Chapter 122: The Hand of Vengeance

"Damn it! It's not over yet. Thinking you can defeat me with just this is nothing but a pipe dream!"

Under the faint moonlight, as those icy words fell, a bolt of lightning erupted from the ruins. In an instant, thunder and lightning surged toward the clouds, illuminating the entire sky against the backdrop of the night, accompanied by the ceaseless, piercing hum of electromagnetic resonance.

"Nine Heavens Purple Lightning Immortal-Slaying Slash!"

Suspended in mid-air, the figure in the white robe brandished his white sword. Sharp, ferocious sword qi—wild yet disciplined—descended like a meteor shower. Countless bolts of electric sword energy enveloped the entire mansion.

*Crackle, pop!* The air tore open slightly, setting off endless explosions of electricity.

"..."

Watching this, Kuang Zhen was initially puzzled as to how Tianming had reached the Kongming Realm so suddenly. Judging by the situation, he must have utilized a secret technique, which explained why he had been blasted away by the shockwaves before he even realized what was happening.

What!?

The figure who had just crawled out of the ruins froze in stunned disbelief when he saw the sky full of sword qi and the young man in white silk robes hovering above. He had never imagined that the boy he had just brushed aside with a mere remnant of his power could unleash such strength.

"It's been a long time since I've had a fight this satisfying. Since you want to keep going, boy, I'll accompany you to the end!" He had originally intended to exchange a few blows and retreat, but he hadn't expected these two to be as persistent as sticky candy, ultimately leaving him in such a wretched state.

At this moment, the figure's disguise shattered completely, revealing a ferocious face with a hooked nose and hawk-like eyes, looking as savage as a wolf. Realizing this, he hastily grabbed a piece of black cloth from the ground to cover his face once more.

"It... it's Xuan Jian, one of the Four Sinister Fiends!"

Kuang Zhen’s brow furrowed, and he exclaimed in disbelief. Although the tall figure emerging from the ruins had only revealed his true face for a moment, Kuang Zhen, who had been observing from the ground, recognized him instantly as one of the four who had reacted most violently at the inn.

At the same time, Kuang Zhen couldn't help but wonder: was this a solo operation by Xuan Jian, or was he acting under the orders of that Protector?

Regardless, neither possibility was in their favor. Despite appearances, Kuang Zhen hadn't actually inflicted any substantial damage on Xuan Jian, which was precisely why the man was still able to stand and fight with such vigor.

"Go to hell!"

Hearing Kuang Zhen’s warning from below, Tianming sneered. He didn't care about "Sinister Fiends"; he wanted to see what this Xuan Jian was truly capable of, given his audacity to slaughter so many innocent lives. Today, he would see to it that the reputation of the Four Fiends was erased forever!

***

In an instant, amidst the falling rain of thousands of sword strikes, a thunderball descended from the high altitude like a cannon shell. Trailing behind it were countless tangible bolts of purple lightning sword qi, causing the energy of heaven and earth to boil.

"Since you know my name, then let us fight! Let me see what you're made of!"

"In my name, suppress the soul and claim the spirit! Blade of Reversal, God-Slaying, First Form: Soul Suppression!!!"

The deep blue in his eyes transformed into a gaze of pure slaughter. Xuan Jian’s twin daggers, one black and one white, crossed instantly. A terrifying killing intent erupted from him—a black, soul-like aura that manifested into physical form, quenching the incoming purple lightning sword qi with its mere diffusion.

*Sizzle.* Xuan Jian did not stop. A phantom over ten feet tall began to take shape behind him. As his black and white daggers crossed, two blades of dark, sinister energy formed a shroud.

*Bang! Bang!*

The purple lightning sword qi hammered against the black shroud, causing violent fluctuations in the surrounding energy. It sounded like a series of small explosions echoing across the horizon. "Hmph!" Seeing this, Tianming refused to yield; he accelerated, turning himself into a ball of purple lightning to crash into the black shroud.

"Heh heh, feeling impatient already?" Xuan Jian chuckled, shaking his head at the massive thunderball hurtling toward him like a suicidal charge.

"Sigh! This kid is still too inexperienced."

Seeing this, Kuang Zhen couldn't help but worry for Tianming. The gap between the tenth and sixth levels of the Kongming Realm could not be bridged by mere techniques or secret arts. If Tianming insisted on a head-on collision, he might very well be eliminated in this single exchange.

It seemed he had no choice but to grit his teeth and assist. Youth, after all, lacked combat experience.

"Blade of Reversal, God-Slaying, Second Form: Evil Moon Intersect!"

Glancing at Kuang Zhen flashing in from behind, Xuan Jian offered a slight smirk but ignored him, instead swinging his daggers toward the massive thunderball descending from the sky. Moments later, two crescent-shaped blades of black and white energy sliced outward.

What was the tenth level of the Kongming Realm?

Although not yet at the Lingji Realm, it was a state where one had already set a foot into that new threshold. The perception of heaven and earth was unprecedented compared to those below the tenth level, and the internal energy was far more abundant.

It was clear that even with a Heavenly-grade technique, Tianming’s sixth-level cultivation was simply not enough to bridge that gap!

*BOOM!*

***

The two formidable forces collided instantly. The black, intersecting blades of energy sliced repeatedly into the purple thunderball. Every time the ball dimmed, the descending purple lightning sword qi would act as a celestial reinforcement, expanding the surge of power once more.

"Boy, you are still too green..." Holding his twin daggers, a gloomy glint shone in Xuan Jian’s eyes.

*Is it really not enough?*

Hearing this, Tianming’s face darkened. After a silent murmur, a silver power that defied common understanding radiated from his palms. When the energy touched the phantom behind Xuan Jian, the black energy of heaven and earth that had formed it shattered instantly.

What!?

Feeling his own dark energy being drained away, Xuan Jian stared in utter shock at the small silver vortex in Tianming’s palm, which seemed to be warping the very space around it. What kind of power was this?

"Incredible."

Kuang Zhen, equally stunned, shook his head as he watched the ultimate vortex of power in Tianming’s hand. He never expected that Tianming had been concealing such strength all along!

"Kid, you dare! If you kill me, the other three Fiends will hunt you to the ends of the earth!" Collapsed on the ground in a wretched state, Xuan Jian clutched his daggers, now acting no better than an ordinary man. Every time he tried to manifest his dark aura, it was instantly devoured.

"Ridiculous. Why wouldn't I dare? Does the world only allow you to kill, but not for me to kill you back?" Like the footsteps of the Grim Reaper, Tianming approached, the silver vortex in his hand glowing as he looked down at Xuan Jian with a cold smile.

"Damn it! I never expected to be defeated by a mere brat!"

Seeing this, fear finally crept into Xuan Jian’s eyes, and he turned to flee into the depths of the night!

"Hmph! Xuan Jian, you have slaughtered countless souls in your time. Today, you shall pay for the fruit of your past deeds!"

"Hand of Vengeance, go!!!"

Holding the silver vortex, Tianming stood solemnly on the ground, staring at the fleeing Xuan Jian with eyes full of fury. Recalling what Kuang Zhen had said at the inn only fueled his rage. He hurled the silver vortex into the darkness.