Although Ba Yan held the advantage in life force index and Killing Technique level, Qin Feng’s four First-level Killing Techniques, all at the Control Realm, weren’t to be underestimated.
Every one of Qin Feng’s counterattacks was cunning and ruthless, aimed directly at vital points. They forced Ba Yan onto the defensive, preventing him from fully unleashing his own assault.
This battle was no longer just a contest of strength and skill.
It had become a test of endurance, Will, and the ability to seize openings in combat!
Time flew by amidst the exhilarating, hard-fought battle.
Ten minutes... twenty minutes...
Half an hour passed.
The two on the platform were still locked in a frenzied exchange, fighting as if their stamina was limitless.
Minor wounds had appeared on both of them.
The tip of the spear had left several deep gouges on Ba Yan’s heavy armor. One strike had even grazed his cheek, leaving a shallow, bloody line.
Qin Feng’s light armor was similarly damaged in several places, struck by the energy radiating from the saber.
But the light in their eyes was even brighter, even more fervent, than when the battle began.
Utterly exhilarating!
It was the ultimate thrill of meeting one’s match, a diamond cutting diamond!
However, a thread of anxiety slowly began to form in Ba Yan’s heart.
He realized he had been wrong.
He had assumed that as time wore on, Qin Feng would be the first to run out of stamina.
But the reality was that his opponent’s breathing remained steady and deep. Every thrust of his spear was as precise and powerful as the last.
In contrast, he was the one who was flagging. From maintaining his high-intensity Second-level Killing Technique for so long, nearly half of his Spiritual Energy was already gone.
His vaunted advantage in life force index was rendered completely meaningless in the face of Qin Feng’s monstrous endurance.
With a fierce slash, Ba Yan forced Qin Feng back, creating a distance of several dozen meters between them.
The past half hour of battle replayed in his mind like a high-speed film.
Qin Feng’s every thrust, every dodge, every counterattack...
He focused especially on his opponent’s four distinct Killing Techniques, all of which had reached the Control Realm.
’Control... Control...’
Ba Yan mulled over that single word in his mind.
He had been on the verge of this breakthrough for a long, long time.
Yet he always lacked that final spark of understanding.
He didn’t know what he was missing. It was like looking at the world through a rice-paper screen—he could see the scenery outside, but he could never break through.
But today, in this thrilling battle against Qin Feng, after personally experiencing the pressure of four different techniques at the Control Realm...
...that paper screen finally began to tear.
’So... that’s how it is...’
A slow smile crept across Ba Yan’s lips.
It was a smile of relief, of sudden, profound realization.
’I understand.’
’I’ve been wrong this entire time.’
’I was pursuing the dominance of the saber, the pinnacle of power, the ceaseless torrent of the "Raging Wave Seven Forms," the unstoppable advance of the "Mountain-Cleaving Form"...’
’It was *I* who was using the saber, not the saber using *me*!’
’My Will is the saber’s Will!’
’I can use whatever killing move I desire, display whatever strength I choose!’
BOOM—!
The moment he grasped this concept...
...a completely new aura—more powerful, more condensed, and more perfect than ever before—erupted from his body!
The surrounding air began to spiral uncontrollably toward the Horse-Slaying Saber in his hand, compressing and letting out a mournful HUM!
At that instant, he shattered the threshold of the Control Realm that he had been on the cusp of for years, crossing it with unstoppable force!
"Junior Qin Feng!"
A brilliant light burst from Ba Yan’s eyes, which now brimmed with unprecedented confidence and pride.
"Thank you for helping me find my own path!"
"To show my gratitude, allow me to have you face the very first saber technique of ’Control’ that I just comprehended—my very own!"
The instant his voice fell!
He plunged his incomparably domineering Horse-Slaying Saber into the ground!
Then, with a reverse grip, he drew the mountainously heavy broadsaber from his back—a weapon he hadn’t touched until now!
[Second-Level Killing Technique - Heart Guarding Technique]!
He held the broadsaber horizontally before his chest, assuming a purely defensive posture.
Immediately after, the Horse-Slaying Saber he had plunged into the ground began to move on its own, slowly rising to float before him!
[Second-Level Killing Technique - Sword Control]!
Defense as offense!
Control as the kill!
Two Second-level Killing Techniques at the stage of Perfection, along with numerous First-level Killing Techniques, perfectly fused into one under his Intent of Control!
"My Control—[Heart’s Desire Slash]!"
VMMMM—!!
In an instant, the Horse-Slaying Saber floating before him erupted with a silver light so brilliant it rivaled the sun!
It transformed into a meteor of death, come to pass judgment on all creation. Carrying a terrifying Will that could sever the threads of fate itself, it descended upon Qin Feng with unstoppable might!
This slash had completely transcended the bounds of mere technique.
This was the ultimate strike, forged from the sum of Ba Yan’s lifelong comprehension of the Martial Dao—an attack into which he poured everything he had.
Facing this earth-shattering slash—a slash that truly belonged to the Control Realm—an incredibly grave expression finally appeared on Qin Feng’s face.
But he did not dodge.
Because he knew he couldn’t evade this strike.
And more importantly...
...this was the very moment he had been waiting for.
From the very start of the battle, he had appeared to be evenly matched with Ba Yan, locked in a dead heat.
In reality, however, he had been holding back the entire time.