Chapter 61: Sword Intent (Bonus Chapter for Book Fan . Guan’s Monthly Ticket)
The next moment, under the gaze of everyone present, their palms collided.
Boom!
A thunderous blast erupted, shockwaves scattering in all directions.
Many disciples on the square were jolted, their blood surging and eardrums aching.
As they looked toward the two on the arena, their expressions grew even more horrified.
After the single strike, both retreated backward.
Each stepped back seven or eight meters before steadying themselves and coming to a halt.
This clash of raw power had ended in a draw!
The crowd erupted in uproar at the sight.
A month ago, Lin Xuan was merely at the early stage of the Meridian Opening Realm. Now, at most, he was in the Qi Gathering Realm, likely not even at its peak.
Yet, in a head-on collision with Chen Yuze, who had already broken through to the Qi Transformation Realm, he held his ground without falling behind.
This meant Lin Xuan truly possessed strength on par with the Qi Transformation Realm.
Though many had anticipated this, witnessing it firsthand still left them deeply shaken.
Forget about someone from the Meridian Opening Realm defeating a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator.
Now, at the Qi Gathering Realm, he could rival the Qi Transformation Realm.
Was this the talent of the sect’s top geniuses?
Truly unparalleled, far beyond what they could ever match!
The crowd sighed inwardly.
On the arena.
Chen Yuze looked at Lin Xuan, his heart also pounding with shock.
Despite being mentally prepared, seeing it in reality was still hard to accept.
Was Lin Xuan too monstrous?
He, the former top outer disciple and foremost genius of the outer sect, was utterly insignificant before Lin Xuan!
But this wasn’t the time to dwell on that.
He didn’t want to lose to Lin Xuan and become his stepping stone.
Yet winning wouldn’t be easy either.
At the very least, using normal Qi Transformation Realm strength, based on that last palm strike, seemed unlikely.
He’d have to reveal that hidden card.
Otherwise, a draw or a loss would be embarrassing.
Besides, having broken through to the Qi Transformation Realm, he could have entered the inner sect, yet he chose to participate in the competition—wasn’t it to shine one last time?
Exposing this trump card was fine; it was only a matter of time anyway.
Then, Chen Yuze spoke in a deep voice:
“Lin Xuan, your strength is formidable, truly surpassing nearly all outer disciples.
But in this battle, I won’t lose!
From now on, I’ll hold nothing back!
I’ll fight with all my might!
I hope you can withstand it!”
His words spread, stirring another wave of commotion across the square.
Was Qi Transformation Realm strength not Chen Yuze’s full power?
He still had reserves? He could be even stronger?
No wonder he was the top outer disciple.
The disciples were filled with anticipation.
Especially the veteran disciples, who all hoped Chen Yuze would win.
Though Chen Yuze had already broken through to the Qi Transformation Realm and was about to enter the inner sect, he was still a veteran disciple at heart, representing their group.
As for Lin Xuan, despite his extraordinary talent and terrifying strength, surpassing all outer disciples except Chen Yuze, his identity was still that of a new disciple who had joined only a month ago, representing the newcomers.
If Lin Xuan won, it would mean the new disciples had overshadowed the veterans.
Where would their face and authority be?
They wouldn’t even dare show themselves before the new disciples, let alone anything else.
Thus, they too hoped Chen Yuze would win this final match.
The new disciples, on the other hand, felt the opposite, wishing Lin Xuan would surge again, maintain his winning streak, and claim first place in the competition.
That way, the newcomers would have plenty of pride and wouldn’t fear being bullied in the outer sect.
On the arena.
“Alright!”
Lin Xuan replied with a single word, his expression solemn.
Gone was his earlier calm.
He knew Chen Yuze was different from previous opponents, far stronger.
Instant-killing him wouldn’t be easy.
So this time, he didn’t opt for a one-shot kill.
Instead, he chose to clash head-on, testing his true strength after replicating so many treasures.
Moreover, with his current winning streak, defeating Chen Yuze would still shake the outer sect and even spread to the inner sect.
He’d earn no shortage of energy points.
There was no need to overexpose himself just to achieve a flashy kill.
Across from him.
Chen Yuze’s face grew serious as he reached out and grasped a long, slender sword—the Clear Wind Sword.
The blade tilted, a faint glimmer flashing, instantly splitting the air above it in two, razor-sharp.
Then, a sharpness that seemed to tear through the void itself radiated from Chen Yuze.
It spread in all directions.
The disciples on the square felt as if steel blades were scraping their skin, a sharp pain shooting through them.
They couldn’t help but retreat repeatedly.
Even looking at Chen Yuze stung their eyes.
They quickly averted their gaze, unable to meet his.
Their hearts were filled with utter terror.
“What’s happening?”
“What kind of martial art is this?”
“How can it be so strong? I can’t even look at him!”
“...”
Chaos erupted across the square.
The disciples were in an uproar, trembling with fear.
Such power, which they couldn’t even bear to gaze upon, left them utterly horrified.
On the high platform.
The Grand Elder and the true disciple Xu Anlan, both far more advanced in cultivation than the outer disciples, had reached the Spirit Opening Realm.
They were largely unaffected.
Yet they too were deeply astonished.
“Is this sword intent...?”
“No, it’s the embryonic form of intent!”
As high-ranking members of the sect, they recognized it instantly.
But even so, they were greatly shaken.
“I never thought the outer sect would produce a top genius like Lin Xuan.
And now, someone who’s just broken through to the Qi Transformation Realm has already grasped the embryonic form of intent.
Impressive, impressive.”
The Grand Elder’s expression turned to delight.
Intent was a preliminary manifestation of the laws and principles of heaven and earth.
Comprehending it was incredibly difficult—not just for the Qi Transformation Realm, but even many in the Whirlpool Realm couldn’t grasp its threshold.
Even they, having reached the Spirit Opening Realm above the Whirlpool Realm, had only understood one or two-tenths of it.
Yet Chen Yuze, still in the Qi Transformation Realm, had entered the door of intent.
Though it was only an embryonic form, it was already remarkable.
That’s why the Grand Elder was so excited.
“Indeed, entering the realm of intent at the Qi Transformation Realm makes him unmatched among his peers. He has the potential to reach the Spirit Opening Realm.”
Xu Anlan remarked, also surprised.
Chen Yuze, though not comparable to Lin Xuan, was still a genius.
He hadn’t expected this batch of new disciples to produce two talents worthy of his attention.
“You, compared to yourself, he’s nothing special.
But compared to other outer disciples, he’s a rare sight.
Of course, he still can’t match Lin Xuan.”
The Grand Elder smiled, then said calmly:
“However, in this match, Lin Xuan might lose.”
“Mm, though it’s just an embryonic form, it’s still intent, with immense power.
Once unleashed with martial arts, it’s like channeling the force of heaven and earth, boosting power several times over.
Lin Xuan’s strength is decent, but he’s only at the fourth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm and has trained for a short time.
Against Chen Yuze, who’s at the Qi Transformation Realm and can amplify his power severalfold, Lin Xuan will find it hard to contend.”
Xu Anlan replied.
As for whether Lin Xuan might have comprehended intent, neither of them considered it.
Because, not just in the Flowing Cloud Sect, but across the entire Cangyuan Kingdom, there had never been such a record.