Chapter Twenty-Six: Breaking the Barrier, Defeating Guo Huai

Once, in that secluded valley, Master Bloodshadow had warned Qi Fei: Before you reach the realm of Innate in martial cultivation, you stand little chance against even the most ordinary Daoist arts. At the time, Qi Fei had just achieved the Icefire Martial Soul, his strength in martial arts soaring, and he paid little heed to that warning. But now, Guo Huai, in a desperate bid, had sacrificed his entire Daoist cultivation, forcibly transforming his spirit and true essence into a life-saving body protection art at the cost of all else. The bitter lesson drove home the profound meaning of his master's words.

Martial cultivation strengthens the body; Daoist cultivation fortifies the spirit. The life-protection art Guo Huai enacted was a supreme technique among cultivators—obliterating the spirit, igniting life-blood as a catalyst, and using Daoist true essence to refine the flesh. Once used, the spirit is extinguished, and the body is swiftly tempered to inhuman toughness by the Daoist essence within. Yet, from that moment on, the cultivator loses all ability to wield Daoist arts, and grave internal injuries inevitably follow with time.

Guo Huai, coveting the supreme techniques and treasures in Qi Fei’s possession, had once practiced martial arts himself. Now, driven to a dead end, he could spare no thought for the dire consequences of this forbidden art. As his vital essence surged, his body, already honed to the Third Heaven of Martial Arts—tempered sinews and bones—became a monstrous, bestial form of sheer power.

Qi Fei found himself with no way out but to stake everything on one desperate battle. Channeling his deepest reserves, he unleashed the fierce might of the "Proud Sword Formula" transformed into devastating fists, like tidal waves crashing ceaselessly against Guo Huai’s monstrous physique.

Despite his twisted features and grotesquely swollen body, Guo Huai retained his cold, calculating mind. He guarded his vital points, relying on the supernatural resilience granted by his life-protection art, and withstood the killing intent veiled within Qi Fei’s sword-like fists. As the recoil forced Qi Fei back, Guo Huai’s arm shot forward, grotesquely lengthening by nearly two feet, and his palm—charged with immense energy—struck Qi Fei’s right shoulder with brutal force.

A muffled groan escaped Qi Fei as he was hurled backward. Had his body not been reborn through martial cultivation, his arm would have been crippled then and there.

“Qi Fei, you’ve left me no choice but to destroy the Daoist essence I spent years cultivating. If you don’t hand over the ‘Eight-Armed Thunder Fist’ today, you will not escape death.”

Earlier, Guo Huai, caught off guard, was forced into this desperate gambit, sacrificing all Daoist arts for one final chance at survival. Now, he could only hope to force Qi Fei to surrender the "Eight-Armed Thunder Fist" and the fortune he’d gained, seeking a breakthrough on the martial path.

Qi Fei sprang to his feet, spitting blood, clutching his injured shoulder, and laughed coldly. “You threatened to tear me limb from limb before—I’d be a fool to trust a word from you, old thief. Enough talk. Take this!”

With a sudden movement, Qi Fei’s left fist swept up a gale, whistling toward Guo Huai’s bulging arm. Knowing he could not take a head-on blow, Qi Fei pivoted mid-strike, evading Guo Huai’s fierce palm and whipping his right leg around like a sword, crashing it down on Guo Huai’s knee.

No matter how Guo Huai’s flesh had been tempered by Daoist true essence, this domineering, ruthless strike sent him staggering and forced him to his knees.

Gnashing his teeth against the pain, Qi Fei’s killing intent surged. Here, beneath the Cliff of Reflection, neither he nor Guo Huai had any way out—there could only be a fight to the death.

Ignoring his wounds, Qi Fei unleashed another round of razor-sharp blows from the "Proud Sword Formula." Guo Huai roared and met him head-on, swinging his massive arms. The cavern shook with the collision of fists and palms; stones flew as overpowering winds exploded in all directions. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

Anxiety gnawed at Guo Huai. The life-protection art that refined his body would not last much longer—if this dragged on, not only would he fail to seize Qi Fei's secrets, but his own life would be forfeit in this cave.

Fighting at full force, Qi Fei's injuries worsened, his inner energy draining rapidly. Soon exhaustion crept over him.

At that moment, Guo Huai’s gigantic form suddenly contracted, then swelled again in a strange burst, generating a massive recoil that sent Qi Fei tumbling to the ground.

Elated, Guo Huai pressed the attack, sweeping Qi Fei with a mighty palm. Qi Fei let out a stifled cry and collapsed into a pool of blood.

Certain of his victory, Guo Huai burst into triumphant laughter.

Devastated, Qi Fei’s inner energy was scattered, his meridians shattered. Guo Huai’s venomous laughter echoed in his ears—Qi Fei’s heart burned with unwillingness.

After so many trials, he had finally reached the Fourth Heaven of martial cultivation—was he to die here, beneath the Cliff of Reflection? Refusing to accept this fate, Qi Fei gathered the lingering icy energy of his spiritual jade, drawing his scattered energy together, slowly mending his wounds.

Guo Huai, wary of further surprises, leapt to Qi Fei’s side and sealed several of his vital points.

“Qi Fei, I never imagined you’d reach the Fifth Heaven of martial cultivation. You must have more than just the ‘Eight-Armed Thunder Fist.’ If you don’t hand everything over, I’ll make sure you beg for death.”

Qi Fei struggled to break the seals on his acupoints, but Guo Huai’s martial skill was formidable—he could do nothing for the moment.

Guo Huai’s face twisted with murderous intent. He stomped down on Qi Fei’s right hand. “Qi Fei, are you going to hand over the ‘Eight-Armed Thunder Fist’ and the treasure you gained that day?”

Agonizing pain shot through Qi Fei’s right hand. He knew Guo Huai would never let him live. Unwilling to suffer humiliation, Qi Fei steeled himself for a final, desperate struggle.

Seeing Qi Fei's determined expression, Guo Huai flew into a rage. He poured energy into his foot, and the sound of cracking bones echoed from Qi Fei's right hand.

A scream of agony burst from Qi Fei. Murderous resolve flared within—he summoned his last reserves, shattering the sealed acupoints with a final surge. His left palm, a blur, struck Guo Huai’s foot with all his might.

With a thunderous impact, Guo Huai was hurled back, caught off guard by Qi Fei’s self-destructive counterattack. Before Guo Huai could recover, Qi Fei leapt to his feet.

At this moment of crisis, the spirit jade within Qi Fei’s body released its power. The Icefire Martial Soul conjured a final, pure surge of martial energy, erupting from his core. The barrier to the Fifth Heaven, long insurmountable, broke before the threat of death.

In an instant, Qi Fei attained the Fifth Heaven. Mobilizing this newfound power, his energy surged both within and without. The three supreme sword forms of the "Execution Sword Canon," which he had never mastered, now coalesced into a single, world-shattering fist strike.

His body whirled like a tornado, his left palm slashing like a peerless sword. In an instant, gales and afterimages enveloped his form.

Fierce winds exploded from Qi Fei, filling the cave with the roar of tearing air. Guo Huai, unable to dodge, was caught and swept into the air by the overwhelming force.

The next moment, the domineering winds surrounding Qi Fei crashed into Guo Huai. The relentless, sword-like force shredded Guo Huai’s monstrous body, drenching the air with blood.

Agonized screams echoed as Guo Huai, never imagining Qi Fei could break through and unleash such a reversal at the very edge of death, was torn apart by the storm.

Moments later, the tempest faded. The devastating force of the "Wind Spirit Spiral" was spent. Guo Huai, his body mangled beyond recognition, crashed to the ground.

(The author: Promised three chapters a day this week, so three chapters a day it is.)