280: Thunderfire Sword Intent

The moment the ink plum sword was unsheathed, thunderous light faintly flowed within its pitch-black blade. Qin Feng stood holding the sword, his sword heart operating as a sharp Sword Intent rose from within his body.

"Third Miss, be careful." Qin Feng's eyes were sharp as he once again displayed the Wind Spirit Illusion Steps. His figure was as elusive as a ghost, instantly closing the distance between him and Yan Chi.

Hundred Flowers Sword Art—Wind Brushing Flower Shadows!

The ink plum sword transformed into dozens of sword shadows that were difficult to distinguish between real and false. Each one was like a flower swaying in the wind, seemingly gentle, but actually hiding murderous intent. The sword shadows enveloped Yan Chi from all directions, sealing off all her evasion routes.

"Good timing!" Yan Chi advanced instead of retreating, her long spear dancing into a crimson flame whirlwind, "Blazing Sun Scorching the Plains!"

Spear shadows and sword shadows collided violently in mid-air, erupting in a dense sound of clashing metal like rain. Sparks flew everywhere, and Protective Aura crisscrossed, causing cracks to be shaken into the stone slabs of the martial arts field's floor by the aftershocks.

Qin Feng's sword technique was exquisite. Following Wind Brushing Flower Shadows, he transitioned into "Hundred Flowers in Bloom." The sword momentum suddenly changed, turning from gentle to wild. Countless Sword Qi bloomed like a hundred flowers, dazzling and beautiful, yet hiding lethal killing intent.

Yan Chi, however, used strength to break skill. Her long spear moved with wide, sweeping strokes, each thrust carrying the scorching Protective Aura capable of burning mountains and boiling seas. Her spear technique was fierce and overbearing, and she didn't fall into a disadvantage even when facing the Hundred Flowers Sword Qi head-on.

Ten moves, twenty moves, thirty moves... The two fought from the center of the martial arts field to the edge, and then back to the center. Spear shadows and sword light intertwined, crimson flames and thunderous light collided; the scene was so intense that the spectators on the sidelines held their breath in concentration.

Xia Ya watched in dazed shock: "Good heavens, this kid Qin Feng is so fierce even before his injuries have fully healed?"

Tao Yuanyi's expression was solemn: "It's not a matter of cultivation level. Junior Brother Qin's comprehension of sword techniques has already far surpassed those of the same rank. Look at his Hundred Flowers Sword Art; every strike contains a certain 'Intent.' This is a sign that he is about to enter the threshold of the Dao of the Sword."

Cold Peach Blossom nodded: "Third Miss Yan's spear technique is also formidable. It's wide and sweeping yet rigorously organized, clearly tempered through a thousand refinements. If these two were of the same rank, the outcome would be hard to predict."

In the field, Qin Feng grew more alarmed the more he fought.

Yan Chi's spear technique seemed simple, but it actually returned to basics. Every thrust was incomparably precise, and her control of power was subtle to the extreme. Even more terrifying was her battle instinct—Qin Feng had set traps with exquisite sword moves many times, hoping to lure her in, but she always managed to avoid them by intuition, and even turned the tables on him.

"As expected of a top Genius of the younger generation in the Northern Region," Qin Feng praised inwardly.

However, he was not bad either. In his hands, the Hundred Flowers Sword Art was no longer just a simple Earth Rank Martial Skill, but had integrated his own understanding of the Dao of the Sword. Especially after his Epiphany regarding the Thunder-Fire True Intent in the Ancient Wood Deep Forest, his sword technique faintly possessed the Concept of "Thunder and Fire Coexisting."

At fifty moves, Qin Feng's sword technique changed again.

The thunderous light on the ink plum sword suddenly surged, and a crimson firelight faintly flowed on the blade—that was the embryonic form of the Thunder-Fire True Intent!

"Hundred Flowers Sword Art: Thunder Fire Sword Intent!" This move was one Qin Feng had created based on his previous battle insights.

With one sword thrust, thunder and fire intertwined on the blade, transforming into a purple-red sword glow. This strike wasn't fast, but wherever it passed, the air was scorched into distorted ripples, and there was even a faint sound of thunder!

Yan Chi's expression changed slightly. She could feel the terrifying power contained in this strike—it was a qualitative change produced after the perfect Fusion of two conflicting attributes!

"Blazing Sun Piercing the Heavens!"

She no longer held back. The crimson flames on her long spear condensed to the limit, the tip of the spear turning into a blinding spot of blazing sun as she met the Thunder Fire Sword Intent head-on!

This was a direct collision of power against power!

Boom—!!!

A deafening explosion echoed through the martial arts field. A terrifying shockwave spread in all directions, causing the protective Formation to vibrate violently and emit an overburdened "creak." The spectators on the sidelines retreated one after another, and Miss Xiao Chun and Xia Xue, who had lower cultivation, were even pushed back several steps by the air blast.

Dust and smoke filled the air, obscuring their vision.

When the dust slowly dissipated and everyone saw the scene in the field, they all sucked in a breath of cold air.

Qin Feng was kneeling on one knee, the ink plum sword stabbed into the ground in front of him. The thunderous light on the blade was dim, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. There was a charred spear mark on his chest armor, clearly an injury from the aftershocks.

As for Yan Chi... she had retreated seven steps, leaning on her long spear. There were several fine cracks on the spear's body. The sleeve on her right arm was shattered, revealing a fair arm with three bloodstains that were deep enough to see the bone!

"Hiss—" The sound of people gasping for air rang out from the sidelines.

Qin Feng, an Early Stage Martial King, had actually injured Yan Chi, a Mid-stage Martial King! Although it was only a superficial wound, this achievement was enough to shock everyone!

The light in Yan Di's eyes surged. He saw clearly that in the collision just now between Qin Feng's Thunder Fire Sword Intent and Yan Chi's Blazing Sun Spear Glow, Yan Chi should have had the absolute advantage. But at the critical moment, the "Thunder and Fire Coexisting" Concept in Qin Feng's sword technique erupted. Thunder aided the fire's momentum, and fire increased the thunder's power, forcibly raising the power by a whole level!

"This boy... is extraordinary," Yan Di murmured to himself.

In the field, Yan Chi looked at the wound on her arm. Instead of being angry, the Battle Intent in her eyes burned to the limit!

"Good! A fine Thunder Fire Sword Intent!" she laughed loudly. "Qin Feng, you are worthy of me going all out!"

Before her voice had even faded, the aura around her began to surge. The originally restrained crimson flames rose again, their color turning from bright red to dark red, and a blood-red light faintly appeared in her eyes—she was going to activate Berserk!

"Chi'er, stop!" Yan Di's expression changed drastically as he shouted sternly.

Yan Chi's body stiffened, and the blood-red color in her eyes faded slightly, but that violent aura was still climbing.

"Father, I..."

"I said, stop!" Yan Di took a step and was already in front of Yan Chi, pressing a palm onto her shoulder. "Your Berserk ailment has just been cured; you must not use it lightly. Otherwise, not only will all previous efforts be wasted, but you might also damage your Origin!"

A vast and gentle True Yuan flowed into Yan Chi's body, forcibly suppressing her Bloodline which was about to erupt.

Yan Chi's body trembled violently. Finally, she let out a long breath of turbid air, and the dark red flames around her slowly retracted. She looked at Qin Feng, her eyes full of unwillingness, but even more so, respect.

"Qin Feng, this battle... I lost."

She admitted it frankly: "Regardless of cultivation, and speaking only of Martial Skill Realm and control over power, I am inferior to you. That move where thunder and fire share the same source has already touched the level of 'Concept,' a Realm that many Martial Emperors have failed to reach."

Qin Feng slowly stood up, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and shook his head. "Third Miss doesn't need to be modest. If you hadn't suppressed your cultivation to fight me fairly, I would have lost long ago. Moreover, if the City Lord hadn't intervened at the end and you had activated Berserk, the outcome would still be uncertain."

He was telling the truth. If Yan Chi had gone all out or activated Berserk, with his current state, he would have had no chance of winning.

Yan Chi waved her hand: "A loss is a loss. A duel between Martial Artists should be fair. Your injuries haven't healed, so I already had a great advantage. If you were in peak condition, the outcome would be hard to say."

She looked at Yan Di: "Father, please give the sun crystal stone to Miss Xiao Chun."

Yan Di nodded, took out the crimson jade box, and personally delivered it into Xiao Chun's hands. "Little Divine Doctor, words cannot express my gratitude. This sun crystal stone is what you deserve."

Xiao Chun took the jade box and felt the vast Yang power within it. She said joyfully, "Thank you, City Lord! Thank you, Third Miss!"

Yan Chi looked at Qin Feng again: "According to our agreement, I will grant you one additional request. Speak; as long as it doesn't violate morality and is within my power, I will do my best to fulfill it."

Qin Feng pondered for a moment and shook his head: "I haven't thought of this request yet. Can I record it for now and mention it later?"

"Of course you can," Yan Chi agreed readily. "As long as I, Yan Chi, am still alive, this promise will always be valid."

Yan Di took out a red-gold token from his robes and handed it to Qin Feng: "Young Master Qin, this is the Guest Elder token of the City Lord's Manor. With this token, you can obtain certain conveniences in Juyan City and even most cities in the Northern Region. If you need help with anything in the future, you can come find me anytime with this token."

Qin Feng took the token; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, clearly not an ordinary item. The character 'Yan' was engraved on the front, while the back bore the insignia of the City Lord's Manor.

"Thank you, City Lord." Qin Feng accepted it solemnly.

He knew that this token represented not just convenience, but also the friendship of the City Lord's Manor. In the Northern Region, the value of this friendship was sometimes more precious than an Earth Rank treasure.

"What are Young Master Qin's plans next?" Yan Di asked.

"A few days after participating in the Forging Competition, I will set out for the Imperial Capital," Qin Feng told him truthfully.

Yan Di looked thoughtful: "The Imperial Capital... it is indeed a good place to go. There are countless opportunities there, but it's also fraught with danger. Especially now..."

He didn't continue, but Qin Feng understood his meaning—Evil Sects like the Yin Demon Sect, Hehuan Sect, and Blood Spirit Gate all had influences in the Imperial Capital. His trip there likely wouldn't be peaceful.

"Thank you for the reminder, City Lord. I will be careful," Qin Feng said with a cupped-fist salute.

After a few more pleasantries, Qin Feng and his group took their leave.

Back at the inn, Xiao Chun couldn't wait to take out the sun crystal stone. Sensing the aura of the crystal, Little Fire jumped out of Qin Feng's arms in excitement, circling the jade box and whimpering.

"Don't be in a hurry; I'll let you absorb it tonight," Qin Feng said with a smile.

In the afternoon, inside a Quiet Room at the inn.

Qin Feng set up a simple isolation Formation, and Xiao Chun placed the sun crystal stone in front of Little Fire. The little fellow opened its small mouth, and a red-gold flame puffed out, enveloping the crystal.

The crystal slowly melted in the flames, turning into wisps of golden-red liquid that Little Fire absorbed bit by bit. As the Yang power entered its body, the red-gold patterns on Little Fire grew brighter and brighter, and its aura rose steadily.

Qin Feng stood guard nearby while summarizing today's battle.

He had gained much from the fight with Yan Chi. Not only had he verified the power of the Thunder-Fire True Intent, but he also saw the deficiencies in his own Dao of the Sword—a lack of a "Sword Intent" that truly belonged to him.

The Hundred Flowers Sword Art was good, but it was ultimately created by predecessors. Although the Finger Sword Among Flowers was exquisite, it leaned too much toward technique. The Dao of the Sword he wanted to follow should integrate the strengths of a hundred schools and forge its own path.

"Thunder and Fire Coexisting... perhaps that's a direction," Qin Feng mused.

Thunder represented speed, explosion, and destruction; fire represented heat, burning, and light. The combination of the two, merging hardness and softness, would yield infinite power.

However, this path was destined to be difficult. Thunder and fire were naturally conflicting; to fuse them required extremely high control and deep cultivation.

"Take it slow," Qin Feng retracted his thoughts and looked at Little Fire.

The little fellow had already absorbed most of the crystal. Its body seemed to have grown a size larger, and its aura had reached the Peak Grand Martial Master level, with faint signs of a Breakthrough.

"It seems this sun crystal stone truly lives up to its reputation," Qin Feng smiled with satisfaction.

With Little Fire's growth, their confidence in heading to the Imperial Capital increased by a few more points.

Outside the window, dusk was gradually falling.

And the storms of the Imperial Capital were waiting for them ahead.