Chapter 256: A fox hiding in the shadows [II]
Was Xiao He strong? Oh, yes, incredibly strong. Each of his strikes reached Xie Qing with such ease, as if he wasn’t even trying. Even if the youth tried to dodge, it only resulted in injuries.
Moreover, most of Xiao He’s attacks were so powerful and hidden that if it weren’t for Xie Qing’s sharp senses, he would have been a rotting corpse on the ground long ago.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Loud sounds echoed as something heavy landed on the ground. These were the remnants of buildings that were already on the verge of collapse, but due to the battle between Xiao He and Xie Qing, they lost their support and fell to the ground.
Xie Qing turned his head to the side, dodging Xiao He’s invisible attack, and jumped to the side, swinging his sword. A whirlwind of Sword Aura appeared, creating a barrier in front of him, allowing him to catch his breath.
The youth’s condition was pitiful. His left arm hung limply from his shoulder, having been seriously injured during countless attempts to block his enemy’s attacks.
“Of course, it’s too early for me to face this guy. I am only a cultivator at the eighth stage of Spiritual Ascension…” Xie Qing thought and sighed.
His condition was unsatisfactory, but what could he do? The opponent was far more experienced and stronger than him. It was already surprising that he had lasted this long.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the barrier of Sword Aura collapsed, revealing a black human shadow with eyes filled with blood.
“Well, not feeling so good now, are you? I admit, you’re not bad, but it’s too early for you to face me. You’re weak, helpless, worthless!” Xiao He sneered, appearing five meters away from the youth. The contempt on his face was evident: “The difference between a cultivator of Divine Transformation and Spiritual Ascension is huge, understand? It’s a different world. A world you will never reach! Hahaha!”
Xie Qing did not react to his words and only snorted. If Xiao He knew how quickly he had reached his current level, he would be apologizing for his words now.
However, the youth had no intention of discussing his talent with him. Now was not the time for that.
Xie Qing jumped to the side, then raised his sword high vertically. He looked towards Xiao He.
“Lord of the Nine Realms and Heavens… Sword God Strike.”
Whoosh…
There were no light shows or anything similar. There was only silence and… a gentle breeze. Xiao He, despite this, frowned and squinted, as if something was causing him pain.
And then…
“Kha…”
He coughed up blood, which fell to the ground and melted the stone pavement. Wiping his mouth, Xiao He clicked his tongue.
“Not bad. An attack that kills unnoticed. If I were weaker than you, or at the peak of Spiritual Ascension, I would have died easily…” he noted with some irritation: “Very good. But… not strong enough to kill me.”
Xie Qing smiled. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand. This was his signature attack, on which he had placed many hopes. It was a bit sad that the opponent didn’t die immediately, but… that wasn’t his goal.
Xiao He straightened up and looked at Xie Qing, then suddenly froze, feeling as if a storm was brewing inside him.
“Khaaaa!”
Letting out a loud cry filled with pain, Xiao He, clutching his stomach, helplessly fell to the ground, and then, shuddering, began to scream mercilessly.
“AAAAAAAGH!”
Xie Qing smiled weakly. As expected, it worked. For in his attack was concentrated… Yang Qi.
For ordinary cultivators, this energy is extremely beneficial and helps them become physically stronger. But for those who have taken the blood of evil…
It is the most deadly poison.
“Aaaaaaaagh!”
And no matter how strong you are. No matter how much power you possess.
“AAAAAAAAA!”
Against your natural poison.
“Lord of the Nine Realms and Heavens – Blade of Infinite Apathy.”
There is no antidote.
Thud.
Xie Qing turned his head to the side, watching as a lone severed human head with pain on its face rolled away. Then he looked at Xiao He’s headless body.
“Of course, you’re still alive,” he said aloud to his thoughts and shook his head: “Are you sure you don’t regret it? Becoming a monster and losing your humanity for power… it’s too pitiful.”
“You don’t understand anything,” a distorted voice replied from the severed head.
“In what sense?”
Xie Qing approached the severed head and, lifting it by the hair, asked curiously.
“There is no evil or good power. Power is power. What difference does it make what Qi you use to kill others like yourself? It’s all just more hypocrisy…” Xiao He said, his voice becoming deeper and more inhuman.
“You’re right,” Xie Qing nodded, then continued, gazing into Xiao He’s eyes: “However, I don’t care. You were just getting in the way of my plan, but otherwise, I bear you no ill will. You can live for another two weeks, but… I think it would be better if I just kill you. In your next life, you’ll have a chance to start over.”
“Hahaha…”
Xiao He let out a rough laugh, but Xie Qing did not flinch. He simply took out a token and broke it. Bright Qi began to gather around the headless body and head, penetrating their upper and lower dantian.
“AAAAAAAGH!”
A twist of fate, indeed. Xiao He possessed the Law of Darkness, which was related to Yin Qi. And Yang Qi was its worst enemy.
Especially if this Yang energy was obtained from one of the top Transcendent cultivators – the Sect Master of the Sect of Resting Eagle.
Xie Qing sighed, watching as the last particles of Xiao He’s soul disintegrated, turning into dust, and the Karma between them faded away.
And just as he was about to leave…
“So you’re the little bastard who dared to deceive me?”
A deep male voice sounded behind him, and then…
BOOM!
Xie Qing was hit by an incredibly powerful blow. He was sent flying hundreds of miles away, and the damage was so severe that he instantly lost all ability to move.
“This…?”
The youth was still in a state of confusion. What just happened? Why was he thrown aside?
However, all his questions vanished when he saw the monster in front of him.
“Hao… Shen…”
“That’s right, you little shit. I am Hao Shen. And knowing this, you dared to pull off such a scheme behind my back? Huh? Stupid bastard, tell me, who are you? Are you close to the Sword Princess?”
Xie Qing smiled. Now he had a huge problem on his hands.
Hao Shen snorted, returning to his human form. He swiftly grabbed Xie Qing’s mouth and lifted him into the air.
“You’re quiet, huh, bastard. You don’t seem to understand who you’re dealing with, snob. Know what happens to people like you? You won’t find peace even after death. I’ll make sure of that, bastard. I’ll rip out all your bones, shove them up your ass, and burn your entire family alive!”
Hao Shen’s eyes burned with hatred and shame. This kid had destroyed the altar – the only one of its kind. And he had done it behind his back, deceiving him – Hao Shen, who was rightfully considered the strongest devilish cultivator at the moment.
His opponent was just a pitiful cultivator at the Spiritual Ascension stage. But he had managed to deceive him. That was why Hao Shen was so enraged.
“I’ll send your corpse to that bitch Xu Mei. I’ve studied the Heavenly Secrets a bit and saw that you have a connection with her. Just for that, you deserve to die,” Hao Shen said and coldly smirked: “So, what will be your last words?”
“Heh…” Xie Qing let out a sigh, then smiled, coughing up blood: “Son of a cheap whore, don’t utter her name with your filthy, cheap mouth.”
“Haa…” Hao Shen sighed, then gripped Xie Qing’s face tighter. With a furious smile, he said: “Bastard, you’re done for.”
Hao Shen tightened his grip even more, but suddenly…
“Hm?!”
Just as Hao Shen attempted to kill Xie Qing, his hand abruptly froze, and the space around him stilled. Everything before him turned black.
When he came to his senses, the first thing Hao Shen felt was the emptiness in his hand.
“This…?”
He gritted his teeth. This scent, this aura…
“Nine… Tailed… Fox!”
Hao Shen roared in fury, causing the heavens to tremble with his rage.
***
The quiet night sky, untouched by any smoke. Clean air and beautiful nature.
This was what Xie Qing saw immediately after waking up. And turning his gaze to the left…
He saw long white hair, like a reflection of the Moon itself, and fathomless, red eyes that resembled rubies.
The Nine-Tailed Fox, Lian Qingyi.
“So you’re awake already?” she asked with clear coldness in her voice.
Xie Qing looked at her in confusion, then suddenly took her hand and stroked the inside of her palm.
“Wh-what are you doing?!”
Lian Qingyi pulled her hand away, looking at Xie Qing with irritation. He responded with a puzzled expression.
“Am I in hell?”
“…”
