Chapter 65: Aiding from the Shadows

Boom!

With a single slash, Tianming’s sword collided instantly with the claws of Suoyangcan. Tianming channeled the energy of heaven and earth without retreating, yet the spiritual force within him was gradually depleted, unable to sustain the tremendous power of the Lightning Sword.

Soon, the dark energy of Suoyangcan began to corrode the sword’s radiance, and the blade was on the verge of losing its luster.

“Tianming, today is the day you die!” Seeing this, Suoyangcan struck Tianming with a powerful swipe, sending him flying.

A metallic taste filled Tianming’s chest; he stabbed his sword into the ground, absorbing the backlash.

“Die!”

At that moment, Suoxiufu, who had been observing from the shadows, charged forward, his fist imbued with an unparalleled aura of dark energy, aiming straight for Tianming’s back. If struck, Tianming would either be killed or gravely wounded.

Clang! Though Tianming himself didn’t sense the danger, the Lightning Sword—often dubbed a ‘cheat’—reacted instantly, shielding its master from the blow.

What?

Both Suoyangcan and Suoxiufu were surprised to see the sword act of its own accord to protect Tianming. Yet Suoxiufu’s assault only intensified, for he understood that while his martial technique was of the earthly grade, the sword before them was no ordinary weapon.

It was very likely a heavenly-grade artifact!

But the thought of soon possessing such a weapon filled Suoxiufu’s heart with excitement.

Suddenly, a beam of azure light descended from the heavens, enveloping Tianming. Dense spiritual energy gathered around him, restoring his depleted core and healing his minor wounds. The Lightning Sword regained its brilliance, shining with renewed vigor.

Soon, Tianming’s complexion grew rosy once more.

Looking up, he saw Suoxiufu’s attack halted by the azure light, unable to advance. Tianming immediately understood who was behind this intervention. “Suoxiufu, cease your attack. I am the Child of Destiny—do you really think you can kill me?”

“My fate is mine, not Heaven’s! Child of Destiny? Boy, you’re just borrowing the power of an immortal artifact—what right do you have to speak so arrogantly?” Suspended in midair, Suoxiufu’s fist trembled as his face flushed with anger, roaring in frustration.

---

He had underestimated the grade of the sword, never imagining it to be an immortal artifact.

Seeing Suoxiufu’s attack so easily blocked, Suoyangcan shared his astonishment. With only the three of them present, the only explanation was the sword’s ultimate protective function.

“Alas, fate has its designs. If you won’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do,” Tianming shook his head and sighed.

He had hoped to deceive Suoxiufu and Suoyangcan, but neither had fallen for his ruse. What shocked Tianming most, however, was that Qingpo would intervene to help him—almost unbelievable.

Just as Tianming’s spiritual energy was fully restored, the azure beam vanished.

Suoxiufu sneered, convinced by his own suspicions. “Hmph, don’t think a trick like that will fool us. If you’re so powerful, show us another attack like that. Otherwise, prepare to die.”

“Brother, enough talk—let’s finish this,” said Suoyangcan, stepping up to stand shoulder to shoulder with Suoxiufu, a perfect match.

Time was passing, and the commotion would soon attract other disciples. Suoyangcan knew this well.

“Enough dithering—let’s fight!” Tianming drew the Lightning Sword from the ground, his aura surging upward.

The best defense is a good offense!

Tianming, lacking any advanced martial techniques, simply swung the Lightning Sword in a whirling arc, closing in on the two adversaries. The blade’s ferocity sealed off every direction, leaving them nowhere to escape.

“What… what kind of move is this?” Suoyangcan watched Tianming spinning towards them, bewildered.

For a moment, he was at a loss, but Suoxiufu smirked with disdain. “Yang, I’ll attack him from above; you take the lower half.”

Suoyangcan nodded.

With Suoxiufu’s command, the two split, striking at Tianming’s upper and lower defenses.

“Hey, that’s cheating!” Their unorthodox tactics forced Tianming to halt his spinning sword, though his head spun with dizziness. After so much twirling, even a cultivator wasn’t immune to vertigo.

Of course, Suoyangcan and Suoxiufu were unmoved by Tianming’s protests, their attacks relentless.

“Moonlit Sword of Destiny, do you really think I’m so easily bullied?”

---

With a fierce shout, Tianming summoned a sword gleaming with moonlight into his right hand.

Now, Lightning Sword in his left, Moonlit Sword of Destiny in his right, Tianming’s aura mounted in layers. Under the moon’s radiance, arcs of lightning flickered between the blades. The two swords blocked Suoxiufu and Suoyangcan’s simultaneous attacks from above and below.

Boom! Boom!

Their ferocious blows shattered the surrounding trees, leaving gaping craters as thunder roared and darkness mingled with lightning. The black energy almost enveloped Tianming entirely, save for the center where endless lightning danced.

As the combined dark energies pressed in, Tianming struggled to hold out.

Even with two swords, the suppression of their superior cultivation left him powerless. How could he, a ninth-grade Lingxu, compete against a tenth-grade, especially with another ninth-grade ally?

Bang!

As dark energy, moonlight, and lightning intertwined, the spiritual energy reached its peak and exploded outward. The three were thrown apart by the powerful shockwave.

Tianming, caught in the blast, felt a tightness in his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground. Suoyangcan and Suoxiufu landed gracefully atop tree branches, sneering as they saw Tianming wounded.

One more strike, and the boy would surely die!

Cough, cough!

His spiritual energy in chaos, Tianming plunged both swords into the earth, coughing up a mist of blood. Pale-faced, he glanced at his adversaries, seeing their cold, mocking eyes.

Tianming cursed inwardly—his spiritual reserves were simply too thin. Even with the Moonlit Sword of Destiny, he was no match.

Just then, a message seemed to come from his token. Tianming quickly retrieved it from his dimensional storage, and upon reading the message, his eyes brightened. It was a timely blessing amidst disaster, and Tianming couldn’t help but feel grateful.