CHAPTER 106: CHAPTER 105: GREAT TERROR AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH

As Gu Qi Zi spoke, the ghostly shadows within the mist grew even more frantic.

A few more people were dragged into the ghostly fog, and soon screams of agony echoed out.

Some others quietly fell to the ground, their faces a deathly pale, bodies cold and rigid, clearly harmed by the ghostly creatures.

But Gu Yuan’s eyes flashed, and the Qiushui Sword transformed into a translucent sword light, like a faint glow as thin as a cicada’s wing, piercing into the shadow of a man beside him.

Clang!

A withered, thin black claw stretched out from the shadow, clashing without flourish with Gu Yuan’s sword light, producing a sound of metal striking metal.

The sound echoed, causing many to grimace in pain as large amounts of dust fell from the shabby walls around.

The withered claw seemed to have been ritualistically honed by some magic, the skin dark and wrinkled, resembling ancient wood, its nails sharp and gleaming coldly.

Yet Gu Yuan’s sword light was unexpectedly sharp, slicing off a few fingers, from which thick blood sprayed.

"Gu Qi Zi, hiding within another’s shadow is indeed a clever trick; normally, who would have thought of this?"

Gu Yuan sneered, "But did you really think I wouldn’t notice your presence?"

Startled, that person scrambled back hurriedly.

The owner of the withered claw appeared at the spot where the shadow had been, revealing himself.

It was an old man, short and thin, hideously ugly, clad in a gray robe, exuding a gloomy aura.

"Boy, prepare to die!"

His lips twitched, his eyes fixed on Gu Yuan full of icy malice, as the ghostly mist outside suddenly surged forward, taking the shape of a massive ghostly claw, burning with eerie green ghost fire and exuding a chillingly dense sinister aura.

This ghostly claw easily destroyed the Taoist temple, ripped open the roof, and shattered the surrounding walls, sending up clouds of dust, before clawing toward Gu Yuan.

Wherever it passed, living beings it brushed or struck were torn apart, their life force drained, bodies reduced to ashes.

Bao Datong and the old man surnamed Xu turned pale, fleeing in terror.

Others scattered in all directions as well.

Only Gu Yuan slashed his long sword, tracing a mysterious mark in the air.

His sword light was not dazzling, yet it twisted unpredictably, targeting what seemed to be the weak spot of the ghostly claw, causing it to shatter piece by piece.

"This ghostly claw is formidable, but unfortunately, you haven’t fully mastered it..."

Gu Yuan wielded his sword and dispelled the opponent’s magic, his sword light like water, already cutting toward Gu Qi Zi’s neck.

This Gu Qi Zi was indeed a troublesome opponent; his cultivated ghostly mist could obscure the senses, bewilder the mind, and create an illusion realm. Working in tandem with the ghostly creatures he kept, it was a fatal trap for many!

But for Gu Yuan, who had achieved some success with the "Life-taking Sword Formulas," the effect was not quite as severe.

With ironclad will, his spirit was exceptional even among innate martial masters. Although the ghostly mist could confuse the mind, it was hard pressed to bewilder his.

Gu Yuan’s mind and sword intent merged, and he was extraordinarily sensitive to others’ killing intent.

Without needing to see with his eyes or smell with his nose, merely through sensing with the long sword in his hand, he could detect the opponent’s whereabouts!

Gu Qi Zi’s eyelids twitched incessantly; he’d never expected this young man to be so stubborn, breaking through his unbeatable magic with just one sword strike.

He wasn’t going to sit still and await death; with a thunderous shout, black mist emanated from around him, his bones cracked explosively, and his whole body swelled rapidly like a balloon, his dried skin and flesh stretching taut and smooth.

Particularly his intact hand, now resembling the claw of a demon god, black as ink, entwined with strands of black-gray true qi, emanating a chilling aura, it reached out to seize!

Though Gu Qi Zi focused heavily on magic, this did not mean his martial arts were weak.

His "Black Evil Ghost Claw" could crush metal and iron and also contained corpse poison and ghostly energy, most corrosive to one’s true qi and flesh!

Even a tiny wound from him would render flesh stiff and hard, at his mercy!

Clang!

The sword light clashed with the ghostly claw, exploding with a fierce sound of metal clashing.

"What?!"

Gu Qi Zi’s expression changed dramatically, though his claw remained unscathed, he felt the terrifying killing intent contained in the opponent’s sword light permeate his body, penetrating within, giving him the sensation of being cut by a thousand knives.

Clang—

After one failed strike, Gu Yuan swung his long sword again.

The long sword erupted with a cyan jade-like luster, emitting sword qi three feet long, the chilling killing intent within resonating with the sharpness of the sword light.

Whoosh, whoosh... whoosh, whoosh...

The air within a radius of more than ten meters stirred violently, converging to make this sword strike like a vicious green flood dragon, poised to unleash a boundless storm!

Squelch!

Gu Qi Zi’s body froze in place, unmoving.

"You..."

His eyes locked on Gu Yuan with shock and fury, disbelief on his face.

"Did you actually kill me?!"

As he spoke, a red line of blood emerged from his neck.

Before the words fell, his head wobbled, slowly sliding off his neck, hitting the ground, his body following suit.

His eyes had dimmed completely, devoid of life.

The life force of an innate martial master was astonishing; even beheaded, they wouldn’t die so quickly, perhaps even curse a bit before finally expiring.

However, Gu Yuan’s sword, appearing to only sever Gu Qi Zi’s head, actually destroyed his life force within and even severely damaged his divine soul.

Clang!

Gu Yuan sheathed his sword, his expression calm, feeling clarity of nature and harmonious spiritual light, gaining a deeper understanding of the "Life-taking Sword Formulas":

"Indeed, between life and death, there is both great horror and great opportunity!"

"After this mortal combat, the ’Life-taking Sword Formulas’ has finally reached small success."

Strictly speaking, Gu Qi Zi’s cultivation had reached the blood exchange stage, perhaps already achieving great success in blood transformation.

Especially the few magic spells he practiced, sinister and cunning, a typical innate martial master would be dead upon encountering him!

Not to mention, if not for Gu Yuan, today these people, excluding the rather mysterious Bao Datong, would all have been devoured by Gu Qi Zi — Gu Yuan would not be surprised.

But unfortunately for Gu Qi Zi, Gu Yuan’s foundation was extraordinary, his cultivated "Life-taking Sword Formulas" was particularly effective against Gu Qi Zi’s methods, allowing him to kill him.

Others unaware of these subtleties rejoiced wildly upon seeing Gu Qi Zi dead, merely feeling lucky to survive.

Yet the informed, like Bao Datong and the old man surnamed Xu, were stunned!

Their eyes not blind, they naturally discerned the approximate cultivation of Gu Yuan and Gu Qi Zi.

The two were apart by the small realms of Washing Marrow and Blood Exchange. They thought that even if Gu Yuan’s swordsmanship was extraordinary enough to deter Gu Qi Zi, it would already be commendable.

Never had they imagined that Gu Yuan would actually eliminate Gu Qi Zi, leaving them both utterly shocked!