Chapter 154: Let's Settle the Score!

With seven steps taken in rapid succession, Long Yun closed the distance by several dozen yards in an instant. By the time Yu Lun reacted, he could only perceive a formidable presence streaking past him—Long Yun had already swiftly passed through!

The Seven Steps of Ascending Dragon technique doubles the speed with each step, reaching its peak velocity on the seventh stride. The interval between Yu Lun and Long Yun was precisely the time needed for those seven steps, allowing Long Yun to accumulate enough momentum that Yu Lun couldn’t even catch sight of his figure.

Sensing Long Yun’s escape, Yu Lun’s expression darkened. He waved his hand sharply and commanded, “Block him!”

Long Yun had assumed that once past Yu Lun, he would be safe. Unexpectedly, dozens of dark figures emerged swiftly from behind Yu Lun, blocking all his paths. His expression shifted slightly.

“Where do you think you’re going!” Two figures flanked him, attacking simultaneously from both sides, intent on halting Long Yun’s advance.

But Long Yun hunched slightly as the power from the Seven Steps of Ascending Dragon began to dissipate and his speed slowed. At that moment, his Qinghe Bladeless Sword was drawn with a sharp clang, emitting a clear, ringing note.

He channeled his Devouring Heavenly True Qi, sending the sword tip to strike twice in rapid succession, each blow intercepting the opponents’ sword auras. Both were cultivators at the Merging Skill realm.

To them, and even to Yu Lun at the Tribulation Stage, two people were more than enough to handle Long Yun. Yet the outcome stunned them.

As Long Yun’s sword auras clashed with theirs, both felt a strange numbness in their arms and were forcefully knocked back. Seizing the narrow gap between them, Long Yun slipped through.

“Still want to run?” Yu Lun roared furiously, drawing his sword and unleashing it with a powerful thrust. The blade transformed into a torrent of inky black demonic energy, shooting directly toward Long Yun’s heart.

Long Yun dared not be careless; after all, Yu Lun was a formidable cultivator at the Tribulation Stage. If he unleashed his newly created technique, “Genesis Reincarnation,” he might stand a chance in battle. But that move consumed enormous true qi, and even if he caught up with Chen Chang and the others, he feared he wouldn’t have the strength left to rescue Qingqing.

Therefore, Long Yun did not consider using Genesis Reincarnation. Instead, he shifted his footing and abruptly halted his forward momentum.

Halting abruptly, he sidestepped just in time to evade Yu Lun’s sword aura.

At that moment Yu Lun closed in, grasped his returning sword, and with a clash of steel, thrust out again. The dark sword aura emitted a strange, chilling coldness, once more launching an attack at Long Yun.

Long Yun’s expression tightened—he hadn’t expected Yu Lun’s speed to be so swift as to catch up to him so quickly. He dared not be careless. The Qinghe Bladeless Sword shot forth, its tip producing sharp whistling sounds as it sliced through the air.

The two sword auras collided violently, but unlike an anticipated explosive clash, Long Yun’s sword aura was suffused with a holy energy that imbued its sharpness.

His sword aura pierced through Yu Lun’s, and the tip of Long Yun’s sword pressed against Yu Lun’s. With a flick of the wrist, the sword tip slid past Yu Lun’s, resting against the blade’s flat side.

A grating sound rang out as Long Yun’s sword tip slid along Yu Lun’s blade, moving down until it reached his wrist.

Yu Lun’s face changed abruptly; he hastily withdrew and retracted his arm, narrowly avoiding Long Yun’s strike.

Seizing the advantage, Long Yun pressed on relentlessly. His mind entered a state as calm and deep as an ancient well—his swordsmanship transcended technique, seemingly communicating with the heavens and earth.

This enlightenment stemmed from what he had observed during the battle between the Dragon God and the Demon God in the temple, the profound Dao he had grasped in his heart. At this moment, he was not employing any formal sword technique.

Each strike was a trajectory, a path of radiant light; each sword stroke contained an irresistible sword intent, a Dao method perfectly fused with the Way.

Yu Lun was driven into a corner by Long Yun’s relentless sword auras, unable to fully unleash his own cultivation. Long Yun’s swordplay was too exquisite, every move seamless and natural, leaving no chink in his defense.

Moreover, the Dao embedded within the sword aura made Yu Lun cautious, defending carefully against the onslaught.

“Stop!” A clear, crisp voice suddenly rang out. Both combatants halted, their gazes falling on the approaching figure of Liu Xiaoxiao.

“Saintess!” Yu Lun’s eyes burned with fervor, though he no longer dared address her as simply “Xiaoxiao.”

A faint, bitter smile tugged at Long Yun’s lips. He wondered if Yu Lun’s presence here was connected to Liu Xiaoxiao. If so, matters would become complicated.

Only he knew of Liu Xiaoxiao’s past and her origins. He felt a tinge of sympathy for her and had hoped to dissuade her from straying onto the demonic path.

But with Yan Qingqing currently in danger, Long Yun had no time for old acquaintances.

“Long Yun, we meet again,” Liu Xiaoxiao said softly, her lips parting. Compared to her previous natural appearance, she now seemed more alluring, her ruby lips radiant with a strange, bewitching charm.

“Yes, again,” Long Yun replied, momentarily at a loss for words.

Her voice gradually hardened: “I once said that the next time we met, we would be enemies. I walk the demonic path; you walk the righteous one. Unfortunately, today’s meeting must end in battle.”

Long Yun shook his head, a trace of helplessness crossing his face. He sighed, “Xiaoxiao, Qingqing was taken by Chen Chang and the others. I must hurry to rescue her. Give me a few days. Once I save Qingqing, I will come to you and give you an explanation.”

Long Yun suspected Liu Xiaoxiao and Yu Lun’s ambush was deliberate. While the Blood Qilin matter was secondary, more importantly, Liu Xiaoxiao wanted to settle accounts with him.

“Hmph!” Liu Xiaoxiao snorted coldly. “Whether she lives or dies is none of my concern. I’d rather she be dead so I can stop wasting my thoughts on her.”

Her words were accompanied by a faint blush on her cheeks, fleeting and barely perceptible.

Long Yun sensed a layered meaning behind her words but chose not to delve further. Instead, he said, “Regardless, we were once disciples of the same sect, Xiaoxiao. Qingqing saved all our lives. I hope you understand and that your heart remains unchanged.”

“What right do you have to speak of my heart?” Liu Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled with emotion. Suddenly, she burst into a tinkling laugh, tears streaming down her face. “Long Yun, do you even dare call me a fellow disciple? When you drove me away, did you ever recall we were once of the same sect? You treated me this way simply because of the demonic aura I carry. I once trusted you above all! Hmph! I was foolish to think so; there’s no one else to blame but myself. No matter what honeyed words you speak now, I’m determined to take you down!”

With that, she raised her delicate hand, and a black sword materialized in her palm instantly. The blade shimmered as dark energy wafted out—a truly formidable weapon.

“You once resented me for my demonic aura. Now that I have fully embraced the demonic path, becoming a demon by will, I swore you would die by my sword. Now, my wish can be fulfilled!” Liu Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with overwhelming killing intent as layers of demonic energy rippled from her.

She had reached the Marrow-Washing realm! Long Yun furrowed his brow. Such power was formidable indeed. Her talent had once exceeded his, and within just a few days, his cultivation had advanced two levels.

Yet Liu Xiaoxiao had grown even stronger. The demonic cultivation methods were truly as formidable as their reputation.

“Xiaoxiao—” Long Yun sighed deeply. He wished to reason with her, but suddenly realized she would not listen. Resigned, he activated the Ascending Dragon Footwork, evading her sword aura.

“Saintess, I will aid you!” Yu Lun, seeing Liu Xiaoxiao strike, would not stand idly by. He brandished his long sword to assist her.

However, Liu Xiaoxiao’s cold gaze swept toward him. “My affairs are my own to settle. I do not need your interference!”