Chapter 19: Blood Battle of the Ninth Rank

I didn't expect the other side had already noticed.

Still, my experience is lacking! Consider this a small lesson.

Qin Feng noted it in his heart and said, "Brother, are you from the White family of White Cloud City?"

He looked not old, only about thirty, giving off a carefree, unrestrained aura. He bore a long sword, his aura sharp yet with a hint of ease.

"Not bad!" the man in white nodded, "I am Bai Yunrui."

"So you're Brother Bai!" Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, puzzled, "I heard the White family and the Lu family have good relations; why didn't you intervene just now?"

"The White family is the White family, the Lu family is the Lu family, I am myself!" Bai Yunrui laughed, "I heard my White family disciples were twice ambushed in Wan'an City, both killed by a young handsome hero. When the third wave was about to be sent, I couldn't help but come to see, and ended up watching a good show."

The White family indeed turned out to be participants.

Qin Feng finally confirmed it.

"The White family dominates White Cloud City alone; why covet this modest estate of my Qin family? Logically it shouldn't, especially across cities!" Qin Feng asked.

"Your Qin family must have given my White family a reason to act; as for why, if we don't know, there's no need to know." Bai Yunrui frowned slightly, "Having watched your spectacle tonight, I'll give you some time; ask any questions, and I'll answer if I can."

"Has the White family ever sent eighth‑rank or ninth‑rank warriors here?"

"No!"

"Who killed my father?"

"I don't know!" Bai Yunrui replied curtly, then smiled, "But I do know it's inevitably tied to your Wan'an City. The only ones capable of killing him are the City Lord's mansion, the Xiang family, the Liu family, and of course, possibly the Cao family, but the Lu family wasn't involved. Your father was an outstanding figure, just died far too unjustly."

"The Lu family didn't take part?"

Qin Feng furrowed his brows deeply.

In the sensing, the other's emotions showed little fluctuation, so it likely wasn't a lie.

Then, who was the eighth‑rank master when Fu Ye Ye was surrounded and killed?

Who was the ninth‑rank warrior who entered the Qin family and was slain in return?

The Lu family didn't target my father, yet they were the first to act, drawing in Lianyun Village, and even the White family couldn't refrain from intervening.

If my father held some secret, there's a ten‑to‑one chance it wasn't obtained; otherwise the White family wouldn't have intervened.

So behind the eighth‑rank and ninth‑rank elites lies the force that killed my father?

"I've had enough, haven't I!" Bai Yunrui suddenly laughed, "Actually I don't intend to kill you; a talent like you is far too rare. It's a pity, though—you've slain many of my White family; not killing you would betray my surname. Brother Qin, rest assured, whether I pierce your heart or slit your throat, it won't hurt; you'll die quickly!"

He was very curt; as soon as his words fell, the long sword at his back suddenly unsheathed, and he leapt into the air.

The long sword, bathed in moonlight, flashed with streaks of cold light.

Bai Yunrui also sprang up, sword in hand, reversing his stance, feet upward, head down, and the long sword aimed at Qin Feng's crown became a sword curtain that descended.

The sword aura was cold, the chilling light faint.

The entire area above was shrouded.

Qin Feng was forced back, yet the sword tip never left his crown, accelerating, the sharp cold light threatening to split his crown point.

"Spring wind turning into rain!"

He was greatly startled.

He was absolutely terrifying; he hurriedly employed his sword technique, the sword light like rain barely held, yet was repeatedly repelled.

"No need to show weakness; I've seen your recent combat, your true energy like an ocean, your flesh strong and unyielding, you should be able to catch my sword." Bai Yunrui, after landing, struck again.

Step by step, sword after sword, never leaving Qin Feng's vital points.

"If I were given a day to recover, I'd surely be able to catch it!" Qin Feng snorted coldly, "I've consecutively slain three or four seventh‑rank, numerous sixth‑rank, and over a hundred warriors; for others they'd be exhausted to death."

"Indeed!" Bai Yunrui nodded, "At such a young age you possess this strength, this foundation, even your body‑refining is profound. Honestly, I truly admire you, but alas, you're destined to die!"

"White Cloud Endless Boat Crossing!"

His sword technique shifted; within the graceful movement lay endless killing intent, making Qin Feng's defense even harder.

In terms of realm, he couldn't compare.

In sword‑method attainment, he was even further behind.

The only things he could bring to bear were his vast dantian, abundant true Qi, his robust physique, and terrifying regenerative ability.

Yet the gap in realms was still too great.

Qin Feng defended while retreating; in a blink he was far from the Lu mansion.

Buildings collapsed, the earth tore.

The shops lining the street were unlucky; it's unknown how many were destroyed.

Puff—

Qin Feng's shoulder was torn, blood splattering.

Sweat covered his forehead, his face flushed, and he kept gasping.

It seemed he had reached the end of his strength.

Even the speed of his sword thrust slowed.

"Alas!" Bai Yunrui sighed lightly, "Winning without skill, truly winning without skill; if you were at your prime, perhaps we could have fought evenly. Brother Qin, I'm sorry, but from my position I cannot refrain from killing. When you're dead, I'll raise a cup of wine at your grave."

Qin Feng's mouth twitched.

"To show my respect, I'll unleash my ultimate move!" Bai Yunrui's expression hardened, he planted his foot, leapt into the air, his silhouette spinning as he charged.

He whipped up a gale, as if ten thousand sword qi were tearing the ground.

The speed was extreme; in front of the sword tip seemed to form a sonic‑boom cloud.

"White Cloud Sky‑Piercing Kill!"

Bai Yunrui also emitted an extremely cold voice.

Qin Feng's pupils contracted, and he was forced back again.

With this sword, he truly felt the threat, even smelling the breath of death.

He retreated quickly, but the opponent was even faster.

In the blink of an eye, they were close.

"Furious Rain Nine Swords!"

Qin Feng flashed a hint of despair, then revealed a ferocious look, like madness after despair; he forced his qi upward and erupted completely.

Power surged, his wrist turned, meeting attack with attack.

Ding ding ding...

In an instant, their longswords clashed seventy-two times.

Qin Feng was directly blown away, his Flowing Cloud Sword almost slipping from his grasp.

But Bai Yunrui tapped his toe on the ground and came again.

A flash of flowing light, like stars streaking across the sky, this sword directly pierced Qin Feng's right shoulder.

Bai Yunrui showed a look of joy, then sighed, "It's finally over; why do I feel guilty... not good!"

His expression changed wildly, and he explosively retreated.

Boom...

Qin Feng, who had long hidden his left fist, struck Bai Yunrui's chest with a punch the moment the opponent relaxed, sending him flying.

In midair, he spurted a jet of blood.

Qin Feng looked at his shoulder, where fresh blood spurted from the drawn sword; the intense pain twisted his face for a moment, then he felt the flesh buds wriggling rapidly, accelerating healing.

"Die!"

He ignored his injury and charged at Bai Yunrui, who had just landed.

"You're cheating!"

Bai Yunrui rose to his feet, staggered and nearly fell, he cried out in grief, spat another mouthful of blood, looked at the charging Qin Feng, clutched his chest and turned to run, "You've been feigning weakness all along, even using heavy wounds to deceive me—how ruthless!"

"You want to leave? Too late!" Qin Feng's face full of ferocity.

His speed increased further.

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