Chapter 275

Chapter 275: The Sinister Evil Weapon

Before this, Lou Yun had wanted to ask Xia Guanqiu about the exact number of people Tang Qianqiu had brought last time. A Jiu hadn’t gotten a clear look, so she hadn’t provided details. But upon second thought, Lou Yun decided it wasn’t worth asking. After all, the overall strength of the Ancient Weapon Academy was limited. It didn’t matter if the opponent came with one person or a hundred; they had to face them regardless.

Now, however, through the incoming energy fluctuations, Lou Yun quickly discerned their numbers: ten people.

Although numerically the Ancient Weapon Academy seemed to have the advantage, Lou Yun’s face showed no trace of relief. He closed his eyes, carefully using his spirit sense to probe the cultivation levels of these ten individuals.

These ten were undoubtedly evil weapons masters. Beyond their magical weapons inside the dantian region, each was entwined with a ring of black energy—evil energy. The stronger the energy fluctuation, the thicker and more viscous the evil energy became. Otherwise, they seemed similar to magical weapons masters.

When the ten finally appeared over the Ancient Weapon Academy, Lou Yun had accurately gauged the full strength of them all.

The leader possessed the greatest strength. If measured by the standards of a magical weapons master, his evil weapon level was Earth level five-star. He was undoubtedly Tang Qianqiu. Judging by his ability to injure Xia Guanqiu with an evil weapon, compared to a magical weapons master, his true strength should indeed be at or above the Heavenly level.

The other nine mostly ranged from Earth level to human level and mystery rank. In essence, without distinguishing between evil weapons and magical weapons, the two sides’ strength was nearly comparable. Yet Lou Yun knew this surface impression was deceiving; evil weapons masters of the same level were unequivocally stronger than magical weapons masters.

In short, this battle would be brutal and grim. The Ancient Weapon Academy faced an extremely unfavorable situation. To avoid complete annihilation would require immense fortune.

The ten individuals descended to the ground. Each wore identical demon masks and voluminous black robes. Aside from slight differences in stature, their appearances offered no clue as to who was who. Lou Yun could only focus most of his attention on the black-robed man with the highest cultivation level.

The teachers of the Ancient Weapon Academy rose from the ground, taking position behind Lou Yun and Xia Guanqiu, staring intently at the black-robed figures opposite them.

The leading black-robed man’s exposed eyes bore directly into Lou Yun. After a long moment, he suddenly emitted a strange laugh, extending a finger to point at Lou Yun. "Boy, I know you!"

Through those words and the voice, Lou Yun recognized him. This was the man who had tried to kill Xia Zhilan years ago, only to be foiled by Lou Yun and have his Hellfire devoured by Xiao Huo!

Xia Guanqiu, at his side, stated coldly. "He is Tang Qianqiu."

Lou Yun nodded, giving a light smile. "Tang Qianqiu, I know you too. Several years gone, you haven’t changed at all. Still hiding behind the mask. I’m very curious—are you incredibly ugly? Too afraid to show your face?"

Lou Yun deliberately provoked him, but Tang Qianqiu remained unmoved. With a cold laugh, he retorted. "Boy, I’ve been searching for you too. But I never expected to run into you here by chance today! Last time, you thwarted my plans, and your little pet devoured my heavenly fire. Today, these accounts shall be settled!"

Lou Yun met his challenge without flinching. "I have been seeking you as well. The girl you tried to kill last time is my fiancée. Today, I will collect that debt, principal and interest!"

Tang Qianqiu let out a maniacal laugh towards the sky. Abruptly ceasing, he declared. "Boy, I admire your arrogance. But today, you are not my primary objective. If you seek vengeance, you must wait your turn!"

He then swung his arm towards Xia Guanqiu. "Dean Xia, you know well why I’ve come. Six months is ample time for consideration. Will you transfer the Disaster Dou Beast to me… or will you hand over everyone’s lives?"

Xia Guanqiu replied icily. "The Disaster Dou Beast will never be yours. Abandon such notions!"

"Excellent!" Tang Qianqiu nodded fiercely. "Then don’t blame me for forsaking our past master-disciple bond! Attack! Kill them!"

At his command, the nine behind him surged forward. Each indeed produced pitch-black, fully formed magical weapons in hand.

Lou Yun bellowed almost simultaneously. "Leave him to me! Deal with the others!"

Empty-handed, he charged straight at Tang Qianqiu.

Lou Yun’s audacity in attacking him baffled Tang Qianqiu. Seeing Xia Guanqiu and the others ignore him entirely, instead meeting his nine followers, Tang Qianqiu erupted in mocking laughter. "Xia, you really have deteriorated! Entrusting all your lives to this whelp!"

By then, Lou Yun was upon him. A fist brimming with power smashed directly towards Tang Qianqiu’s chest, punctuating his words. "What? Do you think you can kill me?"

Tang Qianqiu knew little of Lou Yun. But four years prior, he remembered vividly that before him, Lou Yun hadn’t even possessed the ability to resist. In Tang Qianqiu’s mind, even if this youngster possessed greater talent, how far could he possibly advance in mere four years?

Seeing Lou Yun eschew a magical weapon entirely, attacking with his bare body, further amused Tang Qianqiu. He chose not to evade. Hefting his chest, he accepted the blow directly, sneering arrogantly. "Fine! Let’s see just how formidable you are!"

BOOM!

Lou Yun’s fist slammed heavily into Tang Qianqiu’s chest. Lou Yun held nothing back. Despite the defensive evil energy within Tang Qianqiu’s body, the colossal impact sent his internal organs churning violently. Involuntarily, he took a stumbling step backward.

Lou Yun instantly seized the advantage. Without pause, another fist followed.

Tang Qianqiu, reeling internally, was astounded. How could this youngster wield such monstrous power? His contempt instantly vanished. Facing Lou Yun’s second, lightning-fast strike, he dared not receive it head-on. A flash of black light erupted in his hand as a pitch-black magical weapon sword swung down towards Lou Yun’s fist.

Accompanying Tang Qianqiu’s evil weapon’s appearance, a foul, rotting stench wormed into Lou Yun’s nostrils. Dizziness washed over him instantly.

Having heard of this peculiarity from Xia Guanqiu, Lou Yun had prepared somewhat. Yet he hadn’t anticipated its overwhelming potency.

Lou Yun hastily withdrew his fist. But Tang Qianqiu’s evil weapon swept across it regardless. A sharp sting flared—a small cut opened on Lou Yun’s knuckle.

A dense wisp of black energy, guided by Tang Qianqiu’s evil weapon, plunged straight into Lou Yun’s wound. Swift as lightning, it invaded his body, hurtling towards the magical weapon nestled in his dantian.

Now Lou Yun fully understood the origin of the black energy within Xia Guanqiu’s body. Merely wounding someone with an evil weapon allowed the malevolent energy clinging to it to invade the body via the wound, zeroing in on the magical weapon core. Thus, the magical weapon’s true power became utterly crippled.

Seeing Lou Yun fall victim so easily, Tang Qianqiu roared in triumph. "Boy! Now you die!"

Against another opponent, Tang Qianqiu would press the advantage and finish them. But the victim today was Lou Yun. Whether it was the Fusang Fire or Thunderstorm Fire within him, both could incinerate this vile energy to nothingness.

The instant the evil energy invaded, the Fusang Fire and Thunderstorm Fire reacted. Flames burst forth simultaneously, instantly refining the alien energy into oblivion.

Therefore, when Tang Qianqiu, convinced Lou Yun was crippled, levitated his sword for a casual death blow, Lou Yun’s eyes flashed with fierce light. Sidestepping lightly, he evaded the descending blade. In the same motion, the Dream Emperor Sword materialized in his grasp, thrusting point-blank towards Tang Qianqiu.

RIIIP!

Tang Qianqiu’s black robe tore open under Lou Yun’s sword. Cold sweat erupted down Tang Qianqiu’s spine!

Lou Yun still possessing the strength to evade his strike screamed disaster. Then, silver light filled Tang Qianqiu’s vision! He threw himself backward. Only his swift reaction kept Lou Yun’s blade from carving a deeper wound.

Though dodging the strike, Tang Qianqiu was wracked by shock and fury. Shocked that Lou Yun seemed utterly unaffected by the evil energy; furious that trading merely two blows, he’d already suffered two losses!

Genuine rage ignited Tang Qianqiu. He gripped the tip of his evil weapon sword with one hand and snapped it forcefully sideways. Instantly, the blade flexed, trembling violently. With its vibration, thick, roiling streams of black smoke rapidly poured forth from its surface.

"Die!"

Sun-level intermediate weapon technique: Wraith Mist Veil!

Within moments, Lou Yun faced layers upon layers of dense, obscuring evil energy. He shoved the ice crystal jade weapon into his mouth. As it reputedly cured hundreds of poisons, and the evil miasma felt akin to poisoning, Lou Yun could only give it a try. Could it counter the evil energy itself?

Miraculously, Lou Yun’s gamble proved right. The moment the ice crystal jade weapon touched his tongue, icy clarity flowed through his veins. His previously groggy mind snapped instantly back to sharp awareness.

But there was no time for relief. Lou Yun found himself entirely enveloped in the thick, opaque shroud of evil energy. Sight was useless. Even his spirit sense felt obstructed; discerning energy fluctuations became blurred and indistinct.

Sudden movement! A black sword tip pierced silently from the murk, aimed directly for Lou Yun’s throat!

Lou Yun swung the Dream Emperor Sword to block. CLANG! Steel met evil weapon. Impacted, the black blade tip dissipated back into roiling smoke, melting back into the surrounding haze.

Immediately, another black spike stabbed soundlessly from behind Lou Yun, targeting his kidney. He sensed nothing!