As the exchanges continued, Qin Shuang and Xiyu's battle gradually reached its boiling point.
Qin Shuang's twin blades moved faster and faster, their sharp edges fully revealed. The long saber, State Stabilizer, moved with broad, powerful strokes, while the short saber, Subduing the Barbarians, was fierce and swift. Every slash carried a deadly threat.
Xiyu's Water-Splitting Sword Technique also grew increasingly exquisite. Her swordplay was agile, and every thrust held a clever variation—there one moment, then suddenly somewhere else—making her impossible to defend against.
In his fierce battle against a master of Xiyu's caliber, Qin Shuang's saber technique became smoother and more mature. He absorbed the residual medicinal power of the Lesser Restoration Pill and the strange red fruit more thoroughly, and even gained a deeper understanding of his own Martial Way.
Qin Chao improved with every move. This perilous battle to the death had unexpectedly become a stepping stone toward a higher level of the Martial Way!
Qin Shuang attacked and defended with ease, perfectly in control. His twin sabers repeatedly hacked toward Xiyu, gradually turning around his originally unfavorable position until he barely managed to fight her to a draw.
Qin Shuang and Xiyu went back and forth, locked in an even struggle.
The crowd at the street corner scattered in panic because of their battle. Suddenly, the colorful performer charged fiercely toward Qin Shuang, the twin sabers in his hands burning with strange flames like two fire serpents.
One of Black Stone's assassins, the colorful performer Liansheng! An early-stage Innate Realm martial artist, he excelled at combining ancient stage magic (illusions) with martial arts. In battle, he could flexibly wield a special rope known as the Immortal Rope, creating a unique martial art in the martial world.
At the critical moment, Qin Shuang twisted aside and dodged the lethal strike. He immediately retaliated, thrusting the Subduing the Barbarians Saber in his hand toward Liansheng from an incredible angle. Liansheng hurriedly blocked the attack with his flaming saber.
The colorful performer Liansheng's saber technique was highly refined, and his moves were even more bizarre. Every attack was accompanied by various tricks, making him impossible to read.
It was as though his saber technique was not merely a display of skill, but also an artistic expression.
Every slash contained his feelings and thoughts toward stage magic, and every slash possessed its own distinctive charm and style.
Facing two opponents alone, Qin Shuang gradually accumulated wounds across his body. Yet he seemed unable to feel the pain and continued fighting with all his strength.
Attacked from both sides by Xiyu and Liansheng, Qin Shuang was clearly trapped in a life-or-death crisis. For some reason, however, he suddenly recalled the oath he had made beneath the great banner of the Dragon Guard in the main hall of the Dragon Guard headquarters.
Family and country—the country came first!
Country and the realm—the realm came first!
The realm and the people—the people came first!
The Dragon Guard had never been merely the emperor's blade in the darkness. The Dream Slaying Saber Technique was not merely one of the Dragon Guard's inherited martial arts, either. The Dragon Guard possessed an indelible faith of its own, while the Dream Slaying Saber Technique was the powerful safeguard that defended that faith!
With the twin sabers in my hands, I shall stabilize these turbulent years and bring peace to the world!
Qin Shuang remained calm and confident. He gripped the twin sabers, State Stabilizer and Subduing the Barbarians, as if he were holding his unshakable convictions. He unleashed the Dream Slaying Saber Technique as though proclaiming his unwavering ideals.
Blue light surged around Qin Shuang's entire body as he entered the Mocking Wind's Howl state. His twin sabers moved freely, and he unleashed the Dream Slaying Saber Technique in succession—sometimes ferocious beyond compare, sometimes gentle as the wind, sometimes like a venomous snake flicking out its tongue, and sometimes like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.
Suppressing Gluttony, Arraying Pulao, Black Tortoise's Heavenly Extinction, Kirin Battle Break, Vermilion Bird Drinks the Sun, Zhu Yin Shaking Mountains... Every move flowed as naturally as running water. Every saber swing contained tremendous power and killing intent.
At that moment, Qin Shuang was filled with unparalleled resolve and battle intent. Behind him, it was as if an invisible force were surging, causing even Xiyu and Liansheng, both of the Innate Realm, to tremble involuntarily.
At this moment, Qin Shuang was invincible!
Hidden Dragon's Night Dance!
The strongest strike of the Dream Slaying Saber Technique. State Stabilizer and Subduing the Barbarians attacked with the density and ferocity of a violent storm, every blow carrying destructive power. Qin Shuang's body turned with the changes in the saber technique. Along with the saber light, he transformed into a flood dragon flashing with cold radiance, carrying a chilling aura as it charged toward Liansheng.
Seeing this move, Liansheng could not help but feel fear well up in his heart. He tried to dodge, but Qin Shuang's saber technique was too fast. It was impossible to evade.
The long dragon of saber light drew a beautiful arc through the air with a sharp whistle of wind. It easily shredded Liansheng's flaming saber, followed by his entire body.
Blood sprayed in all directions, and severed limbs flew through the air.
After landing the strike, Qin Shuang did not relax in the slightest. Carrying Liansheng's blood, State Stabilizer and Subduing the Barbarians met Xiyu's Water-Splitting Sword.
In Xiyu's hand, the Water-Splitting Sword was like an agile venomous snake, constantly striking at Qin Shuang's vital points.
Qin Shuang wielded State Stabilizer and Subduing the Barbarians, repeatedly blocking her attacks while patiently searching for an opening.
Neither gave the other an inch. Their moves grew faster and fiercer, as though the next strike could send the opponent to their death.
Suddenly, nine flying needles shot toward Qin Shuang's back. Though the sound of them cutting through the air was faint, how could it escape Qin Shuang's ears?
The sneak attack with the flying needles inevitably distracted Qin Shuang slightly. Xiyu seized the instant his figure paused and thrust the Water-Splitting Sword at incredible speed, aiming straight for his throat.
At this life-or-death moment, Qin Shuang held nothing back. He circulated his inner strength and used the secret technique Swan Goose Treading Snow, causing his entire body to faintly blur.
Like Mocking Wind's Howl, Swan Goose Treading Snow was also a secret technique exclusive to the hereditary clans of the Dragon Guard. It allowed the user to briefly enter a special Dustless State, increasing their speed and avoiding attacks.
After narrowly dodging the flying needles and bending down to evade the Water-Splitting Sword, Qin Shuang showed no sign of pausing to recover his breath. He suddenly lunged forward and instantly closed the distance to Xiyu.
Cold Flood Dragon Moves!
A battle rhythm that caught Xiyu off guard. With a puff, the impossibly fast State Stabilizer Saber stabbed into Xiyu's abdomen, and its fierce saber force instantly cut off all her vitality.
Looking back toward the direction from which the flying needles had come, Qin Shuang saw a black figure rapidly retreating, as if one step too slow would mean being slain by him.
That person did not know that Qin Shuang was already at the end of his strength. Both his body and spirit had reached their limits.
You missed your best chance to kill me. From this day onward, no matter where you flee, I will surely kill you! Watching that person's back and guessing his identity, Qin Shuang said inwardly.
One of Black Stone's three great assassins, Lei Bin, an early-stage Innate Realm martial artist. His flying needles had never missed their mark.
With a soft sigh, Qin Shuang turned around and slowly walked toward the street corner. His steps were slow and heavy, as if every one required him to exhaust all the strength in his body.
His breathing was rapid and shallow. Every breath seemed to draw out the last trace of strength from his body. His face was pale as paper, his lips devoid of color, and his entire appearance was haggard.
Yet his back remained ramrod straight, as if proclaiming to the world the Dragon Guard's strength and indomitable spirit.
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