Chapter 356: A Mutual Admiration

It was a remarkable scene, befitting a peak martial artist who had gradually ascended to the Zhixuan realm. Apart from the almost fatal first strike that chilled him to the core, Fifth Luan’s expression remained unchanged during the subsequent stabs. He merely looked down calmly at the young man who appeared to be in a state of qi deviation. However, Fifth Luan’s Vajra physique had been shattered by the initial strike, dispersing his vital energy. The difficulty lay in the subsequent attacks, which, like a section of willow branch, unleashed surging killing intent. Despite his immense internal energy, Fifth Luan couldn’t quickly reaccumulate his scattered vital energy. It was as if a great river had been carved into several diverging channels by a sword immortal, and the later stabs, each precise, pierced critical acupoints, akin to diverting river water and then digging several deep wells. Although Fifth Luan showed no signs of weakness, he knew the severity of his situation; he had truly met his downfall this time.

The Sect Master of Tibing Mountain spoke hoarsely, "How did that last strike come about?"

Xu Fengnian looked coldly at the Zhixuan realm master. He said nothing, but gave him another stab.

This particular strike was not easily achieved; its difficulty was unimaginable to outsiders. Xu Fengnian had borrowed from Li Chungang’s ‘Twin Sleeves Green Snakes’ and ‘Sword Cleaving Heavenly Gate,’ from Old Huang’s sword, from Deng Tai’a and the demonic Luoyang from the battle outside Dunhuang City, from Dragon Tree Monk’s Buddhist Lion’s Roar in the canyon, and even from the ‘Dream-Severing Dragon’ from that night on the mountain peak. Everything he had witnessed firsthand was integrated into that one strike. When Old Celestial Master Zhao Xichuan of Dragon Tiger Mountain first visited the Northern Liang Prince’s Manor, he had privately read Xu Fengnian’s fortune. Although he didn’t speak plainly or conclusively, he only said that if the young prince didn’t encounter any unforeseen calamities, he would surely live a full sixty years. Xu Fengnian didn’t put much faith in fate or prophecies, but he, being most familiar with the pros and cons of the Reverse Flow of the Great Yellow Court, estimated that this strike would cost him approximately ten years of his lifespan, reducing his age to fifty-four. This thought, considering he never made unprofitable deals, prompted Xu Fengnian to give Fifth Luan yet another stab.

"We both know that only by not killing me can you leave the Rouran mountain range alive," Fifth Luan said. "Eight hundred armored soldiers are already on the mountain, and even if you were possessed by a sword immortal, you couldn't cut down the endless thousands of iron cavalry from the Rouran military garrison. This is probably why you've struck so many times but haven't taken my life."

Xu Fengnian grinned and once again stabbed the purple-robed man in a critical acupoint. Fifth Luan, held by the neck, was truly formidable. Even in this situation, he still appeared to be a master confident of victory. Such composure was genuinely unnerving.

Blood trickled from Fifth Luan's mouth, and he said calmly, "I can promise you that I won't exact my revenge today. I'll only send people to hunt you down after you leave the Rouran mountain range."

Fifth Luan didn't utter any grand words about letting bygones be bygones, nor did he boast about keeping his word. Yet, it was precisely such straightforward language that, in the context of deep enmity, offered a surprising degree of credibility.

Xu Fengnian looked up and asked, "Don't you believe I'll stab you in the heart again?"

Fifth Luan remained silent, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Xu Fengnian paused his knife but didn’t withdraw it, scoffing at himself, "There’s no such thing as only allowing oneself to take advantage. I know you also have tricks to avoid death, save your life, or trade one life for another. But you are the Sect Master of Tibing Mountain, holding high power and prestige, not to mention being on the verge of reaching the threshold of a Land Immortal. So don’t think about bringing a small fry like me down with you; that’s a very uneconomical deal. As for me, I’ll continue to stab you without hesitation. Be magnanimous and forgive me, otherwise, once you recover your vital energy, I’m no match for a great Zhixuan master. Does the Sect Master understand this small matter?"

Fifth Luan coughed from laughing, but still nodded, fully displaying the demeanor of a dominant and ambitious hero.

Xu Fengnian sighed inwardly, marveling at how Fifth Luan could still converse and laugh after such severe injuries. "Can't he be less outrageous?" As he marveled, he gently released his grip, allowing Fifth Luan's feet to touch the ground. However, the Spring Thunder blade was already plunged into the purple-robed man's Juque acupoint, and he had no intention of pulling it out. Only then could Xu Fengnian feel at ease. If they weren't in Fifth Luan's territory, Xu Fengnian would have wished to pierce all the acupoints on his body with a knife. The demonic spirit, Yuanying, had returned, patting its belly, its mouth full of crimson—all Rouran armored soldiers' blood, looking sated. It carried Xu Beizhi out of the forest, Qingniao put her pack on her back, and the three Great Qin iron swords were returned to their scabbards. Prudence ensures safety for a myriad of years. Xu Fengnian slipped a flying sword into his sleeve, and three perfected sword embryos—Taia, Zhaolu, and Jinlü—were separately plunged into Fifth Luan's three major acupoints: Xuanji, Jiuwei, and Shenque. These, in conjunction with Spring Thunder, completely restrained Fifth Luan's Qi Sea. The Sect Master of Tibing Mountain offered a faint smile, showing no resistance, allowing the cautious young man to meticulously set up his strategy.

The more composed and calm Fifth Luan appeared, his luxurious purple robe now tattered beyond recognition, the more cautious Xu Fengnian became.

Without Xu Fengnian needing to say anything, Fifth Luan waved his hand, signaling the surrounding armored soldiers to retreat.

The group descended the mountain to its foot. Tibing Mountain retainers, as per Fifth Luan's order, brought four warhorses. After confirming there was no trickery, Xu Fengnian and Fifth Luan rode one horse together. They then asked the Rouran iron cavalry for four more warhorses. Qingniao, the demonic spirit, and Xu Beizhi each rode one horse and led another, following closely behind.

Fifth Luan had no intention whatsoever of having the Rouran iron cavalry tail or spy on them. He made sure this cavalry unit, which had been attacked by the demonic spirit when ascending the mountain, remained at the foot of the mountain.

They rode their horses southward at a gallop.

Fifth Luan, as if on a leisurely journey, chuckled softly, "Wang Xiu gained a daughter in his old age and also took Chen Zhibao as a closed-door disciple. For Wang Xiu’s daughter to risk her life for you, combined with your endless tricks and even mastering Li Chungang’s ‘Twin Sleeves Green Snakes’ so thoroughly… Connecting that with the Battle of Guangling River I heard about earlier, I can probably guess your identity. In Northern Liang, it’s truly hard to find another like you. You are indeed the son of the Butcher, Xu Fengnian."

Perhaps as a sign of sincerity, Fifth Luan didn't even reach out to wipe away the bloodstains. "Both Liangmang and Liyang are spreading rumors about how you are 'gold on the outside, dross on the inside'," he continued. "It must have been hard to hide all these years, hasn't it? Haha, truthfully, though you and I are now mortal enemies, if I had met you earlier, I would have preferred to marry Que'er to you. The battle at the bottom of the stream was truly an eye-opener. For me, losing was frustrating, but not entirely unfair."

Xu Fengnian said plainly, "The horse is bumpy, and you still have a knife stuck in you. Even if you are a great Zhixuan master, wouldn't it be better to talk less and suffer less?"

The burly purple-robed man said, "This suffering is nothing. I rarely ask the same question twice, but I am truly curious about that last strike of yours."

Xu Fengnian, who had been paying attention to his surroundings, completely ignored this point. He frowned and asked, "You didn't even bring Lingnu Qingyan along? Are you truly going to let me leave the southern foothills of Rouran so magnanimously?"

Fifth Luan had a mocking look on his face, his tone somewhat colder. "Why would I need to play tricks with you? A loss is a loss."

Xu Fengnian asked, "Aren't you afraid that once we reach a secluded spot, I'll cut off your life force with one strike?"

Fifth Luan burst into laughter, "Oh, Xu Fengnian, if you really dare, why don't you try?"

Xu Fengnian laughed along. "Forget it. They say one doesn't know the profound until one enters the Zhixuan realm. The methods of top experts like you are truly bizarre and endless. Earlier, when I was sure to die, I naturally dared to fight you to the death. But now that I have a glimmer of hope, I'm not willing to risk my life to bring down a mere 'emperor'."

Fifth Luan tutted, "Hereditary Prince of Northern Liang, Xu Fengnian, how will I kill you in the future?"

Xu Fengnian asked with a smile, "Having second thoughts?"

Fifth Luan looked at the green and yellow rice fields, a rare sight in Beiman, on both sides of the road, and said softly, "That way, killing you will be much more interesting. Don't forget, I am still a Beiman general. The path from the Rouran mountain range to the Northern Liang border is almost entirely flat."

Fifth Luan suddenly said, "I heard that at the end of the Lianggan Corridor, near the Western Regions Plateau, there is a complex group of ten thousand barbarians hiding. They have always resisted enlightenment, and when they draw their sabers and mount their horses, they become first-class brave and strong warriors. Were they all expelled by the 'Poisonous Scholar' Li Yishan back then?"

Xu Fengnian asked, puzzled, "What are you trying to say?"

Fifth Luan fell into thought.

They galloped all night without stopping. As dawn broke, the fertile lands of the Rouran southern foothills were long gone, replaced by endless desolate yellow sand. Xu Fengnian finally stopped his horse, looked back, and Fifth Luan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, also opened his.

Xu Fengnian, gripping his Spring Thunder blade, dismounted with Fifth Luan and asked, "Is this where we part ways?"

Fifth Luan said calmly, "Very well, we part ways here."

"I have a question for you; whether you answer is up to you."

"I will tell you everything I know."

"After I withdraw my short blade, if I change my mind and turn back to kill you, what are the chances of victory for each of us?"

"With all your abilities, plus Wang Xiu's daughter's Arc-character spear, and that vermilion-robed demonic spirit," Fifth Luan replied, "killing a severely wounded Zhixuan master without iron cavalry protection, your chances of winning are very high."

"What about the three Tibing Mountain retainers secretly following you?"

"You knew?"

Fifth Luan, whose secret had been exposed, burst into laughter. "Even," he said. "Only then can we have a good parting."

Xu Fengnian laughed along.

So, were they going to meet with a smile and let go of their grudges?

Fifth Luan, his back to Xu Fengnian, his eyes gradually turned from red to purple. Yet, his vital energy circulated without the slightest abnormality.

The Sect Master of Tibing Mountain, who had never suffered such humiliation in his life, had endured all the way. How could he not give the future Prince of Northern Liang a parting gift?

He intended to keep one foot in Zhixuan and forcibly step the other into the Celestial Phenomenon realm.

The lingering danger of a false realm, compared to the head of the future Prince of Northern Liang, was not so unacceptable.

The three spying retainers were merely a ruse, a way for both sides to save face and create the illusion of a happy parting. Fifth Luan was simply waiting for the moment Xu Fengnian withdrew his blade and paused for breath.

Xu Fengnian indeed slowly withdrew Spring Thunder.

No sooner had Spring Thunder left his body, and before Xu Fengnian could retrieve the three flying swords, Taia, Zhaolu, and Jinlü spontaneously burst out of Fifth Luan's body. Fifth Luan, dishevelled, stretched out his arms and laughed uproariously towards the sky.

There was a sense of unparalleled arrogance.

Even a false Celestial Phenomenon realm was more than enough to deal with the combined efforts of three people.

Xu Fengnian said softly, "Longevity Lotus, open."

In a blink of an eye, Fifth Luan's purple eyes turned golden.

Thunder suddenly rumbled across the heavens and earth, and dark clouds gathered.

Fifth Luan's vital energy surged, completely out of control. He could only slowly and stiffly turn his head with difficulty.

*Just one more incense stick's worth of time!*

The Sect Master of Tibing Mountain would then temporarily transcend into sainthood, achieving a false Land Immortal realm.

Xu Fengnian walked forward with a grim smile, his Spring Thunder blade moving towards Fifth Luan's neck. It was extremely slow, gradually, piece by piece, before the head was severed. The vermilion-robed demonic spirit had already floated behind Fifth Luan, biting into the neck of the headless purple-robed man, frantically absorbing his cultivation.

Xu Fengnian severed the head.

He felt a sense of relief.

"What's a false Celestial Phenomenon realm?" Xu Fengnian murmured. "I compressed my entire Great Yellow Court Golden Lotus into a 'Longevity Seed Character' and implanted it into one of your acupoints. I decide when it blooms. Doesn't that just directly send you into a false Land Immortal realm? Isn't this a grand gift?"

"On Rouran Mountain, if you had been willing to fall from Zhixuan to Vajra, instead of forcibly entering Celestial Phenomenon at that moment, and chosen the false realm with both pros and cons over a detrimental fall in cultivation, I probably would have met my end on the mountain."

"Is a Zhixuan master so great?" Xu Fengnian continued. "Can you just think of foolproof plans and suffer no losses? I've already risked an entire ten years of my life, even losing my Great Yellow Court. Fifth Luan, if you shouldn't die, then who should?"

Xu Fengnian mumbled to himself, looking at the head in his hand. He then glanced at the floating vermilion-robed demonic spirit, which was now shimmering golden on both sides.

The world lost one great Zhixuan master, and gained another great Zhixuan master.

At the same time, Xu Fengnian's realm dropped.

But not from the initial Great Vajra realm to the second rank.

Instead, he fell into the false Zhixuan realm!