Yi Xiao watched from the side, her expression changing drastically: “Brother Qin is being too reckless. This White Tiger Great Demon is simply too ferocious. One must exploit strengths and avoid weaknesses; confronting him with raw power is unwise.”


    Boom!!!


    The White Tiger Great Demon brought down his massive axe with full force. When he saw the opponent drawing his sword to meet the attack head-on, he sneered inwardly: “Even the magical treasures of some innate cultivators can be cleaved by my axe. And this junior, not even at the innate realm, dares to take me head-on? Utter foolishness!”


    But at the moment of impact—


    The White Tiger Great Demon felt as though his axe had struck into a series of whirlpools. His force seemed to dissipate, with layer upon layer of spirals twisting and redirecting the energy. Though his strength was immense, the majority of it was neutralized. Furthermore, the collision between the sword light and his axe sent a terrifying penetrating force through the weapon into his tiger claws, traveling up his arm and spreading into his body.


    Even with his robust body, the White Tiger Great Demon couldn’t help but shudder.


    Boom!


    The point of impact between their weapons sent a terrifying shockwave in all directions, scattering sand and stones into the air.


    “Ugh!” The White Tiger Great Demon, unable to break through with his axe, was forced to halt his previously unstoppable charge. A stifled feeling rose in his chest, making him very uncomfortable.


    Qin Yun, on the other hand, felt the sheer absurdity of the White Tiger’s strength. Even with the use of the Misty Rain Sword Intent, the gap in raw power was too large. He couldn’t help but take three steps back, each step cracking the stones beneath his feet.


    The White Tiger Great Demon paused. He stared in shock at the diminutive figure before him—the human youth.


    His chest felt heavy, his body slightly trembling.


    Even in a head-on clash, the White Tiger Great Demon was stunned.


    “You blocked me? And you’re not even at the innate realm, yet you blocked my axe?” The White Tiger Great Demon was incredulous. After all, he was an innate Great Demon.


    “Brother Qin, you actually blocked him head-on?” Behind him, Yi Xiao was equally astounded.


    Qin Yun, however, smiled and sighed: “Overwhelming strength truly is formidable.”


    In terms of technique and mastery, he far surpassed the demon.


    Against foes like the old demon Zhu Yong or the demonic servant Rhinoceros Demon, Qin Yun could slay them with a single sword strike before they could even retaliate. But the White Tiger Great Demon’s strength was simply overwhelming. Combined with the massive axe, even Qin Yun’s peerlessly exquisite swordsmanship was suppressed.


    “You’re not even at the innate realm.” The White Tiger Great Demon’s golden eyes widened as he looked at Qin Yun, then at the divine sword in his hand. “The disciples of the Sword Immortal lineage are this powerful? No, no, your sword must be a remarkable magical treasure. Only with the power of that treasure could you withstand my axe.”


    “A remarkable magical treasure?” Qin Yun was speechless.


    As a rogue cultivator in the Sword Immortal lineage, he didn’t even own a ninth-grade magical treasure!


    His lifebound flying sword wasn’t even fully refined yet! Without the support of a sect, and without gifts from a master, where would he get a magical treasure? What he relied on was the Misty Rain Sword Intent that he had comprehended himself.


    Sword Intent was extremely rare.


    When nurturing a flying sword, it could enhance its speed by tenfold. Even an ordinary branch imbued with Sword Intent could cut through iron like mud.


    It was precisely because of this unparalleled talent that Qin Yun, as a rogue cultivator, managed to open the gates to the Sword Immortal path. One must know that in sacred Daoist grounds, where disciples received immense support from elders and countless treasures, even the most talented and determined struggled to step into the immortal path. When traveling the mortal world, Sword Immortal disciples were often gifted flying swords as protective treasures.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But Qin Yun? He relied entirely on himself!


    “Still, you’ve only blocked one strike from me. Let’s see you take another!” The White Tiger Great Demon stepped forward and attacked again.


    “Good timing.” Qin Yun charged forward as well. On the northern border, he and his companions had slain three innate Great Demons together! He had also personally fought many innate Great Demons head-on. How could he fear a tiger demon?


    Whoosh.


    The massive axe came down again.


    Qin Yun twisted his body, evading the strike, and countered with a slash of his sword. The White Tiger, however, skillfully used his second axe as a shield to block.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The two engaged in a rapid series of clashes, their speed astonishing.


    The White Tiger’s two axes alternated between relentless attacks and seamless defense. His axe techniques reached a flawless state, demonstrating a mastery so precise it left no openings. With his terrifying physical strength, even innate Void Core cultivators like Commander Fang Da would hesitate to face him.


    Rip!


    A single strike cleaved through the rocky ground, leaving a massive crack over ten meters long.


    Boom.


    A large tree exploded into splinters as the axe’s force created a crater in the earth.


    Still, many of the White Tiger’s strikes missed their mark.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    When their weapons collided, ripples of force radiated outward. After the first direct clash, Qin Yun relied on his skill and unleashed killing moves relentlessly.


    “Damn it,” the White Tiger Great Demon cursed as his axe met the divine sword once more. The force of his swing was redirected and even borrowed against him. The divine sword merely grazed his axe before slashing toward his leg, aiming to sever it. Each move was ruthless and merciless.


    Boom.


    The White Tiger barely managed to block the strike with his other axe.


    “So that’s it. The White Tiger Great Demon may excel in manipulating wind, giving him speed, but that’s only when charging directly! In confined spaces, with his massive body, how could he possibly be faster than me?” Qin Yun let out a breath of relief. This aligned with common sense. Smaller bodies were generally better at swift and agile movements. The larger the body, the less flexibility it had. Even though the tiger demon excelled in wind manipulation and was an innate Void Core Great Demon, his enormous size made him slightly less agile than Qin Yun.


    …


    The stark contrast in size between the two, as well as the difference in weapon dimensions, made their fight even more striking.


    Their battle caused massive destruction within the Misty Lake Gorge. Trees were shattered into splinters, and giant rocks were smashed to rubble.


    From halfway up the mountain, Jia Huairen glanced back at the pursuing demons. His old servant, Uncle Qian, was desperately holding them off. Jia Huairen also noticed the commotion in the gorge below and was dumbfounded. “Qin Yun is this terrifying?”


    Earlier, Qin Yun’s casual strike had effortlessly slain the Rhinoceros Demon. That had merely been a warm-up.


    Now his true strength was on full display.


    Jia Huairen didn’t dare dwell on it and continued his frantic escape.


    “So this is Brother Qin’s true power.” Yi Xiao’s eyes glimmered as she watched. “It’s said that Sword Immortals can break all techniques with a single sword strike, specializing in offense! Brother Qin must be among the very best of the younger generation of Sword Immortals.”


    Yi Xiao raised her hand, summoning her Five Elements Lightning Technique.


    With the thunder within her five internal organs as the source, she channeled the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth. Her fair palm crackled with five-colored lightning, which she then hurled toward the White Tiger Great Demon with a boom—


    The lightning struck the White Tiger.


    Humph.


    The White Tiger’s golden vertical pupils glanced at Yi Xiao. He endured the Five Elements Lightning with his body alone, unwilling to divide his focus. Both axes were fully committed to defending against Qin Yun. He even felt a faint sense of gratitude—had he only wielded one axe, he might have already been severely injured.


    “Brother Qin, this White Tiger Great Demon’s body is extraordinarily resilient. My Five Elements Lightning can’t hurt him much. I need time to prepare the Heavenly Thunder Technique. Can you guard me?” Yi Xiao sent him a mental message.


    “Alright, I’ll protect you. Focus on your spell.” Qin Yun began retreating, moving closer to Yi Xiao.


    As long as he stayed near her, his agility and swordsmanship were enough to ensure her safety.


    Yi Xiao immediately composed herself. She took a Dao talisman from her robes, waved her hand, and shouted, “Wind, rise!” The talisman ignited without fire, glowing with intricate runes as it summoned an unseen power.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    A wind began to stir, not the black wind controlled by the tiger demon, but a natural wind born from the heavens and earth. Its strength wasn’t overwhelming but steady.


    Although the White Tiger Great Demon was fiercely battling Qin Yun, his years of experience made him naturally cautious. He kept an eye on his surroundings, especially Yi Xiao


    . Though his primary focus was on Qin Yun, he didn’t underestimate her. As the wind began to rise, his heart tightened.


    “Not good. She’s preparing a spell.”


    The White Tiger felt an ominous foreboding.


    “This girl can instantly unleash the Five Elements Lightning, showcasing a deep understanding of Daoist techniques. If she’s casting a spell now, its power will surely surpass the Five Elements Lightning.” The White Tiger Great Demon knew he was in trouble.