Chapter 30: The Duel! Master of the Refining Sect

Yufan, feeling a sense of emptiness, slowly rose from the ground. Wiping the tears from his face, he said in a low voice, "You really want a fight, don't you? Fine! Let him go, and I will stay to fight you."

"Oh?" The Sect Master of the Refining Sect let out a loud laugh, his voice laced with disdain. "Boy, do you believe that killing you would be a trivial matter for me?" With that, the Sect Master raised his right leg, stepped onto the Elder of the Sword, and leaned his body slightly downward.

The Refining Sect Master continued, "Actually, I have no desire to know about the old man in that tower, but since you know of the affairs within it, you must die. Long ago, someone nearly helped it escape. The consequences of such an escape are far beyond what a piece of trash like you could ever hope to prevent. The Predecessor Sect was sealed away by the combined efforts of your righteous ancestors, and even if we don't know where it is, we would never fear such a thing."

The Refining Sect Master increased the pressure of his foot, pinning the Elder of the Sword down firmly, and said, "I had already guessed as much. He could never let you out unless you did his bidding, but I imagine that is impossible! You are nothing but a useless wretch who cannot even protect yourself."

Fang Yu cried out, "Yufan, if we are to die, let us die together! I have already lost the Elder of the Sword; I do not wish to see anyone else around me leave."

As Yufan's words fell, the air seemed to solidify for a moment, and even the surrounding wind came to a standstill. His gaze was firm and resolute, showing no sign of retreat as he looked at the Refining Sect Master.

The Refining Sect Master’s lips curled into a playful smirk, but he did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly increased the pressure under his foot. The Elder of the Sword let out a muffled groan of pain, his face turning as pale as paper.

Seeing this, Yufan’s pupils contracted sharply. His body leaned forward instinctively, his hands clenched into fists so tightly that his veins bulged, as if he intended to unleash every ounce of his strength to prevent this senseless tragedy. He took a deep breath, suppressing his inner rage and fear, and spoke again: "I will say it one more time: let her go. I will bear all grievances alone."

His voice grew lower. Although Fang Yu was currently less than a quarter as strong as their opponent, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, she would cling to this hard-won chance of survival.

Yufan’s eyes burned like fire, locked onto the smug face of the Refining Sect Master. He stepped forward abruptly, the dust at his feet scattering into the air. It was as if his indomitable will had torn the very air asunder. His hands were clenched so tightly that his bones emitted a faint, resolute sound, each movement betraying the power he was about to unleash.

"Sect Master of the Refining Sect! I say it again: let her go, and I will fight you! We are going to die anyway, but I want you to know that even if I am a failure, I still have my dignity and my bottom line!"

Yufan's voice was low and powerful, each word erupting like a roar from his chest, causing the surrounding space to tremble.

The Refining Sect Master’s mouth curled into a cruel smile, his eyes flashing with mockery and anticipation. He suddenly lifted his right foot, stepping off the Elder of the Sword, and in a flash, he appeared before Yufan like a phantom, standing only inches away.

The air seemed to freeze in that moment; even breathing became labored.

"Hmph, since you are so eager to die, I shall grant your wish."

The Refining Sect Master’s words were as cold as frost. He slowly raised his right hand, and a mass of dark energy gathered in his palm. The energy was as deep as a black hole, swallowing the surrounding light and chilling the heart.

Yufan was undaunted. His eyes were wide, burning with an unyielding flame. He took a deep breath, and the remaining spiritual power within him seemed ignited by his resolute will. Every muscle in his body tightened, bracing for the coming storm.

Fang Yu was instantly surrounded by four mysterious figures in black robes. They moved like ghosts in the night, silently weaving an invisible yet sturdy barrier. The barrier shimmered with a faint black light, trapping Fang Yu in a corner of the room. She struggled with all her might, but it was like a mayfly shaking a tree; every attempt only brought a deeper sense of helplessness. The faces of the robed figures were hidden in the shadows of their hoods, and only their hollow, lifeless eyes flickered occasionally, revealing a trace of cold indifference. They stood in a perfect quadrilateral, locking Fang Yu in the center. The air seemed to solidify under the oppressive atmosphere, making it difficult even to breathe.

Fang Yu’s gaze pierced through the layers of restraint, anxiously searching for a glimpse of Yufan, her heart filled with helplessness and fury. She clenched her fists, unaware of her own intensity. The surrounding darkness seemed to devour her will, yet her eyes remained stubborn, unwilling to surrender.

At that moment, Yufan’s form seemed to merge with the surrounding air. His hands moved as if commanding an invisible storm. As his true energy surged, the air tore open, revealing a thin fissure. A vortex slowly rotated, and a cold glint gradually coalesced at its center.

The light shifted from pale to intense, and finally, the outline of an ancient longsword appeared clearly within the vortex. A faint blue glow rippled across the blade, as if it held the depth and vastness of mountains, rivers, and seas. He gripped the hilt, and the longsword manifested from thin air. The tip touched the ground lightly, sending out visible ripples that spread in all directions.

Yufan quickly retreated with his left leg, his body moving along a strange trajectory as if tracing a perfect circle on the ground. His body slowly sank with this circle, his feet seemingly taking root in the earth, steady and resolute.

The Refining Sect Master laughed, "Come! Are you afraid?"

The Sect Master’s laughter echoed through the open space, carrying a touch of contempt and arrogance, as if the very heavens were shifting in response. His form flickered slightly within the laughter, as if prepared to launch a thunderous strike at any moment.

Yufan’s eyes remained fixed on the Sect Master, burning with that unyielding fire—a flame that seemed capable of piercing through all obstacles to gaze into the depths of the opponent's soul. He slowly opened his arms as if to embrace the entire universe. The true energy within him boiled at this moment, transforming into a rolling torrent that rushed along his meridians and gathered between his hands.

Yufan exerted his strength, unleashed his power, and lunged toward the Refining Sect Master, sword in hand. The Sect Master caught the tip of the blade with one hand. Moving with incredible speed, Yufan spun his body to strike at the Sect Master’s back, but his blow was blocked by the Sect Master’s barrier.

The Sect Master exerted force, and—bang! Yufan was sent flying two meters away, his sword dragging heavily against the ground to slow his slide.

As Yufan’s body traced a sharp arc through the air, he did not give up. Instead, he used the momentum to roll, and the moment his feet touched the ground, he sprang up like a leopard. The longsword in his hand turned into a blue streak of lightning, stabbing toward the Refining Sect Master once more.

The sound of the blade piercing the air was sharp and piercing, and the resulting airflow caused the surrounding atmosphere to tremble.

The Refining Sect Master’s lips curled into a cold sneer, his eyes flashing with disdain. He lifted one hand, seemingly casual, yet he caught the tip of Yufan’s blade with pinpoint precision. The two forces collided violently, sparks erupting between the sword tip and his fingers as if the very space were being torn apart.

Yufan’s face was grim, his muscles taut. He felt an indescribable, massive force surging from the tip of his sword, as if it would snap his arm in two. Yet, he did not retreat. The remaining spiritual power in his body surged madly, gathering in his legs. With a fierce kick against the ground, he vaulted into the air, simultaneously flicking his wrist to change the angle of the longsword, sweeping it toward the Sect Master’s flank at an impossible angle.

No sooner had Yufan stabilized his stance than he acted like an enraged lion, his eyes bloodshot, his body surrounded by a violent aura. He inhaled sharply, his chest heaving, as if he intended to draw all the power of heaven and earth into his body.

The longsword in his hand hummed, the blue light intensifying. The tip of the blade trembled, seemingly on the verge of unleashing a world-shattering blow.

"Break for me!" Yufan roared, his voice filled with undeniable resolve.

He bent his legs, like a leopard ready to pounce, and then exploded forward, his form becoming a streak of blue light as he charged straight at the Refining Sect Master. The sword tip sliced through the air, leaving behind visible blue trails, moving with a speed that left one breathless.

Seeing this, the Refining Sect Master’s disdain deepened, though a flicker of seriousness crossed his eyes. He waved a hand, and a thick energy shield immediately manifested around him—solid as stone—deflecting all of Yufan’s sword beams.

The two collided with a deafening roar, the shockwaves scattering the surrounding dust into the air.

Yufan stabilized himself, his inner rage burning brighter. His eyes seemed to leap with fire. Knowing that brute force would not break the Sect Master’s defense, he took a deep breath to regulate his internal breathing. His true energy circulated, and he found himself faintly resonating with the heavens and earth.

The longsword in his hand seemed to come alive; the blue light was now laced with streaks of golden lightning—a sign that his hidden potential had been triggered. He flashed forward, charging the Sect Master again, but this time his movements were more agile and varied, his swordplay filled with unpredictable trajectories.

Every strike seemed to carry the weight of mountains, yet was as light and swift as the wind, making its true intent impossible to discern. Yufan circled the Refining Sect Master like a cunning leopard, searching for a fleeting opening.

Following this, he adjusted his posture in mid-air with incredible speed, crossing his legs to kick off, spinning with the momentum. He was like a leaf caught in a gale, yet his actions held astonishing power and determination. The longsword in his hand traced gorgeous blue arcs as he spun, like the brightest meteor in the night sky, tearing through the shackles of darkness.

As he charged the Refining Sect Master again, Yufan’s eyes were clear—the previous rage and helplessness were gone, replaced by a cold, resolute light. Every breath he took echoed the air currents of the world. His form darted left and right around the Sect Master, fast as lightning, his sword techniques ever-changing—at times like a dragon emerging from the sea, peerless and mighty; at others like a spirit snake darting from its lair, cunning and strange.

The Sect Master did not move from his spot. With just one hand and a light flick of his fingers, he easily caught Yufan’s unstoppable strike.

Between the tip of the blade and the Sect Master’s fingertip, brilliant sparks erupted once more, like stars colliding in a dazzling display. The Sect Master’s eyes revealed a hint of approval, though it was mostly a quiet appreciation for Yufan’s unyielding will. His fingers moved slightly, as if guiding the momentum of Yufan’s sword, forcing it away from its original path and turning it into circles of brilliant sword light that whirled incessantly around them.

The air was thick with sword intent and fluctuations of spiritual power. Each clash caused the space to tremble slightly, as if even time itself had frozen.

The Refining Sect Master’s barrier shattered… Bang!

Yufan was sent reeling backward, the dust at his feet kicked up into a spray. He rolled several times to dissipate the overwhelming force. As he stood up, his eyes were like torches, seemingly able to pierce through all illusions. The longsword in his hand hummed incessantly, pointing toward the sky, blue and purple electric arcs dancing along the blade—the manifestation of his rage and defiance.

He took a deep breath, his true energy surging like a broken dam, unstoppable. He kicked off the ground with such force that the earth could not bear it, cracking into fine fissures.

Yufan surged forward like an arrow released from a bow, rushing the Refining Sect Master once more. This time, his speed was greater, his assault more fierce, each strike carrying the power to shatter mountains and cleave stone.

Beads of sweat trickled down Yufan’s forehead, but his gaze was firmer than ever. He gritted his teeth, his inner energy surging like a tidal wave, continuously battering the Sect Master’s defense.

In his hands, the longsword seemed to possess a life of its own, dancing flexibly with his will, each turn imbued with exquisite sword intent. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the Sect Master’s single hand remained like an impenetrable wall of bronze and iron, neutralizing all his attacks into nothingness.