"You stinking Taoist priest, stop talking nonsense!"
Yang Sheng's grip on the sword tightened suddenly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, and his eyes flashed with cold light, as if he could send Xiang Wan to the underworld immediately if she said the wrong thing.
"Amitabha! This is all I have to say. Whether you believe me or not, the future will tell. However..."
Xiang Wan looked up at Yang Sheng, then lowered her eyes, shook her head and sighed, feeling both sorrow and helplessness. "So be it. Things have come to this. The past is like yesterday's death, and the future is like today's birth. Return the item to its rightful owner. If Benefactor Yang insists on pursuing this matter, this humble Taoist will accompany him to the end."
After speaking, Xiang Wan exuded an aura of power. Her robes fluttered without wind, her hair danced in the breeze, and she radiated an aura of grandeur. Her gaze was as firm as a rock, devoid of sorrow or joy, displaying only a calm composure in the face of everything and an indomitable courage.
Tu Hongye quietly retreated, giving Xiang Wan enough space to prepare for the attack.
Before dawn, the sky grew increasingly dark, with only the faint light emitted by the great formation illuminating everything around, making it appear eerie and otherworldly.
"Taoist priest, state your name, and I will not kill nameless people."
The sword in Yang Sheng's hand trembled, and a stream of light flowed freely along the blade, bringing a chilling aura.
Legend has it that the Demon-Slaying Sword, named Shi, will always draw blood when unsheathed, and blood will always seal the throat, and a sealed throat will always lock the soul. This is the reputation that Yang Sheng has earned for his sword through countless killings, and it is also his well-known trademark.
With a fierce fighting spirit, Tu Hongye's Ghost-Slaying Sword began to tremble. He grabbed it, threw it into a cloth bag, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
He was too embarrassed to even take out such a cowardly sword.
Xiang Wan reached out, and the Frost and Snow Technique was quickly activated. In a moment, a chilling Frost and Snow Sword appeared in her hand.
This was the first time she had used the Frost Technique to condense a sword into its initial form. Compared to the ice needles and ice spikes she had used before, this sword consumed an extraordinary amount of vital energy and mental power. Fortunately, with the assistance of her spiritual sense, it was still quite impressive to show off.
"This humble Taoist is without form. Please, benefactor!"
This encounter was less a clash of titans and more a friendly sparring match between two people.
Yang Sheng was intentionally testing Xiang Wan. After making a move, he would give her enough time to prepare and showed no bloodthirsty impulse.
Xiang Wan hadn't sparred with anyone for many years, and her deadly moves weren't suitable for a situation like this. Although Yang Sheng didn't completely believe her, he held back in his attack, showing that his resolve had wavered.
If she wavers, then all her efforts were worthwhile.
As the sword dances through the air, it always leaves a trail of light, like the trace of a shooting star. When it pauses, that trail of light will shoot off in the direction the sword tip points; this is what is known as sword intent.
A sword itself can wound people and cause them to bleed, but the intent of a sword can wound people invisibly. The wounded person may not show any outward signs, but their inner self will be shattered.
Yang Sheng is indeed a martial arts prodigy with exceptional talent; no wonder even that old man Shen Guang couldn't bear to kill him.
But Xiang Wan was not afraid. The Frost and Snow Sword could block swords and also condense sword intent, leaving that internal force with nowhere to attack. It could only be condensed by the frost and then shattered into dust, drifting in the air.
The two exchanged blows for over ten rounds, neither gaining the upper hand.
They were already very close to the exit, and many people were watching from a distance, including those who had been trapped in Ghost Mountain with Xiang Wan before. They had learned their lesson and kept their distance, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire, but they couldn't help being curious and wanted to see Xiang Wan's strength.
After another exchange, Xiang Wan and Yang Sheng stood still, their swords trembling slightly, their fighting spirit palpable.
If this continues, it might not end until dawn.
"Benefactor Yang, how about we make a bet?"
Yang Sheng remained noncommittal, and Xiang Wan continued, "One move to decide the outcome. If you win, all the sacred artifacts on my and my master's bodies will be yours, and we can also tell you the truth about Ghost Mountain. If I win, all the sacred artifacts on your body will be handed over to me. Once we leave this formation, we will have no further connection. How about it?"
"Taoist Master, do you think I can't beat you?"
"It's just a friendly exchange, each of us relying on our own skills, is that acceptable?"
"Can!"
Without a prize, there's no motivation to fight. Yang Sheng, I hope you won't disappoint us too much after you get out.
"Hong'er, bring me the peach wood sword!"
The Frost and Snow Sword vanished instantly, and Xiang Wan caught the peach wood sword that Tu Hongye threw to her.
The dark, unremarkable blade gradually turned golden and dazzling after Xiang Wan ran her index and middle fingers over it.
Yang Sheng's expression was solemn. The sword in his hand emitted a shriek, and the vibration became more and more obvious. This was a sign that he had met his match.
A sword that seeks to kill often prefers an opponent stronger than itself. There are only sword spirits that fall in battle, no opponents who retreat. A sword follows its master, and the master follows its master.
In his past life, it was probably because Shi Tan discovered the true nature of the peach wood sword that Yang Sheng harbored murderous intent. A fine sword is what every swordsman dreams of. But killing to seize a sword is not the act of a gentleman.
The peach wood sword slashed through the air and collided with Shi. The cold sword intent met the gentle sword light, and the fighting spirit rose even higher.
During the fight, bits of grass and wood flew everywhere, and dirt splattered. Xiang Wan spared no effort, and so did Yang Sheng.
The sword tip pointed straight to the sky, and a warm sun rose from the tip, shooting towards Yang Sheng. At the same time, fine ice needles shot out, swiftly piercing his acupoints.
The cold light blocked the warm sun, and Yang Sheng's defensive magic artifact activated, forming a semi-circular barrier facing Xiang Wan. Unfortunately, the ice needles didn't face the magic array directly, but instead circled around in all directions, attacking from behind him. Yang Sheng reached out to block, but how could he possibly stop the countless needles?
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