289: Gun and Sword Reunion

Early the next morning.

In the martial arts field of the City Lord's Manor, the dust had not yet settled.

Two Guard Captains at the Late Stage Martial King Realm sat slumped on the ground, panting heavily, their armor covered in scorch marks. One of them pleaded with a miserable face, "Third Miss, please spare us... This is already the third round. If we keep fighting, we won't even be able to patrol the city defenses tomorrow..."

"Yes, Third Miss, your strength is becoming more and more refined. Now, fighting us is like dealing with children... Please, spare us." Another guard almost broke down in tears.

Yan Chi withdrew her spear and stood, her crimson flame spear pointing diagonally at the ground, her Aura condensed as if it were physical. After Xiao Chun's treatment and these few days of consolidation, her cultivation had firmly reached the Peak Mid-stage Martial King Realm, just one step away from the Late Stage. More importantly, after the hidden danger of Berserk was eliminated, her control over her power reached a whole new Realm—the crimson flames could be released and retracted at will, combining hardness and softness. The power of every spear strike was restrained by thirty percent, yet it was even more terrifying when it exploded.

"Boring." Yan Chi curled her lip. "You two are Martial Kings after all, how can you not even withstand seventy percent of my strength?"

The two Guard Captains looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Seventy percent? They had just exhausted all their strength to barely withstand that storm-like spear Aura. If it were one hundred percent... Just then, a maid ran over in a hurry: "Third Miss, Young Master Qin Feng asks for an audience."

Yan Chi's eyes lit up. "Let him in."

The two Guard Captains felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty and scrambled to the edge of the field, feeling infinitely grateful to that Young Master Qin whom they had never met—a savior!

A moment later, Qin Feng stepped into the martial arts field under the guidance of the maid. Xiao Chun and the others waited in the living room to rest.

Not having seen him for seven days, Yan Chi keenly noticed the changes in Qin Feng. Although his cultivation was still at the Early Stage Martial King Realm, his entire temperament was more restrained. Especially those eyes, where sword light faintly flowed within their clarity; he had clearly made further progress in the Dao of the sword.

"Qin Feng, long time no see." Yan Chi stood with her spear, a smile full of Battle Intent curling at the corners of her mouth. "What, are you here to spar with me?"

Qin Feng cupped his hands in greeting. "Miss Yan Chi, I hope you have been well. I did indeed come today to ask for a favor."

"Oh?" Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."

"Do you still remember the day of the competition, you said that if I accepted the challenge, you would grant me an additional request regardless of whether I won or lost?"

Yan Chi nodded. "Of course I remember. Why, have you decided now?"

"Yes." Qin Feng said seriously, "I want to invite you to join our team and travel to the Imperial Capital for training. Our Medicine King Valley currently has six people, including Xiao Chun and myself. We also have a Four Symbols Formation and can add an offensive position. You are the most suitable candidate at the moment."

Yan Chi was taken aback, and a complex look flashed in her eyes. "The Imperial Capital... My father did say he wanted me to leave Juyan City for a while, saying my temperament is too fierce and I need to go out and temper myself. However—"

She changed the subject, her gaze sharp as she looked at Qin Feng. "Although I, Yan Chi, love to fight, I am unwilling to associate with those who are too weak. If you want me to join, you can, but you must prove you have the qualifications to lead this team."

She thumped her crimson flame spear, the tip of the spear touching the ground. "Let's fight another round. Last time wasn't satisfying enough; this time, we must both go all out.

If you can truly make me yield, I will follow you to the Imperial Capital. If not... that agreement still stands, and I will grant you another request, but as for traveling together, forget it."

Qin Feng looked at the Battle Intent burning in Yan Chi's eyes and knew this battle was unavoidable.

He also wanted to test how much power the "Start-Hand Startling Waves" he had cultivated bitterly for seven days could exert against a top Genius of the Northern Border like Yan Chi.

"Alright." Qin Feng slowly drew the ink plum sword from his back. "Please."

The two were ten zhang apart, their Auras rising simultaneously.

Crimson flames rose around Yan Chi, and the sound of a Dragon's roar faintly echoed from the spear. She did not hold back this time, using the killing move of the sixth level of the Blazing Sun Art right from the start—

"Crimson Sun Piercing the Sun!"

The long spear was like a Dragon, the crimson flames condensing into a blazing pillar of light. Its speed, power, and momentum were all a level higher than three days ago! After her treatment, Yan Chi's control over fire-attributed true essence had reached a new Realm, and the power of this spear strike was already approaching the Late Stage Martial King!

Qin Feng's gaze was solemn, yet he did not dodge or avoid it.

The essence of "Start-Hand Startling Waves" flashed through his mind—suppress the opponent with Aura and seize the initiative!

Facing Yan Chi's domineering spear strike, retreating or dodging would only put him on the defensive. Only by meeting it head-on with an even more powerful stance could he break her spear momentum!

"Start-Hand Startling Waves!"

Qin Feng stepped forward and charged, the ink plum sword thrusting out plainly.

This sword strike looked completely unadorned, even somewhat simple. But the moment the sword was unleashed—

"Boom!"

A majestic Sword Intent erupted from within Qin Feng! It wasn't the heat of fire or the violent rage of thunder, but a new kind of Sword Intent that mixed Thunder-Fire True Intent—blazing with majesty and containing steadiness within its fury!

Sword and fire intertwined on the sword blade, and the sword light was like crashing waves, carrying an unstoppable Aura as it met the crimson light pillar head-on!

Before spear and sword even met, their two Auras clashed in mid-air!

Yan Chi's expression changed slightly. She felt that the "momentum" contained in Qin Feng's sword strike actually faintly suppressed her spear momentum! It wasn't a suppression of cultivation, but a suppression of Spear Intent by Sword Intent!

"How is this possible?!" Yan Chi was shocked.

She was at the Peak Mid-stage Martial King Realm, while Qin Feng was only at the Early Stage Martial King Realm; the gap in cultivation was obvious. But at this moment, in the contest of "momentum," she actually fell into a disadvantage!

In the spark of a flint, the spear and sword finally collided.

"Clang—!!!"

The deafening sound of clashing metal exploded, the stone slabs on the martial arts field's ground cracked inch by inch, and dust soared into the sky.

The two Guard Captains at the edge of the field were pushed back several steps by the airwave, their faces full of horror.

In the smoke and dust, a crimson figure flew backward!

Yan Chi forcibly twisted her body in the air, her crimson flame spear plunging into the ground, carving out a three-zhang-long trench before she barely stabilized herself.

Her hand holding the spear trembled slightly, her palm was numb, and her eyes were full of disbelief.

On the other side of the smoke and dust, Qin Feng retreated seven steps, his ink plum sword propped on the ground, a trickle of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained as sharp as a sword.

In this strike, he won in "momentum," but the gap in cultivation caused him to suffer significant internal injuries.

However, everyone present—including Yan Chi herself—knew that in the moment of confrontation just now, Qin Feng had won.

With his Early Stage Martial King cultivation, he had suppressed Spear Intent with Sword Intent and head-on repelled Yan Chi, who was at the Peak Mid-stage Martial King Realm!

"So... so powerful..." a Guard Captain at the edge of the field muttered to himself.

Yan Chi slowly stood up straight and looked at Qin Feng, the shock in her eyes gradually turning into fervent admiration.

"That sword strike... what is its name?"

"Start-Hand Startling Waves." Qin Feng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "The first form of a remnant Heaven Rank sword technique; I've only just started."

"Just starting out and it has such power?" Excitement flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. "If it were practiced to Major Achievement, what kind of sight would it be?"

She put away her long spear, strode up to Qin Feng, and reached out her hand. "Qin Feng, I yield. From today on, I, Yan Chi, will join your team and follow you to the Imperial Capital!"

Qin Feng grasped her hand. "Welcome aboard."

Yan Chi grinned, then said seriously, "However, let's get this straight first—you have the final say in daily matters, but during battle, the command of the Four Symbols Battle Array belongs to me. On practical experience and battlefield intuition， I believe I am second to none.."

"Alright." Qin Feng nodded. "That is exactly why I invited you."

The two looked at each other and smiled, a mutual understanding established in the meeting of their gazes.

"When do we leave?" Yan Chi asked.

"Get ready and pack up. We leave tomorrow," Qin Feng said. "Although the people from the Hehuan Sect and Blood Spirit Gate have withdrawn, there are many spies left in Juyan City. Delays bring trouble."

"So urgent?" Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Fine, anyway, I've already packed my things. Just come with me to say goodbye to my father, and we'll be good."

"Good!"

"Then let's go. I think my father can't wait for me to leave sooner."