Chapter 139 - 138: Xia Bingyue’s Promise

In midair.

Luo Tian looked down from above, his "Star Shining Nine Heavens" turning the sky into a backdrop. The ancient and vast attack had nearly seized the initiative.

"What fine swordsmanship!"

Xia Bingyue was slightly moved, a trace of admiration flashing through her glacial, beautiful eyes.

During their first exchange.

Luo Tian had used the force of the blow to leap into the air, turning a retreat into an advance to brew this exceptionally powerful strike.

Nine Swords of Solitary Peak!

Xia Bingyue, her white clothes like snow, swung her three-foot cyan blade. It cut through the air, creating a crystalline, chilling Sword Energy Radiance that carried the lonely aura of one who stands above the clouds, having sundered the fog.

PFFT PFFT CHH!

The vast, shimmering sword brilliance of Luo Tian’s "Star Shining Nine Heavens" met the Sword Energy Radiance and began to peel away, layer by layer, like smoke and clouds.

’Such powerful swordsmanship!’

Luo Tian’s heart trembled.

Star Shining Nine Heavens was his strongest Sword Dao killing move, overwhelmingly powerful and specializing in frontal suppression.

However, Xia Bingyue met his attack with one of her own. She was using strength to shatter strength, seemingly intending to break his move head-on.

"Luo Tian is going to lose!"

"An attack like that, from a dominant position in midair... If it doesn’t secure victory, he’ll have no way to recover. He’s sure to lose."

Some of the geniuses on the Human List came to this conclusion.

Xia Bingyue’s gaze was as ethereal as rain—exquisitely beautiful and serene. Her three-foot cyan blade pressed further toward Luo Tian.

Luo Tian’s performance in the Sword Dao had already surprised her.

’He can be proud of lasting two strikes.’

"Activate!"

Luo Tian’s Divine Vein erupted with its full power.

HMMMM WENG!

A swirling vortex of dim, Cold Mist materialized around Luo Tian, sweeping out in a ten-meter radius as if winter itself had arrived.

In an instant, the vast, starry Sword Energy Radiance erupted with an even more brilliant, cold light. A tyrannical, Yin Netherworld chill rolled toward Xia Bingyue.

"What powerful Martial Vein Power!"

The crowd, including the higher-ups on the viewing platform, couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement.

Luo Tian had an Incomplete Divine Vein, and his Martial Vein Phenomenon was a dark mist, making it impossible to see the specifics within.

Therefore, these people could only sense that the Martial Vein Power was strong; they couldn’t yet identify its origin.

PSSSH~

Xia Bingyue’s expression changed slightly. A thin layer of frost condensed on her three-foot cyan blade, only to be quickly dispersed by her own powerful sword brilliance.

’A good chance!’

A look of joy appeared on Luo Tian’s face. For the first time since their clash began, he had gained a faint, suppressive advantage.

Even if this faint advantage would vanish in a flash.

HAAH!

Luo Tian let out a sharp cry. He poured all of his Divine Vein Cold Power and Guiyuan True Qi into his Treasure Sword, which blazed with a dazzling sword brilliance like that of an immortal star.

Then, he did something astounding!

He threw the glittering Treasure Sword of his "Star Shining Nine Heavens" at Xia Bingyue.

This thrown sword contained the essence of his eighth technique, "Fallen-stars," though he had yet to truly master it.

WHOOSH-BOOM!

The Wind and Snow Sword transformed into a massive ball of starlight falling from the sky, magnificent in its icy blue hue, its Cold Mist swirling like a cyclone.

With the full eruption of his Divine Vein and the throw containing the intent of his eighth technique, the power of this strike rose to another level.

For the first time, a change appeared on Xia Bingyue’s frosty, beautiful face. She felt a faint hint of pressure.

Second Style of Solitary Peak!

The three-foot cyan blade in Xia Bingyue’s hand slashed out like lightning, tracing a flickering, dim arc of sword light that exuded a terrifying aura.

DING DANG! POOF-BOOM!

The two Treasure Swords clashed. Sparks flew, and a roaring, frigid cyclone erupted from the impact.

The "Star Shining Nine Heavens" sword that Luo Tian had thrown was successfully blocked.

Xia Bingyue’s fairy-like body swayed slightly. Frost once again condensed on her Treasure Sword, and a chill tried to invade her body.

"Luo Tian actually lasted for three moves?"

"It’s over now! He doesn’t even have his sword anymore."

The minds of the Human List geniuses in attendance raced, utterly shocked.

It seemed to take a long time, but the second strike, Star Shining Nine Heavens, and the third, the throw, all happened within a single breath.

However, even though Luo Tian’s unexpected third strike had a slight effect, Xia Bingyue still blocked it.

Now, he was in midair with nothing to support him.

He had also thrown his sword.

Just when everyone thought Luo Tian had no choice but to admit defeat,

the unexpected happened!

Luo Tian, still in midair, tapped his foot on the empty void, borrowing force from nothing.

SWISH!

Like a dark feather, Luo Tian suddenly leaped more than ten meters, closing in on Xia Bingyue.

And at this moment, Xia Bingyue had just blocked Luo Tian’s incredibly powerful thrown sword. Her ethereal body was still swaying, and she hadn’t yet dispelled the frost from her Treasure Sword.

WHOOSH!

The swirling vortex of dim Cold Mist extending ten meters around Luo Tian was the first to reach Xia Bingyue.

Xia Bingyue’s expression turned grim. As the Cold Mist touched her, a chill ran through her qi and blood. Her delicate body stiffened, and her speed and agility plummeted.

Not only that, but a pulling force emanated from the swirling, dim Cold Mist, as if from a bottomless abyss.

"What a profound mastery of Body Technique!"

"Is Luo Tian preparing for close-quarters combat?"

The crowd outside the stage was in an uproar.

"This is bad! As a Sword Cultivator, Xia Bingyue doesn’t excel at defense or close-quarters combat."

The Cloud Heaven Sect Master thought worriedly.

Xia Bingyue’s attainments in the Sword Dao were peerless, allowing her to look down on the geniuses of her generation.

In terms of Attack, she was number one on the Human List.

But Xia Bingyue also had corresponding weaknesses.

She was not skilled in close-quarters combat, and her Defense was also relatively weak.

It was just that Xia Bingyue had always adhered to the belief that the best defense is a good offense.

When one’s Attack is strong enough, one can disregard everything else.

Even now, Xia Bingyue deeply believed this and refused to retreat or yield.

Slash!

The three-foot cyan blade in Xia Bingyue’s hand swung, creating a bolt-like Aurora Sword Aura that slashed toward Luo Tian.

An attack for a defense!

The power of this strike was enough to crush the swordless Luo Tian.

However, Xia Bingyue was only halfway through her slash when she realized something was wrong.

SHH-SWOOSH!

Luo Tian had already closed to within a few meters, and the vortex at the center of the dim Cold Mist surged with an even stronger suction force.

The frost on her sword had not yet been dispelled. A thin layer of frost also appeared on her fair arm, and the flow of her qi, blood, and True Qi became sluggish.

Consequently, Xia Bingyue’s sword movements and agility were reduced by thirty to forty percent, as she was still maintaining her Cultivation at the Half-step Spirit Sea level, after all.

Conversely, Luo Tian’s speed did not decrease. In fact, after his Divine Vein erupted, his "Cloud Traveling Step" became even more powerful.

SWISH!

The Cold Mist swirled, and Luo Tian’s figure blurred and vanished.

The next moment, his graceful figure appeared on Xia Bingyue’s other side.

SWOOSH!

Xia Bingyue’s Swordsmanship Realm was extraordinary. Her Sword Momentum shifted in an instant, and she continued her slash toward Luo Tian.

However, Luo Tian’s senses and Spiritual Sense were not to be underestimated, and he had the advantage of speed and the Cold Mist environment.

Luo Tian was like a wisp of cold smoke. His figure shifted again, closing the distance even further.

WHOOSH!

Luo Tian suddenly raised a hand. His crystal-yellow palm radiated a bone-chilling Cold Power.

When Xia Bingyue’s Treasure Sword was two-thirds of the way through its arc, it abruptly stopped.

THWACK!

A cold, domineering hand had grabbed her fair, jade-like arm, preventing it from moving another inch.

At that moment, the vortex of Cold Mist swept over, and a layer of frost condensed on Xia Bingyue.

The color drained from Xia Bingyue’s pretty face. She freed her other hand and slashed with a flash of Sword Light, trying to force Luo Tian back.

Luo Tian seemed to have anticipated this.

WHOOSH-THWACK!

He freed his other hand and grabbed her fragrant shoulder, intercepting her attack.

This series of close-quarters exchanges happened too fast for the eye to follow.

"Is Xia Bingyue going to lose?"

The Wu Mansion students outside the stage cried out in disbelief.

At this moment, Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue were inches apart, in intimate contact.

One hand gripped her fair sword arm, while the other held the beauty’s fragrant shoulder.

Her flawless, icy, beautiful face and her orchid-scented breath gave Luo Tian a stunning experience.

Xia Bingyue’s starry eyes turned cold. A sharp and terrifying True Qi erupted from within her, and wisps of Formless Sword Qi shot toward Luo Tian.

RIP!

Luo Tian’s hand slipped on her fragrant shoulder, tearing off a piece of her snow-white light garment.

Instantly, a large patch of snow-jade skin was exposed on Xia Bingyue’s pure, smooth shoulder, faintly revealing the warm, jade-like fullness beneath her bodice.

"This?"

Luo Tian was shocked. His palm touched her shoulder, which was as smooth and cool as icy jade.

"You..."

Xia Bingyue’s face was a mixture of shame and anger. A pink blush spread across her icy, pretty face and her pure, snowy shoulders.

WHOOSH-BOOM!

Xia Bingyue’s Spirit Sea Realm Cultivation erupted with full force. A phantasmal sword shadow flashed in her starry eyes, and a torrent of sharp, flowing Sword Qi surged toward Luo Tian.

PFFT PFFT CHH!

The Cold Mist and Protective True Qi around Luo Tian shattered like paper. Scared out of his wits, he immediately let go.

At this moment, Xia Bingyue’s white clothes fluttered. She exuded a True Sword Dao Rhythm, and her strength doubled or tripled. The formless Sword Dao Power she radiated caused the many Treasure Swords outside the arena to tremble and hum inexplicably.

"The rumors were true. This woman has actually grasped a sliver of the Sword Dao’s ’True Intent’."

Vice Manor Master Yue exclaimed in amazement.

All paths of Martial Arts have True Intent, and Swordsmanship is no exception.

Even in the Earth Element Realm, only a handful of people could grasp a sliver of True Intent.

Only a Celestial Tier Martial Artist could begin to master True Intent, their every move capable of invoking the power of heaven and earth.

True Sword Dao Intent, moreover, was one of the most difficult types of True Intent to comprehend.

For Xia Bingyue to have grasped a sliver of True Intent while in the Spirit Sea Realm made her a Sword Dao prodigy not seen in centuries. This was something that even the Master of the Holy Mansion would find difficult to achieve.

’Not good!’

Luo Tian felt an invincible aura coming from Xia Bingyue as she unleashed her full Spirit Sea Realm Cultivation.

CHH!

Just as Luo Tian was about to retreat, a crystalline, dark arc of Sword Qi shot from Xia Bingyue’s fingertip, stopping right beside his throat.

The hair on Luo Tian’s body stood on end as the threat of death washed over him.

If that arc of Sword Qi before his throat moved even an inch, it would take his life.

"Xia Bingyue wins!"

Referee Hua Xu reacted, his face a mask of astonishment.

"Miss Xia, would you mind withdrawing?"

Luo Tian felt a chill run down his spine. That crystalline, icy arc of Sword Qi was still hovering by his throat.

Xia Bingyue’s pretty face was like frost, yet her cheeks were flushed. The exposed skin of her shoulder revealed a delicate, jade-like collarbone, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

She gave Luo Tian a deep look and retracted her finger.

"That kid... he finally lost?"

The students in the crowd let out a long sigh of relief.

"Damn it! That kid actually took advantage of Fairy Xia."

A number of hateful, jealous glares shot his way.

Xia Bingyue was as beautiful as a fairy, with icy skin and proud bones, her swordsmanship peerless. Countless geniuses of her generation harbored secret crushes on her, yet felt too unworthy.

For such a noble and pure fairy to have her clothes torn by Luo Tian, who even took liberties with her...

The pleasant sensation and faint fragrance still lingered on Luo Tian’s palm, leaving an endless aftertaste.

"That Luo Tian..."

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of Wang Tian and Yuwen Xuan, revealing the anger born of jealousy.

Luo Tian felt the murderous, icy glares on him but paid them no mind.

"Stop!"

He turned to leave but was stopped by a clear, cold, and pleasant voice.

"Miss Xia, you’ve already won. Is there anything else you wish to say?"

Luo Tian asked.

A complex emotion flickered in Xia Bingyue’s serene, beautiful eyes.

"You are the one who won! As we agreed beforehand, I was only to use the Cultivation of a Half-step Spirit Sea."

Hmm?

Only then did Luo Tian remember that Xia Bingyue had burst out with her Spirit Sea Realm Cultivation to break free from his grasp.

From that perspective, Luo Tian had indeed won.

"Miss Xia, you don’t need to worry about it. The Wu Mansion tournament has no rules restricting Cultivation."

Luo Tian said with a smile.

Xia Bingyue’s candor and straightforwardness gave him a favorable impression of her.

However, Xia Bingyue’s next words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

"A loss is a loss."

"I, Xia Bingyue, always keep my word. You won with your Ninth Layer Cultivation, a well-deserved victory. Bingyue is willing to offer herself to you in marriage."

Xia Bingyue bit her pearly teeth lightly. The lingering blush on her exquisitely beautiful, icy face was captivating, yet her expression held a resolve as sharp and decisive as her Sword Dao.