Chapter 17: You Hold Them Off, I'll Ambush

Yun Yi held his breath, staring intently, his mind quietly contemplating how the course of this battle had already surpassed everyone's expectations.

The “Dragon and Tiger Roar” technique unleashed by the middle-aged man was so powerful that even Yun Yi felt a chill of fear.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Yun Yi’s mind—he urgently wanted to know whether the two disciples from Qingyang Sword Sect could come up with a strategy to deal with such a formidable opponent.

“Can they... can they withstand the might of the ‘Dragon and Tiger Roar’?”

Though his voice was as faint as a whisper, the tension within him surged like a stormy sea, impossible to calm.

He fixed his gaze firmly on the battlefield, filled with a mixture of hope and anxiety, eager to find an answer in the fight to come.

In truth, deep down, he did not want to see the two Qingyang Sword Sect disciples fall so easily beneath the iron fists of that burly man, for that would directly affect his chance to obtain the legendary Lingzhi mushroom—an opportunity crucial to him.

Fortunately, the two disciples did not disappoint him.

Faced with the deafening, space-rending “Dragon and Tiger Roar,” they initially showed a moment of confusion and helplessness, but in an instant, relying on their profound cultivation and seamless coordination, they swiftly adjusted their stance, using their long swords as shields to endure the blow.

However, blood trickled simultaneously from the corners of their mouths, clearly showing that the strike had not come without cost.

The burly man’s pupils constricted sharply, surprise flickering across his face.

“Hmph, for two insignificant ants like you to withstand my blow... So you really are disciples of Qingyang Sword Sect. There’s some skill there,” he sneered, disdain lacing his words, yet beneath it lay a grudging respect.

The two Qingyang Sword Sect disciples, aware of the wounds inflicted by the strike, exchanged a glance filled with unspoken understanding. They both knew the root of this struggle was the seemingly arrogant man before them.

The elder senior brother, resolute and wise-eyed, quickly made a decision.

He whispered to his junior brother, voice low but resolute, “Junior brother, this man’s body is exceptionally strong; even his ‘Dragon and Tiger Roar’ has reached the realm of ethereal transformation—its power is staggering. If we fight separately, dispersing our strength, we will be no match. Now, only by relying on our Qingyang Sword Sect’s ‘Twin Shadow Radiant Swords’ can we hope to turn the tide and defeat this formidable enemy.”

Upon hearing this, the junior brother’s eyes flashed with determination and resolve. He deeply understood the truth in his senior brother’s words; against such a powerful foe, only by uniting could they hold onto a sliver of hope.

Without hesitation, he responded, “Very well, senior brother. Let us fight side by side and prove the strength of Qingyang Sword Sect with the ‘Twin Shadow Radiant Swords’!”

Before his words had fully faded, their bodies shifted slightly, intertwining like two streaks of flowing light. Sword light shimmered, their momentum soaring like a rainbow.

Their coordination was flawless, as if honed through countless rehearsals—every move perfectly timed, complementing each other to form an unbreakable sword net.

The burly man’s face flickered with surprise, quickly replaced by a fierce glint of battle intent.

“Hmph, very well. Qingyang Sword Sect’s ‘Twin Shadow Radiant Swords,’ let me see if you can truly break through my defense. I’ll teach you what it means to face my fury!”

His body tensed, muscles taut as bowstrings, each inch of skin brimming with explosive power. His eyes blazed like twin flames, radiating indomitable fighting spirit, like a fierce tiger poised to pounce in a life-or-death duel.

Almost simultaneously, the two Qingyang Sword Sect disciples readied themselves, sword tips lightly touching the ground, like two blossoming lotus flowers brimming with sharpness. With a crisp clash of steel, they surged forward like twin bolts of lightning, and a fierce battle erupted instantly.

Sword light wove intricately; shadows of blades crossed as sword winds howled across the battlefield, sword qi slicing through the air. The burly man, relying on his formidable physique and deep cultivation, unleashed punches like dragons, fierce and powerful. His strikes met the disciples’ sword techniques with dazzling sparks.

Each clash was accompanied by the explosive cracking of air, sending chills down the spine.

Hiding nearby, Yun Yi’s eyes remained fixed on the fight, afraid to miss a single detail.

A faint, almost imperceptible cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he pondered, “Ha, very good. Fight until you both are bloodied and broken. When you’re weakened, that will be the perfect moment for me to seize the Lingzhi mushroom.”

His heart brimmed with calculation and greed. Lurking in the shadows, he patiently awaited the shifting tides of battle, ready to strike at the crucial moment and claim the treasure he had long dreamed of.

Yet beneath this fierce confrontation lurked even more tangled conspiracies and unknown variables, as treacherous as the deep ocean’s surging undercurrents.

After only a dozen breaths, the battlefield was already streaked with sword shadows, the air thick with overwhelming momentum.

The two Qingyang Sword Sect disciples combined their efforts to wield the ‘Twin Shadow Radiant Swords,’ their sword light weaving like silk, radiant and colorful. Each stroke carried the seamless power and wisdom of their unity, attempting to wholly suppress the burly man.

Yet, shockingly, no matter how perfect their cooperation, the burly man stood firm, his punches like dragons, each counterstrike heavy and overwhelming, making it difficult for the two disciples to withstand.

Finally, after a fierce collision, the brilliance of the Twin Shadow Radiant Swords dimmed, and the two disciples staggered back, faces etched with disbelief.

They had never imagined that even the Qingyang Sword Sect’s supreme technique could not easily overcome this seemingly rough but deeply concealed man.

“What? How could this be...” Yun Yi, hidden in the shadows, witnessed this and was filled with horror. Though his voice was a mere whisper, his inner turmoil was impossible to conceal.

He had believed the Qingyang Sword Sect disciples capable of handling the fight, and that all he needed was to wait for his chance.

Now, it seemed matters were far more complicated than he had imagined.

Meanwhile, the two Qingyang Sword Sect disciples exchanged uneasy glances, eyes full of surprise and anxiety.

“What now, senior brother?” the younger asked anxiously, a trace of panic in his voice.

The elder senior brother’s gaze quickly calmed. He took a deep breath and said gravely, “Junior brother, do not panic. I still have a plan. You do your best to hold him off and draw his attention. I will find an opportunity to strike from the side, aiming for a decisive blow.”

Though still uneasy, the junior brother nodded firmly. “Understood, senior brother.”

With these words, the two took a steadying breath and prepared to face the next round of battle.