Lin Xunqiong grew increasingly alarmed with every exchange, for Yang Feilong was incredibly young, not yet twenty. Though currently suppressed by him, it seemed an insurmountable task to defeat the youth in a short time.
"Today, I must kill him, no matter the cost!"
In his eyes, having already forged an irreconcilable enmity, failing to kill Yang Feilong would spell utter ruin for the Lin family once the youth matured.
He absolutely would not allow such a catastrophe to befall them!
Therefore, no matter what, Yang Feilong had to be eliminated before he could grow into his full potential.
Boom! Boom!
Lin Xunqiong's attacks became increasingly ruthless.
Yang Feilong, however, entered a state of combat, fighting by instinct. His offense was the Autumn Leaf Falling Sword technique, while his defense was the Willow Catkin Drifting Sword technique. With one for attack and one for defense, Lin Xunqiong found himself unable to kill Yang Feilong quickly, despite his intentions.
"I refuse to believe his internal energy is as vast as mine!" Lin Xunqiong gritted his teeth.
Yang Feilong's true qi felt like internal energy, but it was far more potent and destructive. Correspondingly, its consumption was also higher, which was why cultivators of true qi were generally stronger than ancient martial artists of the same level.
According to his master, the true qi Yang Feilong cultivated was among the pinnacle even for qi refiners. This explained why Yang Feilong could contend with opponents far beyond his usual level. Most qi refiners could only contend with those a minor realm higher, while Yang Feilong could almost match a major realm.
This also revealed the extraordinary nature of the qi refining methods his master had passed down to him!
However, as the battle wore on, Yang Feilong also began to feel his true qi depleting.
"My current strength is enough to handle early-stage Yuanwu realm cultivators without much issue, but against mid-stage Yuanwu realm opponents, I'm still somewhat outmatched!" Yang Feilong mused. "Then I shall try my final sword technique. Let's see if there's a chance to kill him!"
Whoosh~~~
Suddenly, Yang Feilong's swordsmanship shifted, becoming profound and elusive.
"Another new sword technique?" Lin Xunqiong's expression changed slightly. "Where does this Yang Feilong come from? Why does he possess so many extraordinary sword techniques?"
He couldn't help but feel regret. If he had known Yang Feilong was so formidable, he should have advised his elder brother against seeking trouble with him. But now, it was a situation he couldn't back out of. Moreover, so many of his kin had been killed, and his own thirteenth brother had met a tragic end at Yang Feilong's hands. How could he suppress his hatred? Even if he did, would Yang Feilong spare their Lin family?
Furthermore, he had investigated extensively in the past few days and discovered that Yang Feilong had no guardian. It was precisely for this reason that he had resolved to track him down and seize an opportunity to kill him.
Why seek a secluded spot? The reason was simple: to avoid being seen. If they were discovered, Yang Feilong's backing would certainly retaliate against the Lin family!
"Die!" Though a myriad of thoughts flashed through Lin Xunqiong's mind, his actions were merciless. His long sword vibrated, imbued with terrifying divine might, and slashed towards Yang Feilong.
This was his killing blow!
Facing Yang Feilong's unpredictable swordsmanship, he chose to strike first!
To kill Yang Feilong in one fell swoop, preventing him from unleashing this seemingly bizarre sword technique!
"True and False Swordplay!" Yang Feilong unleashed his most potent sword technique.
The full name of this sword technique was the [Where True Becomes False and False Becomes True Swordplay]!
Yang Feilong found the name too unconventional and lengthy, so he simplified it to True and False Swordplay.
In an instant, a staggering nine sword energies materialized, dense and overlapping. Several of these energies appeared incredibly formidable.
Lin Xunqiong's expression shifted again.
For inexplicably, this swordplay seemed to be upon him. Two of the energies were aimed at his throat and heart, which would result in severe injury or death if struck!
And his own killing blow might not necessarily land a fatal blow, as he realized Yang Feilong's speed at this moment was unfathomably mysterious, managing to evade his seemingly guaranteed strike!
He dodged sideways, his long sword sweeping out to block those seemingly terrifying sword energies.
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
The sound of swords piercing the air echoed.
"Not good!" Lin Xunqiong's face changed.
Because those seemingly formidable sword energies were surprisingly fragile!
*Puchi!*
Instantly, three sword energies pierced his body.
He did not possess Yang Feilong's terrifying defense and could not withstand all nine sword energies. He had focused on blocking those that appeared formidable, only to realize that three seemingly unremarkable energies contained terrifying power!
Although these three sword energies did not strike vital points, they inflicted significant wounds!
"Kill!" Yang Feilong's expression turned cold. His long sword once again conjured a series of sword energies, with nine energies surrounding and attacking Lin Xunqiong.
"I won't be fooled again this time!" Lin Xunqiong sneered.
This time, he focused on defending against those that appeared less potent. But the result was that those fearsome sword energies slammed into his body.
"Ah!" Lin Xunqiong roared. He hadn't expected to be tricked.
Those sword energies that seemed terrifying were indeed the real ones!
Where true becomes false and false becomes true!
These words were not mere pronouncements. You think it's true? Sorry, it's false. You think it's false? Heh, it's true!
Yang Feilong could instantly determine which of the nine sword energies were real and which were false. He could even make all nine sword energies appear real, but with a fixed total power. If distributed among nine, each would be one-ninth its maximum. However, if eight were false and one true, that single true energy could approach full power, while the others were mere decoys!
This was the terrifying aspect of the True and False Swordplay!
This was also the most difficult sword technique for Yang Feilong to cultivate!
To date, he had only mastered the first level to perfection.
Yes, the True and False Swordplay had a total of nine levels.
He could only unleash nine sword energies at this stage. If he cultivated to the second level, he could unleash eighteen sword energies. Though it was only an increase of nine, the difficulty escalated exponentially!
In the past few months, Yang Feilong had not practiced this sword technique much. Firstly, he lacked time. Secondly, his master wanted him to focus more on cultivating true qi and less on swordplay, and had confiscated his sword.
Otherwise, Yang Feilong believed that even without mastering the second level, he would have a high probability of unleashing ten sword energies!
Lin Xunqiong became increasingly disheveled. He realized that after Yang Feilong employed this sword technique, his defense became incredibly difficult, and his injuries worsened.
"Damn it! I need to finish this quickly. I can't let him keep dominating me!" In his rage, Lin Xunqiong also understood his predicament.