Chapter 254: The One Who Kills You
When cultivating the Nangong Family’s 《Heavenly Flame Divine Technique》, one visualizes Heavenly Fire.
What is Heavenly Fire?
Legend has it that within the celestial palaces in the heavens, there is a realm called the Blazing Heaven, a world entirely consumed by flames. In this world, fire dragons, fire birds, fire monkeys, and all sorts of other animals live.
Any ordinary mortal who stumbles into this realm would be reduced to ashes.
Therefore, when the 《Heavenly Flame Divine Technique》 is cultivated to its peak, the practitioner becomes a deity of the Blazing Heaven, commanding all creatures in the realm of fire and possessing the power to transform the world into a fiery inferno.
As Nangong Zhao executed each move, flames gradually materialized around their battleground, engulfing Zhang Yi within a sea of fire, except for the area protected by his Buddha’s Light.
From afar, it resembled a raging fire refining a golden Buddha.
The golden Buddha, naturally, refused to be consumed by the flames. It relentlessly unleashed golden Buddha palms, striking the flames with explosive “boom boom boom” sounds.
It wasn’t that Zhang Yi didn’t want to attack Nangong Zhao directly, but Nangong Zhao, shrouded in the sea of fire, appeared and disappeared unpredictably, making him elusive.
It was difficult for his attacks to land on Nangong Zhao. Although his Buddha’s Light temporarily shielded him from the flames, he felt like a giant turtle that would eventually be roasted.
The Golden Buddha Temple’s techniques were, after all, not his forte!
Thus, under the astonished gazes of Nangong Zhao and Zhang Qiming, a pale blue sword Qi infused with lightning suddenly emerged, cleaving through the flames and grazing past Nangong Zhao’s hair with a whoosh.
“You… you’re not from the Golden Buddha Temple?” Nangong Zhao exclaimed, staring at Zhang Yi’s sword Qi.
The bald donkeys of the Jianghu were all known for their Buddha’s Light, body tempering, and palm techniques. None of them were skilled in sword Qi!
“Before joining the Golden Buddha Temple, this poor monk was also a member of the Jianghu. What’s so strange about knowing a few sword techniques?” Zhang Yi replied with a smile.
Then, another sword Qi shot towards Nangong Zhao.
The two sword Qi intertwined, like two top-notch swordsmanship experts, weaving a deadly net around Nangong Zhao.
Nangong Zhao’s brow furrowed as he conjured countless firebirds to intercept the sword Qi, attempting to neutralize them.
However, the 《Ten Mountains True Thunder Sword》 was different from ordinary sword Qi. Unlike regular sword Qi that dissipated after being unleashed, it was like a tangible sword, controlled by the user’s will.
One sword Qi was akin to a skilled swordsman.
Ten sword Qi were like ten skilled swordsmen!
Therefore, when cultivating this sword technique, one needed to plant “sword seeds” in ten martial artists. Once they cultivated the 《Ten Mountains True Thunder Sword》 to the Zhoutian realm, the practitioner would then absorb their cultivation and sword seeds, becoming a True Realm martial artist.
A truly evil sword.
A third sword Qi, crackling with lightning, suddenly appeared, forming a triangular formation with the other two as they closed in on Nangong Zhao.
The sword Qi, sharp and relentless, pierced through any flames Nangong Zhao conjured. No matter where he hid within the sea of fire, the sword Qi would find him.
Under Zhang Yi’s focused gaze, the sword Qi surged like a dragon, encircling Nangong Zhao. A single moment of carelessness would result in his head being severed by the deadly dance of the sword Qi.
This was the true power of Zhang Yi’s 《Ten Mountains True Thunder Sword》, honed over decades, vastly different from the feigned Golden Buddha Temple techniques.
“Today, this poor monk will send Nangong Zhao to eternal bliss!” Zhang Yi declared. A fourth sword Qi materialized, instantly breaking through Nangong Zhao’s defenses and piercing his chest.
However, this wound alone wouldn’t be fatal to a True Realm martial artist.
“You forced my hand!” Nangong Zhao roared as his blood transformed into flames. His hair stood on end, also turning into fiery tendrils.
His skin began to combust, his entire being becoming a figure of pure fire.
Even his eyes blazed with scorching flames.
This was the 《Heavenly Flame Divine Technique’s 》final move, the deity of the Blazing Heaven who commanded all flames. It involved burning one’s blood to transform into a deity and perish alongside the enemy!
He was rarely pushed to this extent. The four flexible sword Qi, acting like four coordinated swordsmen, had cornered him. He knew that if he didn’t go all out now, he might not get another chance.
As the eccentric member of the Nangong Family, despite his peculiar behavior, his decisiveness was exceptional.
The surrounding temperature soared as an endless inferno erupted, fueled by Nangong Zhao’s burning blood.
✿✿✿
Nangong Zhao, now a being of fire, weaved through the flames like a fiery spirit, appearing before Zhang Yi’s Buddha’s Light in the blink of an eye.
Without a word, he pierced through the Buddha’s Light like a stream of molten fire, reaching Zhang Yi and lunging towards him.
If he penetrated this time, not only would Zhang Yi be consumed, even steel would melt!
Facing the blazing form of Nangong Zhao, Zhang Yi smiled and said, “Finally, you’ve come!”
Ten pale blue sword Qi infused with lightning appeared behind Zhang Yi. The ten sword Qi then merged into a single colossal sword enveloped in lightning, slashing at the fiery Nangong Zhao with a blinding flash.
Fast, faster than imaginable.
The sword light cleaved through the flames, splitting Nangong Zhao’s fiery form in two.
This was Zhang Yi’s true skill!
While Nangong Zhao sought to fight him to the death, he didn’t realize that Zhang Yi was waiting for the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
He was afraid Nangong Zhao would escape!
The two halves of Nangong Zhao’s fiery form plummeted from the sky, gradually extinguishing. He didn’t utter another word.
The victor takes all; the defeated have no right to speak.
This was the Jianghu.
He was born in the Jianghu and died in the Jianghu.
This was the fate of those in the Jianghu, even if he was a True Realm martial artist.
“Ha! Nangong Zhao has been slain by me!” Zhang Yi declared, gazing at the charred remains of Nangong Zhao sprawled on the ground. He knew Nangong Zhao was dead beyond any doubt.
His voice boomed across Picheng, causing a commotion within the City Lord’s Mansion.
With Nangong Zhao dead, Picheng was now defenseless in his eyes. He couldn’t wait to seize the wealth accumulated by the Nangong Family!
At that moment, a sword Qi suddenly appeared!
“Sword One!”
A deep blue, colossal sword Qi, carrying a hint of elegance, flew towards him, aiming to decapitate him.
With a “clang,” the sword Qi of the Ten Mountains True Thunder Sword clashed with the newcomer’s sword Qi, producing a sound like metal striking stone.
“Another expert? Or a looter?” Zhang Yi looked towards the source of the sword light and saw Zhang Qiming.
Seeing Zhang Qiming’s attire, Zhang Yi’s eyes narrowed. “Someone from Yangzhou?” he asked coldly.
He had a score to settle with those from Yangzhou!
Anyone who returned home to find their headquarters destroyed and their planted sword seeds gone would be furious!
He had diligently cultivated in True Martial Hall for so many years, and the result…
All gone!
“Also the one who will kill you!” Zhang Qiming didn’t deny it.
Although the martial artist sent by the Golden Buddha Temple this time was slightly stronger than he had anticipated, so what?
He didn’t believe he would lose!
“Sword Two!”
A deep blue sword Qi, spiraling towards Zhang Yi.
A life-or-death battle was precisely what Zhang Qiming desired!
Was Nangong Zhao truly dead?
