Free Web NovelChapter 89: Chapter 85: Du Youqian’s Acting
The lifespan of a Qi Cultivation Cultivator is no different from that of a Mortal—around one hundred and twenty years, or one hundred and thirty at the most.
One of the prices for taking the Celestial Demon Sacrifice Pill to temporarily achieve Foundation Establishment Combat Power was a twenty-year reduction in lifespan.
The Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique, a Burst Secret Technique, exacted a price based on how long the user employed it.
Upon first use, it would consume three to five years of life—depending on the user’s physical condition—and double their combat power for a brief thirty "finger snaps" (about three and a half minutes).
After those thirty finger snaps, the user’s body would enter a weakened state, leaving them at the mercy of their enemies.
However, there was a way to avoid this weakened state, and even grow stronger still: to continue using the Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique.
This was a unique feature of the Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique, and likely the aspect that imitated the Holy Blood Sect’s Red Blood Seven Transitions Technique.
It could be activated consecutively. Each subsequent activation consumed a more terrifying amount of lifespan for an even shorter duration, but the power boost was also far greater.
For instance, a second consecutive use would triple a Cultivator’s power, but the duration would fall to ten finger snaps, and the cost would rise to a terrifying ten years of life.
But naturally, Du Youqian couldn’t care less about such a trivial loss of life.
When he activated the Secret Technique, a telltale phenomenon would naturally appear. As an experienced Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Helan Ruojin was certain to recognize it.
But sometimes, a wealth of experience could be the very root of one’s defeat.
For example, Helan Ruojin would know that the Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique only lasted for thirty finger snaps. He would therefore focus on passive defense during their Magical Combat.
He would first endure the thirty finger snaps, waiting for Du Youqian to weaken before launching a counterattack.
But just then, Du Youqian would just burn more of his life to extend the Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique...
’Alright,’ Helan Ruojin might think, ’I’ll just keep defending passively and wait out another ten finger snaps. I refuse to believe you have that much lifespan to burn.’
Then, when the time was up, Du Youqian would "renew his subscription" again...
"Sword, go!" Du Youqian formed a sword with his fingers, directing his Flying Sword to strike at Helan Ruojin.
In truth, the gesture of forming a sword with his fingers was completely unnecessary... but it looked cool.
It was precisely because Du Youqian still felt he had everything under control—even after seeing Helan Ruojin reveal two of his trump cards—that he was completely unworried about the tables being turned. He was relaxed enough to strike a cool pose with ease.
Empowered by the Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique, Du Youqian’s Swordsmanship hadn’t improved, but the might of his Flying Sword had reached the very limits of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, fully unleashing the potential of the Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact.
At the very least, Helan Ruojin no longer dared to casually swat it away with his bare palm.
He chuckled, then produced another bizarrely shaped Spiritual Artifact. It looked something like a hay rake and immediately entangled Du Youqian’s Flying Sword.
Du Youqian had assumed a Spiritual Artifact of this shape would be an Attack-type Spiritual Artifact, but it turned out to be for defense.
’This Helan Ruojin really is unpredictable. I’d better watch out for more trump cards.’
Simultaneously controlling three high-quality Spiritual Artifacts should have been impossible with the Magical Power of a Foundation Establishment Third Layer Cultivator, yet Helan Ruojin was managing it with ease.
Du Youqian refrained from using any other Magic or Secret Techniques for the time being, focusing solely on Sword Fighting with Helan Ruojin.
He didn’t summon any other Spiritual Artifacts either. His current Magical Power and Divine Sense were inferior to that of a typical Foundation Establishment Cultivator; if he were to divide his attention to control another artifact, the power of his Flying Sword would drop significantly.
Helan Ruojin, who also had power to spare, wore a harmless, sunny smile as he sent a message with his Divine Sense: "The Reverse Blood Qi Transformation Technique? My disciple really spared no expense. But, junior, using this technique so soon? First the Celestial Demon Sacrifice Pill, and now this... how much lifespan can you possibly afford to burn?"
Without taking his focus off his Flying Sword, Du Youqian smiled coolly. "I’m still young. I have more than enough life left to see you off to the next world, senior."
Helan Ruojin scoffed, but he had a certain magnanimity and ceased his verbal taunts.
Lin Sha shot him a worried glance. Unable to bear letting her beloved face such a powerful foe alone, she took the initiative to engage Helan Ruojin.
Du Youqian continued to control his Flying Sword, harassing and pinning down Helan Ruojin, all while observing and waiting for an opportunity to land a killing blow.
Lin Sha and Helan Ruojin knew each other intimately, so no surprises emerged during their Magical Combat. Naturally, Helan Ruojin, with his deeper Cultivation and greater mastery of Magic, held a firm upper hand.
However, with Du Youqian harassing him from the side and his own fear of damaging Lin Sha’s Dao Foundation, Helan Ruojin didn’t dare to fight with his full strength. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
After a brief exchange, Helan Ruojin instantly made a decision and switched to a primarily defensive strategy.
He likely planned to stall until Du Youqian’s power burst ended. Then he could focus on dealing with Lin Sha, aiming to capture her without damaging her Dao Foundation.
This played right into Du Youqian’s hands.
When it came to acting, Du Youqian, who had lived for nearly three hundred years, was in a league that Helan Ruojin couldn’t hope to match.
Ten finger snaps passed. Du Youqian put on an expression of suppressed anxiety and worry, his sword strikes growing ever faster, making him look exactly like someone who had been backed into a corner and was desperate to end the fight quickly.
Helan Ruojin was indeed fooled. He remained unhurried, focusing on a stable defense. Despite having the strength to suppress Lin Sha, he was now being pushed back by her sheer momentum.
The Magic of the Heavenly Emotions and Oceanic Resentments Sect was mostly sinister and vicious, fitting Du Youqian’s stereotype of them perfectly.
Lin Sha, on the other hand, had once been a Mortal Innate Martial Arts Grandmaster. In Magical Combat, she often rushed her opponents, relying on her powerful physique and Martial Arts experience to fight in close quarters.
Although Helan Ruojin’s body was also quite powerful, he lacked experience in close-quarters combat.
Moreover, his desire to avoid seriously injuring Lin Sha meant he was holding back. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
As a result, he appeared increasingly passive, growing more and more clumsy as he struggled to fend her off.
Of course, Du Youqian knew this was all part of Helan Ruojin’s strategy—a deliberately crafted illusion.
He was pretending to be in a precarious situation, constantly on the verge of defeat... all to stall for time. He was waiting for Du Youqian’s Secret Technique to end, for the aftereffects to kick in, and for his body to become utterly weak.
Du Youqian laughed to himself.
’You want to stall for time?’
’You should know, I’m trying to stall for time too...’
’By the time your Magical Power is depleted, just as I look like I’m about to collapse from weakness... I’ll just renew my subscription and be as vigorous as ever.’
’I wonder what kind of mood Helan Ruojin will be in then?’
’I wonder if he’ll feel like ten thousand alpacas are stampeding through his mind?’
’You think my lifespan is limited, that I can’t afford to burn it a few times using this Secret Technique.’
’But your Magical Power is limited too. Under such a fierce assault from Lin Sha and me, you have to expend even more Magical Power to maintain your flawless defense with those artifacts. How long can you last?’
’Let’s just see who gives out first: you, or my lifespan.’
Du Youqian continued to give his all to the performance, feigning impatience.
Twenty finger snaps passed.
Du Youqian’s assault grew even more ferocious. His Flying Sword sought out every opening, erupting with Sword Qi. Lin Sha seemed to have caught his fervor, her attacks a raging tempest as she occasionally cast Magic before lunging in with her fists and feet.
Just then, Du Youqian finally heard the chittering of the monkey.
