The dead silence was broken by heavy breaths.
Shuang Ling lowered her head to inspect the dense sword-energy wounds covering her body. Her robes had been torn in more than a dozen places, exposing the light armor beneath. The inner armor was covered in white marks, some already seeping threads of blood.
If Yu Ningsui had not held back just now, she would have been riddled full of holes.
Slowly exhaling, Shuang Ling sheathed her narrow sword, let out a pained breath, and bowed. "Thank you, Little Martial Uncle, for showing mercy."
Her voice was slightly tight, but there was not a trace of unwillingness in it.
Bai Yunqi himself did not know when he had raised his hand into the air. Only after several silent breaths did he lower it, giving a bitter laugh. "Heh. An unparalleled monster."
Every trace of disdain vanished from their faces at that moment. All the disciples looked grave. It was not just those at the Mountain-Moving Realm—even the Sea-Filling Realm cultivators wore somewhat stiff expressions.
"Little Martial Uncle's talent... is terrifying beyond measure."
"How favored by the heavens! Reaching the Core-Embracing Realm in one month was already unbelievable, and her talent in the sword path is this outrageous too!?"
"Even without suppressing their realms, before the power of Mountain-Moving could even touch her, it would probably be effortlessly cleaved apart by that murderous sword energy..."
"Can someone really cultivate the sword path to such a level in a single month?"
"She only spent three days walking the sword forest, it shouldn't be possible. I've walked it for decades, and I still don't have such comprehension of the sword path."
The disciples who had once been eager to try now could only marvel in awe. Once upon a time, had they not also been