Bo Qing immediately charged at one of the sword apprentices. Overcome by hate, the man was about to meet his attack when a voice resounded through the battle field: "Stand back! You cannot do anything, so don't get yourself killed for nothing. I will handle this demon." The man gritted his teeth and reluctantly retreated.

As the apprentices stepped back, one man stood out and met Bo Qing's gaze. He was huge, the size of two men, with bulging muscles. Brown hair flowed down like a waterfall, and his dark blue eyes seemed like they could see through anything. Thick leather encased his body and a wide mantle of animal fur draped over his shoulders. Rank two master aura was emanating from him. This was the clan leader. "Demon, your rampage ends here. I will show you the might of Blessed Spring clan." Bo Qing laughed: "Empty words. Come and prove your strength!"

The clan leader took out a large sword and held it with both hands: "I am Yuan Shang, demon, by what name do you go by?" He replied as he took a stance: "It is Bo Qing."

With that, there was nothing more to say. Bo Qing first attacked without using any of his sword's abilities. He wanted to probe his opponent. Yuan Shang effortlessly blocked the attack. Bo Qing continued rapidly striking, like a raging storm. But Yuan Shang did not let anything slip through his defense.

Bo Qing was surprised, Yuan Shang was blocking everything without using any ability either. Furthermore, he did not recognize the sword in his hands! It might look like Yuan Shang could only defend himself, but his instincts told him there was more to this man.

Bo Qing stepped back for a moment, and a formless blue current appeared around him. This was flowing river sword's effect. He then resumed his attack, but this time the current protected him, allowing him to be more aggressive without worrying about a counterattack. Yuan Shang defended for a short moment, but suddenly, hidden markings on his skin revealed themselves and started shining in an azure color.

Bo Qing's instinct screamed at him to dodge. This instinct was honed through countless battles, he trusted it fully. He immediately threw himself back. After creating some distance, he observed Yuan Shang. He still stood there, like a unmovable mountain. Suddenly, he felt something wet on his face. It was blood, dripping from a cut on his cheek. Bo Qing was startled, he was hit even after dodging prematurely, he hadn't even seen the attack! Since when was there such a person in this insignificant clan?

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Yuan Shang looked at him: "Demon, it seems like you underestimated me. My clan may be declining, but we are far from death. This is blessed spring sword, passed down and perfected by generations of clan leaders. This sword has the history of my clan imbued in it. And now you shall face the wrath of Blessed Spring clan!"

Yuan Shang moved and almost instantly appeared before Bo Qing. The large sword was swung effortlessly, and landed a direct hit. Bo Qing spat out blood and was flung against a wall. Luckily, flowing river sword absorbed most of the impact, otherwise he would have died!

Nevertheless, Bo Qing smiled. To think that he could experience such a strong opponent so soon! He quickly replenished flowing river's current and stood up. "Impressive, that strike was meant to kill you, but you managed to survive. No matter, if one isn't enough, then I shall strike again." Yuan Shang was already rapidly approaching, but suddenly, he slowed down. A dark blue hue surrounded him, and he felt sluggish. This was deep lake sword's doing!

While Yuan Shang felt like he was trapped at the bottom of a lake, Bo Qing felt like a fish in the water. This time, he cautiously attacked, not daring to be reckless. Cuts began accumulating on Yuan Shang's body, but even with deep lake sword's restriction, he was still unbelievably fast. Just not fast enough to escape Bo Qing's eyes.

At the critical moment in an exchange of blades, the current surrounding Bo Qing's body suddenly lashed out! Yuan Shang couldn't react to it, and a deep wound was formed on his right leg. The current did not stop there, it continued biting like a snake, but after the initial surprise Yuan Shang adapted, and only sustained minor injuries.

This was what separated the rank one gentle stream and the rank two flowing river sword. Previously, it could only defend, but now it could be used offensively too!

Bo Qing stepped back for a moment and caught his breath. Excessive use of flowing river, plus the constant maintainmant of deep lake was exhausting him. But Yuan Shang was not faring much better. He was covered in injuries, with blood gushing out from all parts of his body. Bo Qing looked at the large sword: "Blessed spring sword, right? I think I've figured it out. It massively increases your body's capabilities, far beyond the limits of rank two. But in return, your wounds bleed far more than what such a superior body would."

Yuan Shang had a solemn look: "You saw through it quite quickly. Demon, you have earned my respect. Now take it to your grave." Both fighters sensed that the battle was coming to an end. The next exchange would decide the result, who would rise to glory and who would turn into ashes.

Yuan Shang moved like lightning and his sword came down like heaven itself was falling. This single attack contained everything Yuan Shang had left. It was unavoidable. Bo Qing could only block with both his swords and the flowing river current. It was like a mountain was crushing him. This stalemate lasted for but a brief moment, but felt like an eternity for both.

Finally, Bo Qing felt the intense pressure dissapear. Yuan Shang was standing motionless, like a statue. He was dead, yet he still stood tall. Not even death could bring him down. The surrounding clansmen rushed to the corpse and howled in grief. Bo Qing distanced himself: "Yuan Shang, I shall remember this name. Had you lasted just a little longer, I might have lost."

He then turned around and left Blessed Spring clan, not taking the sword Yuan Shang left behind. Half out of respect, and half because he was on the verge of breaking down himself. The battle took too much out of him, he could barely stand. In this state, he doubted he could win against those apprentices. While fleeing, he turned around one last time:

"Farewell, Blessed Spring."