"In that case, I have a proposal."
Xue Jingfeng's aura was extremely fierce, ready to make a move. He continued, "This stage is too narrow. Since we're going to use our full True Qi cultivation, this small place is certainly not enough for us. I suggest using the entire Sky Garden as our battlefield, until one of us admits defeat. What do you think?"
"Alright, I have no problem with that."
Ling Chen nodded. The platform was only about thirty meters square. It would suffice for a simple exchange of Swordsmanship, but if they were to go all out, it wouldn't be nearly enough.
Setting the entire Sky Garden as a battlefield would give them far more space.
"In that case, let's battle!"
A glimmer shone in Xue Jingfeng's eyes. He raised his arm, the black Treasure Sword in his hand drawing an arc in the Void. Gripping the hilt with one hand, True Qi surged from his fingertips, and his fingers seemed to be shrouded in a black halo.
Ling Chen cleared all stray thoughts from his mind, his gaze fixed on Xue Jingfeng, who stood directly opposite him. The next moment, an immense Mountain and Water Sword Intention coalesced above the platform into a transparent Sharp Sword, seemingly poised to cleave the very air in two.
The Treasure Swords at everyone's waists involuntarily trembled.
Gasps of astonishment rose from below the platform. Only Sword Intent could possess the power to resonate with all swords.
"That Dustless actually possesses Sword Intent!"
Lin Mo was also surprised. If Ling Chen had used Sword Intent during our fight, I doubt I could have lasted so many rounds, he thought.
"So, you also possess a trump card like Sword Intent," Xue Jingfeng remarked. He was surprised for a moment but not as shocked as the others. Instead, after the initial surprise, his eyes gleamed with fervent battle intent.
"I just wonder, compared to my Slaughter Sword Intent, whose Sword Intent will be stronger!"
A brilliant light shot out from Xue Jingfeng's eyes. In a flash, a Sword Intent, filled with the aura of Slaughter and death, erupted from him.
Only those who had experienced bloody slaughter could cultivate a Sword Intent of this nature.
Xue Jingfeng's Slaughter Sword Intent surged forth, quickly intercepting Ling Chen's Mountain and Water Sword Intention. It was as if two colossal Treasure Swords, one black and one white, furiously clashed in the air above the platform.
Sparks erupted from the space between the two as they engaged in a fierce exchange.
A talented young prodigy standing too close found his vision blurring as a flash of light streaked past, grazing his face.
He quickly touched his cheek, his hand coming away covered in blood. The flash of light had been a strand of sword qi, injuring him silently.
"Not good, retreat quickly!"
He hastily backed away. After both combatants unleashed their full Cultivation, the resultant sword qi was incredibly powerful; an ordinary person could not hope to resist it.
The other young talents near the platform also retreated, their expressions changing.
"I'm about to lose control of the sword in my hand!"
As the confrontation of Sword Intents on the platform escalated, some of the young, sword-wielding prodigies also cried out in distress. The resonance from the two clashing Sword Intents pulled at their ordinary swords too intensely. Given their Cultivation, they were on the verge of losing control.
"Such intense Sword Intent!"
Luo Xibai wore a surprised expression. At this moment, everyone in the courtyard could feel the presence of the two Sword Intents. Although these Sword Intents clashed, they seemed to both restrict and fuel each other, paradoxically amplifying their respective strengths.
Xu Ruoyan's beautiful eyes lit up. "Both wield Lesser Achievement Sword Intent," she murmured. "It's difficult to determine who holds the upper hand. Sword Intent is indeed a rare treasure. Only top-level geniuses who truly love and are obsessed with the Sword Way have a chance to comprehend Sword Intent. And now, two Swordsmen possessing Sword Intent are dueling—undoubtedly, this is a peerless battle between Genius Swordsmen!"
On the platform, a sound like something shattering suddenly echoed from between the two. The next moment, the sword phantoms condensed by their Sword Intents simultaneously shattered and burst apart.
Ling Chen and Xue Jingfeng were simultaneously forced back. In this clash of Sword Intents, they were evenly matched.
"Ling Chen, you truly are a powerful opponent, worthy of me going all out!" Xue Jingfeng's face was filled with delight. Initially, I believed that with my Cultivation as a Ninth-Level Martial Master, I'd definitely have an advantage against Ling Chen. But it's completely different now. His strength is unfathomable; I have no idea what other trump cards he's hiding, he mused.
"You as well," Ling Chen replied, his expression also becoming extremely solemn. This Xue Jingfeng, capable of comprehending Sword Intent on his own, is undoubtedly a rare Genius Swordsman, a formidable adversary, he acknowledged internally.
The two stood just ten steps apart, locked in a standoff, neither making the first move.
Whoever moved first would inevitably reveal an opening.
At this moment, they didn't even blink, staring intently at each other.
In such a situation, even the slightest blink could be seized by the opponent, an opening exploited for a fatal blow.
This was a duel between Experts. Not the slightest mistake could be afforded. It wasn't just a comparison of sword skills, but also of Mental Power, willpower, and patience.
They remained in a standoff for a quarter of an hour, their eyes growing somewhat strained.
But Ling Chen was full of vigor, showing no sign of faltering.
This Dustless possesses incredibly strong Mental Power, Xue Jingfeng thought. My endurance definitely can't match his. I have to be the one to strike first.
Even though I know striking first will likely put me at a disadvantage, I still have to be the one to unleash this first sword strike, he resolved.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept across the platform, sweeping a circle of leaves onto the stage. This breeze momentarily blurred and disrupted their focused gazes.
Without any warning, Xue Jingfeng suddenly lunged forward, True Qi flooding the meridians in his legs, pushing his speed to its absolute limit.
The timing of his sword thrust was impeccable.
Before the audience below had yet to react, Xue Jingfeng's Ghost Killing Sword had already pierced Ling Chen's body.
However, upon being struck, Ling Chen's form gradually faded, eventually vanishing completely.
It turned out Xue Jingfeng's sword had only struck Ling Chen's afterimage, not his true body.
The instant Xue Jingfeng moved, Ling Chen had already leaped up. He knew very well that this gust of wind was Xue Jingfeng's best opportunity to strike, and his opponent would not miss it.
His body paused momentarily in mid-air. Then, Ling Chen slashed his sword towards Xue Jingfeng, his speed a fraction faster than his opponent's.
The moment Xue Jingfeng's sword strike missed, he understood his intentions had been seen through by Ling Chen. Without even looking, he immediately changed his move, his black Ghost Killing Sword swinging upwards, slashing a black arc through the air.