"Oh? A flying sword?" Mulan parried the sword light with her short sword, saying, "I've heard that in Chang'an, there's a sword immortal who can control his sword with qi. You're not him, are you?"
Bai Ye shook his head. "No."
As Bai Ye spoke, he tossed the sword box forward.
Seven flying swords simultaneously fell from the sword box, transforming into sword light and attacking Mulan.
Facing the seven streaks of sword light descending upon her, Mulan showed no panic. She rapidly swung her short saber, deflecting the sword light one by one.
In the next instant, Mulan charged forward, reaching Bai Ye once more and bringing her sword down towards him.
"Teleportation!"
Using the flying swords' attack as a setup, Bai Ye positioned himself for teleportation. With a flash, he moved about ten meters away, and Mulan's twin swords missed.
Having re-established distance, Bai Ye immediately resumed his swordplay.
Seven-Colored Sword Qi (evokes seven-colored sword qi from seven swords, seven streaks each time, requires a 10-second cooldown per use)
Hum, hum, hum…
In the sky, the seven-colored flying swords vibrated gently, emitting a sword hum. Then, streaks of sword qi began to descend from the air.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The sword qi struck the ground, creating booming sounds and continuously cracking the earth.
Although the power seemed immense, it still didn't harm Mulan. Mulan's speed was faster than Bai Ye had anticipated. She weaved through the sword qi with continuous sidesteps and then threw a short sword towards Bai Ye.
The short sword spun, slashing at Bai Ye, who immediately drew his renowned blade, Bloodlust, from his back.
Clang!
Their weapons met with a crisp clang. The spinning short sword was knocked away by Bai Ye.
Mulan leaped high, caught her short sword, and, as she descended towards Bai Ye, struck out again.
Clang!
Bai Ye blocked the strike with Bloodlust held horizontally in front of him, but the immense force made him struggle to hold his ground.
Gritting his teeth, Bai Ye swept his leg forward forcefully. As he did, flames ignited around his leg.
Mulan quickly leaped backward, looking at Bai Ye and saying, "Oh? Besides controlling swords with qi, you also wield demonic powers? Then let me see them!"
Bai Ye wasted no words. He repeatedly swept his leg forward, sending fireballs flying towards her.
Mulan raised her sword, intending to shatter the incoming fireballs, but suddenly felt a sense of danger and rapidly leaped backward.
As expected…
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The fireballs exploded simultaneously in the air with a resounding boom.
In the next moment, Bai Ye dashed forward, passing through the flames, and appeared before Mulan, assuming a sword-slashing posture. Just as Mulan prepared to defend, the seven flying swords descended from the sky, piercing towards her back.
Bai Ye couldn't help but grin.
He had succeeded!
But at that moment, Mulan suddenly stomped her foot down hard on the ground.
Boom!
The ground shattered, and countless cracks appeared. Then, chunks of rubble were thrown into the air, colliding with the descending flying swords and knocking them away.
Bai Ye almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Even this worked?
Simultaneously, after shaking off the flying swords, Mulan leaped forward again, slashing at Bai Ye.
Clang!
The crisp sound of clashing metal rang out again. Bai Ye raised his hand to block one of Mulan's short swords, but in the next instant, another short sword in Mulan's hand was placed at Bai Ye's neck.
Mulan smiled slightly, moved the sword away, and then retreated.
"Let's call it a day. That was a satisfying spar."
Mulan walked to the side, placed her weapons on the rack, and picked up a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.
Shouyue smiled and approached Bai Ye, handing him a new handkerchief. "Sister Mulan is very formidable, isn't she?"
Bai Ye nodded. "She's alright."
It was just a spar, and Bai Ye naturally hadn't used his full strength.
For instance, if Bai Ye had used his poison fruit, it would have been a fight to the death, and moreover, a killing he couldn't control.
"She's alright?" Shouyue chuckled and then gestured towards the weapon rack. "See that greatsword?"
Bai Ye nodded.
"That's Sister Mulan's sword too," Shouyue said. "Sister Mulan fights with three swords."
Bai Ye froze. Did that mean the other party had also held back?
Bai Ye pondered for a moment and then realized that the woman before him was likely not an ordinary member of the Great Wall Guard, but a hero who could enter the Hero's Tomb.
"Hey!" Mulan tossed a jug of wine towards Bai Ye. As Bai Ye caught it, she smiled and said, "Bai Ye, are you willing to stay at the Great Wall? The Great Wall needs your sword, and it needs your strength."
Bai Ye thought for a moment. "I am but a traveler. I cannot guarantee I will always stay at the Great Wall, but I swear that when I do remain here, I will fight for the Great Wall, for my comrades, and for the common people."
Mulan smiled. "That is enough."
"You have successfully joined the Great Wall Guard (Provisional)."
The sudden notification surprised Bai Ye. He then felt a surge of joy in his heart.
This was a good development!
Although he had only joined the Great Wall Guard provisionally, it reminded Bai Ye of the Demon Realm. More importantly, the Hero region was indeed an area with boundless potential, filled with numerous forbidden zones and good items. Of course, the most valuable would be the hero possession ability.
After possessing Lu Bu, the feeling of being able to kill gods and Buddhas was something Bai Ye would be lying if he said he didn't want to experience again.
Furthermore, in his previous life, Bai Ye had obtained Sikong Zhen's possession from the Hero's Tomb, which was also golden quality, no weaker than Lu Bu's.
As for the Great Wall Guard…
Li Xin's possession should also be golden quality. However, Bai Ye had encountered Li Xin in the Land of Fallen Gods in his previous life. It was uncertain if he was golden quality now, but he at least had the potential for golden quality.
As for Mulan, because she had held back during their spar, Bai Ye found it difficult to judge. However, from their brief exchange, Bai Ye felt that Mulan's possession should at least reach black quality, and considering he hadn't seen her full strength, it might even be red quality.
And then there was Kai…
During the spar with Mulan, the strength he displayed was no less than Mulan's. Moreover…
Bai Ye had a strange feeling that the aura hidden within Kai was more profound. Although his position was not as high as Mulan's, his strength should still surpass hers.
Thinking this way, Bai Ye felt joining the Great Wall Guard was very worthwhile. Perhaps he could find forbidden zones or hidden quests here, and even if not through the Hero's Tomb, he might have a chance to obtain the possession abilities of the aforementioned three.
Wouldn't that be wonderful…
And then…
Bai Ye realized he was overthinking things!
…