Rumble-
In the space of an instant, the deathly silent garden erupted with the thunder of clashing metal.
Hidden in the shadows, Xue Baijin had been searching for Zhongsun Jin. When she saw sword light flare behind Ye Jingtang, she shot out like a hunting leopard, holding an iron mace in both hands as she charged straight at it.
But Zhongsun Jin had already suffered their combined assault last time. Why would he believe Ye Jingtang would come alone this time? The instant he appeared with his sword, black mist burst from his robes, and two chains sprang up beside him.
Bang, bang!
The chains shattered the soil, bringing two walls of flame with them.
With her path blocked, Xue Baijin immediately stopped and raised her mace to force her way through, only to hear a sound from the side:
Clang-
Blade light flashed through the garden!
Holding his spear in both hands to catch the heavy hammer, Ye Jingtang kicked the giant in the abdomen before the hook-sickle spear could reach him, propelling himself backward. Midflight, his Chi Dragon Blade was already out of its sheath. He plunged into the black mist inside the walls of flame and slashed unerringly at Zhongsun Jin's throat.
Realizing that Ye Jingtang was vastly different from a few days ago and could locate him precisely, Zhongsun Jin understood that he had practiced the Bright Deity Diagram. Yet his response remained completely composed. Before the blade reached him, he set his sword tip against its flat and snapped his right hand.
Clang!
His three-foot blade sent out a surging wave, pouring powerful internal force into the saber and deflecting the Chi Dragon Blade diagonally upward.
At the same time, Zhongsun Jin raised his left hand and struck straight at Ye Jingtang's heart.
Bang-
Their