Chapter Forty-Seven: Crossing the Line Means Killing

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Yet this man's blade technique was exquisite; if not for Lin Qingyun's superior force in every strike, causing each blow's recoil to disrupt his opponent's rhythm, he would certainly have fallen into a passive position.

"Lin Qingyun, I will cripple you for Princess Yue..." With a long howl, the opponent's Miao blade gleamed with ghostly blue light, its icy aura chilling the air.

The surrounding temperature plummeted; the air was thick with blade energy, and the force unleashed did not dissipate but spun and transformed under the man's strikes, forming a blade array that resonated with his Miao blade, drawing power together.

In an instant, dozens of spinning blade energies encircled Lin Qingyun, forming a formation that blocked and constrained his speed.

This was the first time since entering the combat trial that Lin Qingyun, without using the seventh-tier strength of the Qin Heart Foundation Realm, could not easily defeat his opponent. Clearly, keeping his power at the sixth tier made it difficult to win with ease.

Of course, this was due to the restrictions of the unique environment; if it were simply a matter of killing, Lin Qingyun would find it much easier.

Though young, this opponent was clearly different from other freshmen; one could sense he had survived countless life-and-death battles. While young, his skill in combat techniques and his ability to integrate magical power far surpassed ordinary practitioners of the Qin Heart Realm.

He fully utilized the resurgence of spiritual energy and the subtleties of modern combat methods.

Without resorting to flashy but useless spells, he fused his own strengths, bringing the synergy of martial and magical power to its peak.

Under his control, the blade energy formed a formidable array; combined with his superior-grade magical Miao blade, it unleashed astonishing destructive force.

Command Room.

"Who is this? Something seems off about him..."

"Who is this guy? His combat power is almost at the sixth tier of the Qin Heart Realm. Why don't I remember him?"

As this man fought Lin Qingyun, many were surprised and curious.

It was known that not just nationally famous freshmen like Nangong Lingyue or Zhen Qiang, but even those ranked in the top hundred of a battle zone or those with a chance to become top students at some universities, were closely watched and sought after.

Lin Qingyun might not sense it, but other prodigies, before enrolling, would have university admissions staff reaching out to them. At this moment, the opponent's prowess surpassed even Song Yichen, whom Lin Qingyun had thrashed yesterday, yet many did not recognize him.

"This... This is Xie Zhiqiang, nurtured under fixed-point contract by Liyang University..." Of course, most were unfamiliar, but some did recognize him.

Such a person could never be entirely obscure.

When he was identified, many eyes lit up, and the fixed-point nurturing explained why so few knew him well.

Fixed-point contract nurturing meant that universities, fearing institutions like Haicheng would recruit all the best students, would select promising individuals from junior high or early high school—those with poor family backgrounds but great potential.

They would sign contracts then, provide resources, and nurture them, but in high school, they could only enter the contracted university. This was a common strategy for first- and second-tier universities against Haicheng, Jing University, and others.

Swish!

Everyone's gaze shifted to the vice president of Liyang University. Though the middle-aged man in official attire quickly regained composure, the momentary shock was evident to all.

Indeed, as everyone could see, Liyang University's vice president was astonished.

Xie Zhiqiang was their contracted talent, from a poor family, signed in his first year of high school. With university resources, he had reached the Qin Heart Foundation Realm in his senior year, and by enrollment, he was at the third tier.

He was one of Liyang University's three seed candidates; though he couldn't compare to prodigies like Nangong Lingyue from Haicheng, after enrollment he was nurtured to the fourth tier, aiming for a top-twenty finish.

But now, he demonstrated strength close to the sixth tier, something the vice president had never expected. He could only curse the adviser responsible for Xie Zhiqiang.

He had reached the fourth tier upon enrollment and then secluded himself—had he really broken through repeatedly in just a month?

What annoyed him further was that, aside from being obsessed with martial arts and caring for his paralyzed sister, Xie Zhiqiang cared about nothing but cultivation. How could such a person become a mindless fan and, like other ignorant followers, chase Lin Qingyun for revenge? What nonsense was this?

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"Ahem..." Seeing everyone's attention, the vice president of Liyang University coughed lightly, "That is indeed our Xie Zhiqiang. I truly didn't expect him to come as well..."

Annoyed at heart, and having learned from yesterday's lesson, he dared not mention Nangong Lingyue's name.

"Hmph!" At this moment, Nan Yutong, standing behind Minister Feng, snorted coldly, "This is not as simple as just coming here. What he says and what he does are different. Anyone with eyes can see what he intends; I think something's wrong."

From yesterday to now, nearly two days had passed, and many had been subdued by Lin Qingyun, so much so that numbness had set in.

Although Xie Zhiqiang was a contracted prodigy of Liyang University, with a chance to break into the top twenty, he was not the first, and even Song Yichen had been dealt with.

Yet, as Nan Yutong pointed out, the crowd stirred again, shocked not just by Xie Zhiqiang's ability to fight Lin Qingyun, but also by the murderous intent in his attacks.

Every strike, if not lethal, was meant to cripple Lin Qingyun—targeting his arms and legs. As observers, with their own cultivation and experience, they saw this clearly.

Nan Yutong made it plain, and the vice president of Liyang University looked grim, utterly clueless as to what was happening.

"I'm afraid he's just overzealous. This matter needs investigation, but... he is not Lin Qingyun's match." This situation was more unusual than most, and he could only say this for now.

Earlier, they had hoped for someone strong enough to put Lin Qingyun in his place.

But now Xie Zhiqiang's state was abnormal, causing worry instead.

Nan Yutong said little, her face dark, eyes coldly fixed on the screen.

Lin Qingyun was, after all, at the seventh tier of the Qin Heart Realm; even with Xie Zhiqiang's formidable display, it was still within control.

Yet facing Xie Zhiqiang, it was no longer easy to handle him like other freshmen. To fully prevail, he would have to reveal his true strength; fifth or sixth tier could be explained, but to show power beyond the seventh or even eighth tier at this moment was premature.

Unless absolutely necessary, Lin Qingyun did not wish to reveal it.

Boom... bang bang bang...

As the two clashed up close, the tremendous force and myriad blade energies collided, shattering the already weathered rooftop, even cracking the floor.

Noticing this change, Lin Qingyun's mind stirred.

Dodging and shifting, he stepped on seven stars, flames swirling beneath his feet.

With another thunderous crash, after dozens more strikes, the floor beneath Lin Qingyun and Xie Zhiqiang exploded, and both plummeted downward.

"Where are you going!" Seeing Lin Qingyun drop, Xie Zhiqiang pursued fiercely.

This fall disrupted Xie Zhiqiang's blade array, giving Lin Qingyun a path below; moreover, Lin Qingyun, falling like a thousand-pound stone...

Boom...

Another roar, Lin Qingyun, like a penetrating missile, punched through the weakened floor, descending further.

Xie Zhiqiang, carrying dozens of blade energies, chased from above.

Borrowing momentum, Lin Qingyun crashed through three floors, then suddenly retreated swiftly inside. Here, so long as he avoided the penetrated area, external surveillance would be limited.

Lin Qingyun understood the bracelet's function: it could only locate and lock onto beast-kill data. As he landed and shifted, he raised his hand and unleashed dozens of palm strikes.

First, severely wound this man, then consider the rest.

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Though the scene looked similar to before, each flaming palm carried power exceeding that of a typical sixth-tier Qin Heart Foundation Realm practitioner.

Bang bang bang...

The blade energies surrounding Xie Zhiqiang shattered under the flaming palms, and he immediately sensed something amiss, shifting fully to defense.

Even so, he could not fully withstand the flaming palms, his body taking heavy blows.

The wounds left behind matched those dealt by a sixth-tier cultivator, but the terrifying force made him spit blood, sending him reeling.

In the command room, everyone watched as, after falling, the fiercely pursuing Xie Zhiqiang was suddenly engulfed in flames, beaten back and battered, his clothes burning, blood streaming from his mouth.

No one was surprised; Lin Qingyun's control had been demonstrated many times, his mastery extraordinary.

After all, he cultivated the Crimson Sun Art of Master Chifeng...

"Good, he lost..." At that moment, Liyang University's vice president secretly sighed in relief; it seemed Xie Zhiqiang was still no match for Lin Qingyun.

Defeat at this point was best, else his earlier behavior would be hard to explain; now that he failed, much could be justified.

But he had already decided to thoroughly investigate, as his adviser had no clue about Xie Zhiqiang's current state.

Yet, just then, Xie Zhiqiang, wounded and beaten back, took something from his chest and swallowed it before anyone could see.

Instantly, the previously blood-spitting and battered Xie Zhiqiang's aura surged, his magical power erupting, in the blink of an eye surpassing the sixth tier, his strength multiplying.

"Power Burst Pill..."

Nan Yutong, reading his reaction, immediately guessed, turning sharply to glare at Liyang University's vice president, her eyes icy, as if to freeze and tear him apart.

The Power Burst Pill could stimulate one's magical power to explosive levels, but it was a method that harmed oneself as much as the enemy—after activation, even the foundation could be damaged.

Setting aside the rarity and expense of such a top-grade second-tier pill, far beyond what ordinary freshmen could possess,

its aftereffects were severe; unless facing life-and-death with a beast, no one would use it.

"What are you playing at..." Nan Yutong's voice was frigid, murderous intent undisguised.

Now, Haicheng University's vice president was truly enraged.

This was nothing like Lin Qingyun dealing with foolish fans or Haicheng classmates before; this case was likely a deliberate attempt by another university to suppress Haicheng's prodigies—a phenomenon not unheard of in the past.

In recent years, the Huaxia Alliance had grown stronger and more united, rules ever more refined. While internal competition existed, it was meant to be healthy, never to this extent, and such methods were strictly forbidden. Yet now, Nan Yutong felt someone was targeting Haicheng University; this was no longer foolish fans or freshmen playing around.

"This..." Liyang University's vice president was dumbfounded; what could he say, what could he do?

Meanwhile, in the scene, the suddenly empowered Xie Zhiqiang soared briefly, blade and man as one, striking instantly.

"Minister Feng..." Nan Yutong would not let this stand.

"Activate more satellite surveillance of this area, dispatch micro drones, send in the inspector team, and summon Ministry of Education rescue personnel..."