140 - I’m Really Not an NPC

Yue Ling's eyes shone with unwavering determination. "Use the Immortal Inquiry Pill!" [You have lost 1 Immortal Inquiry Pill, and gained Experience Points: 100 million] [Ding~ You have leveled up! Current Level: 17] [Ding~ You have leveled up! Current Level: 18] [Ding~ You have leveled up! Current Level: 19] An indescribable sensation surged through her body, feeling as if she was bathing in warm water. Spiritual energy flowed immensely, making the surrounding scenery appear even clearer. All the demons stared blankly as Yue Ling gently floated off the ground, feeling a sudden burst of formidable aura emanating from her, stirring a deep-seated fear within them. [Warning! Yue Ling has entered the third phase. Retreat immediately!] [Warning!...] [Warning!...] Both demons and humans were profoundly shocked. A boss so revered by the heavenly order, entering the third phase, was undoubtedly an NPC of significant importance. If Shi Fang weren't present, they would have fled at once. Facing a boss of such overwhelming presence, not even sacrificing their lives could bring them victory! Yue Ling's eyes flickered with resolve. Without hesitation, she silently murmured, "Heavenly Blessing!" [Ding~ This item cannot be used. Level requirement: 20] Yue Ling was momentarily taken aback; this was entirely unexpected. However, there was no more time for her to devise another plan. The desolate and cold moon disk had already descended from the sky, its pale halo enveloping her, making her fair skin glow with a radiant whiteness. Even with her usual calm demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a sense of solitude and desolation. Heart trembling, she was astonished that the moon disk could sway her emotions. Not daring to delay any further, a pale light emanated from the Chūxuě Sword. "Flowing Breeze, Returning Snow." Under the moon disk, snowflakes suddenly began to drift down from the sky. Someone exclaimed in surprise, "Is this...snow? Has Shi Fang's sword technique improved again?" "No, this is Yue Ling's counterattack." The winds and snow swirled, forming frost! In an instant, Yue Ling's figure appeared before everyone's eyes, her massive spiritual power almost liquefied, erupting with a thunderous boom as the Chūxuě Sword struck fiercely at the moon disk. "Boom!" The moon disk trembled slightly, a deep, dark pit appearing on it, but that was all. "An all-out attack could only cause this much damage?" Shi Fang, who had been tense throughout, finally relaxed. The seventh sword—surely his final sword. Yue Ling couldn't hold out any longer. Yet at that moment, Yue Ling vanished abruptly, reappearing with another powerful strike imbued with immense spiritual force. "Boom!" Before anyone could gasp in astonishment, Yue Ling vanished again, reappearing with a ruthless sword strike. "Boom!" "Boom!" One after another, Yue Ling's sharp sword strikes landed on the moon disk, leaving spectators in shock. "How can this be? Where does she have so much spiritual energy?" "Was that not her full strength in those strikes?" Shi Fang found it hard to comprehend. From his perspective, it seemed that with each strike, Yue Ling was indeed using all her power. With another slash, Yue Ling hovered midair, glancing at the system panel. [Current Prestige Value: 0] Her heart tightened, and she took a light breath. She only had one more chance for a strike. "Swish!" A stream of light pierced the skies, falling onto the moon disk, driving into the depths of that deep pit. "Crack!" The continuous strikes at the same spot on the moon disk finally overwhelmed it, as countless fissures spread instantly. With a thunderous crash, it shattered into countless fragments that fell and dissipated into glimmers before reaching the ground. Yue Ling's chest tightened suddenly, a warm liquid rising in her throat, the rich taste of blood flooding her mouth. The dark energy contained within the collision of the moon disk had already invaded her body, enveloping her organs, filling her chest and abdomen with a chilling, frosty pain. Yet, to prevent her adversaries from noticing her vulnerability, she held herself together, not daring to swallow the blood pooling in her mouth. Meanwhile, Shi Fang's right hand gripped the Jade Light Sword tightly, for the first time feeling an inexplicable sense of possible failure. He dismissed the thought, "Impossible, Yue Ling must be at her limit; she won't withstand the next strike!" He commanded coldly, "Eighth Sword!" Within a wave of jade green, a fiery red glow lit the heavens, as a sun radiating intense flames rose steadily. In its hidden depths, Yue Ling vaguely sensed the presence of a golden bird, observing her with cold indifference. Yue Ling sighed inwardly. She had hoped the flowing breeze and returning snow could be saved for the ninth sword, but it seemed that there was no reserve left for this next sword. Silently, she chanted, "Immortal Art: As in a Dream!" Her extraordinary mental power gradually enveloped the space, weaving reality and illusion into rule. A golden, exquisite short sword suddenly appeared. Everyone felt an abrupt throb in their hearts, gazing at the palm-sized golden short sword with terror and dread. "This sword, Xi He!" With no attribute enhancement, the most suitable creation her mental power could manifest was this Xi He Sword! Xi He? Everyone was perplexed. How had they never heard of such a name? A divine sword so extraordinary shouldn’t be without fame. "Xi He, Day-Driving!" The golden short sword erupted with vibrant gold-red light, like a scorching sun of summer, accompanied by an angry avian screech. Simultaneously, from within Shi Fang's sun came a similar angry avian cry. Two suns cannot coexist! With the dual cries, each transformed into a fiery bird, spreading burnished wings as they rushed towards one another. In a blink, they entangled, resembling twin blazing flames merging into a bright red ball of light. Who would prevail? All eyes were glued to that ball of light, witnessing the interplay of differing shades of red clashing fiercely. A dozen seconds passed, and the light dimmed, reforming into a lackluster fiery bird, diving fiercely towards Shi Fang amidst gasps. Instinctively, Shi Fang raised his sword to block, but realized doing so would waste a move. So, he forcefully withdrew the Jade Light Sword, chanting a spell, as a jade green light orb enveloped him. "Swoosh~" With a sharp sound, the jade green shield shuddered violently and opened a tear, the fiery bird letting out a sorrowful cry and fading into the air. A few lingering sparks fell onto Shi Fang, leaving burn marks on his stately robes. Shi Fang felt gravely serious; in this sword strike, he had lost? Was Yue Ling stronger than him? No, impossible! Yue Ling halted her immortal technique, her mental strength nearly depleted, feeling a dizzying swirl in her mind, the scene before her blurred. A deep voice faintly reached her ears. "Ninth Sword!" Overwhelming pressure converged wildly, the impending storm of the sword move was forming. Was this the end? Her heartbeat involuntarily quickened, yet her limbs felt increasingly cold, the suffocating sense of death filling her mind. Could she truly not withstand it? No, I can't just give up! Never give up!