Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 1708: Chapter 984: Life Exchange (Part 2)

"Mr. Yang Xiao, thank you for your support. Because Xingzi is here, I cannot lose."

"Stop your futile resistance; it’s useless."

When Jiu Shan Sha Yue spoke, there was no arrogance in her tone; it was calm and sincere, as if stating a universal truth.

The next moment, a terrifying scene unfolded. Jiu Shan Sha Yue’s left hand, which was empty, suddenly held the hilt of a knife. She slowly drew the knife, revealing an ancient blade with an entirely black blade from the void.

As more of the ancient blade emerged, Yang Xiao watched as the girl’s delicate face suddenly showed bulging veins, followed by jet-black, ink-colored blood vessels. In a few breaths, the previously cute girl’s face had become as grim as an Evil Ghost.

An unprecedented fear swept over Yang Xiao, even shaking his spirit. The girl’s power escalated rapidly, breaking through the Peak of Ghost Level, then Half-step Nether Realm, and still rising, like the boundless universe with no end.

"I mustn’t let her draw the blade, otherwise... I’m doomed!" Yang Xiao could no longer care about the Ju Mountain Family’s dignity; he knew only one of them would survive today. She’s out to kill him.

Even though he didn’t understand why, it no longer mattered now. He must kill her before she draws the blade; this was his last chance!

Ignoring the Human Bone Staff, Yang Xiao shouted to stabilize his mind, gripped the Ring-Headed Saber, and rushed forward to slash at the girl’s left shoulder.

This slash was ruthless; if it hit, it would certainly chop off her left shoulder, along with the entire left arm, preventing her from drawing the blade!

Yet as he slashed down, the expected scene of blood splattering didn’t occur. The strike was in vain; the girl’s figure disappeared the moment the blade touched her, and Yang Xiao turned around, feeling something amiss, only to see the girl reappear in the position he had attacked, their positions somehow switched.

The only thing unchanged was that she was still drawing the blade, now two-thirds out. The blade exuded a primitive aura, ferocious and brutal, and even from this distance, Yang Xiao could smell the bloody scent emanating from the blade. He heard inexplicable cries, increasingly clear, as if countless souls slain by the blade were wailing in anguish.

If it were someone else, they might have turned and fled, but Yang Xiao wouldn’t; he knew escape was impossible. He felt that no matter where he fled or how far, he couldn’t avoid this blade; this blade had the same remarkable resemblance to Qu Muzhi’s "Blood Spear," but far stronger.

The blade was a Supreme Magical Artifact, even among the nine treasures, only the Hundred Demons Coffin Clothes could surpass it; today, he’s encountered a significant problem. freёwebnoѵel.com

Ordinary physical attacks were ineffective, so Yang Xiao switched to the Human Bone Staff, charged it, and struck. This time, the girl’s figure didn’t disappear; only his attack vanished.

Just before the Human Bone Staff’s strike hit the girl, it mysteriously annihilated, as if a stone thrown into the abyss.

No echo, no feedback, nothing. This powerlessness was driving him mad.

But the Human Bone Staff’s strike made Yang Xiao realize that the power the girl displayed was seemingly not her own, like something else entered her body, using her hands to draw that Unparalleled Evil Weapon.

This sensation was all too familiar to Yang Xiao; when the Good Sister helped him seize control, it felt like this. In this girl, there was a presence of a resentful spirit!

In an instant, Yang Xiao understood everything: the blade was the Artifact of the resentful spirit before death; it was once a top-level Angel Envoy!

And now... the girl had harnessed the blade!

Spiritual Magical Artifact, Space-type Magical Artifact, Functional Magical Artifact, able to use Magical Artifacts as a high-rank Puppet, plus the Unparalleled Evil Weapon carrying the resentful spirit, the girl’s collection of fine Magical Artifacts almost matched Yang Xiao’s; only today did Yang Xiao finally meet a peer who could rival him.

Seeing the girl about to draw the blade fully, Yang Xiao surprisingly remained calm; escape was impossible, but surrender was even less likely. The opponent had the help of a top-level resentful spirit, and Yang Xiao frantically called for the Good Sister in his mind.

But after calling for ages, Yang Xiao felt half despondent; the Good Sister had no response, had vanished, or perhaps was asleep. In any case, Yang Xiao couldn’t even sense the Good Sister’s presence, no matter how he begged and summoned, she remained silent.

"You never respond when called upon, so what’s the point of worshiping you?!" Yang Xiao harshly slapped the Good Sister twice in his mind, then added a kick.

As the girl completely drew the blade out, Yang Xiao couldn’t describe the feeling; the space behind the girl became vast and dazzling, as if an Ancient God had opened its eyes before him, while Yang Xiao felt as insignificant as a speck of dust in the cosmos.

At this point, Yang Xiao showed no retreat, gripped the Ring-Headed Saber, poured all his spiritual power into the blade. He chose this over the Ghost Bamboo Stick because the Ring-Headed Saber gave him feedback; a continuous flow of power surged through his limbs into his body.

This wasn’t the Good Sister’s power; it was another formidable force—the Sword Lord, suppressed by the Second Demon Uncle, had awakened.

To be precise, it was another form of Sword Lord in the "Yang Xiao" embodiment.

This power wasn’t as overwhelming as the Good Sister’s, but it was more manageable, allowing Yang Xiao to unleash its full potential.

At this moment, Yang Xiao was desperate; if he couldn’t avoid it, he’d confront it head-on, bracing against the overpowering pressure and rushing towards the girl. Due to overusing the "Sword Lord’s" power, his hands were already bloodied and stuck to the blade; this was his most potent attack yet!

Twenty meters.

Fifteen meters.

Ten meters.

Seven meters.

When they closed to less than five meters, both simultaneously drew their blades; although there was a distance between them, their blade edges bizarrely clashed, unleashing a terrifying force.

Yang Xiao’s slash was bright as the moon, exploding with brilliance, ripping the darkness behind the girl. In that moment, Yang Xiao vaguely saw a tall figure within the girl’s infinite depths.

The figure mirrored the girl’s movements, swinging the blade, unleashing the attack, yet more understated, carrying incomparable intent to kill.

The next second, Yang Xiao’s assault disintegrated; the opponent’s blade edge shattered Yang Xiao’s blade momentum and then eerily passed through the Ring-Headed Saber, striking Yang Xiao without any hindrance, slicing him nearly in half diagonally from the chest.

His most powerful strike, meticulously prepared, was demolished so easily. Yang Xiao was unwilling even in death, staggered forward a few steps, using the blade to support his body, determined not to fall, with blood staining him all over.

Until...

"Thud."

Nearby behind him, Jiu Shan Sha Yue fell first, unable to hold on, blood instantly soaking her body, a massive penetration wound almost cleaving her in two. In the last moment, Yang Xiao had unleashed the Daoist Robe Great Demon’s backlash, returning the favor.

Jiu Shan Sha Yue, like Yang Xiao, was also slain by the predecessor’s mighty strike.

Ultimately, unable to continue, Yang Xiao wobbled and toppled to the ground, his mind beginning to show ephemeral images, consciousness fading fast.

In his final moments, Yang Xiao vaguely saw a figure sneaking towards him, stealthily and cautiously probing.

No need to ask, it’s undoubtedly his son, the Mirror Ghost, seeing his father’s demise, coming to loot the spoils.

Such a good son of Yang Xiao, but... being dead, let it be.