Han Xiang cut in with her words, but Han Chen didn't object. He wasn't biased towards Han Xiang, but simply had that kind of personality: cold to the point that he seemed emotionless. He only said eight words: "Martial arts only, stop at signs of injury."
Han Yunxi wasn't planning to use poison arts anyways. She nodded and said, "All right."
At some point she had stopped referring to Han Chen as a "senior," but neither did she officially call him "father." Now she simply didn't address him at all.
"Yes, father!" Han Xiang deliberately stressed the word "father" as if that was enough to distinguish herself from Han Yunxi, who had yet to return to the clan. But women always tended to flaunt what they themselves lacked most. If Han Xiang knew that Han Yunxi had rejected Han Chen and the Wolf Sect in the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds, what would she feel?
In the past few years, Han Yunxi had met too many people like Han Xiang and didn't bother with verbal spars that wasted time. She took a large stride forward and prepared to fight. Seeing this, Han Xiang also walked to the side. The two of them stood on Han Chen's left and right sides about 15 steps apart. Han Yunxi was puzzling over Han Chen's "stop at signs of injury." These were subtle words. You had to injure the opponent without getting injured yourself. It was different from the usual "life and death" matches and slightly harder than "end match upon contact."
Han Yunxi rathered liked these rules. She looked at Han Xiang and slowly pulled out the Moye sword. True qi came from the inside and acted as supporting strength. Power was external and displayed through moves with a weapon she was familiar with.
Han Xiang was using a sword user too. Seeing Han Yunxi unsheathing her weapon, she quickly revealed her treasure sword too. Han Yunxi didn't recognize the blade, but knew its origins must be formidable. With both their swords drawn, the showdown seemed imminent.
But Han Xiang suddenly looked towards Long Feiye and the others with an eerie smile. "Great Qin Empress, so many helpers came with you. How about we add another bargaining chip so the viewers won't find it boring?"
Han Yunxi looked towards Han Chen and saw the man was indifferent, so she knew he wouldn't care.
Very good. Since Han Chen isn't taking charge, I can sweep the floor as I like!
She asked, "What kind of bargaining chip?"
But Han Xiang only said, "Add…a man!"
Long Feiye's eyes chilled at the statement. If not for the prior agreement for today's match, he would've stepped out and killed this woman already. Rui'er's seven-hued heavenly pupils had long discerned Han Xiang's level. Her true martial arts was sixth-rank, while her true qi was at the beginning of fifth rank. Although he was wounded, his 9th grade Lustbite energy and fifth-rank true qi was still more than enough to kill Han Xiang!
As for Han Yunxi, she too was at the beginning fifth-rank of true qi but had Phoenix power at seventh-rank, one whole rank higher than Han Xiang. The two were equally fifth-rank experts, but in reality Han Yunxi's actual strength was slightly higher than Han Xiang. This match was already decided by the time Rui'er witnessed Han Xiang's true levels!
Before Han Yunxi could reply, Long Feiye spoke up. "Yunxi, finish it quickly!" It was practically an order.
"All right!" Han Yunxi knew him well. But Han Xiang just laughed.
"Aiya, afraid to bargain? Why agree to me in the first place? This is the first time we sisters have met, so how could you go back on your word and hurt me as a little sister?"
Han Yunxi's gaze grew complicated as she sensed something strange. This woman seemed to have come for another purpose besides the duel. Her words were scant, but provocative. What did she want to do?
"I've never used men as a bargaining chip. Besides, you don't have any man that can catch my eye," Han Yunxi said icily.
Han Xiang was rendered mute by her words. She had to admit, she couldn't find any men who could move one's heart like Long Feiye.
Han Yunxi laughed coldly. "Bargaining chips are fine. I can give you the time it takes to brew a cup of tea to find something that would catch my eye. Otherwise, no more nonsense."
Han Chen didn't care, this woman was acting arrogant, so she didn't mind teaching her a lesson before their fight about humiliating herself!
"Sword!" Han Xiang said immediately. "If you lose, leave your Moye sword. If I leave, my…"
"Aiya," Han Yunxi cut her off, "So you recognize Moye! Sorry, but I'm not interested in your sword!"
"Take a good look, this is the Green Flame Sword!" Han Xiang declared proudly.
Han Yunxi had heard of the name. This truly was a treasure sword, but she didn't want to accept it. "Never heard of it," she replied.
The crowd behind her chuckled in response. Han Xiang was destined to lose as soon as "Moye" slipped from her lips. Her eyes seethed with rage. She had deliberately wanted to provoke Han Yunxi and annoy her, but was almost half-dead with wrath herself as a result! Besides consoling herself to calm down, there was nothing else to do. She had to incense Han Yunxi since it concerned victory or defeat. After some thought, she said proudly, "Han Yunxi, how about the loser kowtow three times to the winner?"
Han Yunxi immediately looked towards Han Chen. It was really ridiculous for Han Xiang to offer up kowtows as terms in front of her father. But Han Chen remained unmoved. He didn't care how they fought, he just wanted results.
"No need for kowtowing. The loser can slap the other once, how's that?" Han Yunxi asked icily.
Kowtowing wouldn't cripple someone, but her slap definitely could! She wanted to slap Han Xiang ever since the other had looked at Long Feiye with those eyes.
"Fine!" Han Xiang agreed without hesitation. She silently thought that Han Yunxi really dared to gamble! A person who had only half-acknowledged her father and just started cultivating true qi had the confidence to compete with someone like her, who had cultivated true qi since she was a child. She didn't know Han Yunxi's depths, but she was self-confident in her own abilities.
"Then let's begin!" Han Yunxi said and suddenly flew into the air, sword pointed at Han Xiang! But Han Xiang didn't answer the attack and dodged it instead. It left Han Yunxi wondering. What kind of schemes was this woman planning? She attacked three to four more times, but Han Xiang kept evading her and even retreated far away without countering.
There was no time limit to this match. Was Han Xiang hoping to draw things out and exhaust her before making her move? Long Feiye wanted a quick match and so did she! Moreover, she had the strength to fight fast!
"Esteemed Empress, you're so fierce!" Han Xiang grinned.
"Don't worry, I'll only be this fierce once," Han Yunxi chuckled back. She was going to end Han Xiang with this move! Her hands raised Moye sword above her head as she unreservedly offered up Phoenix power. All of her strength converged on the blade until its sword awn expanded into the shape of a phoenix-like shadow. One could imagine the power concentrated at its tip.
Everyone was dazed by the sight!
Even Long Feiye was seeing Han Yunxi show so much strength for the first time. Han Chen knitted his brow and muttered, "Phoenix power, it's truly extraordinary!"
Everyone stared at Han Yunxi, but none of them discovered that Yan'er very abnormal behind Long Feiye. She stared at the phoenix shadow as if hypnotized, her soul seemingly stolen away as her tiny hands clutched into fists. Power seem to converge in her hands, making her tremble because she couldn't bear it.
This…
Han Xiang gaped blankly as her mind went blank. She knew that Long Feiye possesed Lustbite energy, but never thought Han Yunxi had Phoenix power! Phoenix power was naturally nobler than regular strength, with the presence of royal authority within it! Moreover, Han Yunxi's current strength levels were far above her own martial arts!
She couldn't escape!
No…
This won't do!
Seeing Han Yunxi slash down viciously, Han Xiang suddenly seem to realize something. She turned to flee while screaming, "No, ahhh! Father, save me! The He Clan has a conspiracy! Father, save me…" Han Xiang's voice grew louder and louder until everyone could hear her clearly. But none of them reacted since they didn't understand what she meant.
Only Han Yunxi, Long Feiye, and Gu Qishao had head of the He Clan! They were one of the large clans in the western end of Mysterious Continent, whose leader He Xiaotian (赫萧天) had lost to Han Chen by one move in the last ranking matches amongst Mysterious Continent's experts. Rumors had ti that He Xiaotian lost because he was ill. In other words, if he was in his normal form, he might have beaten Han Chen and become one of the top three in Mysterious Continent!
The He Clan has a conspiracy?
What did Han Yunxi and Han Xiang's Ten-Year Agreement have to do with the He Clan? What kind of schemes could they be plotting? Nobody could figure it out in such a short time, nor did they have time to think it over in detail.
Han Yunxi didn't even have time to hesitate before she decided to spare Han Xiang so she could speak freely. If she lied, it wouldn't be too late to clean her up afterwards. Although she withdrew her blade, she couldn't take back the Phoenix power. A forced withdrawal would only cause backlash that hurt herself. She could only try avoiding influcting a fatal wound on Han Xiang as she stopped Moye sword and slashed sideways. At the same time, Han Chen flew out from the sidelines and broke into the range of Phoenix power to save Han Xiang.
BOOM!
There was a deafening roar from where Phoenix power struck the shore and Ice Sea. It was as if the entire shore had exploded as the coast collapsed and sent rocks flying into the sky. Everyone was stunned into retreating by the power. Long Feiye protected Yan'er, Gu Qishao shielded Rui'er, and Tang Li, Ning Jing, Jin Zi, and Mu Linger all ducked for cover. From a far distance away, they only saw a large, deep opening left in the Ice Sea that was three chi deep. Such strong energy couldn't be used often. Han Yunxi had gathered so much strength not to use all on Han Xiang or take her life, but to prevent her from escaping so she'd be trapped within the explosion and injured.
Han Chen set Han Xiang down and asked coldly, "What does the He Clan have to do with this?"
Everyone was worried and curious as they waited for Han Xiang to speak. Long Feiye sensed something amiss with Yan'er and was about to ask when Gu Qishao shouted, "Look, the ice is breaking apart!"
Han Xiang cut in with her words, but Han Chen didn't object. He wasn't biased towards Han Xiang, but simply had that kind of personality: cold to the point that he seemed emotionless. He only said eight words: "Martial arts only, stop at signs of injury."
Han Yunxi wasn't planning to use poison arts anyways. She nodded and said, "All right."
At some point she had stopped referring to Han Chen as a "senior," but neither did she officially call him "father." Now she simply didn't address him at all.
"Yes, father!" Han Xiang deliberately stressed the word "father" as if that was enough to distinguish herself from Han Yunxi, who had yet to return to the clan. But women always tended to flaunt what they themselves lacked most. If Han Xiang knew that Han Yunxi had rejected Han Chen and the Wolf Sect in the Poison Sect's forbidden grounds, what would she feel?
In the past few years, Han Yunxi had met too many people like Han Xiang and didn't bother with verbal spars that wasted time. She took a large stride forward and prepared to fight. Seeing this, Han Xiang also walked to the side. The two of them stood on Han Chen's left and right sides about 15 steps apart. Han Yunxi was puzzling over Han Chen's "stop at signs of injury." These were subtle words. You had to injure the opponent without getting injured yourself. It was different from the usual "life and death" matches and slightly harder than "end match upon contact."
Han Yunxi rathered liked these rules. She looked at Han Xiang and slowly pulled out the Moye sword. True qi came from the inside and acted as supporting strength. Power was external and displayed through moves with a weapon she was familiar with.
Han Xiang was using a sword user too. Seeing Han Yunxi unsheathing her weapon, she quickly revealed her treasure sword too. Han Yunxi didn't recognize the blade, but knew its origins must be formidable. With both their swords drawn, the showdown seemed imminent.
But Han Xiang suddenly looked towards Long Feiye and the others with an eerie smile. "Great Qin Empress, so many helpers came with you. How about we add another bargaining chip so the viewers won't find it boring?"
Han Yunxi looked towards Han Chen and saw the man was indifferent, so she knew he wouldn't care.
Very good. Since Han Chen isn't taking charge, I can sweep the floor as I like!
She asked, "What kind of bargaining chip?"
But Han Xiang only said, "Add…a man!"
Long Feiye's eyes chilled at the statement. If not for the prior agreement for today's match, he would've stepped out and killed this woman already. Rui'er's seven-hued heavenly pupils had long discerned Han Xiang's level. Her true martial arts was sixth-rank, while her true qi was at the beginning of fifth rank. Although he was wounded, his 9th grade Lustbite energy and fifth-rank true qi was still more than enough to kill Han Xiang!
As for Han Yunxi, she too was at the beginning fifth-rank of true qi but had Phoenix power at seventh-rank, one whole rank higher than Han Xiang. The two were equally fifth-rank experts, but in reality Han Yunxi's actual strength was slightly higher than Han Xiang. This match was already decided by the time Rui'er witnessed Han Xiang's true levels!
Before Han Yunxi could reply, Long Feiye spoke up. "Yunxi, finish it quickly!" It was practically an order.
"All right!" Han Yunxi knew him well. But Han Xiang just laughed.
"Aiya, afraid to bargain? Why agree to me in the first place? This is the first time we sisters have met, so how could you go back on your word and hurt me as a little sister?"
Han Yunxi's gaze grew complicated as she sensed something strange. This woman seemed to have come for another purpose besides the duel. Her words were scant, but provocative. What did she want to do?
"I've never used men as a bargaining chip. Besides, you don't have any man that can catch my eye," Han Yunxi said icily.
Han Xiang was rendered mute by her words. She had to admit, she couldn't find any men who could move one's heart like Long Feiye.
Han Yunxi laughed coldly. "Bargaining chips are fine. I can give you the time it takes to brew a cup of tea to find something that would catch my eye. Otherwise, no more nonsense."
Han Chen didn't care, this woman was acting arrogant, so she didn't mind teaching her a lesson before their fight about humiliating herself!
"Sword!" Han Xiang said immediately. "If you lose, leave your Moye sword. If I leave, my…"
"Aiya," Han Yunxi cut her off, "So you recognize Moye! Sorry, but I'm not interested in your sword!"
"Take a good look, this is the Green Flame Sword!" Han Xiang declared proudly.
Han Yunxi had heard of the name. This truly was a treasure sword, but she didn't want to accept it. "Never heard of it," she replied.
The crowd behind her chuckled in response. Han Xiang was destined to lose as soon as "Moye" slipped from her lips. Her eyes seethed with rage. She had deliberately wanted to provoke Han Yunxi and annoy her, but was almost half-dead with wrath herself as a result! Besides consoling herself to calm down, there was nothing else to do. She had to incense Han Yunxi since it concerned victory or defeat. After some thought, she said proudly, "Han Yunxi, how about the loser kowtow three times to the winner?"
Han Yunxi immediately looked towards Han Chen. It was really ridiculous for Han Xiang to offer up kowtows as terms in front of her father. But Han Chen remained unmoved. He didn't care how they fought, he just wanted results.
"No need for kowtowing. The loser can slap the other once, how's that?" Han Yunxi asked icily.
Kowtowing wouldn't cripple someone, but her slap definitely could! She wanted to slap Han Xiang ever since the other had looked at Long Feiye with those eyes.
"Fine!" Han Xiang agreed without hesitation. She silently thought that Han Yunxi really dared to gamble! A person who had only half-acknowledged her father and just started cultivating true qi had the confidence to compete with someone like her, who had cultivated true qi since she was a child. She didn't know Han Yunxi's depths, but she was self-confident in her own abilities.
"Then let's begin!" Han Yunxi said and suddenly flew into the air, sword pointed at Han Xiang! But Han Xiang didn't answer the attack and dodged it instead. It left Han Yunxi wondering. What kind of schemes was this woman planning? She attacked three to four more times, but Han Xiang kept evading her and even retreated far away without countering.
There was no time limit to this match. Was Han Xiang hoping to draw things out and exhaust her before making her move? Long Feiye wanted a quick match and so did she! Moreover, she had the strength to fight fast!
"Esteemed Empress, you're so fierce!" Han Xiang grinned.
"Don't worry, I'll only be this fierce once," Han Yunxi chuckled back. She was going to end Han Xiang with this move! Her hands raised Moye sword above her head as she unreservedly offered up Phoenix power. All of her strength converged on the blade until its sword awn expanded into the shape of a phoenix-like shadow. One could imagine the power concentrated at its tip.
Everyone was dazed by the sight!
Even Long Feiye was seeing Han Yunxi show so much strength for the first time. Han Chen knitted his brow and muttered, "Phoenix power, it's truly extraordinary!"
Everyone stared at Han Yunxi, but none of them discovered that Yan'er very abnormal behind Long Feiye. She stared at the phoenix shadow as if hypnotized, her soul seemingly stolen away as her tiny hands clutched into fists. Power seem to converge in her hands, making her tremble because she couldn't bear it.
This…
Han Xiang gaped blankly as her mind went blank. She knew that Long Feiye possesed Lustbite energy, but never thought Han Yunxi had Phoenix power! Phoenix power was naturally nobler than regular strength, with the presence of royal authority within it! Moreover, Han Yunxi's current strength levels were far above her own martial arts!
She couldn't escape!
No…
This won't do!
Seeing Han Yunxi slash down viciously, Han Xiang suddenly seem to realize something. She turned to flee while screaming, "No, ahhh! Father, save me! The He Clan has a conspiracy! Father, save me…" Han Xiang's voice grew louder and louder until everyone could hear her clearly. But none of them reacted since they didn't understand what she meant.
Only Han Yunxi, Long Feiye, and Gu Qishao had head of the He Clan! They were one of the large clans in the western end of Mysterious Continent, whose leader He Xiaotian (赫萧天) had lost to Han Chen by one move in the last ranking matches amongst Mysterious Continent's experts. Rumors had ti that He Xiaotian lost because he was ill. In other words, if he was in his normal form, he might have beaten Han Chen and become one of the top three in Mysterious Continent!
The He Clan has a conspiracy?
What did Han Yunxi and Han Xiang's Ten-Year Agreement have to do with the He Clan? What kind of schemes could they be plotting? Nobody could figure it out in such a short time, nor did they have time to think it over in detail.
Han Yunxi didn't even have time to hesitate before she decided to spare Han Xiang so she could speak freely. If she lied, it wouldn't be too late to clean her up afterwards. Although she withdrew her blade, she couldn't take back the Phoenix power. A forced withdrawal would only cause backlash that hurt herself. She could only try avoiding influcting a fatal wound on Han Xiang as she stopped Moye sword and slashed sideways. At the same time, Han Chen flew out from the sidelines and broke into the range of Phoenix power to save Han Xiang.
BOOM!
There was a deafening roar from where Phoenix power struck the shore and Ice Sea. It was as if the entire shore had exploded as the coast collapsed and sent rocks flying into the sky. Everyone was stunned into retreating by the power. Long Feiye protected Yan'er, Gu Qishao shielded Rui'er, and Tang Li, Ning Jing, Jin Zi, and Mu Linger all ducked for cover. From a far distance away, they only saw a large, deep opening left in the Ice Sea that was three chi deep. Such strong energy couldn't be used often. Han Yunxi had gathered so much strength not to use all on Han Xiang or take her life, but to prevent her from escaping so she'd be trapped within the explosion and injured.
Han Chen set Han Xiang down and asked coldly, "What does the He Clan have to do with this?"
Everyone was worried and curious as they waited for Han Xiang to speak. Long Feiye sensed something amiss with Yan'er and was about to ask when Gu Qishao shouted, "Look, the ice is breaking apart!"
