Second Battle Against Ye Qingxian

"You came."

"I came."

"You shouldn't have."

"But I'm already here."

Zhu Ping'an and Ye Qingxian stood facing each other, gazing silently into one another's eyes.

Zhu Ping'an had known he'd run into Ye Qingxian eventually, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. This was just too damn awesome!

This time, there was no rule that said Ye Qingxian had to win. At last, Zhu Ping'an could fight without holding anything back!

"Zhu Ping'an, I'll settle the score for the humiliation you gave me before! With everyone in Green City watching, I'll hand you your defeat!"

Ye Qingxian wore white robes, and a black spear had appeared in his hand. Set against one another, the two colors made him seem even more ethereal and otherworldly, like a young immortal banished from heaven.

"The Breaking Dragon Spear? I remember Ye Qingxian didn't get that until after the College Entrance Examination in the original plot."

Zhu Ping'an murmured to himself. Was this the butterfly effect? In the end, his actions had more or less influenced the original plot.

In the original plot, Ye Qingxian had obtained the Breaking Dragon Spear after the College Entrance Examination and become much stronger. But now, the exam wasn't even over, and the spear was already in his hands.

The scene of the two facing off was projected for everyone in Green City to see. People craned their necks, clearly fascinated by this duel.

"Who do you think will win? The sudden rising star Zhu Ping'an, or Ye Qingxian, who's always been famous?"

"Zhu Ping'an probably can't win. Don't forget, they both go to Qingcheng High School. Since Ye Qingxian has always held the title of Qingcheng High School's number-one genius, doesn't that prove Zhu Ping'an isn't his match?"

"That makes sense!"

The two now had almost the same Star Light values. If either of them managed to seize all the other's Star Light, their value would instantly surpass Leng Tianjiao, who was in first place. This could well be the battle that decided who became Green City's Top Scholar! Naturally, it drew everyone's attention.

Facing Ye Qingxian, Zhu Ping'an didn't underestimate him. He drew the Chuyi Sword at once.

After all, the guy before him was the bona fide protagonist of the original plot—the man with the most shamelessly overpowered luck in the whole book.

If Zhu Ping'an dared to underestimate Ye Qingxian, the consequences were easy to imagine.

Though the two had yet to exchange blows, their surging battle intent was already visible to the naked eye.

The fight was about to erupt. Ye Qingxian charged forward with the Breaking Dragon Spear, thrusting straight for Zhu Ping'an's throat.

Zhu Ping'an raised the Chuyi Sword in his hand. With his body enhanced by Star Light, he knocked the Breaking Dragon Spear sharply to one side with a single stroke.

His first attack had failed, but Ye Qingxian's expression remained calm. He first put some distance between himself and Zhu Ping'an, then leaped into the air and drove his spear down with a vicious thrust.

"Raging Lion Fury Spear!"

In an instant, the skies changed. A roaring, clawing lion, seemingly forged from gold, formed around Ye Qingxian's spear. Its immense force hurtled toward Zhu Ping'an.

"Nine Mountain Divine Sword, First Form: Sword Out, Mountain Split!"

Zhu Ping'an slashed out, meeting Ye Qingxian head-on. Their martial techniques collided in midair, unleashing a terrifying burst of energy.

The two passed each other and landed steadily.

Zhu Ping'an raised a hand and wiped himself. Somehow, a bloody gash had appeared across his waist. If Star Light hadn't strengthened his body, it would have been far worse than a small cut.

It was clear that Ye Qingxian had gained the upper hand in that clash.

Ye Qingxian swung his spear around and attacked Zhu Ping'an again, each strike aimed to kill. He didn't want to give Zhu Ping'an any chance to catch his breath.

"Nine Mountain Divine Sword, Second Form: One Sword Shakes Mountains!"

Against Ye Qingxian's storm of attacks, Zhu Ping'an boldly unleashed the second form of the Nine Mountain Divine Sword. His sword light flashed like lightning, slicing through Ye Qingxian's white robes. It nearly left a bloody gash across his chest.

Looking at his tattered, disheveled white robes, Ye Qingxian's expression darkened.

"Seems I underestimated you a little. But... this is where it ends!"

Ye Qingxian swung his spear overhead, gathering the power of his blood and qi before bringing it crashing down on Zhu Ping'an.

Zhu Ping'an raised his sword to block. Sword against spear was hardly wise, but his formidable physique came into play. The Chuyi Sword in his hand forcibly drove upward, sending the descending Breaking Dragon Spear flying.

Ye Qingxian swung the spear around and leaped into the air, catching it by the butt. Then he began to spin.

"Spiral Lotus Flower!"

Ye Qingxian and his spear became one, seeming to transform into a World-Destroying Wind Dragon as he plunged down toward Zhu Ping'an.

BOOM!

The instant the spearhead struck, shattered stones flew and dust filled the sky. Ye Qingxian's attack had wrecked the surrounding ground completely.

The billowing dust obscured everyone's view. All they could hear was a steady patter.

When the dust finally cleared, everyone saw what had happened. Zhu Ping'an had been wounded in the shoulder, one arm hanging limp at his side. The pattering sound was his blood dripping onto the ground!

"It's over, Zhu Ping'an. Luck can protect you for a moment, but only strength can protect you for a lifetime!"

Ye Qingxian pressed his advantage, swinging his spear over his head and whipping the air into a gale.

"Wrath of the Wind! Extreme of the Spear!"

Ye Qingxian gave a low shout, and several Wind Dragons swirled around him.

"Spear Breaks Dragon!"

He thrust his spear. The surrounding Wind Dragons merged into the strike, forming a World-Destroying Spear Dragon that charged toward Zhu Ping'an.

Countless spectators watching the battle were left gaping at the sight.

"That's terrifying! Can a First-Rank Warrior really have that kind of destructive power? Even a Second Rank Warrior would have to take that strike seriously!"

"Zhu Ping'an has lost. There's no way he can block that. His body may be strong, but spears are the weapon best suited to breaking through defenses with a concentrated point!"

"Ye Qingxian is terrifying. Among Green City's younger generation, the only one who might have a chance of beating him is Leng Tianjiao, right?"

Everyone had already pronounced Zhu Ping'an dead in their hearts. Ye Qingxian's attack was simply too terrifying.

Just then, Zhu Ping'an calmly lifted his eyes. They had turned a brilliant golden hue, and a golden gleam shone along the Chuyi Sword in his hand.

The sword became a brilliant golden streak, flashing past in an instant. For a moment, it seemed even the air itself had been cleaved apart. Ye Qingxian's Wind Dragon was beheaded in one stroke.

The sword's momentum didn't fade after cutting down the dragon. It shot straight toward Ye Qingxian.

"What?!"

For the first time, Ye Qingxian's expression changed.

He barely managed to hold the Breaking Dragon Spear across his chest before he was sent flying like a cannonball. He smashed into a boulder and only then came to a halt.

Ye Qingxian coughed up a large mouthful of blood, staining his white robes red.

His pupils were unfocused, as if he couldn't accept that he had lost. They only came into focus when Zhu Ping'an walked up to him.

The moment he met Zhu Ping'an's eyes, he saw undisguised killing intent in their dark depths.

This guy... was going to kill him!