C14 Mysterious Bone

Chu Tianyu's strength was nearly a thousand kilograms, which among ordinary people would classify him as a strongman. However, in the presence of two Level Nine experts, he was no more significant than an ant. It's important to understand that a Level Nine expert possesses a strength measured in the billions of kilograms. A single punch from them could obliterate a small mountain, and covering a thousand miles in a day was a trivial feat. When they released their Divine Sense, they could perceive everything within a hundred meters as clearly as if it were reflected in a mirror, leaving no place to hide. Among martial artists, they were the mightiest, and likening them to terrestrial deities wasn't far-fetched.

In the hierarchy of martial artists, Level One to Level Three was just the beginning, the very bottom rung. Those at Level Four to Level Six could be grudgingly acknowledged as experts, but only those above Level Seven were truly formidable. A Level Nine expert was an expert among experts, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to refer to them as unparalleled masters. A Level Nine expert was undeniably among the elite of the Qin Empire, revered and worshipped by countless citizens, with a status that was highly esteemed. Such an expert could secure the prosperity of their family for centuries.

"Duan Dali, aren't you concerned about a mutual destruction, ending in both our deaths? Remember, you have plenty of time left to enjoy life," Qin Ming said icily, her face set with resolve. This matter touched upon the honor of a nation, and she was prepared to die before yielding.

The animosity between the Qin Empire and Dali was beyond profound, deeper even than the ocean. With hundreds of thousands of soldiers perishing each year, the death toll over a millennium surely exceeded a hundred million.

A flicker of hesitation crossed Duan Dali's face. One should never underestimate the resolve of an expert willing to fight to the death. Even if he didn't gain more strength, he still had two centuries of leisure ahead of him. But he quickly masked his doubt; at such a critical juncture, any slip could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"Hahaha, even if I fall, taking you down with me will be a huge gain," Duan Dali boasted with a laugh. "You're less than half my age, yet you've already reached my level. Give you a few more decades, and you'll become a major threat to Dali. Plus, having the renowned beauty of the Qin Empire by my side makes even the prospect of being a ghost rather appealing."

Duan Dali ogled Qin Ming's shapely figure with a lecherous gaze, as though he could peer through her clothing to the exquisite beauty beneath.

Qin Ming felt an indescribable discomfort throughout her body. Even Chu Tianyu couldn't stand by and watch. How could this lecher be so callous and unfeeling? While he had initially been somewhat inclined towards Qin Ming, he now stood firmly by her side.

"Furthermore, it could come down to a fight to the death, or you might end up captured by me. Then, I'll have the chance to savor a kiss," Duan Dali said, licking his lips with a sleazy grin.

Good grief, he wouldn't even spare a corpse. What a lowlife, a true piece of scum.

Chu Tianyu seethed with anger, wishing he could morph into a prince and rescue the princess from the clutches of the villain. Yet, he was aware of his own limits; charging in recklessly would be tantamount to suicide. He had no choice but to curb the urge welling up inside him.

Qin Ming's body quivered slightly, her complexion turning ashen at the thought of what might happen. Despite everything, she was still a pampered young woman who had led a charmed life as a favored daughter of the heavens.

She was now filled with regret. Having begun her cultivation at the age of eight, she had reached Level Six by twenty, Level Seven by twenty-five, and Level Eight by thirty-five. Now, before even reaching fifty, she was a Level Nine Warrior, a prodigious talent that the Qin Empire saw once in centuries, destined to become a Saint Level powerhouse.

The person before her was a genius too, yet already past a hundred years old, with dim prospects of advancing to Saint Level. In terms of talent, she was incomparable, her status worlds apart. But in this battle for survival, her genius alone wouldn't guarantee her life.

"A Level Nine expert, no wonder you're so formidable!" Chu Tianyu's spirit was stirred. He hadn't anticipated witnessing a clash between two such formidable warriors—undoubtedly the strongest he had ever encountered and those he aspired to surpass.

"Qin Ming, you have a promising future ahead of you. Why risk your life for an obscure relic? Just hand it over to me, and I'll spare you. I have no desire to die either," Duan Dali coaxed, his voice imbued with an enigmatic force that even Tianyu felt, albeit only marginally.

Having been forged by the countless True Dragon Roars, Chu Tianyu's will had undergone a remarkable transformation. He quickly came to his senses and, upon closer inspection, noticed Qin Ming with a vacant look in her eyes. She pulled out a dark golden bone, the size of a forearm and riddled with cracks, and began to approach Duan Dali.

The sight of the golden bone ignited an intense longing in Chu Tianyu's heart, akin to a parched man yearning for a bowl of water after days of thirst. Had it not been for the term "Level Nine expert" holding him back, he would have lunged for it without hesitation.

Duan Dali was brimming with glee, silently praising the exceptional nature of the demonic sound. He had recognized Qin Ming's formidable strength and feared a mutual destruction. So, after she had expended much of her power, he subtly wore down her will, biding his time until her spirit wavered to take control with the demonic sound, thus gaining without effort.

The thought of soon possessing that enigmatic bone thrilled Duan Dali. He and Qin Ming had stumbled upon it on the battlefield simultaneously. The moment he laid eyes on it, he knew he had to have it, believing it to be his sole opportunity to reach Saint Level.

But Qin Ming had seized the bone first, much to his chagrin. Seeing that it wouldn't even fit in his storage bag, Duan Dali was convinced of its extraordinary value, his desire intensifying. Overcoming his trepidation, he pursued her relentlessly for thousands of miles deep into the Qin Empire.

He had chased her from the Sacred War Ground to the forest's edge, and he was not about to give up at this critical juncture.

Chu Tianyu was deeply concerned for Qin Ming and was about to call out a warning when he heard the voice of Ao Xingyun, which had been absent for ten days.

"Kid, relax. The girl is alright, but that bone is mine. Seize the opportunity to claim it when you can."

Hearing Ao Xingyun's words, Chu Tianyu breathed a sigh of relief. Realizing it was a dragon bone, he understood the source of his intense reaction. His cultivation technique required dragon blood, so naturally, encountering it now, he felt an instinctive urge to possess it.

Qin Ming walked toward Duan Dali with a mix of confusion and struggle. It appeared that Duan Dali had emerged victorious from the battle, a sentiment he shared. Unbeknownst to him, Qin Ming had discreetly retrieved a jade hairpin from a small pouch at her waist.

The hairpin, over five inches long, was immaculate and unblemished. Subtle lines adorned its surface, reminiscent of the meridians within the human body, with streams of energy flowing and spiraling around it, brimming with vitality.

As Qin Ming closed in, less than fifty feet from Duan Dali, he was suddenly gripped by a sense of impending danger that shook him to his core. At their advanced level of cultivation, they often had premonitions of such threats.

Qin Ming's eyes cleared, and with a swift motion of her left hand, she sent the jade hairpin, gleaming with a mysterious sheen, hurtling towards Duan Dali with lightning speed.

"A spirit weapon!" Duan Dali gasped, his soul nearly fleeing in terror. He quickly erected a protective shield in front of himself and braced his High-grade Magic Tool across his chest.

With a "puchi," the Genuine Qi shield popped like a fragile bubble, and the relentless hairpin continued its trajectory, smashing into Duan Dali's magic tool.

A crisp "crack" echoed as the formidable magic tool in Duan Dali's grasp shattered instantly, crumbling like dry weeds before a storm, while the radiant hairpin bore down on him.

Despite being a rare and valuable treasure, the magic tool was no match for a spirit weapon, but it did manage to slow the hairpin's advance, allowing Duan Dali a moment to evade.

With a "swish," the hairpin grazed past Duan Dali's side, drawing a spray of blood in its wake.

Severely wounded but elated, Duan Dali laughed triumphantly. "Hahaha, Qin Ming, that was your only strike, wasn't it? Victory is ultimately mine, and so are you."

Qin Ming had already run a thousand miles, her reserves significantly depleted. Following a fierce battle for survival, both her physical and magical energies were nearly spent. This final strike was indeed her last desperate effort.

Upon witnessing Qin Ming's unflappable demeanor, Duan Dali sensed trouble brewing. Suddenly, a ripple of energy emanated from behind him, unmistakably the jade hairpin making its return.

Duan Dali's face drained of color as he attempted to evade, but it was already too late. A spray of blood erupted from his chest, which, to Qin Ming, sparkled like the most spectacular fireworks. A breathtaking smile spread across her lovely face, the triumphant grin of a victor.

Indeed, Qin Ming had orchestrated the entire scene for Duan Dali. Despite her pampered upbringing, she had weathered many storms to attain her current level of cultivation. One couldn't reach such heights without a resilient spirit. Realizing she was outmatched by Duan Dali, she feigned instability to lure him into complacency, setting the stage for a fatal strike.

Qin Ming was aware of Duan Dali's ace in the hole—his demonic sound—but he was oblivious to hers: a potent Spirit Weapon capable of multiplying the force of her attack in an instant. Considering that even Level Nine experts rarely possessed such weapons, it's no surprise Duan Dali hadn't anticipated this. Moreover, this was Qin Ming's inaugural use of the weapon.

Duan Dali gazed in disbelief at the gaping wound in his chest, from which blood spurted like a fountain. Just a moment before, he had been riding high, confident in his advantage. But now, how had the tables turned so drastically?

"No!" Duan Dali bellowed, seething with rage. He couldn't fathom being outwitted by a mere girl. How could this be?

With eyes ablaze and hair and beard bristling with fury, he looked ready to tear someone apart. But as his blood continued to pour out, a crippling weakness washed over him. His body began to tremble, betraying his frailty.