Chapter 38: Blossoms and Dragons, Their Resonant Cry in the Sky (Part Two)

Boom!

The Chief Disciple was truly enraged now. Gripping his sword with both hands, he stabbed downward with sudden force; a powerful surge of energy billowed forth, shattering the calm of the water. Spray flew up, splattering Gu Yi’s face.

At the same time, an oppressive aura from his opponent pressed down on Gu Yi, weighing heavily upon him. The boat beneath his feet groaned and creaked as it struggled against the force.

No matter how hard one tried, the Settled Mind stage could never best a Guardian.

The difference in aura alone was vast.

A sharp cry—“Gah~”—echoed, seemingly from Fan Ling.

He had drawn his sword, pointing it skyward, his stance reminiscent of a proud rooster, singing toward the heavens.

Fan Ling had learned his lesson—he no longer engaged this boy in conversation, his anger pounding in his skull.

Instead, he struck directly, eager to see how Gu Yi would face a Guardian.

After gathering his strength, the water’s surface gradually regained its calm.

Yet beneath that tranquility, turbulent waves simmered.

Gu Yi could see it—his opponent was about to strike.

Ding.

A lone leaf, from somewhere unseen, touched the water, sending ripples across its surface and shattering the peace.

Whoosh!

In an instant, a shadow flashed by.

Gu Yi suddenly realized Fan Ling had raised his sword right before him: his waist curved like a crescent moon, his long arm drawn as if stringing a bow, the blade descending straight for Gu Yi’s head.

Unable to dodge in time, Gu Yi could only raise his sword to defend.

Watching from afar, Ma Yuan’s heart tightened: Be careful! Why is he holding his sword in a supporting stance?

When facing a stronger foe, supporting your opponent’s sword is a terrible idea.

But Gu Yi did it anyway.

Clang!

A piercing screech rang out, accompanied by a swirl of purple, white, and blue spiritual energy that burst forth across the space.

Fan Ling’s pupils flickered with confusion.

Purple belonged to him, white to Gu Yi—

Blue?

Someone was interfering?

No, that couldn’t be!

Hiss, hiss!

Gu Yi’s sword was etched with fine patterns—flickering in and out of sight, exuding a mysterious aura.

“Spirit Rune of the Sword!” Fan Ling recognized it immediately; ordinary folk might not know, but as Chief Disciple of the Academy, he certainly did.

The Ye family excelled at runes. This boy must truly be Ye Xiaoniang’s brother.

Yet...

A slight smirk tugged at Fan Ling’s lips. He reached backward with his left hand, spinning to grab, and with a surge of palm force, struck Gu Yi!

Bang!

---

The spirit rune’s patterns spread from the blade, expanding its protective field—but it was broken.

Gu Yi took the blow beneath his ribs, blasted off the small boat, flying backward, blood spurting from his mouth.

“Spirit runes are always auxiliary. Relying on them, you cannot defeat me.”

Settled Mind and Guardian—an unbridgeable chasm.

But Fan Ling knew this blow wouldn’t kill him.

Gu Yi spun through the air, about to plunge into the water.

“No other choice now.”

Buzz!

Fan Ling saw clearly: Gu Yi stomped the void, and the water beneath him boiled and danced.

Last time, it was too sudden.

This time, it was unmistakable—the spiritual energy beneath Gu Yi’s feet wasn’t drawn from his body, but borrowed, an external force.

Legend had it that spiritual energy flowed through all things, but was it so easily harnessed?

“It’s here—the Spirit Qi Monster!” Fan Ling’s figure drifted forward, eyes narrowed, never wavering from Gu Yi.

Gu Yi staggered, slowly rising, stepping on spiritual energy drawn from the riverbed—what he called “natural qi.”

The blood on his lips made his sensitive nose catch an overwhelming scent of iron. Disgusting. Food taken in was rich in color, aroma, and taste; what came out was altogether different.

Likewise, who knew which path this blood had taken?

It was revolting, and he was thoroughly unhappy.

“You’re finished!” Gu Yi shouted, pointing at Fan Ling.

Fan Ling: Has this kid lost his mind?

“Your unique use of spiritual energy is unlike anyone I’ve seen. I don’t understand it, but something feels off. Are you...”

Suddenly, the youth perked up, guessing, “Are you even human?”

Gu Yi: ???

“Forget it. Instead of wild guesses, I’ll just beat you first!”

Fan Ling’s words hadn’t finished before his figure lunged forward.

Gu Yi tossed his sword to his left hand; with his right, he began drawing runes.

Xiao Yiyi had said: in battle, draw runes quickly—beauty doesn’t matter.

Speed was everything, and his right hand, well-practiced, was faster.

Fan Ling’s blade struck, but a Binding Spirit Rune ensnared his right arm, diverting the attack; Gu Yi dodged smoothly! He thrust his sword with his left, but the dense spiritual energy around Fan Ling prevented any contact!

Fan Ling attacked again, only to be blocked by the spirit rune on Gu Yi’s blade.

For a moment, the water’s surface echoed with clangs—a chaotic melee.

...

...

“It's true what they say—the Ye family excels at runes. Such fighting style is rare, but Fan Ling isn’t foolish; he won’t be entangled forever. Sooner or later, this youth will slip, and then it’ll be no small matter.”

“The Ye family’s rune skills are monstrous—spirit runes, binding runes, switching at will, forming runes in a flash. But runes are always auxiliary... This can only end in defeat...”

“Even as auxiliaries, his use is impressive. He’s surely capable of injury and sealing runes too.”

“How does he harness spiritual energy this way?” The master of the Seventeenth Floor flew closer, frowning, not underestimating Gu Yi in the slightest. He stroked the white cat in his arms, “Jinhua Cat, open your mouth.”

---

On the field, though it appeared an even match, Gu Yi was in constant peril—using both sword and rune, as if he were the legendary Gu Botong fighting with both hands.

Fan Ling was always searching, waiting for a gap in the runes.

“I told you—spirit runes are auxiliary.”

He kept increasing his speed, leaving only afterimages.

Gu Yi’s runes lost their target.

The moment the Binding Spirit Rune’s energy vines grasped empty air—

A warning surged through Gu Yi’s body.

Fan Ling vanished.

Smack!

Gu Yi flung his sword into the air before him; at the instant he closed his eyes, his robes billowed fiercely. Amid the sounds of combat, there were a few faint, unfamiliar noises—swishing and tinkling.

Not loud; many didn’t even hear it.

When Fan Ling reappeared, his sword swung high, like a rooster crowing, the blade as red as a comb, its edge shining white, sharp and terrifying.

“Take this! White-Sliced Chicken!!”

Swoosh!

The sword’s momentum crashed down—no escape.

Ye Xiaoniang rose, clutching her chest...

Chen Mingguang leaned forward, deeply worried...

Ma Yuan watched as the glowing flowers around him traced arcs through the air, forming a bridge, joyous and lively, rushing toward Gu Yi.

Bang!

An unprecedented collision resounded!

A tumultuous wave blasted everything within a hundred meters, collapsing the water’s surface into a whirlpool; birds in the sky dared not approach.

Was it blocked?!

Even White-Sliced Chicken could be stopped?!

Fan Ling sensed something was wrong, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. He saw four bridges of spiritual energy connecting Gu Yi to the painted boat, while Gu Yi himself was enveloped in spiraling energy, fragrant with flowers!

“What is that?!”

“Cough, cough...” Within the layers of energy, Gu Yi pressed his chest, coughed hoarsely, then murmured:

“In spring, the river clears after rain, and delicate flowers tilt toward the sun.

Within the fence, a sword of subtlety...

Today, I claim your life from the heavens!”

The energy beneath his feet slowly lifted him aloft; his clothes and hair were torn and ragged from the clash, blood still staining his lips.

Fan Ling was stunned. “What have you done?”

“Like flowers turning toward the sun—listen to this call that echoes in the sky...”

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