Alas, they ultimately could not take that step and ended up returning in dejected defeat.
Both of them were closely following Wan Huayu’s progress, noticing she’d been stuck on the fifth challenge for quite a while, they too felt significant pressure.
However, their wait did not last long before there was a result.
Wan Huayu did not pass the fifth challenge and returned in dejected defeat, halting her progress at that level.
Having seen Wan Huayu being teleported out of the Sword Realm,
Shangguan Tiance and Dugu Sheng both heaved a great sigh of relief.
They were relieved that Wan Huayu hadn’t gotten too far ahead of them.
Wan Huayu felt extremely regretful about stopping at the fifth challenge, confident that if she had broken through, she would have advanced her strength to a new height.
Then, her power at the Swordsmanship Conference would have been even more formidable.
After Wan Huayu, Shangguan Tiance, and Dugu Sheng had all returned in defeat from the Sword Realm,
the many Inner Sect Saints of Wanjian Mountain were also ready to leave.
"The Inner Sect’s three great Heavenly Prides have all been teleported out of the Sword Realm, there’s nothing left to see."
"The Sword Realm truly deserves to be the sect’s number one Holy Land; besides Wan Huayu, it’s unexpected that both Shangguan Tiance and Dugu Sheng couldn’t make any further progress."
"It seems that compared to previous years, the power hierarchy among the Inner Sect Saints in this Swordsmanship Conference won’t change much."
Just as many Inner Sect Saints were preparing to leave, the Sword Realm suddenly surged with light, and the area of the fourth challenge brightly lit up.
This sudden change immediately caught the attention of many Inner Sect Saints. They showed surprised expressions, "Someone has entered the fourth challenge?"
These words also made Wan Huayu, Shangguan Tiance, and Dugu Sheng stop in their tracks and look towards the direction of the Sword Realm.
They squinted their eyes slightly.
Indeed, someone had set foot in the fourth challenge of the Sword Realm.
In the Inner Sect, reaching the third challenge was considered on par with the Inner Sect Ten Saints.
But reaching the fourth challenge meant that one could vie with Heavenly Prides like Shangguan Tiance and Dugu Sheng!
A Heavenly Pride figure of such caliber appeared in the Inner Sect?
"Do you know who entered the fourth challenge?"
Even Wan Huayu, the leading Heavenly Pride Girl of the Inner Sect, was quite interested in this person who had broken into the fourth challenge.
"It seems, he’s called Xu Qing."
Shangguan Tiance furrowed his brows, "It’s said that on the Sacrificial Altar, he caused the ’Purple Qi Comes from the East for Three Thousand Miles’ phenomenon and received the teaching of Sword Intent from a Holy Land Ancestor, Wuji Sword Saint. This matter has caused quite a stir and is known by all."
Wan Huayu raised her eyebrows, "It seems that this person is highly talented, indeed a strong competitor."
On the side, Dugu Sheng nodded and said, "Entering the Sword Realm for the first time and managing to reach the fourth challenge, this kid indeed has some skills."
He and Shangguan Tiance were only at the level of the fourth challenge; this Xu Qing reaching the fourth challenge indicated he possessed talent worthy of competing with them.
He was worth their attention.
At that moment, within the Sword Realm.
Lin Yi was clashing with the cloning body of the fourth challenge.
This cloning body of the fourth challenge already possessed the cultivation of the Fifth Level of the Sealed Marquis Realm, and its swordsmanship had reached King-level top-grade.
With such strength, the cloning body could already exchange blows evenly with Lin Yi.
It was probably not much weaker than the Half-Saint Disciple, Xue Qianzhong.
Encountering a King-level top-grade swordsmanship, Lin Yi naturally did not let this chance slip and still went all out, focusing primarily on defense.
The Inner Sect Saints outside were growing impatient.
Lin Yi had stayed in the fourth challenge of the Sword Realm for a full two hours without any sign of coming out, which was quite peculiar.
If Lin Yi didn’t have enough strength, how could he have endured for two hours?
If Lin Yi were strong enough, after two hours had passed, he should have entered the fifth challenge.
Why linger so long in the fourth challenge?
Could it be that Lin Yi was evenly matched with the cloning body of the fourth level, and even after two hours had passed, they had yet to decide a victor?
"It seems that this fourth challenge must be Xu Qing’s limit."
Shangguan Tiance mused thoughtfully.
Dugu Sheng also nodded; after all, for a Saint who had just been promoted to the Inner Sect, reaching the fourth challenge was already a commendable achievement.
In terms of talent, he was indeed on an equal footing with them.
Given more time to grow, he might well become a formidable rival to them.
Meanwhile, Wan Huayu temporarily lost interest in Lin Yi; someone who couldn’t even match Shangguan Tiance and Dugu Sheng, how could he pose a threat to her?
But just then, the Sword Realm was again engulfed in turmoil. Under the watchful eyes full of shock, Lin Yi actually broke through the fourth challenge and entered the fifth challenge of the Sword Realm!
"Xu Qing actually made it to the fifth challenge?!"
In a flash, Wanjian Mountain was in an uproar, and a look of disbelief surged in everyone’s eyes!