A quiet scene, a suffocating atmosphere.

The smoke and dust dissipate…

From the crater in the ground, a figure slowly rose.

In the hazy light, the figure seemed to have merged with the surrounding environment.

She was quiet, aloof.

She exuded a chilling and indifferent aura that penetrated to the bone, yet also carried a逼ren (逼人, compelling) killing intent.

At this time, Ruo Yu's appearance had changed somewhat compared to before she fell to the ground. In addition to the bone mask on her face, her neck… actually had a hole about the size of a ping-pong ball, piercing straight through. In addition, her eyes had turned into black backgrounds with white pupils, and the length of her hair had extended to her waist.

[Name: Facade of the Hollow]

[Type: Armor]

[Quality: Perfect]

[Defense: Medium]

[Attribute: None]

[Effect: Duration of negative control effects reduced by 70%]

[Equipment Requirements: Martial Arts Specialization A, Bound]

[Note: This mask contains a portion of the Hogyoku's power. When released, it allows the wearer to temporarily enter "Hollowfication." However, this power can only be released once. After it is consumed, the mask's quality and effects will be permanently reduced.]

Ruo Yu had obtained this equipment a long time ago, but she had never "displayed head equipment and clothing" in the script, nor had she ever used the ability of "Hollowfication." Therefore, from the outside, one could not tell that she had this equipment on her.

The reason she hadn't used it before was obvious – once used, the item's effects would weaken, possibly dropping directly from a "Perfect" grade equipment to a "Normal" or even "Broken" grade.

But… as Ruo Yu said, if it was used here, on Xu Huai Shang… then it was worth it.

"The time for Soul Descent is almost up, isn't it?" Beneath the mask, Ruo Yu's voice became bizarre and heavy, as if two people in different registers were harmonizing.

As soon as she stood up, she turned to look at Xu Huai Shang and said this sentence.

Xu Huai Shang also understood that the subtext of her words was – if you still want to win, you'd better make your move before Soul Descent ends.

"Not only isn't she dead… but the wounds on her body have all healed…" Xu Huai Shang observed Ruo Yu for a few seconds, muttering softly, "Tch… she's really troublesome…"

Before she finished speaking, Xu Huai Shang launched another attack.

"Tianba… Fengshen Zhan!" (天霸封神斩, Heavenly Tyrant... Conferred God Slash!)

After shouting, Xu Huai Shang closed in on Ruo Yu in an instant; her movements were light and飘忽 (piāohū, elusive), the fast blade spun and slashed like a vortex, and the狂卷 (kuángjuǎn, wildly swirling) blade energy seemed to tear out arcs of斬波 (zhǎnbō, slashing waves) like a chainsaw.

"Sword. Xuhen." (剑.虚痕, Sword. Phantom Scar)

Meeting the attack, Ruo Yu's body didn't even move. She simply raised her left hand and drew out a swath of狂烈 (kuángliè, fierce) sword light with the Original Water God Sword.

In the Demon Flow Sword style, there was actually no move called "Sword. Xuhen." This style was improvised by Ruo Yu. Although the details of the move were far less experienced than Feng Zhihen's swordsmanship, its sword intent inherited the wild characteristics of the Demon Flow Sword, complementing the latter.

Chī chī chī chī –

Along with a few rapid strange noises, the Dou Qi (斗气, battle aura) on the blade and sword once again rubbed and collided in the air.

But this time… the balance of power had been broken.

"She actually… blocked it?" After the exchange, Xu Huai Shang was shocked, because the other party was only using one hand at the moment, and the Tianba Fengshen Zhan she used required the power of both hands to activate.

Under this premise, even if it was a tie, Xu Huai Shang undoubtedly had the disadvantage…

"Sorry… I seem to have underestimated the power of Hollowfication." In that instant, Ruo Yu actually replied lightly, "It seems… whether your Soul Descent is still here or not, it no longer matters."

Xu Huai Shang heard this and didn't respond. She simply launched another move, the Miken. Oborodachi (秘剑.胧刀, Secret Sword. Hazy Blade), using a突进 (tūjìn, charging) Iai stance to launch a close-range diagonal slash at Ruo Yu.

Unexpectedly…

Clang—

Her blade did indeed strike Ruo Yu's ribs, but it didn't create a wound…

"In this state, the strength of the skin's surface becomes like steel, but the softness and tension are the same as ordinary skin." Ruo Yu didn't even lower her head to look at the other's blade, just looking at Xu Huai Shang's face and said, "I originally thought that even with this kind of defensive ability, you would still be injured by a direct hit, but… I realized when I was exchanging blows with you just now… that since Hollowfication greatly improves the basic body skills, your strength and speed no longer pose a threat to me. So I determined that it wouldn't matter even if I was directly hit by you."

"Preposterous!" Xu Huai Shang began to get anxious, because when Ruo Yu received the blade, the time limit for the opening of Soul Descent… had also arrived.

"Sakura. Tsukidan!" (樱.月断, Cherry Blossom. Moon Severance!) The next second, she used the killer move that had once bisected Brave Invincible.

This move… was not granted by Soul Descent, but was Xu Huai Shang's own skill; compared to using the techniques of Soul Descent, she was obviously more proficient in using her own skills.

Pfft— glug glug—

This blade brought out a strange sound of bones being torn apart… the blade successfully tore open Ruo Yu's "steel skin," leaving a horizontal gash in her abdomen.

But…

"Super-speed regeneration is also one of the basic abilities after Hollowfication." When Ruo Yu said this lightly, her wound had already healed at a speed visible to the naked eye…

"In addition, I can now use my hands, and even my mouth, to release Cero (虚闪, Hollow Flash), and without any preparation time." After a slight pause, Ruo Yu added, "However… it seems a bit of a pity to end such a duel with an energy blast."

"Hmph…" At this time, Xu Huai Shang retreated a few zhang (丈, approx. 3.3 meters), revealing a helpless, bitter smile, "The head and internal organs can't be regenerated, can they?"

"That's right, use a stronger attack than the one just now… behead me, and you'll win." Ruo Yu replied.

"So… is that how it is?" Xu Huai Shang asked a question that seemed somewhat strange to others.

However, Ruo Yu understood.

"Yes, that's how it is." She replied.

After speaking, the two exchanged glances.

Then, Xu Huai Shang took two deep breaths, spread the twin blades to the sides of her body, and adopted a stance like a soaring swallow spreading its wings.

Ruo Yu split the twin swords, stood sideways, and took a half step forward slightly.

Breathing, like an invisible signal.

Once, twice… at the third exhalation, they moved.

The twin blades transformed into Falling Flowers and Flying Catkins (落花飞絮, Luòhuā Fēixù).

The twin swords unleashed Residual Wind and Sword Shadows (残风剑影, Cánfēng Jiànyǐng).

Ding—

This battle had been going on until now, and the blade and sword… had made such a crisp, clear sound for the first time.

Two seconds later, the two figures passed each other, landed… and stood back to back.

At this moment, all the light disappeared, all the sounds were silenced, and all the movements stopped.

The killing array of blade and sword no longer existed, and the滔天 (tāotiān, overwhelming) killing intent was also gone.

After one breath, one person fell.

In the same second, the dawn sunlight拨开 (bōkāi, pushed aside) the light mist in the sky and shone on the shoulder of the victor…