Sword Body, Sword Heart

"Even Su Mo failed?" As they watched Su Mo return to his seat, a strange look crossed everyone's faces. They knew it was no easy task to make the demon sword submit, but now it seemed even harder than they had imagined. No wonder no one in the Sword Emperor Sect had ever succeeded all these years.

They had also seen earlier that making the demon sword submit did not depend on strength. The demonic will contained within it was exceedingly powerful. If one's mental will was not strong enough, it would be eroded by that demonic intent, leaving one unable to resist.

"I'll give it a try."

A voice rang out, and Yan Ying of the Heavenly Fire Clan stepped forward. Terrifying scarlet flames burned around him, overwhelming in their might. When he entered the Demon Sword Domain, the very space around him seemed to catch fire. Blazing flames roared and surged, and a terrifying firestorm appeared around him, burning the heavens and destroying the earth.

Yet he still failed. He had merely lasted a little longer than Su Mo.

Next came Yun Lou, crown prince of the Heaven-Contending Dynasty. As he rose, he glanced toward Ning Xuanyuan, a faint hint of provocation in his eyes.

The proud crown prince was clearly extremely displeased that Ning Xuanyuan had obtained the Evil Emperor Inheritance. He intended to claim the demon sword and prove a few things.

An earth-shaking battle intent swept outward, making the vast expanse of space tremble in an instant. The ruler of the Heaven-Contending Dynasty was known as the War Emperor, a testament to the strength he possessed.

Since Yun Lou had been made crown prince, his talent was naturally beyond question. Seen from afar, the figure standing before the demon sword looked like a youthful god of war, haughty and unrivaled. As his terrifying battle intent swept out, heaven and earth shuddered. Many whose cultivation was somewhat weaker could not control their minds. Their bodies trembled violently, and the urge to kneel and submit rose in their hearts.

Unfortunately, even that youthful god of war who fought heaven and battled earth failed to gain the demon sword's recognition. He drew it only an inch before he could no longer withstand the suppression of its demonic will and had no choice but to let go.

Even so, his result drew the attention of countless people. After all, Yun Lou was the only person so far who had managed to draw the demon sword an inch, a feat worthy of admiration. Even the Sword Emperor, Li Jiuzhou, could not help praising him.

Afterward, Dongliu Haomiao made his attempt, likewise drawing the demon sword an inch before withdrawing.

"Your Highness?" Everyone had failed, and a sharp glint appeared in Qin Lang's eyes. He was itching to try.

"You want to try? Then go ahead." Ning Xuanyuan nodded. Qin Lang devoted himself to the way of the sword, so if he could gain the demon sword's recognition, it would be a fortuitous opportunity for him.

With Ning Xuanyuan's approval, Qin Lang stepped forward.

Seeing Qin Lang make his attempt, both Li Jiuzhou and Saint Jianjue, who was in the air, showed a flicker of emotion in their eyes. Qin Lang was exceptionally gifted in the way of the sword. Earlier, he had made his move and crushed Yan Sen of Heaven's Gate Palace with overwhelming force.

Although Yan Sen was nothing compared to Su Mo and the others, anywhere else he would undoubtedly have deserved the title of heaven's pride. After all, among the vast eight domains, there were precious few of his generation who could stand alongside Su Mo and Su Ting.

Thus, both Li Jiuzhou and Saint Jianjue held some expectations for Qin Lang.

Boom!

Qin Lang landed in the Demon Sword Domain. Demonic might surged as he stepped forward. With every step, a sharp metallic ringing echoed from his body. His eyes were keen, as though he had transformed into an unparalleled divine blade.

As he approached the demon sword, Qin Lang was evidently affected as well, entering the demonic realm's space. At that moment, the figure of a demon god appeared in his mind, and demonic sounds poured into his ears, eroding his will.

Yet the sword intent emanating from Qin Lang grew even more astonishing. His gaze was like a sword, and sword intent enveloped his body in an instant. A powerful sword will burst forth, stabbing toward the demon sword.

In a single instant, a fearsome demonic radiance erupted from the sword. A terrifying demonic will stabbed directly into Qin Lang's mind, and a host of demons danced wildly, seeking to kill him.

Qin Lang's gaze was incomparably sharp. Endless sword intent poured from every part of his body, resisting the demonic will as he also tried to force it into the demon sword.

Sizzle! Sizzle!

A terrifying sword intent swept through that space in an instant, but the incomparably savage, murderous demonic radiance swallowed Qin Lang's body. The radiance contained a fierce intent to slaughter, as though it meant to crush his will and body together.

"Hmph! He doesn't know whether to live or die. Trying to force his will into the demon sword—he's certain to die." Watching the figure contend with the demon sword, Su Mo spoke coldly, his tone full of disdain.

He placed himself on a lofty pedestal, treating himself as Ning Xuanyuan's equal. Thus, he naturally looked down on Qin Lang, who was merely a "guard," and passed judgment as he pleased.

"Shut your mouth." Ning Xuanyuan looked at Su Mo, finding him more and more unpleasant to look at. "You two brothers are both trash. You couldn't even draw the sword, so what right do you have to sit here judging others?"

Su Mo's face instantly darkened, and a fierce killing intent shone in his eyes.

"You're courting death!"

Ning Xuanyuan looked at Su Mo, his gaze just as cold.

"You should be glad Senior Sword Emperor is here. Otherwise, you'd be a dead man by now."

Ning Xuanyuan's forceful words plunged the space into silence. This was the first time he had shown such a domineering side. Though his words had been sharp before, they had never cut so deeply.

Su Mo stared fixedly at Ning Xuanyuan, then nodded, making no attempt to hide the killing intent in his eyes. The gazes of those around them flickered. They could all see that if Li Jiuzhou had not been present, a great battle would likely have erupted between the two on the spot.

At that moment, Qin Lang's body seemed to have transformed into a pure Sword Body, endless sword will pouring out from within him. He seemed no longer to be made of flesh and blood, but to have the body of a sword. He had already reached the demon sword, yet he did not reach out to grasp it. Instead, he merged his own will into it.

Clang! Clang!

Shrill sword cries rang out without end as the demon sword slowly rose.

One inch! Two inches! Three inches! Four inches!

Everyone's eyes nearly burst from their sockets at the sight. Even Li Jiuzhou's eyes flashed with a strange light as he stared intently at Qin Lang. Could Qin Lang truly make the demon sword acknowledge him as its master today?

"Do you see that?" Ning Xuanyuan said coldly, without so much as glancing at Su Mo.

Su Mo's expression had turned uglier than ever. Qin Lang had drawn the demon sword four inches, surpassing everyone else.

Screech!

A sharp, piercing sound rang out, and blood seeped from the corner of Qin Lang's mouth. It was as though the demon sword were issuing him a final warning.

Yet Qin Lang remained unmoved and simply closed his eyes. He could sense an unparalleled demon sword that slaughtered all things pointed at him, as though it could take his life the very next moment. Even so, he did not give up. He extended his palm, and a terrifying sword intent came whistling toward him. It formed a longsword, which then shot through the air and stabbed at the demon sword.

Incomparably terrifying demonic power roared out of the demon sword, and that space seemed buried beneath torrents of demonic Qi. Yet Qin Lang remained standing straight, like a sharp sword that nothing could withstand!

At the sight, the strange light in Li Jiuzhou's eyes shone brilliantly, and he uttered the words, "Sword Body, Sword Heart!"