Chapter 270: Broken Blade

Cheng Lingyu’s counterattack maintained relentless pressure. The slightest misstep from Lan Feng could trigger a devastating reversal.

Trapped in this deadlock, Lan Feng knew failure to kill Cheng Lingyu swiftly would seal his own fate. Desperate to survive the trial, he channeled his true essence furiously, unleashing wave after wave of crushing force to overwhelm his opponent.

Unbeknownst to Lan Feng, Cheng Lingyu fought while multitasking—clashing outwardly while secretly using his Soul Domain Avatar to redirect Lan Feng’s attacks. This stolen energy fueled his true goal: etching the second layer of the Heavenly Spirit Diagram onto the ten pyramids within his body.

During his Eight Levels of True Martial Arts phase, Cheng Lingyu had inscribed the first layer on three-layered ten-vortex pyramids. Now at the Martial Soul Sixth Realm, boosted by Lan Feng’s unwitting assistance, he raced to complete the far more complex second layer.

Lan Feng’s body glowed translucent as phantom fetuses flickered along his meridians. A crimson infant meditated within his dantian’s True Essence Sea—the Blood Fetus marking his Blood Martial Third Level pregnancy phase, precursor to the Blood Soul stage. Cheng Lingyu had consumed many such experts before, their Blood Fetuses nourishing his growth.

Cheng Lingyu’s Soul Domain Avatar—an amalgamation of indestructible defenses, mental interference, and unpredictable offense—shielded his dual-purpose battle strategy. Though Lan Feng intensified assaults, Cheng Lingyu’s indestructible body absorbed most blows. Well-timed psychic counterattacks maintained the stalemate.

Hu Yuer smirked faintly, noting the guarding blood shadows’ indifference as Cheng Lingyu’s five lakes and four seas began radiating heat. Thunder boomed within his dantian, lightning crackling across nearing-completion spiritual patterns. The ten pyramids flickered, their enhanced structures magnifying his physical potential through this brutal fusion of alchemy and self-forging.

“You…!” Lan Feng staggered back from a Thousand Strikes barrage, finally sensing Cheng Lingyu’s swelling power.

“Underestimating a Seventh Gate survivor was unwise.” Cheng Lingyu’s Soul Domain unfurled, revealing a starry void where a thousand-foot giant devoured cosmic energies.

Lan Feng’s own Path of Origin manifested—countless blades gleaming in the darkness. “Your domain… it echoes the primal truths?”

Their mirrored voids pulsed as final confrontation loomed.

The blood lake churned, releasing a terrifying aura. A beast’s roar echoed from its depths, struggling to burst through the surging waves.

Hu Yuer trembled and warned, “We’re running out of time. The Blood Moon rises soon.”

Lan Feng’s expression twisted as he bellowed, “Die! Broken Water Flow!”

A pitch-black broken blade materialized in Lan Feng’s grasp, radiating eerie terror.

Cheng Lingyu’s eyes narrowed. He summoned the fish spine – the mid-grade spirit artifact taken from Zhan Wumen’s Luo Binghe.

Black lightning tore through the void as Lan Feng’s downward slash met Cheng Lingyu’s weapon, triggering cataclysmic explosions.

Thunder roared while Cheng Lingyu staggered back, blood trickling from his lips.

“Fine blade. Its name?”

“Broken Rainbow,” Lan Feng sneered. “Once a high-grade spirit artifact. Even broken, it surpasses mid-grade trash.”

Lan Feng became a blur of motion, his blade weaving dark arcs that coalesced into a swirling storm of destruction.

Cheng Lingyu swung the fish spine, spiritual patterns glowing as golden light converged from all things, forming a radiant pillar to counterattack.

The second collision blasted Cheng Lingyu backward while Lan Feng stood triumphant.

“Excellent blade… pity it’s broken.”

Cheng Lingyu sheathed the fish spine. The Flying Flower Snow Moon Sword emerged, releasing Dream Butterflies that fluttered beautifully through the air.

Lan Feng’s pupils contracted. His Broken Rainbow Blade quivered violently, sensing the threat from its rival weapon.

Both divine arms had been high-grade spirit artifacts. Though damaged, the broken blade’s battle intent burned undiminished.

“TIANDAO MEN’S FINAL STRIKE!” Lan Feng roared, executing his sect’s ultimate technique.

Dream Butterflies clashed against the lethal blade art, neither yielding ground.

Blood Martial Third Level empowered Lan Feng’s strikes, yet Cheng Lingyu’s sword kept pace. Their combat power proved evenly matched.

The deafening collision left both combatants bloodied.

“You’ll never beat me!” Lan Feng screamed, pale-faced, launching frenzied attacks. The Broken Rainbow Blade struck like a venomous serpent.

Cheng Lingyu grimaced, injuries accumulating from defending against Blood Martial Third Level assaults.

With a roar, Cheng Lingyu unleashed Thousand Moon Slash. Destruction of Space Divine Thought Wave merged with Dreamy Magic Eyes, birthing the Dreamy Demon Slash – a fusion of all his skills.

Steel clashed as spacetime warped. Though equally matched physically, Cheng Lingyu’s spiritual attack shattered Lan Feng’s Mental Defenses, ravaging his sea of consciousness.

“AAAAAGH!” Lan Feng collapsed, clutching his head, spiritual essence fracturing.

Cheng Lingyu flashed past. The Flying Flower Snow Moon Sword pierced Lan Feng’s heart.

“NO! I CAN’T LOSE!” Lan Feng’s dying shout held bitter despair. The Dreamy Demon Slash – combining Dreamy Thousand Tear Bamboo, Magic Eyes, and Destruction Wave – had sealed his fate.

Before life faded, Cheng Lingyu ripped the Blood Fetus from Lan Feng’s body, absorbing it. Soul and vitality extinguished, Lan Feng’s corpse went limp.

“Better than expected,” Hu Yuer remarked. “But your true limits remain hidden.”

Cheng Lingyu smiled through bloodied lips. “The blood lake’s eighteen trials will temper me into Blood Martial Realm.”

“Reaching Blood Martial from Soul Martial requires reaching Seven Levels of Soul Martial Arts first,” Hu Yuer cautioned.

The blood lake heaved violently. Their stone pillar shuddered as ancient spiritual patterns glowed with ominous revival.

“Trouble comes,” Cheng Lingyu warned. Rising waves threatened to engulf the sinking pillar. Two blood shadows vanished like Ghosts.

“Nightfall brings the Blood Moon. We’ll drown unless we act.” Anxiety colored Hu Yuer’s voice.

Cheng Lingyu stored Lan Feng’s corpse and broken blade. Unfurling a scroll, golden light repelled the advancing blood water.

“Impressive artifact,” Hu Yuer noted.

Without warning, Cheng Lingyu pulled her close, arm encircling her waist. Hu Yuer blushed, avoiding his Gaze. Their ambiguous posture contrasted with the dire situation.

Holding Hu Yuer’s hand, Cheng Lingyu monitored the sinking pillar and rising bloody tide.