Chapter 8: The Supreme Sword Controlling Technique
There was an enemy!
Li Qingqiu immediately stood up, grabbed the Tianhong Sword beside him, and rushed out of the house.
In the courtyard, Jiang Zhaoxia had already stepped out first, holding a wooden sword in his hand and staring into the distance.
Following his gaze, a figure stood atop the mountain gate, back facing the bright moon.
The person’s white robe fluttered in the wind, a bamboo hat on his head, both hands holding a blade.
Just from that stance alone, it was clear—this man was a master!
Zhang Yuchun and Wu Man’er also came out from their rooms, while Li Sifeng leaned on the window sill, peering outside.
Li Dongyue and Li Sijin, too, leaned by their own windows, nervously looking out.
This was the first time Li Qingqiu had encountered a crisis since becoming the Sect Master.
Though nervous, he still had some confidence—after all, everyone in Clear Sky Sect had stepped into the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, each capable of fighting.
Yang Jueding leapt onto the roof behind Li Qingqiu, locking eyes from afar with the white-robed swordsman.
“Luo Lie, you’ve chased me a thousand miles and still refuse to give up?”
Yang Jueding’s voice rang loud and resentful.
The white-robed swordsman, called Luo Lie, stood atop the mountain gate, dozens of meters away.
The cold wind blew fiercely, yet his figure remained unmoved. His head was bowed, face hidden beneath the hat’s shadow, and his voice followed:
“Give up? You offended the Azure Sect and still dream of leaving alive? Hand over that secret manual, and I’ll let you die swiftly.”
With a sharp, slicing sound, Luo Lie unsheathed his blade and leapt high, soaring toward Yang Jueding like a startled swan.
Li Qingqiu narrowed his eyes. He could see a current of energy propelling Luo Lie from behind, making it appear as though he were flying.
Was that lightness skill?
As he passed over the eaves, Luo Lie’s toes brushed the tiles lightly like a dragonfly touching water. His movements were swift—if Li Qingqiu hadn’t reached the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, he wouldn’t have noticed.
Good!
Not too exaggerated—he still needed leverage, meaning Luo Lie’s martial skill wasn’t that terrifying.
Standing on the rooftop, Yang Jueding faced the oncoming Luo Lie.
He immediately steadied himself in a horse stance, pushing his right palm upward from his waist, turning the palm down, and striking toward Luo Lie.
Boom!
A thunderous sound erupted.
Li Qingqiu, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Zhang Yuchun saw Yang Jueding unleash a mighty surge of internal energy like a vast wave, blocking Luo Lie midair. Luo Lie was then blasted backward, twisting once before landing steadily in the courtyard.
He raised his head, his hat lifting to reveal a weathered face filled with shock and fear.
“Your power… Impossible! You were clearly poisoned—don’t tell me you’ve mastered that divine art?”
By the end, Luo Lie’s face had turned hideous.
Yang Jueding jumped down from the roof, lips curling into a sneer. “I’ve roamed the martial world for years. How could I fall to your filthy tricks? As for that so-called divine art—it’s fake. No one can master it!”
Luo Lie snorted coldly and charged forward with his blade.
The two were only ten paces apart—an instant later, Luo Lie was in front of Yang Jueding. His blade flashed coldly, movements swift as a ghost. Yang Jueding raised his palm to parry, utterly fearless.
Their figures crossed and clashed within the courtyard, move countering move. Internal energy burst out in waves, melting the snow beneath them into swirling mist.
Zhang Yuchun glanced at Li Qingqiu, silently seeking instruction.
Li Qingqiu shook his head slightly, signaling him not to act rashly.
This was a good opportunity—to observe the true strength of martial world experts.
Indeed, both Yang Jueding and Luo Lie were formidable.
Judging by their reaction speed and power, they far surpassed ordinary men.
Even a first-layer cultivator in the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm might not be able to defeat them.
Of course, Li Qingqiu was referring to the likes of Li Sifeng and Li Sijin—those child cultivators.
If he were to act himself, he was confident he could kill them in an instant.
Though their moves looked dazzling, Li Qingqiu could release Vital Energy faster—he could end the fight in one breath.
Moreover, he noticed the vast difference between Internal Energy and Vital Energy.
Though Yang Jueding’s Internal Energy was thick and overwhelming—making the snow dance wildly—if he faced Vital Energy, it would be shattered in one strike.
From what he could see now, even if Jiang Zhaoxia hadn’t broken through to the second layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, Luo Lie posed no real threat.
The only danger was underestimating the enemy.
After watching for a while, Zhang Yuchun’s expression relaxed.
As for Jiang Zhaoxia, he had worn a mocking smile the entire time, clearly never taking Luo Lie seriously.
After thirty rounds of fierce exchange, Luo Lie thrust out a palm. His rolling Internal Energy made his hand glow red-hot, while Yang Jueding met the strike head-on.
Boom!
The collision of their energies shook the courtyard.
Roof tiles trembled, and windows creaked under the pressure.
Luo Lie’s hat flew off, his disheveled hair whipping about as he gritted his teeth. Yang Jueding, however, wore a defiant smirk, certain of victory.
But Li Qingqiu could tell—Yang Jueding was forcing himself. His injuries weren’t healed, and his Internal Energy hadn’t fully recovered.
After three breaths of stalemate, Yang Jueding swung his arm, sending Luo Lie staggering backward.
Luo Lie retreated over ten steps before kneeling, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the ground.
Yang Jueding withdrew his stance, exuding the air of a martial grandmaster. Pointing at Luo Lie, he said coldly, “Leave. Go back and tell the Azure Sect—next time, I won’t show mercy.”
Luo Lie raised his head, one hand gripping his blade, the other wiping blood from his lips. “Let me go? Seems you’re not as strong as you pretend.”
Yang Jueding’s expression darkened. “Do you want me to kill you?”
Just as he spoke, his face changed drastically.
Looking down, he saw red welts spreading across his palm, quickly forming blisters, as though scalded by fire.
“You dare block my palm? Dragon-Subduing Hero, have you forgotten the power of your own reputation?” Luo Lie mocked, taking a step forward.
Yang Jueding cursed inwardly.
He had only wanted to scare Luo Lie off and take Li Qingqiu and the others to flee, but in his haste, he had grown careless.
He quickly sealed an acupoint on his left arm and began circulating energy to expel the poison.
Luo Lie raised his blade and advanced. Just as he was about to speak—
Whoosh!
A piercing sound split the air. Luo Lie’s eyes widened, his expression frozen.
Yang Jueding, standing before him, felt a sharp gust brush past his cheek, stinging like a knife.
When he looked closely, a bloody hole had appeared in Luo Lie’s forehead.
Thud!
Luo Lie collapsed backward. Yang Jueding turned and saw Jiang Zhaoxia still holding his raised hand.
“Too much nonsense.”
Jiang Zhaoxia snorted coldly.
Zhang Yuchun, Li Dongyue, Li Sifeng, and Li Sijin all froze in shock. They had seen Jiang Zhaoxia’s Vital Energy—and hadn’t expected him to kill without hesitation.
“You…”
Yang Jueding stared at Jiang Zhaoxia, stunned, unable to speak properly.
Jiang Zhaoxia glanced toward Zhang Yuchun. “Second Brother, bury him.”
Zhang Yuchun snapped out of it and quickly nodded, instinctively moving toward Luo Lie’s corpse.
“Wait. Check if he has anything on him first.”
Li Qingqiu followed him, not surprised at all. In fact, he was quite pleased with Jiang Zhaoxia’s decisiveness.
If Luo Lie had escaped the mountain tonight, Clear Sky Sect might’ve faced disaster. Killing him here was the best outcome.
Yang Jueding came to his senses and asked, “Why did you kill him? Aren’t you afraid the Azure Sect will seek revenge?”
Jiang Zhaoxia sneered, “If we didn’t kill him, do you think they’d spare us? Besides, since you’ve joined Clear Sky Sect, anyone who comes after you is our enemy.”
Though he was only fifteen, his words carried such authority that Yang Jueding was momentarily stunned.
“Who exactly are you?” Yang Jueding muttered in disbelief.
Without turning back, Jiang Zhaoxia replied as he walked into the house, “Deputy Sect Master of Clear Sky Sect.”
Li Qingqiu, who was in the middle of rifling through Luo Lie’s clothes, looked up and said, “Did I agree to that? When did you start making up titles?”
This brat sure knew how to act impressive!
Jiang Zhaoxia didn’t respond and went straight inside. As he entered, Li Sifeng came out, followed by Li Dongyue and Li Sijin from the female disciples’ quarters.
Li Qingqiu sighed inwardly.
It was obvious this was Jiang Zhaoxia’s first kill. Though he’d acted calm, Li Qingqiu had noticed his killing hand trembling as he entered the house.
After searching for a while, Li Qingqiu found only hidden weapons, dry rations, and a token on Luo Lie’s body—nothing else.
Dissatisfied, he instructed three of his disciples to bury the corpse.
Then he turned toward Yang Jueding, who was still forcing out the poison, looking dazed.
“What was that secret manual he mentioned? Hand it over—as repayment for saving your life tonight,” Li Qingqiu said.
Yang Jueding sighed. “That manual’s fake. It doesn’t work.”
“Hand it over.”
“Wait.”
Yang Jueding stopped circulating energy, removed his shoe, and pulled a thin piece of hide from the sole. When unfolded, it was as large as a human face.
Li Qingqiu grimaced as he took it, then tossed it to Li Dongyue. “Wash it.”
Li Dongyue gave him a resentful glance, pulled out a piece of cloth from her chest, wrapped the hide, and walked toward the well.
“Did he have any companions?” Li Qingqiu asked.
Yang Jueding shook his head. “He was alone. He ambushed me after I was wounded in a duel—despicable.”
Li Qingqiu was relieved.
He let Yang Jueding tend to his injuries, then went to Li Dongyue’s side.
Once she finished washing, he took the cleaned hide and returned to the house.
It was thin as a cicada’s wing and cool to the touch, covered densely with tiny characters. Li Qingqiu strongly suspected it was human skin.
Back inside, he didn’t close the door—just in case. Sitting at the table, he lit a candle and studied the text carefully.
“Huh?”
Li Qingqiu raised an eyebrow in surprise.
No wonder Yang Jueding thought this manual was fake—it was actually a technique.
The text didn’t explain how to absorb energy, only how to circulate it, and the acupoints differed from martial ones. To Yang Jueding, it was pure nonsense.
Only at the very end did Li Qingqiu learn its name—
The Supreme Sword Controlling Technique!