Deja Vu

Clang!

The swords clashed, sparks flying, energy fields intertwining. The terrible energy shredded the surrounding tables and chairs, even gouging the earthen walls.

After exchanging several blows, Luo Xing realized with shock that despite being a powerful cultivator at the Cavern Heaven Realm, he was unable to overpower Xue Yi, and suspicion grew in his mind.

Luo Hongfei and Fang Jie were even more dumbfounded, because they realized Xue Yi's strength had improved again since yesterday, reaching the pinnacle of the Tempering Realm!

"How can this be? He was at the eighth level of the Tempering Realm two days ago, the ninth level yesterday, and now he's at the pinnacle? Did Xiao Qingruo give him some miraculous elixir?" Fang Jie exclaimed in shock.

"Miraculous elixir?" The masked man's eyes narrowed as he looked at Xue Yi, killing intent gradually surfacing.

Whoosh!

In the shop, a dazzling flash of sword light erupted. Xue Yi dodged to the side as the wall behind him was sliced open by sword energy, even affecting the street outside.

The street fight attracted many onlookers, who stood by pointing and commenting.

Seeing Luo Xing relentless in his attacks, and the unidentified masked man glaring murderously behind him, Xue Yi steeled his resolve and attacked fiercely.

"Die!"

Stepping forcefully, he channeled strength into his arms and slashed diagonally with the ferocity of a tiger leaving its mountain!

"Hmph, I'm not a reckless brute like Da Yong!" Luo Xing sneered inwardly as he wielded his sword to block, confident that his Cavern Heaven Realm cultivation could easily handle it.

But...

Clang!

Xue Yi's slash contained not just the power of a pouncing tiger, but also the blazing might of the Vermilion Bird, erupting without warning.

Whoosh!

Fire spewed from the tip of his blade. Luo Xing's treasured sword was no match for the Chopping Dragon Saber and snapped with a cry.

Schwing! The blade sliced into his left shoulder and emerged from his right waist.

Even early stage Cavern Heaven Realm cultivators could not withstand the eruption of Xue Yi's imperial rank martial art!

"How...can this...be..."

Luo Xing's eyes bulged wide in disbelief that he, a Cavern Heaven Realm cultivator, had been killed by someone at the Tempering Realm.

Swish!

The corpse split in two, blood spraying, the scene turning ghastly.

"Luo Xing!"

Seeing this, Luo Hongfei's face turned green with fright. He retreated several steps, afraid Xue Yi would kill him next.

"Brother Zhao...do something...hurry!"

He and Fang Jie cowered behind the masked man, begging him to help.

Having slain two, Xue Yi's sense of crisis only heightened.

Eyeing the masked man outside, he knew another battle was imminent.

Dragging his sword, he emerged from the hole Da Yong had smashed in the wall, prepared to go all out.

Against a mid stage Cavern Heaven Realm cultivator, with a five realm difference between them, only his most powerful hidden skills gave a chance at victory, even survival would be difficult.

A single slap from the opponent would reduce his body to mincemeat.

He couldn't be careless in this fight!

The masked man's aura was calm and unruffled, unaffected by Xue Yi killing two people. True energy circulated within him, exuding absolute control.

With many people around, he was unwilling to waste time either, else the Holy Might Manor's people would arrive and complicate matters.

The masked man simply said, "It's over." His hands moved in unison, unleashing a wild and tyrannical surge of true energy.

"Hm?"

Hearing the voice, Xue Yi felt it seemed vaguely familiar.

But there was no time to ponder this as the opponent attacked.

Whoosh!

Boom boom!

Rumble!

Sword energy criss-crossed, true energy cascaded like waterfalls.

In just a single breath, over a dozen moves were exchanged.

The masked man was incredibly fast. Just as Xue Yi was about to utilize the Azure Dragon's energy, his opponent preempted him and struck first.

"Black Tortoise Force!"

In a fluster, he quickly channeled the Black Tortoise's energy to block.

But he was still sent flying, smashing through a wall and coughing blood painfully, feeling as if his whole body had been crushed.

"Die!"

The masked man pounced to deliver the killing blow, his voice even more familiar now.

Xue Yi leapt up and slashed back, barely dodging over ten feet away.

But the action aggravated his internal injuries, making him spit out more blood.

"Such heavy force... looks like I'll have to..."

Feeling gloomy, he was about to use his life-saving technique.

"Hey! Don't hit my friend!"

Suddenly, a petite figure charged out diagonally, appearing between him and the masked man.

It was Yan Chengxue!

The masked man slapped down, but Yan Chengxue sneered disdainfully, "Go home and practice some more." With a casual flip of her hand...

Boom!

In the next instant, the masked man was sent flying back at several times the speed, smashing through the front and back walls of Qingyu Teahouse, crashing deep inside the ruined shop.

One could still see blood spraying wildly in midair.

"How..."

Xue Yi was stunned.

This penniless girl who couldn't afford tea...turned out to be a top expert!

Judging from how she had effortlessly sent the mid stage Cavern Heaven Realm masked man flying, her strength was at least at the Cavern Heaven Realm peak!

Perhaps she really was a Sage Transformation Realm cultivator!

"Xue Yi, are you alright?"

Yan Chengxue turned back with concern.

"I'm fine, just minor injuries. Oh right...hurry and catch that guy!" Xue Yi replied before thinking to check the masked man's identity.

Although the Holy Might Manor didn't prohibit internal strife, its members fighting each other outside brought disgrace and warranted severe punishment!

"Okay, I'll help you!"

Yan Chengxue nodded and chased into the ruins along the path of destruction left by the masked man's flight.

Shortly after, she emerged and shook her head. "He escaped, leaving only this behind." In her hand was a mask and tattered clothes.

Realizing he was no match for Yan Chengxue, the injured masked man had taken the chance to remove his disguise and blend into the crowd to flee after buying precious seconds.

Xue Yi looked around but found no trace.

"Let it go for now, we can slowly look for him later."

That familiar voice likely belonged to someone from the Holy Might Manor, which explained the mask to conceal his identity and avoid exposure.

Although the Holy Might Manor didn't prohibit internal strife, its members fighting each other outside brought disgrace and warranted severe punishment!

"How did you end up fighting and nearly getting yourself killed?" Yan Chengxue asked in puzzlement.

"Tch, it's all because of those two idiots..." Xue Yi turned to rebuke Luo Hongfei and Fang Jie, only to find they had already fled for their lives upon seeing the situation go south.

"Damn it, got slapped for nothing." Xue Yi felt vexed.

"It wasn't for nothing, you killed two people!" Yan Chengxue pointed out the bisected corpses in Qingyu Teahouse.

"Oh right, not a total loss then." Xue Yi chuckled.

Just then, a group of people came running over.

"Ling Prefecture City Law Enforcement here. Who's causing trouble?"

Looking over, it turned out to be people from the City Lord's manor, along with some from the Holy Might Manor.

Xue Yi explained the situation.

Seeing he was from the Holy Might Manor and even Miss Xiao Qingruo's personal attendant, they naturally dared not slight him.

"So it was those two trouble-making scions of the Luo and Fang families. Don't worry Brother Xue, we'll warn those two clans. Qingyu Teahouse's losses will be compensated by them!" the law enforcement personnel stated.

They then went to handle the corpses.

The Holy Might Manor's status was different from small clans. Although Xue Yi was just an attendant, the one he served was Xiao Qingruo.

In status, even the young masters of small clans were beneath him.

Who weighed more was clear to the law enforcement team, so things were handled quickly without any hassle.

"Hmm, didn't expect your status to be so useful ah?" Yan Chengxue watched the whole process with interest.

Xue Yi shook his head. "Still just an attendant in the end. Right, Miss Yan, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Discuss what with me? Don't tell me...you want me to help you get rid of those two weaklings?" Yan Chengxue seemed reluctant.

Killing such trash would be beneath her dignity!

Xue Yi smiled. "No, it's about something else. Let's talk somewhere else."

"Okay." Yan Chengxue was satisfied with that.