Chapter 221: One Sword Soars To Immortality
The battles of the final four were finally no longer conducted simultaneously.
First, Zhuang Han and Du Yanfeng entered the arena. Neither of them were attention-seekers; although they ranked high on the Tiger Ranking, they spent most of their time in the Hundred Peaks Barrier, hunting feral beasts.
Therefore, within the sect, they were somewhat unknown.
But the moment they engaged, they were like completely different people, their every move resembling the clash of thunder and lightning.
The two fought fiercely, launching incredibly sharp attacks from the outset. Their True Intents descended like divine generals, and their contracted beasts pounced like colossal gods.
After thirty to fifty rounds, their fist techniques were surging and their sword moves were glinting, their residual waves even causing a corner of the arena to collapse.
At sixty rounds, they each employed their unique methods, their contracted beasts and bodies attacking in unison, their strikes shaking the earth and mountains.
Black Stone Peak excelled in combat; the black longsword in his hand was like a black dragon emerging from its lair. With a fierce and ruthless move, Black Shadow Shoots the Moon, he targeted Zhuang Han’s face.
The True Intent Ghost Shadow Mountain Imp merged with the sword, adding an extra layer of spookiness. The contracted beast, Spine Saber Shadow Lion, roared and unleashed a five-zhang phantom, its demonic essence rolling in.
Seeing this, Zhuang Han laughed heartily and stepped forward, channeling his True Essence into his hands. The White Tiger True Intent behind him merged with his body, and his True Essence surged into his fists, immediately unleashing a phantom of a white-headed fierce tiger.
White Tiger Suppresses the Mountain!
The contracted beast on his left, the White Spirit Giant Tiger, its body clad in white jade, pounced directly at the Spine Saber Shadow Lion. Their collision shook the earth and mountains.
Fist techniques clashed with sword moves, creating an earth-shattering spectacle.
After a single exchange, Zhuang Han, with his superior skill, knocked Du Yanfeng off the arena.
The battle between the two drew cheers from the crowd. Such astonishing prowess also made everyone even more eager for the remaining matches.
The second match was between Zhao Mingcheng and Xia Wan’er.
A beauty like Xia Wan’er’s match naturally attracted attention, and the surrounding disciples numbered in the tens of thousands.
However, when the battle began, it was not as intense as imagined.
Zhao Mingcheng’s cultivation had long reached Spirit Merging Stage Perfection, and he practiced the Third-order High-grade Cultivation Manual of Guizang Valley, the Three Souls Profound Body Art, which condensed the True Intents of the Poison Soul Beast and the Hook Sickle Demon. His attacks were like rolling black clouds.
Although Xia Wan’er had some means, she was still far behind Zhao Mingcheng. After only thirty to forty rounds, she was knocked off the arena by a single blow from Zhao Mingcheng.
“The three souls form the formation, body refining is the auxiliary; this is another inheritance of Guizang Valley.”
Su Yan was also quite surprised. The inheritances of Guizang Valley and the Seven Peaks were naturally different, with the former focusing on a mixed approach.
They had quite a few cultivation manuals, and each disciple had their own path.
However, overall, they mostly focused on the aspects of Gu and Soul.
Gu practitioners and poison were inseparable. Silver Toad Transformation, Heavenly Centipede Great Law, and Five Poisons Golden Body Profound Skill were all part of this lineage.
As for the aspect of Soul, it involved the strange and spiritual. The Three Souls Profound Body Art and the Spirit Forging Divine Skill were both cultivation manuals in this area.
The so-called “Guizang” literally meant that many contracted beasts of the Beast King Sect, upon reaching old age and succumbing to illness, would return to the place of heavenly soul burial.
“Yuan Yi versus Suo Yunyi.”
On the arena, Yuan Yi and Suo Yunyi had already jumped onto the stage.
Suo Yunyi wielded a green spear. Fine dragon scales covered its body, and the sharp spear tip resembled a dragon’s head reaching into the clouds.
“Wood Origin Flood Dragon Head Spear. Suo Yunyi, you’ve truly come prepared.”
Spiritual energy gathered on the Wood Origin Flood Dragon Head Spear, surpassing the scope of mere sharp weapons; it had already reached the threshold of a Third-order Spirit Tool.
“Originally, I was saving this for Junior Brother Su, but since I’ve encountered you first, come on, let me see the power of your Greedy Wolf Body.”
As their voices fell, Suo Yunyi’s spear thrusts were like a dragon’s. The Green Wood Flood Dragon True Intent behind him lunged out, merging with him, making him appear like a stern war god.
Yuan Yi’s long sword probed out with a black light. The Greedy Wolf Beast materialized behind him, transforming into a black shadow that condensed upon his body.
The two clashed, stirring up countless waves of air.
In just a few rounds, they had exchanged blows more than a hundred times.
The onlookers were dazzled, their hearts filled with shock.
With such cultivation, even martial artists of the same realm would likely be cut down from their horses in two or three moves.
Su Yan’s gaze narrowed slightly, and he thought to himself, “As expected of sect disciples. With Suo Yunyi and Yuan Yi’s skills, either one of them could take on two or three Yang Lechuan.”
Su Yan watched with interest as the two fought with true fervor. Both were at the Half-step Dan Qiao realm, and such techniques could not decisively defeat the other.
Therefore, they simultaneously summoned their contracted beasts.
Suo Yunyi, a disciple of Azure Dragon Peak, waved his hand, and a formidable Azure Origin Flood Dragon Beast landed on the arena.
The Azure Origin Flood Dragon Beast unleashed its might, and a breath attack immediately assailed them.
Two black shadows appeared on Suo Yunyi’s sides, crossing and blocking, tearing apart the attack. Then, two pitch-black wolf beasts, each over a zhang in size and as tall as oxen, with manes like shadows, appeared – the Second-order Late-stage Ghost Shadow Wolves.
The combat between the two escalated, and along with their contracted beasts, they scoured the entire arena.
If Elder Yin Mingchen had not specifically reinforced the arena before the competition, the stage would likely be in ruins by now.
After a few more rounds, Suo Yunyi gradually began to fall behind.
It was true that he possessed the Wood Origin Flood Dragon Head Spear, but was the pitch-black longsword in Suo Yunyi’s hand not also a Third-order Spirit Tool?
The Greedy Wolf Black Corrosion Sword was a precious sword he had forged at great expense, and he had refined it for several years. Although it couldn’t be integrated into his body like a Dan Qiao Realm martial artist to unleash its full power, it was enough to suppress Suo Yunyi’s offensive.
“It’s time to go all out.”
Su Yan’s senses were incredibly acute. The man wielding the spear would not allow Suo Yunyi’s shadow-like attacks to continuously erode him, leading to a slow defeat like being boiled in warm water.
As expected, within three rounds, Suo Yunyi unleashed a ‘horse-turning spear’ to force back Yuan Yi, who was advancing with his sword.
Green Flood Dragon Descends!
He roared, his eyes filled with sharpness. The Azure Origin Flood Dragon Beast unleashed over a hundred Beast Taming Seals, forming a stable channel of power.
Countless Demonic Essence poured into his body, and his True Intent erupted with dazzling green light.
In an instant, Suo Yunyi, as if breaking his cauldrons and sinking his boats, attacked Yuan Yi with his spear.
The spear thrusts were like a dragon’s; a colossal, incredibly sharp green flood dragon rushed towards Yuan Yi.
Yuan Yi’s expression turned solemn, and he dared not be careless. His body suddenly transformed as the Greedy Wolf Beast True Intent merged deep within him. His eyes turned into beast pupils, glowing a faint emerald green. His body swelled to about a zhang, his muscles bulging like a Vajra, and a layer of dark fur appeared.
A powerful force erupted from his body, and the Greedy Wolf Black Corrosion Sword was enveloped in a dark aura.
The two Ghost Shadow Wolves turned into phantoms, channeling Demonic Essence into him.
He swung his sword, uttering in a low voice, “Seven Star Greedy Wolf.”
With a sword strike, like the Greedy Wolf devouring the moon, it swallowed the Green Flood Dragon’s spear thrust.
Suo Yunyi spat blood, his True Essence depleted. He propped the Wood Origin Flood Dragon Head Spear on the arena, preventing himself from falling.
The collision caused half of the arena to collapse. That single strike already possessed some of the might of the Dan Qiao Realm.
“Yuan Yi wins.”
Yuan Yi had won. Suo Yunyi was helped off the stage by his fellow disciples.
Third-order Spirit Tools were simply too draining on True Essence. Even for someone at the Half-step Dan Qiao realm, like Suo Yunyi, who had trained for a long time, it was difficult to sustain a full battle.
Yuan Yi was slightly better off, but that was due to his physique.
Su Yan’s gaze flickered slightly. “Innate Martial Body, Greedy Wolf Body. A stronger physique allows for the containment of more True Essence, and coupled with better compatibility with True Intent and contracted beasts, it unleashes even greater power.”
After Yuan Yi’s transformation, his aura had increased significantly. That kind of immense power was something Su Yan was very familiar with.
Wasn’t he in that state when the Insect Bone Armor Body attached to him? His strength had multiplied several times.
Of course, this was Su Yan’s Insect Bone Armor Body; other bloodlines might not reach this level.
“Su Yan versus Lan Yunyue.”
Hearing Yin Mingchen call his name, Su Yan smiled. He looked up, and Lan Yunyue, not far away, also looked towards him.
She nodded slightly, and her figure immediately flew onto the stage.
Su Yan strode forward and also landed opposite her.
“Begin.”
Yin Mingchen announced the start and then retreated to the side of the stage.
The might of the battle between Yuan Yi and the other two was still vivid in everyone’s minds, and it was likely these two would be no less impressive.
“Junior Brother Su, I know your physical body is powerful, but I wield the Moon Gazing Sword, a Third-order Spirit Tool bestowed by our Grandmaster. I hope you won’t take this lightly.”
Lan Yunyue’s voice was clear and cold. The pale blue Moon Gazing Sword in her hand emitted faint clear ringing sounds.
“A good sword.”
Su Yan raised his gaze slightly, a smile appearing. Although it was only Third-order Low-grade, it was from the hands of a Dharma Aspect True Person like Zhu Zhilan, and its quality was much higher than Yang Lechuan’s Black Crystal Saber.
“Senior Sister Lan, please make your move.”
He unleashed his aura, and the Heavenly Python Dharma Body appeared, protecting him. Simultaneously, Azure Gold Scale Patterns appeared on his body, just like the previous day.
Lan Yunyue’s brows furrowed slightly, feeling a hint of annoyance. Since she had already warned him, and he still insisted on fighting with hardening techniques, she truly felt looked down upon.
*Clang*
The Moon Gazing Sword swung, and the Nine Apertures Spirit Python True Intent materialized behind Lan Yunyue, merging with her, and she immediately unleashed a sword strike.
Sword light shot forth, extending twenty to thirty zhang, directly towards Su Yan, its power far exceeding any opponent Su Yan had faced before.
“Excellent!”
Su Yan inwardly intended to test the strength of his physical body. Now that Lan Yunyue wielded a Third-order Spirit Tool, why would he retreat?
He strode forward, circulating his body’s hardening cultivation technique, and then punched out.
How dare he?!
The onlookers watched, trembling with fear. He was actually going to meet such sword light with his fist?
A dull thud sounded, and the sword light shattered, almost engulfing the entire arena.
Looking at Su Yan again, his Heavenly Python Dharma Body had a large gash, and on his fist, a shallow but not deep bloody wound was slowly healing.
“What a sharp Spirit Tool.”
Su Yan praised, but Lan Yunyue’s mouth was slightly agape in astonishment, and she felt a surge of anger.
“Junior Brother, your physical body is truly magnificent!”
She lunged forward like a white butterfly, her sword light continuously striking, aiming to defeat Su Yan.
Su Yan looked up at her and knew that his words had angered her.
‘I wasn’t lying. If it were trash like Yang Lechuan or Ouyang Mu, even a Third-order Spirit Tool wouldn’t be able to do anything to me.’
The physical training he had undergone during this period was now sufficient to withstand the ordinary attacks of a genius like Lan Yunyue wielding a Third-order Spirit Tool. This was already significant progress.
‘One more push, and I’ll aim to withstand Third-order attacks directly.’
Thinking this, Su Yan looked at her sword moves, his own attacks becoming increasingly sharp and domineering.
Star Picking Hand, Hundred Tigers Breaking the Army Seal, Blood Slaughter Hand…
Even without using a weapon, Su Yan, with his immense True Essence, unleashed his attack methods, forcefully dispersing Lan Yunyue’s sword light.
For a time, the arena was filled with scattered moves.
Lan Yunyue’s offensive grew sharper, like continuous clouds, constantly wearing down Su Yan’s strength and neutralizing his attacks.
She summoned her contracted beast, the Jade Gleam Flood Dragon. Its jade-like scales radiated light, and its massive body was like a jade pillar, launching streams of light towards Su Yan.
‘Troublesome.’
Although Su Yan’s physical body was strong, he would not repeatedly take direct hits at this point.
Hardening was for self-preservation, not for absorbing damage.
Moreover, Lan Yunyue’s sword momentum was subtly sharp beneath its softness, and her offense was becoming increasingly fierce. Being hit would genuinely cause injury, unless he used the Insect Bone Armor Body to resist.
The two fought for more than ten rounds, their continuous attacks causing Lan Yunyue to expend a large amount of True Essence.
Even with the Jade Gleam Flood Dragon assisting, and a large supply of Demonic Essence being converted and provided, Lan Yunyue’s heart sank.
‘A monstrous body, but how can someone at the Spirit Merging Stage have so much True Essence?’
Everyone could see the signs; Su Yan’s attacks became more practiced, and their power even more terrifying.
Especially the Hundred Tigers Breaking the Army Seal!
It was originally only twenty-odd tiger phantoms, but after dozens of rounds, Su Yan could condense over thirty tiger phantoms with a wave of his hand.
His martial skills were constantly improving, and his True Essence output was like a ceaseless dam.
Lan Yunyue gritted her teeth, a look of determination in her eyes.
She swung the Moon Gazing Sword in a wide arc, its sword light like a long river separating Su Yan.
She leaped into the air, as if flying, channeling all her True Essence into one sword strike, her aura suddenly surging.
Huh?!
Su Yan’s gaze sharpened; this woman’s aura was off. Her sword momentum was climbing steadily, already more powerful than Suo Yunyi’s earlier.
The completion of this sword move was too high.
Seeing her in this state, Su Yan felt the surrounding spiritual energy surge backward. Vaguely, it seemed as if continuous white clouds were supporting a full moon emerging.
‘A Transformation Realm sword move.’
Su Yan felt a threat. If he were to directly block this, both the Heavenly Python Dharma Body and the Poison Dragon Golden Body would be shattered. Without the Insect Bone Armor Body, he would inevitably be severely injured.
One strike to decide the winner.
Lan Yunyue’s eyes blazed. The True Essence within her body was almost completely drained, and her furiously circulating True Essence was tearing at her meridians, sending waves of pain.
‘Overconfident fool. Let’s see what your True Intent is like.’
Moon Gazing and Cloud Listening!
The sword light was like the moon, and its reach was like clouds, completely locking Su Yan onto the arena.
Su Yan had no way to dodge, but he had no intention of doing so either.
He understood Lan Yunyue’s gaze. If she wanted to see his abilities, then let her see.
The True Intents behind him surged, the Star Moon Centipede and the Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon appeared before him, and a Poison Star Ape stood in front like a mountain.
Star Constellation Formation!
The three True Intents, True Essence flowed, forming a barrier like starlight.
*Rumble*
The sword strike landed upon it, and the barrier vibrated.
But the next moment, the sword light dissipated, and Lan Yunyue had already fallen. However, the barrier constructed by the Star Constellation Profound Beasts remained completely unbroken.
Su Yan moved his mind, and the Star Moon Centipede stretched out its body and flew to catch the fallen Lan Yunyue with its massive form.
At this moment, she was utterly exhausted and could only weakly stand up.
“I lost.”
Disappointment flashed in Lan Yunyue’s eyes, and her gaze towards Su Yan was particularly complex.
Three True Intents; this was certainly not all of Su Yan’s strength.
The observing disciples were dumbfounded, finally erupting into a clamor like a tidal wave.
Such an attack was blocked so easily.
Just how strong was Su Yan?
