Chapter 26: No Big Moves After All!
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"Sacred Blood Release! Crimson Cloud Sword!"
Ye Qinghan's eyes sparkled with excitement. Pretty darn cool!
Though the wind-up was a bit long—Master would definitely be dissatisfied!
Watch as crimson holy blood surged from Li Shiyao's arm, enveloping the sword mid-air. It seemed to coat the blade with a thin, blood-red membrane.
"Hmm~ Interesting. This holy blood seems to suppress the ferocious beast!"
Though slightly disappointed, Ye Qinghan watched with rapt attention.
Ye Qinghan had thought Li Shiyao's cool shout signaled a big move!
But after all that excitement, it turned out to be just a self-buff. Sister Qinghan was disappointed…
However, Ye Qinghan did notice that this girl, though appearing clumsy and dim-witted, was anything but slow or stupid when it came to fighting.
She hadn't used this Holy Blood once throughout their journey, yet she unleashed it specifically against this ferocious beast.
Most remarkably, the Holy Blood proved exceptionally effective against this ferocious beast. Wherever the Crimson Cloud Sword struck, sizzling sounds erupted and white smoke billowed, as if it were being scorched!
This proved that the Holy Maiden knew her Sacred Blood could inflict even more severe damage upon this ferocious beast.
In contrast, Dongfang Jue's spear clearly proved inadequate against such a colossal beast.
"Sister! I can't hold on much longer!"
"Hang in there!" Ye Qinghan smiled. Today, she wanted to see the Holy Maiden unleash her ultimate move!
"Sister, I beg you, help Shiyu! Shiyu is dying!"
Facing a single beast, Shi Yao wasn't as overwhelmed as Dongfang Jue, but she too lacked an effective counter for the moment.
"Then unleash your ultimate move! Don't you have something like the Sacred Blood Sword Formation?"
"No! The elders never taught me any!"
"Then you're on your own!" Ye Qinghan didn't buy it for a second. As the Sacred Mountain's precious treasure, how could they not teach you some ultimate moves?
"Please, Qinghan, save Shiyu! I really don't have any ultimate moves!"
"If you don't unleash your ultimate move, I won't save you! This is your trial! You need to learn to grow up!"
Ye Qinghan's earnest expression almost convinced even herself!
"Please, big sis! If this keeps up, Shiyu won't live to see adulthood!"
Shiyao stumbled, then braced herself with one hand on the ground. Like a spring, she launched herself into the air, spinning mid-flight to steady herself. Her foot slammed into the beast's midsection as her sword swung back, slicing clean through its calf!
"Nice one, Shiyu! Keep it up!"
As Ye Qinghan spoke, she prepared to increase the difficulty for Shiyu. Though the little fool kept pleading, "Please, please," she clearly still had plenty of room to spare.
Ye Qinghan felt this level of challenge was far too easy for a prodigy like her. She needed to push her a bit harder!
He decided to be a little mischievous and stepped into the courtyard himself…
Instantly, the ferocious beast doubled in size. Earlier, Dongfang Jue had faced two of them. Though he'd just lost one to Ye Qinghan, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators now present, the beast's power had doubled accordingly.
"Hey? Sister Qinghan! It's getting bigger!"
Now, even the sword imbued with sacred blood couldn't inflict significant damage on the beast. Shi Yao was being chased around the entire courtyard!
"Why are you running? Hit it!"
"Sis, I'll give you all my buns! Save Shiyao—she really has no ultimate move!"
Shiyao couldn't keep up. With only two legs, how could she outrun a four-legged beast?
She decided to run straight toward Ye Qinghan with the beast in tow! She hid behind Ye Qinghan, using Sister Qinghan as her human shield!
"This… isn't this a bit embarrassing…"
Ye Qinghan didn't seem to mind. With a casual swing of her sword, she instantly killed the beast.
Just as Ye Qinghan was about to speak, the world shifted. Both she and Li Shiyu were transported to a place resembling a fairyland.
Celestial energy drifted all around them. Before them stood merely a desk and an incense burner, giving the place the feel of an immortal's residence.
But having seen the Immortal Palace and her master's sleeping chamber, Ye Qinghan didn't think much of it.
In Lingxian Hall, even the air you breathe is of celestial grade!
What place could possibly compare to Lingxian Hall?
"Stop playing tricks! If you don't come out, I'll tear this place apart!"
Shi Yao beside him looked utterly shocked, as if she'd never seen anything like this before. But Ye Qinghan wasn't one to indulge such reactions.
"I am Ping Tian… Hey! My table!"
Before he could finish, Ye Qinghan sliced his small table clean in two with a single sword stroke…
"I told you to come out! Why are you wasting my breath?"
Ye Qinghan sensed something amiss. His jade-like hand, which had been gripping the sword hilt, swiftly drew the Frostshattering Blade. To deal with the figure before him, the Frostshattering Blade would likely be necessary.
After all, the Fallen Immortal Ruler was still floating above her head. Ye Qinghan never doubted her master's magical artifact.
Given the current situation, there were only two possibilities: either an illusion, or a spatial-type spell or artifact.
However, Ye Qinghan could still sense the presence of the Fallen Immortal Ruler. She surmised this was an illusion cast by the secret realm's master, or perhaps a diversionary tactic. They should still be inside the Treasure Hall.
Ye Qinghan knew neither the identity nor the strength of his opponent. Better to play it safe. Underestimating the threat could lead to disaster, making the risk far outweigh the reward.
He swung his sword with a single flick of his wrist. With a thunderous boom, the ethereal aura vanished instantly.
Rough, but effective.
A figure materialized before the pair.
"Young lady, you're quite impatient—couldn't you spare this humble immortal a moment to introduce myself?"
"Stop playing games! I'm here to retrieve the artifact, not make friends with you. Cut the nonsense!"
Her expression stern, Ye Qinghan remained on guard. Truthfully, she could sense the opponent's strength—this person might be her equal!
Ye Qinghan surmised that this opponent was likely at least at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage!
Foundation Establishment cultivators were terrifying indeed!
"Sis Qinghan, I don't think he wants to harm us."
Shiyao rubbed her small hands together, seemingly convinced the man harbored no ill will. To her, he resembled the immortal Xu Zhanfeng had spoken of.
"Are you reading his mind? How do you know he doesn't want to harm us?"
Ye Qinghan had no time for such concerns now. If a fight broke out, she wouldn't be able to protect Li Shiyu—nor did she have any obligation to.
"Young friends, please calm yourselves. My name is Pei Yunxiao, and I am the master of this secret realm."
"I truly have no intention of harming you two sisters. On the contrary, since you have passed my trial, I wish to impart immortal-tier cultivation techniques to you. What do you say?"
Ye Qinghan composed herself slightly, appraising Pei Yunxiao before speaking slowly.
"Aren't you an immortal? Don't you have anything of value? We passed your trial, and this is the best you can offer—some crappy cultivation technique?"
"Sis, you're being silly! He said he'll give us immortal-tier cultivation techniques!"
Shi Yao was somewhat shocked, though more so by Ye Qinghan's words.
"Indeed. I see extraordinary talent in both of you and wish to impart my lifetime's mastery. What do you say?"
"I don't care for it. Give your worthless cultivation technique to whoever you like! For such a great immortal, are you this poor? Don't you have any other treasures?"
Ye Qinghan's two retorts left Pei Yunxiao speechless…
"Young lady, do you think I'm deceiving you? My physical form has ascended to the Immortal Realm. This body remains here only through a thread of my spiritual awareness. I would never harm you."
Pei Yunxiao had also set his sights on Ye Qinghan. For someone of her age and cultivation level to pass the trial was truly a rare prodigy!
Though that blond-haired fellow beside her was also quite impressive, Ye Qinghan clearly seemed superior to that little fool.
"Got anything tangible? Gold? Treasures or something?"
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