Chapter Eighty-Six: Battle Against Cold Moon Sky!

"Are you alright?!"

As their bodies spun and gently landed, Yang Yan gazed at the young woman in his arms, a trace of concern etched across his face.

"I'm... fine..."

Sun Zhixin lowered her head at his words, her brows and eyes darting away, unable to meet Yang Yan's gaze. After a moment, she seemed to realize the intimacy of their posture, her cheeks flushing crimson as she hastily extricated herself from his embrace.

Yang Yan, however, failed to notice Sun Zhixin’s unusual behavior, his expression grave as he addressed Liu Zhenqing standing to the side.

"You two go and restore your spiritual energy for now. As for him, leave it to me!"

He turned his head, his cold and indifferent eyes locking onto Leng Yuetian.

"Such arrogance! With merely a third layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm, you dare boast before me? Yang Yan, I'll give you one last chance: hand over the Crimson Refining Cauldron and your Soul Hunting Points, and perhaps I'll spare your lives. Otherwise..."

Leng Yuetian’s threat was abruptly cut off by Yang Yan.

"Isn’t it true that your Jade Sword Pavilion dominates Hanxiang City not with words, but with true skill? If you want to reclaim the Crimson Refining Cauldron, then show me your real strength!"

"Very well! I hope you’ll have the courage to repeat those words when I beat you into the ground like a dog!"

Staring at Yang Yan’s calm demeanor, Leng Yuetian was furious yet laughed coldly. He was confident that, with his peak fourth layer Spirit Sensing Realm strength, he could deal with Yang Yan before Liu Zhenqing and the others recovered their spiritual energy—it was hardly a challenge.

To him, among the five, only Liu Zhenqing, who had also reached the fourth layer, posed a threat; the rest were mere clowns, unworthy of notice. Yet these clowns had snatched away the Crimson Refining Cauldron right under his nose, and now dared to challenge him directly—how could the perpetually arrogant Leng Yuetian remain calm?

Whoosh!

Since both sides had torn off their masks, words were useless now. Only action mattered. Understanding this, Leng Yuetian wasted no time, his serpent-shaped longsword flashing coldly in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, emerald spiritual energy surged forth, enveloping the blade, which seemed to transform into a green snake, lunging fiercely at Yang Yan!

Seeing this, a surge of fighting spirit rose in Yang Yan’s heart. Leng Yuetian’s movements revealed him to be a master of swordsmanship. Since Yang Yan had gained insights into swordsmanship at the last clan martial tournament, he’d never encountered a worthy opponent; his progress in the way of the sword had stagnated.

Now, at last, a good opportunity!

Clang!

Yang Yan’s wrist trembled, and Moonshadow Frost appeared in his grasp. Silver-white blade gleaming, water-element spiritual energy flowed transparently across its surface, like a flood dragon bursting from the sea, stabbing fiercely at the incoming emerald sword light!

Ding!

A crisp metallic clang rang out as the tips of the green and silver swords collided in midair. The compressed spiritual energies exploded instantly!

Boom!

A storm of spiritual power swept out, forcing both Leng Yuetian and Yang Yan to retreat several steps. The former’s face showed a hint of shock once more.

The sword in Leng Yuetian’s hand, called the Spirit Serpent Sword, was second only to the Crimson Refining Cauldron among the treasures of Jade Sword Pavilion—a mid-grade, top-tier spiritual weapon, just a step away from being high-grade. Should fate allow its further advancement, Jade Sword Pavilion would have a second high-grade spiritual artifact, and Leng Yuetian’s own combat power would soar.

The higher the grade of a treasure, the greater the amplification of a cultivator’s internal spiritual power, and the more destructive its attacks.

Yet, with his fifth-grade innate spiritual body, his attack—further magnified by the Spirit Serpent Sword—had failed to gain any advantage over Yang Yan’s fourth-grade innate body. Leng Yuetian thus deduced that Yang Yan’s sword was of higher grade than his own Spirit Serpent Sword!

"Who would have thought the humble Zhang family of Jinhuan City had such a treasure! If I seize it, Jade Sword Pavilion’s strength will rise again!"

At this thought, the earlier shock on Leng Yuetian’s face was gradually replaced by greed.

Yang Yan caught the glimmer of greed in his opponent’s eyes, a cold smile curling his lips. Suddenly, he moved—right hand gripping his sword, launching an attack at Leng Yuetian, who wasn’t far off!

Yet, when Moonshadow Frost’s blade struck the figure, there was no sensation of metal piercing flesh—rather, it was as though it stabbed into empty air!

"Afterimage?!"

Yang Yan’s pupils contracted. Leng Yuetian’s speed was the fastest he’d ever encountered. Even with his Extreme Shadow Steps pushed to the limit, he couldn’t match him!

It was clear that Leng Yuetian possessed a movement technique martial art, whose speed-enhancing effects far surpassed the likes of Extreme Shadow Steps, which were mundane martial arts circulated among ordinary folk.

Movement technique martial arts were exceedingly rare, even more precious than offensive martial arts. The saying went, "Of all martial arts in the world, speed is invincible"—not without reason. In battle, having the advantage in speed meant seizing the initiative; moreover, even if one’s strength was inferior, a movement technique allowed escape.

Thus, even a low-tier Yellow-grade movement technique was as valuable as some low-tier Black-grade offensive arts!

As his attack missed, Yang Yan’s soul power surged from his brow, instantly sensing the whereabouts of the vanished Leng Yuetian.

Whoosh!

Detecting the fierce attack from behind, Yang Yan’s earlier shock vanished. Now that he could sense Leng Yuetian’s position, the advantage brought by speed was greatly diminished; countering his surprise attack became far easier!

"Die!"

Leng Yuetian’s face was cold. With a rare movement technique martial art, he was confident few young cultivators in Jinzhou could rival him in speed. Now, he would make Yang Yan pay in blood for his earlier arrogance!

But as this thought crossed his mind, his smile froze. Yang Yan, who had been facing away, suddenly spun around, his right hand reversing his grip on the silver longsword. It collided with Leng Yuetian’s Spirit Serpent Sword in a sudden cross formation!

"Impossible?!"

Leng Yuetian was utterly shocked. How had Yang Yan so easily countered his silent attack from behind?

"Could it be... soul power?"

The sudden thought made Leng Yuetian’s heart leap again!

It must have been soul power that allowed Yang Yan and the others to break the Spirit-Burning Fire Array earlier!

"To possess such powerful soul perception at such a young age—if he continues to grow unchecked..."

At this, a chill of murderous intent surged deep within Leng Yuetian’s eyes.