Chapter 1435: Chapter 1435: Her Place in His Heart

"Alright, then let me see how much you’ve progressed over the years," Yun Qianmo pointed with his longsword and said.

"Crack!" A thunderous lightning echoed in the night sky, a sword light tore through the darkness as if to split the entire heaven and earth.

At the moment the thunder exploded, Ye Lanfeng and Yun Qianmo simultaneously made their move.

Two streaks of sword light illuminated the sky, more dazzling than the lightning itself.

The terrifying sword power surged relentlessly, knocking down Huayue and others directly to the ground. The Fifth Prince and Qu Fengting staggered back and collided with the courtyard wall, barely stabilizing themselves. The firm battle armor made of refined steel bore spiderweb-like cracks, their chests surged with boiling blood, and they couldn’t help but spurt out mouthfuls of blood.

Meanwhile, the dozens of soldiers wielding the Cloud Piercing Stone Shattering Bow fainted directly, losing consciousness.

This is the true strength of a formidable fighter. This was the only thought they had before passing out.

The sound of thunder faded, the sword light flashed, and the world plunged into darkness once more.

Ye Lanfeng and Yun Qianmo had already retreated several steps each, a trickle of blood seeped the shoulder of Ye Lanfeng while Yun Qianmo’s side also oozed with blood.

Neither gained any advantage from the strike; they were equally matched.

Without pausing, they again unleashed their sword force, attacking head-on.

The sword lights clashed, and another peal of thunder exploded, blood sprayed between the two.

Yet neither showed signs of withdrawal. With a movement underfoot, two streaks of sword light again slashed through the sky.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Lanfeng and Yun Qianmo exchanged close to a hundred moves.

Blood fell like raindrops, blossoming on the ground like roses, but it was impossible to distinguish whose blood it was. The two figures crossed each other repeatedly, fast as a flurry of shadows, making even Han Yan’s eye power unable to discern which was which.

Han Yan gripped the sword hilt tightly, her heart leaping into her throat.

Until now, she realized how terrifying truly powerful fighters in the Sword Saint Realm were, even if she forcibly elevated her strength to the Sword Saint Realm using the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, she couldn’t contend with them.

In such a caliber of a duel, she didn’t even have the option to intervene.

Finally, the figures again separated after the touch.

Ye Lanfeng’s body was covered in blood, his face pale, but across the mask, Yun Qianmo’s expression was unseen. From the profuse bloodstains and the incessant movement of fingers gripping the hilt, he was evidently also heavily injured.

"Lan Feng, you certainly didn’t disappoint me," Yun Qianmo said after a long pause.

"Why didn’t you kill me, why did you hold back in that last strike?" Ye Lanfeng asked.

Upon hearing this, Han Yan and others were shocked. From the final bout, it seemed Ye Lanfeng was indeed injured severely, but evidently, he was in the lead. At least that’s what they thought. But hearing Ye Lanfeng’s words, they realized Yun Qianmo actually had a chance to kill Ye Lanfeng, but he showed mercy.

Could it be Yun Shaomo’s strength was so overwhelming that even Ye Lanfeng was not a match for him?

"If I killed you, would I survive?" Yun Qianmo said leisurely.

Han Yan and others finally relaxed. Yun Qianmo’s strength wasn’t above Ye Lanfeng’s; even if he could kill Ye Lanfeng, the cost would be mutual destruction.

"Lan Feng, I admit your strength is impressive, exceeding the expectations I had for you. But heed my advice, take her away," Yun Qianmo added calmly.

"What if I don’t leave?" Ye Lanfeng replied resolutely.

"Hehehe, I forgot, with your temperament, how could you leave? Well, take care then." Yun Qianmo suddenly laughed in relief, turned and left, tossing a jade bottle to Ye Lanfeng.

"Wait..." Ye Lanfeng instinctively caught the jade bottle, calling out urgently.

"I know what you want to ask, but I can’t tell you. Anyway, soon, you will find out," Yun Qianmo waved his hand, soared into the sky, and quickly disappeared into the vast night.

Ye Lanfeng watched Yun Qianmo’s departure, silently lost. His eyes showed some loneliness, some bewilderment, and more reluctance.

"Lan Feng." Han Yan approached him, holding his hand tightly.

"I remember when he taught me swordsmanship, every time I got injured and couldn’t hold on, he would give me a bottle of elixir." Ye Lanfeng said as he opened the jade bottle and swallowed the elixir inside.

Without a doubt, this was a priceless Healing Holy Pill, which melted instantly, as the wounds on Ye Lanfeng’s body visibly healed quickly, replenishing the depleted Qi.

Soon, no trace of wounds could be seen on him, his aura restored to its usual deep and restrained state, calm as clouds and wind yet exerting a palpable pressure like a mountain peak.

But his lips formed a bitter smile.

"He didn’t really want to kill me, did he?" Han Yan asked, holding his hand.

At first, Han Yan thought Yun Qianmo came to kill her; Huayue and others believed so too, hence they fought desperately. But upon reflection, he never showed murderous intent, only wanted her to leave Beining Pass and Lu’an City.

"If you don’t want to die, leave Beining Pass, leave Lu’an City, or no one can save you." His words, initially sounding like a threat, upon reconsideration, seemed more like a reminder.

"If he wanted to kill you, not even I could save you," Ye Lanfeng sighed.

Even though they didn’t end in a life-or-death struggle, before leaving, he still tossed a bottle of elixir as he used to, but the distance between them felt vast.

He knew, once like a mentor, friend, and brother, Yun Qianmo had drifted far from him like the lone shadow disappearing into the night.

"Don’t think too much, you’re still friends, aren’t you?" Han Yan understood Ye Lanfeng’s feelings, gazing deeply into his forlorn eyes, and said.

"Yes, we’re still friends." Ye Lanfeng suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with ease and release.

Yun Qianmo actually had no ties with Han Yan; reminding her was certainly because of Ye Lanfeng. Knowing Han Yan meant a lot to Ye Lanfeng, he personally came to remind her. If not for Ye Lanfeng’s presence, he might have acted to take Han Yan out of Beining Pass himself.

No matter why he returned from death or what secrets he hid, at least he still regarded Ye Lanfeng as a friend, which was enough.

"What exactly are you talking about?" Jiang Yuzhe asked with a bewildered look, displaying his slow reaction once again.