Chapter 79: The Maiden Sword Immortal, Capturing a Soul and a Mountain
A strange feeling coursed through Hua Shuya.
She couldn’t quite explain it, but looking at the woman in black gauze, she felt a strong urge to defeat her.
She wasn’t sure if it was the Essence of Yin fueling this desire, or simply her own competitive spirit.
But recalling the humiliation of her earlier defeat, she clenched her fists.
Lin Tianlu sensed her determination and, after a moment of contemplation, nodded. “Go all out, Miss Hua. Don’t hold back.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
Hua Shuya stepped forward, her robe billowing.
Then, as if guided by instinct, she opened her palm, and a sword, formed from countless strands of azure light, materialized.
A flicker of surprise appeared in the black gauze woman’s eyes, but she quickly raised her green blade, pointing it at Hua Shuya.
“A mere mortal, trying to shake a mountain.”
“Hmph!”
Hua Shuya snorted and dashed forward.
Her Roaming Dragon Phantom Steps, previously only at the first level, now flowed seamlessly into the fourth level, leaving behind a series of blurry afterimages. She appeared before the woman in a flash, her sword thrusting out!
Clang—!
Their blades clashed, a chilling wind erupting from the impact.
Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed, and she flicked her wrist, her sword weaving a net of azure light!
Clang, clang, clang!
The woman in black gauze effortlessly blocked each attack, then countered with a sweeping blow. Her green blade sliced through the air, a wave of pressure pushing Hua Shuya back.
“You’re foolish to try and fight me with Yin energy and the Essence of Yin.”
Her voice was cold. “That power originates from me. All the energy in this mountain is mine to command.”
As they spoke, Hua Shuya continued to attack, their blades clashing, sparks flying, and the wind howling.
But no matter how she attacked, no matter what techniques she used, her every move was effortlessly countered.
The woman in black gauze ignored her wind-blown robe, her voice a cold whisper. “—You will die.”
Clang!
Another clash of blades, and Hua Shuya was thrown back, stumbling for several feet before regaining her balance.
“Hoo—”
She exhaled, her expression unwavering.
“Your Yin energy is fading.” The woman in black gauze approached her, her voice indifferent. “You’re just wasting the Essence of Yin, flailing around with those useless mortal techniques.”
The wind swirled around them, carrying fallen leaves and petals, a chilling breeze.
“…”
Hua Shuya didn’t respond.
Words were pointless.
As their blades clashed, her mind had gradually calmed down, a sense of peace settling over her.
She sighed softly, looking at the reflection of her face in her sword, lost in thought.
Yes, what use were mortal sword techniques?
A question arose in her heart.
—Why have I been practicing martial arts for ten years?
For her family tradition, for her elders’ expectations, to stay healthy.
But was that still the reason?
She shook her head silently.
She was no longer the naive child she once was.
She had witnessed the joys and sorrows of life, the struggles and triumphs. She had experienced the vastness of the universe, the power of a single move, the chaos and bloodshed of battle.
And now, she was holding a sword.
Not her renowned grandfather’s sword, nor the swords of her talented relatives.
“—It’s me, holding this sword.”
She was holding this sword with her own will, standing here, unyielding.
She wasn’t afraid, her heart calm and unwavering.
She knew what she had to do, what she had to use.
And the one thing that wouldn’t change was…
“This mortal blade.”
Hua Shuya lowered her eyes, her aura fading. The surging Yin energy within her receded.
She seemed to have returned to her previous state, a mere mortal warrior, but her aura was now deeper and more profound.
“You—” The woman in black gauze stopped abruptly. “What have you done?”
“You’re right. This Essence of Yin doesn’t suit me. And this overwhelming Yin energy is difficult to control.”
Hua Shuya’s voice was clear and ethereal, like a mountain spring. “I’m just a mortal. And all I have… is this sword.”
She assumed a fighting stance.
Countless sword shadows appeared around her, then converged into her azure blade, its hum resonating with a newfound power.
In a flash, she dashed forward, her sword striking!
The woman in black gauze was startled and quickly raised her blade to block—
Crack!
Her blade snapped in two!
Her expression changed, and she retreated, summoning more blades from the earth to defend herself.
But the seemingly ordinary girl was unstoppable, her swordsmanship swift and precise, her attacks relentless, her azure blade flashing with a dazzling brilliance, breaking through every defense.
The sharp blade pierced through her delicate body, tearing her black gauze robe… Hua Shuya, her expression focused and unwavering, thrust her sword forward, breaking through the layers of Yin energy and striking the woman’s heart.
“…”
The woman in black gauze gasped, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
She hadn’t expected this girl to break through her defenses and reach her.
But Hua Shuya’s eyes narrowed.
Her sword hadn’t pierced the woman’s heart. It felt as if she had struck something solid, blocked by an invisible force.
Black gauze brushed against her face as she quickly withdrew her sword and retreated.
Her toes tapped the ground lightly, her movements graceful, like a dance.
“—You’re clever.”
The woman touched her chest, a slight tremor running through her body, then she regained her composure. “That wasn’t a mortal technique. You’re using the Essence of Yin and the Yin energy to simulate centuries of cultivation, forging your Sword Heart and Sword Intent, turning this borrowed power into your own.
But I am Jade Peak Mountain. You can’t harm me.”
“One strike will be enough.”
Hua Shuya dispersed the azure light around her sword, raised her head, and clasped her hands behind her back.
She stood tall, her posture straight and unwavering, like a lotus flower, pure and untainted, yet radiating a sharp and brilliant sword intent, dazzling and awe-inspiring.
The wind died down, the waves subsided…
She opened her eyes, her gaze sharp and focused, her Sword Heart clear.
The woman in black gauze’s expression turned serious. She raised her right arm, and the entire Jade Peak Mountain trembled. A surge of Yin energy and spiritual energy converged towards her.
Clang—!
A sword hummed.
The girl struck.
The barrier the woman had just erected shattered instantly. A crack appeared on her chest, spreading outwards. The residual sword energy sliced through the mountaintop, creating a deep chasm that extended into the clouds.
“…”
The woman’s face paled as she stumbled back, collapsing onto the ground.
Her seemingly indestructible body was almost split in half, wisps of smoke rising from the wound.
“Hoo—”
Hua Shuya, as if all her strength had been drained, gasped for breath, her legs trembling. But she managed to remain standing, her determination unwavering.
Their eyes met, both the same shade of blue-violet, but now, Hua Shuya’s gaze was filled with a newfound strength and resolve. “You’ve lost.”
“…”
The woman in black gauze clenched her fists, her usually calm and indifferent face contorted with anger.
She had lost to a mortal?
To a mere mortal who had used borrowed power?!
She had been alive for centuries, slaughtering countless arrogant fools, and yet she had never been so… humiliated!
“Mortal… you will die!!”
Her enraged roar echoed through the mountains.
She raised her hand and slammed it down, the surging Yin energy transforming into azure flames, rushing towards them!
Boom!
A muffled explosion, and the flames were instantly extinguished, scattering into sparks.
Hua Shuya swayed slightly, looking at the broad back shielding her, a beautiful smile appearing on her usually cold face. “Senior…”
“There’s no need for words. You did well, Miss Hua. Your intelligence and talent are truly impressive.”
Lin Tianlu dispersed the remaining heat and turned to her with a smile. “You deserve to be called a Sword Immortal.”
Hua Shuya blushed, her cold demeanor melting away, her heart filled with a sweet warmth.
“You will both die!!”
The black gauze woman’s voice was filled with rage and madness.
Lin Tianlu met her gaze, his expression indifferent.
Her black hair whipped around her face, the wind howling, dark clouds gathering in the sky, thunder rumbling.
It was as if Jade Peak Mountain itself was enraged. Countless roots burst from the earth, birds and beasts roared, ghosts swirled, and a wave of spiritual energy surged from the mountain’s core, summoning countless bolts of lightning, each one like a dragon descending from the heavens!
“Such power, yet corrupted… How tragic.”
Lin Tianlu flicked his sleeve, and the terrifying spectacle vanished.
The woman’s expression froze, and she stared at the clear sky, her face filled with disbelief.
“How—”
Suddenly, the silhouette of a majestic mountain appeared behind Lin Tianlu, its aura vast and overwhelming, making the woman tremble in fear, her body stiffening. The entire Jade Peak Mountain shook violently, as if about to crumble.
Her cold and aloof demeanor vanished, replaced by a primal terror. “H-how is this possible?! What kind of mountain is that?! Why…”
“No more words.”
Lin Tianlu focused his mind, his right hand outstretched. Countless strands of emerald green spiritual energy converged, transforming into swirling chains of the Soul Binding Lock. He flung them forward with a sharp crack.
The woman’s eyes widened in terror as she tried to dodge, but the chains wrapped around her body, binding her tightly. With a scream of panic, she was pulled towards the ethereal mountain behind Lin Tianlu and vanished.
The tremors subsided.
Lin Tianlu’s gaze hardened, and he turned his hand, aiming it at Jade Peak Mountain below.
“A mountain that gave birth to a spirit, yet it chose to harm the world.”
“Such a crime… is unforgivable.”
Jade Peak Mountain trembled violently.
But the Soul Binding Lock pierced into its core, a series of deafening booms echoing through the air, dust and debris flying everywhere. In the blink of an eye, the entire mountain was covered in chains.
The lingering Yin energy began to dissipate, the chilling coldness fading away.
At the same time, Lin Tianlu could feel a smaller mountain appearing at the foot of the ethereal Mount Taiyi within him.
It was Jade Peak Mountain.
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