Chapter Sixteen: A Desperate Gamble—Three Sword Auras Emerge!

In midair, Huo Qing lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot, giving him a fierce and almost maddened appearance.

“Three old codgers want to kill me today? Then prepare yourselves to fall here!”

Chanting incantations, Huo Qing closed his eyes tightly. As time passed, his spiritual energy surged violently, and almost instantaneously, two sword auras materialized.

“Heh, the same old tricks? Then prepare to die here!”

The three men laughed arrogantly. After exerting so much effort, they were finally about to slay this brat right here!

Huo Qing glared at them, a savage expression flooding his face. The scene before him reminded him of his past life—fighting with every last ounce of strength until the very end.

Suddenly, he smiled—a chilling smile that sent shivers down the spine.

“Who told you my spiritual technique only has two sword auras?”

He bit his tongue sharply, spitting out a mouthful of essence blood. Then, over ten thousand spirit crystals shot forth from his Space Bag, their spiritual energy converging like a river, pouring into the trembling two sword auras.

At the same time, the surface of the Heavenly Martial Seal radiated a dazzling light, the overwhelming spiritual glow even fiercer than when the defensive barrier was previously activated.

With these three forces combined, the trembling of the two sword auras intensified. A subtle fluctuation, rivaling that of a late Heavenly Spirit Realm master, was slowly brewing.

“This kid is different!”

The three opponents’ expressions shifted slightly. From the sword auras, they sensed a terrifying aura that made their hearts race.

“Stop playing tricks!”

“Don’t delay any longer!”

The three shouted in unison, unleashing three terrifying attacks that roared down towards Huo Qing’s head.

His bloodshot eyes widened rapidly as he quietly whispered:

“Heavenly Sword Pattern Technique, Third Sword!”

Boom!

A thunderous roar shook the air as a third sword aura appeared, trembling behind the first two!

This third sword aura was crimson as blood, radiating a terrifying power that far surpassed the three attackers’ combined assault!

Bang!

Amidst countless shocked gazes, the attacks collided.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment before an unmatched shockwave swept wildly across the battlefield. Even though the battle was midair, those below were thrown into chaos.

They hurriedly adjusted their stance, eyes fixed on the scene—who would gain the upper hand in such a clash?

Ye Hongling and Ye Jiuyou halted their assault, turning their gaze toward the fray.

Ye Jiuyou looked somewhat battered, multiple wounds visible. He sneered coldly:

“Ye Hongling, even if three late Heavenly Spirit Realm masters unleash their strongest strikes simultaneously, that brat’s tricks won’t help him!”

Though he spoke confidently, inside he was shaken. For someone of Earth Spirit Realm to hold a fierce battle with three late Heavenly Spirit Realm masters so evenly—was he even human?

Not even his clan brother from the Canglan Sword Sect could pull off such a feat!

Ye Hongling’s gaze was icy and expressionless.

“I believe in Huo Qing.”

With that, she raised her sword again, recklessly charging at Ye Jiuyou.

Ye Jiuyou’s eyelids twitched angrily.

“Do you really think I’m afraid of you?!”

The dust gradually settled in midair, revealing four blurry figures.

First was Huo Qing, his face charred black, three bloody holes in his body with crimson blood flowing endlessly. He was half-kneeling, his grimace chilling to the bone.

“Pfft!”

Opposite him, the two elders of the Han family struggled to maintain their posture. One’s face paled before he spat a pillar of blood skyward, his pupils fading as he collapsed in disbelief.

The black-robed elder’s condition was even more tragic—both arms broken, legs reduced to stumps, a gaping wound in his abdomen, blood staining the ground.

Before him lay a dull ochre shield of light—a defensive spiritual treasure that had absorbed part of the damage.

He trembled uncontrollably, fear gripping him. The sight of Huo Qing gave him the same dread as facing a master of the Fusion One Realm from the government!

The next moment, without hesitation, he darted to Ye Jiuyou’s side, shouting wildly:

“Young prince, leave here immediately!”

The two fled like lightning, their desperate escape stunning countless onlookers.

Everyone’s minds went blank. Three Heavenly Spirit Realm masters, two dead and one fled just like that?

If news of today’s events spread, who knew what upheaval it would cause!

That Earth Spirit Realm kid’s reputation was sure to echo throughout the Black Demon Abyss.

“Trying to run? I said, you must die here!”

Huo Qing’s hair was disheveled, his face terrifyingly fierce.

A dense black glow flickered at his fingertip, demonic energy gathering wildly. His figure surged upward, the deadly black light of his finger beam piercing the void!

“Black Demon Finger!”

Whoosh!

The black-robed elder’s sprint suddenly froze. Trembling violently, his body rapidly blackened, an aura of corruption spreading. His eyes widened as he gasped intermittently:

“Young prince… quick… run…!”

“Run where?!”

Huo Qing kicked Ye Jiuyou away.

Ye Jiuyou’s bones shattered, his chest collapsed. His soul was nearly broken, eyes filled with utter horror.

Whoosh!

Ye Hongling arrived from behind. Seeing Huo Qing’s miserable state, her eyes reddened painfully.

But Huo Qing shook his head softly:

“Don’t worry about me. My recovery is strong. Now that we have Ye Jiuyou captured, what do you intend to do?”

Upon hearing this, Ye Hongling snapped back to reality, her face cold with murderous intent.

Ye Jiuyou’s once graceful demeanor was gone. He sobbed, crawling before Ye Hongling, begging:

“Cousin, it’s my fault. How about this: I’ll have my father cure your father and promise never again to harbor rebellious thoughts. Just don’t kill me!”

With that, he took out the Space Bag, handing over the methods and materials for refining the Demon-Sealing Pill he had obtained at auction, the essence blood of a fourth-rank sparrow-class spiritual beast, and even some spirit crystals.

Ye Hongling accepted them without hesitation before drawing her sword. A fiery red spiritual energy howled forth, piercing his throat.

“My father will never forgive you!”

Before dying, Ye Jiuyou’s eyes filled with hatred.

After this, Ye Hongling turned and smiled lightly:

“The deed is done. I truly don’t know how to thank you.”

Huo Qing also smiled, about to speak, when darkness suddenly clouded his vision. A strong dizziness crept into his mind.

The next moment, he couldn’t help but slowly collapse.

“Still overexerted…”

A bitter smile curved his lips.

Unleashing three sword auras required an immense reservoir of spiritual energy. He had planned to try it only upon reaching the late Earth Spirit Realm, but the dire situation forced his hand, regardless of the heavy toll.

“Huo Qing!”

Ye Hongling called out in alarm.