Volume Two, The Catalogue of Weapons Chapter 115: A Sweep of the Sword Across the Battlefield

As the spear tip lunged forward, Liu Xiaoyi snatched up a wine flask to parry it aside. Using the momentum, she sprang up from her seated posture, leaping into the air with a sharp cry. The Jade Radiance Sword flew from her back, its blade cleaving through the coiling dragon spear.

“What a fine weapon!” Qi Bang’s eyes lit up. He had witnessed the power of the coiling dragon spear firsthand; to block its divine spear tip head-on was no trivial feat.

The assembled heroes swiftly cleared a space, giving Liu Xiaoyi room to maneuver—not only out of courtesy but also to avoid the spear’s overwhelming force damaging the exquisite food and wine laid out.

This divine weapon possessed a will of its own. With no one controlling it, it relentlessly pressed Liu Xiaoyi backward. The sword’s radiating energy struggled in vain against the spear’s overwhelming aura, engulfing Liu Xiaoyi’s figure in a dazzling blaze.

Qi Bang, engrossed in the fight, finally came to his senses and asked, “Uncle, how could the coiling dragon spear lose control like this? It’s been locked safely in its spear case for so many years. I’ve never seen it attack guests before.”

The old rascal chuckled heartily, his gaze deep and meaningful within the glow, “Divine weapons have their own spirits; no one can predict when they might stir. That young hero’s sword is extraordinary too. Perhaps it’s the meeting of these two weapons that triggered this reaction.”

The coiling dragon spear had been stored for many years, its essence sealed within a specially crafted case. It was usually quiet, causing no trouble—aside from occasionally attracting petty thieves eager to steal it. Qi Bang was happy to keep it, for possessing such a divine weapon granted him many opportunities to meet esteemed masters of the martial world.

He cared little for his own reputation, but Master Xu’s honor was another matter. The Sacred Sovereign Hall owed its involvement to Master Xu’s influence.

Such blatant recruitment of disciples without a word from the Sacred Sovereign Hall seemed odd. But with the Qi family, guarded by the coiling dragon spear, like a dormant tiger entrenched in Earth Mound City, the Hall dared not act rashly.

Otherwise, Master Xu alone, wielding that spear, could overturn the entire Sacred Sovereign Hall. The Hall was still recovering from a great defeat at Jingqi Mountain and had yet to regain its strength.

Of the three Sovereigns, only one remained, severely injured and secluded in meditation. Rumor had it his heart meridian was damaged; even if saved, he would be half crippled.

Now with Master Xu absent, the spear acting on its own was troubling. If it could be subdued, well and good; if not, Qi Bang would have no choice but to crush the jade token in his hand and send word to the master for help.

“I hope young hero Liu can calm it down; otherwise, this chance will be wasted,” Qi Bang said reluctantly, unwilling to part with the jade token that was his lifeline.

Unbeknownst to him, the true culprit was the very uncle beside him, who had awakened the divine weapon’s spirit to test Liu Xiaoyi’s cultivation. He intended to stir trouble at the Qi family estate—without sufficient skill, it would be a death sentence.

The spear’s surrounding formation caused Liu Xiaoyi no small headache. Its sharp edges threatened to pierce through her energy defenses and shred her robes with the slightest misstep.

“Xuan Yue!” she shouted, sweeping the Jade Radiance Sword to block the spear for the third time. She was straining; this was the only move that could fend off the dragon spear, but it drained her energy rapidly. Without another plan, she would soon become helpless prey.

Fortunately, the divine weapon’s brilliance was fading; given time, she could outlast it. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck. She withdrew the Zhenyuan Mountain talisman, sealing herself inside it in reverse.

Her qi was nearly depleted, but her magical power was abundant.

Two spiritual roots within her dantian stirred, releasing deep magical energy into the talisman. The coiling dragon spear could not advance an inch, and the two forces locked in a fierce stalemate amid the radiant glow.

Without sound or sight of the battle within the light, the gathered heroes turned their attention back to the duel between two masters in the courtyard.

Duan Tong wielded a Falling Wild Goose Spear, each strike aimed at Wang Zhen’s vital points. Yet, a slight gap in their realms meant Wang Zhen’s long staff deftly blocked every move at the critical moment.

“No wonder it’s called the Falling Wild Goose Spear; seeing it today, it lives up to its reputation!” Wang Zhen exclaimed. “If only it had the coiling dragon spear’s recognition, its skill would surely ascend to a new level!”

He stepped forward partly to vie for the divine weapon, but mostly for show. Wang Zhen loved the spotlight and meddled in everything. He was not originally trained in weapons and practiced staff techniques only for leisure.

When he launched a true attack, within less than twenty moves, he unleashed his trump card—throwing the eyebrow-high staff aside and clapping both palms towards Duan Tong.

Recognizing his opponent’s serious intent, Duan Tong raised his eyebrows with excitement, pulling the Falling Wild Goose Spear close and taking a defensive stance. “Let me witness your Wind-Cleaving Hands!”

Two large palms of condensed qi gathered from the swirling clouds above, striking Duan Tong’s head. He held the spear horizontally, absorbing the blow, the staff sinking three inches into the bluestone ground, but his legs remained firmly planted.

Before he could relax, the second palm struck again. Duan Tong grunted, bending his knees but still blocking the strike.

Wang Zhen exerted himself fully, admiring Duan Tong’s resilience. A two-level gap in cultivation yet such steadfast skill proved Duan Tong’s solid spearsmanship.

“Lone Wild Goose Strike!” Duan Tong swung his spear, springing upward. He could still counterattack, unfazed by the two palm strikes. Duan Tong eagerly sought battles with strong opponents.

Wang Zhen’s palms thickened, colliding with the spear tip with a metallic clang—a testament to his mastery of palm techniques.

Shadowy images of a soaring wild goose appeared on Duan Tong’s body, the spear tip becoming the goose’s beak, pecking directly at Wang Zhen’s chest.

Wang Zhen clasped his palms before his chest with a sharp crack, trapping the spear tip. The two suspended briefly midair as pale qi rippled and collided. Ultimately, Wang Zhen’s superior skill prevailed as he gritted his teeth and shouted, “Step aside!”

The wild goose seemed to cry out in anguish, suppressed and twisted aside. Duan Tong lost control of his strength, slamming his left arm against the ground and crashing heavily into the stone slab.

Before he could rise from the rubble, he spat blood, his spirit flagging.

Wang Zhen withdrew his energy, dissipated the palm qi, and hurried forward to help Duan Tong up. “Brother, well fought—are your muscles and bones intact?”

Duan Tong shook his head, ignoring the spear fallen nearby, and clasped his fists in salute. “Impressive skill. Today I have learned much. Without this sparring, my life would have ended.”

As they exchanged tired smiles, the banquet’s glow suddenly exploded. Liu Xiaoyi’s hands clasped midair, and above her head, an emerald sword nearly thirty feet long materialized. It slashed straight at the dim, dull coiling dragon spear.

Exhausted and worn, the spear was no match for the sword’s soul-searing radiance. Divine light overpowered all ethereal forms. When the sword struck the spear’s shaft, the divine weapon emitted a shrill cry and collapsed into a pool of molten gold on the ground.

The residual sword energy swept across the scene, touching the heroes’ souls, stirring their hearts with a profound tremor!