Dueling Duan Qingshan

Dueling Duan Qingshan

Observing the trickle of blood seeping from Ouyang Ting's lips, unease washed over the crowd. Qin Wentian remained motionless—could his Mandate's will have grown potent enough to inflict direct harm on Ouyang Ting?

Duan Qingshan swiftly surged forward, shielding Ouyang Ting as his aura enveloped Qin Wentian. "Make another move, and you'll experience my ruthlessness, even if you are an esteemed guest of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan."

"Quite the ego you've got," Qin Wentian retorted, pressing onward. With each step, a formidable surge of energy assailed Ouyang Ting once more. Her pallor grew even more as she doubled over, coughing up yet more blood.

Her gaze, now directed at Qin Wentian, could only be described as a seething, unquenchable rage. She yearned to tear him apart, eradicating this shame that she was being compelled to endure.

Earlier, she had claimed that even if Qin Wentian were present, it would change nothing. Yet, in this very moment, Qin Wentian's mere aura had the power to harm her.

Amidst the roaring wind, Duan Qingshan soared into the sky, finally provoked into action by Qin Wentian.

Releasing two Astral Souls—both originating from the 4th Heavenly Layer—Duan Qingshan showcased his dominance. His Astral Souls were named the Tempest Astral Soul and Gigantic Leg Astral Soul respectively.

As a master of leg-based combat, Duan Qingshan's strength was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Leg-based attacks carried thrice the potency of hand-based strikes, with the only drawback being their comparatively slower nimbleness. Nonetheless, rigorous training could elevate leg techniques to match the agility of hand techniques, and even surpass them in terms of attacking angles.

Duan Qingshan had honed his leg techniques to an exceptionally profound level.

As Duan Qingshan unleashed his Astral Souls to augment his combat prowess, he was determined to dominate Qin Wentian with panache. He wanted to convey to all witnesses that Ouyang Ting, his partner, wasn't a person Qin Wentian could demean, especially not a second time.

At this juncture, illusory images of two colossal legs manifested beneath Duan Qingshan as he suspended midair. The sight resembled a giant peering down at the puny humans below.

One foot lifted, descending ruthlessly upon Qin Wentian. A pervasive pressure crashed onto Qin Wentian's body—this seemingly ungainly leg was capable of an astonishing speed. Spectators felt an irresistible force descending upon them from the heavens.

"Mandate," Qin Wentian sensed Duan Qingshan's Mandate will. His first Mandate, the Mandate of Great Earth, had achieved perfect insights at the first level, as had his second Mandate, the Mandate of Wind, with its Windspeed aspect. His third Mandate carried a form of dreadful suppression, a Mandate derived from his Gigantic Leg Astral Soul.

At this moment, Qin Wentian experienced the forces of both gravity and suppression bearing down upon him. The ground beneath his feet fractured, an evident testament to the immense pressure he contended with.

With a resounding crash, the ground ruptured, yet Qin Wentian defied the pressure, soaring into the air. Raising his palms, a formidable dragon imprint pounded forth, the collision of these two overwhelming forces forming an energy maelstrom that disrupted everyone's equilibrium.

A battle had commenced!

Both combatants were airborne—Qin Wentian dared to stand against Duan Qingshan, the Heaven's Chosen from the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan.

Spectators' hearts trembled at this scene.

Duan Qingshan's might was beyond doubt; ranked 25th, his strength positioned him among the top thirty-six Yuanfu Realm cultivators in all of Grand Xia.

Yet Qin Wentian was only at the seventh level of Yuanfu, daring to directly confront Duan Qingshan.

He was facing a two-level disparity in cultivation.

"Today, I'll make you answer for your deeds," Duan Qingshan declared imperiously.

"With your strength?" Qin Wentian laughed icily. A swift glance at Ouyang Ting triggered her scream as she collapsed, crashing mercilessly to the ground.

"You…" Duan Qingshan's anger hit a boiling point. Qin Wentian was debasing the woman he cherished right before his eyes.

With a tremor, Duan Qingshan's colossal legs shifted, poised to stomp on Luo Huan and Mustang. In response, Qin Wentian's fists created a flurry of shadows, obliterating the manifestations with ease.

"Resolutely stubborn," he sneered.

A radiant gold glow emanated from the center of Qin Wentian's forehead as he directed his gaze once more at Ouyang Ting. The relentless sound of Ouyang Ting's screams sent shivers down the spines of those in the crowd, their skin prickling. Her agony was palpable, to the extent that death seemed like a preferable escape. Positioned on her knees, it was almost as if she begged Qin Wentian to cease his torment. Yet her fellow Ouyang Aristocrat Clan members standing by her side refrained from intervening. Qin Wentian was enigmatic, capable of wielding his gaze as a weapon.

Duan Qingshan erupted in fury, twisting his body to launch a sweeping leg assault towards Qin Wentian. The sky filled with leg shadows, blanketing the area.

Duan Qingshan's mastery of leg-type attacks was unparalleled, fusing both rapidity and force to bestow his strikes with the velocity of wind and the weight of mountains.

Qin Wentian's form transformed into a demonic visage as he unleashed towering demonic qi that reached the heavens. His fierce roar seemed to shake the cosmos, splitting the earth beneath him. A barrier of demonic qi materialized, and despite Duan Qingshan's ferocious offensive, the multitude of leg shadows in the sky failed to breach Qin Wentian's staunch defense.

Considering Duan Qingshan's power, the fact that his intricate leg attacks proved incapable of shattering this barrier underscored the awe-inspiring potency of Qin Wentian's defense.

Yet Duan Qingshan wasn't an ordinary practitioner. He twirled like a cyclone, ascending even higher. Spinning like a drill, he intensified his assault, his foot descending with the force of a sledgehammer, aiming to pulverize Qin Wentian.

The spinning drill generated such force that space itself warped in its wake—a truly fearsome assault.

Qin Wentian clenched his fist, a glint of ferocity flashing in his eyes. If Duan Qingshan wanted to play, then play they shall. He was poised to demonstrate the might of a second-level Mandate.

With a straightforward punch, Qin Wentian targeted the colossal spinning foot manifestation. The analogy was akin to a child attempting to halt a moving truck—a pitiable attempt. His counterstrike appeared feeble, akin to an ant trying to shake a tree.

Could a mere punch really defend against Duan Qingshan's lethal technique?

The small fist collided with the immense leg manifestation. Unsurprisingly, the impact hurled Qin Wentian through the air, causing him to cough up fresh blood.

The strength of Duan Qingshan's technique was undeniable. Despite Qin Wentian's exceptional physique, he felt his internal organs quaking violently from the blow. Wiping blood from his lips, he stared at Duan Qingshan, unruffled.

Although Duan Qingshan appeared serene, he sensed an overpowering force surge into his body upon impact—an intensity so great it threatened to wound his life force.

Duan Qingshan suppressed the rush of blood that surged to his throat, battling the urge to cough it out. He gritted his teeth, enduring the internal turmoil as he struggled to restore equilibrium to his battered qi and blood. Gradually, a semblance of color returned to his pallid features.

No one was privy to the extent of Duan Qingshan's injuries. They all assumed that while Qin Wentian had put up a valiant fight, he ultimately fell short against Duan Qingshan's might. Despite the outcome, the fact that he could even contend with Duan Qingshan at the seventh level of Yuanfu was an achievement worth celebrating.

A faint, cold smile curved Qin Wentian's lips as he observed the strained expression on Duan Qingshan's face. His gaze then shifted back to Ouyang Ting, his brow radiating a golden glow. His killing intent felt like a barrage of knives slicing into her consciousness, causing her to tremble uncontrollably. She sought refuge behind members of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, attempting to hide from his penetrating gaze.

True terror now gripped her heart.

Taking deliberate steps, Qin Wentian moved closer to Ouyang Ting. In that precise moment, a frigid voice sliced through the air: "That's enough."

Several Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns from the Ouyang Clan emerged from the crowd, assessing the scene with knowing eyes. They were well aware of what had transpired.

"Ouyang Ting has suffered enough. Cease," declared an elderly figure, his gaze locking onto Qin Wentian.

"She's unfit for the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan," Ouyang Kuangsheng asserted, firmly cementing his stance.

"I have a betrothal agreement with Ouyang Ting. Ouyang Kuangsheng, what are you scheming?" Duan Qingshan countered. The old man shifted his attention toward the gathering, announcing in an even tone, "Today, this matter concludes."

With that, he cast a scrutinizing look at Ouyang Ting. "Come."

Ouyang Ting's fiery demeanor had extinguished, replaced by a subdued resignation. Although her spirit waned, resentment still smoldered within her. Duan Qingshan had allowed her to endure humiliation under Qin Wentian's hands, a humiliation he had chosen not to halt.

"Until the ranking battle!" Duan Qingshan's voice emanated icily, his eyes flickering with latent hostility.

"Hope you don't cross my path then. Otherwise, I promise to erase Duan Qingshan's name from the annals of Grand Xia," Qin Wentian's voice dripped with icy resolve, echoing through the spectators' hearts. His audacity was breathtaking, casually asserting his intent to kill Duan Qingshan?

"We shall see," Duan Qingshan replied tersely before retreating into the inn. The crowd dispersed, leaving only Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting in their wake.

"Ouyang, I'm taking my leave."

"I understand," Qin Wentian replied with a measured tone, shifting his gaze towards Ouyang Kuangsheng. He was well aware that Ouyang Ting's lineage tied her directly to the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan, while he himself, no matter how exceptional, remained an outsider in their eyes.

Given the circumstances, it was unrealistic to expect the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan to overlook his treatment of Ouyang Ting. Even though he was close to Ouyang Kuangsheng, such an act of defiance had its limits.

"I get it," Ouyang Kuangsheng nodded, offering a reassuring pat on Qin Wentian's shoulder. He spoke with conviction, "No matter what comes our way, you'll always be my brother, Ouyang Kuangsheng's, ally."

"Yeah," Qin Wentian agreed, his voice tinged with determination. "Ouyang, we'll strive together to become even stronger. You better assume control of the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan swiftly. When I visit your clan in the future, I won't let such incidents repeat themselves."

Chuckling, Ouyang Kuangsheng quipped, "Haha, once I'm in charge, I wonder if I can still persuade a legendary figure like you to grace us with your presence."

Their laughter echoed, their camaraderie unshaken by the recent discord between Qin Wentian and the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan.

Qin Wentian intended to leave, unwilling to live off the Ouyang Aristocrat Clan's goodwill. Once he departed, he would no longer restrain himself in confrontations with Duan Qingshan and Ouyang Ting. As for the year-end ranking battle, he was determined to fulfill his promise: if he encountered Duan Qingshan there, he would ensure his demise.

Ouyang Kuangsheng understood this unspoken agreement perfectly. There was no need for elaborate speeches between them.

"Hey!" A voice called out from a distance, capturing their attention.

Turning his gaze, Qin Wentian spotted two figures approaching. His eyes lit up with a warm smile.

"Ready to snatch the top three spots on the Heavenly Fate Rankings?" the woman inquired playfully, her affectionate smile mirroring his own.