Ling Tian Sword God

CLANG!

With a crisp sound, Xu Ruoyan unsheathed her Cloud and Water Sword, aiming it at Ling Chen's throat. This sword strike was extremely sharp and swift, reaching Ling Chen in a flash.

CLANG!

Ling Chen raised his sword scabbard, revealing half of the blade, and parried the Sword Light. However, this sword strike was far fiercer than expected. When the swords crossed, sparks flew. The force of this strike pushed Ling Chen back two steps, his body pressed against the stone slabs.

"Ling Chen, you don't need to hold back; otherwise, this Void Emperor's royal decree will become the property of my Sky Void Palace." Xu Ruoyan knew Ling Chen wasn't using his full force, so she uttered coldly.

Frowning, Ling Chen also realized he could no longer afford to hold back.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed near his ears. Startled, Ling Chen turned around and saw a woman wearing a pale Ghost Mask.

"You?"

Upon seeing the masked woman, Ling Chen's expression changed. He had seen her a few times before; she was none other than Xia Ji, an expert of the Demon Way. This woman had also infiltrated this place.

Damn it, this woman's power rivals even Elder Tianxing. Even if Xu Ruoyan and I join forces, we're no match for her. Ling Chen felt a sense of foreboding. He had personally witnessed Xia Ji battle Elder Tianxing to a standstill on the walls of Stone City. Even when she seemed on the verge of defeat, she had managed to retreat unscathed and drift away.

"What a pair of devoted lovers. Since you're so reluctant, why fight at all?" Xia Ji's voice was sweet and alluring. "Why not turn hostility into friendship, leave this place together, and let me have this Void Emperor's royal decree? That way, everyone will be delighted. Wouldn't that be nice?"

"The Void Emperor's royal decree holds a secret of Tienzong. How can it be handed over to Demon Way practitioners like you?" Xu Ruoyan's beautiful eyes glinted with somberness. There had to be a great secret hidden in the Void Emperor's royal decree. If this secret fell into the hands of the Demon Way, it would endanger the Martial World and poison the world.

"Who can blame you two for not being my match? If we really fight, it'd be easy for me to kill you both." Xia Ji looked at Ling Chen with a smile, saying, "Ling Chen, you're a smart man. You should know what to do."

Ling Chen fell into contemplation, considering every possible plan to defeat Xia Ji. However, all these plans were undoubtedly useless. In simpler terms, no matter how much he strategized, he wouldn't be able to defeat her, let alone forcibly snatch the Void Emperor's royal decree from right under her nose.

"Ling Chen, no! For the sake of the Righteous Martial World, the Void Emperor's royal decree must not be given to this demoness. Today, even if we fight to our last breath, we cannot let her succeed!" Before Ling Chen could ponder further, Xu Ruoyan's voice reached him.

Hearing this, Ling Chen quietly shook his head. It was foolish to risk one's life for a token. The purpose of the Void Emperor's decree was still unknown. Even if it were some supreme martial treasure, there was no need to needlessly sacrifice one's life for it when one's strength was insufficient. Was his life worth less than an inanimate token?

"The Void Emperor's royal decree is right here. If Your Excellency wishes to take it, please go ahead." Ling Chen proactively stepped aside. He wasn't that foolish. He would first observe what use this Void Emperor's royal decree had before deciding on a course of action.

"Very good. A sensible child who knows how to adapt." Xia Ji gave a soft chuckle, then moved towards the carved stone slab.

"Ling Chen, you spineless coward! Demoness, taste my sword!" Seeing Ling Chen actually compromise and step back, Xu Ruoyan was so angry she could barely speak. She grabbed her Cloud and Water Sword and lunged, thrusting towards Xia Ji's back.

However, without even looking, Xia Ji swept her sleeve behind her. This casual sweep, however, was astonishingly powerful. Xu Ruoyan's Sword Momentum was shattered, and she was sent flying, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

Ling Chen had anticipated this. Even if he had joined the fight, it would have just meant two sweeps of her sleeves. The one sent flying and spitting blood would have simply included him.

How did this woman get in? Ling Chen was somewhat annoyed. It was like a fierce tiger suddenly appearing among a pack of wolves; she was on a completely different level than the others. To enter this place, one had to pass through five difficult trials. Unbelievably, this woman, using unknown methods, had actually passed all of them.

Ignoring Xu Ruoyan, Xia Ji walked up to the stone slab. After glancing at the text on it, she extended a hand as fair as white jade to take the Void Emperor's royal decree embedded in the center of the stone slab. However, despite using considerable force, the Void Emperor's royal decree seemed to be fused to it, impossible to remove no matter what.

"What's going on?" Xia Ji knitted her brows.

"Could it be that what's written on this stone slab is all nonsense, and this Void Emperor's royal decree is entirely fictitious?" Ling Chen suddenly suggested from the side.

"Impossible. If it's written on this stone slab, then it must exist." Xia Ji remained unfazed by Ling Chen's attempt to distract her. She scanned the slab, searching for the slightest clue.

Nearby, Ling Chen was also quietly observing the stone slab. There's probably a hidden mechanism in this.

As Ling Chen was lost in thought, Xia Ji suddenly turned around and pressed her Bewitching Sword to his throat. "You try."

"Me?" Ling Chen was taken aback, then shook his head. "Even the renowned Xia Ji couldn't manage it; how could I possibly have a solution?" Though he said this, Ling Chen couldn't help but wonder, How does this woman know I can disable the mechanism?

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll kill you." Xia Ji shifted her Bewitching Sword, cutting Ling Chen's neck. Blood seeped out. "I know you can definitely disable the mechanism on this."

You're joking. I didn't design this mechanism, so how would I know? Killing me is useless. Ling Chen shook his head resolutely.

"But my every instinct tells me you have a way." Xia Ji's eyes stared intently at Ling Chen. Then she cooed, "Why don't you help your big sister out and disable this mechanism? I'll be sure to thank you properly."

"I really can't." Ling Chen couldn't withstand such temptation. He quickly pushed Xia Ji away, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."

"Since you refuse a toast, you'll have to drink a forfeit." Xia Ji's voice instantly turned cold. Her gaze then fell upon Xu Ruoyan. "Then I'll have to kill your little sweetheart first, and then you. As for this stone slab, I can take my time studying it."

With that said, she vanished in a flash and reappeared in front of Xu Ruoyan, her sword thrusting towards the latter's fair neck.

"Wait!"

Ling Chen knew Xia Ji was ruthless and decisive. Once she decided to act, she would never be hesitant. Besides, killing Xu Ruoyan meant eliminating a top genius of the Righteous Path—an opportunity she would gladly take.