Chapter 56: A Chill Through the Body

Cloud Crane spoke with a smile, yet not a hint of mirth shimmered in his eyes; instead, an icy chill swept through his gaze. Xiang Yingtian’s face darkened as he fixed his stare on Cloud Crane. After a long moment, he suddenly laughed. “You pretentious fool,” he spat, “I’d like to see how much longer you can keep up this act.”

He knew all too well the terrifying power of the Shadow Fiend. No matter how skilled Cloud Crane was, after taking a blow from that monstrous creature head-on, it was impossible for him to remain unscathed. Thus, Xiang Yingtian was certain Cloud Crane must be grievously wounded and would soon reveal a fatal flaw if forced to fight again.

At Xiang Yingtian’s command, the Shadow Fiend, who until now had stood as still as a statue, flickered—and vanished from sight. The speed was so astonishing that the crowd gasped in unison. The fiend moved at its utmost, a blur impossible for the naked eye to track, let alone evade.

Cloud Crane raised his vigilance to its highest, his gaze sweeping relentlessly across his surroundings. Yet he could not spot the monster’s trace—the half-human, half-demon creature had disappeared without leaving so much as a shadow.

If I cannot see you, he thought, I shall find you with my heart’s eye.

With this resolve, Cloud Crane closed his eyes. The sound of wind and every movement around him grew unusually clear.

“What trick is Cloud Crane up to now?”

“Is he hoping to wait in ambush, for the Shadow Fiend to expose itself?”

“The Fiend may lack reason, but its fighting instincts remain. It won’t fall for such a simple trap.”

The crowd murmured, their voices rising in a cacophony. The noise interfered with Cloud Crane’s effort to sense the fiend’s presence.

Hong Qigong, observing Cloud Crane’s strange behavior, realized that in a duel between masters, even the slightest distraction could spell doom. If the disturbance continued, Cloud Crane would inevitably make a mistake, sealing his defeat.

“Shut up, all of you! Chattering like insects, you’re worse than bugs,” Hong Qigong thundered. Though annoyed, no one dared defy him. Silence fell instantly, granting Cloud Crane the peace he needed to search for the fiend.

In this thorough sweep, it took only moments for Cloud Crane to pinpoint the Shadow Fiend’s hiding place. A few meters behind him, the creature watched him like a predator, ready to strike the instant his guard faltered.

Given the fiend’s speed, even Cloud Crane’s swiftest footwork would make it difficult to avoid a blow at such close range.

Though Cloud Crane possessed an immunity to all poisons, a blow of such force would surely harm him. With this in mind, he summoned every ounce of his inner strength, channeling it into his blade and whirled around, slashing fiercely behind him.

The blade’s energy formed a white dragon, so solid it seemed real, its overwhelming force filling the air. That strike stunned time itself—and awed every spectator.

“I never imagined Cloud Crane could master the Cross of Destruction Blade Technique to this degree, and there’s more—he’s blending other skills into it,” remarked the Mist Wanderer, whose sharp eyes recognized the intricacies despite his tormented state. He couldn’t help but praise Cloud Crane’s mastery.

Master Fu Hongxue nodded in agreement. He had taught Cloud Crane the Cross of Destruction Blade Technique barely a month ago, yet Cloud Crane had already achieved such astonishing progress. Fu Hongxue was left in awe.

Hong Qigong stared at the blade’s gleaming arc, his shock undisguised; he discerned the essence of the “Regretful Dragon” move from the Eighteen Dragon Palms within Cloud Crane’s blade technique. But how could Cloud Crane know the Eighteen Dragon Palms? Hong Qigong himself had never demonstrated them before Cloud Crane. How had he learned them?

What Hong Qigong did not know was that this move had been passed to Cloud Crane by his esteemed disciple, Guo Jing, albeit through rather unconventional means.

The crowd’s faces showed their fear. They now realized Cloud Crane’s martial skills were far more formidable than rumors claimed. None had suspected the depth of his inner strength; the power of his strike was such that few present could match it.

Is this truly the Cloud Crane we thought we knew?

As these thoughts swirled, the blade’s fierce light streaked across the night like a shooting star, slashing toward the Shadow Fiend. Its speed was so great, escape was nearly impossible.

Sensing imminent death, the fiend’s chilling aura intensified. Unthinkably cold energy gathered on its body, forming an invisible barrier. The moment the barrier solidified, it collided violently with Cloud Crane’s blade energy.

Boom!

A storm of unimaginable force exploded outward from the two combatants. Cloud Crane was struck by the powerful shockwave, forcing him to retreat several steps before he dissipated the force and regained his stance.

The Shadow Fiend, hit by the blade energy, stumbled backward repeatedly. It lasted only moments before cracks appeared in its defensive wall. As time passed, the fiend’s defense fractured like a cracked egg, on the verge of shattering completely.

Seeing this, Cloud Crane drove his foot forward and swung his blade again, releasing another wave of energy.

The Shadow Fiend, already exerting itself to resist the first blade, could not withstand a second. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Crack!

The fiend’s shield shattered utterly. Struck by immense power, the creature was flung violently to the ground.

Xiang Yingtian watched in horror, dragging his wounded body forward to check the fiend’s condition. Blood as black as ink spilled from its mouth, two deep gashes marred its chest, and the black aura surrounding it was fading, revealing its skeletal, withered frame.

Looking at the gravely injured fiend, Xiang Yingtian was filled with regret. Had he fled at the outset, Cloud Crane would not have cornered him so mercilessly. But now, regrets were useless.

He gazed at the crippled fiend, a struggle flickering in his eyes.

As Xiang Yingtian hesitated, Cloud Crane’s voice rang out.

“Xiang Yingtian, if you have any cards left, play them now. Don’t bother hiding anything.”

At these words, everyone was stunned. Was it possible Xiang Yingtian still had a way to turn the tide?

Regardless, everyone tensed, eyes fixed on Xiang Yingtian’s every move.

Under their scrutiny, Xiang Yingtian gently stroked the fiend’s head and whispered, “You’ve all forced me to this. I will make you pay with your lives.”

With that declaration, a killing intent filled the air. Then, before everyone’s eyes, Xiang Yingtian performed an act so chilling it made every witness’s blood run cold.