C27 He Retreated Unscathed

Wang Jiang wore a look of caution. In their brief clash, he had hastily traded blows with Ye Xiao, yet the latter's vital energy was surprisingly on par with his own. Despite Wang Jiang's Origin Skill being a mere low-grade Human level, it still enabled him to amplify his Essence's power by over thirty percent.

Could this young man be a Yuan Master too, and of a higher rank than himself? But the opponent's Essence seemed incapable of manifesting outside his body. High-level cultivation techniques were a rarity across the entire continent, much less in this remote town. Wang Jiang could never have imagined that the Qianyuan Spell, a cultivation method of such wonder, could amass such formidable vital energy at the Primitive stage.

Wang Jiang channeled his Essence, his Elemental Beads spinning rapidly, as strands of milky-white vitality appeared on his skin, coalescing into a sheer white protective veil across his chest. A Master-level practitioner's vitality could extend beyond the body. Even at the Yuan Master's initial stage, where the Essence barely left the body, it could still form a robust shield of vitality.

This energy shield significantly bolstered his defense, far surpassing the protection offered by ordinary armor. The drawback, however, was its excessive consumption of vitality. At Wang Jiang's level as a beginning Yuan Master, he could likely maintain it for only about fifteen minutes.

His actions clearly demonstrated the serious regard he held for Ye Xiao. Though Ye Xiao had reached the pinnacle of the ninth Primitive level and wielded an immense vitality akin to that of an early-stage Yuan Master, his adversary was a bona fide Yuan Master.

Moreover, despite Ye Xiao's calculated and long-prepared downward strike, it had only just matched Wang Jiang's rushed counter, even putting him at a slight disadvantage.

Ye Xiao's grip on his long sword tightened. With a gentle wave, his copious vitality surged through his body and into the blade.

"Who are you? Why did you kill my brother?" Wang Jiang inquired in a low voice, wondering whether it was mere happenstance or if the Ye Family had secretly cultivated a cadre of formidable warriors.

"Heh, always ready to draw my sword and lend a hand when there's trouble!" Ye Xiao chuckled, though he had no intention of revealing the truth.

"A fine sentiment, 'draw your sword and help'! But since you're not talking, prepare to die!" Wang Jiang lifted his long knife, channeling the Elemental Beads within him to their peak before letting out a thunderous roar. He stomped the ground, lunging toward Ye Xiao with such force that the solid stone pavement beneath him shattered instantly.

His knife cleaved through the air, its blade whistling ominously.

"Sky Origin Slash!" The blade transformed into a sinister white shadow, slicing viciously towards Ye Xiao's chest. A dense, white energy surged from the blade, extending nearly half a foot beyond its edge.

Ye Xiao, confronted with Wang Jiang's frenzied assault, nimbly dodged and positioned his broken sword horizontally across his chest to parry the savage strike.

The clash of metal echoed, "clang, clang, clang," as sparks scattered.

After the flurry of blows, both men retreated. Wang Jiang had finally gauged Ye Xiao's strength—ninth level of the Primitive stage!

Wang Jiang's blade hadn't inflicted any direct damage this time, but the intense energy that radiated from it left several gashes on Ye Xiao.

With Ye Xiao's capabilities now clear, Wang Jiang relaxed slightly, a cold smirk curling the corners of his mouth. As long as Ye Xiao wasn't a Yuan Master, his comparable vitality posed no real threat.

As he lifted his long knife, a look of horror flashed across his eyes. The blade was riddled with countless nicks and pits.

Wang Jiang knew well that his weapon was no ordinary knife; forged from steel refined a hundred times over, it wasn't easily damaged.

Greed flickered in his eyes as he regarded the intact broken sword in Ye Xiao's grasp.

This unassuming, dark broken sword was, in fact, a treasure. He didn't dare claim it for himself, but presenting it to the Origin King Stage powerhouse of his family would surely earn him a lavish reward and elevate his status within the clan. He had led more than twenty men out and lost over half of them—a grave responsibility. Yet, with this treasure to offer, all his troubles would vanish.

"Kid, drop your weapon, and I might spare your life!" Wang Jiang bellowed, eyeing Ye Xiao's fractured blade.

Ye Xiao flashed a serene smile. Did Wang Jiang really think he had him cornered? "If you want it, come and take it!"

"You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit," Wang Jiang sneered. With a sharp ring, his saber cleaved through the air, his speed nearly matching Ye Xiao's. Ye Xiao's broken sword rose to meet the swift strike.

But as the weapons were about to collide, the saber quivered, its edge grazing the sword's body and gliding off, skillfully avoiding the blackened blade's block.

Wang Jiang's eyes gleamed with triumph as he successfully evaded. He slammed his palm onto the saber's hilt, propelling it toward Ye Xiao's chest.

Ye Xiao's body tilted back sharply, his energy instinctively concentrating in his legs. With a thunderous blast from beneath, he shot backward.

A thrill coursed through Ye Xiao, marveling at this newfound application of his energy.

Wang Jiang, noticing Ye Xiao's burst of speed, pressed on, hot on his heels.

Regaining his grip on the saber, Wang Jiang unleashed another slash.

Ye Xiao, with Wang Jiang on his tail, furrowed his brow and quickly scanned his surroundings, spotting a large tree behind him.

He leapt back again, his feet slamming against the tree trunk. Channeling a surge of energy into his legs, he rebounded with even greater velocity.

"Qianyuan Slash!" Caught off guard by Ye Xiao's counterattack, Wang Jiang had no choice but to brace himself and meet the onslaught with his saber. Empowered by the Qianyuan Spell, the energy on his blade intensified.

With a resounding "Boom!" the saber and sword collided, and with a sharp snap, Wang Jiang's long knife shattered under the ferocious impact.

Despite the clash, the gap between an Origin King Stage powerhouse and a lesser practitioner was evident. Wang Jiang, bolstered by his Natal Technique, managed to overpower Ye Xiao.

During the brutal exchange, Ye Xiao's grip faltered, his hand numbing as the broken sword was flung aside.

Ye Xiao's expression darkened as he lost his weapon. He lunged for the broken sword.

Wang Jiang roared fiercely, thwarting Ye Xiao's advance and forcing him back. In a swift turn, he discarded the severed blade and seized the black sword in his grasp.

As Wang Jiang's hand closed around the sword hilt, his face contorted in shock. The black broken sword was indeed a bit heavier than a standard weapon, but it was never enough to trouble him. However, when he channeled his energy into it, his internal essence began to drain wildly, and the operation of his Elemental Beads slowed to a crawl.

This was a bizarre predicament Wang Jiang had never before faced, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of panic. "Damn it, what kind of cursed thing is this?!" he exclaimed.

The Qian Yuan sword, ever vigilant of the surroundings, let out a derisive laugh. "This fool thinks he can wield the broken sword with such a pathetic technique? It's utterly delusional, especially since the weapon contains scarlet-elemental gold!"

Shaken to his core, Wang Jiang hastily tossed the hot potato away. Ye Xiao, though somewhat peculiar, deftly caught the broken sword in his grasp.

After a quick assessment of the scant essence left in his body, Ye Xiao decided not to tangle with Wang Jiang any longer. With a swift motion, he darted to the side, declaring, "Since you've given up on taking my broken sword, I see no reason to stick around!"

He vanished into the dense forest with breathtaking speed.

Wang Jiang, still reeling from the turmoil within his Elemental Beads, was too slow to give chase. All he could do was watch, filled with frustration, as Ye Xiao disappeared into the night.