Chapter 71: Madness! The Blade in Frenzy!

At this moment, under Zhou Yi’s attentive focus, thousands of units of energy increased every second, and each ten thousand units could be exchanged for the strength of a normal person doubled. Since Mo Hu could not kill him in a single blow, as Zhou Yi’s energy surged, converting it into physical power, his body’s resilience grew at an astonishing rate. The further it went, the harder it would be to hurt him.

If, before, the flames and the black wind were Zhou Yi’s slim hope during his desperate struggle, then now, his golden finger was his trump card for a counterattack from the abyss.

“If one strike cannot stop you, I refuse to believe ten won’t. If ten won’t, then a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand…” Zhou Yi’s resolve hardened, his eyes deepening. Drawing a breath, he suddenly became profoundly conscious of the pain wracking his body, which only strengthened his determination.

“When it comes to physical strength, I have energy, and I can keep increasing it, breaking through my limits again and again!”

Suspended in midair, Zhou Yi summoned a long blade with a sweep of his hand, wielding it expertly before him as flames and black wind twined instantly around its edge.

“For inner power, I have energy. Even if the flames burn away my internal strength and accelerate my depletion, I can use energy to continuously exchange for more!”

His left hand brushed along the blade like water, swiftly sliding from the tip to the hilt. As his right hand gripped the hilt, the two hands crossed briefly and then parted. With a thunderous boom, flames surged, and an extended hilt appeared, which Zhou Yi’s left hand grasped firmly.

“For willpower, I have energy. I can keep adding to my spirit; whenever I can’t hold on, a single boost will let me endure a while longer, and that moment is all I need!”

Swish!

He spun the blade in front of him, drawing a circle as he activated the Heart of the Mountain blade technique, struggling to control the flames and black wind. Innate intent burst forth, suppressing the chaotic elements, and gradually gathered all the spiritual energy in the surrounding space, manifesting it in the shape of a mountain clad in innate intent.

Whoosh! Boom!

As the intent took shape, countless thunderous roars erupted through the heavens and earth. Spiritual energy was instantly drained, only for distant currents to rush in like tides, colliding with the space and producing discordant sounds.

“Whew!” Zhou Yi exhaled, gazing at the formed mountain with a trace of helplessness in his heart. He was still lacking in strength; though this attack appeared grandiose, its power was actually less than before.

One strike returned to simplicity, with all power condensed onto the blade, hidden and potent.

The other was overwhelming, shaking heaven and earth with a fierce exterior, but in truth, the difference was considerable.

“But this will suffice.”

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Though he possessed his golden finger and now had sufficient—indeed, excess—energy reserves, Zhou Yi still felt his spirit was lacking.

Without the threat of death, it was hard to devote himself fully as he had at first, unless he could rest well.

Yet, at this stage, the slight decrease in power hardly mattered—it was not the straw that would break the camel’s back, merely one of the many straws it carried.

By Zhou Yi’s estimation, although his spirit prevented him from displaying his full strength, he had not crossed the critical threshold.

What he could accomplish with the previous strike, he could do again now.

In summary, the next blow from the wooden sword might be difficult to withstand, but he could still endure it.

He would not die.

That was enough.

Suddenly, Zhou Yi’s expression contorted into an unrecognizable grimace. As he relaxed, all the pain he had previously suppressed crashed over him like a tidal wave, sending his already taut nerves into even greater tension.

“One strike!” Amidst a sea of agony, Zhou Yi’s eyes bulged, crimson veins threading his pupils like blood.

Boom!

The earth shuddered. With Zhou Yi’s roar, he swung his arm, the shadow of the mountain following. Like stormy waves crashing against the shore, a giant blade of light materialized, with the image of layered mountains etched within it, descending toward its target.

Boom!

The wooden sword, previously hidden without a trace, revealed itself a yard in front of Zhou Yi. Sword and blade collided, and in that instant—

Boom!

The blade shattered like glass, fragments of light dispersing instantly.

It should not have vanished so quickly, but the wooden sword’s power was immense, reducing it to tiny sparks in a heartbeat. Unable to linger in the air, it flickered and disappeared.

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Spurt!

As the blade shattered, Zhou Yi’s chest tightened; a wisp of sword light pierced through the blade and struck him, breaking his body in an instant. His throat swelled, his mouth bulged, and unable to hold back, he spat a mouthful of blood.

Swish, swish!

Blood sprayed and scattered, falling as a rain of crimson droplets. Amidst the rain, fiery flashes appeared, lingering within the tiny beads of blood, fueled by the remaining traces of internal power. Gravity drew them to the ground, where they burned small, deep holes.

In a moment, blood rain pelted the earth, punching countless tiny cavities, densely packed like a beehive.

“Second strike!” After expelling the blood, Zhou Yi felt a wave of relief. Though his body tumbled through the air, the sword’s touch lent him leverage, gathering strength as he spun. With a sweep of his palm, he drew a circle before him, conjuring a familiar long blade once again. His expression resolute, he shouted deeply and swung his arm.

Boom!

The familiar scene played out again. Thunderous explosions echoed through heaven and earth as the massive blade of light intercepted the wooden sword once more.

Bang!

Again, the blade of light was shattered by the palm-sized wooden sword.

“Third strike!” Zhou Yi’s gaze grew calm, his face twisted, his voice steady. His body had yet to touch the ground since being flung away, but his mind was ever more composed, his grip on the blade firmer.

The situation had stabilized, the outcome becoming clearer. Though he remained at a disadvantage, he was no longer in mortal danger. The tide was steadily turning in his favor, and the balance was slowly tipping.

With each relentless blade of light—seemingly endless—

With each futile attempt to shake the mountain—

With Zhou Yi’s breath steadier and his body stronger—

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