With the Blade

Du Chengfeng is a man who avoids conflicts with the world, but there are certain people he looks down upon.

One type is those who slaughter innocents, which in Du Chengfeng’s eyes is a sign of weakness and incompetence. If one wishes to become stronger, they should fight against stronger opponents instead of seeking validation through killing those weaker than themselves.

Another type is those who lack martial virtue. Of course, in a life-or-death battle, using all means necessary is understandable, but if you agree to a match and resort to sneak attacks, how is that different from setting a trap?

And so, the blazing fire blade intercepted the light of the sword.

Du Chengfeng was surprised that one slash didn’t kill this strange person; after all, it’s been a long time since he encountered something he couldn’t kill with a single stroke.

But that’s fine; if one slash doesn’t kill, just slash again—it’s no big deal.

"It’s you."

Even while swinging his blade, Du Chengfeng had time to speak.

"I stand here and you don’t fight me; instead, you attack them. What kind of skill is that?"

"You..."

Huang Tian’s face grew even more ashen.

"Divine Sword! Fallen Sun!"

The ancient Longsword descended once more, and the sharp sword light rose. Faced with this attack concentrated with all spirit, energy, and focus, even the fire blade condensed by Du Chengfeng was shattered.

However, Du Chengfeng wasn’t particularly surprised by this sort of thing since it’s not the first time he’s seen such moves. Indeed, shouting these words does have a different effect—but more than these small technical issues, he was more concerned about another matter.

"Your tone has changed."

Du Chengfeng looked at Huang Tian, who was drawing closer with doubt.

"Are you desperate?"

"Die!"

The dazzling sword light once again slashed toward Du Chengfeng, or rather, toward the spectators behind him.

But this kind of attack, without even shouting a slogan, even without using his blade, Du Chengfeng could stop it with bare hands.

"What’s up with your weakness?"

Du Chengfeng began scratching his head, even feeling the urge to put away his blade.

He could confirm that he hadn’t made any significant progress recently; the only time he felt he might improve was when he learned this new technique—but he couldn’t bring himself to use it, so it equates to almost not learning it.

Yet, even so, he had confidence he could easily take down this strange person.

Simply because, from the very start, this strange person had exposed his own weakness.

Slashing toward the audience, presumably trying to collect Evil Qi? In the past, Du Chengfeng would have thought this was a clever move—but now, he only wants to say, the times have changed; it’s long past the old version of Evil Qi.

The essence of Evil Qi comes from the terror and fear of the deceased; what truly makes one suddenly stronger is actually that intimidating emotion, something Du Chengfeng realized during his research on Chu people, but this thing is quite unstable, not nearly as useful as it seems.

For instance, the most common Evil Qi lunatic is a classic negative influence; when the terrifying self imagined by others overlaps with one’s true self, indeed, one can suddenly gain tremendous power, but this also drives one closer to the illusory image that terrifies the deceased, and if unable to firmly recognize oneself, this illusion will engulf you, turning you into a lunatic or some sort of monster.

This is why Du Chengfeng hasn’t been accumulating any Evil Qi for some time already; simply because he no longer needs it.

He has embarked on another path.

Steady oneself, forging steel over time; this path may progress slowly, but it is the most stable, especially as he explored the world and realized how absurdly idealistic it is, he needs a mind as strong as steel to shatter many fallacies—though speaking of it, he is still in the exploration process himself, but generally speaking, he has at least completed the purification of his strength.

So now when he looks back at these Evil Qi masters, everything seems off; maybe their ferocious appearance looks impressive, but their state can explode at any moment, their rationale already stretched taut, and a slight provocation snaps the tension.

Afterward, these Evil Qi masters will lose their minds and transform into monsters, or other strange things.

Just like the strange person in front of him; merely asking if he is desperate rendered him a vengeful murderer ready to slaughter families. If this person gathers more Evil Qi, he might transform right here.

Although Du Chengfeng himself hasn’t fought any monsters in a while, for efficiency, he still prefers to duel with humans. At least fighting people improves his martial skills, whereas fighting monsters yields nothing.

"I’m also doing it for your good."

Blocking the sword light from the strange person, Du Chengfeng sighed.

"You don’t look well now; keep killing and you’ll truly become a monster. Why don’t we just duel? Don’t worry, I still have martial virtue; it’s just a duel, I won’t kill you..."

"Ahhhhhh—"

The piercing roar drowned out Du Chengfeng’s words.

"You abominable beast! You dog..."

"Hey, that’s not civil."