Yanqing’s pursuit.

That alone proved they possessed considerable skill.

Of course...

If they hadn’t run into Yunli, it still wouldn’t have been a major problem.

It would merely have taken Yanqing a little longer.

And just as expected...

Trouble arrived.

"Thank you for lending your assistance, Miss..."

Before Yanqing could even finish expressing his gratitude...

Yunli had already picked up one of his flying swords.

Without another word...

She leaped off the dock.

"Oh no... Wait..."

"Could you return my—"

Before he could finish...

Yunli was already carrying the flying sword in one hand and her greatsword in the other as she disappeared into the distance.

"Wait! My sword..."

Yanqing stood there blankly.

Who was that girl?

She had stolen his sword...

And hadn’t even bothered to leave her name.

After enjoying the spectacle long enough...

Evan leisurely walked over from behind Yanqing, applauding softly.

"Yanqing."

"Yanqing."

"Have you been slacking off with your sword practice while I was away?"

"Now look."

"Someone even stole your sword."

"What are you going to do about it?"

He sighed dramatically.

Yanqing scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"M-Master..."

"Oh?"

"So now you’ve stopped calling me ’Sir?’"

"I... I’m sorry, Master..."

"I..."

"I..."

For a moment...

He had absolutely no idea what to say.

Evan smiled faintly.

"Did you notice that girl just now?"

"She wielded an enormous greatsword."

"And yet her movements were unbelievably light."

"But you..."

"Were still worrying about your sword."

"How long have you been practicing the Taixuan Sword Art?"

"A few months... Master."

Yanqing looked at him in confusion.

"The Divine..."

"Is the ultimate expression of transformation."

"When you use the Taixuan Sword Divine Art..."

"Do you still need the sword in your hand?"

"You possess a Sword Heart."

"If your heart already holds a sword..."

"Then everywhere is your sword."

"If you had combined your Sword Heart with the Taixuan Sword Art just now..."

"Wouldn’t you have killed that Borisin before the girl reached it?"

Evan smiled.

Another flying sword condensed in his hand.

Then...

Without warning...

He thrust it toward Yanqing.

Yanqing didn’t even have time to react.

The sword vanished before it ever reached him.

His pupils contracted violently.

If the one standing before him hadn’t been his master...

He would already be dead.

Precisely because it was his master...

He understood even more clearly what had just happened.

"The Taixuan Sword Divine Art..."

"Has never been a sword that merely cuts flesh."

"Its greatest purpose..."

"Is to sever the spirit."

"In Xianzhou terms..."

"It strikes the soul directly."

"Think of it as dealing Super Break damage."

"Understand?"

Evan smiled before turning away.

There was no need to explain any further.

Yanqing’s talent was exceptional.

A single hint was enough.

Anything more would become counterproductive.

Yanqing stood there in stunned silence.

His head lowered in thought.

Master...

Had become even stronger.

Back on the Luofu...

He could at least survive a few minutes against Evan.

Even if Evan hadn’t used the full power of an Emanator.

But now...

Yanqing couldn’t even perceive his master’s movements.

One seemingly ordinary strike...

Had nearly killed him.

Terrifying...

He had clearly grown stronger during these past months.

Could it be...

He still hadn’t trained hard enough?

No.

He couldn’t disgrace his master.

First...

He had to get his flying sword back.

But...

Who exactly was that girl?

He had never seen someone like her anywhere on the Luofu.

A true prodigy.

Someone capable of stealing his flying sword right in front of him.

What a headache.

Still...

That wasn’t the priority.

The sudden Borisin attack at Starskiff Haven—where merchants and visitors from across the galaxy gathered—had to be investigated.

As a Cloud Knight Lieutenant...

He couldn’t ignore it.

The investigation quickly uncovered the source.

The Interastral Peace Corporation.

The Borisin hadn’t targeted the Luofu itself.

Instead...

They had attacked an IPC cargo vessel docked at the port.

Something about that ship...

Was clearly suspicious.

Without hesitation...

Yanqing ordered the vessel seized.

Meanwhile...

In Aurum Alley...

Yunli sat happily eating a skewer of Jadefruit Bird Skewers, puffing out her cheeks as she glared at the white-haired old man below.

Hmph!

That mean old man...

Actually teased her with food!

How annoying!

Fortunately...

He had eventually handed the skewer over.

Otherwise...

Little Yunli really would have thrown a tantrum.

"Yunli."

"Time to go."

"Where did you run off to just now?"

An elderly man of short stature, wearing a broad bamboo hat, slowly approached with his hands behind his back.

"Coming, Grandpa!"

"Oh!"

"Look what I got!"

She proudly held up the flying sword.

"I won this just now."

"Its owner was way too dumb!"

"He doesn’t even understand his own sword."

"So I took it."

The old man’s sharp eyes examined the weapon.

As the greatest swordsmith not only of the Zhuming...

But arguably of the entire Xianzhou Alliance...

He immediately saw through the sword’s nature.

"Heh."

"Little girl..."

"You’d better be careful."

"The sword’s owner may come looking for you."

"Hmph!"

"That’s his own fault for lacking skill."

"Even if he comes after me, it won’t change anything."

Yunli stuffed the last of the skewer into her mouth in one bite.

Then cheerfully grabbed the old man’s hand.

The two skipped happily toward the Divination Commission.

At the same time...

Another starskiff arrived at the Luofu.

A woman dressed in elegant crimson Xianzhou robes stepped gracefully onto the dock.

The moment she set foot upon the Luofu again...

A trace of nostalgia...

Mixed with faint resentment...

Appeared in her eyes.

"Luofu..."

"I’ve finally returned."

She was none other than the newly appointed Alchemy Commission Head.

Following the chaos within the Alchemy Commission...

She had been assigned here by the higher authorities.

"I..."

"A native Vidyadhara of the Luofu..."

"Was exiled because my master became entangled in political struggles."

"And now..."

"I return under a new name..."

"Clothed in honor."

"How truly... bittersweet."

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