Star Martial Soaring Cloud

The moment the words were spoken, all three were astonished.

Compared to the two people off the field, Wang Xiao was so shocked that he wanted to disappear into the ground.

This is your lord!

This girl!

I've got my eye on it!

He would never have uttered those words in his entire life, but in reality, he not only blurted them out, but he said them with deafening force.

"Kung Pao Chicken!" The image involuntarily flashed into Wang Xiao's mind, and he groaned inwardly, "What's wrong with me? After leaving Lishan, not only has my appearance and demeanor changed drastically, but I've also picked up these bad habits! My friend, could this be a lingering effect you left me with?"

"Wouldn't it be even more embarrassing if I didn't maintain that cocky attitude?" Wang Xiao's mind raced, not even daring to wipe the cynical smile from his lips. "What kind of mess is this?"

Qin Wuming abruptly stopped, looked up sharply, and his piercing gaze shot towards Wang Xiao like a knife. His tone was chilling: "Where did this wild brat come from, trying to play the hero and save the damsel in distress? Aren't you afraid you'll have the guts to back down after trying it?"

With his mind racing, he made a decision: the person in front of him was not on the list of people he needed to be wary of. To step forward so rashly would be tantamount to courting death.

For the Tianyi Sect, whose style of doing things tends to be dark, the fact that they dared to show themselves in the light meant that they had made thorough preparations.

Su Qinhe suddenly opened her eyes, and a strange figure came into view. Her heart sank instantly: "Have I just escaped one danger only to fall into another?"

But when her gaze fell on the little bell in Wang Xiao's hand, a trace of panic flashed in her eyes, followed by a faint but genuine hope.

Just now she was calculating that as long as she could recover a sliver of her strength, she would use her life-saving methods, even if it meant sacrificing herself to take Qin Wuming down with her.

Wang Xiao walked to a short distance from Su Qinhe, his mocking smile deepening: "Wild boy? That's an unpleasant way to put it. I am Yuan Kong of the Sumeru Sect. I was just passing by when I saw a demon bullying a weak woman, and I couldn't stand by and watch, so I came out to intervene."

"The Sumeru Sect?" Qin Wuming's pupils constricted, his arrogance instantly turning into fury. "You dare to play me?"

With Wang Xiao's attire, how could he possibly be a Buddhist disciple?

What enraged him even more was that since the other party knew he was the Holy Son of the Heavenly Yi Sect, they still dared to look down on him like this. This was intolerable!

"Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!" As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Wuming's feet seemed to fly, and his figure darted out like a ghost. The black broadsword in his hand, carrying a biting cold wind, swept straight towards Wang Xiao.

A scimitar shadow suddenly appeared like a waning moon, carrying a ghostly chill as it hurtled straight at his face.

Wang Xiao remained calm and collected, precisely locking onto the blade's trajectory, and then drew the Seven Star Sword from his waist with a backhand motion.

The sword gleamed with a cold light under the setting sun. As it was infused with vital energy, the sword suddenly lit up, stretching out in front of him like a Great Wall of Steel. This made it difficult for Qin Wuming's greatsword, along with the accompanying sword energy, to advance even an inch.

"Young Master Qin, are all the people in your Tianyi Sect such sloppy martial arts skills, yet utterly adept at spouting nonsense?"

As he spoke, he not only steadily blocked Qin Wuming's powerful attack, but also lightly tapped his foot, sending a gentle surge of energy towards the jade flute on the ground, steadily delivering it to Su Qinhe's side. His movements were fluid and graceful, displaying complete composure.

Immediately afterwards, he waved his left hand lightly, and a gentle stream of energy enveloped Su Qinhe, steadily sending her away from their battlefield.

With a block, a tap, and a swing, he completed the three actions in the blink of an eye, clearly showing that he didn't take Qin Wuming seriously at all.

He naturally wouldn't take Qin Wuming seriously—he wouldn't even take the entire Tianyi Sect seriously.

Members of the Demonic Sect are to be killed by everyone, especially since he had already clashed with the Tianyi Sect before entering the island.

At the Purple Qi Mansion, the other party attempted to seize the map of the Nine Provinces, but their plan failed. Now they have come to the Demon Island to covet the branch map of the Wind and Rain Pavilion.

Since all that we have seen and heard are scoundrels who deserve to go to hell, then let them go back to hell!

Holding the jade flute she had lost and found again, Su Qinhe's heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

As she watched Wang Xiao's retreating figure and heard him utter "Xumi Sect, Emptiness," she inexplicably felt that his back was somewhat familiar.

Master Yuankong was one of her allies, so she naturally knew that the person in front of her was definitely not Yuankong.

Countless questions swirled in her mind, but due to exhaustion, she didn't even have the strength to speak.

"You're courting death!" Having been repeatedly slighted, Qin Wuming's anger flared. He abruptly raised his jet-black greatsword, his surroundings surging with black energy. The already dense black mist almost solidified, swirling wildly around the blade and emitting a chilling, ghostly howl. "Take this, young master's strike! Demonic Flame Slash!"

The pitch-black blade energy, carrying raging demonic flames, roared towards Wang Xiao like a ferocious black fire dragon.

Wherever it passed, the ground was scorched with a black mark, and even the air seemed to be ignited, emitting a pungent, scorching heat.

Wang Xiao's eyes narrowed, his playful expression vanished, and his footwork shifted like a ghost. As he dodged the fire dragon's attack, he twirled his Seven Star Sword into a dazzling sword flower, and a condensed golden sword light slashed out, colliding violently with the demonic flame blade energy.

"Clang—" The sound of metal clashing was deafening, and the shockwave of energy spread wildly in all directions, shaking the ground and creating fine cracks. The surrounding volcanic ash was blown away.

Qin Wuming felt an overwhelming force coming from the blade, his arm went numb, and he involuntarily took three steps back before barely managing to steady himself.

He stared at Wang Xiao in utter shock: "Who are you? How can you possess such formidable swordsmanship?"

He could clearly sense Wang Xiao's combat power from that attack. The level of refinement and explosive force of that sword power was something no unknown person could possess.

Wang Xiao spoke calmly, a hint of disdain in his tone: "I already said, the Sumeru Sect is Yuan Kong. Are you deaf, or is there something wrong with your ears? Or, at the very least, are you mentally challenged?"

"Arrogant!" Qin Wuming was so angry that his face turned ashen. His inner energy surged wildly, and he raised his broadsword high once again.

This time, the black mist around the blade grew even denser, even faintly coalescing into a dark, phantom-like demon god. "Let me show you my true power—Heavenly Nether God-Slaying Slash!"

With his shout, the phantom of the demon god let out a roar that shook the heavens and earth, and suddenly merged into the greatsword.

The blade energy instantly surged to several meters in length, its pitch-black aura blotting out the sky and causing the temperature to plummet, enveloping everything in a chilling atmosphere. Even the volcanic ash in the air was frozen into particles, which then fell to the ground.

Su Qinhe lay on the ground, and her expression changed drastically as she sensed the terrifying aura emanating from it.

By this time, she had recovered some of her strength and couldn't help but warn, "Be careful! This blade energy carries a corrosive, malevolent aura; don't take it head-on!"

"Don't worry, these little tricks can't hurt me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xiao's vital energy surged, and an invisible water curtain suddenly opened up.

The longsword in his hand swirled in layers of sword shadows, like a blooming golden lotus, protecting him completely.

His swordsmanship was agile and graceful, yet sharp and fierce. Each sword shadow carried the sharpness to ward off evil, forming a stark contrast with Qin Wuming's demonic phantom.

"Break!" Wang Xiao shouted, thrusting his longsword forward. Countless sword shadows instantly converged into a huge white sword pillar, crashing into the several-meter-long black blade energy.

The white sword light collided with the dark evil energy, producing a piercing "sizzling" sound. The two completely different forces eroded and annihilated each other, and countless tiny energy fragments flew in all directions.

Wherever it passed, rocks turned to dust, and a huge crater was created in the ground, filled with smoke and dust.

"Interesting. I never expected to encounter a skilled opponent like you. Today's trip has been worthwhile!" After several exchanges, Qin Wuming's fighting spirit was completely ignited, and a bloodthirsty glint flashed in his eyes. "Let me see what other tricks you have up your sleeve!"

"Hey, why aren't you asking me who I am this time?" The two stood facing each other, three zhang apart.

Compared to Qin Wuming's solemn expression, Wang Xiao appeared more relaxed and natural, even managing a slight smile.

"You... good! I hope you can still smile from now on!"

Qin Wuming took a deep breath, slowly raised the dark broadsword in his hand, and pointed it diagonally at Wang Xiao's brow.

He stomped his right foot hard, and with a "crack," a huge crack appeared in the ground.

The crack, without any bend, rushed straight towards Wang Xiao, carrying a terrifying pressure. As it approached him, it transformed into a sharp killing intent that soared into the sky.

With a flick of his Seven Star Sword, Wang Xiao's blade reflected a faint red light against the backdrop of the fiery clouds in the sky, appearing eerily as if stained with blood.

Although he appeared relaxed, he had to admit that Qin Wuming was very strong and was definitely a formidable presence among the younger generation.

As he wielded the Seven Star Sword, his entire body surged with vital energy, and a golden killing intent also soared into the sky, colliding violently with Qin Wuming's killing intent.

The two forces canceled each other out, vanishing into nothingness, leaving only a chilling aura filling the sky.

woo-

Qin Wuming's broadsword emitted a series of sharp, strange whistles, suddenly leaving his hand and spinning like a flying wheel towards Wang Xiao. The arc of its rotation carried a deadly chill, making people tremble with fear.

Wang Xiao used the Seven Star Rain Steps, his figure elusive like a ghost, barely dodging the fatal blow.

While dodging, he advanced instead of retreating, instantly closing in on Qin Wuming.

Before Qin Wuming could react, Wang Xiao changed the Seven Star Sword from a thrust to a slash, smashing it down with the force of splitting Mount Hua.

Qin Wuming bent down and retreated quickly to the side. Wang Xiao's longsword missed its target, and with a loud "boom," a large crater was smashed into the ground, with cracks spreading out like a spider web.

The invincible energy wrapped around the sword did not dissipate, but instead split to both sides, sweeping away like a tide and shattering all the surrounding rocks.

Missing his first strike, Wang Xiao swept his longsword horizontally, the blade transforming into a streak of white light, slashing towards Qin Wuming's waist and abdomen.

With ample time to prepare, Qin Wuming stopped retreating, gripped the retracted broadsword, and with a flick of the blade, met Wang Xiao's sword head-on.

Two beams of light suddenly appeared in the air, and the enormous energy contained in the two unparalleled killing intents collided, producing a piercing sound like tearing silk, as if space itself was about to be torn apart.

Wang Xiao was so shocked that he took three big steps back, and Qin Wuming also lost his balance, swaying a few times before barely managing to steady himself.

"Again!" Qin Wuming became more and more excited as the battle progressed, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism.

Before either side could catch their breath, he launched another attack, wielding his broadsword with dazzling aura that streaked through the air like a comet streaking across the moon.

Wang Xiao raised his sword to meet the attack, his unparalleled sword energy condensing into a bolt of lightning, its brilliance dazzling the eyes.

"boom--"

The sound was like the sky collapsing and the earth sinking, like the roar of the sea; the destructive power of the two sharp blades colliding was astonishing.

The scattered battle aura cratered the nearby ground, sending rocks flying and dust billowing everywhere.

Both fighters were thrown backward by the shockwave, and as soon as they landed, they rushed towards each other almost simultaneously.

The two moved like lightning, transforming into two streaks of light that darted across the battlefield.

The vital energy surged and raged, its dazzling sharpness intertwining in the air like lightning. In an instant, light flashed and deafening roars resounded. Large nets of energy, carrying murderous intent, raced through the air, terrifying the mind.

"By transforming myself into Yang—I will suppress and vanquish evil!"

During the fight, the vital energy that Wang Xiao had deliberately left behind suddenly gathered together, and a dazzling sun appeared out of thin air, its light so intense that it was impossible to look directly at it.

Caught off guard, Qin Wuming instinctively closed his eyes and frowned.

That brief moment of distraction was enough to decide the outcome.

Taking advantage of Qin Wuming's distraction, Wang Xiao flashed and appeared behind him like a ghost. He swept his long sword horizontally, the blade whistling sharply, aiming straight for Qin Wuming's back.

Qin Wuming reacted extremely quickly. Although everything went black for a moment, he keenly sensed the deadly danger. He turned around abruptly and swung his broadsword horizontally, attempting to block Wang Xiao's attack.

But Wang Xiao was too fast, and his strike ultimately missed its mark.

With a crisp "crack," the longsword struck Qin Wuming's shoulder squarely, splitting his shoulder blade open.

The excruciating pain caused Qin Wuming to groan involuntarily, spitting out a mouthful of black blood.

"You dare hurt me!" A glint of madness flashed in Qin Wuming's eyes. His left hand swiftly formed a hand seal, and he chanted incantations. The evil aura around him instantly became violent, "Holy Sect Secret Technique—Blood Burning Demon Body!"

As the incantation was cast, his skin quickly turned bright red, and the blood in his body seemed to be ignited, radiating a scorching heat.

His eyes turned bloodshot, and he looked like a madman. He swung his broadsword again, this time with even more violent energy, carrying a terrifying aura of destruction.

Wang Xiao felt a blur before his eyes, and the large sword, shrouded in a strong evil aura, was already inches away, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.

Knowing it was too late to stop him, he pushed his Seven Star Rain Steps to their limit, twisted his waist and abdomen, and instantly lay flat on his back, sliding along the ground to barely avoid the fatal blow.

By the time he got up, Qin Wuming was already a hundred meters away. Using the recoil from the attack, he turned and fled.

"I will repay this humiliation a hundredfold in the future! I just don't know if you'll live to see that day, hahaha!"

Wang Xiao frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "Troublesome! Trying to kill a top-tier opponent of the same level in one go is definitely wishful thinking. But keeping this menace around isn't a solution either; I can only look for another opportunity later!"

He turned his head and saw Su Qinhe staring intently at him, her face filled with shock and sudden realization. The thin veil that had covered her face had been swept away by the force of the fight, revealing a face that could outshine a hundred flowers—a pair of moonlit eyes, clear as if filled with starlight, now slightly widened in shock; below her delicate nose were cherry-like lips, now slightly pursed, with a hint of disbelief.

"So it was you!" Su Qinhe looked at Wang Xiao's sword techniques. The familiar striking habits and unique rhythm of the duel gradually overlapped with the white-clad youth in Zhongyun City in her memory.

All the doubts I had before, and the familiarity I felt about that figure, were now answered.

Seeing her like this, Wang Xiao shook his head helplessly.

Having used the move "Transforming Body into Yang" just now, she could naturally confirm her identity with it. Perhaps she had already sensed it during the fight.

Appearances may be changed, and temperament may be faked, but how can one easily change the fighting habits and combat style that have been ingrained for more than ten years?

Wang Xiaoben maintained his nonchalant composure, but was startled by the words he blurted out and stumbled.

"Little girl, can you walk? If not, I'll have to take your hands!"