What weapon did Xu Qi’an use?
This question clearly stumped everyone present, at least for a moment, as no one in Qianlong City could answer immediately.
It was not due to any gaps in intelligence, nor did people like Ji Xuan not know. The information about Xu Qi’an clearly stated that he used a sabre shaped like a longsword.
But as to what kind of sabre it was, no one had looked in depth.
The reason was simple: a martial artist’s strength came from themselves. The higher the rank, the less a martial artist needed a weapon, their body became their strongest weapon.
Most of the time, weapons served as a symbol.
Few would pay attention to a martial artist’s weapon, magical or not, unless it had special effects that warranted extra caution.
For example, a weapon like the Sovereign Sword, feared even by third-rank martial artists; or the Stupa tower.
Therefore, even Ji Xuan had never especially studied what weapon Xu Qi’an used.
Xu Yuanshuang stared ahead and said calmly,
“That is a dark gold sabre of exceptional quality, just below the level of a supreme divine weapon.”
It was worth noting that magical artefacts were categorised as follows:
Mundane weapons, magical artefacts, supreme divine weapons, and magical treasures.
Mundane weapons were ordinary arms, while magical artefacts were weapons with special abilities. All major systems except for martial artists could nurture their own magical artefacts. However, only arcanists could mass-produce them.
A supreme divine weapon, on the other hand, referred to a weapon that had birthed its own consciousness.
As for magical treasures, these formed when a supreme divine weapon gained fortune and underwent transformation.
For example, the Sovereign Sword of the Great Feng originally only ranked as a supreme divine weapon. After being blessed by the country’s fortune for six hundred years, it was transformed into a magical treasure.
It was specifically effective against martial artists’ bodies.
Ji Xuan looked at his cousin in surprise.
“You certainly know a lot about it.”
Xu Yuanshuang found his words rather sarcastic and turned her face away with a frown.
At this moment, she heard the old Daoist Jiaoye give an “Eh?” and hurriedly turned her face back towards the battlefield.
Taking a closer look, she immediately understood the Daoist’s confusion, she saw Xu Qi’an toss his sabre into the air.
Even more astonishingly, the sabre broke free from its scabbard by itself as if alive, actively meeting the downward-thrusting spear tip.
The dark gold blade swept upward, colliding head-on with the curved barrier of aura at the spear’s point.
Bang, bang, bang…
Under the watchful gazes around, everyone clearly saw Xu Yuanhuai diving down with his jet-black spear. First, the spearhead exploded into fragments, quickly followed by the shaft shattering, piece by piece.
This magical artefact, supposedly forged personally for his son’s protection by that second rank arcanist from Qianlong City, was destroyed, just like that.
And throughout the process, Xu Qi’an had not moved at all.
Xu Yuanhuai let out a mournful dragon’s roar as if struck by a mighty blow. Black shards of light shot from within him in all directions.
That was the soul of the fourth-rank river dragon, which was completely shattered by the Taiping Sabre.
It was utterly annihilated.
As its “host,” Xu Yuanhuai suffered grievous injury, falling from mid-air, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, his meridians burning as if aflame.
The Taiping Sabre vibrated with a cheerful hum, swirling and dancing as though celebrating its great victory, or perhaps boasting, or mocking.
The temperament of the blade spirit was much like its master’s.
The difference was, the master had learned to keep his brash remarks internal, while the blade spirit was still young and easily got carried away.
After the Taiping Sabre entered the ranks of the supreme divine weapons and was nurtured by Xu Qi’an, its power had surged by leaps and bounds.
Compared to when it first gained intelligence, it was now a mature blade, able to fight enemies on its own.
“A supreme divine weapon?”
Xu Yuanshuang couldn’t help crying out.
As an arcanist, she knew better than anyone how precious and rare a supreme divine weapon was.
She could state with certainty that even the Jianzheng and her father, Xu Pingfeng, could only forge the “embryo” of a supreme divine weapon, providing a magical artefact with the potential to become one.
But whether it could truly become a supreme divine weapon depended on luck, or long, painstaking nurturing.
Just like the Jianzheng’s magical treasure, the Disc of Heaven’s Secrets, which had also started out as a common magical artefact, often used for divining heaven’s secrets and kept by his side. Only after years of use did it become a supreme divine weapon.
And later, it transformed into a magical treasure.
The Stupa tower had gone through a similar process.
A supreme divine weapon… Everyone was visibly moved, unable to hide their greed, heat, longing, and envy.
It was said martial artists did not need weapons, but that was only because supreme divine weapons were not factored in.
At the same cultivation level, whoever owned a supreme divine weapon was almost guaranteed victory.
Miao Youfang, rather ignorant, did not recognise a supreme divine weapon. But seeing a weapon with its own will, he found it novel and could not help coveting it.
Xu Yuanhuai’s face was ashen. Although the river dragon’s soul being shattered had not caused him fatal injury, seeing his long-prepared greatest strike so easily countered by the opponent…
No, the opponent hadn’t even taken action; he had only sent his sabre, yet Xu Yuanhuai was completely defeated.
For one as proud as Xu Yuanhuai, it was a crushing blow, a resounding slap.
“Little kids should run aside and play in the mud, you’re not fit to play here.”
Xu Qi’an called back the Taiping Sabre, grasped it in his hand, then pointed to the muddy ground in the distance.
Xu Yuanhuai’s ashen face instantly flushed bright red, the muscles on either side of his jaw bulging with humiliation, anger, and shame.
The injury might not have been great, but the insult was deadly.
For a young man at the age when ‘face’ mattered more than life, his blood boiled as he roared in fury, rushing at Xu Qi’an unarmed.
He ran like the wind, aura tearing through the air, charging like a raging bull.
Xu Yuanhuai took three steps in two, then suddenly leapt high, punching at Xu Qi’an.
Crack!
The force of the punch tore through the air.
This punch was executed to perfection, the pinnacle of his skill.
Xu Qi’an nodded slightly to show appreciation, then reached out and locked his arm around Xu Yuanhuai’s neck, ruthlessly slamming him to the ground.
Thud~
With a forceful tremor, Xu Yuanhuai spat out a mouthful of blood, the back of his head smacking the ground, leaving him briefly dazed.
“So ungrateful!”
Xu Qi’an gripped the Taiping Sabre, its tip aimed at Xu Yuanhuai’s chest. With a gentle push, the youth would die on the spot.
“Xu Qi’an…”
A scream rang out. Xu Yuanshuang rushed out anxiously, stopping between the two groups. She said nothing, just bit her lip, tears filling her eyes as she stubbornly looked at him.
Xu Qi’an frowned, glanced at her, then looked down at Xu Yuanhuai, face half-bloodied, eyes full of anger and defiance.
His wrist flipped, the back of his sabre smashing repeatedly into Xu Yuanhuai’s kneecaps and elbows, then with a nudge of his toe, Xu Yuanhuai tumbled like a ball, drawing a perfect arc before landing at his elder sister’s feet.
The beautiful young woman pursed her lips, gave Xu Qi’an a deep glance, bent to help her brother up, and said quietly,
“Let’s not involve ourselves in this any longer.”
With that, she supported Xu Yuanhuai and walked away, distancing themselves from Ji Xuan’s group to make their position clear.
As they walked, she glanced at her brother, now listless and dead-eyed, and for once, her voice softened:
“Don’t lose heart: even Father finds him a troublesome opponent, so it’s natural he’s stronger than you.
“If you aren’t convinced, make him your goal.
“So long as you have such a rival ahead of you, you will continue to make progress in martial arts.”
Xu Yuanhuai’s empty eyes flickered. “Do you see him as an enemy as well?”
Xu Yuanshuang gently pursed her rosy lips but did not answer.
The siblings withdrew to a distance to observe the battle side by side.
Xu Yuanshuang, as a sixth-rank arcanist, did not count as fighting strength, and Xu Yuanhuai himself was only fifth rank, a nice addition at best, but nonessential.
Their withdrawal would not greatly impact the strength of Ji Xuan’s team or the Buddhist monks.
The coming battle of dragons and tigers would be the crucial moment.
Xu Yuanhuai’s task had already been achieved. He had made a preliminary probe of Xu Qi’an’s strength. While the brother and sister slowly retreated, this group, who could be considered crucial strength for both the Buddhists and Qianlong City, swiftly drew up an initial plan of attack.
“Master Jingyuan, your Vajra Divine Art is the only thing here that can withstand the might of a supreme divine weapon, so next, we’ll be relying on you to take the vanguard.
“Master Jingxin, you take the monks and sweep the flanks, assisting us with your preceptss.
“White Tiger, your speed is the greatest, so you’ll be responsible for harassment and rescue. Qihuan Danxiang, you focus on ambushes. Hongmian and I will focus on pinning him down in combat.”
Ji Xuan issued his commands in an orderly and unhurried manner, making arrangements clear and methodical.
Old Daoist Jiaoye looked on in satisfaction, confident that he had not chosen the wrong person to follow. Ji Xuan showed the qualities of a leader, as well as restraint, and exceptional talent in cultivation.
With such a character, given the opportunity, he would soar to the heavens in one leap.
This Dragon Qi collecting trial was Qianlong City’s chance for him.
“Daoist, you just need to keep an eye on Miao Youfang.”
Ji Xuan turned his head to look at him.
Daoist Jiaoye grinned and said:
“This poor Daoist’s cultivation is shallow, I won’t interfere. Watching over a fellow whose cultivation is sealed, that much I can handle.”
Once their discussion ended, everyone slowly turned their heads and looked at the famous young man.
Ji Xuan sensed that the Xu fellow was observing him, their gazes met.
This scion of imperial blood, who had kept a low profile for over a decade, gradually withdrew his gentleness, and real sharpness surfaced in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, and enunciated one word:
“Advance!”
As his words fell, the group of Rank Four experts simultaneously lunged at Xu Qi’an, their momentum unstoppable.
Anyone witnessing this would be stirred with excitement.
At the very least, watching from a distance, even Miao Youfang felt a strange sense of resonance with their united stand.
Even though they were his enemies.
The spectacle of the weak joining forces to resist the strong always roused empathy.
Thud, thud, thud…
Warrior Monk Jingyuan charged forward, causing minor tremors in the ground.
As he ran, brilliant golden light erupted from the centre of his brow and quickly spread over his entire body.
Jingyuan transformed into a stream of golden light, charging at Xu Qi’an heedless and fearless, fully abandoning defence for total offence.
“Amitabha, put down your butcher’s blade!”
Behind him, Jingxin pressed his palms together and chanted softly.
“Amitabha, put down your butcher’s blade.”
The two dozen monks behind him synchronised their gestures.
Their combined power converged, an immense, unseen force descended and enveloped Xu Qi’an.
Qihuan Danxiang darted from the flank, activating her Heart Gu to send out invisible waves targeting the spirit.
Under this dual effect, Jingyuan managed to get right up to Xu Qi’an and, clenching his teeth, delivered a powerful headbutt.
Bang!
A tremendous clang rang out as if a great bell had sounded.
Centred on Xu Qi’an and Jingyuan, a shockwave fanned out, transforming into a tempest that swept up layer after layer of snow.
Jingxin groaned, staggered back, feeling dizzy to the point of nausea.
Xu Qi’an remained motionless, golden lacquer covering him, turning him into a radiant golden figure.
The second wave, Ji Xuan, Liu Hongmian, White Tiger, and behind them Jingxin, even further behind, Daoist Jiaoye, and in the distance, the Xu siblings, all felt a sinking sensation.
Vajra Divine Art!
His cultivation had already recovered enough to summon the Vajra Divine Art.
Ji Xuan shouted, “Wear him down!”
Seizing the moment after Jingyuan’s headbutt, he and Liu Hongmian quickly moved into position, keeping their attacks tight and giving Xu Qi’an no chance to catch his breath.
From Ji Xuan’s sleeve shot out a sword like a block of ice, its blade nearly transparent, radiating a faint moonlight.
Moonshadow!
This was originally Ji Qian’s sword, a sword with the foundations of a supreme divine weapon and a pinnacle among magical artefacts.
After Xu Pingfeng reclaimed this sabre from Xu Qi’an, he gifted it to Ji Xuan.
The sword’s tip burst with blinding light, instilling the conviction that nothing could withstand its touch.
Ji Xuan’s Rank Four sword intent: Wherever sword-light reaches, none could withstand.
Clang!
The fierce sword struck Xu Qi’an’s chest, golden lacquer rapidly faded, his brilliant golden body dulled by at least half, no longer dazzling.
This sword was enough to pierce the flesh of any Rank Four martial artist.
However, against Xu Qi’an’s Vajra Divine Art, it could only erode half his defence.
After the strike, Ji Xuan’s greatest burst was spent, so he did not continue the assault, instead retreating with his sword, knowing that however fierce the next attacks, none could surpass this full-force blow.
But it didn’t matter, for now Liu Hongmian’s own explosive assault would follow on.
Liu Hongmian, the fallen Wanhua Tower disciple, leapt over Ji Xuan’s head, her skirt fluttering, hair dancing, her fair palms slapped down onto the breastplate of the monster’s armour, and unleashed her full power.
Bang!
A bell-like boom exploded, the shockwave sent Xu Qi’an flying, and his golden body grew dimmer still.
Everyone’s eyes lit up at the sight.
“Roar!”
Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted.
White Tiger crouched, his spine lengthened, white fur burst out, his nose broadened, eyes turned amber, and layer upon layer of beast fur grew on his face.
In a flash, he transformed into his true form.
He became a gust of wind, moving faster than the eye could follow, eerily “running” right up to Xu Qi’an.
He raised claws gleaming cold and sharp, and swiped at Xu Qi’an’s chest.
The claws were wrapped in azure wind, translating ultimate speed to ultimate power. This strike might cost White Tiger his own paw.
But he might also break Xu Qi’an’s Vajra Divine Art open and tear out his heart.
Ji Xuan and the others held their breath.
Xu Yuanshuang unwittingly took several steps forward to see more clearly.
Xu Yuanhuai’s eyes were wide, fixed on the scene.
Just then, White Tiger’s pupils reflected a dazzling golden light.
That golden body, rendered so dull and dim before, suddenly burst back to life, restored to its peak in an instant.
“Did you all forget something?”
Xu Qi’an’s lips curled in mockery, “Though I am no longer at my peak, third rank is still third rank.”
Bang!
He took the blow head-on, completely unharmed, and White Tiger’s paw broke with a snap.
Xu Qi’an’s wrist twisted, raising the Taiping Sabre in a counter-slash to take White Tiger’s eyes.
Jingxin instantly activated his precepts, “Amitabha, put down—”
“Roar!”
He was answered by a thunderous lion’s roar that sent everyone’s blood and qi surging, their vision blacking out.
Xu Qi’an had used the Buddhist Lion’s Roar to disrupt the precepts’ rhythm.
Thud!
The Taiping Sabre severed White Tiger’s forepaw, blood spraying out, staining Xu Qi’an’s golden form.
At this moment, White Tiger scented mortal danger, survival instinct overwhelming pain, he summoned a gust of wind and fled.
Xu Qi’an dashed a few steps, and hurled his sabre with force.
The sabre automatically hunted its target, however White Tiger twisted or dodged, it never left his back.
Clang!
Ji Xuan swept the Moonshadow Sword, knocking the Taiping Sabre away. Liu Hongmian, Jingyuan and the others rushed in together, protecting White Tiger.
Seeing this, the Taiping Sabre gave up the chase, flew sullenly back, and settled obediently in Xu Qi’an’s hand.
Xu Qi’an gripped the sabre and grinned, “Warm-up’s over!”
Ji Xuan, Liu Hongmian, Qihuan Danxiang, Jingyuan, Jingxin, White Tiger, and even the distant Xu Yuanhuai, felt their hearts sink.
A chill rose unexpectedly inside them all.
“Hehe, doesn’t look too good for them,” said Miao Youfang with great schadenfreunde.
Old Daoist Jiaoye looked ashen.
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