That Brilliant Sword

After Han Fei swallowed the Spirit Gathering Pill, the spiritual energy on his body began to expand.

The Chief Judge immediately stopped him, saying, "Han Fei, the competition rules state that no external items are allowed during the match. Didn't you know? You'll be disqualified if you do this."

Han Fei, however, said, "I recall the competition rules stating that magical treasures, recovery pills, and one-time amplification pills are not allowed. This doesn't include the Spirit Gathering Pill, does it? I'm on the verge of a breakthrough; is there a problem with taking a Spirit Gathering Pill?"

The Elder Judge looked at Qi Xiaotian, who waved his hand, "Let him break through first. We'll discuss this later."

Han Fei calmed his mind, clenched his fists, and no longer suppressed his spiritual energy.

Boom! A violent vortex of spiritual energy appeared, spinning wildly around Han Fei.

Fu Jiahao sneered, "Spirit Gathering Pill? It can boost you by at most one level. Even if he reaches the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm, so what?"

Qi Xiaotian remained silent, watching Han Fei's breakthrough intently. Those with lower cultivation might not be able to see it, but those with higher cultivation could clearly see the changes in Han Fei. Could an ordinary Spirit Gathering Pill have such an effect?

Qi Xuanxuan, who was skilled in alchemy, felt it most strongly. Being closest to Han Fei, she could discern the difference in Han Fei's pill.

Qi Xuanxuan exclaimed, "This... this is a Spirit Gathering Pill?"

She couldn't believe it. While she hadn't taken a Spirit Gathering Pill herself, she had refined them before.

Moreover, she and Han Fei had talked extensively, and she absolutely wouldn't believe Han Fei would take a Spirit Gathering Pill with side effects.

Han Fei roared at the sky, and a pillar of spiritual energy instantly spread out. A pillar of spiritual energy five meters in diameter shot up into the sky, engulfing Han Fei.

At this point, even someone as powerful as Qi Xiaotian couldn't see Han Fei's situation.

While people outside couldn't see, the five Ancient Gods within Han Fei's body saw everything clearly.

Han Fei's robes were torn, leaving his upper body bare. The blood-colored tattoo on Han Fei's body reappeared.

And this time, it was even more dazzling and distinct.

It was a blood-colored tattoo resembling a Qilin, with bright red lines clearly outlining the ferocity of the beast.

The tattoo covered more than half of his chest, with two horns on its head extending all the way to its neck.

Simultaneously, Han Fei's spiritual energy level was rapidly climbing.

Peak Sixth Level of the Innate Realm, Seventh Level of the Innate Realm...

Both his spiritual energy level and his aura were climbing frantically.

The thousands of disciples around were stunned. They had never seen such a massive commotion, even when someone broke through from the Tenth Level of the Innate Realm to the Spirit Gathering Realm.

When his cultivation reached the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm, the speed of his spiritual energy level increase began to slow down.

However, at this point, Han Fei's skin color also changed, turning completely dark red.

At the same time, the tattoo on his body faded, blending almost seamlessly with Han Fei's skin tone.

The pillar of spiritual energy slowly dissipated, revealing Han Fei within.

Seeing Han Fei's current state, everyone was startled.

But this was ultimately temporary. Han Fei's skin gradually returned to its original color, the spiritual energy vortex gradually disappeared, and everything returned to calm.

Half an hour. From the start of the breakthrough to the end was only half an hour. Han Fei had completed his breakthrough, advancing two levels.

Opening his eyes, Han Fei said softly, "I apologize for keeping you all waiting."

As he spoke, his right hand flashed with spiritual energy, and the Gale Sword, several meters away, was directly pulled into his palm.

Fu Jiahao suddenly said, "A Spirit Gathering Pill can allow a Martial Artist at the Sixth Level of the Innate Realm to directly break through to the peak Eighth Level of the Innate Realm? Was that even a Spirit Gathering Pill? It was probably a forbidden drug for temporary cultivation enhancement! He should be disqualified."

Fu Jiahao was genuinely worried now. If it were the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm, it would be fine, but the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm, combined with Han Fei's ability to challenge opponents of higher levels, could truly threaten him.

With Fu Jiahao's words, many of the disciples watching also began to doubt. After all, they all knew what a Spirit Gathering Pill was. People usually only resorted to using its power to forcefully increase their cultivation by one level when they saw no hope of breaking through.

For example, someone at the Tenth Level of the Innate Realm who couldn't break through to the Spirit Gathering Realm could use a Spirit Gathering Pill to achieve it.

Hearing the surrounding discussions, the Elder Judge hesitated and looked at Qi Xiaotian.

Qi Xiaotian said, "To avoid affecting the ranking order of the competition, let's continue for now. After the competition ends, I will investigate Han Fei's matter and give everyone an explanation. If Han Fei did not take a Spirit Gathering Pill, then I will surely punish him severely."

Hearing Qi Xiaotian's answer, the Elder Judge announced that the competition would continue.

At this moment, Qi Xuanxuan said to Han Fei, "To defeat me? You didn't hesitate to take a Spirit Gathering Pill with side effects. Is it really worth it for you to do this? Is it so important that you're willing to sacrifice your future?"

Han Fei smiled and shook his head, "There are some things you don't understand. I can only tell you that I'm not doing this to defeat you, but to settle things with Fu Jiahao."

Qi Xuanxuan also raised her sword, "I'll say it again, I won't hold back."

As she spoke, Qi Xuanxuan spread her hands, and the Azure Spirit Sword in her right hand was filled with spiritual energy, its blade glowing with a blue light.

"Dragon Slaying Sword Art, Second Style: Azure Dragon's Roar."

Swish! A blue sword energy in the form of an Azure Dragon roared out, charging straight at Han Fei.

Han Fei was not to be outdone. The Gale Sword lit up with a fiery red glow.

"Blazing Dragon!"

A fiery red sword energy formed a long dragon, almost equal to the Azure Dragon.

On the viewing platform, Qi Xiaotian frowned. "Both are the Second Style of the Dragon Slaying Sword Art, but their attributes are completely different. Han Fei's spiritual energy level isn't as strong as Xuan'er's, but his sword energy intensity and circulation technique are much higher than Xuan'er's. It can be ruled out that Xuan'er taught him, but if not Xuan'er, then who could it be?"

The two sword energies, one blue and one red, collided.

Bang, a burst of white smoke and dust erupted, creating a ten-meter diameter smoky area between the two.

Qi Mengyu and the others asked Daoist Sanyuan with confusion why the sword energy from their clash didn't cause a violent explosion but instead formed smoke and dust.

Daoist Sanyuan patiently explained, "The ratio of the two spiritual energies was almost the same, causing them to cancel each other out. After the spiritual energy dissipated, there was no excess spiritual energy to explode, leaving only the air that was vaporized by the residual spiritual energy, which is the smoke and dust you see."

At this moment, both were somewhat breathless. Qi Xuanxuan was surprised that Han Fei, having just reached the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm, had already adapted to his own strength. She was also astonished to find that her advantage in spiritual energy was no longer significant; in terms of density and destructive power, they were almost evenly matched.

Han Fei, on the other hand, was surprised by his own spiritual energy reserves. After all, there was a fundamental difference between him and Qi Xuanxuan. Qi Xuanxuan was two levels higher than him and was in the Spirit Gathering Realm. The spiritual energy stored in her Qi Core was at least double that of Han Fei's.

They had used the same move, yet Qi Xuanxuan had consumed less than twenty percent of her spiritual power, while Han Fei had lost nearly forty percent. This was what Han Fei was most worried about at the moment.

Consuming recovery pills was not allowed during the match, so as soon as Han Fei's spiritual energy ran out, he would have no choice but to forfeit.

"I can't drag this out any longer."

With that said, Han Fei released the Gale Sword. The Gale Sword floated in front of Han Fei. Then, with rapid movements of his hands, Han Fei continuously injected spiritual energy into the Gale Sword.

The Gale Sword immediately lit up with a red glow.

Qi Xiaotian and Qi Xuanxuan simultaneously exclaimed in surprise, "Sword detached? Is this the third form of the Dragon Slaying Sword Art?"

After speaking, Qi Xiaotian shook his head, "Impossible. The third form requires at least Spirit Gathering Realm cultivation to be used. Han Fei is only at the peak of the Eighth Level of the Innate Realm; he can't possibly use it."

Qi Xuanxuan didn't overthink it. The Dragon Slaying Sword Art was her strongest attack currently. Since Han Fei was using it, she saw no reason to hold back.

Qi Xuanxuan: "Dragon Slayer!"

Han Fei: "Annihilation!"

The two roared simultaneously, and two completely different, powerful sword energy waves appeared. The sword energy was ethereal and flowing; if one faced it directly, it would be incredibly difficult to dodge.

The two sword energy waves quickly collided.

Boom, a powerful shockwave spread. In that instant, both were thrown back two steps by the impact.

After the shockwave, Qi Xuanxuan's Azure Spirit Sword and Han Fei's Gale Sword simultaneously revealed their true forms, clashing together with a ding.

However, after this collision, Han Fei's Gale Sword broke into two pieces. Affected by the impact force, it flew towards Qi Xuanxuan.

Qi Xuanxuan was startled. Just as she stabilized herself, a broken sword tip flew towards her face.

At this moment, a hand grabbed the broken sword.

Han Fei's weak voice echoed, "You lost..."