16 Kill!

"You won't escape from here. Tiger's Battle Mastery is a restricting technique that consumes Qi and blood, making it very powerful... it can only be broken when your level surpasses mine, which is impossible for you... hahaha!"

Xie Qing lost the ability to speak, but he couldn't deny that he was indeed in a difficult situation. His body was constrained, and he couldn't even move a finger, which greatly frustrated him.

Any attempt to activate Qi ended in piercing pain and a feeling as if something was blocking the flow of Qi. This was extremely uncomfortable for a cultivator.

"Hahaha! Now I need to figure out how to kill you... Honestly, Mr. Xie Xui didn't give specific instructions about this, apparently considering you a mere insignificant being, leaving the rest to my shoulders. What an honor to have such trust in myself!" Guan Baichi spoke to himself, licking his lips.

Under the influence of Xie Qing's technique, which limited him, he suddenly smirked and then started laughing as if he heard the funniest joke.

"Hm?"

Naturally, this made Guan Baichi raise an eyebrow. Xie Qing could read surprise in his eyes, which amused him even more.

Due to Xie Qing's prolonged laughter, Guan Baichi began to get irritated. He angrily shouted, seemingly trying to intimidate the youth.

"What's so funny, idiot?! Do you want to die?" Guan Baichi asked irritably, snorting.

"Hehehe... cough, okay, okay. I've calmed down... pfff!" Xie Qing put on a serious expression, then burst into laughter again. It only stopped after two minutes. When he saw Guan Baichi's angry face, he explained, "I'm laughing at your statement about Xie Xui's trust in you... haha! Do you believe that yourself?"

"What?"

Guan Baichi frowned. It was evident that he was trying to understand something, but he couldn't. So, Xie Qing, like a patient teacher, began to explain to him.

"If you didn't know, I am the biological son of Xie Meiling. So... figure the rest out yourself," Xie Qing said with a smirk, then added, "In simpler terms, you're just a pawn... my dear, hehehe."

"..."

Guan Baichi lost his ability to speak. Finally, the puzzle in his mind came together, and he understood everything. Naturally, he couldn't be unaware of Xie Meiling, who became the reason why the current head of the Xie family could attain this position.

Although nominally Xie Hai is considered the head, in reality, it's Xie Meiling who largely manages the family. She simply handles only important matters, so not many have heard of her. Xie Hai remains the representative of the Xie family.

Even an idiot like Guan Baichi knew what would happen if Xie Meiling found out about Xie Qing's death. After all, he was her only biological son, while the other brothers were from different mothers.

"Damn! Mr. Xie Xui wants to use me as a scapegoat! If I kill him, they'll immediately destroy me when I arrive at the Xie family, and if I don't kill him, Xie Xui will kill me!" Guan Baichi faced a serious dilemma. Although he was confident he could escape from Xie Xui, he didn't even consider attempting to run from Xie Meiling.

This woman had connections across all continents. His life would turn into that of a rat, constantly running through sewers to avoid encountering people! It was a dreadful fate he didn't desire at all.

Xie Qing observed the confusion on Guan Baichi's face and silently rejoiced that he managed to deceive him. The fact that Xie Meiling would seek revenge for him was true, but he didn't expect it to work as a form of intimidation.

"But it seems he got a bit scared... while this blockhead thinks about what to do, I need to come up with something," thought Xie Qing, then sighed. "But I can't do anything! I won't be able to break through to Qi Condensation so quickly, as it's impossible in such a short time, and besides, I don't have a strong foundation."

And while he pondered, Guan Baichi suddenly burst into laughter. Xie Qing raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

"You almost succeeded in scaring me. Fortunately, I remembered that Lady Xie hasn't been seen for a long time, and her subordinates have gradually been eliminated to avoid getting in the way," said Guan Baichi, smirking, and added, "It's quite possible that this arrogant bitch died somewhere. Oh well, I would have liked to make use of her... at least once! She has such a fantastic and sexy body..."

Guan Baichi licked his lips, looking extremely repulsive. The aura of perversion emanated from him, causing Xie Qing to freeze, and then his face turned cold.

And while Guan Baichi was lost in his thoughts, a strong murderous intent interrupted him. Raising his head, he saw Xie Qing looking at him with coldness in his gaze.

"Uh-huh? The aura of this brat is stronger than I thought... judging by this, he has killed quite a few," Guan Baichi thought, frowning. "But I know that this kid can't even chop down a tree, let alone take a life."

But then something unbelievable happened. The Battle Tiger technique, which he boasted about so much, began to show signs of deterioration – numerous cracks started spreading from where Xie Qing stood.

"Kha-a-ah!"

Bound by his technique, Guan Baichi coughed and spat out a clot of blood. His face turned pale, and Qi and blood began to deplete rapidly for reconstruction.

However, even this didn't help the situation because after two seconds...

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Countless cracks spread from Xie Qing, and soon the incredible happened...

Boom!

His technique was nullified! Xie Qing escaped the dangerous situation and stood before Guan Baichi.

"What?" 

The ugly man was not pleased that Xie Qing managed to escape the clutches of death. This alarmed him.

"Wait a minute, they only mentioned his abilities as 'insignificant.' So why did he manage to break free from the influence of my technique?!" Guan Baichi thought in shock, then trembled. "My Qi... is depleted?! Damn!"

Xie Qing stomped on the ground and drew his sword, immediately reinforcing it with basic technique to prevent the blade from cracking.

Then, taking a step back, he assumed a stance with his right foot forward and left foot behind the right one, twenty centimeters apart.

The sword was raised in the air, lying horizontally in his hand – the blade directed straight at the weakened Guan Baichi.

"This..."

Guan Baichi showed a shocked expression, of course. Because the sword technique Xie Qing used was the same one used by the successor of the Sect of Nine Pills, Lu Yin!

Everything happened in an instant. The sword blade seemed to disappear, leaving only the hilt held by Xie Qing.

Guan Baichi's reaction was severely reduced due to Qi and blood exhaustion, so he didn't have time to react.

"Eh?"

Suddenly, Guan Baichi touched his neck, and blood began to flow from his mouth. His eyes widened in shock.

The technique Xie Qing used... managed to cut Guan Baichi's neck in half.

It was a power that even Xie Qing himself didn't expect, as he learned this technique during a moment of anger for some reason, many years ago.

Ding!

[Knowledge has been acquired... technique analysis!]

Ding!

[...]

Xie Qing didn't bother to read the second notification and quickly approached Guan Baichi, who was lying on the ground, clutching his neck. Without waiting for his opponent's reaction, Xie Qing gripped the hilt and swung with all his strength.

...!

A silent scream came from Guan Baichi, who couldn't shout because his vocal cords were severed.

The blade, along with the entire sword, deeply penetrated Guan Baichi's body and pierced his heart!

"Ugh..."

Xie Qing frowned, feeling resistance from Guan Baichi's body, but he applied more force. Eventually, after five seconds, the man stopped resisting. He froze with wide-open eyes, showing fear and despair.

"Ha-a..."

Xie Qing breathed heavily and collapsed on the ground. His forehead was covered in sweat, as was his back, while his body trembled.

Ding!

[Congratulations! You have killed Guan Baichi (Foundation Building – Stage 9)!]

[You have killed an opponent stronger than you... data analysis]

[Congratulations on obtaining the item: Nameless Sword]