Book 2: Chapter 65: Killing Mo Qing
Mo Qing sneered coldly, "It seems you’ve grown bolder after all these years apart. Very well, let me remind you that no matter how much time has passed, you are still the same worthless, pathetic failure in my eyes. I can humiliate or kill you whenever I please…"
"Then let\'s see just how strong you really are!"
Not wasting any more words, Zhang Xuan stepped forward.
Though they were over ten meters apart, that single step closed the gap in an instant.
Weaponless, Zhang Xuan\'s presence tore through the air like the sharpest blade. As his hands rose, True Energy surged and roared like thunder within the confined room. The explosive power rippled fiercely, condensing into dazzling arcs of lightning as Heaven\'s Fate Energy swirled around him, creating a torrent of blade energy.
His left hand unleashed the Xuanlong Palm, while his right wielded the Mo Dao, the twin ultimate techniques roaring with the power of a dragon.
"You dare make a move against me? Ling Buyang, you\'ve got some nerve!"
Han Xiao\'s face darkened with fury as he bellowed and thrust his arms outward. His move created a bridge-like arc, designed to redirect and neutralize the incoming force.Specializing in the Balance of Power, Han Xiao\'s techniques could dissipate any attack through his body, redirecting it harmlessly. Knowing his opponent\'s anger, he prepared for the full brunt of Zhang Xuan\'s assault.
But the moment their strikes clashed, Han Xiao\'s expression shifted as if crushed under a mountain. The immense force shattered his Balance of Power technique instantly.
"Not good…!"
Though he had anticipated Zhang Xuan\'s strength, he hadn’t expected it to reach this level. Knowing he couldn’t hold on, Han Xiao quickly channeled the incoming energy downward.
Crack! Crack!
The stone floor beneath them fractured as his feet sank over half a foot into the ground. Yet, the overwhelming energy continued to push him deeper, like a nail being hammered relentlessly.
His pupils contracted.
This guy’s power… was monstrous! He had heard of Zhang Xuan\'s feats—easily defeating powerful cultivators like the Jade Scholar—but witnessing it firsthand was entirely different.
What stunned him most wasn’t just the force but its unyielding persistence. Despite his superior cultivation, Han Xiao found himself utterly suppressed.
"Go down!" Zhang Xuan roared, driving Han Xiao entirely into the ground. Only his head remained above the surface, like a mushroom planted in soil.
The third most powerful figure in Hanyuan City had been defeated in a single exchange.
As Zhang Xuan raised his fist to finish the job, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
A blade intent surged toward him, carrying an oppressive aura that seemed to ensnare his soul. Forced to abandon his strike, Zhang Xuan turned to see Mo Qing charging, wielding his Mo Dao.
The blade\'s edge emitted a radiant light, its energy converging into a single point aimed at Zhang Xuan\'s forehead—a strike known as Brow Kill, one of the deadliest techniques of the Mo Dao school.
If hit, all of Zhang Xuan\'s energy would collapse instantly, as if punctured like a balloon.
Despite the speed and lethality of the move, Zhang Xuan moved faster. Sidestepping the blade, he countered with a lunge, a Mo Dao suddenly appearing in his hand as he slashed back at Mo Qing.
The attack was a torrent of power—no fancy techniques, just raw strength to test the limits of the Star River Realm.
"So, you\'ve had a breakthrough." Mo Qing\'s expression turned grave as he deflected Zhang Xuan\'s strike. "But do you think this level of power is enough to defeat me? Dream on—"
Before he could finish, Zhang Xuan hurled the Mo Dao aside and lunged forward, delivering a kick toward Mo Qing\'s most vulnerable area.
The unorthodox and unexpected angle caught Mo Qing off guard. Though he dodged most of the force, the blow still grazed its target, sending excruciating pain coursing through him.
"AHHHHHHH!"
His body went rigid, his vision blurred, and his head buzzed with agony. Mo Qing knew instantly—he was crippled.
"You’ll regret this, Ling Buyang!" Mo Qing roared with rage, hatred burning in his eyes.
"Regret? You were already useless; this just makes it official." Zhang Xuan sneered, slamming into Mo Qing with his shoulder.
In close quarters, Mo Dao techniques lose their edge, and Zhang Xuan exploited this disadvantage perfectly. His relentless assault overwhelmed Mo Qing, who found himself increasingly outmatched.
With a precise strike, Zhang Xuan drove two fingers forward, unleashing sword energy directly toward Mo Qing\'s eyes. Panicked, Mo Qing raised his blade to block, but his attempt was feeble. Zhang Xuan seized the Mo Dao from his hands and drove his shoulder into Mo Qing\'s chest.
Boom!
Mo Qing was sent flying, smashing into the wall and leaving a massive crater.
In just five breaths, two formidable warriors lay defeated, both gravely injured.
"So this is a Star River Realm expert? Pathetic." Zhang Xuan scoffed, leaping toward Mo Qing and planting his foot on his face.
"Ling Buyang, you dare humiliate me?!" Mo Qing fumed, struggling to rise, but froze as he felt the cold edge of his Mo Dao at his throat.
"What are you doing?" Han Xiao, who had freed himself from the ground, cried out in horror.
"He tried to kill me, so I\'ll kill him. Fair, isn’t it?" Zhang Xuan replied nonchalantly, tightening his grip on the Mo Dao.
"Stop! Elder Mo Qing is not only your senior but also a Destiny Hall Elder of the Zouyi Dynasty! Killing him will be your doom!" Han Xiao pleaded.
"Indeed! If you harm me, my teacher will know immediately and crush you!" Mo Qing threatened, even as his confidence wavered.
"Your teacher will know?" Zhang Xuan raised a brow.
"Of course! As his direct disciple, I share a unique connection with him. If I die, he’ll sense it instantly."
"And me? If you kill me, does he know as well?"
"No! You were cast out of the Dynasty long ago. That bond was severed!" Mo Qing sneered.
Zhang Xuan smiled coldly. "Good to know."
With a swift motion, the Mo Dao slashed across Mo Qing\'s throat.
"Even as a prisoner, you should’ve known when to shut up."
Zhang Xuan’s voice carried no trace of pity as Mo Qing’s severed head rolled away.
"You… killed Elder Mo Qing?" Han Xiao staggered, his face pale.
"By the way," Zhang Xuan turned toward Han Xiao, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Was there a bounty on him? Can I collect it?"
“???”
Han Xiao stood frozen, utterly speechless.
Author\'s Note