The Heaven Cleaving Saber Technique is a lightning attributed saber arts that’s renowned for its fast execution and fierce destructive power. While the Heaven Defying Sword Technique’s execution is slower, compared to the renowned saber arts, the sword arts’ range and extensive output is of higher caliber.

Combining these two powerful blade techniques was no easy feat. Learning how to manipulate the elements of fire and lightning to extreme precision and being able to wield it simultaneously is just one of the hurdles Zhou Xue Xian had to overcome while developing the new double blade arts.

Seeing his opponent release two elemental attributes, at the same time, and imbuing them on spiritual weapons astounded Ye Xiao Lan. But his shock only lasted for a few breaths. He looked up at Zhou Xue Xian and unconcernedly said, “That display is indeed quite intimidating. But if you’re thinking I will be defeated with just that then you are underestimating me, Young Master Zhou!”

Zhou Xue Xian didn’t respond with words but showed it, through actions, how serious she was.

The Ancient Battle Spirit slowly manifested within her dantian. Through numerous battles, Zhou Xue Xian learned how to properly summon and utilize the soul avatar. Although the Ancient Battle Spirit did not physically materialize, its ominous presence was undeniable and could not be overlooked as it amassed an extreme amount of energy of heaven and earth and channeled it to Zhou Xue Xian.

But Zhou Xue Xian did not stop there. A lotus bodhi filled with pure energy flew out of Zhou Xue Xian’s chest. As its soft petals slowly unfurled, it released countless specks of flickering lights and the lights slowly transformed into numerous sword projections. These projections were created from the energy of heaven and earth and imbued with fire and lightning. The sword projections hovered around Zhou Xue Xian creating a defensive domain that was near impregnable.

After this, Zhou Xue Xian wordlessly looked back at Ye Xiao Lan and smiled. Ye Xiao Lan has shown Zhou Xue Xian the extent of his strength. It was only natural that she replied in kind.

Ye Xiao Lan could feel immense pressure from the sword projections but what made him wary was the hidden treasure that allowed Zhou Xue Xian to accumulate a vast amount of chaos qi. The energy of the heaven and earth within the vicinity have been greatly disturbed, since Zhou Xue Xian used the invisible treasure, and was flowing incessantly towards Zhou Xue Xian.

If he was a regular Core Formation cultivator, Zhou Xue Xian’s blatant show of strength would have intimidated him. But this display only fueled Ye Xiao Lan’s desire to battle. Though he felt imminent threat and was unsure of the outcome of the battle, Ye Xiao Lan was confident that he’d put up a good fight and won’t be an easy prey for Zhou Xue Xian. And regardless of who wins the match, both of them would reap many benefits from it.

Without further delay, Ye Xiao Lan executed a series of hand seals and the Fire Qilin projection behind him let out an imposing roar. His hand closed around the sword’s hilt as he gave out a stern warning. “Watch out, Young Master!”

The real battle between the two commenced.

Ye Xiao Lan drew his sword employing the secret sword drawing arts of Jiàn Sect. As the blade left its scabbard, it created a vertical arc imbued with pure sword qi. The sword qi flashed and streaked towards Zhou Xue Xian, instantly followed by another slash on a tight angle. The initial attacks were aimed at Zhou Xue Xian’s upper body. And as the streaks of fierce qi drew closer, a third streak was revealed underneath the second slash.

With a three point attack it would have been hard for a regular cultivator to escape. Even with high tier movement techniques, it would have been impossible to evade. But Zhou Xue Xian cultivated the Heaven Defying Sword Technique and Heaven Cleaving Saber Technique to the point of perfection. Thus, countering the moves were as easy as turning over a hand.

Zhou Xue Xian calmly took a step forward and vanished from the spot. The sword qi projections that were hovering in place started spinning wildly and moved in unison. The projections combined and connected to each other revealing a small sword formation.

When the first slash hit the formation it managed to disintegrate part of the formation before it was nullified. But even before the second and third streaks of light hit, the formation had repaired itself and seemed to have adjusted to the destructive force of the sword slashes. The formation strained but was able to trap the sword qis before both exploded with a resounding boom.

Zhou Xue Xian appeared not far from the formation and was confident about its resilience to withstand the three point attack. She executed vertical slashes with the Azure Phoenix Sword and Black Dragon Saber. The move was extremely slow and looked quite casual. But once completed, the attack exudes a violent aura.

Initially, the blade qi flashed at a leisurely pace that appeared to be easily countered and blocked, then it suddenly disappeared. Even with Ye Xiao Lan’s secret eye technique, he failed to see where and how the blade qi disappeared. Out of nowhere, spatial fluctuations tremored above Ye Xiao Lan. A heavy pressure slammed on him as the blade qi condensed once more and brutally hacked at the Ye Xiao Lan and the Fire Qilin projection behind him.

Ye Xiao Lan was caught by surprise. The brutal attack had spatial attributes that he didn’t account for and failed to detect until it was already above him. But Ye Xiao Lan wouldn’t just accept the strike without defending himself. He summoned a defensive magic tool and raised his sword to parry the vicious strike.

But Zhou Xue Xian’s attack was more powerful than he anticipated. Although Ye Xiao Lan managed to block it, with the expense of the defensive magic tool that shattered soon after blocking the streaks of blade qi, he was pushed back and suffered internal injuries.

This strike is the first form of the Myriad Form Asura Blade Arts that Zhou Xue Xian developed, Profound Asura Wings.

Combining the fire and lightning attributes’ range and swift movement, with slashes derived from the Heaven Defying Sword Technique and Heaven Cleaving Saber Technique, allowed the blade qi to tear through space and launch an almost unblockable attack. The sword and saber secret techniques by themselves were powerful enough to dominate other blade techniques. But with a combination of the two it’s as if giving wings to an already fierce tiger.

Due to Zhou Xue Xian’s low cultivation realm and not fully refined spiritual weapons, the first form is the only move she could execute from the Myriad Form Asura Blade Arts. Still, even with the first form, Zhou Xue Xian managed to dominate a cultivator whose realm is above her own and was utilizing Soul Fusion.

Ye Xiao Lan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. His sharp gaze was focused on Zhou Xue Xian’s unmoving form. It is true that he was caught unaware by that attack. But that move had the strength equal to an attack executed by a Peak Nascent Soul cultivator or someone with a higher cultivation realm. How could an Intermediate Stage Core Formation cultivator launch an attack imbued with strength realms above her own and not suffer any backlash? If Ye Xiao Lan didn’t sacrifice a part of the Fire Qilin projection, he would have sustained more severe injuries.

Zhou Xue Xian emerged victorious during this clash but Ye Xiao Lan refused to bow down. He executed another series of hand seals. The energy surrounding Ye Xiao Lan became extremely chaotic and the Fire Qilin projection behind him slowly shrunk. As the projection vanished within Ye Xiao Lan’s body, purple flames manifested and covered him like a suit of fiery armor. Ye Xiao Lan’s aura soared once again and the injuries he sustained from Zhou Xue Xian’s attack were healing at a rapid rate, visible to the naked eye.

Zhou Xue Xian smiled wryly upon seeing this sudden change. She knew Ye Xiao Lan would not go down even if she managed to execute and land a solid hit with the Profound Asura Wings. But she didn’t expect he would have this sort of rare ability using Soul Fusion.

With his suit of fiery armor and regenerative ability, it’s almost impossible to beat Ye Xiao Lan using brute force. Unless Zhou Xue Xian has an attack stronger than the Profound Asura Wings, that could deal extreme damage that would break the Soul Fusion’s ability, it would be hard for her to win the battle.

Unfortunately, Zhou Xue Xian could only execute the first form twice while the latter forms cannot be mentioned, for now. Using it more would put a severe burden on her body and would, eventually, result in a backlash. But even if Zhou Xue Xian could use the first form again, it would not have the same effect as the first strike.

The first form of the Myriad Form Asura Blade Arts is best utilized for sneak attacks or as an initial battle strike. It may be powerful and near impossible to block, once executed correctly, but it’s fairly predictable. And with Ye Xiao Lan’s current condition, Zhou Xue Xian doubts he would fall victim to the move again.