Yang Qi disliked being led by the nose.

Therefore, he attacked without hesitation, slamming a fist into the ground. Suddenly, terrifying stone pillars erupted from the earth, their tops lined with incredibly sharp barbs.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Water Spears crashed against the stone pillars and shattered. Their wielder, a man known as Palm of Raging Waves, was forced into a constant retreat until Yang Qi extended a finger. An Ice Spur pierced the man’s shoulder blade, sending him flying off the arena.

"Impossible! My nine Water Spears were broken just like that? What kind of technique is that?" Heavenly Slaughter Sword shot to his feet, his expression dark.

King of Jingnan, however, simply shook his head with a bitter smile. It was wishful thinking after all. I thought Palm of Raging Waves was going to win, but he still lost in the end.

"How can this be? He actually broke my nine Water Spears! I... I... Damn it, I’ve lost!" Although Palm of Raging Waves was unwilling to accept it, he had landed below the arena. With his shoulder blade pierced, he could no longer fight at his original Combat Power even if he wanted to.

"Hmph, so that’s his trump card. Boss, I will defeat him!" Unable to contain himself any longer, Heavenly Slaughter Sword leaped into the air and landed on the arena.

King of Jingnan appeared extremely nervous. Although he was also an Overlord of the Three Realms, his Combat Power was inferior to Heavenly Slaughter Sword’s. The swordsman only called him "Boss" because the king had once saved his life. If Heavenly Slaughter Sword were to lose to Yang Qi, there would be no need for the king to take the stage, as his own defeat would be certain.

On the arena, a strange black light emanated from Heavenly Slaughter Sword’s eyes. While a normal person’s eyes might glint, they would never hold such a malevolent light, as if black flames were burning within them.

As his name suggested, Heavenly Slaughter Sword naturally used a sword. The black longsword in his hand pulsed with an astonishing killing intent.

Yang Qi dared not underestimate him. This Heavenly Slaughter Sword was extremely powerful. He was not just a Third Rank Overlord, but likely a Third Rank Overlord at the Lesser Accomplishment Level. With his current Realm, Yang Qi could consistently defeat a Third Rank Beginner Level Overlord, but against one at the Lesser Accomplishment Level, his chances were only fifty-fifty.

But even with fifty-fifty odds, he had to try.

A golden longsword appeared in Yang Qi’s right hand, radiating a terrifying Sword Intent that was in no way weaker than that of the black sword in Heavenly Slaughter Sword’s hand.

"Such strong Sword Intent. No wonder you can challenge those in higher realms. But this is where you meet your end," Heavenly Slaughter Sword said coldly, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Heh, I’ve seen my share of loudmouths. I just hope your Combat Power is as strong as your words," Yang Qi replied with a light laugh, as if he were not facing a battle at all.

"Heh, a loudmouth, you say? Then let’s see if you’re even worthy of my full effort!" Heavenly Slaughter Sword sneered and took a step forward. He did not use his sword. Instead, he formed a blade with the fingers of his left hand and thrust directly!

Yang Qi smiled faintly and flicked his own finger, shooting an ice sword from its tip that was imbued with a terrifyingly sharp Sword Intent.

BOOM!

With a loud explosion, the sword light burst apart.

Yang Qi stood his ground, unmoving, a faint smile on his face and an air of breezy confidence about him. Heavenly Slaughter Sword also stood firm, frowning at Yang Qi. He realized his opponent was much stronger than he had anticipated. An uncomfortable coldness from the frost on his fingertips began to seep into his hand.

Yang Qi was also uncomfortable. Heavenly Slaughter Sword’s attacks always contained a special Yin Evil Qi that made his fingers ache, and the vile energy lingered without dispersing.

Such potent Yin Evil Qi. The Cultivation Technique this guy practices is extraordinary. Yang Qi frowned. Heavenly Slaughter Sword seemed even stronger than he had imagined.

"An equal match?" The crowd was stunned. Finally, someone seemed able to halt Yang Qi’s advance.

The King of Jingnan clenched his fists, hoping Heavenly Slaughter Sword could emerge victorious.

"No, Heavenly Slaughter Sword should have the upper hand," someone said. "Have you forgotten? He’s at his strongest with his sword, but he didn’t even use it in that attack."

"But Yang Qi didn’t use a sword either, did he?"

"True, but it seems Yang Qi isn’t skilled in swordsmanship, right? He has rarely used a sword in his previous fights."

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Regardless, this battle was crucial. If Heavenly Slaughter Sword could win, it would be a monumental victory for the Jingnan Royal Mansion and its allies.

"It seems you aren’t as strong as I imagined!" Heavenly Slaughter Sword taunted.

"Is that so? You aren’t as formidable as I imagined either. I’m slightly disappointed," Yang Qi replied, raising the golden sword in his right hand. He was determined to force Heavenly Slaughter Sword to unleash his true Combat Power.

This mutual probing is pointless.

"Using your sword now? I have never lost to someone of a lower realm. I wonder how you’ll fare," Heavenly Slaughter Sword said with a faint, arrogant smile.

Yang Qi did not respond. He flicked his golden longsword, thrusting it out. It generated a tangible Sword Qi that caused even Heavenly Slaughter Sword to feel a sharp sting, as if his very skin were being sliced.

"Kill!"

The next moment, Yang Qi moved. His Wind Step propelled him forward at a shocking speed.

"Hmph!" Heavenly Slaughter Sword scoffed. He twisted his body and unleashed a fierce thrust with his own blade, the Heavenly Slaughter Sword.

CLANG!

The golden and black longswords collided. A sinister Yin Evil Qi surged along Yang Qi’s golden sword, attempting to invade his body. Yang Qi merely smiled faintly, fluidly changing his attack. His blade slid down the length of the black sword, slicing toward his opponent’s wrist.

CLANG!

Heavenly Slaughter Sword reacted with incredible speed, blocking the attack. At the same time, his left hand shot out in a palm strike that radiated a chilling, terrifying aura.

Not to be outdone, Yang Qi blasted forth with his Fire Fist Skill.

Flames and the Yin Evil Qi clashed and exploded.

The two fighters instantly separated.

It was another draw.

Heavenly Slaughter Sword looked at Yang Qi and frowned before speaking. "Not bad. You truly are qualified to battle me. I’ve never seen a swordsman of a lower realm who could block my Sword Skill.

"But being qualified is all you are. You are not yet worthy of my full strength."

As he spoke, black qi swirled around his hands. In the next moment, the black longsword in his grasp seemed to ignite with black flames. The flames were ominously cold, and it felt as though countless wailing phantoms were trapped within them.

"The Sword of Death!" The King of Jingnan gasped. Heavenly Slaughter Sword was finally getting serious. He was actually using such a powerful technique against Yang Qi.

"Just qualified, you say? Your mouth is certainly bigger than your abilities," Yang Qi said with a light laugh. On his golden longsword, arcs of lightning began to leap and crackle.

He could feel just how terrifying the black Sword of Death had become, but his own sword was just as formidable.

The golden longsword was formed from his Spiritual Power. A Cultivator’s Spiritual Power was in no way inferior to the Magic Artifacts spoken of by Martial Artists. Infused with the power of lightning, his sword became even mightier—capable of annihilating any demon.