As Xiao Lie’s voice fell.
Immediately, everyone’s gaze shifted sharply toward Luo Cheng.
Many had heard Luo Cheng’s earlier remark, calling Xiao Lie and the others mere "chickens and dogs," and now they looked on with an amused expression.
Xiao Lie, a Late Stage Awakening Vein Realm Second Layer cultivator, challenging an Outer Disciple of the Xuanyuan Sect was akin to using a sledgehammer on a fly!
However, in the crowd’s eyes, Luo Cheng had brought this upon himself.
Who could blame him for being weak and still so arrogant?
He was simply seeking his own death.
"Hehe, let’s see if this brat dares to accept the challenge!"
"If he accepts, he’ll surely lose and end up humiliated by Xiao Lie. He was so arrogant earlier. If he doesn’t accept, it’ll be just as embarrassing. There’s no difference!"
"Getting taught a lesson wouldn’t be a bad thing—it might help him realize that there’s always someone stronger. Just because he got first place in the Three Sects Martial Arts Competition doesn’t mean he can dominate the younger generation!"
"Look, Xu Yuntao is stepping forward! It seems he’s going to stand up for Luo Cheng!"
"Makes sense. Fierce Cloud Sect and Xuanyuan Sect have always been at odds, unable to see eye to eye. Among the disciples from Xuanyuan Sect, if Luo Cheng were bullied by Xiao Lie, it would tarnish their reputation too."
Just as Luo Cheng prepared to take action, a figure swiftly stepped forward, entering the stage.
It was Xuanyuan Sect Inner Sect disciple Xu Yuntao, a lean and wiry figure.
Luo Cheng paused, then sat back down.
Seeing Xu Yuntao step forward, Xiao Lie wasn’t surprised. He sneered coldly:
"Xu Yuntao, I knew you’d stand up for him. Unfortunately, you simply lack the strength. To be honest, the three of you are nothing but insignificant chickens and dogs in my eyes! Utterly useless!"
Xu Yuntao’s brows furrowed deeply. "Words are meaningless. Let’s settle this with action!"
Xiao Lie sneered, "If I can’t defeat you within three moves, I’ll admit defeat myself!"
Rage shimmered in Xu Yuntao’s eyes.
He was a Middle Stage Awakening Vein Realm Second Layer cultivator, only one level below Xiao Lie!
Even if he couldn’t beat Xiao Lie, he reckoned their abilities weren’t too far apart.
Yet the other dared dismiss him so effortlessly!
Boasting he’d defeat him within three moves!
"Fine! I’d like to see how you plan to defeat me in three moves!"
Xu Yuntao was truly enraged, inhaling deeply as blue light surged around him. From the void, a Six-star Martial Soul—a bizarre fish with six shining stars on its body and three spines on its back—manifested, bolstering his strength. The surrounding air spread like rippling water.
"Hmph, then watch carefully!"
Xiao Lie’s Martial Soul—a battle saber—appeared next, also a Six-star Martial Soul. As the long saber was unsheathed, a bold and domineering saber aura spread throughout the space, making his entire being seem like a saber—a swift yet heavy saber capable of delivering fatal blows at any moment!
"Human Saber Integration, Middle-level! Xiao Lie’s Sword Dao Realm is impressive!"
Someone exclaimed in admiration.
Facing Xiao Lie’s ferocious saber aura, Xu Yuntao’s gaze grew even more intense, and Essence Energy surged wildly around him.
"Hehe, the first move: Cloud Flame Slash!"
Xiao Lie laughed wildly. Flames surged on the blade, cutting through the air from ten steps away. A fiery blade slashed towards Xu Yuntao, enveloped by layers of illusory Flame Saber Shadows.
Xu Yuntao pressed his palms together, blue light intensifying. He stood like an unwavering figure surrounded by a glowing blue sphere, stabilizing the area.
The Flame Saber Shadow clashed with the blue sphere, and the saber’s domineering energy caused the sphere’s surface to ripple turbulently, water splashing everywhere.
The splattered water hit the ground, instantly creating fist-sized pits wherever it landed.
"Do you think total defense will help you last through three moves? Such naive thinking!"
Xiao Lie sneered, his Essence Energy surging upward like a raging inferno.
The entire courtyard was engulfed in scorching heat, with nearby plants drying up, wilting, and crackling audibly!
An Awakening Vein Realm master who has opened their Xuan Vein and achieved Tongxuan Essence Energy makes their aura far more tangible than mere illusion.
See the mountain as a mountain. See the water as water.
"Xu Yuntao is in danger! Their cultivation techniques counter each other, but Xiao Lie is stronger, and his Martial Arts Realm is higher, which only amplifies his advantage," Luo Yao observed.
Technique counters are relative; who counters whom depends on who holds the greater advantage.
Xu Yuntao clearly wasn’t Xiao Lie’s match—it was only a question of whether he could endure three moves.
"Second move! Cloud Flame Reverse Flow!"
Xiao Lie roared, brandishing his saber, now transformed into a fiery giant blade several meters long. The blade charged toward Xu Yuntao with flame surging like a torrential river, leaving a charred black gash in the sky!
Xu Yuntao’s expression turned cold. He clasped his hands together, blue brilliance flaring between his palms as he thrust forward.
"Water Curtain Condensed Mountain!"
A sound of tumultuous waves echoed as a massive mountain of water, the size of a house, formed before Xu Yuntao. Its majestic weight crushed the ground beneath.
The Flame River Blade Energy slashed into the mountain illusion, vibrating the void. The overwhelming force compressed the air, sending shockwaves outward in all directions, scattering debris everywhere!
The crowd, prepared beforehand, each deployed their defenses.
From their defensive methods, their strength was evident.
Most raised a screen of Essence Energy, but the most impressive were the Eldest Prince, Li Shaofeng, and Luo Yao.
The Eldest Prince simply opened his palm and grasped the air. Any approaching shockwave or debris vanished into nothingness, leaving no trace behind!
Li Shaofeng used his fingers as a sword, slicing through the air. The space split like a sheet of paper, and no shockwave could cross the seam—it dissipated upon approaching the tear.
Luo Yao’s methods were the most delicate—she smiled softly and flicked her slender fingers, releasing countless beams of light that pierced through everything.
Luo Cheng’s mind was shaken. freewebnøvel.coɱ
The strength of these three was undoubtedly far above everyone else, beyond imagination.
What struck Luo Cheng the most was Li Shaofeng’s finger-sword attack!
The spatial tear he created was sharp and lingering, fading only after several moments!
Unquestionably, this was the Sword Intent that countless swordsmen dreamed of attaining!
The Sword Dao Realm, Sword Skills, Sword Heart, Human Sword Integration—the higher level is Sword Intent!
Whether it’s Sword Skills, Sword Heart, or Human Sword Integration, they rely on a tangible sword and have traces to follow!
Sword Intent, however, belongs to an entirely different tier—a power that uses intention as a blade, turning the intangible into the tangible, capable of slicing illusions and shattering mountains and rivers. It represents a profound mindset and an ultimate realm!
It was no wonder this individual ranked on the Domain List.
Back in the open space.
The water mountain held for a moment before shattering. Xu Yuntao staggered backward, his robes scorched black while his face paled.
Xiao Lie looked at Xu Yuntao and laughed mockingly, "Haha! Looks like I won’t need a third move after all. Your strength barely requires me to use two!"
Xu Yuntao’s face turned grim as he gritted his teeth.
As his voice fell, Xu Yuntao’s Essence Energy surged upward, roaring like waves, forming a vortex that stirred the air with a loud hum. His presence now exceeded his previous strength by threefold.
At this stage, how could he willingly admit defeat?
To concede he couldn’t endure two moves!
That would be far too humiliating!
"Oh? Still struggling in vain? Then don’t blame me for what comes next!"
Xiao Lie grinned wickedly, flames surging on his blade like a volcano on the verge of eruption, threatening to obliterate everything!
Xu Yuntao felt his scalp tingle as he sensed impending danger. His Essence surged wildly, consolidating into his palms before he pushed forward with everything he had.
"Water Curtain Condensing Mountain Triple!"
Three crystalline, radiant mountain peaks formed, stabilizing firmly while a vortex swirled around them.
Simultaneously, Xiao Lie unleashed his third move.
Xiao Lie bellowed, his figure leaping high into the air. With his blade held aloft, he slashed downward in a ferocious arc.
"Cloud Flame Breaking Sky Slash!!"
The saber’s flames merged with its aura, creating a fiery giant blade over ten meters long that slammed heavily against the water peaks.
The mountains, with their imposing force, lacked refinement. Their surfaces remained slightly blurry and, once struck, cracked and exploded successively.
Xu Yuntao was hit by the residual saber energy, his body blasted backward over ten meters. He spat out a mouthful of heated blood!
Another Xuanyuan Sect Inner Sect disciple rushed forward to support Xu Yuntao.
Xiao Lie landed steadily, exuding dominance as he looked at Xu Yuntao and sneered:
"I gave you a chance to surrender after two moves, but you forced me to use the third. You’ve brought this upon yourself!!"
"Luo Cheng is the same, and so are you! All you Xuanyuan Sect disciples are nothing but fools blind to your weaknesses!"
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