The sword's edge unleashed a strike that shook the heavens and moved the spirits! It roared down upon Bai Mōkāi!
Bai Mōkāi waved his large hand! He chanted, "Plum blossoms descend thrice, supreme Mo Kai, one sect suspends its kettle across the sky!"
Ink-black dots materialized in the air, somehow blocking the sword's earth-shattering, spirit-moving thrust!
The sword's edge spared no further mercy, each blow becoming more vicious, until it unleashed the astonishing Swallow Sword Strike, a move beyond all comprehension!
It divided into six: "Earth Shatter, Sorrow's Sever, Swift Edge, Dragon's Lean, Ghoul's Devour, Heaven's Gaze!"
Jian Feng's eyes opened. The toothless greatsword in his hand shimmered with a six-pointed star that detached and flew!
Bai Mōkāi's pupils widened in alarm. He retreated backward, hands spread, chanting, "Sovereign's Reign…"
As if anticipating this, the six-pointed star directly sealed his upper body's movements, robbing him of his voice, thereby effectively stifling the incantation he was about to cast.
Following that was the killing blow: "Earth Shatter!"
"Sorrow's Sever!"
"Swift Edge!"
"Dragon's Lean!"
"Ghoul's Devour!"
"Heaven's Gaze!"
Jian Feng held the toothless greatsword, his sword strokes carving characters in the air. Each stroke was powerful, like iron brushes drawing on silver hooks, meticulously sketched out.
Meanwhile, Bai Mōkāi chanted the characters inwardly, manifesting them in ink-wash form. Sharing the same origin, they were indeed worthy brothers.
They thought Bai Mōkāi would passively accept his fate. Yet, though his mouth was sealed, his profound knowledge was not. His enlightenment had long since reached its peak; he could speak ventriloquially.
He was heard chanting inwardly: "The sovereign reigns supreme, plum blossoms on the path break hearts, the beauty of silk and brocade, I'd rather my true heart be a substitute for my loyal heart!"
A single ancient verse decided life and death!
In that instant, Jian Feng's chest felt as though it had exploded! Bai Mōkāi fared no better; his left side was also blasted, leaving behind a sword mark that revealed flesh.
Bai Mōkāi rose and said, "Junior brother, your swordsmanship has reached a new level."
Jian Feng slowly stood as well, "Senior brother, your Ink Ascension Art is also remarkable. You can recite poetry into existence, no, you can now do so seamlessly, without a word."
Seeing that they intended to continue fighting, Bushen stepped forward to intervene, "Enough, you two. Let this be the end. Let us not harm our camaraderie."
Jian Feng said, "Please, Bushen, do not interfere in our affairs. We brothers must settle this."
Bushen asked, "Will it only end in death?"
Bai Mōkāi remained silent. Jian Feng replied, "That is not out of the question."
Suddenly, two tall, slender youths flew in, addressing Bai Mōkāi with utmost respect, "Master! Master!"
Bai Mōkāi said, "Yǐ Jiàn, Yǐ Xiào, my dears. Come, pay your respects to your martial uncle."
Yǐ Jiàn and Yǐ Xiào approached Jian Feng, bowing respectfully, "Grand-disciple pays respects to Martial Uncle."
Bai Mōkāi and Jian Feng exchanged glances. Jian Feng looked at him with a questioning gaze.
Bai Mōkāi said, "These two are Moo Shi Mei's children."
Jian Feng's pupils dilated, "You… what did you say?"
Bai Mōkāi, realizing he had been misunderstood, quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand, brother. They were adopted children taken in by Shi Mei before she passed. I've taken care of them on her behalf since her death, nothing more."
Jian Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief. If Bai Mōkāi and Shi Mei had done something behind his back, he wouldn't hesitate to turn hostile now.
Although they were merely adopted children, their connection to Shi Mei was inseparable before her passing. Jian Feng seemed to be seeing acquaintances again. "Come closer, let your martial uncle get a good look at you."
With Bai Mōkāi's permission, Yǐ Jiàn and Yǐ Xiào moved directly towards Jian Feng. He gently stroked their heads, "Good… good seedlings. Shi Mei took in two fine sons."
Bai Mōkāi asked, "What is it? Junior brother, by the sound of it, do you intend to cultivate them?"