Chapter 136: Peak Saber Strike, Death Of A Grandmaster!
“Mister Ji, do you have any requests?”
Cui Wuwei knew that people like Ji Qing, even if they agreed to join the Black Demon Sect, would definitely have demands.
As expected, Ji Qing nodded and said, “Ji Mou only wants three Five Elements Spiritual Objects! When the Black Demon Sect brings them to Ji Mou, Ji Mou will agree to join the Black Demon Sect!”
Ji Qing said indifferently.
This was not him being insincere.
It was his genuine thought.
The Black Demon Sect or the Imperial Family.
In his eyes, they were all the same.
If the Black Demon Sect truly gave him three Five Elements Spiritual Objects, Ji Qing wouldn’t mind joining the Black Demon Sect.
“Uh…”
Cui Wuwei’s mouth twitched slightly.
Three spiritual objects, Ji Qing dared to think of such a thing?
He had served the Black Demon Sect for thirty years, and only in recent years had he made contributions, received spiritual object rewards, and thus been promoted to Innate.
Ji Qing, upon arrival, demanded three spiritual objects?
“Three spiritual objects are impossible. Generally, top First-rate Experts who join the Black Demon Sect have to serve for at least twenty years before perhaps receiving one spiritual object as a reward.”
“However, Mister Ji is different. We came to invite Mister Ji to join the Black Demon Sect this time precisely because we want to borrow the use of Mister Ji’s Saber Intent. If successful, the Sect Leader will definitely reward Mister Ji with one spiritual object, and then Mister Ji will surely be able to be promoted to Innate, thus not having to wait ten or twenty years.”
In Cui Wuwei’s opinion, this condition would likely entice ninety percent of the First-rate Experts in the world.
After all, where could one find spiritual objects now?
Without spiritual objects, one could not be promoted to Innate.
The Black Demon Sect’s ability to bestow spiritual objects was already something many First-Rank Martial Artists dreamed of.
“Without three Five Elements Spiritual Objects, Ji Mou refuses!”
Ji Qing said coldly.
“Refuse?”
Cui Wuwei sneered and said, “That’s not up to you! You should feel the invisible fluctuations enveloping the entire Ji Residence ruins, right? That is an Immortal Path Formation. You are not even Innate, and without Innate True Qi, you cannot break through the formation and escape!”
“Escape? Why should I escape? As long as I kill you all, the formation will naturally disappear.”
Ji Qing’s words made Cui Wuwei burst into laughter: “Hahaha, kill us? Ling Xiao Pavilion is just flattering you with a few words, do you really think you can compare to a Grandmaster?”
“Furthermore, do you see these three? They were also renowned twenty years ago, the ‘Soul Reaping Chain’ Meng Family Three Fiends! The three share a telepathic connection and can fight a Grandmaster! The Alliance Leader sent me and the Meng Family Three Fiends here to ensure no mistakes are made! Even dealing with a true Grandmaster would not require such a setup.”
Cui Wuwei was not being arrogant.
On the contrary, he was quite cautious.
However, no matter how cautious, the lineup dispatched this time was too strong.
A First-Rank Martial Artist, who wasn’t even a Grandmaster, was being met with a lineup sufficient to surround and kill a Grandmaster.
He even felt the Alliance Leader was being overly cautious.
He alone, along with Qi Refining Cultivators to set up the formation, would be enough to prevent Ji Qing from escaping.
Adding the Meng Family Three Fiends was truly unnecessary.
However, being cautious was also good.
It also showed that the Sect Leader “valued” Ji Qing greatly.
Or rather, “valued” Ji Qing’s Saber Intent!
Ji Qing’s expression remained unchanged.
He had never heard of the Meng Family Three Fiends.
Perhaps their reputation wasn’t as great as Cui Wuwei’s.
However, if they were sent by the Black Demon Sect to deal with him, the Meng Family Three Fiends must have their unique strengths.
Otherwise, First-Rank Martial Artists wouldn’t be sent to their deaths for no reason.
Ji Qing had killed countless First-Rank Martial Artists.
He was practically invincible below the Grandmaster level.
The Black Demon Sect couldn’t possibly not know this.
“Grandmaster…”
Ji Qing’s gaze remained fixed on Cui Wuwei throughout.
He had indeed encountered a Grandmaster on his trip to Shangdu.
They had even exchanged blows briefly.
But it was only an exchange of auras.
Ji Qing had never truly fought a Grandmaster.
And now, there was a true Grandmaster before him.
Ji Qing’s calm heart, like an ancient well, stirred with a trace of fluctuation.
He himself was very curious.
Could his saber, at its current level, cut down a Grandmaster?
Ji Qing spoke no more.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
Cui Wuwei still wore a smile, but his eyes had turned cold.
He, a dignified Grandmaster, standing at the pinnacle of Jianghu, had spoken with Ji Qing so calmly; it was already a concession on his part.
If Ji Qing still refused, then they would have to resort to force.
Ji Qing’s hand slowly grasped the hilt of the Demon Saber.
His gaze remained fixed on Cui Wuwei.
However, he had not forgotten the Meng Family Three Fiends.
Cui Wuwei showed no intention of “fighting one-on-one.”
A dignified Grandmaster had to join forces with the Meng Family Three Fiends.
This was a person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Ji Qing now had a choice.
Should he kill Cui Wuwei first, or the Meng Family Three Fiends?
This was very important!
Ji Qing’s first saber strike would be his strongest.
Especially with the Drawing Sword Technique.
Who he killed with the first strike might determine the ultimate victory.
Cui Wuwei was, after all, a Grandmaster.
Could Ji Qing kill a Grandmaster with a single saber strike?
Ji Qing had no certainty.
If he couldn’t kill the Grandmaster with one strike, once the Meng Family Three Fiends attacked, Ji Qing would be dead or severely wounded.
But if he killed the Meng Family Three Fiends first, he would have to endure Cui Wuwei’s attack.
Could he withstand it?
This was also a question.
For a moment, Ji Qing was caught in a dilemma.
As for including both Cui Wuwei and the Meng Family Three Fiends within the attack range.
It was highly likely that he wouldn’t be able to kill anyone.
However, Ji Qing did not hesitate for too long.
This was indeed a difficult choice.
But Ji Qing ultimately made his decision.
Among these individuals, the greatest threat was undoubtedly Cui Wuwei.
He had to kill Cui Wuwei first!
If Ji Qing lacked the confidence and determination to kill Cui Wuwei, he would be at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.
He would likely die then.
Moreover, it had been a long time since he had unleashed a full-powered saber strike.
His Saber Intent, since its birth, had always been directed at those below the Grandmaster level.
It was a case of “the strong preying on the weak.”
After all, Saber Intent was a power belonging to the Grandmaster level.
And now, facing a true Grandmaster, his Saber Intent was at the same level of power.
Ji Qing felt a surge of fighting spirit instead.
Thus, the aura emanating from Ji Qing slowly began to climb.
He stared intently at Cui Wuwei’s figure.
“Whoosh.”
The action began.
However, it wasn’t Cui Wuwei who moved, but the Meng Family Three Fiends who struck first.
The Meng Family Three Fiends chose their timing exceptionally well; their combat experience was extremely rich.
They seemed to have sensed that Ji Qing intended to deal with Cui Wuwei first.
Therefore, before Cui Wuwei could act, they attacked.
Their goal was to disrupt Ji Qing’s plan.
To prevent Ji Qing from succeeding.
Such rich combat experience and control over the ebb and flow of battle were indeed at the peak of mastery!
After the three attacked, they vigorously swung the iron chains in their hands.
Chain after chain.
Forming a massive chain.
It appeared they intended to “bind” Ji Qing.
Ji Qing immediately understood.
The opponents wanted to capture him alive.
No wonder they sent the Meng Family Three Fiends.
They were here to “capture him alive.”
Since that was the case, Ji Qing smiled.
As a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“Clang.”
Ji Qing drew his saber.
A brilliant Blade Light, like a cold moon, pure and shining, carrying a terrifying sharpness, tore through the void.
Simultaneously, Saber Intent was unleashed.
In Cui Wuwei’s eyes, the void seemed to fill with an endless array of sabers.
The terrifying Blade Edge stimulated all his senses.
Then, he saw that saber slash.
But in his eyes, he saw not a saber slash.
But Heaven and Earth!
An entire expanse of Heaven and Earth.
It rolled towards him as if the sky was collapsing and the earth was caving in.
Even though he was a Grandmaster, standing at the pinnacle of Jianghu.
Facing the entirety of Heaven and Earth, he felt incredibly insignificant.
“No, that’s not Heaven and Earth, it’s… Saber Intent!”
Cui Wuwei, as expected of a Grandmaster.
Saber Intent could shake the spirit, and he managed to break free.
In his past, he was known as “Primal Hand.”
All his martial arts were naturally focused on his hands.
Even after being promoted to Innate Grandmaster, it remained the same.
Thus, Cui Wuwei, without hesitation, instantly activated the Innate True Qi he had painstakingly accumulated within him.
“Primal Great Hand Seal!”
“Boom.”
Innate True Qi surged out from his body.
Forming a colossal hand in the void.
Even from a considerable distance, Ji Qing could feel the terrifying pressure contained within this giant hand.
Innate True Qi could leave the body.
Furthermore, once a martial art was unleashed, Innate True Qi could absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy to strengthen its Might.
For example, now, Cui Wuwei’s giant hand had left his body and was growing larger and larger.
Its Might was increasing.
This was only because Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy had only recently recovered.
The Spiritual Energy was not yet dense.
Otherwise, Cui Wuwei’s “Primal Great Hand Seal” could have been even stronger.
But even so, this giant hand was already powerful enough.
The surrounding air seemed to be evacuated.
With one palm strike, the void darkened.
This is a Grandmaster’s strike!
And it was a strike using Innate True Qi, almost at full power!
Ji Qing finally witnessed the true power of a Grandmaster.
The eruption of Innate True Qi was truly terrifying.
Even the void seemed to instantly turn “dark.”
Even from this distance, Ji Qing felt a frantic pounding in his heart.
However, he also unleashed the strongest saber strike of his life.
And it was the strongest saber strike empowered by Saber Intent.
The malevolent energy and resentful energy within the Demon Saber, along with those screaming, wailing faces, seemed to merge into the blade light at this moment.
This was a blade light condensed to its absolute limit.
Only when the blade light fell would it unleash its terrifying might.
Finally, the blade light collided with the Primal Great Hand Seal.
“Crack.”
There was no earth-shattering roar.
Only a crisp sound.
Cui Wuwei’s eyes widened.
As if he couldn’t believe it.
His Primal Great Hand Seal had cracked.
That was a Primal Great Hand Seal erupted with Innate True Qi.
This was already his strongest palm strike after his promotion to Grandmaster.
How could it crack?
And it was split open by Ji Qing’s blade light.
No matter how fast or strong Ji Qing’s saber was, it was still propelled by Internal Energy.
Far inferior to Innate True Qi.
“Ah…”
Cui Wuwei roared.
At this moment, facing life and death, he could no longer afford to conserve his Innate True Qi.
Instead, he unleashed all the Innate True Qi within his body.
Filling his entire being.
He could only watch as the blade light split the Primal Great Hand Seal and then fell upon him.
“Swoosh.”
A light sound.
The blade light shattered.
Cui Wuwei laughed: “Hahaha, Internal Energy is just Internal Energy, how can it compare to Innate True Qi? Even with your Saber Intent, it can’t break my Innate True Qi…”
But suddenly, the expression on Cui Wuwei’s face froze.
He widened his eyes.
He lightly touched his neck with his hand.
Blood.
Crimson blood.
“How is this possible? I clearly blocked that saber strike…”
Cui Wuwei felt his life force rapidly draining.
With a “thump.”
Cui Wuwei fell to the ground.
He was dead.
And he died with his eyes wide open!
Even in death, he didn’t know how he died…
“Bang.”
The iron chains slammed heavily onto Ji Qing.
He couldn’t dodge!
After all, he had to unleash that saber strike with all his might just now.
However, Ji Qing didn’t die.
“Pfft…”
Ji Qing spat out a mouthful of blood.
But he didn’t die.
His guess was correct.
The Black Demon Sect wanted to capture him alive.
Therefore, the Meng Family Three Fiends did not deliver a killing blow.
They only intended to heavily injure him.
His gamble paid off!
“Swish.”
The Meng Family Three Fiends’ chains immediately wrapped around Ji Qing several times, binding him tightly and rendering him unable to move.
They also looked in shock at the fallen Cui Wuwei.
As if they couldn’t believe it.
Cui Wuwei was actually dead?
That was a Grandmaster!
The highest combat power in Jianghu today, standing at the pinnacle of Jianghu!
And yet, he couldn’t withstand one saber strike from Ji Qing?
“Grandmasters are nothing more than this!”
Ji Qing smiled.
Before confronting Grandmasters, they seemed shrouded in a mysterious veil.
The unknown was the most terrifying.
But reality proved otherwise.
Grandmasters were not invulnerable.
A saber to the neck, and even a Grandmaster would die.
As for why Cui Wuwei died despite blocking that blade light.
The reason was actually very simple.
Because, in that instant, Ji Qing actually unleashed two saber strikes.
One before, and one after.
One overt, and one covert.
It was just that Ji Qing’s saber was too fast.
So fast that Cui Wuwei didn’t realize Ji Qing had unleashed two strikes.
The Meng Family Three Fiends also didn’t notice.
This was Ji Qing’s Astonishing Swan Saber.
Reaching the extreme of speed.
In martial arts, only speed can break through.
The “Astonishing Swan Saber” pushed “speed” to its absolute limit!
The facts proved that Ji Qing succeeded.
Even Grandmasters couldn’t withstand his saber!
The Meng Family Three Fiends exchanged glances.
Although Cui Wuwei was dead, their mission was completed nonetheless.
At least they had captured Ji Qing alive.
“Ji Qing, you killed Elder Cui, so you will return to face the Sect Leader’s judgment.”
The Meng Family Three Fiends said coldly.
Ji Qing was now heavily injured.
And bound by their three chains, he was certainly unable to escape.
However, a faint smile appeared on Ji Qing’s pale face.
“Are you so sure you can capture me alive?”
“En?”
The Meng Family Three Fiends frowned.
“Don’t try to bluff. In your current state, heavily injured and bound by chains, can you still break free?”
“Yes, relying on myself, I truly cannot break free. But who said I am alone?”
As soon as his voice fell.
A ray of white light flew out from the Jade Pendant on Ji Qing’s body.
Then, the white light transformed into the Spirit of the Tool, “Ling Ling.”
“Whoosh.”
Ling Ling instantly flew towards the Meng Family Three Fiends.
“What the hell is that?”
The Meng Family Three Fiends directly unleashed a palm strike.
“Bang.”
As a result, the palm’s force passed through their bodies, and surprisingly, it didn’t harm “Ling Ling” at all.
Instead, Ling Ling forcefully charged into the Meng Family Three Fiends’ bodies.
“Ah…”
The Meng Family Three Fiends trembled all over, followed by an intense pain in their minds, making them wish for death as they clutched their heads and rolled on the ground.
The three men’s chains naturally loosened.
Ji Qing broke free from the chains, his eyes coldly fixed on the Meng Family Three Fiends.
Ling Ling was a Spirit of the Tool.
Belonging to a spiritual body.
Without Innate True Qi, or Divine Weapons like the Demon Saber, or the blood of a Demon Slayer, or techniques on the spiritual level like Saber Momentum or Saber Intent, ordinary Jianghu people, even First-rate Experts, couldn’t harm Ling Ling at all.
In other words, Ling Ling was invincible against the Meng Family Three Fiends!
Although Ling Ling couldn’t kill the Meng Family Three Fiends, tormenting them was not a problem.
As for killing the Meng Family Three Fiends, Ji Qing could do it.
Although Ji Qing was heavily injured now.
He could still lift his saber.
“Clang.”
Ji Qing directly drew his saber.
There was no need for an extremely fast saber.
Not even requiring great power.
With just an ordinary saber strike, the heads of the Meng Family Three Fiends were sent flying and rolled to the ground.
The Meng Family Three Fiends were dead!
And they died very unhappily.
It was said that the Meng Family Three Fiends, fighting together, could contend with Grandmasters.
But in the end, the three fiends didn’t even get to show their strength, being tormented to the point of wishing for death by a mere Spirit of the Tool, and then easily killed by Ji Qing’s saber.
They died unjustly!
However, this also showed that the gap between below Innate and true Innate was still very large.
If Ling Ling had faced Cui Wuwei.
Cui Wuwei could have destroyed Ling Ling with a casual wave of his hand.
Grandmasters were Grandmasters after all!
This was the true reason Ji Qing wanted to kill Cui Wuwei at the first opportunity.
Seeing that the Meng Family Three Fiends were also dead, Ji Qing finally couldn’t hold on any longer. He propped himself up with his saber, gasping for breath.
His injuries were indeed very severe.
However, as he circulated the Internal Energy within his body repeatedly, his injuries did not worsen; instead, they were slowly recovering.
Although the recovery was very slow, it was indeed recovering.
This was the third Mysterious Power cultivated from Ji Qing’s thirty-six major acupoints: Healing Power!
Previously, Ice Power and Lightning Power had both displayed their might.
But Healing Power seemed to have never been utilized.
And now, Healing Power had finally come into play.
In just a moment, Ji Qing felt himself improving.
At the very least, he could stand up now.
However, recovering completely was certainly out of the question.
Some of the bones in his body were broken.
His internal organs were also damaged.
It would definitely require medicine and a long time to recover.
But the fact that the healing power allowed him to move now was already very miraculous.
“Swish.”
Ji Qing raised his head, his gaze looking towards the last person.
He hadn’t forgotten that Cui Wuwei and the others had come with five people.
Now he had only killed four of them.
One person was still alive.
Moreover, that person was a cultivator!
Ji Qing was quite wary of cultivators.
Such as talismans, flying swords, magic tools, and so on.
Their methods were endless.
And the formation covering the ruins of the Ji Residence was also something only cultivators could set up.
Otherwise, why would Ji Qing have to fight head-on?
He could have used a body-lightening cultivation technique to escape.
It was precisely because of this formation that Ji Qing was forced to fight head-on.
And the one who set up the formation was the cultivator before him.
As Ji Qing’s gaze turned towards the other person.
“Crack.”
The other person knelt down!
And without the slightest hesitation, very decisively.
In Ji Qing’s eyes, the lofty, mysterious, and unfathomable cultivator.
Actually just knelt down like this?
“Great Hero, spare my life…”
The cultivator kowtowed with his head to the ground.
This kowtow was extremely sincere, directly breaking his forehead.
And it was this kowtow that seemed to shatter a certain “fantasy” about mysterious cultivators deep in Ji Qing’s heart…
