Chapter 703: The Sword Qi Like a Rainbow, Roar Once for Me, Xie Guan

Luo Su’s eyes sharply narrowed as she stared at the martial energy rising from the giant’s fist, dense and blazing like beacon smoke from a watchtower, with the faint roar of a lion echoing within.

“This lay disciple of the Dongsheng Sect possesses an exceptionally pure Buddhist inner art, along with Lion’s Roar and Flame Blade—how could he leave his back exposed like this?”

Her tone grew more urgent: “When experts clash, victory hinges on a thread. Turning your back and shifting stance has already lost the initiative.”

Mei Qingsu also spoke with concern: “This Old Man Who Hooks the Sky’s Three Soul Hooks are soul-stealing arts—if unprepared, once they pierce the flesh, they burrow inward. This could turn disastrous.”

Before she finished speaking, the lake surface suddenly erupted!

All saw the old fisherman flick his fishing rod, and a net descended like a dark cloud crushing down.

The giant had already thrown his punch, stomping the small boat to launch himself into the air, driving his fist straight at Xie Guan.

The boat tilted violently, bow heavy and stern light, one side spilling downward.

At that exact moment, the previously calm lake suddenly exploded into a water column over ten feet high.

From the vortex’s center, a bloodied maw lined with sharp fangs burst forth, aiming straight for the unsteady boat.

Amid flying spray, a massive, sleek-scaled body could be glimpsed swiftly gliding beneath the water.

The boy standing at the bow remained utterly still!

On the fourth floor of Tingyu Tower.

A voice filled with delight.

“Xie Guan has boarded the boat,” He Lan said with a smile. “Now, Xie Guan is as good as dead!”

Xie Guan stood at the bow, holding his unsheathed longsword, gazing distant toward the tower’s heights, as if locked in silent confrontation.

Liu Yuan had to admit: the youth in green robes stood with remarkable grace—truly a pleasing sight.

Chen Mu chuckled: “The man on the boat is my family’s Old Man Who Hooks the Sky—he possesses the ability to capture martial cultivators of the upper three realms, and is also a master of soul cultivation. He has already ignited his spiritual fire, but his age has drained his potential; otherwise, he might have advanced further.”

“That giant is from Sixth Brother’s household—he’s at the Ocean-Viewing realm.”

Du Kong nodded: “This man hails from the Buddhist sect; his fist power is as fierce as a dragon’s, truly possessing the strength of a Great Arhat.”

“The Yan Prince’s household indeed harbors many extraordinary talents. This Pig-Crocodile—could it now rival an eighth-rank Ocean-Viewing martialist?”

Chen Mu’s smile deepened as he pointed to the churning giant shadow in the lake:

“The ‘Pig-Crocodile’ raised by Madam Ruan is no true dragon, but a riverine anomaly—its scales are impervious to blades and swords; even a dragon entering the water might not gain the upper hand.”

He Lan’s lips curled into a cold smile as his fingers subtly clenched within his sleeve:

“Three-sided encirclement—Xie Guan is already in a death trap!”

Behind Chen Mu, the imperial court’s Grand Ritual Eunuch Xiao Yu’s gaze flickered—he sensed something.

Above the lake, a thread of sword qi slipped past like a phantom, silent and unseen.

【Within your heart-sea, nine sword intentions trembled in unison, emitting clear, ringing sword tones. The true qi of the Yang Fu Jing surged through your meridians like molten gold from a blazing sun.】

【Within your crown palace, the Purple Star Eternal Realm had quietly unfurled, silently enveloping the boat and severing all external qi currents.】

【Just then—】

【The fishing net descended from above, its tangled yin-evil energy coalescing into countless screaming ghosts and skull-figures, surging forth like a swarm of hornets. Their twisted faces shrieked with piercing wails—where the sonic waves passed, skulls cracked and ears bled.】

【Unlike the corpse puppets of the White Bone Contemplation, these were pure yin souls. To be touched meant your primordial spirit would be torn and devoured—but alas… these were all yin-ghost arts.】

【Your left hand’s sword finger rose like a peak, and you blew gently toward the sky of ghosts.】

【A stream of crimson-gold light erupted from your fingertips—the utmost yang energy of the Yang Fu Jing transformed into a blazing fire that consumed every yin soul it touched!】

【The crimson-gold light illuminated the lake’s surface; the yin souls’ shrieks ceased instantly.】

【The rolling fist power behind you had already stirred your temple hairs.】

【The giant’s strength had not yet waned; his fist technique had reached its zenith, his blood and qi radiating like a wrathful hell.】

【Yet the instant his fist struck Xie Guan’s back, his pupils shrank violently!】

【“This is…”】

【He struck empty air.】

【The “Xie Guan” before him shattered like a reflection in water or a mirage, dissolving into wisps of blue smoke. Only a vermilion talisman floated gently downward.】

【A colossal crocodile burst from the water, its maw wide open—when a golden, glass-like Buddha hand descended, slamming it back into the lake with a deep hum, sending a spray of water over ten feet high.】

【The giant recoiled several zhang, his expression shifting between dark and pale.】

【The fisherman suffered most—his net had been shattered, his spirit wounded. The fishing rod, net, and hook were his life’s essence, bound to his soul; coupled with that overwhelming yang energy, the backlash severely damaged his primordial spirit.】

【The fisherman wiped blood from his lips, his mind still reeling—what kind of art had produced that crimson-gold light that incinerated all yin souls?】

【His gaze darted quickly—he saw the giant’s fist already striking Xie Guan’s back, and his heart eased slightly: “This boy has nowhere to flee!”】

【But the next instant—】

【“No!”】

【The Xie Guan at the bow vanished like a bubble. The old man’s body hairs stood on end; instinctively, he whipped his rod into empty air. The fishing line seemed to catch something invisible, yanking him backward through the air!】

【Yet before he could steady himself, a searing gust of Gangfeng slammed into his face.】

【A figure had appeared behind him without warning, and blew out a gentle breath.】

【The old man’s body instantly turned crimson; blazing white flames erupted from all seven orifices, his entire form igniting like a fireball as he screamed in agony, reduced to ash.】

【“Shhh! Shhh—”】

【Two silver rings shot through the air, piercing only a lingering afterimage, as another talisman drifted down gently.】

【The rings spun back, settling around the withered wrist of a dwarf elder on the central boat.】

【The elder’s face twitched, his cloudy eyes filled with horror: “What kind of demonic art is this?”】

【All saw a great fire rise from the lake, and a glass-like Buddha hand.】

【The charred bones of the Old Man Who Hooks the Sky cracked with a sharp “crack” and turned to dust.】

【When the waves calmed, every eye widened in shock!】

【The youth in green robes still stood motionless at the bow, his sword sheath untouched.】

【“Is the Old Man Who Hooks the Sky dead?!”】

【Someone’s sharp intake of breath cut through the silence.】

【At that moment, new killing intent surged!】

【Two swift boats had closed to within three zhang of Xie Guan—】

【A black-gold long whip uncoiled in midair, transforming into a ten-zhang venomous serpent, fangs bared, striking straight for Xie Guan’s crown!】

【On one boat, the drunken fat monk shattered his wine jar, his body swelling to over ten feet tall.】

【Each step he took exploded water columns beneath him as he charged forward like a rampaging elephant!】

【“Wuuu—”】

【The white-browed elder brought his flute to his lips; a bone-chilling cold spread with the sound waves, instantly freezing the lake surface into three-foot-thick ice.】

【The most bizarre of all!】

【A blind woman’s fingers flew wildly across her zither strings—no melody, only grating, ear-splitting noise. As she arched backward and yanked the strings, countless transparent air blades rained down like a storm!】

【The retreating giant suddenly ignited black flames along his arms, his throat exploding with a thunderous Lion’s Roar as he turned and charged back!】

【One after another, others struck!】

【Killing techniques piled high—a net of heaven and earth!】

【Your green robe fluttered, golden light swirling in your eyes; the Yang Fu Jing transformed the sun’s essence into boundless primordial spirit power. Your third eye’s star mark blazed brightly as the Purple Star Eternal Realm’s projection expanded, engulfing half the lake.】

【Underwater currents surged violently; the crocodile’s monstrous spine sliced through the water, scales scraping like metal, preparing to strike from beneath the boat!】

【In your heart-sea, nine swords emitted radiant light; invisible, formless sword qi coiled through the lake.】

【Your longsword sang softly, stirring delicate whirlwinds.】

【Looking at the simultaneous attacks surrounding you, and the towering Tingyu Tower above the lake.】

【Killing intent filled the sky, howling fiercely…】

【And faint, distant voices roared with hatred: “Xie Guan, die!” “Xie Guan, why aren’t you dead yet?!”】

【You smiled lightly—your sword was already drawn—】

【A situation of certain death? So what.】

【Your sword was already drawn!】

【“What if I make this lake roar for me, Xie Guan, just once?”】

【The entire lake trembled!】

【Sword qi like a rainbow!】

【Rising to the heavens!】

(End of Chapter)