After serving three years in prison, he swept across the land upon his release.

Hidden strength? What is this guy talking about?

Xia Tong was completely confused by Qin Wuchen's words. Before she could ask, Qin Wuchen raised his index finger and gently touched his brow.

A faint golden light swirled around his fingertips.

Then Qin Wuchen placed his index finger between Xia Tong's eyebrows, and the golden light formed fine streams that flowed to various parts of Xia Tong's meridians.

This feeling is like a long-blocked pipe finally being cleared, making people feel incredibly refreshed and comfortable.

With the help of this golden light, the meridians in Xia Tong's body that had been damaged gradually recovered.

"What is this?" Xia Tong asked curiously, sensing the changes within her body.

"I'm just smoothing out the meridians in your body so that you can unleash your full power," Qin Wuchen said calmly.

Golden light swirled around Xia Tong, and in an instant, she broke through to the ninth level of martial arts.

How could this be? Xia Tong was both surprised and delighted, looking at the changes in her body in disbelief.

"Alright, now you can go challenge this guy again." Qin Wuchen patted Xia Tong's body, and then he tactfully took a few steps back.

On the other side, Masao also noticed the change in Xia Tong's aura, which surprised him greatly.

As expected... Xuanjian is a monster... Masao thought to himself, but he was not flustered at all.

"You're only at the ninth level of martial arts. Even if you reach the ninth level, you still won't be my match!" Masao shouted at Xia Tong, holding up his katana.

"Hmph, who wins and who loses is hard to say!" Xia Tong picked up the twin swords that had fallen to the ground again and responded with a cold laugh.

Then, with a thud, Xia Tong took the initiative and charged towards Zheng Xiong.

She brandished her twin swords, and the surroundings seemed to be enveloped in crescent moons. After Xia Tong's cultivation level improved, the power of the Thirteen Cold Moon Swords also greatly increased.

From initially focusing solely on form, it gradually shifted to capturing the essence, like a solitary moon hanging alone in a vast expanse of frozen snow.

Masao parried with all his might, but the swordsmanship before him was too much for him to handle.

"What's wrong with this guy? How did he adapt to the ninth level of martial arts so quickly?" Zhengxiong couldn't help but marvel.

With a few swift movements, a wound was quickly pierced through his chest.

This startled Masao, who immediately retreated, moving out of the opponent's attack range.

"Hmph, a mere ninja, already scared? Where did your arrogance go?" Xia Tong sneered as she looked at Zheng Xiong retreating.

"Don't get too cocky. I just wasn't warmed up properly!" Masao replied, brandishing his katana.

Although there was no sign of panic on his face, a bead of cold sweat on his forehead hinted at his true predicament.

"Now, my true strength will be revealed!"

Masao let out a low roar, and then he concentrated his inner energy into his katana. This layer of energy emitted a faint golden light, almost imperceptible.

"If you dare to take this blow head-on, I'll admit I'm no match for you!" Masao said to Xia Tong, holding a katana that gleamed with golden light.

He knew that if he fought his opponent with swordsmanship, he would surely lose, so he tried to provoke him in this way.

Xia Tong understood the meaning behind his words, but at this moment she was very confident in her strength, and said with her head held high, "Fine, if I dare to run away, I will never practice swordsmanship again in my life!"

"Okay, it's a deal!"

With a whoosh, Masao suddenly raised his katana high with both hands, aiming it at Xia Tong.

Qin Wuchen, who was standing to the side, became interested when he heard the two of them talking about their bet, and stared at them with great interest.

The next moment, Masao swung his katana down, making a clanging sound, and a golden blade of energy rushed straight towards Xia Tong.

This strike was so powerful that it sliced ​​all the rocks along the way in half, and left a deep trench at the bottom of the cave.

Xia Tong calmly raised her two swords, forming a cross.

Clang!

The blade energy struck Xia Tong's twin blades, producing a violent roar. Due to the huge impact, Xia Tong inevitably slid backward.

However, she showed no intention of running away.

"what!"

Xia Tong screamed, and just as her body was about to turn towards the wall behind her, she suddenly stopped.

"How is this possible?!" On the other side, Masao stared at the scene in disbelief.

"Well done." Qin Wuchen thought to himself with a slight sigh of admiration.

Then, with a whoosh, Xia Tong swung her sword, and the powerful sword energy instantly dissipated in front of her.

"My turn!"

Xia Tong roared, then she pushed off with her legs and charged straight at Zhengxiong.

"Cold Moon Slash!"

With a whoosh, Xia Tong swung her sword. Zheng Xiong was caught off guard and could only hastily raise his katana to block.

puff!

The massive impact caused Masao to cough up blood, and with a thud, he crashed into the wall.

Gravel fell, dust billowed, and half of Masao's body was embedded in the wall.

"Hey, you Japanese ninja! Are you convinced yet?!" Xia Tong raised a long sword, put one hand on his shoulder, and laughed.

"Cough cough..."

Amidst the smoke, Zhengxiong coughed a few times. When the smoke cleared, blood was seen flowing from his chest, caused by Xia Tong's knife strike.

"Don't get too cocky..." Zhengxiong said in a low, hoarse voice.

"You're still being stubborn even now. I think your mouth is harder than your knife!" Xia Tong sneered.

"snort......"

Masao, however, didn't care at all. He revealed a wicked smile and then muttered to himself.

"Great Sun God! Today I offer my life to you! I sacrifice our faith! I sacrifice our dreams! I sacrifice the utopia we so desperately yearn for!"

"For the ultimate glory!"

"We hope you will grant your devout believer's request!"

With a snap, Zhengxiong crushed a glass bottle in his hand. Qin Wuchen had seen this before; it belonged to a kind of witchcraft... Blood Gu.

After crushing it, Masao immediately let his hands hang down and lay motionless against the wall.

"I thought something was wrong, but it seems he's just gone mad." Xia Tong waved her hand dismissively upon seeing this.

However, the moment she finished speaking, a black aura rapidly spread throughout Masao's body.

The black aura engulfed Masao, causing him to let out a tearing roar.

"What... what's wrong with him?" Xia Tong looked at Qin Wuchen, somewhat at a loss.

Qin Wuchen frowned as well. Although he knew of the existence of the Blood Gu, he did not have a deeper understanding of it.

He had never seen a martial artist at the ninth level use blood gu before, and he had no idea what this would bring...

......