Chapter Thirty-Six: The Suppression of the Spirit Bone

“In that case, I shall respectfully accept!” This time, Hua Longyin did not attempt any cunning schemes, for he could sense that his opponent’s Dao heart was as firm as a boulder, and he truly had no confidence in succeeding otherwise.

Xiao Leng nodded, and a swirl of snowflakes spiraled swiftly around him. The temperature in the air plummeted abruptly. Like Hua Longyin, Xiao Leng could feel the spirit bone within Hua Longyin’s body, one of a similar attribute.

Thus, Xiao Leng dared not be careless in the slightest. With matching attributes, they were evenly matched, neither holding any evident advantage over the other.

The only possible deciding factors were the superiority of their cultivation techniques and their respective fighting styles.

Of the two, Hua Longyin was the young master of the Hua Ying Sect; his techniques could hardly be lacking. Xiao Leng, as a prodigious disciple of the Sword Unity School, had also inherited the finest swordsmanship of his lineage. Therefore, any disparity in their techniques was negligible. This battle would be decided by their experience in combat!

A resonant clang rang out as Hua Longyin struck first. His long sword sang in his grasp, slicing through the air. With a flash like lightning, a wave of true energy exploded forth, crashing down directly toward Xiao Leng’s head.

Though the move was imposing, Xiao Leng knew it was merely a probe to test him.

His gaze flickered, his face remaining utterly composed. The tip of his sword quivered, and streaks of snow-white sword energy shot forth. The sword energy swept up from below, rising to meet the attack.

Two opposing forces collided in midair, erupting in a thunderous blast!

“Snowfall of Heroic Flight!” Xiao Leng intoned deeply. His sword traced a semicircle through the air, and within the arc formed by his sword energy, countless snowflakes whirled madly in the wind.

It was as if they were struggling to break free of the sword energy’s confines, their power growing ever more wild and unrestrained.

“Heavenly Spirit Sword Art—Questioning the Heavens!” Hua Longyin’s eyes flashed as he sensed the divine power in Xiao Leng’s sword. Instantly, he unleashed the Hua Ying Sect’s peerless art, the Heavenly Spirit Sword Technique.

His sword thrust forward, like an immortal pointing the way to the heavens. Visible waves of energy surged outward in all directions, a single stroke cleaving through the void—a stroke that was truly inspired—striking toward Xiao Leng.

Xiao Leng’s expression remained unchanged. With a low, guttural shout, he thrust his sword forward. The raging wind and snow finally burst forth, transforming into a dragon of ice and snow that soared to meet Hua Longyin’s sword energy head-on.

“Senior Brother Xiao’s cultivation is truly remarkable. The combination of the Snowfall Sword Art, the spirit bone of the snow ermine, and his own mastery of the way of ice all complement each other perfectly. If I were to face him, it would certainly be a hard-fought battle.” Long Yun mused in silence from the shadows.

Had anyone else heard this, they would have been astonished. For a cultivator at the Spirit Concealment Realm to compare himself to a Bone-Molding Realm expert—one who had already replaced his spirit bone—was sheer arrogance.

But only Long Yun knew that when it came to monstrous geniuses from places such as Divine Dragon Island, Phoenix Pavilion, or the major sects of Central State, he himself could only barely contend with ordinary Bone-Molding Realm cultivators.

Against those who had already replaced their spirit bone, he didn’t dare even to imagine a victory. Though Xiao Leng was strong, his spirit bone was that of a snow ermine.

Within the Jade Sword Sect and the Azure Mountain lineage, the snow ermine was considered a fairly good spirit bone, but compared to the resources of the great sects, it was merely second-rate.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Xiao Leng and Hua Longyin had already exchanged over a dozen blows, yet the battle remained deadlocked—neither gaining the upper hand.

“I wonder if Senior Brother Xiao Leng will be able to defeat Hua Longyin. If he can’t, our Jade Sword Sect will truly have lost much of its prestige this time,” one disciple muttered, troubled by the evenly matched contest.

Another disciple voiced his concern as well: “I don’t know either. I just hope Senior Brother Xiao Leng can overcome his opponent, or else we’ll be utterly shamed!”

While the disciples of the Jade Sword Sect fretted amongst themselves, on the Hua Ying Sect’s side, a disciple approached Senior Brother Chu Huafei and whispered, “Senior Brother, I fear Longyin is no match for that one.”

Chu Huafei nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Xiao Leng’s attacks are decisive, and his control over his true energy is superb. He must have a wealth of combat experience. Coupled with his mastery of the Snowfall Sword Art, I’m afraid Longyin will lose this bout.”

“But Senior Brother, don’t forget Longyin still has one trump card left! He hasn’t even shown any sign of defeat yet—he’s likely gathering strength for a finishing blow,” the disciple added.

Chu Huafei let out a soft snort. “If Longyin were to use that technique, he would likely be defeated immediately by the other side. It’s that very possibility that worries me the most.”

The disciple’s expression changed slightly at this, looking toward Chu Huafei in confusion.

Chu Huafei said coolly, “Have you not noticed? The attribute of the other’s spirit bone subtly suppresses Longyin’s.”

Only then did the disciple understand, feeling a little embarrassed.

Indeed, though Yin energy is a kind of cold attribute, it is not pure; whereas when the chill of ice reaches its utmost, it gives rise to a sacred aura, which is the nemesis of Yin energy.

Though Xiao Leng’s snow ermine spirit bone was not the ultimate in coldness, it still carried a hint of the sacred, perfectly restraining the Yin energy within the cold spirit beast.

With his cultivation, Chu Huafei had naturally discerned this, which is why he could predict the outcome. The Hua Ying Sect disciple, lacking such cultivation, had misjudged the situation.

Even as they spoke, Hua Longyin, unable to gain the advantage despite prolonged fighting, began to grow angry.

His sword flashed as streaks of Heavenly Spirit sword energy multiplied and surged toward Xiao Leng in a wild onslaught, covering an immense area. With his spiritual sense locking onto Xiao Leng, there was nowhere to hide—only a direct confrontation remained.

A trace of gravity flickered between Xiao Leng’s brows. He struck out with his sword, and the snowstorm erupted with icy fury, colliding head-on with the waves of radiance.

“Is it really that simple?” A glint of malice flashed between Hua Longyin’s brows. His genteel demeanor vanished. In a blur, he concealed himself beneath the storm of sword energy and, without a sound, thrust forward with a hidden strike!

“What a cunning move from Hua Longyin! Damn it!” Long Yun, hidden in the shadows, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat for Xiao Leng.

Xiao Leng seemed to sense the covert attack. As the snow sword energy shattered Hua Longyin’s sword aura, Xiao Leng’s arm shifted slightly, and his sword’s trajectory changed in a heartbeat.

Normally, it would be nearly impossible to change moves after fully committing to an attack. But in the instant his sword clashed with Hua Longyin’s, Xiao Leng sensed that something was off.

He managed to hold back forty percent of his force, and when he saw Hua Longyin’s hidden move, he immediately shifted his stance, turning a direct thrust into a horizontal slash.

The sword howled through the air, the blade striking Hua Longyin’s sword tip from the side.

Subtle and nearly invisible, two fine strands of force traveled through the swords, colliding silently and parting in an instant.

It was a contest of hidden strength between the two.

With a muffled gasp, Hua Longyin spat out a mouthful of blood, his face paling. He staggered back more than thirty feet, the hand clutching his sword trembling.

Xiao Leng did not escape unscathed—his arm was numb, his blood and energy roiling. Though he had defeated Hua Longyin, he too had suffered some internal shock.

“Longyin, you’ve lost,” Chu Huafei called out as Hua Longyin seemed poised to continue the fight.

A flicker of resentment flashed in Hua Longyin’s eyes, but it vanished in a heartbeat. He cupped his fist toward Xiao Leng. “Senior Brother Xiao Leng, this match is yours.”

With that, he turned and walked back to his team.

As Hua Longyin withdrew, the disciple who had earlier spoken with Chu Huafei stepped forward, stopping ten paces from Xiao Leng.

“Junior Brother Xiao Leng’s reputation is well-deserved. I, Xiao Yucheng, third disciple of the Hua Ying Sect, challenge you and ask for your guidance,” he declared.

“How shameless! Xiao Leng has only just finished a tough battle and now Xiao Yucheng steps up—is this to be a battle of attrition?” The Jade Sword Sect disciples, having barely tasted victory, were indignant at seeing another challenger approach.

Hua Longyin, hearing this, couldn’t help but sneer, “Had I not just fought three in a row, I might not have lost.”

Xiao Leng’s lips parted, about to reply, when suddenly a voice rang out:

“It’s not that Senior Brother Xiao Leng fears to face you, but rather, your strength does not yet warrant his effort. Allow me to take this fight instead!”