When Lin Xunqiong absolutely did not follow Yang Feilong's steps, he suddenly found that he was no longer at an advantage.
Yes, his injuries were far more severe than he had imagined!
Yang Feilong's True and False Swordplay, taught to him by his master as a final trump card, was not something to be used lightly.
Yang Feilong had not used this swordplay in a long time. The reason he had been unsure before if it could deal with the current opponent was that when he descended the mountain, he had only been at the peak of Qi Refining Second Level. He had not expected to cultivate to the mid-Qi Refining Fourth Level in just a few months.
With different cultivation realms, the quality and power of true qi naturally changed drastically.
Now, with his current realm, the power of this swordplay was outrageously strong, far more terrifying than the Autumn Wind Falling Leaves Swordplay.
But Yang Feilong discovered that while this swordplay was powerful, its consumption was also substantial!
After only a few uses, his already somewhat insufficient true qi was nearing depletion.
"I can still use it twice!" Yang Feilong sighed inwardly. "I should have used this swordplay earlier."
"Then let's see if I can kill him again!" Yang Feilong thought to himself.
*Bzzzz!*
Once again, nine sword energies erupted simultaneously.
Seeing this, Lin Xunqiong focused on the vital areas and, disregarding his injuries, struck out with his long sword, whistling towards Yang Feilong. This was a desperate move, reckless and all-out.
"You should have gone all out!" Yang Feilong inwardly shook his head seeing this.
Although Lin Xunqiong was a capable fighter, he overthought things. He wanted to kill Yang Feilong with all his might, yet he was also wary of Yang Feilong's killing moves.
"Can your defense block my killing move?" Yang Feilong mused inwardly. "I can combine all nine swords!"
Previously, he could only unleash the power of three or four sword energies at most. This had given Lin Xunqiong the illusion that while the power was strong, it was not fatal, as long as it didn't target his vital points!
He didn't know that Yang Feilong's True and False Swordplay could combine all nine, forming the ultimate strike!
By the time Lin Xunqiong realized it, the sword energy had struck his vital area. It wasn't a place as critical as the heart or throat, but it was a spot on his chest.
Meanwhile, Lin Xunqiong's long sword also struck Yang Feilong. But unfortunately, he had only struck an afterimage. Yang Feilong had dodged his seemingly certain strike with unimaginable speed!
"Your speed can still be faster?" Lin Xunqiong's eyes were filled with disbelief.
*Boom!*
At the same time, the sword energy that had struck his chest unleashed unparalleled power.
Lin Xunqiong spat blood and was sent flying backward. This strike was several times more terrifying than the previous ones that had hit him!
After all, previously only three or four swords were genuine sword energies. Now, it was a combination of three or four genuine sword energies, and their power was unleashed at once, causing unimaginably destructive damage.
Thus, Lin Xunqiong was severely wounded to the extreme.
"You, you insidious scoundrel, dodging and weaving, your swordplay so unpredictable, what kind of skill is that? Fight me fair and square if you dare!" Lin Xunqiong roared ferociously, spitting blood.
"An impotent rage!" Yang Feilong looked at Lin Xunqiong with a mocking smile. "That's all you've got!"
Yang Feilong was not angered at all. The taunts and provocations of a dying man could not touch him.
He understood the opponent's intentions better than anyone!
Yes, Lin Xunqiong's curses were aimed at provoking Yang Feilong to abandon his advantages and fight him head-on. Despite his severe injuries, he still had a chance for a fatal blow, but only if Yang Feilong didn't dodge and didn't use that unpredictable True and False Swordplay.
Unfortunately, Yang Feilong didn't fall for it.
"Alright!" Yang Feilong said calmly. "Your brother is down below, perhaps he's waiting impatiently. I'm about to unleash my strongest sword strike to send you on your way! Farewell!"
Saying this, he unleashed his final sword strike!
*Bzzzz!*
Although it was his final strike, he still gave his enemy the utmost respect.
He still employed the True and False Swordplay!
Lin Xunqiong watched Yang Feilong calmly take action against him. His heart was filled with regret. This young man, unlike any other youth, had chosen a mutually destructive path. He had no defense, only offense.
He wanted to take Yang Feilong down with him!
Therefore, his final sword strike was incredibly powerful and reached extreme speed, as he burned the vital essence and blood within his body. Even if he survived this strike, he would be half-crippled.
But for his family, and to thoroughly kill this terrifying young man, Yang Feilong, he was willing to die!
*Boom!*
The nine sword energies dispersed, the swordplay shifted, transforming into the Willow Catkins Swordplay.
*Pfft!*
Yang Feilong was sent flying backward, but he had blocked Lin Xunqiong's strike.
"You..." Lin Xunqiong's face turned red.
"The sword energies just now were all fake, meant to force you to fight desperately!" Yang Feilong grinned, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. Although he had sustained some injuries, they were not serious.
Yes, it appeared he was using the True and False Swordplay, but it was only the form without the spirit.
If Lin Xunqiong had been more cautious and observant, he might have noticed, but alas, he had been completely played by Yang Feilong, believing that Yang Feilong was genuinely going to use his strongest sword to kill him. Thus, he had poured all his efforts into a suicidal attack.
Who would have thought that Yang Feilong was merely feigning an attack? The True and False Swordplay was a ruse; what was truly employed was the Willow Catkins Swordplay, this extremely strong defensive swordplay. While it couldn't completely negate Lin Xunqiong's desperate strike fueled by burning his essence and blood, combined with the unpredictable footwork that diffused the force, he only suffered minor injuries.
Meanwhile, Lin Xunqiong had reached the end of his rope. The sword in his hand dropped, his body staggered, almost falling to the ground. The events of just now had been too devastating for him. He looked at Yang Feilong with a ferocious and despairing expression, pointing at him, his lips trembling, "You, you utterly cunning and shameless villain!"
"Had enough scolding?" Yang Feilong asked with a mocking smile. "If you're done, I'll send you on your way!"
Lin Xunqiong looked at the still calm Yang Feilong, his heart filled with powerlessness and deep regret. This young man was too cunning; his schemes surpassed those of most old foxes!
It was one trap after another. His own superior strength had been completely wasted by the opponent.
He had played his hand poorly, from the tragic death of his thirteenth brother to his own downfall. Was he stupid? No, his opponent was too cunning.
And this was a young man not even twenty years old!
"Can you spare my Lin family?" Lin Xunqiong asked Yang Feilong, trembling.
"Spare your Lin family?" Yang Feilong looked at Lin Xunqiong playfully. "Do you think I will? And, will your Lin family give up pursuing me?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Xunqiong wanted to speak but stopped, eventually falling silent.