The flames of the sword left the body, breaking through the air. In a flash, it closed the distance Jing Wen had retreated, appearing before Jing Wen’s body.


    The sword flame had arrived too quickly, the two ends had a bit of a delay, causing the initially straight line to become an arc when it finally came before Jing Wen.


    Jing Wen no longer attempted to block the sword flame with his sword. Before it arrived, the small quantity of Qi within Jing Wens’ body focused into his weizhong meridian, before disappearing once more.


    Jing Wen’s method could only be described as crude and direct, entirely unlike the elaborate techniques popular throughout the Great Zhu. It was the most straightforward method to enhance a particular part of the body.


    The sword flame could no longer hit Jing Wen’s body. It continued to travel at extraordinary speed towards a wall now behind the right of where Jing Wen reappeared.


    The surface of the wall instantly became charred black as the flames collided with it, and then rapidly spreading throughout its surface. One could faintly hear the sound of ceramic cracking as the roof tiles became unable to bear the heat.


    Liu Shan’s expression remained enraged. Grinding his teeth, he stepped forth once again.


    Jing Wen heard the sound of leaves crunching as Liu Shan walked off the pavements. Observing his right hand with stern concentration, he deeply breathed in to rid himself of the oppressive pressure on his chest.


    Even in the state of Qi Manifestation, Jing Wen would have been serious when facing such a dominant technique. Now that his state was only at Qi Manipulation, he was hopelessly outmatched by Liu Shan’s overwhelming use of brute force. The blade was simply too swift, too fierce; aside from the first strike that did not use Qi, Liu Shan had only wielded his sword twice, yet he had placed Jing Wen in such a dangerous position.


    It was only thanks to Jing Wen’s experience that he survived Liu Shan’s onslaught. His control over his moment is indeed truly exceptional; if he had an attack to pair with his maneuvering, he might turn the tides of Liu Shan.


    However, even if Jing Wen had the Qi necessary to launch a counter-attack, Liu Shan would not allow him to do so. The swift and fierce sword flames forced Jing Wen to remain on the retreat.


    The sword reflected the daylight once more, and numerous sword flames once more cut through the air.


    A wild screech reverberated without pause as the air was no longer able to withstand the heat.


    Within the garden, snow rapidly melted, forming running creeks.


    The sword flames continuously swept by, akin to the roar of thunder.


    Burn marks continued to appear upon the wall, the heat forming distinct and deep impressions. It was as though a saturated, wet brush had been left over a piece of paper, its ink dripping onto the surface.


    Numerous footprints appeared upon the snow, before the slush than thaw under the next sword flame.


    A crisp, burning sound could be faintly heard beneath the powerful roars.


    Jing Wen appeared in a location close to the wall, the white robe at his shoulders burnt away, revealing a light burn wound.


    In the next moment, a dozen sword flames arrived in quick succession. Jing Wen swift navigated most of them, yet the final flame was placed in a position nearly impossible to avoid relative to the last sword flame. Jing Wen could only raise his sword and channel his Qi to mitigate the power within that final sword flame.


    Liu Shan held his sword pointing towards Jing Wen, appearing particularly ruthless.


    Jing Wen, with his upper clothing burnt off, and his body bearing a burn mark, appeared extremely haggard. He was like a deer that had finally exhausted its strength.


    Yet despite his exhaustion, his expression remained calm as he continued to observe Liu Shan’s right hand with extreme focus. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Liu Shan had vented the last of his anger in that final sword flame, which was why it was placed in such a fatal location. Yet though he had regained his rationality, instead of forfeiting the match, he remained determined to deal Jing Wen a perpetual lesson.


    This was the pride of a prodigy that has never once been humbled before. Even if he was doing wrong and fully aware of it, Liu Shan was too stubborn to correct his mistake. He would walk to the end of that path, eventually dooming himself.


    Of course, the ‘humiliation’ Jing Wen dealt to Liu Shan did little to quell his determination.


    “Waste,” Liu Shan looked at Jing Wen and said with a cold voice that was full of contempt.


    His elegant and thick brows revealed far more than contempt; however; it was filled with apathy, or perhaps slight disappointment.


    tI appears than Liu Shan had already forgotten that he was one Jing Wen had so easily deflected when they had not been using Qi, or that Jing Wen had accomplished a feat that seldom could; compete with an opponent of the Heart Purification state as a Qi Manipulation stage cultivator. All the Liu Shan could see was a former genius that had fallen far.


    Jing Wen was breathing with a slight heave. No matter how efficient he was in utilising the Qi in his body, the already deficient amount in his body was never suited for the combat style of a Qi Manifestation cultivator. At this point, it was almost spent.


    To alleviate his excess use of Qi in his body, he had to supplement it with footwork that was void of Qi. To avoid those swift and fierce sword flames, he had to carry every move with strict precision that was extremely taxing on the mind and body.


    Jing Wen judged that even if he admit defeat at this moment, Liu Shan would pretend as though he did not hear it, and continue attacking regardless.


    Thus, the only way to end this match without suffering a crippling injury was to strip Liu Shan’s ability to attack.


    As Liu Shan said those words, Jing Wen’s right leg once again stepped into the snow before him, yet this time, he made no attempt to conserve Qi. Concentrated as much power as possible, his step caused the stone path below the snow to fissure. The piece of cloth covering Jing Wen’s eyes became a straight, white line as the rest of his body turned into a blur.


    A loud roar erupted from Liu Shan’s blade as it struck out.


    Yet at this moment, Jing Wen’s speed was fast beyond imagination. Before the sword flame could reach where Liu Shan predicted it would collide with Jing Wen, the piece of white cloth had long passed that position.


    Before another sword flame could leave Liu Shan’s sword, Jing Wen had arrived before him.


    Aside from when he deflected Liu Shan’s blade, it was the first time he had gone so close to Liu Shan.


    The grasp on his right hand tightened against the sword hilt as he struck out.


    At the same moment, Liu Shan’s brows that appeared to be painted by a brush curved upwards. His eyes showed ridicule as he thrust out his fist.


    Liu Shan has held onto his sword by his right hand, while his left was hidden behind his back. It appears that during the entire match, it had actually been steadily amassing Qi.


    This seemingly ordinary punch contained power that was not unlike a dozen of those frightening sword flames.


    A loud, earsplitting sound rang out, akin to the vibration of an ancient bronze bell struck by a monk to wake up his fellow disciples.


    The powerful force behind Liu Shan’s fist collided with Jing Wen’s sword, spreading out shockwaves that unravelled in all directions.


    Jing Wen was send flying, spinning in the air multiple times, akin to kite with its string cut. His body landed upon an artificial mountain some distance away.


    A loud cracking sound could be heard as the artificial mountain behind him collapse. However, Jing Wen still managed to make contact with earth first with his feet, dispelling most of the force within his body as he landed in a relatively stable position.


    The blade Liu Shan had given him was now horribly bent, its body folding multiple times onto itself. It could be said that the sword had absorbed at least half of the force Liu Shan had been preparing for so long.


    Jing Wen discarded the now unusable blade, his hands trembling as he did so. Although his body was exceptionally strong, against a strike that was imbued with such an abundant amount of Qi, it could only yield.


    “Waste.”


    Liu Shan slowly approached Jing Wen, repeating those words as he did so previously. He said, “Your hand has also become waste.”


    The duel had long ceased to become a matter regarding Liu Fenfang’s dignity, but now simply a slaughter to Liu Shan’s leisure.


    Jing Wen shifted his posture, then, ‘looking’ at Liu Shan, he said, “Sir Liu, please forfeit.”


    After these words, Jing Wen’s figure once again disappeared.


    Snow billowed everywhere in the garden, as though a blizzard had once again descended.


    Wringing out the last of his Qi reserves, Jing Wen was truly scraping the bottom of the barrel.


    Within the shower of snow, Jing Wen’s figure flicked in and out of view. The abruptness of his appearance, along with the lack of footprints made him appear like a spectre that did not follow the laws of this world. It was nigh impossible to grasp, and no matter how fast and powerful the Hongmen Cut was, it couldn’t reach Jing Wen in such a state.


    Liu Shan’s expression became severe. It was impossible to pinpoint Jing Wen’s position, nor predict where he would next appear. Perhaps Jing Wen was already in the stages of a counteract, about to deliver the decisive blow.


    However, Liu Shan did not appear anxious; flicking his wrist, he inserted the sword into the soil. The blade, after piercing through the layer of snow and stone, became to tremble intensely, producing an ear-piercing ring.


    The noise was truly irritating. It was as though a poor piece of pig iron was heated to an unbearable point, ringing out as its body was no longer able to tolerate the temperature splitting apart its body.


    Suddenly the sonorous ringing ceased. A short instant later, hundreds of sword flames left the sword body, instantly inundating the space within the Liu family garden.


    In the next moment, several sword flames that were near the edge of Liu manor suddenly stalled.


    Those sword flames struck jing Wen, his body heavily pounded against the wall, then slid down onto the floor, sinking into the heavy accumulation of snow.


    Upon the pure and unblemished surface of the white snow, distinct spots of crimson started to appear.


    “It seems you have gone mad. Why would I forfeit when you are within the grasp of my hand?” Liu Shan said, walking towards the pile of snow.


    Jing Wen pulled himself up using the wall. As blood continued to trickle out of his chest, he said, “Sir Liu, you have now lost. Please forfeit.”


    Jing Wen said such outrageous words with such seriousness that the scene appeared almost comical, were it not for the frightening visage of the wounds on his body.


    However, Jing Wen was right.