The gale thundered like ten thousand galloping horses, raising a shrill howl above the desert.
Xu Fangyuan stood with his hands behind his back. With a flick of his fingertips, terrifying sword energy shot out like venomous snakes leaving their dens, whipping the yellow sand into a black vortex a hundred feet across.
Qian Fan was trapped at its heart, his robes snapping in the wind.
"Pfft-"
Shattered stones mixed with dead branches pierced the air like arrows, slashing three bloody lines across Qian Fan's cheek.
Blood dripped down his jaw, blooming on the sword hilt like crimson plum blossoms of sinister beauty.
The Heavenly Demon Star-Breaking Sword trembled in defiance, its light flickering like a candle about to go out.
"Qian Fan, is this what you meant by being ready?" Xu Fangyuan's voice pressed in from every direction, hammering against his eardrums. "If this is all you can do, abandon any thought of challenging Xu Xingnian before it's too late!"
Qian Fan clenched his back teeth until they cracked, and the taste of blood spread through his mouth.
His fingers dug deep into the hilt, blood seeping along its grooves into the blade. "My lord Domain Lord, is your strength... truly only at the supreme god third tier?"
"An Earth Immortal's immortal perception cannot be deceived the moment someone strikes." Xu Fangyuan stepped into the edge of the sand vortex, the Star God Doom Sword gleaming cold silver beneath the moonlight. "Watch closely-this is the true power of the supreme god third tier!"
The sand vortex abruptly accelerated, roaring like a meat grinder with a sound that set the teeth on edge. Qian Fan felt as though a giant python had coiled around his sternum, every breath bringing the agony of bones grinding together.
"It's over." Xu Fangyuan's voice