Chapter 381: Shackles

...

Both of them had similar levels of cultivation, both were agility-type spirit masters specializing in fast attacks. Zhu Zhuyun's attack was naturally countered by Zhu Zhuqing, who had already been on guard.

Ding~

Under the night sky, Zhu Zhuyun's claw struck the silver sword, creating a sharp and ear-piercing sound and splashing sparks that flickered and disappeared in the dark.

So fast!

Zhu Zhuyun's eyes narrowed as she looked at her sister, who easily deflected her attack. The speed of that draw almost caught her off guard.

Seeing that her attack was ineffective, Zhu Zhuyun immediately retreated, her flexible body flipping in the air a few times before landing steadily.

Surprised, Zhu Zhuyun gazed at her sister, noticing the fierce determination in her eyes. A wave of shock and astonishment surged within Zhu Zhuyun.

Looking at her sister's surprised expression, Zhu Zhuqing sheathed her sword effortlessly and casually said, "If you still see me as the weak girl from before, you'll suffer a great loss, sister."

"Hehe, I really shouldn't underestimate you~" Zhu Zhuyun chuckled lightly. Her spirit power began to surge as she stretched out her hands. Sharp claws emerged from her slender and delicate fingertips, and her tall and curvaceous legs took elegant cat-like steps. Four spirit rings quietly appeared, revolving and shining around her graceful figure.

In the dark night, her eyes were one emerald green and one deep blue, flickering with eerie brilliance. She leaned down, extending her claws, while a long, black cat tail swayed on her plump buttocks, as if she had entered a hunting state.

An invisible pressure enveloped the surrounding space. The hunter licked her claws, anticipating the thrill of the hunt.

Zhu Zhuqing also felt the pressure coming from her sister. She knew very well that even though she had been working hard in cultivation and had taken Immortal Herb to increase her spirit power, her level was still not comparable to her sister's who had a similar talent and several years of seniority. 

A few years of cultivation and the Immortal Herbs couldn't immediately bridge the gap between them.

However, the difference in strength was not solely reflected in the disparity of spirit power levels.

Over these years, Zhu Zhuqing had witnessed many spirit masters who could defeat higher level opponents. Spirit power level wasn't the only factor enhancing one's strength.

For example, Tang San and also Zeng Yi.

She had been practicing swordsmanship with Zeng Yi for nearly two years, and now, she was one of them.

Her strength lay not only in her spirit power but also in the sword in her hand and her determination to become stronger.

As she watched her sister, Zhu Zhuqing showed no change in expression. She launched her attack towards her sister's brow with her purplish clawed purple aura.

However, when her sister's figure appeared within her line of sight, Zhu Zhuyun's attack paused for a moment. Her differently colored eyes widened, filled with incredulity and disbelief.

Her silver like hair scattered like a galaxy, shining brightly under the moonlight. Her starry eyes were deep and mysterious, seemingly containing an endless starry sky.

Under the moonlight, her body appeared incredibly sacred and elegant. Just standing there made people unable to launch an attack against her and irresistibly protective and nurturing.

Graceful, noble, a divine figure that blossomed like a beautiful water lily in the moonlight.

What surprised Zhu Zhuyun the most were the four spirit rings surrounding her sister's body.

Spirit Ancestor!

Zhu Zhuyun couldn't believe it; it had only been a few years. 3 or 4 years of time, and her sister had actually progressed from a second-ranked spirit master to a Spirit Ancestor, the same level as her!

As the purple claws were about to pierce her brow, Zhu Zhuqing remained calm, her eyes flickering like stars.

Zhu Zhuyun's attacking movement and Zhu Zhuqing's counterattack with the draw—time seemed to freeze at this moment.

In an instant, the silver and purplish black flashes interweaved and disappeared in an instant.

Within this split-second, the position of the two had passed each other.

As they rushed past each other, Zhu Zhuqing turned her head to glance at her sister. Her face still wore a cold expression, and her eyes showed no signs of wavering.

Exhaling, a gust of cool wind blew by, causing a strand of hair to sway and slowly fall onto the hard stone slab.

Zhu Zhuyun mechanically turned her body, looking at the girl standing before her, her wide-eyed gaze filled with shock.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that her little sister, who she hadn't seen in years, was incredibly strange.

"You're a Spirit Ancestor?"

After a while, Zhu Zhuyun's voice broke the silence, her eyes widening as she looked at her sister, her voice trembling.

"Sister, in this world, anything is possible, just like what's happening right now, isn't it?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at her sister and said calmly.

Seeing her sister, who used to seem far out of reach, now trembling because of her, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel a sense of trance. This feeling was like a dream.

She lowered her head to glance at the bamboo sword in her hand, a faint smile appearing at the corner of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth.

"Thank you."

Her voice was very faint, and Zhu Zhuyun, who was still stunned by her sister's powers, didn't notice.

"This is impossible!"

A furious roar resounded through the night sky.

Immediately following that, Zhu Zhuyun launched a frantic attack, like a storm of wind and rain.

Anger and unwillingness flickered in Zhu Zhuyun's eyes, distorting her enchanting face.

Waving her claws, she unleashed attack after attack; each strike faster than the previous one, leaving behind a series of afterimages on the ground.

The claws formed a net, as if it was a trap from heaven and earth, eroding and engulfing Zhu Zhuqing.

However, no matter what, Zhu Zhuqing was always able to withstand her sister's attacks.

Even with her speed increasing and her attack angles becoming more cunning and unpredictable, Zhu Zhuqing always managed to parry each attack with her sword.

The collision of claws and sword resonated in the air with a series of crisp clashes. In the darkness, beautiful sparks bloomed one after another.

"Why? Why? Why are you a Spirit Ancestor? Why are you even stronger than me?"

Zhu Zhuyun's attacks were continuously neutralized by Zhu Zhuqing, leaving her unable to comprehend or accept the strong feeling of defeat.

No matter how fast she was, Zhu Zhuqing was able to counter every attack with even greater speed.

She had been just like a little sister crying behind her but unnoticed, and now, without being aware, she had caught up to her, and even surpassed her.

This strong sense of disparity made Zhu Zhuyun unable to accept it.

Their talents were originally similar, and relying on being a few years older and having several more years of cultivation, Zhu Zhuyun had always been ahead of her sister.

But now, such a gap no longer existed. What did this mean?

Didn't it mean that she was completely useless?

Zhu Zhuyun couldn't accept this reality and started to become insane.

[Hell Hundred Claws!]

Zhu Zhuyun backed away a distance and quietly released her spirit skill. Her surging spirit power turned into a hundred sharp claw shadows, assimilating into a net that invaded and covered Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes narrowed, revealing a keen gleam. Faced with her sister's powerful spirit skill attack, which surrounded her and left no escape route. In the face of this seemingly unavoidable attack, her mind became extremely clear and calm.

Zhu Zhuqing quickly retracted the Bamboo Sword at her waist and gripped the scabbard with her left hand. Taking a step forward with crossed legs, she posed as if pulling out the sword.

Taking a deep breath.

In an instant, she drew the sword smoothly in one continuous motion!

[Chaotic Dance of Shadows!]

In an instant, sword light slashed out—ten became a hundred, and a chaotic mix of sword qi filled the air, exuding a chilling sword intent.

The sword qi broke through the sky-girding net formed by the claws, and beyond that, still had the power to attack Zhu Zhuyun, flying towards her sister's dainty figure.

Startled, Zhu Zhuyun's expression changed, her eyes widene. Immediately, she waved her claws, trying to defend against the incoming sword qi.

However, she couldn't block all the dozens of scattered sword qis, and her dark night attire displayed many cuts, revealing her fair and tender skin.

Zhu Zhuyun's footsteps faltered, retreating a few steps. She looked at her sister, who was holding the sword, gasping for breath, sweat sliding down her cheeks, and disheveled hair. Her cheeks had a slight blush.

She couldn't believe that her sister's strength had reached this level while her own spirit power was Level 47, yet she couldn't do anything to her sister, and she was even suppressed!

"This is impossible!"

Zhu Zhuyun's angry exclamation resounded through the night. Stepping forward, her body shot towards Zhu Zhuqing like a cannonball.

The claws on her hands flickered with a dim light; she clasped her palms together, and the fourth purple spirit ring around her body shimmered.

[Spirit Skill: Shadow Claw!]

She used all her spirit power, and the dim light covered her entire body, turning her into a giant moon sword, slashing forward.

Zhu Zhuqing could not be careless about this. Her spirit power was lower than her sister's by a few levels, and she only managed to reach her level through her superb swordsmanship.

Now, her sister was using all her strength, forming the most powerful strike, and Zhu Zhuqing must not be careless.

[Third Spirit Skill: Demonization!]

In an instant, a stronger air pressure erupted from Zhu Zhuqing, and even her stardust-like hair fluttered up. Her sacred aura underwent an immediate transformation.

Becoming manic and crazed.

Black mist insidiously appeared around Zhu Zhuqing, and her starry eyes turned into a crimson blood red, flickering with eerie blood-colored light.

On her fair neck, some black-red demonic patterns gradually climbed.

As she saw the purple-black moon sword approaching, an element of madness seemed to flicker in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

With a light step, her figure lightly flew out, both hands gripping the long sword with absolute determination.

In an instant, Zhu Zhuqing's charging figure seemed to sway for a moment, splitting into an identical phantom.

Two figures, one on the left and one on the right, dashed through each other, making it impossible to distinguish the real one from the illusion.

[Star and Moon Dance!]

This was Zhu Zhuqing's skill derived from her fourth spirit skill,[Hell Shadow Doppelganger], followed by striking with a sword style.

Agile, graceful, elegant, like a moon elf dancing.

The crossing sword light of the stars and moon collided with the massive purple-black moon sword, creating a moment where flood-like waves of aura spread madly, shaking the ground and lifting the sturdy stone tiles.

In an instant, a violent storm swept the surroundings, and everything around was left in ruins.

As the storm subsided, moonlight once again shone on the center of the storm.

Under the moonlight, two graceful figures stood in place.

"You lost, sister." Zhu Zhuqing said softly, her voice calm but her grip on the sword firm.

Zhu Zhuyun stood there, listening to her sister's words echoing in her ears, watching her sister's figure disappear into the moonlight. Her eyes glazed over, and she remained frozen in place.

After a while, Zhu Zhuyun raised her head, staring at the bright full moon in the night sky, unable to help but sigh.

"Zhuqing, you've grown up, too~"