"Heaven and Earth Alliance Leader, take my final strike—Lotus Heart Sword Intent!"

In an instant, Lin Ke's expression turned solemn. She held her longsword horizontally before her chest, the radiance at the center of her brows growing ever brighter as her invisible spiritual power poured into the blade.

"Buzz..."

The longsword lightly trembled, seemingly forming an indescribable connection with Lin Ke. Frost-filled energy spread across the sky, condensing into a massive, snow-white bud above her head.

Qin Shou gripped the Tiger Soul Saber tightly, his eyes narrowing slightly. The Heavenly Artifact Continent's use of spiritual power clearly surpassed that of Earth's cultivators.

His spiritual power was no weaker than Lin Ke's, yet he couldn't achieve such mastery.

The cultivation technique—he had to obtain it!

"Alright, bring it on!"

Qin Shou roared, and the saber's spine quickly turned an earthen hue as powerful Earth Attribute Essence Qi erupted forth.

"Clang!"

He thrust the Tiger Soul Saber into the ground, causing it to tremble violently. A hill rapidly rose from the earth, forming into a mound as the Earth Attribute Essence Qi surged.

"Ding ding ding..."

Suddenly, the wind came to a halt. Like the melodious chime of wind bells, the enormous snow-white bud slowly began to bloom.

"Go!"

Lin Ke flicked her sword-arm forward, the radiance from her brow exploding into brilliance. The blooming snow lotus quivered violently, and densely packed, dazzling white sword qi burst forth like the Milky Way cascading from the heavens.

"Plunk plunk plunk..."

The palpable sword qi pierced the mound in the blink of an eye, reducing it to rubble and barren stones in no time.

"What the hell—is this even sword qi or just a Gatling gun?!"

Qin Shou's eyes widened as he unhesitatingly detonated ten Constant Star Energy Crystals embedded in the Tiger Soul Saber's hilt. The surge of energy flooded the blade's spine, amplifying the earthen qi. Another enormous mountain peak rose from the earth.

"Plunk plunk plunk..."

The destructive power of Lin Ke's white sword qi remained undiminished, quickly dismantling the newly-formed mound layer by layer.

Qin Shou detonated dozens more Constant Star Energy Crystals, causing the ground to quake violently as several peaks erupted in succession, standing firm against the relentless torrent of sword qi.

Before long, Lin Ke's complexion turned pale. The massive snow lotus hanging in mid-air began to show signs of disintegration.

"Such abundant essence qi—what sect does this man truly hail from?"

As the brilliance on her brow dimmed, Lin Ke felt increasingly dizzy. Her Sword Intent depleted, the enormous snow lotus finally shattered, unable to maintain its position aloft, and plummeted from the sky.

"Boom rumble rumble..."

Simultaneously, the barren peaks of rubble began to scatter and crumble.

"Roar!!"

The tiger's roar remained resonant and filled with vigor, instantly enveloping Lin Ke's figure in mid-air with golden waves of qi, sweeping across the earth.

"Phew..."

As the qi waves dissipated, Qin Shou gazed tenderly at the stunning face now close to him and softly asked, "Are you alright?"

Lin Ke's face was pale, yet she spared a calm glance toward her waist.

"I'm fine, but could you not hold me like this? I'm not some kitten or puppy."

Qin Shou's right hand gripped the waistband at her back, holding her aloft like a chick while maintaining eye contact.

Qin Shou chuckled awkwardly and released her, saying, "Haha, sorry. Next time, I promise a proper princess carry."

Lin Ke casually tossed her transparent longsword toward Qin Shou and said nonchalantly, "I don't know what nonsense you're talking about. I lost. Take care of this sword for now—I'll defeat you soon and reclaim Frostwind Sword."

As Qin Shou accepted the sword, he felt an intense vibration from its grip. Boundless, icy energy surged forth, struggling persistently against his grasp.

Lin Ke's eyes softened as she gently stroked the sword's blade.

"Be good—I'll come back for you soon."

"Hum!"

At her words, the longsword hummed softly as its icy energy gradually receded, ceasing its struggles.

Lin Ke lifted her gaze to Qin Shou and spoke with chilling detachment, "Heaven and Earth Alliance Leader, within one year—I will find you and take back Frostwind."

Qin Shou shrugged, "Suit yourself. But what about those two?"

He gestured toward the pair frozen solid by extreme frost and smiled.

Lin Ke remained silent for a moment before replying, "Do whatever you want. Even if you don't kill them, their betrayal will seal their fates."

She wasn't foolish—she had long seen through their schemes. Allowing them to prattle had merely been an excuse to fight Qin Shou.

But she hadn't expected the rumored Heaven and Earth Alliance Leader to be so brazen—attacking first without waiting for her to make a move.

Even more unexpected, she lost the fight, and Frostwind Sword fell into his hands.

At this thought, she wearily rubbed her brow.

Her master had been right—there's always someone stronger, and a higher sky above another. She was not the mightiest Spiritual Artifact Master.

Losing Frostwind—so regretful!

Whether she could reclaim Frostwind within a year, she wasn't sure.

She said so merely to save face.

After all, as the Sword Sect's senior disciple, her demeanor couldn't falter.

"I'm leaving."

Lin Ke gave Qin Shou—and the Frost Wind and Dew Sword he held—a reluctant glance before turning to depart.

Watching her retreating figure, Qin Shou stroked his chin and suddenly called out.

"Wait—what's your name?"

"Sword Sect's Lin Ke."

"Lin Ke, I can give your sword back to you right now."

"What..."

Lin Ke turned hastily, though her air of composure quickly returned amid her reluctance.

"What's your condition?" she asked.

Qin Shou stepped forward with a smile and answered, "Nothing much—I'd like you to do me a favor."

"What's the matter?"

"I want to join the Sword Sect. Could you introduce me?"

"You?"

Lin Ke blinked. "Your skills are already top-tier among Spiritual Artifact Masters. I can't discern your background, but it seems you hail from an ancient hidden sect.

You can join the Sword Sect, but you'd need to swear loyalty to it. Can you pass the Heavenly Weapon Supreme's test?"

Qin Shou waved dismissively, "That's another matter altogether. I come from the Divine Weapon Sect, a hidden clan. My entrance into the world is because of internal strife in my sect. I'm now the sole survivor."

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