Chapter 25: Chapter 24: Martial Dao 4th Heaven

"’Fast Sword’... Mr. Fang the Elder, Fang Tong!" Qin Feng’s expression turned grim. He recognized the Martial Arts Fourth Layer expert blocking his way.

He was a once-famous swordsman, renowned for his speed, which had earned him the moniker "Fast Sword." Later, he was recruited by the Qin Family to instruct its disciples in the martial arts. But over the years, he had grown close to the Third Branch, and everyone knew he was now one of their men. For the past two years, he had been at Qin Muyun’s side, helping the Sixth Young Master build his influence. One could say he was Qin Muyun’s right-hand man.

Without him, the Sixth Young Master, Qin Muyun, would not have the status he enjoyed today.

’To think he’d show up here now!’

A chill crept into Qin Feng’s heart. The pressure this man exuded was immense.

"Ninth Young Master, come with me," Fang Tong said, lifting his head. He looked at Qin Feng calmly, his gaze placid as water. His clean-shaven face wore a gentle smile, as if he were looking at a mischievous child.

"Come back with me. Hand over your fortuitous Creation and get on your knees to admit your wrongdoings. You’re a smart person; you’ve simply strayed onto the wrong path, leading you to commit such a rebellious act. As long as you repent sincerely, there may be a chance for the Qin Family to accept you once more!" Fang Tong’s gaze remained gentle as he watched Qin Feng, patiently persuading him as one would a child who had erred.

Qin Feng was taken aback for a moment, then let out a strange laugh. "Mr. Fang the Elder, have you lost your mind?"

Fang Tong didn’t get angry. His gaze remained unchanged, as if he truly saw Qin Feng as an unruly child who wouldn’t listen to reason. Qin Feng found this look utterly loathsome.

Fang Tong shook his head. "Qin Feng, I know you’ve simply been intoxicated by your sudden surge in power. You’ve fallen into delusion, which is why you’re being so stubborn and have committed such unworthy acts. I won’t blame you. Once you come back with me, you will have a sudden awakening and completely mend your ways!"

Qin Feng shook his head. "Fang Tong, you’re far too confident. In the Martial Arts Ninth Layer Heaven, each layer is a new world. You are a Martial Artist of the Martial Arts Fourth Layer, so you think you have me in the palm of your hand. That’s why you spew such arrogant words, believing every syllable to be some grand truth, some righteous principle, trying to manipulate and lecture me. But in my eyes, you’re nothing but a clown spouting nonsense about virtue and morals!"

Fang Tong froze, clearly not expecting such an evaluation from Qin Feng. His brow gradually furrowed, but after a long moment, his expression relaxed, and he said,

"So be it. It seems you have truly lost yourself in your newfound power and strayed from the path. After I capture you, I have my ways to make you see the error of your ways and return!"

"Fang Tong, you’re the one who’s lost—lost in your devotion to being a lapdog. And you have the gall to say I’m the one who has strayed? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!" Qin Feng let out a choked laugh, but deep down, he didn’t dare to underestimate his opponent in the slightest.

In the Martial Arts Ninth Layer Heaven, each layer was a new world. The difference between the Third Heaven and the Fourth Heaven was immense.

That being said, it didn’t mean Qin Feng was afraid. Although he was only at the Mid-stage Martial Arts Third Realm, his combat prowess was not limited to that of his Realm.

"Take this! Profound Turtle Suppressing the Sea!" Seizing the initiative, Qin Feng shot forward like a cannonball, chopping down with an aerial fist. The mighty force of the punch caused the air to hiss, and a unique ripple seemed to suppress the very atmosphere.

’What kind of Fist Technique is this? Such a peculiar Fist Force... It must be a Spirit Martial Level Fist Technique. To think you can actually use a Spirit Martial Level technique, no wonder you’re so confident!’ With a twitch of his shoulders, Fang Tong slipped away as smoothly as a greased eel. His eyes showed surprise, but it was followed by a faint look of confidence.

"However, that’s nothing. The power of the Martial Arts Fourth Layer is far beyond what a single Fist Technique can overcome!" His five fingers formed a palm, which shot out like a bolt of lightning, striking directly at Qin Feng.

A High Tier Human Martial Level Palm Technique—Cold Ice Palm!

As his palm thrust forward, a wave of extreme, frigid power surged out. A thousand palm afterimages sealed off all of Qin Feng’s vital points, sending a terrifying chill through his entire body.

’Inner Strength!’ Qin Feng knew this was a wondrous power that could only be comprehended after reaching the Martial Arts Fourth Layer. This power could directly invade a body and destroy the internal organs from the inside out.

’I can’t let it touch me!’

CRACKLE! POP!

A series of pops echoed from Qin Feng’s bones as his body twisted strangely, contorting like a Spiritual Serpent to narrowly evade the palm strike. His terrifying flexibility made Fang Tong’s eyes flash with a strange light, surprise flickering in them again and again.

The Spiritual Snake Demon-Subduing Fist was not just a Fist Technique; it also included a Movement Technique and a Stepping Technique, making it exceedingly agile and unpredictable.

Fang Tong had an incredibly sharp eye. He could tell at a glance that this Fist Technique was highly advanced—at least a Mid-Tier Spirit Martial Level technique. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Although he was surprised that Qin Feng had managed to master such an advanced Fist Technique, he wasn’t worried. He didn’t believe for a second that Qin Feng could escape from his grasp.

A faint smile touched his lips. After all, his greatest strength wasn’t his Palm Technique, but the longsword at his waist.

Thunder Prison Thirteen Swords!

Relying on this Low Tier Spirit Martial Level Swordsmanship that he had acquired by chance, no fewer than ten experts of the same realm had died by his hand. He had even jumped a level to defeat a Late-stage Martial Arts Fourth Layer Martial Artist.

With this Swordsmanship, he had defeated countless powerful enemies, which was how he had gained entry into the Qin Family and become an honored guest. And today, Qin Feng would be no exception. He too would fall to his sword!

He placed one hand on the longsword at his waist. With a SHING, a brilliant wheel of sword light unsheathed itself.

A flash of silver-white light glinted under the moonlight. The sword was three feet long, with a narrow blade and a slightly thin spine.

The hilt was wrapped in silver thread and adorned with an apricot-yellow tassel. The pommel depicted a mythical beast known as a xiezhi, its mouth holding a piece of jade. One look was enough to tell this was a meticulously forged, fine sword!

It was a fine sword, but the man wielding it was even more remarkable.

That snow-bright sword light was like a crescent wheel cutting through the darkness. Under the moonlight, it unfurled like a bolt of white silk, its radiance dazzling and breathtaking.

The captivating sword light flickered like leaping lightning, its glow suffused with the chilling aura of death.

In the darkness, Fang Tong’s pupils reflected a faint light as a sliver of cold killing intent pulsed from him. In that moment, he finally tore off the gentle, benevolent mask he had worn for so long, revealing his true face. The greed in his eyes burned with intense heat, and his icy voice was like a winter wind blowing into Qin Feng’s heart.

"Qin Feng, mankind’s greatest sin is greed. A person must know their own limits. You are nothing but a trash disciple; upon finding a treasure, you should have dutifully handed it over. That is your place. You must understand that with your aptitude, you are completely unqualified to absorb such a blessing. A treasure in your hands is a curse. I, Fang, was originally doing this for your own good, trying to save your life on account of your youth. But now I see your selfish desires are monstrous. Your crimes are unforgivable! Your death would not be a loss!"

Qin Feng’s breath hitched for a moment. Bathed in the icy sword light, the hair on his entire body stood on end. An unprecedented sense of crisis welled up in his heart.

This wasn’t fear on Qin Feng’s part, but his body’s most primal, instinctual reaction to mortal danger.

Yet even at this critical juncture, he remained calm in the face of danger. His gaze was dazzling, like a blazing sun, and his pupils seemed to brew with thunder and lightning. RUMBLE. The blood in his veins began to roar, surging like the mighty Yangtze River.

Hearing this, he began to laugh. "Old Man Fang, are you done with your lecture? You sound so righteous and majestic. With that kind face of yours, people might actually mistake you for a man of honor. Little do they know you have the face of a man but the heart of a beast! On the inside, you’re nothing but a degenerate, a common bandit who plunders and steals!"

"If you want to steal my treasure, just say so! Why put on such a hypocritical act? It’s disgusting! Ptui!"

With a wild laugh, amidst Fang Tong’s ashen-faced fury, a figure tore through the air, leaping forward to attack. He threw a punch, and an undeniable, overwhelming power erupted. The terrifying force of his fist was like a bursting dam, a flash flood of power! He was meeting the longsword head-on!

As he punched, his arm vibrated violently, seeming to ripple with a layer of cyan light, pure as Liuli Dragon Scale and as brilliant as a diamond. The fierce Qi Force grated against the air, sounding like a terrifying Exotic Beast’s roar, carrying with it a soul-shaking, primordial power. The surrounding air seemed to freeze, suppressed by that dreadful aura.

This was a trace of Xuanwu’s Power!

CLANG! The Fist Seal slammed into the body of the sword. An immense force, far beyond Fang Tong’s imagination, vibrated through the blade and into his hand. The web of his thumb grew numb with a sharp pain, and he almost lost his grip on the longsword.

Fang Tong’s face was grim, a fleeting look of panic and shock flashing in the depths of his eyes.

He trembled inwardly. ’What is this power? No, this is impossible! He’s just some lucky little bastard who stumbled upon a fortunate encounter! How can he have this much strength?!’

But before he could react, Qin Feng had already closed the distance! Another fist came blasting forward. The immense, pulsing power caused a series of CRACKLING pops in the air. On his arm, the cyan, metallic Dragon Scale Qi Force scraped against the air, erupting in sparks and streamers of fire. The punch seemed intent on piercing through his abdomen, and the sight made Fang Tong’s face turn deathly pale.