Xiang Yang's loose, plain white robe tore at one corner with a ripping sound, drifting slowly down. A red plum blossom bloomed. His once-tall and mighty frame became frailer than ever; he staggered a step, yet ultimately did not fall.
The instant he turned around, it was as though a blade had gouged a shallow fissure into Xiang Yang's brow, revealing dark red beneath. Blood filled the corners of his mouth and ran down his lips. His blade-sharp eyes had dimmed greatly. His blade spirit had suffered grave damage, and half his True Qi had been depleted—this was the state of his body now.
Watching the Demon Saber, who even in death maintained a martial artist's dignity, head raised toward the heavens, Xiang Yang could not help but sigh softly. Though they stood on different sides and had fought to the death, the Demon Saber had still been an excellent opponent.
This was also the first true expert Xiang Yang had encountered since attaining the Dao—one worthy of discussing the Dao with and deciding life and death against. Especially that Innocent Heart Inquiry Slash; it could be called the pinnacle of the human path, and compared to the heavenly path, it did not fall short in the slightest.
Only, the Demon Saber had ultimately broken through in the midst of battle. His foundation was far inferior to Xiang Yang's, so the outcome had been decided from the very beginning. Otherwise, given time, the result of this battle would still have been uncertain.
Clap, clap. Applause rang out amid the post-battle ruins.
A long-haired man in azure robes emerged from the lingering smoke and dust, tall and powerfully built, no shorter than Xiang Yang. He slowly approached Xiang Yang with his hands behind his back, his bearing carefree and elegant, his