C8 Counterattack

Hua Hsing's trials in the Black Wind Mountain Range had propelled him to the peak of Qi Refining Stage Level Two. Effortlessly, he could now slay Demon Beasts at the mid-stage of Qi Refining Stage Level Three.

His transformation from a nobody to this level of prowess in under a month was a testament to the immense aid provided by the Golden Heart.

"Golden Heart," Hua Hsing whispered to himself.

He attempted to store the Gale Leopard's carcass in his Space Ring, but found it already brimming with other spoils; there was no room left.

"I definitely need to upgrade to a better Space Ring once I'm back," Hua Hsing resolved.

As he was preparing to depart, the air was suddenly cleaved by two sharp sounds.

Looking up, Hua Hsing spotted two Outer Sect disciples from the Azure Edge Sword Sect barreling towards him with fierce momentum.

"Ma Shan, Douzhi," he identified them.

The pair, Ma Shan and Douzhi, swiftly approached. With a mocking grin, Ma Shan said, "Junior Brother Hua, what a surprise to encounter you here."

Hua Hsing paid them no mind and continued on his way.

A flicker of murderous intent passed through their eyes. "Junior Brother Hua, please hold on," Ma Shan called out.

Hua Hsing paused and inquired, "What's the matter?"

"Senior Brother Re has sent us to find you. He demands something from you," Douzhi stated, his bulky frame imposing.

"And what might that be?" Hua Hsing asked, his brow creasing at the mention of Re Yunzheng.

"He's after your life," Ma Shan declared, a smile playing on his lips as he eyed Hua Hsing like prey.

"We've been searching for you for quite some time. Senior Brother Re has decreed that you're to remain in the Black Wind Mountain Range... permanently," Douzhi delivered coldly.

Hua Hsing's icy gaze swept over the two men. "Nothing but Re Yunzheng's dogs," he retorted.

"What was that, Hua Hsing? On the brink of death and still so defiant?"

"Hua Hsing, nothing you say can deter us. Your end comes today," declared Ma Shan.

Ma Shan and Douzhi, both early-stage disciples of the Qi Refining Stage, were confident that taking down Hua Hsing would be a walk in the park. Little did they know, Hua Hsing didn't even consider them a threat.

"I must eliminate them to avoid future problems," Hua Hsing resolved within himself.

"If you're after my life, then you'll be the ones to fall first," he retorted.

With those words, a long sword materialized in Hua Hsing's grasp, and without a moment's hesitation, he executed the Golden Light Sword Arts—the first technique.

Ma Shan scoffed at Hua Hsing's preemptive strike. "You're nothing but a second-level Qi Refining Stage nobody. Attacking us? You're signing your own death warrant."

"Douzhi, here's your chance to finish him off."

Being the stronger of the two, Ma Shan entrusted Douzhi with the task as Hua Hsing made his move.

"Hua Hsing, next time, think twice before crossing the wrong people," Douzhi growled, unsheathing his sword.

"Wind Sword Arts."

Douzhi unleashed his practiced technique, and a gleam of sword light sliced through the air. The clash of their sword lights erupted in a cacophony, leaving Douzhi's face painted with astonishment.

"How can this be?" he muttered, struggling to believe what had just happened.

How had Hua Hsing mastered such a formidable technique that could counter his own Wind Sword Arts?

"I didn't expect Hua Hsing to opt for the Golden Light Sword Arts. He really is short-sighted," Ma Shan sneered from the sidelines.

Douzhi narrowed his eyes, undeterred, and launched into the Wind Sword Arts once more. The swift flash of his blade forced him to retreat hastily, leaving a deep gash in the ground where he had just stood, sending a jolt of alarm through him.

"Douzhi, are you telling me you can't handle him?" Ma Shan's voice carried a tinge of irritation.

"He's proving to be a bit of a challenge, but I've got this," Douzhi assured, his voice low and steady amidst the fray.

"Douzhi's Wandering Wind Sword Arts haven't reached the Perfection Stage, so they lack the potency of my Golden Light Sword Arts," Hua Hsing mused. "Once he's in close range, I'll unleash the Golden Light Sword Arts and take him by surprise. He won't stand a chance."

With this strategy in mind, Hua Hsing ceased using the Golden Light Sword Arts and instead executed the One-qi Sword. The One-qi Sword was formidable, but the tide of battle quickly turned as it was overpowered by Douzhi's relentless Wandering Wind Sword Technique.

"You're unable to deploy your Golden Light Sword Arts now, aren't you, Hua Hsing? Your end has come," Douzhi taunted, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he advanced with swift, precise movements.

Hua Hsing feigned defeat, retreating as if overpowered. But Douzhi wasn't about to let him slip away. Closing the distance, Douzhi launched into his Wandering Wind Sword Technique once more.

"Now is the perfect moment," Hua Hsing declared, his voice steady. "This ends here."

"Indeed, it's time to finish this," Douzhi replied, his confidence unshaken, certain of his victory over Hua Hsing.

But in the next instant, Hua Hsing executed the second maneuver of the Golden Light Sword Arts. A flash of chilling light streaked through the air, and before Douzhi could react, he was impaled by the piercing glow.

Douzhi's sword was still raised to the heavens as a trickle of blood emerged from the corner of his mouth. A gaping wound in his chest, his face etched with disbelief, he stared at Hua Hsing.

"How can this be?"

With those final words, Douzhi collapsed, lifeless.

By the time Ma Shan discovered Douzhi's demise, it was far too late for any rescue.

"I will rend you limb from limb," Ma Shan bellowed in rage, launching into a ferocious assault.

Re Yunzheng had dispatched them with one goal: to eliminate Hua Hsing. Ma Shan had vowed with absolute certainty that he would succeed. Yet, not only had they failed to kill Hua Hsing, but Hua Hsing had also slain Douzhi. Facing the prospect of returning without success, Ma Shan dreaded explaining the outcome to Senior Brother Re.

"Go to hell."

Ma Shan wielded the Floating Wind Sword Arts with a prowess that clearly outmatched Douzhi's. Yet, when facing Ma Shan alone, Hua Hsing remained unfazed. He channeled the Golden Light Sword Arts to their utmost potential.

The clash between them erupted instantly, their combat resonating across the sky. Even the Demon Beasts lurking in the distance dared not draw near.

In mere moments, they had exchanged over twenty blows. It was then that Ma Shan began to sense something amiss.

"This guy is a freak of nature. His strength seems inexhaustible; he doesn't tire at all," Ma Shan muttered a curse under his breath.

The Qi Refining Stage is the foundational realm for martial artists, the most basic of all. Practitioners at this level focus on absorbing the spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth to temper their bodies.

Unable to store this spiritual energy internally, they face immense physical strain when executing high-intensity sword arts continuously.

It's only upon reaching the Qi Transforming Stage and forming a True Core within that martial artists can harness and store Heaven and Earth's spiritual energy. Then, they can integrate this energy into their bodies for offensive purposes.

Initially, Ma Shan and Hua Hsing appeared evenly matched. But as minutes ticked by, Ma Shan's stamina waned significantly.

Hua Hsing, on the other hand, showed no signs of fatigue; he seemed to thrive in the heat of battle.

Five minutes in, Hua Hsing's blade found its mark. Though the strike wasn't fatal, Ma Shan was wounded nonetheless.

"Hua Hsing, you'll pay for killing Douzhi. Senior Brother Re will never let this slide," Ma Shan spat out as he swung his sword in a final act of defiance before retreating hastily, seeking to flee the scene.

"Before he gets the chance, you'll be gone," Hua Hsing replied coolly, sword in hand, as he pursued the fleeing Ma Shan.

In a burst of speed, Ma Shan made a break for the outskirts of the Black Wind Mountain Range, knowing that once beyond its borders, Hua Hsing wouldn't dare to follow through with the kill.

But Hua Hsing was quick on his heels.

In a flash, he had closed the distance, relentless in his pursuit.

"I can't keep this up. They're going to catch me for sure."

Ma Shan could feel the looming threat behind him as he racked his brain for a solution.

Then, a spark of inspiration struck. "Ahead of us lies a Demon Beast at the third level of the Qi Refining Stage," he blurted out.

With that thought, Ma Shan veered off his path, darting toward the creature.

Hua Hsing sensed the Demon Beast's presence too and realized Ma Shan's ploy: to use the beast as a pawn to kill him.

"There's no escape for you."

With a low shout, Hua Hsing pursued relentlessly.

Closing in on Ma Shan, Hua Hsing unleashed the second technique of the Golden Light Sword Arts, sending a chilling blade of light slicing into Ma Shan's back.

Blood spurted from Ma Shan's mouth, his complexion turned ghostly pale, and his body hurtled forward.

As Ma Shan crumpled to the ground, a ferocious roar from the Demon Beast pierced the air.

The earth trembled beneath them.

"How can this be?"

The tremors sent a wave of panic through Ma Shan.

Looking up, he saw a hulking Demon Beast advancing toward him.

With a roar, the beast extended its massive claw and seized the gravely wounded Ma Shan.

"No..."

Ma Shan's agonized scream echoed as the Demon Beast ripped him to shreds.

In that moment, Hua Hsing, hot on the trail, sensed the beast's formidable strength and contemplated retreat.

The Demon Beast, having slain Ma Shan, loomed over Hua Hsing, its claw descending like a small mountain, aiming to crush him.

Hua Hsing mustered all his might to defend himself but was still struck, his body catapulting into the depths of the earth like a shell.

The Demon Beast let out another thunderous roar and slammed its claw down toward the massive crater it had created.

"This is bad."

Hua Hsing, engulfed by the impending doom, channeled all his power, shifting slightly to the left.

A resounding crash followed as the Demon Beast's claw hammered down, missing Hua Hsing and sending dirt and debris flying from the pit.

The Demon Beast, having missed its target, was now in a blind rage, launching another vicious attack.

However, at that moment, Hua Hsing noticed a small hole at the site of the Demon Beast's recent claw strike.

"What?"

While Hua Hsing pondered, the hole widened, earth cascading downwards. In a flash, he realized something astonishing.

Beneath the surface lay a hidden realm.

"I have no other choice now."

A sudden sense of peril gripped Hua Hsing. Without a second thought, he struck the hole with his fist, enlarging it further, and then dove headfirst into the subterranean world.

As Hua Hsing vanished into the depths, the Demon Beast, which had been on the offensive, cast a wary glance at the dark abyss within the pit. Eventually, it ceased its assault, its agitation slowly fading away.