Chapter 318: Shinri Stream: Frost Annihilation!

Dragonhead Peak, training ground.

Disciples from all over Dragonhead Peak had gathered here, watching Gu Qing and Qi Hao face off; most knew of their feud, and today was the day it would be settled.

Cang Song stood far off on a cliff ledge, feigning detachment, yet constantly observing the scene.

Gu Qing drew his Dragon-Slaying Sword and looked across at Qi Hao.

"Brother Gu…"

Qi Hao raised a finger; the Frost Immortal Sword leapt from its sheath, circling him, radiating bone-chilling cold. Gu Qing had provoked him, and as the senior disciple, Qi Hao had been reluctant to descend to the arena—but now that Gu Qing had directly challenged him, Qi Hao resolved to show his true strength and swiftly crush Gu Qing, letting everyone on Dragonhead Peak witness the might of thunder and the fury of winter.

"Attack!"

Gu Qing raised his sword in guard, his robes swelling slightly; the Dragon-Slaying Sword was sharp and fierce, his aura soaring—each enhancing the other, rising like a pillar toward heaven.

Far off, Cang Song's face lit with quiet joy; Gu Qing had long claimed to be Wan Jianyi's disciple, but never proven it—until now, when Gu Qing assumed his stance, Cang Song recognized it instantly.

Master Wan is still alive!

Qi Hao advanced, a flash of white light—the Frost Immortal Sword, wreathed in icy frost, thrust straight at Gu Qing; moisture in the air froze instantly, snowflakes swirling everywhere.

Gu Qing spun his sword, charging into the frost; emerald light coalesced, blade-light flickering, his body darting unpredictably amid the blinding white snowflakes, striking the Frost Immortal Sword countless times. Their sword auras spilled outward, forcing low-level disciples to retreat, while countless black-and-green Taiji vortices flared across the ground to shield them.

"Frost Immortal Sword Qi…"

Qi Hao's form drifted, sword qi spiraling; in an instant, the Frost Immortal Sword circled Gu Qing eighty-one times—eighty-one strikes that did not wound him, merely clashing against the Dragon-Slaying Sword, yet the endless, bone-deep frost overwhelmed all within its grasp.

Qi Hao's Frost Immortal Sword was forged from ten-thousand-year ice crystals, its chilling power having once stirred the peak's disciples into awe—now, with this display, the disciples watched in rapture, cheering wildly, feeling profoundly inspired.

Sword spun, sword Gang formed a circle; Qi Hao surged forward, thrusting straight—every direction around Gu Qing was now filled with sword wind and blade aura. The timing was perfect; even Cang Song nodded slightly in approval.

"Shhh!"

The Dragon-Slaying Sword let out a long cry, unleashing a mountain-sized column of light, sweeping across sky and earth, scattering the surrounding sword wind—Gu Qing's fierce sword aura now reached Qi Hao's very front.

All his careful planning, all his cunning tricks—shattered by a single sword stroke!

Qi Hao's heart jolted, yet his face remained calm; he spun the Frost Immortal Sword, summoning layers of ice walls to block the blow. But Gu Qing pressed forward, each strike stronger than the last. Originally five zhang apart, with each slash, Gu Qing closed the distance by several chi—after nine consecutive strikes, the Dragon-Slaying Sword stood just one chi from Qi Hao's chest.

Among the Dragonhead Peak disciples were Fang Chao, Wei Yuan, Ding Feng, Yin Yi—all had interacted with Gu Qing, some even been defeated by him, harboring resentment. Now, seeing Gu Qing's sharp blade force Qi Hao into retreat, they had to admit: Gu Qing's talent was extraordinary, his swordplay exceptional—far from the mere internal squabbler they'd assumed.

Qi Hao stepped back, unaware he'd reached the arena's edge; the Frost Immortal Sword blazed white, instantly forming a shield to block Gu Qing's next strike. In this desperate corner, as the ice shield shattered, Qi Hao erupted—white light slashed repeatedly, frost surging, overwhelming Gu Qing from all sides.

The principle of excess cannot endure is universal. Gu Qing had unleashed a sudden surge, his sword intent soaring—Qi Hao had evaded that momentum. Now, Gu Qing's force had spent; Qi Hao gathered his strength for counterattack!

"Dang dang dang dang dang…"

In that instant, immortal swords clashed hundreds of times as one prolonged ring; Qi Hao's blade-light poured forth, while Gu Qing's surroundings became a Taiji—each collision spun the Taiji, generating a barrier that repelled all outside force.

Until the clash reached its peak, Qi Hao still stood at the edge, while Gu Qing's feet had not moved an inch.

Gu Qing, who possessed the Eighteen Dragon-Palms, understood the principle of leaving something in reserve. Before, he had used Wan Jianyi's sword techniques merely to gain Cang Song's trust—and give him a taste of satisfaction. Now, Qi Hao's techniques were spent; the surrounding Taiji vortex spun, drawing in the scattered frost qi, channeling it all into Gu Qing's Dragon-Slaying Sword.

"Shinri Ryū: Frost Annihilation!"

Gu Qing swept his hand along the Dragon-Slaying Sword; its blade was now coated in white frost. As he thrust forward, the Taiji vortex reversed, transforming all frost into an unending spiral of freezing current, surging upward toward Qi Hao.

Qi Hao, who cultivated the Frost Immortal Sword, naturally had maximum frost resistance—but this current was like blades, shredding half his robes and carving multiple wounds into his skin.

Without water, you can't freeze…

"Clang!"

Gu Qing sheathed the Dragon-Slaying Sword, bowing slightly to Qi Hao.

The outcome was now clear.

Qi Hao's face was pale; today's defeat felt worse than losing to Xiao Yicai sixty years ago—he was now at Jade Clarity Level Eight, while Gu Qing had only just entered the sect…

Jade Clarity Level Eight encountering a monster, fighting with all his might, still barely held his ground.

"Brother Gu, I've lost."

Qi Hao said, voice heavy: "From now on, you'll take the position of chief disciple of Dragonhead Peak. All affairs here are yours to manage."

In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme. Outmatched, Qi Hao had no words.

"Old Qi."

Gu Qing smiled: "Even if you don't take the chief's title, you can still handle the affairs."

Qi Hao, who had already turned to leave, froze—his expression twisted into something utterly bewildered.

So you want the reputation—and outsource the work?

Gu Qing grinned at Qi Hao, his smile seeming innocent—yet on the matter of the chief's duties, he still intended to burden Qi Hao.

"And what about you?"

Qi Hao asked.

"I've got plenty to do!"

Gu Qing smiled brightly: "I'll focus my energy on strengthening my cultivation."

Qi Hao's face darkened further. Gu Qing had already defeated him—and still planned to devote himself to cultivation? Then what of him? Did he not need to cultivate at all?

Never before had Qi Hao felt such an urgent need to improve his strength.

"Hao'er, do as your brother Gu says."

At that moment, Cang Song arrived. He had watched every move of the battle. Gu Qing was unquestionably Wan Jianyi's disciple—and as Cang Song looked at Gu Qing, he saw nothing but the shadow of an old friend.

"Master…"

Gu Qing bowed to Cang Song: "I have a set of combined cultivation techniques I wish to share with the Dragonhead Peak disciples for study."

This was Gu Qing's main reason for seeking the chief's position.

(End of Chapter)