Chapter 578 69: Hesitation is Defeat

Protecting its master is a natural trait of an Artifact Spirit. The moment Zhang Hongguang's life was threatened, his Lifebound Treasure automatically took the blow for him.

With his Lifebound Treasure damaged, Zhang Hongguang's blood flow reversed, and he violently spat out a mouthful of blood mist. His aura rapidly weakened, but the intense shock also allowed his consciousness to break free from the influence of the Spirit Communication Soul-Catching Treasure Mirror.

In an instant, a vast torrent of Mana erupted, rushing toward Song Qingxing with the force of an avalanche.

This was a rage-fueled strike from Zhang Hongguang after his narrow escape from death, and its power was astounding.

At such a close range, an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator would have been unable to react in time. However, an Artifact Spirit knows its own kind best, and Song Qingxing and Wujie had long anticipated that the Magical Treasure would protect its master.

Already mentally prepared, Song Qingxing transformed into a streak of Sword Light and retreated at extreme speed the moment before Zhang Hongguang launched his attack. At the same time, a crimson Red Bead shot out from his sleeve.

This was the very life-saving item Song Changsheng had given him before he left the mountain. It was crafted by the Artifact Refining Master Shen Qingxiu and possessed the power equivalent to a full-force blow from a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

The Red Bead collided with the torrent of Mana pouring from Zhang Hongguang and exploded violently.

The shockwave from the explosion sent Song Qingxing flying, but Zhang Hongguang, shielded by the Spiritual Gang Body Protection condensed from his Mana, blocked the turbulence and remained standing motionless in the air.

"You little bastard, die!"

To be reduced to such a pathetic state while dealing with a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator—rage had long since filled Zhang Hongguang's chest. The moment the turbulence dissipated, he raised one hand to the sky. Raging Thunder Serpents converged in his palm, forming a sphere that radiated an aura of annihilation.

Illuminated by the crackling lightning, Zhang Hongguang's old face looked utterly crazed and savage.

Suspended in mid-air, Song Qingxing felt the space around him freeze, locked in place by an invisible force. He was completely unable to dodge—this was the natural suppression of Spiritual Power by Mana.

At the critical moment, a brief glimmer of Spiritual Light flashed from the Copper Mirror in Song Qingxing's hand.

The terrifying power the Copper Mirror had previously released left a deep impression on Zhang Hongguang. Because of this, he had remained wary of Song Qingxing. The moment he saw the mirror light up, he subconsciously dispersed the Celestial Shaking Thunder in his hand and, as a reflex, executed a body technique to dodge sideways.

But... nothing happened.

In truth, after unleashing that first attack, Wujie had exhausted all its power and fallen into a deep slumber, completely unable to launch a second Divine Soul Shock.

By the time Zhang Hongguang realized he had been tricked, Song Changrong, back in the Marketplace, had already fired a second shot from the Black Star Ship.

A pillar of pure white light tore through the night sky, arriving in an instant.

Zhang Hongguang twisted his body in mid-air in an unbelievable way, avoiding a fatal blow to his back, but his arm was still grazed by the beam.

With a blood-curdling scream, Zhang Hongguang's right arm was blasted to smithereens. Half his body was charred black, and he was sent flying backward.

At that moment, Song Qingxing swiftly closed the distance, his figure as fast as lightning, as swift as the wind!

SHIIING—

The Traceless Sword was unsheathed, its snow-bright blade reflecting an endless, cold glint under the bright moon.

"Sword Three!"

Song Qingxing's cold voice rang out. It was as if the world stood still. As the Cyan Blade in his hand fell, a blindingly brilliant Sword Light blossomed beneath the heavens.

SSHHHK—

The dazzling Sword Light easily tore through his Protective Celestial Spirit as Zhang Hongguang watched in terror, leaving a barely visible scar across his chest.

The sight instantly drenched him in a cold sweat.

If Song Qingxing's Cultivation weren't insufficient, that single strike would have been enough to slice him in two!

But for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to break through a Purple Mansion Cultivator's Protective Celestial Spirit with a single sword strike was already shocking enough.

The fear of death enveloped Zhang Hongguang, and his initial rage had long since vanished without a trace.

'If this fight continues, I might actually die!'

At this thought, all of Zhang Hongguang's will to fight vanished. Dragging his heavily wounded body, he fled the battlefield without a second glance.

The sight of their own Sect Leader fleeing in such a pathetic state shocked all the Lieyang Sect disciples present. They had never imagined that Zhang Hongguang could be defeated.

After all, a Purple Mansion Cultivator held absolute suppressive power over a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But there was no time for them to dwell on it, for Song Qingxing was already charging down with his long sword in hand. Song Changrong had also opened up the Marketplace's Defensive Array, piloting the Black Star Ship to dominate the sky and seize air superiority.

Dealing with a Purple Mansion Cultivator required hiding behind an array, but against Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the Quasi-Celestial Ship was like a tiger let loose in a flock of sheep.

"Run!"

Seeing the dark cannon muzzle surge with white light, the hundreds of Lieyang Sect disciples erupted in chaos. It's not clear who shouted first, but then everyone scattered like frightened birds and beasts.

Song Qingxing moved alone, his sword mercilessly reaping life after life. Step by step, he advanced toward the only Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator on the field.

The man had already been scared out of his wits by Song Qingxing's earlier, inhuman performance. Seeing this god of slaughter now approaching him, the color drained from his face, and he turned to flee in a blind panic.

How could Song Qingxing let him escape? He gave chase alone and, in less time than it takes for an incense stick to burn, took the man's head.

By the time he returned to the Riverfront of Grace, the battle was already over. Song Qingqing was leading the family's cultivators in cleaning up the battlefield.

Of the three hundred Lieyang Sect Qi Cultivators, over a hundred had been killed under the relentless assault of the Black Star Ship. A small number managed to escape in the chaos, and in the end, over one hundred and twenty were taken captive.