C17 Who Dares to Touch a Single Hair on My Grandson's Head!

Liu Xingchang had no illusions that the Third Prince and the Empress could ensure his and Liu Yichang's safe escape from the Mysterious Immortal Sect. Given the current circumstances, things were already looking up.

Now, Liu Xingchang's focus was on his impending battle with Xuan Le.

As he declared his intent, onlookers marveled at his audacity.

"Xuan Le is a Cultivator of the Fourth Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm. Liu Xingchang actually dares to accept the challenge!"

"When he was with the Dai Family, Liu Xingchang nearly lost his life defeating a Cultivator of the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm. Now facing a Fourth Layer Cultivator from the Mysterious Immortal Sect, it seems his defeat is certain."

"Liu Xingchang... ultimately, he's only attained the Eighth Grade in cultivation."

"This man is both strategic and bold. If he survives today, he's bound to become a formidable figure!"

"Unfortunately... it looks like he's doomed today."

Ignoring the crowd's commentary, Liu Xingchang calmly drew his sword, and the two combatants locked eyes.

Suddenly, a flash of cold light erupted. It was unclear who moved first, but in an instant, they clashed!

Liu Xingchang wielded a sword, while Xuan Le brandished a saber. Liu Xingchang's swordplay was characterized by its swiftness and trickery, whereas Xuan Le's saber technique was aggressive and fierce.

Each had their own style, and now it was a matter of who had the superior battle awareness and combat skills.

"Water Shadow Body!"

Liu Xingchang was well aware of his strengths, so he immediately converted all ninety Spirit Mark Runes into speed-type runes. His edge lay in his velocity, ferocity, and cunning, not in raw power.

Even though Xuan Le was a Fourth Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm Cultivator, Liu Xingchang, with his three Spirit Seas and the boost from ninety speed-enhancing Spirit Mark Runes, coupled with his unmatched swordsmanship, could completely outpace Xuan Le in terms of speed.

However, while Liu Xingchang's attacks were quick, they lacked the power and defense to inflict significant damage or impact on Xuan Le.

Cultivators within the Spirit Mastery Realm inherently possess a layer of defensive spiritual energy enveloping their bodies. Xuan Le, for instance, had twenty defensive Spirit Mark Runes within him, bolstering his protection. Consequently, if Liu Xingchang's sword strikes were too feeble, they wouldn't even penetrate the spiritual energy shield on Xuan Le's surface, much less cause him injury.

Striking Liu Xingchang proved to be a challenge for Xuan Le, yet there were times when Liu Xingchang was forced to parry. Each block of Xuan Le's blade left Liu Xingchang's blood roiling for an extended period.

Each combatant faced their own weaknesses, but they also had their strengths.

Crucially, Xuan Le recognized his disadvantage and opted for a steadfast approach, standing his ground and concentrating solely on countering Liu Xingchang's swordplay.

This tactic resulted in Liu Xingchang expending more spiritual energy with each attack, while Xuan Le's consumption remained minimal.

Over time, if one only had a single Spirit Sea, they would inevitably become vulnerable due to depleted spiritual energy. Liu Xingchang, however, was not so easily bested. "Trying to outlast me? With my three Spirit Seas, I won't be outdone!" A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he decided to play into Xuan Le's hands, recklessly burning through his spiritual reserves.

Xuan Le believed Liu Xingchang had taken the bait, his eyes gleaming with scorn.

Many onlookers had already grasped Xuan Le's strategy and recognized the peril Liu Xingchang faced.

A man in green cried out, "Liu Xingchang, watch your spiritual energy!"

Unfazed, Liu Xingchang disregarded the warning and carried on with his strategy.

Xuan Le's confidence grew, and his disdain for Liu Xingchang deepened.

Before long, Liu Xingchang feigned a depletion of his spiritual energy, his sword's force noticeably diminishing.

Elated, Xuan Le taunted, "Liu Xingchang, your Spirit Sea is drained! I'd like to see how you'll continue this fight!"

With a triumphant yell, Xuan Le swung his sword down fiercely.

At that moment, Liu Xingchang's spiritual energy was insufficient to evade and withstand the incoming slash.

A collective gasp filled the air as everyone anticipated Liu Xingchang being cleaved in two at any second.

But in that instant, a sharp glint burst forth from Liu Xingchang's eyes as he bellowed with the force of a thunderclap, "Thunderclap!"

Thunderclap was Liu Xingchang's life-saving technique at his current level, and the sole move he could execute from his past life.

Suddenly, the hall echoed with a deafening boom as if struck by a clear sky thunderbolt, the sound reverberating in everyone's ears.

Terrifying bolts of lightning and writhing serpents of electricity lashed out from his sword, striking Xuan Le's blade.

This was Liu Xingchang's most powerful strike, matched against Xuan Le's mightiest slash.

Boom!

Lightning burst forth, sending Liu Xingchang tumbling backward while Xuan Le's body was scorched black by the electric assault.

Yet, Xuan Le remained standing, grinning to reveal a set of pearly white teeth, "Liu Xingchang, is that the extent of your abilities? You've wounded me... but I haven't fallen, and you, you've probably run out of spiritual energy, haven't you?"

Liu Xingchang stretched, then flashed a sly smile, replying, "I must apologize, I... still have a bit of spiritual energy left."

Having depleted the spiritual energy from one of his Spirit Seas, Liu Xingchang still had two more at his disposal.

Without giving Xuan Le a moment to process, Liu Xingchang drew his sword and charged once more.

Witnessing the vigorous Liu Xingchang, Xuan Le's pupils shrank.

Despite his disbelief, the reality before him was undeniable. All Xuan Le could do was to keep draining Liu Xingchang's spiritual energy.

His only option was to bet that Liu Xingchang was indeed on the verge of depleting his reserves.

As the second Spirit Sea neared exhaustion, Liu Xingchang unleashed Thunderclap once again.

The formidable force detonated anew, and this time, Xuan Le was far from his earlier composure, his body hurled away by the blast.

Unable to accept defeat by a mere Eighth Stage cultivator, Xuan Le, with great effort, struggled to his feet.

He hadn't fallen yet; there was still a trace of Spiritual Energy within him, enough for one last stand.

What Xuan Le found intolerable was that Liu Xingchang had once again burst forth with vitality, as if the Spiritual Energy in his Spirit Sea had been fully restored.

"How can this be... How can this be..."

No one could comprehend the depth of Xuan Le's despair at that moment, a despair born from the helplessness against something enigmatic.

How did Liu Xingchang manage to keep his Spirit Sea brimming with Spiritual Energy?

Xuan Le would never find out, for when Liu Xingchang unleashed the Thunderbolt for the third time, Xuan Le lost all ability to fight back.

"Thunderbolt!"

Lightning exploded, its force erupting, and Xuan Le's body was hurled onto the high seat like a cannonball.

Xuan Le was down, and this time, he didn't rise.

Liu Xingchang had drained the Spiritual Energy from all three of his Spirit Seas, his body weakened, he collapsed to his knees, propping himself up with his sword.

An eerie silence fell over the room.

No one exclaimed in shock, for no one had believed Liu Xingchang capable of defeating Xuan Le.

Most astonishing was the seemingly inexhaustible supply of Liu Xingchang's Spiritual Energy.

For a cultivator in battle, the greatest fear is the depletion of Spiritual Energy, rendering them unable to execute their skills, yet Liu Xingchang's reserves appeared endless.

What made Liu Xingchang so enigmatic and so formidable?

Eventually, the silence was shattered. Someone let out a cry, and a wave of commotion swept across the hall.

The Southern King, the Prime Minister, Liu Taihe, Zhou Different, and others rose to their feet. Princess Qingyuan, Qing Yi, and Qing Bai's perceptions of Liu Xingchang underwent yet another dramatic shift.

"How can this be possible?"

"An eighth-grade cultivator defeating one from the Fourth Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm?"

"He has transcended a full six realms!"

"Liu Xingchang... He truly is an astonishing individual!"

"What more is he concealing?"

Upon witnessing this, Eunuch Liu couldn't help but express his admiration: "If it weren't for the complications with the Dragon Saliva Sect, even with Old Master Liu's passing, His Majesty would surely have desired Liu Xingchang as his son-in-law."

The Third Prince was ecstatic, turning to the Empress with a gleam in his eye, "See? Befriending Liu Xingchang was a gamble that paid off, wasn't it?"

The Empress replied with joy, "Liu Xingchang truly stands out from the rest. It's no surprise he managed to create an artificial Spirit Sea. But remember, Liu Xingchang's troubles aren't entirely behind him. Once he completes the second part of the artificial Spirit Sea for you, it would be wise to keep your distance."

The Third Prince exhaled deeply, having realized from the start why Liu Xingchang chose to complete his artificial Spirit Sea in two stages. If it had been finished all at once, would his mother still have offered her support?

Meanwhile, Qi Libai narrowed his eyes as Xuan Le was defeated, caught off guard by the turn of events.

Lee Yan hadn't anticipated this either, but Liu Xingchang needed to die.

Overwhelmed by a sudden surge of murderous intent, Lee Yan seized the moment of distraction to charge at Liu Xingchang, bellowing, "Liu Xingchang, meet your end!"

Regardless of his status as a Spirit Mastery Realm Cultivator, even a mere warrior could have delivered a fatal blow to Liu Xingchang at that moment.

Liu Xingchang, completely drained of Spiritual Energy, was unable to evade the unexpected sword thrust.

The Southern King leaped to his feet in a desperate attempt to intervene, but it was too late.

The Empress, stricken with horror, commanded, "Lee Yan, halt! Liu Xingchang still has value to me!"

But it was too late for anyone, even the Emperor himself, to rescue Liu Xingchang.

The onlookers watched in shock, unable to believe that Liu Xingchang could fall to an ambush.

Just as Lee Yan's sword was about to strike Liu Xingchang, Qing Yi clenched her teeth and shielded her eyes. But in that critical instant, the unexpected happened.

Out of nowhere, a fearsome gust of wind blasted through the hall, striking Lee Yan's sword.

With a resounding "Bam!" Lee Yan's sword disintegrated into dust, and he was hurled backward as if punched by an unseen force, crashing into the hall's rear wall and leaving a gaping hole.

The unexpected scene caught everyone off guard, their eyes widening in shock.

No one could fathom what had just occurred.

Then, in the next instant, a chilling, ancient, and imperious voice thundered across the entire Jade Lake.

"Today, I shall see who dares to lay a finger on my grandson!"

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