In a mere moment, Tang Ruoxue’s Sword Shadow was shattered without question. Her nicked longsword flew from her grasp.
The next instant, the Bloodthirsty Sword’s shadow flashed past, leaving a series of bloody gashes on Tang Ruoxue’s slender frame. The Bloodthirsty Sword greedily devoured every drop of blood that sprayed from her wounds!
To Yi Xiaoyao’s surprise, the Bloodthirsty Sword seemed to grow slightly stronger after devouring the blood.
"Why is this happening!"
Tang Ruoxue stumbled backward, gritting her teeth as she let out an indignant roar.
The crowd’s disappointed murmurs made her face flush with shame and anger, as she was incredibly proud and cared immensely about her reputation.
Suddenly, a ruthless look appeared on Tang Ruoxue’s face. She quickly covered her mouth, as if she had just swallowed something.
A moment later, her aura surged. The Spiritual Power in her hands shifted from light to dark blue, its might now several times greater than before!
Up on the high platform, Tang Feng, who had been overjoyed by Yi Xiaoyao’s apparent victory, erupted in fury when he saw this.
He immediately glared at Tang Long and roared, "Tang Long, is this how you raised your daughter?"
Tang Long’s expression shifted slightly before he snorted. "Hmph! It’s just an elixir to increase the density of her Spiritual Power. What’s the big deal? Besides, there’s no rule against using elixirs."
Xu Jin and Elder Ge also frowned at Mei Han. "Elder Mei," they said, "for your disciple to take a combat-enhancing elixir in a match like this... it’s a bit improper."
Mei Han herself was frowning deeply. Although Tang Ruoxue had not yet formally become her disciple, she was still the person she had chosen.
Even though she was embarrassed, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
Xu Jin and Elder Ge shook their heads helplessly.
"Sigh! If this were a fair fight, Yi Xiaoyao would have definitely won! What a shame!"
"Tang Ruoxue’s Cultivation was already higher than Yi Xiaoyao’s. Now that she’s taken an elixir to concentrate her Spiritual Power, his domineering Spiritual Power will be ineffective. It seems Tang Ruoxue has this in the bag."
"Yi Xiaoyao really doesn’t have a chance of winning anymore..."
It wasn’t just these important figures from the sects; even the elders of the Tang Family Castle were now looking at Yi Xiaoyao with newfound respect.
However, if Yi Xiaoyao lost, the position of Fortress Master would be out of his reach.
The most important part of being the Fortress Master wasn’t the reputation or the status, but the resources!
Once someone became the Fortress Master, they would gain access to vast Cultivation Resources.
Tang Ruoxue was well aware of this, which was why she had to win, even if it meant resorting to the despicable act of taking an elixir!
By now, Tang Ruoxue’s Spiritual Power had reached an astonishing level of density. With a flick of her hand, she summoned her fallen longsword back to her grasp.
SWOOSH! The incredibly dense Spiritual Power instantly enveloped the longsword, transforming it into a blue Light Saber that radiated a sharp and immense Sword Intent.
From these external signs alone, it was clear that Tang Ruoxue’s current combat prowess was on a completely different level than before.
’Hm? What did she just take for her Spiritual Power to undergo such a qualitative leap?’
Yi Xiaoyao’s expression grew solemn. "An act like this only makes me despise you more," he said.
"Heh, despise me?" Tang Ruoxue sneered dismissively. "Wait until I’ve defeated you and have you crushed under my foot. We’ll see if you’re still talking so tough then!"
Yi Xiaoyao’s gaze turned cold. "Defeat me? You’re not worthy! You’ve already lost! Now, I’m going to make sure you lose completely!"
Tang Ruoxue was instantly reminded of her pathetic state after his first two attacks, and a vicious light flashed in her eyes.
"Seven-layered Sword Technique! You bastard, Yi Xiaoyao, just lose already!"
With a continuous quiver of her wrist, a series of crisp rings echoed from her sword. Illusions flickered across the blade as she instantly unleashed six strikes!
Then, with a burst of Spiritual Power, she struck again—the seventh sword!
The crowd cried out in astonishment. When Tang Ruoxue had demonstrated this swordsmanship before, she had only managed six strikes. Unleashing the seventh meant she had reached the level of perfection.
Furthermore, she poured all of her blue Spiritual Power into the Sword Shadow, making its powerful aura even more frightening.
The Intents layered upon each other, a single strike containing the might of seven! Down it came!
’With Tang Ruoxue unleashing this level of power, there’s no suspense left.’ The same thought crossed everyone’s mind.
Yi Xiaoyao dared not underestimate it. He pushed his Flowing Light Swordsmanship to its limit, the shadow of his Blood Sword moving to envelop her oncoming strike.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG...
As metal clashed several times, Yi Xiaoyao unleashed his Spiritual Power with all his might, using it to devour the energy on her blade.
But alas, after the massive increase in Tang Ruoxue’s Spiritual Power, the Devouring and destructive aspects of his Dark Spiritual Power were directly suppressed.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Yi Xiaoyao could no longer parry the blows. He stumbled backward in a rush, only managing to halt his retreat by plunging his sword into the ground.
Tang Ruoxue, however, pointed her longsword directly at Yi Xiaoyao, a deeply smug look gracing her features.
"Well, Yi Xiaoyao? You love pointing out my flaws and shortcomings, don’t you? Now that you’ve seen my perfect Seven-layered Sword Technique, why are you speechless?"
The memory of Yi Xiaoyao’s words—’Too slow, too weak, riddled with openings’—made Tang Ruoxue grit her teeth in hatred.
That was why she had to take this chance to mock him viciously. She wanted to see the look of defeat on Yi Xiaoyao’s face!
Unfortunately for her, Yi Xiaoyao didn’t give her the satisfaction. He remained expressionless, and there was even a hint of disdain playing on his lips.
"You dare call that perfect? How absurd!"
The next moment, Yi Xiaoyao abruptly yanked the Bloodthirsty Sword from the ground. Dark Spiritual Power swarmed up the blade and, as if struck by sudden inspiration, a brilliant light flashed in his eyes.
SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING!
The Bloodthirsty Sword dissolved into a blur. The blade rang out seven times as he abruptly executed seven slashes!
"The Seven-layered Sword Technique!"
The crowd gasped in unison. Their shock was no longer that Yi Xiaoyao also knew this swordsmanship, but that he could execute the seven layered strikes with such ease!
Even after taking the elixir, Tang Ruoxue had only layered six strikes in one breath before barely managing to add the seventh.
Tang Ruoxue, of course, noticed this as well, and her pride took another crushing blow.
"So what if you can layer seven strikes! The power of my Spiritual Power is far beyond what you can resist!"
With that, she swung her sword and charged, radiating a chilling killing intent.
Yi Xiaoyao sneered. "You think your Seven-layered Sword Technique has reached perfection? I’m about to show you just how laughable that is!"
Facing Tang Ruoxue’s ferocious assault, the Bloodthirsty Sword rang out once more.
"The Eighth Sword! He actually layered an Eighth Sword!"
Even the dignitaries on the high platform cried out in shock.
The Seven-layered Sword Technique was only supposed to go up to seven strikes, yet Yi Xiaoyao had just shattered that limit!
But that wasn’t all.
Just as Tang Ruoxue, her eyes blazing with shock and fury, closed to within ten feet of Yi Xiaoyao and her blade was about to strike, a ninth sword-ring resounded!
The ninth sword!
"This! This is what you call Perfect Swordsmanship!"
Yi Xiaoyao roared at Tang Ruoxue. His Bloodthirsty Sword, now imbued with Ninefold Overlapping Intent, trembled in his hand. Dark Spiritual Power flared along its edge as the Power of Destruction surged, and he suddenly slashed forward!
Two sword-lights of vastly different colors flashed and converged.
SHINK!
Only this time, it was not the resounding clang of metal on metal, but the crisp sound of one blade slicing through another.
The blood-red light from the Bloodthirsty Sword slashed past, and the sword in Tang Ruoxue’s hand was instantly cut in two!
The force of the nine swords combined into one made Tang Ruoxue’s arm tremble so violently that she couldn’t even hold onto the hilt of her broken sword, and it flew from her grasp.
In the next instant, the Bloodthirsty Sword in Yi Xiaoyao’s hand continued onward, its momentum unbroken, as it slashed down toward Tang Ruoxue’s neck.
TING!
The blade stopped just a hair’s breadth from her smooth, porcelain-white skin.
A severed lock of hair drifted silently down.
"You have lost," Yi Xiaoyao stated calmly.