An Intense Battle

The lake that was still dazzling a moment earlier then fell into a silent darkness.

Even though it was reflective like a mirror, it could not glow and produce heat energy on its own.

To normal humans, the world might be enveloped in absolute darkness. However, for the two of them, the darkness did not take away their sense of sight completely. Although it was blurry, Shen Lian saw that Ye Liuyun had a sword in his hand.

The sword was less than seventy centimeters, yet it gave off a dark green gleam, with an intense icy vibe.

Shen Lian closed his eyes, as though he could not stand the pressure from the sword aura.

Right when Shen Lian closed his eyes, he felt the dark green gleam of the sword headed right toward him.

Kuhui and Xiao Zhu were near and they saw the soaring sword.

Kuhui was surprised. He heard about the master celestial of swords. He knew how he could kill within ten steps and could travel for miles and not leave a trace. He just did not expect Ye Liuyun to be able to do this before he was even accepted into Celestialism.

Xiao Zhu was made aware of the difference between Ye Liuyun and herself. She was reminded of all the times that he let her have her way despite being much stronger than her.

Shen Lian took a step back and the sword missed him. However, the sword took a sharp turn and charged at him again from the other end.

Shen Lian was constantly moving, the soaring sword attacked him from every angle imaginable.

The moon that was once clouded by the dark cloud reappeared inch by inch. Shen Lian's body was akin to the shadow in the lake – a rock was thrown at it.

It was vibrating and ever-changing.

Shen Lian could feel the benefits from cultivating Being and Non-Being of Sword Aura. Besides his mastery of the impressive skill, he realized that his concentration got better.

Humans were wonderful that way. Through concentration, one could discover one's endless potential and could tap into pre-existing capabilities.

Shen Lian felt as though his heart had sunk to the bottom of the lake. With his extreme concentration, he could feel the track, speed, and changes of the soaring sword.

His movement was not exaggerated, it was barely enough to dodge away from the sharp tip of the soaring sword.

It was like he was walking through the mountain of blades and sea of fires, as though they were flat terrains.

Xiao Zhu and Kuhui saw Ye Liuyun controlling his soaring sword from a distance away with his essential Qi, through methods similar to 'catching the dragon, controlling the crane'.

Split, chopped, cut, stitch, pick, hooks, pierce, wear, wiping, sweeping, point, collapse, hanging, and cloud.

These fourteen sword techniques could form tens of thousands of combinations; it was a standard method to teach swordcraft.

However, when these techniques were used with a soaring sword, it was hard to defend against.

Shen Lian could dodge away from the soaring sword through his heightened spirit and increased concentration. However, that did not mean that he was not in any danger.

In such an intense battle, it would take just one mistake to kill himself.

His heart was too calm, to the extent that he forgot how deadly this battle was.

He observed the change in Ye Liuyun's essential Qi accurately.

Ye Liuyun still had energy within him, and his breath was not disturbed.

The soaring sword gave off gleams of icy light. There were layers of overlapping shadows, and the space available for Shen Lian's movement was getting smaller and smaller. Simultaneously, his movement got more precise.

"If they were born twenty years ago, I wonder what they would have attained by now. They might just be one of the holy deities," Kuhui sighed and spoke.

Within celestial schools, one might be able to find someone of their level of attainment amongst the disciples. However, their battle sense was not something that could be replaced by mere talent or potential.

The path of longevity was also the path of asura, one could never reach the Bodhisattva fruit without utilizing harsh methods.

The moon that was once clouded by the dark cloud reappeared inch by inch. Due to the reflective quality of the lake, the place gradually brightened up.

Xiao Zhu noticed that there were beads of sweat on Ye Liuyun's forehead. His expression was serious and stern.

Having known Ye Liuyun for all these years, this was the first time that she saw such a serious expression on his face.

She did not interrupt this time. She only watched the battle quietly.

She did not even know why she was not looking at Shen Lian, whom she found curious.

She was unaware of the saying, 'the deeper the hatred, the deeper the love', a saying that was often used in the context of a romantic relationship.

The moon shook off the dark cloud completely, both Ye Liuyun and Shen Lian saw it as the perfect timing for the decisive move.

Shen Lian drew his sandalwood sword. The sword was old, and the surface was bumpy and roughed up. It looked as though it could not even deal a clean cut on a tofu.

His movement when he drew the sword was smooth, it was fast as lightning, yet every move was clear as the day.

As though one was standing underneath a giant waterfall; the stream raced down from the top, crushing to the ground. It was an impactful and awe-inspiring sight.

When Shen Lian drew the sword, it felt as though life was instilled into it.

The wooden sword cut through the air with an abstruse track. At the same time, a wave of silver needles as thin as cow's hair accompanied by a sliver of silver-white moonlight, flew right at Shen Lian mercilessly, just as a torrent of the storm.

With a quick flick, the wooden sword deflected each and every one of the silver needles.

It was as easy as strong wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

Accompanied by a loud noise, a white ray of sword aura that was almost visible appeared with the speed of lightning.

The target - Ye Liuyun - was not far away.

Shen Lian sighed in his heart. After all, he did not manage to hold back. In a moment of life and death, he failed to calculate and keep everything under his control.

The wave of silver needles was one of the top hidden weapon techniques. It had a very cliché name –'Needles Sprinkled under the Stormy Sky'. Each and every one of the silver needles contained powerful essential Qi. Unlike what Shen Lian thought, it was not something that could be overcome easily.

Without the skill of Being and Non-Being of Sword Aura which was founded on some abstruse theory, Shen Lian would have easily been injured by the hidden weapon.

The best part about Being and Non-Being of Sword Aura was the abstruseness in its pierce that transcended mortal martial arts. It was close to being a supernatural power or Daoist technique.

Of course, Shen Lian had to put in his entire strength and pour in waves of essential Qi into the Being and Non-Being of Sword Aura.

That was the first time he used Being and Non-Being of Sword Aura in an actual battle. He could not promise that the Ye Liuyun could still be alive after taking on the sword aura.

Ye Liuyun's soaring sword flew at the sword aura, as though it was trying to stop the sword aura in its track.

He noticed that Shen Lian's spirit dampened after producing his sword aura as he picked up the scent of danger. That was why he decided to stop the strange sword aura before continuing with the battle.

However, reality always differed from one's wish. Before the soaring sword could do anything, the sword aura disappeared. By the time it reappeared, it was cutting close to him.

What was scarier was the absolute killing intent gave off by the sword aura. So scary that he found himself unable to move.

The Ice Jade that he wore sent icy breaths into his spirit, and he was able to react as fast as he could – he raised his hand.

In the end, he had to face the absolute sword aura that could break even refined steel with his body of blood and flesh.