Chapter 116: The Duel with Feng Qingge

“Why do these people seem much stronger than yesterday? What exactly is going on?” Sakai Muramasa had previously clashed with Qinglong and the others and had noticed that they were different from the day before.

However, Tojo paid no attention to Sakai Muramasa’s words; instead, he turned his gaze toward the positions of Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge.

At this moment, the two had already left the summit of Mount Fuji. They now stood on two nearby peaks facing each other, separated by a deep ravine. They locked eyes without either making a move.

Feng Qingge wore a grave expression as he looked at Xiao Yu. To him, this battle could not end in defeat for him before so many witnesses. Xiao Yu’s actions over the past twelve days were no longer just aimed at the martial world of the Sakura Empire—they targeted an entire empire. Xiao Yu’s purpose was clearly to exhaust the strength of the Sakura Empire’s martial forces. If even he fell today, there would be no one left in the Sakura Empire capable of standing against him.

Yet Feng Qingge was filled with unwavering confidence in victory. In his eyes, he was invincible—no mere Summer War King could compare.

Meanwhile, the battle on the ground was nearing its end. After Baihu’s final strike, no Sakura Empire warrior remained alive. Soon after, Qinglong and the others in the void had also painstakingly eliminated all enemies.

Though those wiped out were not among the Sakura Empire’s elite forces, losing so many warriors at once would severely impact the martial world of the Sakura Empire.

As Baihu, Gouchen, and the others slowly ascended to join Qinglong, their gazes all fixed on Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge.

In the void, a peculiar scene unfolded. The procession from the Shrine, after witnessing the slaughter of their compatriots by the Twelve Descendants, merely cast a faint glance before, like the Twelve Descendants, turning their eyes toward Xiao Yu.

“Sir, who do you think will stand victorious between Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge?” Watanabe, the shrine official, asked involuntarily.

“Tojo replied, “It will definitely be Feng Qingge. Can’t you see? Xiao Yu is strong, but Feng Qingge holds the title of the Sakura Empire’s foremost. How could Xiao Yu compare?”

Before Tojo could finish, Sakai Muramasa snorted coldly. In his heart, he was deeply worried—if Xiao Yu truly won, who in the Sakura Empire could possibly halt his advance? The old master? Ming Ji? Or perhaps the Yin-Yang Bureau?

Tojo said nothing, his gaze fixed intently on where Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge stood.

In the distance, both Xiao Yu and Feng Qingge slowly closed their eyes. Neither emanated any trace of battle intent.

“Fury lifts my hair like a crown by the balustrade, as the drizzling rain ceases. I raise my eyes, letting out a long howl, my heart ablaze with passion. Thirty years of merit are but dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of clouds and moon. Do not waste time, lest youth fades to white, bringing only bitter regret!”

From Xiao Yu’s lips came a slow recitation of “Man Jiang Hong.” The poem reflected everything he was about to do. He slowly opened his eyes, locking gazes with Feng Qingge opposite him, then calmly said, “Battle.”

At Xiao Yu’s words, Feng Qingge snapped his eyes open. Two beams of solid light shot forth instantly. Suddenly, an ancient-looking long blade materialized in Feng Qingge’s hands. Ripples undulated along its length, and a terrifying murderous aura surged toward Xiao Yu, engulfing him.

Feeling the sharp killing intent, Xiao Yu smiled faintly. He gently flicked two fingers against the sword’s blade, producing a melodious sound that instantly dispelled all of Feng Qingge’s murderous aura.

“Unexpectedly, this fellow has grown so strong. Seems my worries were justified—perhaps I really am no match for him now!” Winter’s expression darkened as he watched Xiao Yu effortlessly erase Feng Qingge’s killing intent.

Xiao Yu lowered his head to gaze at the sword that had accompanied him through countless battles. A flicker of tenderness crossed his eyes as he lightly stroked the blade. The sword seemed to sense his emotions, trembling continuously in his grasp.

Raising his head slowly, Xiao Yu fixed his eyes on Feng Qingge, then lifted his sword and pointed it at him, saying calmly, “Make your move.”

Feng Qingge no longer held back. In a flash, he appeared above Xiao Yu, his long blade cutting down with a terrifying aura. Though the move seemed unremarkable, it was saturated with deadly intent. For warriors at their pinnacle, flashy techniques mattered little—the strongest moves were those that returned to simplicity and purity.

Feeling the overwhelming menace pressing down, Xiao Yu looked up at Feng Qingge with a faint smile. He lightly tapped the void with his toes as he parried with his sword, effortlessly redirecting Feng Qingge’s blade and stepping aside.

Seeing his attack easily countered, Feng Qingge snorted coldly. His long blade swung furiously, sharp blade energy manifesting to encircle Xiao Yu, sealing him in.

Xiao Yu’s expression shifted at the threat. He slowly extended his free hand, grasping forward. A mighty force shattered the encircling blade energy.

“Feng Qingge, stop holding back. Such attacks are useless against me. But I must say, you are much stronger than Tojo and Anbei Qingzong. It seems your strength has improved over the years.”

With the blade energy dispersed, Xiao Yu smiled faintly at Feng Qingge, then vanished from sight. As Xiao Yu mentioned Anbei Qingzong, Feng Qingge paused briefly, then quickly recovered as Xiao Yu reappeared above him.

A world-shattering power radiated from Xiao Yu. He gave Feng Qingge no chance to breathe as his sword descended in a devastating strike. A vast and sharp sword aura swept toward Feng Qingge.

Startled, Feng Qingge’s face changed. He hastily raised his long blade above his head, desperately blocking Xiao Yu’s blow.