Chapter 193

Chapter 193: If it’s like this, then you die with me! (4000 words, two-in-one)

Xu Ming swung his sword.

Ji Wuming, despite dodging the fatal blow, had his arm directly chopped off by Xu Ming.

Ji Wuming let out a惨call and quickly pulled away.

Ji Wuming narrowed his eyes, looking at the man before him. The old servant hurriedly caught the fallen arm and handed it to Ji Wuming.

Ji Wuming took his own arm and quickly reattached it.

After cultivators pass the Cavern Realm, as long as the limb is still there, it can be reconnected.

Mo Zhu’er blinked her eyes repeatedly, watching Xu Ming’s back.

Mo Zhu’er felt a sense of security for the first time.

Soon, Mo Zhu’er found it somewhat amusing in her heart.

The one giving her a sense of security wasn’t someone from her sect, but a sworn enemy who had always bullied her.

“Stay close.”

Xu Ming slightly turned his head and spoke to Mo Zhu’er.

Before Mo Zhu’er could react, Xu Ming charged forward with his longsword in hand.

A single slash forced Ji Wuming and his old servant to dodge hastily.

The mountain behind them was severed by Xu Ming’s sword.

Ji Wuming realized he couldn’t hold back anymore; this prince consort of the Wu Kingdom was strong like a ferocious beast, completely beyond reason.

“Go!”

Ji Wuming hurled a scroll.

As the scroll unfurled, it revealed a Sword Diagram.

A Sword Diagram is when a master of sword techniques imprints their art onto a medium, usable by anyone once, often as an ultimate trump card.

From the diagram, a woman emerged. Her hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes vacant.

She wore a white robe, her figure tall and elegant, resembling an icy mountain.

The phantom woman slashed her sword.

This slash was akin to the streak of dawn on the horizon, aiming to divide the entire world into darkness and light.

Xu Ming’s Dao Pattern Eye attempted to replicate this slash, but clearly, its level was insufficient—it had surpassed the copying limit of the Dao Pattern Eye.

Xu Ming’s current expertise in the Sword Dao didn’t match his fist techniques.

Thus, Xu Ming sheathed his longsword and delivered a punch.

“Shocking God!”

The Shocking God punch unleashed a White Dragon of Martial Artists, rushing toward the phantom woman’s slash.

“Boom!”

True Qi clashed with Sword Qi, Xu Ming was sent flying backward. Sensing trouble, Mo Zhu’er quickly caught Xu Ming.

Xu Ming’s back slammed hard against Mo Zhu’er’s soft chest, both spitting out a mouthful of blood simultaneously.

Ji Wuming wasn’t faring much better.

Struck by Xu Ming’s boxing energy directly in the chest, his spiritual energy flowed poorly, suffering significant injuries.

Seizing the opportunity, Mo Zhu’er rushed toward Ji Wuming with her flexible sword, intending to kill him first.

“If I die, no one will settle matters for the Huan Sect. Is the Sect Leader really going to hold back?” Ji Wuming coldly said.

Just as Mo Zhu’er’s sword tip was about to pierce through Ji Wuming’s forehead,

Her longsword was suddenly deflected.

Cui Renwang, who had been thrown aside earlier, used the technique of shrinking the earth into inches, stepping closer to Ji Wuming, standing beside him.

“Holy Son, don’t rush. I just rested for a bit, how could I stand idly by?” Cui Renwang smiled, looking at Xu Ming, “Since the prince consort is so determined, then let’s have the prince consort die here.”

“Ho ho, you can try.” In an instant, a flash of cold light appeared, and Xu Ming already thrust his sword toward Cui Renwang. Cui Renwang blocked the sword tip with his jade flute, and their figures rapidly retreated, eventually crashing into the forest.

Mo Zhu’er’s flexible sword wrapped around Ji Wuming, and they fought again.

In the forest, Xu Ming stepped forward with a horse stance, slashing his sword ahead. The sword qi left a mark on Cui Renwang’s chest. Cui Renwang blew his jade flute, causing the leaves in the forest to swirl.

The leaves condensed behind Cui Renwang, forming swords made of leaves that pierced toward Xu Ming.

Xu Ming slashed his sword repeatedly, dispersing several leaf-formed swords. His sword created intricate patterns, gleaming under the moonlight.

Xu Ming advanced step by step, while Cui Renwang retreated step by step.

Xu Ming thrust his sword toward Cui Renwang’s head, who turned his flute, deflecting Xu Ming’s sword. Xu Ming’s sword qi struck backward, instantly shattering a boulder into dust!

Xu Ming fiercely swung his sword horizontally toward Cui Renwang’s head, whose flute emitted sparks.

Xu Ming delivered a punch, and similarly, Cui Renwang threw a palm strike.

Xu Ming’s punch struck Cui Renwang’s chest, the sound of ribs breaking clearly audible.

Cui Renwang’s palm also hit Xu Ming’s chest.

Both were pushed apart by the impact.

Xu Ming’s lips dripped with blood.

Just as Xu Ming was about to take another step forward, his brows furrowed as he felt his body growing increasingly hot.

Cui Renwang rubbed his bones, and the broken ribs immediately realigned.

“Are you feeling all heated up, parched throat and dry mouth?”

Cui Renwang chuckled, patting the powder on his hand.

“That palm strike earlier was called Heart Devouring Palm. Most cultivators struck by this palm would have their most primitive desires awakened, becoming like frenzied beasts, dying within moments due to boiling blood.

But you, Prince Consort, are too powerful.

Even after being struck by this palm, you’re unaffected, making the Heart Devouring Palm unable to cause substantial harm.

Still, it’ll make you uncomfortable for an hour or two.”

As he spoke, Cui Renwang’s gaze shifted downward, looking at Xu Ming’s crotch, raising his brows again, “Prince Consort, you’re truly mighty! Enough to make any man jealous!”

With that, Cui Renwang summoned a large cauldron.

On the cauldron were embroidered mandarin ducks.

The aura emanating from the cauldron made Xu Ming feel quite uneasy.

Could this cauldron be a half-immortal weapon?!

Xu Ming turned and fled!

If it were just being affected by the Heart Devouring Palm, having his primal desires stirred, it wouldn’t be too bad—might as well fight “hard.”

However, the problem was that earlier Xu Ming had used both sword qi and Martial True Qi, causing his spiritual energy and true qi to clash again, which was worsened by the Heart Devouring Palm.

Finally, adding this cauldron that looked like a half-immortal weapon, Xu Ming had no choice but to run! Above the sky, even though Mo Zhu’er was battling Ji Wuming and his servant, she wasn’t at a disadvantage.

Yet Mo Zhu’er couldn’t focus fully on the battle, occasionally glancing at the forest.

Then Mo Zhu’er noticed Xu Ming seemed to have encountered some kind of trick and ran off in another direction.

“At this point, you should care about yourself!”

A voice came, and Ji Wuming slapped a palm toward Mo Zhu’er.

Mo Zhu’er countered with a palm strike. Their palms collided, and Mo Zhu’er flew toward Xu Ming along with the momentum.

“Don’t follow me!”

Xu Ming shouted upon seeing Mo Zhu’er flying toward him.

“What?”

Mo Zhu’er responded.

Then, Mo Zhu’er saw a large cauldron chasing after Xu Ming.

When the cauldron was about to cover Xu Ming, he lifted his sword, creating a surging wave of sword qi that repelled the cauldron.

“Behind you!” Xu Ming shouted to Mo Zhu’er.

Mo Zhu’er turned around, and nine nails flew toward her body.

Xu Ming channeled Martial True Qi, appearing beside Mo Zhu’er in one step, deflecting the nails with his sword.

Six nails were deflected by Xu Ming, while three nails embedded into his thigh, left shoulder, and right arm.

Seeing Xu Ming protecting her, Mo Zhu’er’s eyes wavered, staring blankly at Xu Ming.

Did he save me?

Why did he save me?

What reason does he have to save me? “Stop daydreaming! Hurry up and go!” Xu Ming shoved Mo Zhu’er, “Fly towards Xuan Yue City. I’ll hold off this Sect Master of Hehuan Sect. If I die, you must deliver Shen Sheng to Qingwan of Heavenly Profound Gate! This is your medicine for today, but the final antidote is also with Qingwan of Heavenly Profound Gate! Go!”

Xu Ming swiftly turned and charged toward Ji Wuming.

Xu Ming saving Mo Zhu’er wasn’t because he had feelings for her.

To Xu Ming, if she died, it wouldn’t matter.

But Xu Ming was worried about Shen Sheng.

Xu Ming didn’t know what kind of person Mo Zhu’er was, so he lied to her, saying Qingwan had the antidote—forcing her to take Shen Sheng to Heavenly Profound Gate! And now, Xu Ming had to help Mo Zhu’er carve out a path.

In desperation, Ji Wuming activated the Soul-Subduing Nails.

Xu Ming felt his soul being torn apart! But Xu Ming steadied himself.

Heaven Opening Fist — Mountain-Shaking.

Xu Ming threw a punch.

Ji Wuming summoned a turtle shell.

But Xu Ming’s punch broke through the turtle shell, piercing his heart.

“How could this be?!”

Ji Wuming looked down, staring at the fist piercing through him.

Ji Wuming couldn’t believe he was dying! Just from this one punch!

Ji Wuming fell from the sky, landing on the ground, his eyes wide open, his breath gone.

“Master!”

Ji Wuming’s old servant cried out but showed no intention of avenging his master, turning and fleeing instead.

The cauldron flew toward Xu Ming again, but he kicked it away.

Mo Zhu’er glanced at Xu Ming twice more, then flew toward Xuan Yue City.

Cui Renwang tried to intercept her, but Xu Ming unleashed a wave of sword qi, blocking Cui Renwang.

“Who would’ve thought the prince consort has a thing for a Western Domain enchantress?” Cui Renwang teased.

“Ho ho, she isn’t even worthy to carry my shoes!” Xu Ming scoffed, delivering a sword strike and a punch, engaging in close combat.

Mo Zhu’er looked back twice more, her teeth biting her thin lips tightly.

Mo Zhu’er knew she should be free.

Xu Ming would definitely die at Cui Renwang’s hands.

If Xu Ming hadn’t lied, as long as she delivered Shen Sheng to Heavenly Profound Gate, Qingwan would give her the antidote.

In the end, not only had she “killed” Xu Ming, completing her mission, but Xu Ming had also eliminated a rival for her. The only winner would be herself! Yet Mo Zhu’er couldn’t help but keep looking toward Xu Ming’s direction.

Suddenly, Mo Zhu’er stomped her foot and turned back to fly.

“Mo Zhu’er, Mo Zhu’er! What are you doing? Go to Xuan Yue City! That man dies, so what?” Mo Zhu’er scolded herself, “You don’t actually like that guy, do you?”

Mo Zhu’er flew faster and faster.

In Mo Zhu’er’s mind, memories surfaced—of Xu Ming dripping wax on her, making her roast meat, kicking her away when she seduced him.

And yet during this time, she slept extremely peacefully, never fearing death. It was always him standing in front of her!

Xu Ming struggled to fend off the cauldron while fighting against Cui Renwang.

Xu Ming clearly sensed that Cui Renwang couldn’t control the cauldron well either, only using it to counter his attacks. Otherwise, Xu Ming felt he would have died already.

However, with both the Dao Pattern Eye and Blood Qi Berserk active, Xu Ming felt his body almost drained. If this continued, he would certainly die.

Escape was impossible. He couldn’t get far enough away, and once his strength and spiritual energy were depleted, he’d be at the mercy of others.

“Even if I die, I’ll take someone with me.”

This thought suddenly popped into Xu Ming’s mind.

Xu Ming dashed forward, kicking Cui Renwang’s jade flute, causing cracks to appear.

Cui Renwang was thrown to the ground again.

Immediately afterward, Xu Ming unleashed a storm of sword qi toward Cui Renwang.

Xu Ming refused to create distance between himself and Cui Renwang.

At this moment, Xu Ming noticed the cauldron hovering motionless in the air.

Perhaps Cui Renwang feared trapping himself along with Xu Ming.

All the better!

Xu Ming maintained close-range combat, beating Cui Renwang relentlessly.

Cui Renwang tried multiple times to create distance, but Xu Ming clung to him like glue.

However, Xu Ming’s strength and sword qi grew weaker, and the conflict between Martial True Qi and spiritual energy inside him worsened.

Blood streamed from Xu Ming’s ears, eyes, and nose.

Seeing Xu Ming’s state, Cui Renwang smirked.

Cui Renwang was no longer in a hurry.

Judging by his condition, he wouldn’t last more than half an incense stick’s time before dying from exhaustion.

But what Cui Renwang didn’t know was that

Xu Ming, embracing the determination to die, entered a mysterious state.

Xu Ming felt as if he didn’t exist, yet somehow existed, transcending his physical form, overlooking the entire world.

It was as if he transformed into a pair of fists, into the sword in his hand.

Xu Ming knew he was dying, but he wanted to throw one last punch, one last slash! Xu Ming felt that if he didn’t unleash this punch and slash, he would regret it for the rest of his life!

Suddenly, Xu Ming reached a mysterious threshold. He stopped, closing his eyes.

Cui Renwang didn’t understand what was happening with Xu Ming, so he quickly distanced himself.

“Fall!”

Under Cui Renwang’s control, the cauldron descended upon Xu Ming.

The cauldron completely locked Xu Ming’s presence, leaving him no chance to escape.

But Xu Ming didn’t intend to escape.

Xu Ming punched the cauldron, his boxing energy transforming into a dragon, firmly holding the cauldron in place.

With another thought, Xu Ming’s figure became intangible, his longsword transforming into a streak of light, piercing toward Cui Renwang’s body. Xu Ming turned into smoke, following the sword.

Cui Renwang’s pupils contracted sharply.

By the time he reacted, he looked down to find a large hole pierced through his chest.

The sword left no trace behind, and the intangible Xu Ming returned to form, gripping the longsword, unsure of what had happened.

“How could this be?” Cui Renwang’s eyes trembled.

“Ho ho ho… How could this be, how could this be? I was killed by a Sea Observing Realm cultivator? Impossible!”

Cui Renwang verged on madness, reaching out and grabbing the cauldron forcefully.

“Since it’s like this, then you die with me!”