Lone Star's heavy sword was as ponderous as a mountain. That single strike held all the cultivation of a half-step Heavenly Monarch and more than two thousand years of insight into the sword.
Chen Changqing's Immortal-Slaying Sword was peerlessly sharp, its intent of slaughter condensed to the utmost limit.
The two swords remained locked in the void for three breaths.
Then.
Crack.
A fissure appeared in Lone Star's heavy sword.
Starting at the tip, it raced along the spine and covered the entire blade in the space of a few finger snaps.
"Good."
Lone Star withdrew his sword and retreated three steps. The heavy sword shattered into a skyful of iron fragments in his hand.
A trickle of blood seeped from the old man's lips, but the delight on his face came from the bottom of his heart.
"One strike, and I was bested. I concede."
He looked at the Ancient Immortal-Slaying Sword in Chen Changqing's hand, his eyes filled with pure admiration.
"Shushan has produced a fine young talent. Your sword mastery has already gone beyond anything I can measure."
With that, Lone Star turned and walked off the arena.
Clean and decisive, without a single wasted word.
Chen Changqing watched the old man leave and gave a slight cupped-fist salute.
That exchange had felt deeply satisfying. Lone Star used no underhanded tricks or fancy schemes. He simply let his sword speak, fair and square.
An opponent like that deserved respect.
The arena fell empty once more.
Taixuan Heavenly Venerable looked around.
"Does anyone else wish to challenge him?"
Silence.
A long silence.
Even the sound of waves lapping against the warships could be heard with perfect clarity.
Not a single person stepped forward from the various factions' warships.
The Ji Clan had backed down.
The True Martial Immortal