Chapter Forty-Four: Severance

Liu Feng stood calmly between the two, holding his broken sword with poise. Su Yue's pupils contracted slightly when he saw how easily Liu Feng had neutralized their combined assault.

"Brother Zeng, thank you for standing up for me. I owe you for this favor," Liu Feng said, casting a grateful look at Zeng Lu.

"We're from the same academy. It's only right to help each other out when we're outside," Zeng Lu replied indifferently. "But since you want to handle things yourself, I won't meddle any further." After that brief exchange, he had already realized that Liu Feng's strength was at least equal to his own.

"Brother Zeng, rest well and watch how I deal with this arrogant fellow," Liu Feng said, advancing toward Su Yue with his broken sword in hand.

"So, you've finally decided to come out of your shell," Su Yue sneered, his face full of mockery.

"I only refrained from acting because I didn't want your defeat to be too humiliating," Liu Feng replied with a tranquil expression.

"Arrogant! Let's see what you're really made of," Su Yue snapped angrily.

He swung his longsword, the blade vibrating so rapidly it seemed as if several swords were thrusting at once. The air whistled as he stabbed straight for Liu Feng's throat.

Liu Feng brought his broken sword down in a diagonal slash. A surge of force burst from the blade, carrying wild, explosive power as it struck Su Yue's oncoming sword.

Clang!

A tremendous metallic crash rang out, forcing Su Yue to stumble back a step.

Liu Feng pressed forward, swinging his broken sword once more. The force was so great that the air itself thundered with the blow, and in the blink of an eye, the sword was above Su Yue's head.

Gritting his teeth, Su Yue channeled his energy rapidly into his sword, making it gleam with dazzling light. He raised it for a horizontal block, meeting Liu Feng's descending blade head-on.

Another deafening collision resounded, and Su Yue was again driven back by the immense force.

Liu Feng kept up the attack, repeating the same powerful slash, his wild energy surging forth once more.

"Curse you! Gale Rending Slash!" Su Yue, shaken by two consecutive setbacks, shouted furiously and hacked out with his sword. Dozens of sword energies appeared at once, crashing fiercely against Liu Feng's broken blade.

Liu Feng swung his sword, swiftly cutting down the sword energies one after another. The sound was like a blacksmith's hammer on iron, and in a flash, the dozens of sword energies vanished into the air.

Taking advantage of the respite, Su Yue managed to catch his breath and exchanged a glance with one of his companions.

Several nodded in understanding, and a tall, broad-shouldered youth stepped forward. His features were rugged and strong.

He approached Liu Feng directly and said, "Just now, you two were taking turns against Su Yue. Even if you win, it's hardly an honorable victory."

Liu Feng regarded him with a calm gaze. "You mean to take his place in the fight?"

"That's right. Do you dare accept?" The tall youth's face held a provocative challenge.

"Fine. If you want to give him a chance to rest, I don't mind," Liu Feng replied nonchalantly.

Seeing Liu Feng accept, the tall youth said nothing more. He produced a massive hammer, dark gold in hue, exuding a sense of violent power.

Su Yue had already withdrawn to the side, regulating his breathing. His earlier battles with Zeng Lu and Liu Feng had left his energy and stamina severely depleted.

At that moment, the tall youth attacked first, gripping his hammer in both hands and swinging it down from above, aiming for Liu Feng's head. The air buzzed with the force of the blow, a testament to its tremendous power.

Yet Liu Feng did not dodge or flinch. He flicked his broken sword upward, unleashing a surge of fierce energy that collided with the great hammer.

Clang!

The impact was thunderous, like the roar of thunder, leaving everyone's ears ringing. Both Liu Feng and the tall youth staggered backward, driven by the shock.

At the same time, a wave of energy blasted out in all directions, causing nearby buildings to creak and groan as if on the verge of collapse.

"This guy is no ordinary opponent—it's rare for anyone to match Su Ling in strength!"

"Exactly! Within the Windplain Academy, few at the Gathering Qi level can rival Su Ling for raw power."

The onlookers were astounded to see Liu Feng hold his own against Su Ling, neither side gaining the upper hand.

"You've got some skill, boy. Take another of my blows!" Su Ling strode forward, hammer in both hands, and swept it horizontally, the head of the hammer churning up a tremendous gust as it smashed toward Liu Feng's waist.

Liu Feng gripped his sword with both hands and swept it across. A massive arc of energy shot forth, meeting the hammer head-on with explosive force.

Su Ling was forced back two steps by the shock, while Liu Feng remained unmoved.

Seeing Su Ling repulsed, Liu Feng advanced swiftly, his broken sword slashing fiercely. A swirling vortex of air formed, spiraling toward Su Ling.

"Explosive Strike!" Su Ling roared, swinging his hammer down with both hands in a rapid overhand blow.

Bang!

The vortex was shattered by the hammer. Su Ling had barely caught his breath when Liu Feng's broken sword came crashing down again.

Clang! The clash rang out like a smith's anvil. Su Ling staggered back five or six paces, blood seeping from his lips—his organs clearly jarred by the clash.

Witnessing this, Su Yue immediately lunged with his sword, aiming a vicious stab at Liu Feng's sword arm.

Liu Feng met the blow with a slash of his broken sword, the collision warping Su Yue's blade into a terrifying arc, as if it might snap at any moment.

Startled, Su Yue sprang back, clutching his sword and examining it carefully before breathing a sigh of relief.

Liu Feng was about to press his attack on Su Yue when a whoosh of air behind him made him turn—Su Ling was swinging his hammer down again.

Without hesitation, Liu Feng slashed with his broken sword, meeting the hammer with explosive force and sending Su Ling reeling back.

At that moment, Su Yue's sword flashed in again, its cold gleam like lightning as he thrust.

Liu Feng pushed off with his toe, sliding sideways to dodged the attack.

But Su Ling's hammer came down like Mount Tai, accompanied by a surging wave of force.

Liu Feng hastily met the blow—clang!—but this time he was knocked backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Yue appeared soundlessly behind Liu Feng.

With both hands on his sword, he thrust rapidly—a strike as sharp, ruthless, swift, and fierce as a master assassin, imbued with unstoppable momentum, driving straight for Liu Feng's back.

Still reeling from Su Ling's hammer blow, Liu Feng had no time to catch his breath before this fatal thrust arrived.

He swung his broken sword in a flash to parry.

Rip! The sound of cloth tearing rang out, and a narrow, bloody gash appeared on Liu Feng's arm, blood dripping down at once.

"You court death!" Liu Feng roared, channeling his energy madly into the broken sword. A brilliant light flared from the blade, blazing like a torch as he slashed furiously at Su Yue and Su Ling.

The dazzling light, like a sword of divine retribution, struck both men before they could dodge, sending them flying and crashing heavily to the ground.