Chapter 445: Secret Battle!

The Yang Family Spear Technique!
The most formidable spear technique at the Life and Death realm!
Its lethality far exceeds that of martial arts at the same realm, especially its three ultimate moves—each one a refined essence forged over generations by the Yang family’s valiant warriors on the battlefield, with a lethality on par with ultimate techniques.
“I never expected…”
Kai Xin stood 10 meters away from Zhou Yu, gazing at his calm and composed profile. After the deaths of Tong Xin, Xue Yi, Xie Lang, and the Monk with Thick Eyebrows, Zhou Yu was the first person to remain so composed in front of him.
It was also evident that Zhou Yu had figured out some hidden elements of the martial world within just over seven months…
He closed his eyes.
Using his internal energy to sense the air currents around him and translating those movements into mental images, Zhou Yu managed to achieve what it had taken him two years to grasp—combat awareness—in less than a year.
It was unclear how the First-Class Hall had managed to recruit Zhou Yu!
Clutching the Guardian Divine Sword, Kai Xin, like Zhou Yu, suppressed all traces of his energy, slowly closed his eyes, stepped forward…
With each step, faint ripples spread out, rapidly altering the surrounding energy patterns.
The dark world suddenly became bright and colorful, surrounded by layers of energy of varying strengths, like dazzling flames, all clearly visible.
Among them, what caught Kai Xin’s attention the most were three energies behind him and a faint light ahead: one weak energy, one intense and scorching light like a small sun, and another erratic light. Even with their reliance on medicinal powers, the Miao Shou Gate seemed to have remarkable control over energy.
The faint light ahead was extremely unremarkable…
Unusually weak!
But!
Amidst the surrounding powerful energies, this faint light stood out remarkably, making it hard not to notice.
After standing still for a few seconds, he took his second step…
Another set of ripples!
Kai Xin clearly felt a slight change in Zhou Yu’s faint energy, as if it had grown slightly unintentionally.
Though still unremarkable, Kai Xin could sense that Zhou Yu had locked onto him, and as he approached, slight emotional changes occurred.
Very slowly…
Kai Xin stepped forward again!
Suddenly, a dangerous aura came from the opposite direction. Though brief, Kai Xin detected Zhou Yu’s energy.
An instant concentration!
Zhou Yu’s energy surged many times over in an instant!

And an astonishing energy kept gathering above Zhou Yu’s spear tip.
Kai Xin stopped at that moment.
……
“What’s going on?”
Although the disciples of Yipin Tang retreated quite far, they didn’t leave immediately. From a relatively safe distance, they watched the developments. But when they observed, they found that both of them had miraculously closed their eyes, restraining their energy, which filled them with extreme curiosity.
“Why aren’t they moving?”
Zhou Yu’s stillness was understandable—after all, he was facing Kai Xin, and with all the skilled fighters on this side defeated, the pressure was immense.
But Kai Xin’s caution too left many puzzled.
From the start, Kai Xin had always fought with devastating speed and force. Now, seeing him stop at every step, many held their breath, feeling an overwhelming sense of tension.
Shangguan Lian and Qin Yun were both highly skilled, but they could sense something extraordinary—both had entered a rather mysterious state where, with equal strength, they were carefully searching for each other’s weaknesses without revealing their intentions or flaws through their energy or gaze.
Was this what a true duel between masters looked like?
Not only the masters of Lingxiao Palace were paying close attention, but Lin Xiao and Mo Feng also held their breath, staring intently at Kai Xin and Zhou Yu, filled with both tension and excitement…
……
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense!
……
Half a minute passed, and Kai Xin hadn’t taken another step!
Zhou Yu’s eyelids twitched slightly, and a faint blush appeared at the corners of his mouth—Yang family spear techniques emphasized building up strength and killing intent! The longer the buildup, the more lethal energy accumulated inside, unable to be released, causing his energy to surge and ultimately harming himself first…
At the moment Zhou Yu’s energy became chaotic, Kai Xin moved.
Boom!!
They attacked simultaneously, without one being ahead of the other.
In a confrontation between two sides, it’s worst to have overwhelming momentum before even fighting begins…
One strike, then exhaustion; the third strike brings weakness.
Seizing the opportunity as Zhou Yu’s momentum weakened, Kai Xin charged boldly, like an anomaly suddenly appearing, creating a series of astonishingly rapid ripples.
Zhou Yu reacted quickly. Realizing something was wrong as soon as his energy was disrupted, he decisively abandoned his buildup and dashed backward with a swift step!
One chasing, one retreating.
Without actually fighting, it seemed as though they were already engaged in battle. To outsiders, their actions seemed extremely strange!
But at this moment, it was obvious that Kai Xin had the upper hand. Zhou Yu retreated fast, but his speed was clearly slightly slower.

In less than ten meters, the distance was suddenly shortened by half.
Cough!
The Guardian Sword was drawn with fierce intensity; its sharp sword energy resembled a magnificent light ribbon tearing through the sky.
Faced with the sudden surge in power behind him, Zhou Yu’s expression hardened. He skillfully swung his long spear, turned around with a cold snort, and launched a “Retreating Horse Spear” attack—the spear tip piercing out from an incredible angle, accompanied by a howling vortex sound and countless screams of agony from the battlefield… charging forward without pause!
The Flying Dragon Sword Technique, the Yang Family Spear Technique!
The sword energy and the silver spear collided violently in the air.
Boom!!!
A fierce wind hit them both, knocking them off balance due to their opponent’s overwhelming force, forcing them to retreat dozens of meters uncontrollably.
Zhou Yu’s spear skills gave him a slight advantage. After regaining his footing, his expression remained grave. With a push off the force of Kaixin’s attack, he leaped onto the courtyard wall at astonishing speed, disappeared from the other side of Wan’an Temple after a few jumps, leaving no trace—moving with swift efficiency.
As soon as Zhou Yu ran away, the people of Yipin Hall were stunned and scattered like birds and beasts.
“Kill them!!”
Mo Feng had recovered some of his injuries. Seeing the members of Yipin Hall trying to escape, he refused to give up. With a furious shout, he chased after them along with Lin Xiao and Yao Shi Wanneng.
“Brother Lin!”
Kaixin called out to Lin Xiao. Realizing something was wrong with Kaixin’s behavior, Lin Xiao quickly stopped chasing and turned back.
By the time Lin Xiao arrived, Kaixin no longer hid his internal injuries. A trickle of blood flowed from his mouth, his face turned pale as he took a heavy breath:
“Truly worthy of being the second-ranked expert on the Dragon List. That Retreating Horse Spear attack almost knocked my internal organs out of place.”
Outside the courtyard wall, many martial artists were shocked. They realized that Kaixin had suffered serious internal injuries in the earlier clash—no wonder he hadn’t chased after Mo Feng and the members of Yipin Hall.
Shangguan Lian and Qin Yun both showed expressions of realization.
Lin Xiao’s gaze was solemn as he took it upon himself to protect Kaixin:
“That Zhou Yu is indeed extraordinary. Even you were injured by his single move. No wonder he was able to suppress our sect leader so effectively in such a short time… Thanks to you coming here. Otherwise, the Xiyi Sect would have faced great danger. But since we didn’t capture Zhou Yu this time, he will surely become a major threat to us in the future.”
“Zhou Yu is indeed strong, but he didn’t fare well either after taking my sword strike.”
With blood at the corners of his mouth, Kaixin used the Star Breathing Method to heal himself while calmly saying, “But the most cunning part is this man’s mind. I deliberately concealed my injuries, yet he didn’t fall for it… If I can drain more of his internal energy, I might be able to take him down. Heh, seems I haven’t learned well enough…”

Lin Xiao was stunned. Only then did he remember that he had deliberately pretended to be weak to leave the Evil Wolf and the Thick-Browed Monk behind. He laughed and said, “Happy Brother, I didn’t realize you were also quite clever.”
“Hehe…”
Happy’s smile turned into a pained one as his injuries flared up.