Jixia uttered words brimming with killing intent, immediately putting Shi Yu on high alert.
A surge of spiritual energy erupted from Shi Yu's body, lifting her into the air and propelling her backward over ten meters.
Landing safely in the distance, Shi Yu stared at Jixia, who stood calmly with his hands behind his back. Her voice carried disbelief, "Have you lost your mind? I have no grievance with you, yet you wish to attack me?"
Jixia's gaze was cold, overflowing with murderous intent. A torrent of golden spiritual energy surged forth like a mighty river, its momentum unstoppable.
Shi Yu, taken aback by the mounting pressure around Jixia, quickly regained her composure, her lips curling into a mocking smile.
"Qin Ji! Whatever your reason for turning against me, you will pay a price you cannot bear!"
Despite the overwhelming spiritual energy radiating from Jixia, Shi Yu's own aura seemed to calm instead of intensify.
Seeing her response, Jixia wasted no time. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a silver longsword. Spiritual energy flowed into the blade, illuminating it with a radiant golden hue.
Jixia slashed downward, activating the Suixing Prison Sword technique. A golden sword beam, spanning three meters in length, shot toward Shi Yu.
To his surprise, instead of showing alarm, Shi Yu smirked, her expression one of calculated triumph.
"Qin Ji! Don't you know that when those fused with the Divine Spirit attempt to harm one another, the Divine Spirits within will retaliate by devouring their host?"
Her spiritual sense flickered as her voice echoed through the Sacred Shrine.
Simultaneously, her spiritual wheel spun rapidly, activating numerous spiritual seals. A natural rune glowed on her brow, conjuring a spell in the air.
"Celestial Barrier of Shadows!"
Shi Yu called out sharply, and the flowing rune transformed into a semi-circular shield of light, blocking the incoming sword beam.
Her eyes glinted with cruelty, as if already envisioning Jixia being devoured by his own Divine Spirit, his flesh torn asunder.
However, Jixia's face remained calm, unmoved by her warnings.
His sword danced in his hand as torrents of spiritual energy surged around him. With deliberate strides, he advanced toward Shi Yu.
By this point, his golden sword beam had collided with the Celestial Barrier of Shadows, unleashing a violent shockwave. The force shattered massive stone slabs beneath Shi Yu's feet, reducing them to rubble.
"What?!"
Shi Yu's expression twisted in disbelief as Jixia closed the distance, his aura intensifying with every step, each wave of power stronger than the last.
"Why isn't his Divine Spirit retaliating?"
Stifling her confusion, Shi Yu bit her lip and thrust her hand forward. A sapphire ring on her index finger glimmered, summoning a crimson silk ribbon into her grasp.
The ribbon, inscribed with faint runes, radiated a powerful spiritual energy. With a flick, Shi Yu lashed it out at Jixia, meeting his sword beam head-on.
The ensuing clash was ferocious. Jixia's Suixing Prison Sword techniques, honed to mastery, were pitted against Shi Yu's formidable ribbon. The battle was evenly matched, each strike shaking the Sacred Shrine to its core.
"Qin Ji! I don't know how you've evaded the Divine Spirit's punishment or silenced its presence within you. But if you think that alone gives you the right to fight me, you are gravely mistaken!"
Shi Yu's crimson robes flared as she leapt gracefully through the air. Her voice echoed with disdain, "You have no comprehension of the power of someone at the fourth stage of divine abilities!"
With a sharp cry, she activated another spiritual seal, unleashing a devastating spell. A colossal water column materialized, transforming into a dragon with razor-sharp teeth, lunging toward Jixia.
Undeterred, Jixia stood resolute, channeling his energy to its peak. His expression remained steady as his sword glowed with blinding brilliance.
With a sweep of his blade, the Devouring Star Technique shattered the water dragon, reducing it to scattered spiritual energy.
Not giving Shi Yu a chance to recover, Jixia let his sword fly. The blade shot forward like a silver comet, aiming straight for her heart.
Shi Yu responded swiftly, summoning a rune-engraved hammer and a vortex with her ribbon to intercept the sword.
"Your silver sword is indeed a rare treasure," she sneered, tightening her grip on the ribbon. "But if you think it can kill me, you're dreaming!"
Just as she prepared to crush the sword entirely, a terrifying surge of energy drew her attention.
Her face paled as she turned to see Jixia holding a silver longbow, drawn to its full extent, with a gleaming arrow of golden spiritual energy trembling on the string.
"No... the Mourning Beast Bow!"
Shi Yu's mind raced as she recognized the weapon she had once shown him.
Before she could react, Jixia released the arrow.
The golden arrow streaked through the air, transforming into the spectral image of a fearsome beast—a tiger-bodied, bull-headed creature roaring silently as it charged toward Shi Yu.
In desperation, Shi Yu hastily pulled her ribbon back, combining it with another spell to shield herself.
But the golden arrow pierced through her defenses, the beast's phantom tearing into her body and obliterating her spiritual wheel.
Shi Yu's agonized screams echoed through the Sacred Shrine as black smoke billowed from her broken form.
Her flesh began to rot, and long, hairy limbs burst from her back. Within moments, a monstrous black spider emerged, its grotesque body growing to ten meters in size.
The spider hissed, its voice a raspy whisper reverberating throughout the hall.
"Qin Ji! You've hurt me... I'll devour you alive!"
Jixia narrowed his eyes, a cold smile tugging at his lips. "Is that so?"
Golden light erupted from his body, forming a massive furnace in midair. The radiant furnace descended with unstoppable force, crushing the spider into a pulp.
Black smoke seeped from the remains, but the furnace absorbed it all, leaving nothing behind.
Amidst the wreckage, Shi Yu reappeared, battered and bleeding profusely. Her eyes filled with despair as she whispered, "I can't die... I still have vengeance to exact..."
Jixia stood over her, his gaze icy.
"You must die."
"Why?"
Jixia offered no answer.
Desperation filled Shi Yu's voice as she cried, "I can't die! I have to kill him!"
A sickening crunch silenced her.
Jixia crushed her skull underfoot, muttering coldly, "I told you—I don't care about your story. I only want you dead."