Chapter 610 - 610: Reluctantly Admitting Defeat

"Chu Qingyun, you really are strong!"

"But no matter what technique you're using, unleashing this much power must be draining your Primordial Power at an incredible rate!"

"So, surrender! You only have the Primordial Power of an eighth-level Martial Spirit. You can't outlast me. Surrender!"

After dozens of head-on clashes, the two remained deadlocked. Neither had managed to gain the upper hand, so Pei Yongqing decided to try and persuade Chu Qingyun to surrender.

After all, if an eighth-level Martial Spirit exhausted their Primordial Power, replenishing it would cost a hefty sum of Primordial Spirit Liquid.

His words, however, sent another shockwave through the onlookers.

Pei Yongqing, a top-tier expert from the Celestial Sword Sect, couldn't actually defeat Chu Qingyun? He had to resort to a battle of attrition, trying to exhaust Chu Qingyun's Primordial Power to win!?

Everyone knew this was hardly a glorious or praiseworthy method of victory!

Chu Qingyun, however, chuckled inwardly.

They'd been fighting for a while now, and Pei Yongqing had likely burned through a good deal of his Primordial Power. But in truth, Chu Qingyun had barely used any.

This was because he had been relying entirely on his physical strength.

Besides, even if he did start consuming it, his Qi Sea spanned a ten-thousand-meter radius. He could fight for a day and a night without breaking a sweat.

However, now that Chu Qingyun had gotten a good measure of a Tier Five Soul Technique's power, he no longer wished to prolong the stalemate.

After all, at this rate, they could exchange another hundred blows without a decisive outcome.

The only other option was to turn the tables and drain Pei Yongqing's Primordial Power dry first, but that would be far too shocking and draw unwanted attention.

"Surrender? Pei Yongqing, you've already played all your cards, while I'm just getting started. And you want *me* to surrender?"

Chu Qingyun said with a cold laugh.

Hearing this, Pei Yongqing's expression shifted drastically.

'That's right… I've already used my Martial Soul, my Soul Techniques, and even my Secret Blade Technique and Blade Qi.'

Meanwhile, Chu Qingyun hadn't even used his Martial Soul.

"Hmph! Don't tell me you have a Tier Five Martial Soul too. A Tier Four Martial Soul won't cut it!"

Pei Yongqing snorted.

However, this was partly a bluff.

Ordinarily, a Tier Four Martial Soul would be no match for a Tier Five one. But they were at a critical juncture in their fight; any extra bit of power, no matter how small, could be enough to turn the tables.

"I won't be needing my Tier Four Martial Soul just yet."

"But why don't you try and face this sword technique of mine... the Thunder Sword!"

Chu Qingyun let out a sharp cry. In an instant, a brilliant Thunder Aura surged from his dark purple Thunder Shock Sword, wrapping the blade in a blinding layer of crackling thunder.

"That's... Sword Intent!"

Pei Yongqing's pupils contracted violently as he gasped in shock.

He had realized during their fight that Chu Qingyun's swordplay was formidable and his achievements in the Sword Dao were surely extraordinary.

But he never imagined that Chu Qingyun had already reached the Intention Realm.

'And he's only an eighth-level Martial Spirit!'

"Take this sword strike!"

With a sharp cry, Chu Qingyun lunged forward and slashed at Pei Yongqing.

Feeling the wild, powerful aura radiating from the Thunder Shock Sword, Pei Yongqing felt a sense of immense danger. He pushed his Primordial Power to its absolute limit, his body glowing with a faint, ochre-red Martial Soul Power.

BOOM!

Another violent collision.

The ground beneath them was torn asunder once more. But this time, after the clash of sword and saber, a violent torrent of Thunder Power surged along the blade of the saber and slammed into Pei Yongqing's body.

The Thunder Power erupted, bombarding him relentlessly.

Pei Yongqing grunted again and again, driven back by the blasts. The protective barrier of Primordial Power and Martial Soul Power around him flickered erratically, looking as if it might shatter at any moment.

After a couple of breaths, the Thunder Power began to dissipate.

Soon, only a few wisps of Thunder Aura were left on Pei Yongqing's body, slithering across his skin like tiny snakes.

And yet, his Protective Primordial Power—reinforced by the Martial Soul Power of his Tier Five Martial Soul and the strength of his Soul Technique—had not been breached!

"A sword strike imbued with Sword Intent is truly formidable."

"But an attack of this level is still not enough to defeat me!"

As Pei Yongqing spoke, he let out a long, internal sigh of relief.

Only he knew the truth: he had been at the end of his rope blocking that wild Thunder Power.

'If Chu Qingyun's realm were to reach the ninth-level Martial Spirit and he used that Thunder Sword again, I definitely wouldn't be able to withstand it, even with my Tier Five Martial Soul!'

"So that strike wasn't enough to handle you... Then let's see how you handle this one!"

"Lightning Sword!"

With another sharp cry, Chu Qingyun closed the distance and slashed at Pei Yongqing again.

This time, however, a brilliant light flashed from the Thunder Shock Sword, and a bright purple Sword Light materialized in an instant.

As the Lightning Sword was successfully unleashed, an incredibly sharp aura erupted from it. Even the spectators a thousand meters away couldn't help but pale.

As for Pei Yongqing, a shiver went down his spine. He reacted on pure instinct, swinging his saber to meet the attack.

'I absolutely cannot let this sword strike hit me!'

'If it does, I might actually die!'

Just as their weapons were about to collide, Chu Qingyun suddenly twisted his wrist. The blade of the Thunder Shock Sword pivoted, evading Pei Yongqing's saber. Wreathed in an incomparably sharp radiance, it shot straight for his neck.

'It's over!'

A chill shot through Pei Yongqing's heart, and his body instantly went rigid.

'The Lightning Sword is too fast! I don't have a chance to dodge!'

SHINK!

The bright purple Sword Light instantly pierced through Pei Yongqing's Primordial Power and Martial Soul Power, and then... stopped right at his neck.

Even the Martial Soul Power of a Fifth-level Martial Spirit could only hinder it for a brief moment.

Feeling the lethally sharp aura next to his neck, beads of cold sweat broke out on Pei Yongqing's forehead. He couldn't help but swallow hard, not daring to move a muscle, terrified of causing any sort of misunderstanding.

He knew full well that with just a flick of Chu Qingyun's wrist, that terrifying sword could instantly lop his head clean off!

"I... I've lost."

"Chu Qingyun, the Martial King Essence Pill is yours. Furthermore, within the Withered Wood Forest, I, Pei Yongqing, swear I will no longer oppose you."

Pei Yongqing said, looking at Chu Qingyun.

Though he was frustrated, he had no other choice but to admit defeat.

Besides, Chu Qingyun was simply stronger than him. He hadn't even used his Martial Soul yet. There was no shame in bowing his head and admitting defeat.

Chu Qingyun nodded. With a single thought, the bright purple Sword Light on his blade vanished, and he retracted the Thunder Shock Sword.

'This Pei Yongqing has a Tier Five Martial Soul and his Saber Technique is masterful. He's definitely a top-tier prodigy heavily invested in by the Celestial Sword Sect.'

'And this place is, after all, within the Celestial Sword Sect's sphere of influence.'

'Killing him would bring few benefits and a whole lot of trouble.'