Chapter 139: Lin Qixia

Just then, the burly man in the corner slowly stood up, one hand resting on the large, coffin-like box. Looking at Xie Liuying, he urged anxiously, "Fairy, this box must not be opened!"

Xie Liuying, holding a long sword, snapped angrily, "Why can't it be opened? I think you stole my Snow Silkworm Robe, which is why you're afraid to open it for my inspection!"

Despite his rugged appearance, the burly man was remarkably good-tempered. Without a hint of anger, he calmly explained, with a wronged expression, "Fairy, I truly did not steal your item. I haven't moved an inch from this corner. And my box is bound with iron chains; I haven't opened it at all. Even though it was dark for a moment just now, everyone could hear there was no sound of chains, couldn't they?"

"Enough talk!"

Incredibly spoiled and willful, Xie Liuying raised her sword and pointed it at the burly man, saying, "Who knows what tricks you might have? I don't care about any of that; you must open the box and show me now. Otherwise, I will do it myself."

"Fairy," the burly man explained gently once more, "This box truly cannot be opened. It contains something inauspicious. My master said..."

"Hmph, stop trying to argue!"

With a loud cry, Xie Liuying tapped her foot lightly, her movements light and agile like a swallow skimming water. Her long sword, like a spiritual snake emerging from its lair, carried fierce sword energy as it thrust straight at the burly man's throat. The blade sliced through the air, emitting a sharp hiss.

The burly man, built like a small mountain, saw this fierce sword strike. Without panicking, he shifted his body to the side. His movement, though appearing clumsy, cleverly avoided the deadly blow.

Xie Liuying would not let him off easily. Taking the opportunity, she pressed forward. In an instant, sword shadows flickered like falling stars. Each move was extremely fierce, concealing a killing blow, as she slashed directly at the iron chains on the large box.

The burly man's left hand tightly gripped the heavy black box. With a strong pull, he moved the heavy box aside with one hand, avoiding Xie Liuying's sword. At the same moment, the burly man extended his right hand, and like an iron clamp, he seized Xie Liuying's thrusting long sword with his bare hand.

This scene greatly astonished everyone in the hall.

Even Gu Chutong, who had witnessed many battles between grandmasters, was filled with surprise.

She had traveled extensively with Gu Mo, participating in many major battles, and had encountered many martial arts masters rarely seen in ordinary times. Therefore, her insight and experience far surpassed those of most martial artists.

She could tell that although Xie Liuying was willful, her swordplay was undeniably exquisite and fierce, and the sword in her hand was no ordinary item. Though it couldn't compare to her Autumn Water and Spirit Rhinoceros swords in her box, it was definitely a rare treasure sword in the martial arts world.

Under such circumstances, that unknown burly man actually caught Xie Liuying's sword with his bare hand without sustaining any injury.

At this moment, Xie Liuying also had a look of disbelief on her face. She pulled hard, only to find her long sword held motionless in the burly man's grip.

Before Xie Liuying could react, the burly man suddenly pulled and flung. The force of his arm was like an overwhelming flood. Xie Liuying immediately felt an immense force strike her; she lost control of her body and flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

Two Xuan Nü Palace disciples quickly stepped forward, and simultaneously extended their hands, channeling their energy to catch Xie Liuying and land her steadily on the ground.

At the same time, five Xuan Nü Palace disciples launched their attacks simultaneously.

The five long swords were like five nimble white snakes, weaving and darting in the night, their flickering sword shadows dazzling the eye. Each swing of the sword produced a gentle rustle of wind, yet concealed immense power. The swordplay was exquisite; every move—whether a thrust, a parry, or a chop—was perfectly coordinated and flawless.

The burly man's massive body appeared somewhat clumsy amidst the sword shadows. He dodged left and right; though possessing immense brute strength, he found it difficult to unleash it.

Facing the encirclement of these five individuals, he immediately fell into a disadvantage. In just a moment, he was hit by several swords. However, the swords striking his body produced a 'clang' like metal on steel.

Only then did everyone realize: no wonder the burly man dared to catch a bare blade earlier with his bare hands. He had cultivated a powerful external martial art, reaching the realm of invulnerability to swords and spears.

However, it was clear that the burly man did not wish to harm anyone, leaving room in his every move. He was quickly overwhelmed by the Xuan Nü Palace disciples.

Amidst the chaos, a crisp 'clank' was heard as the iron chains binding the box were severed by sharp sword blades.

The box crashed to the ground with a 'thud,' shattering the stone tiles beneath it and scattering numerous small pieces of stone.

The box's lid sprang open.

Everyone looked closely and found an iron casket hidden inside the box. It was completely black, emitting a chilling metallic glint. Thick chains, as wide as a child's arm, were wrapped around the casket, and these chains glowed crimson.

Between the intertwining chains, wisps of blood-red mist curled out like nimble snakes. Initially thin, the mist rapidly spread into a wave of air in the blink of an eye, like a surging tide, instantly filling the entire hall.

In an instant, the temperature in the hall drastically rose, and a scorching heat assailed them.

The bonfire, which had been hanging high, swayed erratically in this heatwave, its flames dancing wildly, as if startled out of their wits by the strange aura.

Everyone felt their breathing quicken, throats dry, and skin seemingly seared by intense fire, every inch burning intolerably hot. They inexplicably began to feel agitated and restless.

The burly man was greatly alarmed and hastily tried to close the box. A faint bronze glow emanated from his body. He flung aside the obstructing sword shadows in front of him, his arm muscles tensing, veins bulging. He lunged towards the box with all his might, desperate to shut the opened lid.

But at that very moment, a sudden change took place.

The coffins haphazardly placed throughout the hall began to shake violently without warning. With a thunderous 'boom,' coffin after coffin exploded, sending wood fragments flying.

Two iron chain blades flew out, cutting the chains binding the iron casket, and instantly hooking it away.

At the same time, black figures darted out of the coffins like phantoms, charging directly at the Xuan Nü Palace disciples.

These black-clad figures moved eerily, their attacks ruthless. Their palm winds carried a bone-chilling cold that made one shiver.

However, the Xuan Nü Palace disciples seemed to have anticipated such a sneak attack. In an instant, they moved swiftly, coordinating perfectly to form a sword formation simultaneously. Their movements were light, their swords responding to their will. A dozen long swords echoed each other, weaving into an impenetrable net of blades. Within the formation, sword qi crisscrossed like a chaotic dance of silver snakes, neutralizing each attack from the ambushers who emerged from the coffins.

In a flash, five or six of the black-clad figures were killed instantly.

The remaining black-clad figures quickly retreated, forced into a corner. The leader still held the mysterious iron casket, whose contents remained unknown.

"What a formidable Jade Maiden Sword Formation!" the masked leader of the black-clad figures exclaimed. "However, Fairy Lin, your Cloud-Tapping Swordplay isn't quite up to par, is it? As the eye of the formation, those two recent sword strikes were far below standard. They're miles behind your junior sister, Nangong Yuexi. It seems your reputation is undeserved!"

The masked leader of the black-clad figures, with a full head of white hair fluttering, had a very weathered voice, suggesting considerable age. However, his skin was remarkably smooth, like that of a young person.

The black-clad figure was clearly very familiar with Lin Qixia. With just a simple sentence, he struck directly at Lin Qixia's weakness, causing her composure to waver. She actually became furious out of shame and snapped angrily, "Who are you to talk? You know nothing about Cloud-Tapping Swordplay!"

"Hahahaha..." The black-clad figure laughed loudly, "Although I don't understand Cloud-Tapping Swordplay, I have exchanged blows with Nangong Yuexi. In just ten moves, I was defeated by her. Using the same Cloud-Tapping Swordplay, she didn't need the Jade Maiden Sword Formation's assistance."

This was a very crude and direct taunt.

However, it was unclear what grudge Lin Qixia held against Nangong Yuexi, but she was truly provoked by such a cheap taunt and furiously declared, "I won't need ten moves to kill you!"

At her words, all the Xuan Nü Palace disciples were alarmed. The previously arrogant and unruly Xie Liuying quickly shouted, "Senior sister, don't fall for his trick! He's deliberately provoking you with this taunt..."

"Yes, senior sister, don't listen to him," another added. "Let's attack together."

"Senior sister, don't be impulsive! The main objective is important!"

Lin Qixia's face grew increasingly grim. She snapped angrily, "Shut up! Do you also think I'm inferior to Nangong Yuexi?"

"Senior sister, that's not what we meant!"

"Then all of you, shut up! All of you, stand still and watch me kill this fellow!"

Lin Qixia's eyes blazed with killing intent, her eyebrows furrowed fiercely. She swept her long sword, forming a sword flower, and charged towards the black-clad figure like an arrow released from a bowstring. Her swordplay, unlike the usual light and ethereal style of Xuan Nü Palace, now became broad and powerful. This sword strike carried immense force, overwhelmingly tyrannical.

Seeing this, the black-clad figure, without haste, suddenly swung the iron chain in his hand, producing a crisp 'snap' like a clap of thunder exploding in the hall.

As the iron chain danced, the iron casket sprang open. A scorching aura blasted forth, as if a fiery purgatory had been unleashed.

Inside the casket was a glowing crimson saber, with flames fiercely burning on its blade, like a ferocious beast imprisoned for years, finally regaining its freedom and unleashing its fury at will.

The black-clad figure reached out and grasped the hilt, and violently pulled out the saber.

In an instant, the entire hall was bathed in the crimson glow of the saber's flames, the temperature surged, and the surrounding air shimmered and distorted from the heat.

He swung the saber, and terrifying flaming saber energy surged forth like a raging wave of fire, carrying an aura of destruction, sweeping towards Lin Qixia.

In a flash, Lin Qixia's long sword shattered instantly.

With a loud 'boom,' the flaming saber energy burst forth with dazzling light. The powerful impact sent Lin Qixia flying like a kite with a broken string, and she landed heavily on the ground.

On her chest, a shocking bloodstain slowly appeared. Her clothes were stained crimson with blood, standing out starkly in the scorching hall.

Lin Qixia struggled to get up, but due to her severe injuries, she heavily collapsed back down.

Seeing this, the black-clad figure threw back his head and laughed loudly, his laughter filled with mockery and disdain. "With your paltry skills, you dare to claim equal fame with Nangong Yuexi? It's an insult to Nangong Yuexi!"

Upon hearing these words, Lin Qixia was overcome with fury, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted from her mouth.

"Senior sister!" "Senior sister!"

The Xuan Nü Palace disciples immediately rushed to help Lin Qixia.

Meanwhile, the burly man in the corner, like an iron tower, was now utterly panicked, crouching in the corner with his hands over his head, exactly like a terrified child. He stammered in fear, "Oh no, oh no! The demonic saber has tasted blood! It's over, it's all over, everything is over..."

On the other side, all the Xuan Nü Palace disciples looked puzzled. Xie Liuying snapped angrily, "Big fool, why are you still acting all mysterious there? Aren't you with them?"

The burly man, in a panic, lifted his head, looked at the black-clad figures with a bewildered expression, and hastily shook his head, "I... I don't know them... I don't know them..."