Chapter 35 (1/2)

35 – Nine is the End

Listening to Hua Tianji's clear laughter, Xue Qilin's mood suddenly became complicated.

Although the Heavenly Sword Gate has been plotting against the Merak Temple [1], but when she saw this scene, she couldn't help but feel ashamed for the Merak Temple.

Despite the threat of death, they still stepped forward to protect their Gate Master.

And what about the Merak Temple?

Xue Qilin recalled Luo Qing's death. Didn't Luo Qing use her life to exchange for such a unity?

Xue Qilin felt disconsolate.

For some reason, when she looked at the united Heavenly Sword Gate, she felt inexplicably scared.

She was fighting alone, and Hua Tianji wasn't. It only took her a moment to realize – do I want to retreat?

Obviously, regardless of everyone's opposition, I want to avenge Luo Qing. But in the end, will I have to return with the tail between my legs like a stray dog? Not willing! I'm not willing!

Facing the awe-inspiring Heaven Realm master that was her, the nine Earth Realm masters with a common cause as well as the clearly heavily injured but still smiling and confident Hua Tianji… All of this was reflected in her eyes, inscribed in her heart.

Xue Qilin looked towards the sky, feeling an inexplicable coldness in her heart.

But what about my comrades? What about my family sticking together through thick and thin?

The is none! Unwittingly, Xue Qilin clenched her fists, and her fingernails bore deep into in the flesh. Blood oozed out from between her fingers.

Let's just fling caution to the wind and make a scene! This thought ignited a violent flame inside Xue Qilin, and madness filled her mind.

In the face of a strong enough force, even a bundle of sticks will break!

“Senior Xue, you don't want to retreat?” Hua Tianji spoke in surprise.

Although Hua Tianji was seriously injured and could display less than 70% of his strength, but he had nine Earth Realm experts at his side.

What's more, Xue Qilin also wasn't in a her top form. With the moves she has executed just now, she has already consumed a significant amount of true qi. She currently had less than 60% of her true qi left.

Although she could display 100% of her power, but with only 60% of true qi remaining, could she kill nine Earth Realm experts and a half-dead Heaven Realm expert?

Xue Qilin wasn't sure, but reason told her – impossible. However…

“Speak less nonsense! Today, I'll destroy the Heavenly Sword Gate!”

Luo Qing's pale face streaked across her mind and pierced through her reason.

Like she had told Qi Qiqi – each day Hua Tianji stays alive and kicking, I feel sick to my stomach as if I have eaten s.h.i.+t.

Young Ancestor, please avenge me… These words have engraved themselves in her mind, and were impossible to get rid of.

Little Qing, although I said that you were softhearted, and that was why you set up this game full of holes, but you were merciless towards two people – towards you yourself and me.

Have you antic.i.p.ated that I'll recklessly come here to kill Hua Tianji?

Anyway, you still missed a point…

The Heavenly Sword Gate isn't the Merak Temple. They don't waver in the face of danger.

But what about me?

I have, I have no one.

“Good, very good! In my entire life, I only admired three people. The first one is the the Merak Temple's former Great Ancestor who smashed the void and took off – Senior Qi Guiyuan. The second one is the sole Grandmaster in the Hua Dynasty who reached the Grandmaster Realm as a martial beast – Senior Beiming Youyu. The third one is residing deep inside the palace –  His Majesty who unscrupulously seized the throne. Senior Xue, you are the fourth one.”

Hua Tianji's expressionless eyes were ignited with a strong fighting spirit. All because of the companions at his side willing to brave the calamity together with him.

“Hua Tianji, although we are enemies, but I really envy you.”

“Oh, may I ask what you envy about me, Senior Xue?”

Xue Qilin glanced at the nine people gathered around Hua Tianji. Among these nine people, there were both young and old, male and female mixed together, and they presumably all had different dispositions. But their hearts were united at this time.

As if he had understood what Xue Qilin meant, Hua Tianji released a complicated sigh.

“Why aren't you part of the Heavenly Sword Gate? I'm also very envious of the Merak Temple, Senior Xue.”

“…” Xue Qilin was silent, but what Hua Tianji said next left her speechless.

“Senior Xue, why don't you quit the Merak Temple and join the Heavenly Sword Gate?”

“What nonsense!”

Things have reached this stage, but he still wants to sow dissension? Xue Qilin felt a fire rise inside her. But when she saw the sincere look in Hua Tianji's eyes, her expression suddenly turned sluggish.

“……You are serious?”

“Of course.”

“Even though there's enmity between us?”

“Yes.”

Xue Qilin sighed. Solely in terms of breadth of mind, Hua Tianji can be considered as an excellent character.

“… you wouldn't be considering it?” Said a skeptical voice. Xue Qilin even imagined Qi Qiqi roll her eyes and raising her brows.

Is it my imagination?

If it's just my imagination, then what's with the look of surprise on Hua Tianji's face?

She turned her head rigidly and looked in the direction of the voice.

… red dress swaying in the wind, scarlet eyes staring straight at her.

She was taken aback for a moment. With her hands on her hips, Qi Qiqi was standing on the ground below.

“… why did you come here?” Xue Qilin slowly floated down to the ground and landed beside Qi Qiqi.

How did she appear here without any sound or sign? Did she sneak in while hiding her aura?

“Isn't it because I was worried about you?”

“Are you stupid? You're definitely stupid! How much can you help me by yourself?”

Even with Qi Qiqi added into the equation, the disadvantage still won't be reversed. Even if Qi Qiqi was stronger, she could tie two Earth Realm experts down at most.

“Why are you so worked up?! I didn't come alone.”

“What? Then…”

“… It seems that the Young Ancestor only has eyes for the Temple Master.” A sweet voice came from behind Qi Qiqi. Xue Qilin looked up and saw Xia Xue with a playful expression on her face, next to whom stood Yang Yuening with a bitter smile on her face and the silent Situ Mutou.

“… why did you all come?”

“Why else would we have come? Our dear Uncle Teacher Ye was worried about the safety the Young Ancestor and the Temple Master.” Xia Xue played with her hair and uttered mischievously.

Ye Zhen has sent them? Xue Qilin stared blankly for a while, and then suddenly smiled wryly.

Little Qing, oh Little Qing, was this also part of your calculations?

No, this is probably just what she hoped for.

“Little Ji, looks like you're going to die today.” Xue Qilin turned around and looked proudly at Hua Tianji.

She also wasn't alone. If you weren't alone, you had the strength to go to the end of the earth.

“…hhha!” Hua Tianji faced upwards and laughed unrestrainedly.

“Senior Xue, you just said that you envy the Heavenly Sword Gate. But in my opinion, the Merak Temple isn't bad either!”

“I also didn't expect that these brats would come.”

“Very well. Today, no matter who wins or loses, lets write off the grievances between our two sects. What do you think, Senior Xue?”

“You would like that, wouldn't you? But…” Xue Qilin glanced at the people of the Heavenly Sword Gate and smiled: “… that's not a bad idea.”

“Then…” Hua Tianji adopted a stance and pointed at Xue Qilin with his greatsword: “… come! Xue Qilin!”

Xue Qilin grinned, and a strong qi field pressed towards Hua Tianji like billowing waves.

But the other party wasn't a vegetarian either.

Peng – the qi fields of both parties collided in the middle, and raised a shock wave.

Of the two opposing factions, the Elders of the Heavenly Sword Gate were the first to move. Nine people charged towards Xue Qilin and them from different directions.

Xue Qilin didn't move. She focused all her attention on Hua Tianji, “… be careful.”

“Don't look down on me. I am the great-granddaughter of Qi Guiyuan and the daughter of Qi Yixin!” Qi Qiqi smiled confidently, and then jumped up suddenly and confronted Liang Bozhong who had only one arm left. At the same time, she unleashed a ray of sword qi to stop another Elder of the Heavenly Sword Gate. Next, Xia Xue and the others each pined down several Elders of the Heavenly Sword Gate.

Xue Qilin and Hua Tianji were still facing each other.

A protracted battle isn't favorable for me! I must be quick about it. Xue Qilin knew that although her moves were destructive and varied, but they came at the expense of a large amount of true qi.

Hua Tianji was different. Although his moves were monotonous, but their power was still guaranteed. And most importantly, the consumption of true qi was low.

In terms of the quant.i.ty of true qi they had left, Hua Tianji should have a considerable advantage.