Chapter 324: Eye of the Storm

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According to the information given to him by Song Daiyu, the Sword of the Wind King is a storied blade that has been used several times in the history of the Endlessly Raging Valley. Its origins can even be traced back to the war between humans and demons. Despite that, the Sword of the Wind King cannot be said to be particularly powerful. It cannot reach the lofty heights of Emperors or even come close to the wild power of Renegades.

It is still more than what most cultivators in the Earth Realm can withstand.

“Ruan Leji of the Endlessly Raging Valley vs. Qing Jin of the Eternal Flame Clan!”

As soon as the announcement is made, Ruan Leji brings his sword down in an overhead slash. The movement unleashes a furious tornado but Liu Jin blurs across the ring, tossing a few lightning spears at Ruan Leji. As soon as they get close to him, wind rises to block them.

Liu Jin hums approvingly.

“Your skill with the relic has grown,” he notes

“Do not attempt to patronize me!” Ruan Leji shouts back, swinging his sword and unleashing another tornado. “The Sword of the Wind King heeds my will, and that will is for you to fall!”

As Liu Jin dodges, he decides against trying to explain that he is not trying to mock his foe. It was a genuine compliment. When Ruan Leji fought Shen Mi, just one swing of the sword seemed to take a lot of him. Now, he is filling the arena with deadly winds without a care. It is a sign he has become more attuned to the weapon.

Unfortunately, that is not a good thing. The Sword of the Wind King is a sword for monarchs, and the price of rulership is death. It is hardly an uplifting thought considering Liu Jin’s position, but that is how the sword works. The more Ruan Leji uses it, the more years of his life the sword claims.

“You will die long before I fall if you keep doing this,” Liu Jin says. His voice is a whisper amidst the fierce tornadoes swirling around the ring, but Qi ensures his words reach Ruan Leji.

The disciple of the Endlessly Raging Valley laughs. A tornado expands around him, pushing everything in the ring against the barrier. At the same time, a large Qi snake manifests around Liu Jin, anchoring him to the ground and protecting him from the wind.

“Who’d have thought the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire would talk so much during a duel!” Ruan Leji shouts over the winds. “Do you like wasting time?”

“I am merely curious. What did the Endlessly Raging Valley offer you that was worth the risk? Why does a promising member of the Ruan Clan need to risk himself by fighting me?”

A blade of wind explodes from Ruan Leji’s sword, cutting the ring in half and cracking the barrier. It is only because Emperor Xiang strengthened it during Feng Zhi’s and Huang Shing’s fight that it does not break. Liu Jin dodges, yet a cut is left behind on his robes. Considering the weapon, it is not surprising.

It is also not important.

Ruan Leji’s mouth may refuse to answer his questions, but the burden the Sword of the Wind King has placed on his body has left his Qi unstable. His soul has become too loud for him to hide, and Liu Jin can glimpse it with full clarity. The anger there is predictable. The fear is unsurprising. The concern, however, is unexpected, as are the words that accompany it.

Family.

Brother.

A single face is at the forefront of Ruan Leji’s mind. If Liu Jin didn’t know any better, he’d think Ruan Leji was thinking about himself, but it just so happens that the most important person to Ruan Leji bears the same face as him.

“Stop!” Ruan Leji shouts so loudly that his voice momentarily overpowers the howling winds. “Do you think my soul is a book for you to read?! Fight and Die!”

“I have no intention of doing the latter. As for the former, I am confused as to what you think we have been doing so far.”

Liu Jin’s words echo around Ruan Leji. Try as he might, he cannot find him. His anger mounts, and the sword in his hands vibrates with bloodlust.

Ruan Leji unleashes it.

Each swing of his sword creates deadly sickles of wind that bounce around the ring randomly. Ruan Leji is not even trying to aim at Liu Jin anymore, having given up on locating him through sight. Yet, those wild, haphazard attacks keep almost hitting him.

That is the true power of the sword Ruan Leji is wielding. As much as he might have looked down on the concept of luck before, the Sword of the Wind King is one that brings favorable winds to the one who uses it.

Lightning snakes suddenly appear in the ring. They slither around and leap to intercept the wind sickles.

“I will stop prying into your personal matters,” Liu Jin says. “However, let me ask you something else. Did the Endlessly Raging Valley order you to capture me? Or to kill me? Who gave the order?”

Art of the Roaming Thief is a technique that marks Liu Jin as someone who knows dangerous things. Some people want that knowledge. Others are fine with seeing that knowledge destroyed. Knowing which outcome the Endlessly Raging Valley prefers might help him discern whom they are connected to.

Ruan Leji does not answer. He brings his sword up at the same time as Liu Jin appears above him, swinging down a spear of lightning. The air crackles, and the wind rages as the two weapons clash. However, rather than focusing on overpowering his foe, Liu Jin’s soul reaches out to touch Ruan Leji’s once more.

A new face appears, one older than Ruan Leji. The Elder of the Endlessly Raging Valley watching them.

Ruan Chenshu.

Does he know anything of substance? Or is he merely relaying someone else’s orders? A good question, but there is no point in asking Ruan Leji.

“How much more do you think you can mock me!” Ruan Leji shouts at him, realizing what Liu Jin is doing. “I refuse to let this farce continue!”

Ruan Leji backs away and holds the Sword of the Wind King in front of him. His Qi rises, and the winds around him grow fiercer.

“Do you wish to lose? Is this humiliation to your liking?” He yells. It takes Liu Jin a second to realize that Ruan Leji is not speaking to him but to the sword. “No? Very well, then! What are you waiting for?”

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“Don’t-” Liu Jin tries to shout, but the wind overpowers his voice.

“My life is rich and hearty! Feast on it and give me victory!”

A hurricane blossoms in the ring.

The barrier trembles against its mighty force, and the sky above Imperial Cloud City darkens. The audience can barely see what is happening within the ring.

“Are you mad?” Liu Jin yells, barely keeping himself anchored to the ground. “If you do that, you will-”

“Die? Is that what you want to say?” Ruan Leji shouts as cuts and bruises appear all over his body due to the force of the hurricane. “Did you think I stepped into this ring without knowing the risks? Whether to you or to this sword, I stand here prepared to lay down my life!”

The hurricane winds assault Liu Jin without rest. Their mighty howls boast of their power and strike fear into the hearts of the crowd. Shapes can be seen inside, glowing eyes peeking from behind the dark winds. Invisible claws and fangs leave wounds on Liu Jin’s body. The young Emperor looks down as his snake constructs try to protect him.

Two words leave his lips.

“I see.”

Purple lightning flashes into existence, bringing light into the dark world. Later that day, people would swear that they heard the roar of a dragon. Fear ignites in Ruan Leji’s heart. The Sword of the Wind King urges him to action. His Qi rises as he pours everything into the blade to meet the incoming blast of lightning. The two mighty powers meet in the center of the ring, dark wind and shining lightning.

The hurricane pops like a balloon.

“I apologize,” Liu Jin says on the now silent ring. “I greatly underestimated your resolve.”