Chapter 106: No, It’s Just a Foundation Stage Duel—Yet the Sword Intent Arrives

High in the sky, the Azure Sound Sword Immortal of the Purple Sun Sword Sect held her own life-bound flying sword, named after herself, Azure Sound. Her eyes gleamed with interest.
“Oh, is there actually a sword cultivator who has comprehended sword momentum?”
Among all cultivators, sword cultivators are the most ruthless and possess the fiercest killing power.
To grasp sword momentum during the Foundation Establishment stage—even if only its rudiments—means there’s a chance to comprehend sword intent during the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stages.
Small sects often don’t understand, but the six great sacred lands certainly do: once sword intent is comprehended, the Divine Transformation stage is within reach.
Many have heard of the phrase, “One sword breaks ten thousand spells.” With sword intent, certain cultivation bottlenecks can be shattered with a single stroke.
Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—these are all laying groundwork, and the barrier to break through from Nascent Soul to Divine Transformation is known as the “Heaven’s Gate.”
To cross into Divine Transformation is to secure one’s place in Central Continent.
Even within the sacred lands, such a cultivator is a vital force.
For second- and third-tier sects, they are the pillars, the anchors of their existence.
Therefore, if a genius disciple comprehends sword intent, no matter how many rare treasures are spent to push him to the Nascent Soul stage, so be it.
He will naturally break through the Divine Transformation bottleneck and become a peerless sword cultivator!
Thus, upon hearing this disciple claim he had grasped sword momentum, not only did the Azure Sound Sword Immortal of Purple Sun Sword Sect take notice, but the other sacred land experts were intrigued as well.
Across from Grandmaster Greenwood, the usually reserved Pure Void Master finally spoke, “Now things are getting interesting.”
Though comprehending sword momentum is still far from sword intent, it’s at least a start—it’s not impossible.
Compared to the “petty scuffles” seen so far at the Azure Cloud Tournament, this was finally something worth attention.
Meanwhile, an old scholar from Qianyuan Academy merely showed a trace of amusement.
...
Cao Xuan, seeing the opponent’s confident demeanor and hearing him say “victory here is unearned,” grew cautious within.
It seemed a fierce battle was imminent.
He wasn’t very familiar with sword momentum. When the system granted him mastery of “Azure Sky Dao Sword,” he had already attained sword intent.
Thus, Cao Xuan subconsciously assumed sword intent was nothing special—any formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator could achieve it.
So, the fact that the folding fan disciple was so confident implied that sword momentum must be above sword intent.
“Is it time to use the ‘Maxim Domain’ already?”
As his last trump card, Cao Xuan didn’t wish to reveal it so soon.
But now he only had three perfected arts: “Heavenly Gang Movement,” “Azure Sky Dao Sword,” and “Golden Body Shield.”
He’d thought a single skill would suffice, but it seemed things weren’t so simple.
The folding fan disciple saw Cao Xuan draw a flying sword and smiled.
Just because someone wields a flying sword doesn’t make them a sword cultivator; sword cultivators are not so cheap.
His face tightened as he stood poised with his sword, a momentum rising from him.
The Azure Sound Sword Immortal’s expression grew solemn; for all sword-wielding disciples—especially those who comprehended momentum—she offered due respect.
“Though merely embryonic, sword momentum has truly formed!”
She turned to observe Cao Xuan’s relaxed grip, shaking her head slightly.
“Sword cultivators excel at killing; defeating foes across levels is routine, even two or three realms above is not unusual.”
A Foundation Establishment cultivator who comprehends momentum—unless their opponent at peak Foundation Establishment has some special method—can almost declare victory.
Thankfully, this was only the Azure Cloud Tournament; each floating platform was a miniature world, protected by life-preserving arrays inscribed by Divine Transformation cultivators. No one would die—the purpose was to let the disciples fight without restraint.
Otherwise, Cao Xuan might have faced mortal danger; even if he survived, serious injury would require years of recovery, impeding cultivation—not to mention possibly shattering his Dao heart and dooming him to mediocrity or ruin.
The Blood Drop Elder chuckled, “If this kid can crush his opponent—even if the array keeps him alive—such temperament, our Blood God Sect would take him!”
“If he survives in our sect to the Nascent Soul stage, I’ll accept him as my personal disciple, no doubt!”
Among mediocre contenders, the folding fan disciple’s sword momentum was a standout, a bright spot amid the routine displays of spellcasting.
All eyes turned to Cao Xuan; a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator should have some means.
The opponent had revealed his technique—how would he respond?
Normally, Cao Xuan would now form seals and activate “Golden Body Shield,” but with his mastery, he could deploy it at will, instantly at the moment of attack.
Thus, uncertain whether the opponent’s “relaxed” posture was a feint, Cao Xuan hesitated.
He didn’t know that his own unadorned stance appeared equally “relaxed” to the powerful ones watching from above.
Of course, they didn’t consider the possibility of true simplicity, so to them, Cao Xuan seemed even more casual.
Sword momentum, after all, is not sword intent—it cannot be wielded with such ease. The folding fan disciple, holding his sword-fan, concentrated, sweat already breaking on his brow.
His earlier words about “unearned victory” were meant to prompt Cao Xuan to take him seriously, thus giving him time to gather momentum unchallenged.
If he had been apprehensive at first, by now, as sword momentum coalesced, he was fully confident.
Fortunately, the Azure Cloud Tournament’s platforms were isolated, floating arenas—apart from the lofty elders, no other spectators. His trump card would shine here.
Finally, momentum fully gathered, the experts in the sky shook their heads—if Cao Xuan had attacked earlier, there might have been a slim chance.
Yet only a slim one; sword cultivators, once gathering momentum, are not easily interrupted—otherwise, they would not be famed for their killing prowess.
“Senior brother, forgive me—I’m coming!”
With those words, he locked onto Cao Xuan and unleashed a sword strike!
A sudden gale arose, echoing his weapon: the fan-sword’s momentum was that of wind.
As his blade descended, victory seemed assured!
At that moment, Cao Xuan drew his sword!
Though Cao Xuan could have used “Heavenly Gang Movement” to break the lock and avoid the strike,
he believed that hidden techniques are always most dangerous.
If he couldn’t withstand an opponent’s probing attack, how could he anticipate further tricks?
The opponent hadn’t used sword intent yet, let alone the much-vaunted “sword momentum.”
So Cao Xuan replied calmly, “Since you ask for guidance, as your senior, I must not be stingy!”
As he spoke, a surge of sword intent erupted!
Azure Sky Sword Intent!
“Azure Sky Dao Sword,” being wood-aligned, carries the meaning of inexhaustible vitality.
Moreover, sword intent is not merely true energy—it is a condensation of spirit, energy, and mind, a pure “intent!”
As Cao Xuan released it, it pierced through the platform’s light barrier, illuminating the heavens.
In the Azure Cloud Tournament arena, whether competing on stage or resting between matches, everyone suddenly looked up toward that platform.
A youth in black robes with a short blade—Qiu Qianliu, whom the Central Continent Azure Cloud Sect had high hopes for, aiming to reach thirty Core Formation and follow Immortal Xiang Qiu to the Xuanhua Dao Sect—clicked his tongue in awe.
“Damn, all for a Xuanhua Sacred Land spot, and now a monster who’s comprehended sword intent shows up!”