The Imperial Master shouted at Hua Cheng, "Young man, don't underestimate the enemy! He's even more formidable in this form than in Bai Wuxiang's! And the advantage you previously had over his weapon prowess is gone now!"
As expected, Jun Wu's injuries were completely gone, leaving him feeling brand new from head to toe. He glanced at the Imperial Master and smiled, "You're teaching others how to deal with me right in front of me. I won't kill you, but you're becoming even more courageous."
That smile held a warning. The Imperial Master fell silent, staring directly at him. Xie Lian said, "Don't worry. Sanlang never underestimates his enemies."
He knew it all too well. Even if Hua Cheng smiled recklessly, his hands would never let up.
Jun Wu stared at the sword's edge and said calmly, "Zhu Xin, it's been a long time."
The heart - or, should we say, the broken heart - was making a low humming sound in his hands.
Xie Lian had always thought that Fang Xin was no longer useful as he aged, and that it might break one day. However, he had never imagined that its power in the hands of its former owner would be completely different from that in his own hands!
With each clash between Zhuxin and Eming, the entire Tongtian Bridge trembled, as if it would collapse into the magma at any moment. Compared to a moment ago, Jun Wu's strength and speed had clearly increased significantly. Although Huacheng still held his own, his brow furrowed slightly, his expression growing even more stern. The few people watching from afar were also terrified.
Because every sword strike from Jun Wu was aimed at Hua Cheng's right eye!
Huacheng blocked twice, feeling incredibly close. He soon realized he was using the same move over and over again, as if he'd targeted his right eye as a weak spot, hoping to exploit it again. Every time he attacked, Huacheng naturally defended with all his might, repeatedly blocking. Wouldn't this lead to a seesaw battle, with nothing to gain?
The eye on Evil Life seemed to sense danger and was furious. The black jade sword struck again. With a crisp "ding"—Hua Cheng did not raise his sword to block, but Jun Wu sheathed it.
Xie Lian, dressed in white, stood in front of Hua Cheng.
Just now, he actually used the force of a bullet to deflect the sword's edge that was so cold and sharp that it could kill the heart!
Xie Lian couldn't help himself and joined the fray. He was quite skilled at catching swords with his bare hands, but this was the first time he'd encountered such a dangerous sword. With a flick of his wrist, almost half his arm went numb, especially his palm. He took a few steps back and shook it a few times before regaining consciousness. Hua Cheng said from behind him, "Brother?"
Xie Lian said, “Together!”
The two stood back to back, both intent on fighting the other. Seeing this, Jun Wu smiled even deeper and said, "Oh?"
Xie Lian whispered, “You on top, I’ll be on the bottom!”
Before he could finish his words, the two men, one above and one below, attacked Jun Wu. Xie Lian knew Jun Wu's moves well and could vaguely guess what his next move would be. He blurted out, "Hook!"
Hua Cheng obeyed, slashing back with his scimitar. Jun Wu was nearly struck, and Xie Lian shouted again, "Bang!"
Hua Cheng obeyed again, this time without a knife, but instead using his bare hands to launch a powerful attack. Jun Wu was indeed struck in the shoulder, his body slumping. If not for his exceptional agility, both attacks would have likely hit vital points. As they fought, Xie Lian suddenly realized that Hua Cheng was the unrivaled master of his time. With such skill, why would he need his warning? This was too offensive, and his old habit resurfaced. He hurriedly said, "Sorry! You don't have to listen to me!"
Hua Cheng smiled and said, "Brother, what you said is the best option, why don't you listen?"
Suddenly, the bridge collapsed, leaving Hua Cheng with nothing beneath his feet. Just as he was about to fall, Xie Lian stepped onto the bridge, and Ruo Xie tugged at him, pulling him back. The next moment, he felt a chill on his neck. Jun Wu had flashed behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "Xianle, you're quite skilled."
He was so close that Xie Lian felt a chill run down his spine. Hua Cheng said, "Brother!"
He threw his left hand, and Er Ming came flying. Xie Lian reacted very quickly, lowering his head slightly, and Er Ming flew over his head and slashed towards Jun Wu behind him. Jun Wu then let go of the hand on his shoulder, and Xie Lian took the opportunity to jump back to Hua Cheng, and Er Ming flew back into Hua Cheng's hand. The two of them coordinated seamlessly, and others only saw three figures appearing and disappearing like lightning, which was so fast that it was unimaginable and suffocating. Jun Wu's laughter echoed above the magma dome, as if encouraging them: "Good. Very good! Keep going!"
Mu Qing barely avoided the collapsed part of the bridge and said in horror, "Master! Is he... is he okay? Is he smiling?"
The Imperial Master said, "I told you so! The only thing worse than him being angry is him being happy! This is just the beginning!"
Over there, Jun Wu, armed with the Heart-Slaying Sword, was even more powerful. Seeing him repeatedly attack Hua Cheng's right eye with his sword, Xie Lian, terrified, rebuked Ruo Xie, who tangled with the Heart-Slaying Sword's hilt. Unexpectedly, Jun Wu pulled back, sending Xie Lian flying towards him.
Xie Lian was startled at first, then composed himself. He had intended to seize the sword anyway, so he faced it fearlessly, instantly rehearsing the two hundred or so moves that would follow. Unexpectedly, mid-air, a hand grabbed him and pulled him back. Xie Lian landed, looking back to see Hua Cheng blocking his way. A black jade sword pierced his heart.
Seeing this scene, Xie Lian was almost suffocated and said, "Sanlang?!"
Huacheng's face darkened slightly. Jun Wu was expecting Xie Lian to collide with the sword's piercing edge, but when he was stopped, he drew his sword and retreated, seeming slightly disappointed. Xie Lian had completely forgotten that Huacheng was a ghost, and even with a huge hole in his chest, he was still alive and kicking. Still worried, he placed his hands on the wound on Huacheng's chest, which didn't bleed, and said, "Sanlang, you... what are you doing so suddenly?!..."
Hua Chengdao: "How could I possibly let you get stabbed by it again in front of me?!"
For some reason, his tone was a little too extreme. Xie Lian was slightly startled, but then he heard Jun Wu say in a gentle voice, "Why should Xianle be so heartbroken? He won't feel any pain anyway. He's just a person who has long been dead."
“…” He actually reminded Xie Lian of this!
Xie Lian looked at him fiercely, his heart filled with anger: "Isn't this all your fault?!"
Jun Wu sneered, "Is it all my fault?"
Hearing his question, Xie Lian suddenly got stuck.
Jun Wu changed the subject and said, "Perhaps. But, Xianle, have you been in the human world for so long that you've forgotten what you did? Do you still remember what you did after Xianle destroyed the country?"
“…”
Jun Wu smiled meaningfully and said slowly, "Do you still remember a ghost named Wuming?"
Suddenly, Xie Lian’s face turned pale and he blurted out, “No!!!”
The Imperial Master had a bad feeling and asked, "Your Highness, what did he say? What did you do after Xianle destroyed the kingdom?"
Xie Lian felt a surge of inexplicable panic. He glanced at Hua Cheng, then at Jun Wu, his expression changing from irritation to bewilderment. Hua Cheng immediately grabbed him and said in a deep voice, "It's okay, Your Highness. Don't be afraid."
Feng Xin also said: "Yes, hold on first!"
Mu Qing was very sensitive: "What does he mean? Ghost? What ghost?"
But how could Xie Lian remain calm?
That was the most miserable day of his life, and the thing he regretted most. He himself never dared to think about it. Whenever the pale smiling mask with curved eyebrows and eyes appeared in his mind, he tossed and turned, wishing he could curl himself up into a ball and never open his eyes again.
Hua Cheng had seen Xie Lian in his prime, in his defeat, in his clumsy foolishness, and in his poverty. It didn't matter.
However, he probably had never seen Xie Lian rolling in the mud, Xie Lian cursing, Xie Lian full of resentment, Xie Lian who was determined to destroy the Yong'an Kingdom for revenge, or even Xie Lian who wanted to create a second human face plague!
That time was too painful to recall. If it were in the past, Bai Wuxiang would have just spilled the beans, but now, Xie Lian didn't even want to test Hua Cheng's expression if he knew about his past.
Because he wasn't as good as Huacheng thought. He wasn't spotless, holy, and noble. Even if Huacheng showed only a hint of disbelief after knowing this, he would probably be forever ashamed and would never be able to face Huacheng again!
At the thought of this, Xie Lian's face turned pale, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his hands trembled slightly. Seeing his reaction, Hua Cheng tightened his grip and said firmly, "Your Highness, don't be afraid. Remember? You are you in glory and you are you in ruins. The key is 'you', not 'how' you are. No matter what happens, I will not leave you. You can tell me anything."
Finally, he said softly, "Tell me yourself."
Xie Lian regained his composure, but Jun Wu chuckled and said slowly, "'No matter what happens, I will never leave.' My most loyal believers and best friends once said the same thing to me."
The Imperial Master's expression changed slightly, and Jun Wu glanced at him and said, "But, in the end, you saw it. No one really did it."
The Imperial Master seemed unable to bear to look at him and turned away. Hua Cheng said, "Trust me, Your Highness. Is that not possible?"
Xie Lian didn't disbelieve it.
But he didn't dare to try.
Finally, Xie Lian swallowed hard and forced a smile, but then realized he shouldn’t smile. He lowered his head and said in a trembling voice, “…Sanlang, first… I’m sorry, I might…”
Hua Cheng stared at him for a moment and said, "Actually..."
Before he could finish his words, an extremely strong murderous aura washed over him, and both of them leaped away. Xie Lian regained his composure, his face recovering a bit from its paleness. "What's wrong with him? Why is he even more..."
Faster and stronger?
Compared to the Bai Wuxiang form just now, Jun Wu's speed and strength have now increased by at least half, and are still growing. This terrifying increase can be clearly felt in every strike!
Mu Qing also noticed something else amiss and shouted, "Your Highness! Be careful! He's changing his strategy! He's not attacking Blood Rain Scholar anymore... He's only attacking you now!"
Xie Lian naturally noticed this as well. He only had Ruo Xie in his hands, and Ruo Xie, once she saw the woman, was too timid to face him head-on. Fortunately, E Ming had perfectly blocked every move Jun Wu launched at him.
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