Ye Jingyu glanced at the Soul-Reversing Sword, its crimson patterns vivid, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. With his powerful divine sense, he could already feel an immensely vast power hidden within that blade, much like Nangong Shang's God-Wailing. It seemed this Xiao Geng was truly extraordinary to attain a marquis title so young…

“There’s no need to trouble Your Lordship…” Ye Jingyu replied coolly, yet he released Luo Ling’er’s wrist and slowly drew the pitch-black iron saber from his back. He could have easily stored the Heaven Venerable Saber in his Qiankun Bracelet, but to showcase himself as a swordsman, or perhaps just to strike a certain pose, Ye Jingyu always preferred carrying the blade on his back.

Seeing that both men had drawn their weapons, the Crown Prince’s eyes betrayed a flicker of worry. Ye Jingyu’s might was universally known; he had dispatched so many masters only to fail in killing him. Even if Xiao Geng was powerful, could he really defeat him?

If he were to lose this duel, wouldn't it truly force the Emperor’s hand regarding the annulment of the engagement? Wouldn't that, in turn, hand Ye Jingyu exactly what he wanted?

However, since Xiao Geng had issued the challenge, even as the Crown Prince, he had no right to interfere. This was an ancient custom of the Nanyun Empire, much like the challenge Ye Jingyu had accepted at the White Cloud Manor.

Worry still clouded Luo Ling’er’s expression, but when a ball of white fluff burrowed into her arms, the look on her face shifted slightly.

“Relax, Little Ye Zi’s strength has surged dramatically. Unless his opponent has reached the Martial Saint realm, there is absolutely no chance he’ll lose!” a subtle mental wave transmitted into Luo Ling’er’s mind.

This ball of white fluff was none other than Little Peach. At this moment, it had shrunk down to the size of a small cat, far removed from its terrifying ultimate form.

“But he’s injured?” Having spent over a year with Little Peach, Luo Ling’er was naturally adept at this form of mental transmission.

“Injured?” This time, even Little Peach rolled its eyes. It knew Ye Jingyu’s physical condition intimately. If it believed Xiao Geng’s punch could actually wound him, it wouldn’t believe anything else if it saw it happen.

But since Ye Jingyu was putting on an act, it couldn’t say much, only continuing to placate Luo Ling’er.

The noble young ladies and gentlemen had already gathered around, all staring at the two figures standing in the center. The first exchange had ended in Xiao Geng’s complete defeat. In this life-and-death struggle, who would emerge victorious this time?

“This place is inconvenient. Let’s settle the duel on that hill over there!” Xiao Geng glared coldly at Ye Jingyu, then glanced at the dense crowd. He knew fighting here risked harming innocents. If a prince were injured, Ye Jingyu could simply walk away, but what about him? His powerful clan remained there; he couldn't escape retribution.

“As you wish…” Ye Jingyu nodded, gripping his iron saber and walking toward the hill. His steps were steady, his breathing even—not a trace of injury remained.

Seeing him like this, Xiao Geng and the others understood that Ye Jingyu’s earlier display of weakness and coughing blood was a calculated ruse. But matters had reached this point; regret was useless now.

The crowd naturally wanted to follow and watch, but the Crown Prince dispatched men to stop them. This was no joke; the strength of both combatants was unfathomable. No one could predict the scale of the aftershocks from their clash. What if these onlookers were inadvertently harmed?

The group remained several hundred zhang away from the small hill, watching from afar. Many young women began praying for Ye Jingyu, especially Princess Xiyue, who stood close to Luo Ling’er, gently offering comfort, though her gaze remained fixed on the handsome man clad in black standing atop the hill.

On the hill, Ye Jingyu drew the Heaven Venerable Saber. It was still covered in layers of rust, but cracks now traced across the patina. Faintly, a ray of light could be seen emanating from those fissures—the true body of the Heaven Venerable Saber. One could only imagine what it would look like when fully revealed.

“This time, you are dead!” On the other side, Xiao Geng gripped the Soul-Reversing Sword tightly, his eyes fixed on Ye Jingyu, speaking coldly, entirely devoid of the earlier anger.

“Oh? We haven't even started fighting, yet you're so confident?” Ye Jingyu scoffed.

“Did you think your petty tricks could truly provoke me? I was merely playing along—a stratagem to eliminate you!” Looking at the self-assured Ye Jingyu, the smile on Xiao Geng’s face turned even icier.

“Is that so? Are you truly so confident in defeating me?” Ye Jingyu met his gaze with an equal sneer.

“Not defeat you—kill you!” Xiao Geng declared, slowly raising his long sword. A sinister, malevolent aura radiated outwards, and vaguely, one could hear the weeping of countless vengeful spirits, or perhaps the roaring of innumerable demons.

Sensing the vast, malevolent energy within the Soul-Reversing Sword, Ye Jingyu’s brow furrowed slightly, but his grip on the iron saber tightened.

“Suffer death, Soul-Devouring Demonic Stab!” Xiao Geng roared, flicking his sword. A massive shadow burst forth from the blade, transforming into a colossal beam of sword light that lunged toward Ye Jingyu.

Yes, it lunged, not shot. Although it was sword light, to Ye Jingyu, it felt like a gigantic demon opening its cavernous maw to swallow him whole.

What kind of sword technique was this? Ye Jingyu was momentarily startled, but his expression remained composed. He didn't move an inch.

Seemingly slowly, he raised the Heaven Venerable Saber, seemingly slowly twisting it, but a razor-sharp blade-qi tore through the air from the weapon. Just as the demonic sword-qi approached him, it was met with a fierce counter-slash.

“Sss-sss-sss…” Following several crisp sounds, the demonic sword-qi was shredded to pieces by Ye Jingyu’s single strike. Meanwhile, Xiao Geng’s figure vanished within that instant. When he reappeared moments later, he was already behind Ye Jingyu.

With a simple thrust, the sword tip aimed directly at Ye Jingyu’s heart.

Ye Jingyu was utterly shocked. He hadn't anticipated Xiao Geng’s speed to be this terrifying. He hadn't even sensed him before the man was behind him. This couldn't be explained by mere speed alone.

Without a second thought, his body shot backward, retreating hundreds of paces before narrowly dodging the sharp strike. However, the clothing on his back was torn by the residual sword energy, and his skin even sustained a slight graze.

In that instant, Xiao Geng’s figure vanished again. Almost instantaneously, he reappeared directly above Ye Jingyu, sword held in one hand, aiming the entire strike down toward the crown of Ye Jingyu’s skull.