Clang clang clang!!
Ning Qian's attack was as swift as lightning, her golden-light saber cutting through the air like a meteor streaking across the night sky, aimed directly at Gu Yan.
Her swordsmanship surged with ferocious power, each strike carrying an immense force.
However, in the face of such a violent onslaught, Gu Yan appeared utterly composed, as if he had already anticipated Ning Qian's moves.
Gu Yan's longsword spun lightly in his hand, as effortlessly as a feather in a dancer's grasp. He seemed to foresee every one of Ning Qian's attacks, always managing to respond just before her blade grazed his clothes.
When the metallic clang of the golden saber and black sword echoed, Gu Yan's lips curled into a playful smile.
His swordsmanship was not only precise but also exuded an inexplicable elegance and poise.
It was a stark contrast to the brutal tactics Ning Qian had employed earlier.
"Damn it!"
Ning Qian's heart was filled with frustration.
She noticed that during their sword clashes, Gu Yan's figure would suddenly blur, as if transforming into the wind.
By the time she snapped out of it, she found her furious attack piercing into empty air.
Gu Yan's figure would solidify on the other side, his black sword lightly tapping the spine of Ning Qian's saber, producing a crisp sound.
The surrounding air distorted due to the two combatants' sword auras.
Dust swirled, yet not a speck touched Gu Yan.
His swordsmanship was like a spirit wandering the cosmos, his footwork resembling a dragon piercing through clouds. Every step was perfect, threatening yet graceful, perfectly embodying his playfully composed combat style.
Clang clang clang!!
The sword auras crisscrossed, and Ning Qian was both furious and helpless. She understood that Gu Yan's strength far surpassed her own. Each of her attacks being effortlessly deflected only fueled her anger.
The deaths of their comrades, the enemy's indifference to life, and her own weakness.
All these thoughts compelled Ning Qian to slay this demonic monstrosity right here.
As the battle between Gu Yan and Ning Qian intensified, everyone around them was completely captivated by this extraordinary duel.
Liu Jianxing's eyes were locked onto the two combatants, his heartbeat accelerating with each clash of their swords, his tension rising with every dodge and attack.
Witnessing Gu Yan elegantly and effortlessly deflecting Ning Qian's onslaught, Liu Jianxing couldn't help but gasp, his shock reaching its peak.
Just how had this man trained his swordsmanship to such a level? Why was he so strong?
They were merely dueling with sword techniques, without any martial arts involved.
Why? Why was he so strong? Not only did his cultivation exceed theirs, but his swordsmanship was also on such a high level?
The Night King.... was truly this formidable?
But then, why didn't he just kill them outright? Why was he engaging Ning Qian in a sword duel?
Suddenly.
Liu Jianxing seemed to grasp something.
Even Bai Jun's expression grew somewhat disillusioned.
Gu Yan was..... amusing himself with them, wasn't he? That's why he didn't just obliterate them.
Damn it! In the face of true power, we are so pathetically weak!
But!
There's still a chance!
Bai Jun glanced at Ning Qian. If the Night King had even a shred of credibility, then perhaps he would agree to let them go after losing in a sword duel.
Though humiliating, this was the only way to survive right now!
The Night King! You are too arrogant! You have no idea what the ultimate sword technique of Dragon King Mountain disciples is!
Rumor has it that as the second disciple of Dragon King Mountain, Ning Qian had already mastered that ultimate move! If she used it, this battle would be won!!
Ning Qian, on the other hand.
She kept her calm while attacking.
Calm down, Ning Qian.
Calm down, think about how the masters taught you back at Dragon King Mountain.
[Ning Qian, you possess talent that rivals even your senior brother's, but your temper is too impulsive. Don't let anger cloud your judgment.]
[Think rationally, find your opponent's weakness, Ning Qian, observe carefully.....]
Observe, stay calm!
Ning Qian recalled her masters' teachings in her mind, breathing steadily as she studied Gu Yan's movements.
No matter how furiously she attacked, he always found a way to parry.
She couldn't hit him, and she couldn't get close to him.
If that's the case....
Ning Qian made a decision, sparring once more afterward.
Clang!! The blades crossed.
Finally, in a perfect spin, Pu Chi!!
Gu Yan's black sword pierced through Ning Qian's shoulder.
Blood spattered, and Ning Qian's pale face seemed to speak of her defeat.
Gu Yan, on the other hand, seemed to sense something and said faintly, "You've lost."
"Lost?"
However, Ning Qian didn't show the expected frustration, instead letting out a cold laugh and unleashing a dragon-shaped qi from her entire body, Boom!
"It's you who's lost! Die!"
Countless dragon head sword auras suddenly shot out from Ning Qian toward Gu Yan: "Final move!! Dragon Roar!!!"
Pu Chi Pu Chi Pu Chi!!
Endless dragon head sword auras struck Gu Yan.
In a matter of breaths, Gu Yan was obliterated, leaving no trace behind.
Thud!!
Ning Qian collapsed to the ground, panting, her eyes filled with the feeling of post-disaster relief.
The final move of the Divine Dragon Sword Technique, Dragon Roar.
It required consuming one's own dragon essence, and recovery could take years.
But it was all worth it!
Liu Jianxing saw this scene and felt a bit absurd.
"We... won?"
Bai Jun also found it hard to believe, but the ashes on the ground confirmed that Gu Yan was dead.
"The Night King is dead?"
He swallowed hard, yet... why... why didn't the unease in his heart disappear?
Shangguan Miaoyin and others felt the same.
Something was very wrong.
Something was very wrong.
The eeriness in her heart reached its peak.
Everything was too coincidental. First, the sudden attack by the Night King, then the gathering of warriors for an extermination.
The gathering place was also the heart of a great formation.
Then the black-robed figure specifically rushed over to shout at them, making them realize the importance of the core.
Then this fake Night King appeared, and was subsequently killed? How could so many events culminate in such a ridiculous scenario?
Even a slapstick comedy couldn't be this absurd!
Indeed, the next second.
"Heh heh, interesting."
Clap Clap Clap.
Applause echoed in everyone's ears.
Click!
Everyone looked up.
The supposed-to-be-turned-to-ash Gu Yan was now walking out from the darkness, clapping gracefully.
He let out a series of amused laughs: "Ning Qian, you are indeed quite entertaining."
"Your strength is commendable, but unfortunately, you all still failed."
?!
Ning Qian was dumbfounded, her heart surging with fear. Why.
"Why......."
"Why are you still alive—I believe that's what you want to ask, right?"
Gu Yan gripped his black sword, playfully finishing Ning Qian's thought.
!!
Ning Qian instinctively looked at the ashes on the ground, but there was nothing there.
!!
What was going on? Who did I just fight with?!
Ning Qian felt an overwhelming sense of horror.
But there was no time to think.
Scratch!
Gu Yan spun his sword, aiming it at Ning Qian's forehead, who had no strength to fight back. He then scanned the crowd and said flatly, "As a bunch of insects, your only use is to provide me with some amusement."
"Of course, I must admit that I did experience a bit of entertainment just now."
"As a kindness, I won't make your demise too painful."
With that, Gu Yan turned his gaze to Ning Qian, his blade slashing towards her.
Ning Qian, as if resigned, closed her eyes.
Bai Jun and Liu Jianxing also closed their eyes, unable to bear watching.
As for Shangguan Miaoyin and Murong Ci, they exchanged glances, ready to act at any moment.
However, at this moment, a sudden change occurred.
Hum!
"That.... sorry...."
A timid voice appeared, followed by numerous black spatial vortices appearing beneath everyone.
Including the unconscious puppet Gu Yan and puppet Old Gao as well as Bai Lian and others were all absorbed away.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Gu Yan seemed to have not reacted at all.
He could only watch as everyone was rescued.
In an instant, the center of the formation was empty, leaving only the Night King version of Gu Yan standing there.
He remained in the same position for several minutes.
After confirming that there was no one else around.
It was like the final scene of a movie, where the tension in the atmosphere suddenly dissipated.
"Ahhh~~~"
"Finally over~"
The claws retracted from Gu Yan's body, revealing his complaining expression and voice.
"Old Gao, stop lying there and get up already!"
Cough, cough, cough!!
With a series of coughs, the seemingly dead Old Gao slowly stood up.
The claws retracted from Old Gao's body, and he helplessly knocked on his shoulder: "Ai, these young people are too impressive, it seems I'm getting old."
Next.
Gurgle, gurgle!!
A massive heart-shaped creature formed from the claws, having absorbed a great deal of true energy, slowly churned. It then spat out Stone Bai and Demon Claw.
It gradually shrank to its normal size and jumped back onto Gu Yan's body.
"Chirp, chirp!"
Gu Yan, feeling the results from the claws, smiled faintly: "Well done."
This grand drama had finally come to an end.
Everyone would now know that the Night King had risen, and...
Ning Qian's subordinates would be able to stand in the sunlight, their association with the Night Organization fully whitewashed.
The second step of the plan was complete.
Then.
Gu Yan looked at Deng Feng, barely clinging to life on the ground.
His eyes revealed a peculiar expression.
Tsk, tsk, what a pity~
He had clearly told Mei Xue to save everyone who still had a breath left.
But... precisely because you're the heir of the Black Tortoise Gate, she intentionally left you to die.
Gu Yan raised his hand, and a sharp spike pierced through Deng Feng's brain, completely destroying any chance of survival.
Then, he had the claws absorb the soul and store it within.
This sibling storyline could also be wrapped up now.
Finally, Gu Yan snapped his fingers.
Snap!
The bloody hue vanished, and the nightmare sacrifice formation gradually disintegrated.
Everything was resolved.
"Hehehe~!! As expected of me!"
Gu Yan let out a sinister laugh.
He said to Old Gao and the others, "Mission accomplished, let's head back."
Looking at Stone Bai and Demon Claw, he added: "Oh, and you two, Stone Bai and Demon Claw, you did a great job this time. It wasn't in vain that I had Demon Claw release you."
"I'll buy you some candy when I see you next time!"
"!!! Thank you, Lord!"
"We will continue to work hard!"
Stone Bai and Demon Claw exclaimed excitedly.
Gu Yan nodded slightly.
Mmh~ Finally resolved one matter! And now!! It's time to go and be all lovey-dovey with my precious Ning Qian!
Ah! Ning Qian! My Ning Qian! I miss you so much!!
Earlier, Ning Qian's passionate state had left Gu Yan absolutely smitten. If it weren't for the plan, he would've stayed in her embrace forever~
Hehehe~ But tonight Ning Qian must be too tired already. I'll go in the morning~ I wonder if Ning Qian realizes how bold she was tonight~ Acting so emotional, crying, throwing tantrums, and even being so coquettish!
But suddenly.
Old Gao kindly reminded: "Young Master, don't forget that the puppet Gu Yan was injured and knocked out. You’re not seriously thinking about going to the Leng Family tomorrow in high spirits, are you?"
Gu Yan: ".........!!!!"
Oh no! I forgot about that!!
“Old Gao, it’s not a big deal for a congenital martial artist to recover quickly, right?”
"Hah, Young Master, stop joking. Even I have to pretend to be weak."
"!! Ahhh! My Ning Qian!!!"
Gu Yan began crawling, writhing, and twitching on the ground in frustration.
Demon Claw and the others: "......"
...
...
At the Leng Family.
Ning Qian returned here.
When she learned that the fake Night Organization was all Gu Yan's doing, she wasn't too worried about his safety.
Of course, it wasn't because she, like the other version of herself, had fallen for the "furnace cauldron". It was just that she was concerned about the loss of his sustainable perceptual supply if he died.
Upstairs.
As Ning Qian passed by the gaming room, she saw Leng Ling'er sleeping soundly on the floor.
According to scientific theory, going to bed early and waking up early is good for the body, which is why she had forced Leng Ling'er to sleep immediately at that time.
However...
Ning Qian looked at Leng Ling'er lying on the floor.
After thinking for a moment, she decided to pull the latter's legs and drag her onto the bed.
According to the male protagonists in romance novels, they very much dislike sleeping on the floor or kneeling on a washboard.
As Ling'er's older sister, Ning Qian believed she had a duty to impart some sisterly care.
But it seemed Leng Ling'er had developed some misunderstandings about her.
The memory of Leng Ling'er's terrified reaction upon realizing it was her only reinforced Ning Qian's confusion.
She didn't need Leng Ling'er's heart's blood anymore. Both she and the other version of herself felt relieved, so Leng Ling'er should feel relieved and happy too.
Why would she be afraid instead?
Ning Qian didn't understand, but she felt it was necessary to learn more.
While the other version of herself slept, this body had to continue working! The first task was to find the "furnace cauldron" to test her learning progress.
The other self had always said I don't understand this or that....
Ning Qian thought about it, her expression still blank, though a slight frown creased her brow.
I... should be able to extract bodily fluids and improve sensory perception more efficiently than the other self.
I will prove this on the furnace tripod.
Of course.
All this is for... revenge.