As the woman's footfall resonated with the earth, the earth sank. Swiftly, she released a bamboo leaf that sliced through the dim evening like a dart.
Two immense forces were on the verge of collision.
On one side, the shockwave generated by the sword's discharge swept out, leaving behind fault lines and a sprawling rift valley.
On the other side, a massive wave emanated from the sinking earth, expanding outward.
Yet, there was something peculiar about the earth on the side where the woman stood as it rippled like water– contrary to expectations, instead of further fracturing, it appeared as if the canyons' fractures were being healed by the sweeping wave.
A gentle breeze followed suit, accompanied by the emergence of vibrant green leaves, as though spring had suddenly arrived, guaranteeing life's renewal.
But it was nothing more than an illusion, a deceptive calm before an impending storm.
When the two forces collided—the gentle breeze and the "severed second sword"—the cataclysmic impact defied comprehension. It was apocalyptic in scale.
The unleashed force wrought havoc upon the icy terrain spanning hundreds of kilometers, completely reshaping it. Not a single boulder remained; everything was reduced to dust, pebbles, and vast gorges, chasms, and cracks.
Remarkably, the canyon where the woman stood remained mysteriously shielded from the destruction, untouched by the chaos unfolding around it.
The bamboo leaf skill was too mysterious, it felt as gentle as a breeze but clashed with strong forces like a mountain and left no destruction in its path where it originated.
Unnoticed by those engrossed in the fierce battle, the heavens had rapidly amassed their fury. The already dark night sky became a swirling tempest of flashing clouds and forked lightning.
The energy had reached its crescendo, and the heavens seethed with anger. A colossal vortex of lightning crashed down with the wrath of a mountain.
In an unexpected twist, as if guided by a sentient force, the clouds veered towards sorely hitting the woman. It as though they knew she was at fault. The brilliant white tendrils and forks of lightning charged directly at her, enveloping her in a dazzling display of raw power.
Seizing the opportunity, Tian Wei surged forward like an arrow, swiftly reclaiming the sword mid-air and hurtling towards the woman with resolve to attack.
The "second severed sword" marked the limits of his mortal capabilities.
Any attempt to push further and use a higher skill risked severe injury, and forsaking his human form to fight would surely attract the attention of the gods. If a god descended, no one would escape—certain death would befall them all. Tian Wei understood the need for wisdom, knowing his limits and discerning when to push his luck too far.
Just as he launched himself, the green bamboo leaf shot forth once again, on a collision course with the sword firmly gripped in Tian Wei's hand.
His third finger transformed into pure golden radiance, and his eyes turned bloodshot. A second surge of power detonated through the entire canyon and icy terrain, unleashing a cataclysmic force.
The very fabric of space seemed to tear apart, and even Xuan Yi and Qing Fu, who had sought refuge within the golden shield several hundred meters away, found themselves no longer safe.
The once sturdy shield cracked under the overwhelming energy, allowing seeping tendrils to crash against them, rendering them nearly immobile. Their skin broke, and their noses began to bleed from the sheer impact.
"What kind of monster is she? She makes the Rock Person seem friendly," Xuan Yi managed to utter between labored breaths, struggling to regain his composure.
"The Yang clan is an ancient lineage. They are not ordinary beings. Extraordinary talent is a prerequisite for acceptance into their sect, and those born within the clan are nurtured and subjected to rigorous training," Qing Fu explained as she attempted to gather herself despite the chaos.
Before they could fully process the gravity of the situation, a figure shot through the air with such speed that it appeared to rip through the fabric of time itself.
A hand charged toward Qing Fu, bypassing any remaining defenses.
The golden shield crumbled, the glass chi shield summoned by Qing Fu shattered, and the light vine shield of Xuan Yi hadn't even fully formed when the hand seized and yanked Qing Fu away.
"Come with me!" the figure hissed angrily.
Just as the woman spoke, Tian Wei arrived just in time, swinging his sword with all his might, his hand radiating a brilliant golden glow.
But the woman swiftly spun around, catching the sword with her other hand and tightening her grip.
With a resounding crack, the sword shattered, unleashing a devastating explosion that left behind a seemingly bottomless pit several hundred meters wide.
Xuan Yi, caught in close proximity and weakened by the previous shockwave, was defenseless against the ensuing force. The shockwave crashed into him, a deafening ringing noise pummeling his ears like a sonic boom. He was flung through space, limp and motionless, torn and battered. Darkness enveloped his vision, and the world vanished from his sight.
Tian Wei coughed, blood filling his mouth, as he too was sent hurtling across the darkened atmosphere, barely able to maintain his footing.
The woman examined her hand, crimson fluid dripping from her palm. Her face contorted, and she sternly glanced over at the mortified Qing Fu.
With a swift motion, she swung her hand, landing a palm strike directly on Qing Fu's chest.
The sickening sound of bones breaking reverberated through the air. Qing Fu crashed to the ground, lying motionless. If she wasn't already dead, her life would slip away within minutes.
The woman then shifted her gaze toward Tian Wei, who struggled to remain on his feet, and then at Xuan Yi.
With an intense determination, she charged toward Xuan Yi who was either already dead or unconscious, causing the air to crackle and space to distort in her wake.
She was determined to not leave even flesh behind. She seemed vexed because of the injury she suffered under Tian Wei. She did not expect that, given her strength, collecting Qing Fu would be this difficult.
Realizing the imminent danger, Tian Wei propelled himself through the air, his body engulfed in a perfect golden aura.
His speed reached godlike proportions as the perfect gold on his finger spread from his hand towards his entire being. He was forsaking the mortal form. He couldn't let the woman claim the life of Xuan Yi as well if it turned out some life was left in him.
[ Dear Reader,
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