Chapter 0696: The Last Battle for Supremacy

Chapter 0696 The Final Showdown

Jian Nanhu was also a monster-level young martial artist. Despite being only at the mid-stage Lingwu Realm, he could defeat many late-stage Lingwu Realm martial artists—all of whom were Immortal Disciples.

"Qin Yun, I've been waiting for this moment!" Jian Nanhu summoned his life-linked sword, his voice trembling with excitement. "I'll soon defeat you and reclaim my Daoist Sword!"

"I sold that sword!" Qin Yun laughed.

"W-what did you say?" Jian Nanhu froze momentarily before shouting in disbelief.

Jian Shitian grew anxious and urgently asked, "Who did you sell it to? I'll retrieve it!"

"Just joking—I didn't sell it!" Qin Yun laughed heartily.

"You bastard!" Jian Nanhu cursed under his breath.

The Sword Immortal Pavilion members let out a sigh of relief—that sword held immense importance to them.

"Jian Nanhu, what if you can't beat me? Doesn't that mean the sword remains mine forever?" Qin Yun grinned. "Even if I sold it, would it matter?"

"Rest assured, I'll defeat you immediately!" Jian Nanhu declared.

"But what if you can't?" Qin Yun smirked. "I believe you won't win this time either."

"Then next time. As long as we both live, I'll defeat you eventually!" Jian Nanhu gripped his sword tightly, pointing it at Qin Yun with pride. "This time, I will prevail!"

Filled with confidence, Jian Nanhu released an intense sword energy—a frightening aura palpable even across the barrier.

Jian Ruyan stood beside Xiao Yuelan and whispered, "Yuelan, do you think Brother Yun can win?"

"Without doubt!" Xiao Yuelan chuckled softly. "You're quite concerned about Qin Yun, aren't you?"

Jian Ruyan snorted in displeasure before sending a mental transmission: "Yuelan, Qin Yun is your husband—aren't you worried for him at all?"

"Relax, he'll win! Ruyan, won't you reconsider coming to Demonic Moon Island?" Xiao Yuelan transmitted back.

"No, I belong in Divine Armory City. I've developed feelings for this place," Jian Ruyan replied.

"At Demonic Moon Island, we could help you develop an Immortal Body. You already have a Sword Profound Body—just one step further," Xiao Yuelan pressed.

Jian Ruyan was mildly shocked. Only Qin Yun knew about her Sword Profound Body. With suspicion, she asked, "How do you know about my Sword Profound Body?"

"Little Yun told me—he shares everything with me! That rascal, did he take liberties with you?" Xiao Yuelan chuckled via mental transmission.

"He told you even this?!" Jian Ruyan blushed with shame, lowering her head to avoid Xiao Yuelan's gaze.

"Nothing is kept between us—complete trust," Xiao Yuelan said.

Then Jian Shitian roared, "Begin!"

Xiao Yuelan and Jian Ruyan focused intently on the fighting platform.

Jian Nanhu, having awaited this day, launched a furious assault. Wielding his sword, he executed a Celestial-grade technique, thrusting toward Qin Yun.

The strike carried such potent sword intent that the platform shook violently.

Behind Jian Nanhu, an illusory Sword Totem materialized.

The profound totem swirled in the air, releasing a crushing pressure that planted fear in the hearts of spectators.

The most terrifying aspect was Jian Nanhu's bonded sword, now imbued with a wisp of immortal energy—marking his greatest breakthrough.

Having cultivated the Immortal Body, he now stood leagues beyond his former self.

At this moment, Jian Nanhu was unleashing his full power.

Gripping his sword, he hovered above the ground with blinding speed, his blade's tip aimed directly at Qin Yun.

Qin Yun recoiled from the sheer force of this strike. What chilled him was how even his enhanced gravity technique was repelled by Jian Nanhu's gathered spiritual pressure.

Qin Yun could only dodge frantically.

Yet Jian Nanhu's sword hunted him like a shadow!

No matter how Qin Yun evaded, Jian Nanhu remained locked onto him.

Boom!

Qin Yun unleashed his Ultimate Dragon Palm, its savage force enough to shake the arena.

But Jian Nanhu's blade pulsed with uncanny power—when it thrust forward, it cleaved through the Dragon Vanquish Five Palms' energy, making the force part like the Red Sea.

"Qin Yun, is this all you've got?"

Seeing his attacks prove futile, Jian Nanhu sneered with growing arrogance.

Qin Yun gave ground desperately, the sword now a mere inch from his chest. A fraction slower, and it would pierce his heart.

"Jian Nanhu, you've grown stronger—but you still can't defeat me!"

Though cornered, Qin Yun chuckled without fear.

"Hmph! Planning some dirty trick? Try it! Against my absolute power, your schemes are worthless!" Jian Nanhu roared with laughter. "Your defeat is moments away!"

"Oh?" Qin Yun suddenly halted.

Jian Nanhu's sword thrust deep into Qin Yun's chest.

The arena below went deathly still, spectators not daring to blink.

The blade struck Qin Yun's heart—yet barely broke the surface, meeting impossible resistance.

Jian Nanhu stiffened. Before, his strikes had pierced flesh and bone.

Now? Only skin-deep.

Horror gripped him as Qin Yun's skin transformed into gnarled, blackened bark—the result of channeling most of his Mingyang Dao Core's power into totem martial arts, forging armor of living bark with nigh-impenetrable defense.

As Jian Nanhu wrenched backward, tendrils erupted from the wound, rapidly ensnaring his bonded sword.

Whoosh!

A dark aura exploded outward—Qin Yun's Tremor Martial Spirit had manifested!

Jian Nanhu's sword and arm were now bound in crushing vines, leaving him powerless to attack.

Boom!

Qin Yun unleashed the power of his Earthquake Art, channeling it all through his fist as he struck Jian Nanhu.

Jian Nanhu’s soul-linked sword was struck by the punch, and as the vines scattered, his body went flying, crashing into the barrier.

Qin Yun’s Earthquake Art had evolved multiple times and was now overwhelmingly powerful.

In a flash, he appeared at the edge of the arena, releasing an overwhelming pressure that bore down on Jian Nanhu.

The relentless force kept Jian Nanhu pinned, making it impossible for him to rise.

"Jian Nanhu, you can’t defeat me!" Qin Yun unleashed the Dragon Vanquish Five Palms.

The furious dragon’s agonized roar mirrored Jian Nanhu’s despair!

**Boom!**

The palm force struck Jian Nanhu, forcing a scream of agony from his lips as blood gushed from his mouth.

This time, Qin Yun had attacked with devastating force, leaving the audience in disbelief.

After all, Qin Yun was only at the Early Spiritual Martial Realm—how could his strength be so immense?

What they didn’t know was that Qin Yun was harnessing the combined might of three Dao Pills. Moreover, his Bone Spirit had merged with the Sky Lion Beast Spirit, and combined with his Sky Lion Mystic Body, he could perfectly unleash the Sky Lion’s primal fury.

His Sky Lion Mystic Body had been forged through relentless trials, and his combat techniques had been honed to perfection after sparring with Bingxing.

Jian Nanhu lay on the ground, unable to move.

"I surrender!" Jian Nanhu snarled in defeat, his eyes burning with resentment at Qin Yun.

Because Qin Yun still hadn’t used his full strength.

Jian Nanhu had lost!

Qin Yun advanced to the finals, securing an Immortal Essence for Immortal Blade City.

After the barrier lifted, Jian Shitian stepped onto the stage and checked Jian Nanhu’s wounds. "The damage isn’t critical," he said.

"Qin Yun, how can you possess such strength?" Jian Nanhu asked in confusion as he was helped up.

"A-Hu, he has twin Dao Pills, and... his Profound Body is no ordinary one. I suspect it might be the Sky Lion Mystic Body! Such a Mystic Body is truly terrifying!" Jian Shitian stared at Qin Yun, sensing the Sky Lion’s power within him.

Tu Tiandi from the Totem Pavilion declared, "Qin Yun possesses the Sky Lion Totem and Sky Lion bloodline—it’s highly likely he has cultivated the Sky Lion Mystic Body... This kind of Mystic Body outclasses ordinary Immortal Bodies!"

Hearing this, Jian Nanhu sneered, refusing to accept it. "How can a Profound Body surpass an Immortal Body? That defies the natural order!"

"Sky Lion Mystic Body, or Dragon Profound Body—these Celestial Beast Profound Bodies are exceptionally powerful because they inherit the legacy of such beasts... Especially when the bloodline, totem, and Profound Body align, their power becomes unmatched!"

Jian Shitian sighed. "A-Hu, devote yourself to mastering your Immortal Body! You obtained it through shortcuts—though you’ve honed it skillfully, it’s still not enough!"

Qin Yun added, "Another thing—you haven’t unlocked the true essence of your Sword Totem. That’s your weakness."

Jian Nanhu scoffed bitterly and was escorted off the stage.

"Qin Yun, Xiao Yuelan! You will now compete in the final match for first place. The winner will receive the inheritance of the Divine Martial Soul, while the runner-up will obtain a Heaven-grade martial art!"

"Will you fight now, or rest for two days?"

Jian Shitian’s voice boomed across the arena.

"We'll settle this now!" Qin Yun declared.

"No need to wait—let’s go!" Xiao Yuelan had already stepped onto the arena.

Jian Ruyan watched curiously—would husband and wife truly fight lethally?

Members of other sects were visibly annoyed, having failed to secure the Immortal Essence.

The Tenglongzhou contingent, however, seemed smug. They’d come to claim Aoxingzhou’s two Immortal Essences.

Now they could gauge Qin Yun and Xiao Yuelan’s strength.

If the pair injured each other in a fierce clash, Tenglongzhou could challenge them in a betting duel for an easier victory.

Demon Moon Island’s alliance with Qin Yun was well-known.

Yet most doubted he’d hold back against Xiao Yuelan—not when the victor would claim the Divine Martial Soul.

Though its specific powers remained unknown, even undefined Divine Arts were priceless.