Chapter 69: Slaying the Demonic Beast!
For a moment, silence reigned, and the situation remained at an impasse.
Seeing this, Xuanji Zi stepped forward as well:
"Friend Yan speaks truly; since ancient times, those who kill are destined to be killed. On the path of cultivation, life and death are matters of fate—what room is there for resentment?"
"As for whether someone is a marauder, I have investigated and found no wanted notices. Let there be no more talk of such things!"
"If any among you are dissatisfied, then step up and fight!"
With these words, Xuanji Zi settled the nature of the matter.
This made the crowd inwardly curse.
"This old fox must have received considerable benefits from that man!"
"Yan Sheng, too, has paid a heavy price to have Xuanji Zi speak on his behalf like this."
"Hanhai Sect... Hmph!"
Though they cursed silently, there was nothing they could do.
Xuanji Zi was the resident steward of Hanhai Sect, representing its authority and will.
Now that he had set the tone, no one could openly contradict him—otherwise, it would be a direct affront to the ruling sect.
Xuanji Zi took in all their reactions, not at all disturbed; instead, a cold laughter echoed in his heart.
Though greedy, he was a man of principle—having taken payment, he would see the job done.
Moreover, as a Golden Core sect, Hanhai Sect had to balance all the subordinate powers, never allowing any one faction to grow too strong and threaten its rule.
Thus, balancing was vital—suppress the strong, support the weak; only in this way could all forces be kept in check and their own dominance ensured.
Now, with Yan Sheng being the weaker party, Xuanji Zi, as Hanhai Sect’s representative, naturally favored him.
By doing so, he could provoke conflict and intensify the various factions’ disputes, consuming the strength of all those at the Foundation Establishment level.
After a moment of silence, someone finally stepped forward.
"The steward speaks rightly; on the immortal path, let skill speak for itself—what need for more words?"
A young man stood atop a flying vessel, posture upright, bearing extraordinary.
"So it’s Friend Xun."
Xuanji Zi gazed at the newcomer, seeming to read his intentions, and smiled:
"Friend Xun, do you wish to take the stage for the Sword Trial?"
"Indeed, that is my intention!"
The young man smiled, cupping his hands. "If no one objects, let me, Xun, take the field for this trial."
"Friend Xun?"
"It’s him!"
"A sword cultivator against a sword cultivator?"
"This will be worth watching!"
"They say he’s from a Qi Refinement family, their first Foundation Establishment cultivator. Is he hoping to win his clan a foothold?"
"A first-rank spiritual land, and a lower grade at that. Is it worth risking life and limb? Or did the Xun family lose someone too?"
"There’s certainly something suspicious..."
While the crowd speculated inwardly, their outward response was unanimous:
"Friend Xun jests, how could we compete with you?"
"With you on the field, victory is assured!"
"Brother Xun Zheng, teach him a lesson!"
Everyone voiced agreement, raising no objections.
Xun Zheng nodded, then turned to Shen Yan:
"Friend Yan, I apologize for the offense!"
With that, he leapt into the arena, standing opposite Shen Yan.
Shen Yan’s expression was cold, silent.
"Very well, let the first bout be decided by you two," Xuanji Zi announced with a faint smile.
He then activated his artifact, sending four beams of spiritual light slicing through the sea of blue lotus clouds.
"These shall be the boundaries—step beyond them and you lose!"
"Agreed," Xun Zheng replied, nodding. He cupped his hands toward Shen Yan. "Please."
With that, he formed a sword seal, summoning his artifact—a headless, tailless flying sword, slender as a long needle.
Shen Yan said nothing, merely leaning forward, his Flowing Cloud Sword gleaming with light.
"Oh?" Xun Zheng’s gaze sharpened, then he laughed:
"A superior-grade flying sword!"
With a slight smile, he pressed his fingers together, channeling his sword formula. Instantly, sword shadows split the light.
Three sword shadows, three beams of sword light—the very mark of sword-light division.
Though newly attained, the technique contained many variations, making it hard to counter.
The three beams of sword light tore through the air, sharp and threatening.
Shen Yan’s expression did not change; his sword moved like a dragon.
"Clang!"
In an instant, a brilliant sword light flashed, stinging everyone’s eyes.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The next moment, the clash of metal echoed fiercely, like rain drumming on banana leaves.
"This man must have entered the path through martial prowess."
"Friend Xun’s flying sword has already reached the threshold—if the other cannot break through, victory is unlikely."
Watching the duel, the Foundation Establishment cultivators outside the arena each formed their own judgments.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
On the battlefield, the metallic clash grew urgent and intense, sparks flying.
The dazzling exchange left the onlookers entranced, unable to keep up.
Yet this fierce battle lasted but a moment; the three beams of sword light quickly recoiled, merging into a single, battered sword.
The sword, needle-like, was covered in wounds, with several conspicuous notches and cracks.
Xun Zheng’s heart bled at the sight, pained beyond words.
But he dared not dawdle; instead, he immediately withdrew beyond the boundary in a flash of light.
"Friend, your skill surpasses mine. I concede!"
With that, he cupped his hands in defeat.
Shen Yan did not pursue, sheathing his sword and returning to the center.
"Ah!" Xun Zheng quietly let out a sigh of relief, cold sweat beading on his brow.
"What just happened?"
"How could this be?"
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes full of suspicion.
The fight seemed well-matched—why did Friend Xun surrender so suddenly?
Was he a mere plant?
No one could make sense of it.
Only the Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared thoughtful, their brows tightly knitted.
Xuanji Zi was the same, but quickly relaxed his brow.
Turning to Shen Yan, he smiled lightly.
"Friend, your swordsmanship is truly extraordinary!"
Then, he announced to the crowd:
"The first bout goes to Friend Yan. Two more remain—who will take the stage for the next trial?"
At this, all fell silent.
Especially the Foundation Establishment cultivators, who spoke not a word.
To reach this level, their discernment was not lacking; they could all more or less see why Xun Zheng conceded.
It was no trick—he was simply outmatched.
Yan Sheng had not even displayed sword-body unity, yet his swordsmanship was exquisite, landing blows precisely on his opponent’s weak points.
On the surface, it was four swords clashing.
In reality, it was one man and one sword overwhelming three beams of sword light.
Xun Zheng had no chance to retaliate; his flying sword was battered and scarred, forcing him to surrender.
To face three and still hold such an advantage—his sword skill was formidable indeed.
Not only did he anticipate his foe’s moves, he saw through every flaw.
Such mastery of the flying sword was a decisive victory.
Unless Xun Zheng could further divide his sword light to nine, he stood no chance.
Understanding this, Xun Zheng had retreated without hesitation, sparing his treasured sword further damage.
As fellow sword cultivators, renowned for their martial prowess, if even they could not match him, then what of the others?
"A sword cultivator?"
Zhao Ruoqin’s expression was cold, her gaze intent.
Xu Mao’s eyes narrowed with unease.
But with things as they were, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and step forward.
"I will go!"
With that, he entered the arena.
He faced Shen Yan coolly, taking his stance.
"Even if I die today, I will seek justice for the disciples of the Xu family!"
Without waiting for Shen Yan’s response, he summoned his artifact—a set of Flowing Light Shields!
The shields whirled around him, forming a protective barrier.
Then, he produced a Weak Water Pearl, summoning the power of rivers and unleashing surging waves.
It was the peerless artifact: the Weak Water Pearl!