Pressed by Chun Xu’s counter-strike, Dong Ling channeled her Spiritual Qi at the base of her feet, letting it all erupt to propel herself out of the lightning arrows’ range. The Sword Fairy wouldn’t have it and, in an electric flash of blue, turned into zigzagging lightning bolts that raced after Dong Ling.

Speed-wise, Chun Xu had nothing to envy to most peak-stage Foundation Building experts. In that area, Dong Ling knew that she couldn’t compete and wouldn’t allow her match to build more momentum. Letting go of her Lesser Spirit Snake Sword, Dong Ling poured her Spiritual Sense into the blade, controlling it through a surge of telekinetic forces while creating more space between Chun Xu and her.

Bright sword energies flashed across the blade and, driven by Dong Ling’s Spiritual Sense, it flew after Chun Xu, slamming into the zigzagging Sword Fairy for strident metallic clashes. In one breath, sword and fairy traded 12 blows. The Spirit Snake Sword morphed into a colossal white boa, hissing as it stared at Chun Xu’s lightning form with its slit red eyes.

Contrary to what its massive frame suggested, the colossal boa moved at extreme speed. In a flash, it landed by Dong Ling’s side, cradling her retreat, before enabling her to rest on top of its head. Still in lightning form, Chun Xu slammed into the boa’s throat. An energy shield halted her strike, making her bounce back and revert to her human form.

Standing above her boa, Dong Ling stared at Chun Xu with a knowing smile. So far, neither had released half the tricks they’d cultivated in the Dream Mountain—mainly using their usual moves to gauge one another’s martial excellence and qi control. Cultivation base wise, neither had the edge. Dong Ling dominated the net worth category, while Chun Xu could rely on richer battle experience.

Though the two had sparred more than once and even fought in the Ice-Fire cave, this was the first time that they met on an equal standpoint—with no one able to place a confident bet on who could win it all. It would be a lie to say that the current matchup didn’t make Dong Ling’s blood boil with excitement. Chun Xu, however, remained sober—interested only in the prizes her sword chased.

“Senior sister, what a ruthless and sadistic sword style. When Xinzi and I inherit the sect masters seat, I guarantee that we will reserve the Law Enforcement Chief Elder position for you—so that at last you can revel in your fantasies of abusing men and women in the name of the law.”

“It’s unfortunate that you’ve thrown yourself into the arms of a man destined to never belong to you. Carefully consider who you will jump on next. After all, our sect master would never allow his prized daughter to become anyone’s side baby maker. If you need any recommendations, as your senior sister, I’d be glad to oblige.”

“Oh? Senior sister, I underestimated you. Since when did you become the go-to girl for those looking for promising young bachelors? Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always had a thing for keeping valuable prospects on the side. Let’s just hope they’re not too disappointed when later you breastfeed a spirit prince’s illegitimate children for clout. Yeah, that’s the type of job that fits you best.”

Chun Xu’s eyelids twitched—the back and forth ended here. Tongues of gray soulfire poured out of Chun Xu’s eyes and forehead—first merging into a dazzling soul sword that subsequently morphed into a perfect replica of the Sword Fairy. The Sword Fairies’ cultivation bases erupted, locking on Dong Ling who was startled by the realization that the doppelganger’s cultivation base didn’t lose to the original model.

Still, the snakegirl didn’t flounder. Icicles rose from the walls and ground, forming spiraling rings that gathered around Dong Ling. Dark-blue light surged from her miniature Ice-Realm, and the temperature surrounding her shrank further—reaching nightmarish levels.

“Dong Ling, I will admit that in a match of snarky remarks, I can’t compete with you. And since it’s the only area where you can be my better, I suppose there is no harm in giving you the win. But dear sister, this is as far as my tolerance goes. Since you refuse to acknowledge the gap between us. Today I will use absolute despair to make you understand...why you will always stand underneath my sword,” Chun Xu said and channeled her Heart Chasing Immortal Law. Blinding rays streamed out of her dantian, lighting up her form with celestial splendor. Chun Xu and her doppelganger morphed into two energy swords, becoming piercing beams of radiant light that slammed right into the icicle rings spiraling around Dong Ling.

In any other circumstances, the icicles would have dropped on the intruders in droves—attempting to batter them into death or surrender. But shockingly, they stood still, letting the swords fly right past them. Worse, as it passed through all that stood in its way, it was as if Chun Xu’s dual sword form crossed an alternate dimension—refusing to stop until it found its way into Dong Ling’s soul. The boa-shaped spirit snake slammed into the swords. Gusts of cold winds followed suit, but neither material strikes could slow down Chun Xu’s assault.

Let loose, the swords pierced through Dong Ling’s sides, ignoring her flesh to strike her soul directly. Soul strikes were a common weakness that formations rarely accounted for. In this case, not only were the formations not equipped to detect soul damage, but Chun Xu took care to pile up small cuts instead of outright obliterating Dong Ling’s soul.

“When you were still discussing sword stances with your father, I’d killed dozens already. With just your level of talent, if not for your clan background and opportunities, do you think your cultivation base could stand anywhere near close to mine? But instead of counting your blessings, you not only let success get to your head but now even have the nerve to challenge and disrespect me at will!”

Chun Xu’s voice reverberated across the air. Unable to defend against the plethora of soul sword cuts, Dong Ling fell into a passive stance, rolling back and forth as Chun Xu methodically tore her to shreds. Still, she held on. Better, even as her arms grew weak and her legs wobbled, Dong Ling’s paling lips curled up.

“You’re right. Talent-wise, I can’t compete with you. Few can. But so what? Just like Heaven blessed you with the peerless Spiritual Root that enables you to run amok, I am unapologetic about the background I received at birth. Dissatisfied? Destroy your Void Spiritual Root, then ask Heaven, the Golden Lotus, or whatever gods you believe in to put us all on the same foot,” Dong Ling said and bent back. Her colossal boa reverted to its whip sword shape, and as she channeled the Extreme Yin Transformation, 1,500 Spiritual Drops rotated around her.

Chun Xu’s dual swords flew into the sky, merging to become a single great white sword that loomed over Dong Ling like an impending guillotine strike. The snakegirl shut her eyes close, her arms stretched out, almost as if welcoming all that Chun Xu had to throw her way. The white soul sword dropped with overwhelming momentum, breezing its way down the air as it aimed for Dong Ling’s forehead.

The snakegirl’s bold smile broadened. Like a swan unfolding its wings in a magnetic dance, she twirled across the air, and her whip sword danced alongside her. Cold-blue half-moons of horrifying Extreme Yin poured forth, ramming into Chun Xu’s great soul sword. But unlike Dong Ling’s previous moves, the Extreme Yin half-moons not only clashed with the material world but also ignored physical barriers to target Chun Xu’s soul.

Worse, veiled by the extreme yin sword qi, Chun Xu could sense a foundation of oppressive yang—creating a chaotic yet perfect balance of Yin and Yang that multiplied the sword dance’s might! Sensing that phenomenon, Chun Xu flew out of the way, and if she weren’t in soul form, her eyes would widen in disbelief.

“Impossible! You have studied the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang?” Throughout Yanzhou Province, only those that studied the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang had the means to create skills that produced a perfect combination of yin and yang.

However, even Guang Fanghu wouldn’t break 6,000 years of core sect rules lightly. The move did stem from the Extreme Yin Transformation, for Xue Lin too studied the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang—after all, her husband invented it!

Did Xue Yuanshao not know this piece of information, or did he keep it from Xia Hu for unknown purposes? That is a matter for another time.

No matter how fast she ran, Chun Xu couldn’t escape Dong Ling’s Frigid Sword Dance. The half-moons barreled into her, moving past her defenses to hack at her soul. For the first time since the battle started, the Sword Fairy went on the defensive. Dong Ling wouldn’t let her go and chased Chun Xu up the bottomless pit’s chilling walls with relentless whip strikes.