Chapter 88: Splitting into Two Forces!

The crimson sun gradually sank in the west, yet within the forest, two figures continued to weave and clash beneath the lingering glow of dusk.

At this moment, Yang Yan was ever more absorbed in the long-lost enlightenment of the sword. What he pursued was a sword path where man and sword were one: to feel with the heart, to communicate with the sword’s intent. In his eyes, the highest realm of this path was for the sword to hold his essence, and he to hold the sword’s, so that man and blade became indistinguishable. Reaching that state, in battle, one would no longer need to consciously control the sword; instead, the blade would become an autonomous being, its will entirely born from Yang Yan. By then, the sword would become another self.

Yet Yang Yan was still far from that step. Now, he could only be said to have glimpsed the threshold of “guiding the sword with intent.” To guide the sword with intent was to commune with it through one’s will, letting the blade sense the heart’s desires. Thus, with the harmony between man and sword, one could move with freedom and grace in battle.

From Yang Yan’s earlier observations, Cold Moon Sky’s use of the sword remained at the rudimentary stage of wielding it with brute strength—merely “guiding the sword with force.” Thus, Yang Yan’s hope to further his sword path through their duel had evaporated.

“Who would have thought that the Jade Sword Pavilion, bearing the name of the sword, would have disciples with such crude and superficial understanding of swordsmanship? It seems the Jade Sword Pavilion of Hanxiang City is nothing but an empty name…”

If Cold Moon Sky could know what Yang Yan thought, he would surely cough blood in rage! The Jade Sword Pavilion’s strength was renowned throughout Jin Prefecture; though it could not compare to the mighty Azure Profound Sect, its mastery of the sword was considered second to none. Yet, the title they so proudly claimed was now dismissed as worthless by a boy of only fifteen years.

The battle had become dull in Yang Yan’s mind, yet he could not seize the chance to defeat Cold Moon Sky outright, hindered by the latter’s strange and elusive martial arts. Still, Yang Yan felt no impatience. Glancing aside, he saw Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin seated not far away. Their faces, once pale from spiritual exhaustion, were now flushed with vigor. It would not take long for their inner energy to fully recover. Once that happened, Cold Moon Sky, despite his advantage in speed, would be unable to escape the three combined.

As for Zhang Lin and Zhang Fei, Yang Yan had no expectations. Previously injured in the “Spirit-Burning Fire Array,” they now sat and tended their wounds. Bringing them into the Azure Profound Sect was the utmost Yang Yan could do.

Clearly, Cold Moon Sky understood his predicament. The green glow on his “Spirit Snake Sword” surged, his attacks growing ever faster and fiercer.

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“Yang Yan, let us help you!”

At that moment, Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin had fully recovered. Their faces, once pale, now shone with vitality.

“How is your inner energy?” Yang Yan asked joyfully, retreating quickly to stand beside them.

“About eighty percent restored. It’s more than enough to deal with him!” Liu Zhengqing’s eyes burned with fighting spirit as he stared at Cold Moon Sky. It had been a long time since he faced such a formidable opponent among his peers, not since Yang Yan.

Sun Zhixin nodded, her delicate face tinged with anger and cold killing intent. Clearly, she had not forgotten Cold Moon Sky’s earlier ruthlessness.

As the three closed in, Cold Moon Sky’s expression darkened. Previously, he could take on two opponents because Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin were weakened, only able to muster a fraction of their true strength. Now, not only had they recovered, but Yang Yan was still present. Cold Moon Sky’s situation was dire.

“Twenty minutes remain until the Hunter’s Arena closes!”

Just as Yang Yan and his companions prepared to strike, a powerful voice echoed from the ranking light screen.

“Twenty minutes…”

Yang Yan’s heart trembled. The three of them could defeat Cold Moon Sky, but his identity token was not on him. To claim his soul points, they would need to find whoever held his token and seize it.

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If they waited until after defeating Cold Moon Sky to pursue the token, time might run out. Once the Hunter’s Arena closed, all participants—living or dead—would be teleported out by the array, and it would no longer be possible to snatch soul points. At that moment, the hundred disciples admitted into Azure Profound Sect would be decided.

Cold Moon Sky naturally saw Yang Yan’s dilemma and a smug smile appeared on his face. It seemed the first place in this Hunter’s Arena would be his.

But just as he formed this thought, Yang Yan’s next words made his smile freeze instantly.

“You two, go after whoever holds his identity token. I’ll keep him here!”

Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin were stunned. They hadn’t expected Yang Yan to make such a decisive choice, willingly playing the role of “enforcer” so they could claim the soul points.

No one would believe they had no desire for the first place prize, the Spirit-Breaking Pill. Though they had survived life and death together with Yang Yan these past days, forging a bond, each had always intended to compete for first place. Yet they were astonished that Yang Yan would withdraw at the crucial moment.

Their surprise lasted only a moment. Soon, they understood that time was short, and whoever among their trio won would be preferable to Cold Moon Sky claiming victory.

They nodded, then pushed off the ground, rushing toward the location indicated by the light screen for “Cold Moon Sky.”

“Stop right there!”

Cold Moon Sky realized Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin’s plan. Though the Jade Sword Pavilion still had several contestants in the Hunter’s Arena, only one had reached the third stage of spiritual sense. Such a lineup could not withstand Liu Zhengqing and Sun Zhixin. Once his identity token was seized, he would be eliminated, forever barred from Azure Profound Sect.

With this in mind, Cold Moon Sky shouted and moved to pursue them. But before he could act, a chilling sword light slashed toward him from the side, forcing him to halt.

“Yang Yan, you’re courting death!”

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