Heaven-Sent Genius

In that instant, Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan were both sent flying backward by the explosive wave of force.

What shocked Qi Xuanxuan was that Han Fei could actually unleash a third move. Han Fei, however, was not particularly surprised.

This caused Qi Xuanxuan to react too slowly. Before she could steady herself, the broken sword tip was already about to reach her face.

Han Fei had not stabilized himself either, but the spiritual energy around them was no longer violent, allowing him to use Void Walking.

In that instant, Han Fei moved faster than the short sword. Just as it reached Qi Xuanxuan, he caught its blade with his left hand.

Qi Xuanxuan was still shaken. Seeing Han Fei's hand gripping the short sword before her face, she saw crimson blood flowing down from both sides of the blade.

Lowering his left hand, Han Fei turned and walked toward Taihe Peak.

The Elder Judge finally reacted. "Th-this match goes to Han Fei of Taihe Peak."

Although Han Fei had won, the people of Taihe Peak did not cheer as they had before. Instead, they all rose to their feet and began applauding him.

Led by Taihe Peak, people from the other main peaks also began applauding Han Fei. Many of them liked him; after all, during this Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, Han Fei had gained countless admirers.

Others hated Han Fei, such as those from the main peaks he had defeated. But regardless of how they felt, Han Fei deserved their applause at this moment. Even the disciples of the ever-victorious Heaven-Connecting Main Peak were no exception.

The entire venue applauded Han Fei because he had given them a different kind of spectacle. Of course, the fact that he had put his opponent's safety first in a moment of danger was another reason everyone approved of him.

After all, Qi Xuanxuan was the goddess in everyone's hearts, and Han Fei had effectively saved their goddess. Though they did not understand how he had done it, the two had been nearly twenty meters apart, yet Han Fei's speed in that instant had seemed like Teleportation.

Qi Xiaotian was no longer seated. He stood at the edge of the stands. In that instant, he had wanted to intervene, but he had been nearly a hundred meters from the arena. Even if he had acted, he might not have been able to save her. Fortunately, the danger had passed without incident.

But another question arose in Qi Xiaotian's mind: how had Han Fei done it? Though Qi Xiaotian did not understand either, he knew one thing. After that burst of speed, Han Fei's spiritual energy had been completely depleted. At this moment, he could not sense the slightest trace of spiritual energy from him.

With a faint sigh, Qi Xiaotian pressed both hands down to signal everyone to quiet down. "Was this tournament exciting?" he asked.

"Exciting!"

The response was nearly unanimous. Qi Xiaotian continued, "However, I am suspending this Thirty-Three Peaks Martial Arts Tournament. First, it is already late at night. Second, several matters need to be investigated."

"The Headmasters may lead their disciples to find lodging anywhere on Tongtian Peak. Headmaster of Taihe Peak, bring Han Fei to see me in one hour."

Daoist Sanyuan bowed. "Yes, Senior Brother Sect Master."

As soon as Qi Xiaotian left, the surrounding disciples began discussing things heatedly. The area instantly erupted like a boiling cauldron.

Heran and Du Kun supported the weakened Han Fei. Daoist Sanyuan nodded in satisfaction. "This time, you truly are the hero of Taihe Peak. Rest and recover first. I will take you to see the Sect Master shortly. Don't worry. Even if the sky falls, I will hold it up for you. As for Fu Jiahao, I can testify for you as well."

Han Fei nodded. He truly needed rest right now. The battle with Qi Xuanxuan had shown him what real exhaustion was. Of course, another reason was that he had been unable to fight without restraint. Otherwise, even someone at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm could not have suppressed him so badly.

An hour later, more than half of Han Fei's spiritual energy had recovered, and strength had returned to his body. Under Daoist Sanyuan's lead, he headed for Tongtian Hall.

Inside Tongtian Hall, Qi Xuanxuan lay quietly on the Sect Master's seat, looking as though she were asleep.

Han Fei had found the battle exhausting, but Qi Xuanxuan had not had it easy either.

After the battle ended and Qi Xuanxuan relaxed, she fainted before long.

Of course, her spiritual power had not been exhausted. It was most likely the combined effects of fatigue and fright that had caused it.

"You're here? Sit."

Qi Xiaotian had his back to the entrance, but he heard the footsteps and knew Han Fei and Daoist Sanyuan had arrived.

Daoist Sanyuan and Han Fei sat on the side chairs.

Qi Xiaotian asked, "Han Fei, how did you learn the Dragon Slaying Sword Art? Answer me truthfully."

Han Fei clasped his fists. "While this disciple was training in the Tianyuan Mountain Range, I happened to see Xuanxuan... ah, the young miss use it once. She used the third move, Dragon Slayer, to kill a Jade Scale Snake Demon. So this disciple studied the sword moves the young miss used and comprehended the three forms of the Dragon Slaying Sword Art."

Qi Xiaotian frowned. "You comprehended it yourself?"

Han Fei nodded. "Though the Dragon Slaying Sword Art I use resembles the young miss's, I believe there are major differences in both the circulation method and the attributes of the moves."

Qi Xiaotian nodded. Judging by the Dragon Slaying Sword Art Han Fei had used, it was indeed different from Qi Xuanxuan's. Yet its appearance was extremely similar, and its characteristics were the same.

Brilliant and graceful, leaving opponents unable to grasp its trajectory—those were the essentials of the Dragon Slaying Sword Art. Han Fei had mastered all of them, and had done even better.

Could Han Fei's comprehension truly be this high? Learning another person's martial art only ever makes it theirs. Only something created by oneself is truly one's own. Yet Han Fei was merely in the Innate Realm, and he could already comprehend sword moves that belonged to him alone?

Qi Xiaotian stared into Han Fei's eyes, trying to see whether he was lying as he pondered this.

After a long while, Qi Xiaotian sighed. "A heaven-sent genius. He truly is a heaven-sent genius."

In the Primordial Group, the Yellow Emperor raged, "Heaven-sent genius, my ass! How could someone in the Innate Realm possibly create a sword art himself? I taught him that. I taught him..."

Chiyou sighed. "Can you keep quiet? You're getting smug over such a low-level sword art?"

Just then, a notification sounded in the group.

"Group member Yellow Emperor's points have reached one thousand. Please keep up the good work."

The Yellow Emperor froze. "Points? What points?"

No one answered the Yellow Emperor's question, but Han Fei explained, "Points are your contribution value. It seems your help to me hasn't been given for nothing. Once these points reach a certain level, they must have some use."

Fuxi said, "It seems the Yellow Emperor taught you the Dragon Slaying Sword Art, and since this sword art has been acknowledged by someone, he gained points for it?"

The other Ancient Gods voiced their agreement, all believing that was the case.

Chiyou said, "Looks like I need to do something too. Maybe if my points reach a certain level, I can be resurrected."

The Yellow Emperor snapped, "You? Even if you were resurrected, you'd only be a disaster to this world. You're better off staying here quietly."

Chiyou could not be bothered to respond. He began sorting through his memories, searching for something that could help Han Fei at his current stage.

Back in Tongtian Hall, Qi Xiaotian, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly asked, "Since you comprehended the Dragon Slaying Sword Art yourself, I won't press further. Tell me what happened between you and Fu Jiahao. The two of you seem rather strange."

Han Fei sighed and recounted the entire course of events to Qi Xiaotian from beginning to end.

Bang! Qi Xiaotian slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet. "Are you certain? The black-clad man that night was Fu Jiahao?"

Daoist Sanyuan nodded from the side. "Though I did not see his face, I recognize Fu Jiahao's sword. It was the soft sword used by that black-clad man that day. Its blade was covered in patterns, and its body was as soft as paper. Moreover, during the fight just now, he indirectly admitted it."

Qi Xiaotian's chest heaved as he looked at Daoist Sanyuan. "Are the hidden guards of your Taihe Peak merely decorations? How did he enter and leave Taihe Peak so smoothly?"

Daoist Sanyuan lowered his head. "I failed in my duty. Please punish me, Sect Master."

Han Fei said from the side, "I suspect he has people within Taihe Peak. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to move so easily. He could not have passed through the restrictions alone."

Qi Xiaotian took a deep breath. "Though I believe the two of you, Fu Jiahao must still be confronted in person. If it truly was him, then he is finished. The charge of harming a fellow disciple alone is one he cannot escape."

"Of course, if this is all a misunderstanding, I will handle it fairly and give Fu Jiahao justice."

Then Qi Xiaotian shouted angrily toward the outside, "Guards! Bring Fu Jiahao here!"

The hidden guards outside immediately departed, but half an hour passed before they returned.

Qi Xiaotian's brows furrowed tightly. "Why is it taking so long?"

Daoist Sanyuan said, "It is the middle of the night. It may be somewhat troublesome for the hidden guards to search."

At that moment, the hidden guards returned.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, we have searched all of Tongtian Peak and found no trace of Fu Jiahao. The transmission talismans we sent have received no reply."

Qi Xiaotian roared, "He's gone? Could Fu Jiahao have left the Tianyuan Divine Sect?"

Han Fei nodded. "The Sect Master is right. He really may have left the Tianyuan Divine Sect."

Qi Xiaotian stood there as if struck by lightning, then slowly calmed down.