A Duel

At this moment, Xiang Tian's entire aura was also steadily rising.

This Lightning Tribulation had truly terrified many people.

Even more surprisingly, many students in the Deity Transformation Realm were in disbelief. "Is this the Lightning Tribulation for Deity Transformation? Mine wasn't like this when I went through it." Only a few people looked up at the sky with unconcealed astonishment.

Lightning Tribulations were indeed something every cultivator had to face. Most experienced ordinary blue lightning. Those with slightly stronger talent would face red or purple lightning, which were considered top-tier. Now, legendary black lightning had appeared?

Qiu Changfeng was almost dumbfounded. He prepared to risk his life to block this Lightning Tribulation, vowing that he absolutely could not let the young master get hurt.

"Don't make any moves!"

Seeing Qiu Changfeng appear again, Xiang Tian sent a telepathic message to remind him.

As for the Lightning Tribulation, Xiang Tian truly didn't take it to heart.

Rumble.

The black clouds churned more violently, and the booming sound made many people tremble with fear. This commotion was simply too immense.

Above, a thick bolt of black lightning struck down towards Xiang Tian's head. This sight made everyone's scalps tingle.

If this thing landed on them, wouldn't they turn to dust?

What made them even more speechless was that Xiang Tian didn't move at all. He just stood there, letting the heavenly lightning fall.

Boom!

At that very instant, another clap of thunder echoed from the horizon.

After their jaws dropped in shock, they were now left gaping in stunned silence.

This... this was incredible!

Another bolt of heavenly lightning descended, directly striking and dispersing the black lightning that was about to hit Xiang Tian!

Amazing... Amazing!

Qiu Changfeng almost couldn't resist giving Xiang Tian a thumbs-up.

Even the Lightning Tribulation didn't dare to strike the young master. This... it couldn't be called unbelievable, it was simply unheard of!

Unseen by the crowd, within the churning black clouds, far beyond the nine heavens, a creature with a furry face, thunderous mouth, wings on its back, resembling both a human and a bird, stood holding a hammer and chisel, equally bewildered.

Where did my lightning go?

"Damn it, was it you, brat, who summoned the lightning tribulation?"

Suddenly, beside him, a Thunder Spirit, slightly sturdier and with a similar appearance, appeared. He grabbed the first one by the collar and struck him on the head several times with a hammer.

"Open your eyes and see clearly! The person standing below is the biological brother of those two Ancestral Grandmothers. Are your eyes on a dog?"

The Thunder Spirit roared. Still not satisfied, he delivered a few more blows, leaving the smaller Thunder Spirit disoriented and seeing stars.

The burly Thunder Spirit man flung the clueless fellow away, who then disappeared into the sky like a shooting star.

Looking down, with so many people present... how could this situation be resolved?

Forget it, forget it. I'll throw away my pride this once.

On the ground, Xiang Tian looked up at the sky, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. This smile sent a shiver down the Thunder Spirit's spine, and he quickly cast a spell.

In the sky, the black clouds continued to churn, their imposing aura still full of power. However, the clouds merely swirled and churned within themselves.

Although the thunderous sounds did not cease, not a single bolt fell.

Before long, the black clouds suddenly dispersed, and the sky returned to clarity. Xiang Tian's entire aura began to ascend, and a magnificent Dharma Idol appeared behind him!

"He's... he's breaking through to the Deity Transformation Realm!" Countless people exclaimed in shock.

At the same time, the Sword Comprehension Stone shattered, leaving not a trace of Sword Intent.

Everyone was dumbfounded. This... he broke through just like that!

Wasn't this Lightning Tribulation a bit too much? Did it just make a brief appearance? Why didn't it "just make a brief appearance" when it struck us?

Let alone them, even Qiu Changfeng and the other teachers felt a pang of envy and jealousy. This... this was simply infuriating!

Xiang Tian retracted his Dharma Idol, and his entire being began to radiate unparalleled Sword Intent. A phantom longsword shot straight into the sky, its sharpness so intense that it made it difficult for everyone to open their eyes, feeling as if a sharp sword hung at their necks, ready to take their heads at any moment.

This power was truly terrifying!

Is this the Sword Intent inherited after refining the Sword Comprehension Stone?

Qiu Changfeng and the others were so excited they were almost in tears. This treasure of an Immortal King had finally been preserved. Although Xiang Tian had absorbed it, it was still better than Sinan Yao absorbing it.

Throughout the entire venue, if there was one person whose emotions fluctuated the most, it was naturally Sinan Yao.

I've already comprehended one-tenth. Give me some time, and I will definitely be able to refine all the Sword Intent. Where did this guy pop out from? He just snatched my cake and then swallowed it whole right in front of me, leaving not even a speck of dregs!

Sinan Yao was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

"Ahem!"

Suddenly, Qiu Changfeng cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

He walked to the center of the plaza with an air of composure.

"Students, the reason our academy displayed the Sword Comprehension Stone for everyone to study was in the hope that one day, a student could comprehend the Sword Intent of an Immortal King. Although the chances are slim, our academy upholds the principle of absolute fairness and has granted every student the maximum possible authority."

"And now, finally, a student has broken through the sword energy of the Sword Comprehension Stone and successfully refined it. This is not only the result of the academy's efforts but also the result of the student's hard work!"

His words were impassioned, but the people below, including Xiang Tian, felt something was off.

This... this was practically a forced whitewash!

This was the true thought of most people.

Some had already noticed something was wrong with Sinan Yao.

The teachers had also noticed, of course, but they all pretended not to see it.

"I do not agree with this statement!"

Finally, Sinan Yao, unable to hold it in any longer, spoke up. His words immediately drew everyone's attention.

Qiu Changfeng looked at him, "What is student Sinan Yao's opinion?"

Sinan Yao pointed at Xiang Tian, "The Sword Comprehension Stone was meant for all students to comprehend. Yet this guy broke the rules and hogged the Sword Comprehension Stone all to himself. Is this behavior not shameless?"

Hogged the Sword Comprehension Stone?

Xiang Tian chuckled.

Before Qiu Changfeng could speak, he opened his mouth first, "If I recall correctly, the Immortal Academy has always believed in 'the capable shall obtain,' right? Furthermore, since the Sword Comprehension Stone was made available, the intention was to encourage students to comprehend and refine it. It's just that you all lacked the ability to claim it. Or, if you were confident you could break through that sword energy and refine it directly, I believe you would have done so long ago instead of pitifully absorbing that tiny bit of Sword Intent there."

After speaking, Xiang Tian feigned a sudden realization, "Oh, I apologize. I forgot. The Sword Intent you comprehended seems to be the most among everyone. Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I forgot to leave some for you."

He's so savage, this is truly the epitome of savagery!

Everyone admired Xiang Tian's words; they were truly brilliant!

As expected, Sinan Yao's expression became priceless. His once handsome features now looked somewhat hateful and ferocious.

Many people also had expressions of sudden realization.

Sinan Yao was furious. Xiang Tian was definitely doing this on purpose, but he refused to back down. He said to Xiang Tian, "Since it's 'the capable shall obtain,' I now challenge you. Are you willing to fight me? I believe you've merely hidden the Sword Intent using some trick. If you lose, hand over the Sword Intent. What do you say?"

"Sinan Yao, since when can the academy engage in combat at any time? Personal grudges between students must be reported to the academy. After a two-week cooling-off period, they can only be carried out after reconfirmation."

This time, Qiu Changfeng spoke before Xiang Tian. His words made Sinan Yao's face turn completely black. Damn it, after two weeks, the Sword Intent would have already been refined. What would be left for him to fight for?

However, Qiu Changfeng's favoritism towards Xiang Tian was too obvious, leaving him no choice but to look at Xiang Tian and say, "Half a month later, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Xiang Tian shrugged, "What is there to fear?"

Sinan Yao nodded and left the training ground without looking back.

The entire crowd was abuzz. Sinan Yao was finally going to make a move again. Every time he acted, he brought immense shock. It was hard to imagine the scene of technology and sorcery being used simultaneously; the excitement would be absolutely intoxicating.

Everyone looked forward to it. Xiang Tian's reputation had grown considerably in recent days. When these two clashed, who would emerge victorious?