The guards in the courtyard were all stunned. They had never seen anyone hold out against Gao Yang for so long, let alone gain the upper hand. A few wanted to step forward and help, but Gao Yang shouted them down.
"Get lost! Don't get in my way!" Gao Yang shouted as he parried, already treating this fight as a trial for himself.
Cold sweat beaded on Lin Taichu's forehead. He could feel the true qi within him draining rapidly, and the warm current from earlier was nearly gone. He knew he could not hold on much longer and had to settle the battle quickly.
He feinted with his saber, forcing Gao Yang back, then suddenly spun around and charged toward a nearby pillar.
Just as Gao Yang thought he was trying to flee, Lin Taichu suddenly used the pillar's force to rebound. His body spun half a turn in midair, his saber whistling through the wind as it cleaved straight down at Gao Yang's head.
This strike contained the last of his true qi, moving so quickly that it left only an afterimage.
Gao Yang's expression changed drastically. He could sense the power of the blow and did not dare take it head-on. He dropped low, raising the Iron Ruler across the top of his head. "Clang—" A deafening crash rang out, and sparks flew everywhere.
Gao Yang felt a tremendous force surge through him. His arms went numb, and the Iron Ruler nearly slipped from his hand. Borrowing that force, he rolled backward and evaded the follow-up attack.
Lin Taichu staggered as he landed. A sharp pain tore through his chest, and he could not help coughing up blood. He knew he had reached his limit; even the hand gripping his saber was trembling.
Gao Yang rose to