Chapter Forty-One: Fierce Battle

At this moment, Qin Feng wore a face of confusion. Yesterday, he had heard that his greatest rival, Stone, had unexpectedly been eliminated. The one who defeated Stone was none other than Li Sibai, whom everyone looked down upon. Yet Qin Feng was not someone prone to arrogance; he believed that entering the finals required genuine strength, not mere luck, so he did not dare underestimate Li Sibai.

He had also heard that Li Sibai wielded a formidable black longsword, heavy and powerful, and it was with this sword that he claimed victory. Today, Qin Feng was especially vigilant, eager to witness its might firsthand. Who could have expected Li Sibai to produce a wooden sword instead? Though sizable, it raised questions—what was the meaning of this? Was it an insult? That couldn’t be; he had won yesterday thanks to that sword, so why would he deliberately leave it behind?

The more Qin Feng pondered, the more bewildered he became, and he found himself frozen in place. Meanwhile, Li Sibai quietly channeled true energy into the Xuantian Sword, which was so well disguised that it emitted no light at all.

Li Sibai was determined not to let such a golden opportunity slip by. He noticed Qin Feng seemed hesitant—how could he squander an advantage like this? With a sudden stomp of his left foot, Li Sibai launched "White Rainbow Piercing the Sun" straight at Qin Feng’s face.

Qin Feng instantly snapped back to attention, unleashing his true energy shield and readying his treasured sword for defense. He did not take Li Sibai lightly.

A loud bang resounded as the two swords collided. Qin Feng felt his arm go numb, and his sword nearly slipped from his grasp. He thought to himself, “Such tremendous strength.”

Li Sibai, seeing his attack land yet his opponent not retreat a single step, was equally astonished. This man could take a direct hit from the Xuantian Sword—his strength was indeed remarkable.

While Li Sibai was still reeling from surprise, Qin Feng launched his counterattack. Clearly unwilling to give Li Sibai any chance to respond, he struck and pressed forward, unleashing his sword techniques! First Strike, Second Strike, Shadowed Multiple Strikes!

Sword light danced, and in a flash, Qin Feng’s movements left behind a trail of afterimages. Each afterimage struck with a sword, layer upon layer of sword light aiming for Li Sibai.

Li Sibai retreated hurriedly, unable to discern Qin Feng’s sword light—his only thought was to evade the attack. Yet Qin Feng advanced swiftly, striking in succession. The sounds of clashing steel and tearing echoed: "Bang, hiss, bang, bang, hiss, hiss."

Though Li Sibai managed to block several blows, he was still pierced multiple times, blood flowing profusely, though fortunately none of the wounds were critical.

Li Sibai immediately realized—his strength was inferior to Qin Feng’s. Rather than passively enduring the assault, it was better to launch an all-out attack, risking everything for a chance to win.

At this moment, Li Sibai secretly channeled more true energy into the Xuantian Sword, disregarding defense entirely as he slashed at Qin Feng. This was the "True Energy Sweeping the Rainbow" of the Xuantian Sword technique.

Seeing Li Sibai suddenly shift from defense to offense, Qin Feng dared not take the blow head-on. He dodged and circled, seeking an opening to strike at Li Sibai.

Li Sibai was delighted—so he does indeed fear my sword. The Xuantian Sword danced in his hand, and before long, Li Sibai regained the upper hand.

With relentless offense, Li Sibai’s sword technique soared. He poured nearly all his true energy into the Xuantian Sword; once he seized the initiative, he struck with a storm-like fury to overwhelm his opponent.

He was willing to trade wound for wound, even life for life.

At this point, only one thought remained in his mind:

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Finally, under Li Sibai’s reckless assault, a strike from the Xuantian Sword hit Qin Feng’s true energy shield. A clear crack sounded, and a fissure appeared in Qin Feng’s shield.

Li Sibai’s eyes lit up—this was his chance!

Qin Feng gritted his teeth, cursing inwardly. This damned Li Sibai dared to use such a desperate method to duel him—it was infuriating.

Qin Feng formed seals with both hands before his chest, chanting, “Flame, Scarlet Tiger Soars to the Sky!”

At the same moment, Li Sibai struck again, and a series of sharp sounds rang out. Qin Feng’s true energy shield was shattered by force.

Yet at that instant, Li Sibai saw flames erupting from Qin Feng’s sword.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion. The flames burst forth.

From Qin Feng’s sword, the fire coalesced into a fierce tiger, which crashed into Li Sibai’s chest.

Upon impact, the flames detonated.

In that brief moment, Li Sibai’s upper garment was consumed by fire, and his body was hurled backward, slammed into the ground.

His body struck the earth, carving out a deep pit. Fortunately, he did not fly off the stage but landed at its edge.

Blood trickled from his nose and mouth. Li Sibai felt a sweet taste in his throat, and blood spilled unconsciously from the corner of his lips.

He looked down at his chest—where the flames had burned everything to blackened ash. Pain seared through him.

The Xuantian Sword was still in his grasp as Xiao Wu struggled to rise.

Not far away, Qin Feng’s figure wavered slightly. A thin line of blood appeared at Qin Feng’s mouth, quickly wiped away.

“Impressive. I didn’t expect you, Brother Li, to be so formidable, able to withstand my fire technique!” Qin Feng grinned.

It was clear he too was greatly exhausted, his body wavering.

The disciples below widened their eyes, holding their breath as tension filled the air. None had expected Li Sibai to be so powerful, able to make Qin Feng bleed; many secretly rooted for Li Sibai now.

Li Sibai staggered to his feet, smiling at Qin Feng. Though his true energy was nearly depleted, he still channeled what remained into the Xuantian Sword, preparing for one last gamble.

Qin Feng quietly gathered his true energy as well. He didn’t want to drag this out any longer—being forced to this point by a first-stage Heart of the Zither realm against a sixth-level Phoenix Dawn realm, anyone would find it humiliating.

Li Sibai’s steps were nimble—he lunged forward, launching a final assault on Qin Feng. His Xuantian Sword combined thrust and sweep; a move called “Autumn-Splitting Sword Qi” swept across. Qin Feng dared not take it head-on—he was wary of Li Sibai’s power and would not risk his life. His true energy shield was gone.

In this crucial moment, Qin Feng faltered, intent only on evading the strike, using his true energy and martial techniques to wear Li Sibai down. Meanwhile, Li Sibai’s clothing was nearly all torn away.

Yet Li Sibai had long cast aside any concern for life or death—how could he care about clothing now?

His thoughts turned to Uncle Cai, to Mo Yun, to Caiyao, to the endless ridicule of the past. Now, he wanted only to face himself here, to bring joy to those who loved him and silence those who scorned him.

Under Li Sibai’s fierce assault, Qin Feng’s speed slowed more and more, while Li Sibai himself was also on the verge of collapse.