Qian Ye glanced at the divination patterns protected by his own origin power, then at Li Kuanglan’s frosty expression, and immediately realized that everything had been seen through. No explanation would change that.
However, lacking experience, he still tried to salvage the situation: “That’s not what I meant, oh, it wasn’t intentional. You see, after all, you fell from above…” But the more he explained, the worse Li Kuanglan’s face became.
A clear voice suddenly interjected, “What do you mean, fell from above?”
Another figure appeared in the courtyard, a maid who was a step behind but managed to hear Qian Ye’s last words.
Li Kuanglan could no longer contain herself. With a *chink*, her long sword drew out, pointed straight at Qian Ye’s throat, she barked, “Enough nonsense! Today, either you die or I live!”
Before Qian Ye could explain, a flash of light streaked towards his throat, incredibly fast, surpassing human limits. All Qian Ye saw was a glint, and his throat felt a chill!
“Did I get hit?” Qian Ye was stunned.
This was a fatal spot, yet a single strike had passed through. How could this strike be so fast? Though the strike was fast, it felt light, but there was no time to think. He immediately retreated.
A sword to the throat, originally Li Kuanglan should have been triumphant, but now her eyes were wide with surprise, even more astonished than Qian Ye. The maid behind her screamed twice, looking at Qian Ye as if she had seen a ghost.
The first scream was for Li Kuanglan’s sudden attack, the second for Qian Ye. The reason for her shock was the same as Li Kuanglan’s: Qian Ye’s throat was unharmed, not even a red mark.
Li Kuanglan hadn’t intended to kill Qian Ye, just to leave a thin cut on his throat, to show her strength, so she controlled her force well, enough to cut through a twelve-level general’s origin power defense. Qian Ye was only level eleven, but his combat ability matched a middle-ranking general, so the force should have been just right.
But Li Kuanglan never expected that her sword would pass through without leaving a scratch!
This truly caught her off guard. In a life-and-death battle, underestimating Qian Ye’s body strength could be fatal. A single mistake could turn the tide if Qian Ye countered with a devastating blow.
Though her sword skills were exceptional, the Li family’s techniques did not emphasize physical strength.
Shaking off her shock, Li Kuanglan’s face darkened, and she snarled, “Good, you’re really good at hiding! Let’s see how you handle a few more strikes!”
Before she finished speaking, another sword strike aimed at Qian Ye’s throat. This strike lacked the previous incredible speed but was far more intricate, with deeper origin power, glowing with a faint blue hue. Although it was just an ordinary long sword, with icy origin power, it could cut through lycans and spider-demons with ease.
After the first strike, and seeing the second one, Qian Ye’s face darkened. He stepped back, pulling out Dongyue from the weapon rack, and counterattacked.
As Qian Ye moved, Li Kuanglan followed without hesitation, her sword tip still aimed at his throat. But as she took a step, her throat suddenly tightened, and Dongyue’s tip appeared, nearly touching her skin!
Terrified, Li Kuanglan’s hair stood on end, and her ribbon shattered into countless pieces. She forcefully used her origin power to retreat, narrowly avoiding Dongyue’s strike.
Escaping, Li Kuanglan’s face turned pale, sweat forming on her forehead.
This strike was like a ghost, appearing out of nowhere, almost impossible to block. If Dongyue had hit her throat, her entire neck might have exploded. She shuddered, still in fear.
Before she could recover, Dongyue struck again. Qian Ye’s missed throat strike turned into a wrist flick, and Dongyue shot towards Li Kuanglan’s left shoulder. Before the blade reached, she felt a heavy pressure, layer upon layer.
Li Kuanglan’s face changed again. This strike was extremely powerful, even a boulder would explode if touched. Without checking, Li Kuanglan knew her protective origin power couldn’t stop Dongyue.
Forced to retreat again, Li Kuanglan evaded the strike, then rapidly stabbed ten times, regaining the upper hand. Her sword skills were fully displayed, lightning-fast, continuously attacking Qian Ye, finally suppressing him.
Yet, Qian Ye, holding Dongyue with both hands, focused intently. His seemingly random strikes, east and west, blocked all of Li Kuanglan’s attacks, and occasional counterattacks forced her back several steps.
As the battle continued, Li Kuanglan’s shock grew. Qian Ye’s strikes seemed chaotic, but each was perfectly timed, fast when needed, slow when appropriate, with no wasted origin power, leaving no openings and missing no opportunities.
After a short while, Li Kuanglan realized this was the sign of near mastery of sword skills!
Her heart skipped a beat, and her movement slowed. Qian Ye seized the moment, and Dongyue struck her chest.
This strike was not fast but incredibly heavy, like a muddy river carrying thousands of tons of sediment.
Li Kuanglan instinctively blocked, but before the swords met, her blade began to twist with a screech!
Shocked, unable to retreat, she could only block. Only when facing the strike head-on did she truly feel its weight!
Seeing Li Kuanglan in danger, the maid screamed, lunging from the side, dual-wielding short swords, cutting across Dongyue. Revealing her true strength, she was a level twelve powerhouse.
Her short swords rebounded from Dongyue, nearly flying from her hands. Her face paled, drained of color. Dongyue, hit by the blow, rose instead of falling, its tip flashing, gently tapping the maid’s neck, then retreating.
This strike, from extreme heaviness to supreme softness, transitioned seamlessly, as if it were meant to be.
The maid froze, recovering moments later, then burst into tears. Crying loudly, she remained rooted to the spot, too frightened to move.
Interrupted, Qian Ye’s strike was neutralized. Seeing the opportunity lost, he retreated, Dongyue pointing downwards, waiting for the next assault.
Li Kuanglan’s face alternated between green and white, then, gritting her teeth, her long sword transformed into a flash of light, reproducing the impossibly fast strike.
But this time, Qian Ye was prepared. Dongyue blocked the incoming flashes. Li Kuanglan attacked ferociously, but her strikes, though overwhelming, could not penetrate Qian Ye’s close defense.
At that moment, a barely perceptible origin power appeared, like a needle, targeting Qian Ye’s back. Though distant, the intent of the origin power was sharp, causing a dull pain in Qian Ye’s back.
Familiar, it was the mysterious origin power that disturbed him the previous night. Now, the person hid, striking covertly. Though not overtly malicious, the behavior was infuriating, and Qian Ye wanted to teach them a lesson.
With experience, Qian Ye knew the origin power was sharp but brittle. Pretending ignorance, he allowed the origin power to reach his back.
Just as it was about to pierce, Qian Ye leaned back, smashing the sharp origin power with his head!
A muffled groan came from outside the courtyard. Though faint, the three strong individuals, including the maid, heard it clearly. They knew someone had attempted a sneak attack, only to be foiled.
Hearing the sound, Li Kuanglan’s face changed. She stepped back, raising her voice, “Stay out of this!”
A floating, indistinct voice replied from outside, “I just wanted to see your abilities. But I didn’t expect you to fight so poorly, disgracing the Li family.”
These words stung, making Li Kuanglan’s face ashen, almost translucent, her handsome features becoming somewhat eerie.
She fumed, “If I had my Cold Moon Cage, I wouldn’t let him act so arrogantly!”
The outsider laughed, “You relied on your improved sword skills, neglecting a fine sword. Now you know the meaning of reaping what you sow.”
Li Kuanglan’s face fluctuated, her chest heaving, clearly agitated. The maid, not content, spoke up, “Our young master is winning, unlike some, who failed to ambush and suffered a setback. What right do they have to criticize others?”
The outsider paused, coldly, “Do you dare speak here?”
The maid was undaunted, “Can’t argue with logic, so you use status? I’m just a servant, but I understand basic principles. Point out where I’m wrong!”
While they argued, Qian Ye was sidelined.
He couldn’t take it anymore, shaking Dongyue, “If you two are done, please leave. My place is too small for such distinguished guests. If you stay, it won’t end well.”
Li Kuanglan’s eyebrows arched, but she stopped, seeing figures from the Zhao clan approaching, sensing the disturbance.
Though unafraid, Li Kuanglan was annoyed. She glared at Qian Ye, “Very well, you’ll hear from me!”
She leapt away, her figure vanishing. The maid, lagging behind, made a face at Qian Ye before leaving. The mysterious figure outside remained unseen, disappearing silently.
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