With a soft hiss, the sharp tip of the sword pierced through Luo Xiu's chest, emerging from his back.

"Mmph! Mmmph!"

Seeing this, Lin Xiyue's eyes went bloodshot. Tied to a tree, she began to struggle furiously, letting out muffled cries.

However, no one paid her any mind. An impatient Cao Hong walked over and knocked her unconscious with a sharp chop to the neck.

Everyone's faces were pale, their gazes all converging on Xiao Ye. Her sword strike had been so effortless, yet so cruel and ruthless.

"This woman... is terrifying," Cao Hong exclaimed, wiping the cold sweat from his face.

In the silence that followed, Xiao Ye slowly withdrew her sword, her expression calm as she gazed at Luo Xiu.

But only she knew the pain searing her heart.

Suddenly, she felt a powerful force from the blade. The sword, halfway out of Luo Xiu's flesh, would not budge. He had grabbed it with one hand!

BOOM!

The next moment, Luo Xiu's fist connected with Xiao Ye's face. The tremendous impact sent her flying backward like an arrow into the nearby ruins.

Luo Xiu clutched his chest and staggered back a few steps, vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood. He then wobbled toward Xiao Ye, looking as if he could collapse at any moment.

In that split second, although he hadn't dodged the blade, Xiao Ye had not struck a vital point—whether intentionally or not.

At this point, Luo Xiu recognized the reality of the situation. In his grievously ill state, he was no match for this woman. Not unless he drew his sword.

But just the thought of that sword made him hesitate. His master had warned him more than once: never draw that sword unless you meet the one person worth protecting for a lifetime. Otherwise, something terrible would happen.

He stopped and looked back at the unconscious Lin Xiyue tied to the tree.

Is it truly worth it to draw the sword for her? Are my feelings for her really that strong? Do I even have feelings for her at all? But if I don't, why did I come here? If I have no feelings for her, why was I so angry when she was bullied and wronged? If I have no feelings for her, why would I rather die fighting an unbeatable enemy than retreat? So, should I draw the sword for her or not?

Luo Xiu's mind was in turmoil.

While he was lost in thought, Xiao Ye emerged unhurriedly from the rubble. A faint ripple of energy washed over her, and in an instant, she was spotless once more.

She regarded Luo Xiu with indifference. The moment she lifted her sword, she vanished and reappeared before him as if teleporting. Its sharp tip radiated an intimidating chill as it pierced the air, aimed straight for his throat.

Luo Xiu snapped to attention and leaped back. With a sweep of his right hand, a longsword materialized in his grasp.

TING.

Luo Xiu blocked Xiao Ye's strike with his scabbard.

In that same instant, she felt a powerful Sword Momentum wash over her. Vaguely, she thought she saw a ferocious, hideous face manifest in The Void behind Luo Xiu, letting out a beastly roar.

It was like an imprisoned demon, about to break free from its cage and descend upon the world!

Using the force of the rebound, Xiao Ye gracefully retreated, putting distance between herself and Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu stood his ground, holding his sheathed sword and watching Xiao Ye calmly.

"I'm probably not your match, but if you continue to push me, I will take everyone here down with me."

Xiao Ye seemed not to have heard him. A powerful aura suddenly radiated from her, and the Whale Crying Sword in her hand let out a sharp, piercing hum.

Seeing this, Luo Xiu's gaze darkened. A cyan aura erupted from his body, and its terrifying pressure instantly filled the space between heaven and earth.

The onlookers' knees went weak, their bodies feeling heavy as if they were about to suffocate.

BOOM!

In the next instant, the two seemed to explode in The Void before vanishing simultaneously.

Within the boundless night, only flashes of cyan and blue sword light could be seen. Every time the lights collided, a thunderous boom echoed through the world, as if a giant fist were pounding against the cage formed by the night sky.

Cao Hong was aghast, twisting his neck as he desperately tried to track their figures. "What the hell... what kind of realm is this?" he gritted out.

He suddenly felt that even his respected and admired master would be no match for these two.

"Young Master, this is terrifying. What if Luo Xiu wins? What do we do?" Xiao Hu asked, his face pale as he approached Cao Hong.

Just a moment ago, everyone present had clearly felt Luo Xiu's aura completely overwhelm Xiao Ye's the moment he took out his sword. They all began to worry that Xiao Ye might be defeated.

BANG!

A loud crash echoed from ahead. The crowd snapped their heads toward the sound, craning their necks, only to see a roiling cloud of dust.

A moment later, the night wind blew the dust away, revealing Luo Xiu kneeling in a large pit, bathed in his own blood.

Then, holding her sword level, Xiao Ye floated down from the sky.

A wide smile spread across Cao Hong's face at the sight. Obviously, Xiao Ye had won the clash!

Even so, the strength Luo Xiu had displayed still terrified him. Daring not to harbor any other thoughts, he shouted urgently, "Xiao Ye, kill him! Now! You can't let him live!"

If Luo Xiu were to escape and survive, Cao Hong couldn't imagine what kind of revenge he would face. Killing him now to eliminate all future trouble was the safest choice.

Xiao Ye, however, seemed not to have heard him. She just stood there, quietly watching Luo Xiu.

"Draw your sword," she finally said. Her voice was beautiful but chillingly cold, like the crescent moon in a winter sky—lonely and pure.

Luo Xiu knelt weakly in the pit, dripping with blood, his consciousness already starting to blur. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, but still he hesitated.

Even now, I can't find the courage. I'm still not sure of my own heart.

Xiao Ye suddenly swung her sword backward. An invisible wave of Sword Qi shot through the air, precisely severing the ropes binding Lin Xiyue. Then she reached a hand toward The Void and clenched her fist; Lin Xiyue's body flew uncontrollably toward her.

She caught Lin Xiyue by the throat, lifting her as if she weighed nothing.

"Draw your sword, or she dies." As she spoke, her grip tightened. A sickening crunching sound, enough to make one's scalp tingle, came from Lin Xiyue's fair neck.

"Enough!" Luo Xiu shot to his feet, his gaze icy. "Let her go! I'm at your mercy!"

Xiao Ye simply shook her head. "Draw your sword. Defeat me, and I will let her go."

Trembling, Luo Xiu raised his hand and looked down at the sword, sealed in its sheath for who knows how many years. He slowly closed his eyes.

CLICK.

The thin cord wrapped around the hilt snapped and fell away.

A scarlet light erupted, instantly illuminating the vast night.

As he slowly drew the blade from its sheath, countless hideous, ghostly faces flew out, enshrouding the night sky.

Luo Xiu's eyes snapped open, glowing with a horrifying scarlet light.

"As you wish."

...

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