Innate Realm Peak! Terrifying Grandmaster-level Sword Intent!

Outside the valley.

Several powerful auras stirred. Three belonged to the Innate Realm, while there were as many as a hundred Acquired Realm fighters, as though all the experts in Jianghai City had been gathered here.

Naturally, none of this escaped Qin Yang's senses.

"Tsk, did they all come?"

Qin Yang raised a brow and shook his head helplessly. "Just collecting a reward brought so many people to watch. What a hassle."

He had anticipated this situation long ago, which was why he had specifically chosen a secluded valley to open the chest.

Yet in the end—

It still drew so many people flocking over.

"Forget it. It doesn't matter anyway. None of these guys can get in."

Qin Yang paid them no mind and continued focusing on fusing with the Grandmaster-level Sword Intent.

With the blessing of this top-tier Sword Intent, the entire valley radiated a chilling killing intent. Any mere Acquired Realm fighter who entered would be sliced into strips.

No matter how formidable they were in Jianghai City, dragon or tiger alike, once they entered this valley, they would all have to behave themselves.

That was the terror of the Grandmaster-level—crossing realms was like crossing mountains and seas.

"It's finally done."

Qin Yang sat cross-legged in the valley, concentrating as he slowly exhaled.

Having fully absorbed the Grandmaster-level Sword Intent, his understanding of the Sword Dao rose to another level.

A fallen leaf drifted down, carried before him by a light breeze.

Qin Yang pinched the leaf between his fingers and casually flicked it toward the stone wall beside him.

Whoosh! One leaf drove a hundred more, forming a torrent-like surge that carried vast, raging Sword Intent and sank entirely into the rock wall.

Even without a sword at hand, all things between heaven and earth could serve as swords.

That was the essence of Grandmaster-level Sword Intent! "Feels great!"

The sensation of growing stronger briefly relaxed Qin Yang, but soon made him tense again.

Because he had not finished absorbing the rewards yet.

Next came the Emperor-level martial art, the Heaven Severing Sword Drawing Technique. That was the real prize! "Without comprehending Grandmaster-level Sword Intent, I would forever remain an outsider. There'd be no way I could grasp even the slightest principle of an Emperor-level martial art."

Qin Yang took a deep breath and silently activated his Sword Intent.

Once everything had been prepared... he issued the command to the system.

"Begin comprehending the Heaven Severing Sword Drawing Technique!"

At his command—

Buzz! The Ziwei Divine Sword within Qin Yang's body seemed to respond, erupting with a crisp sword cry.

Then, the daylight dimmed! The tranquil scenery in the valley changed completely. Grass and trees withered, the earth decayed, and a dense, pungent stench of blood rushed at him.

Qin Yang's expression turned grave as he surveyed the horrifying scene around him. "An illusion? An illusion created by comprehension?!"

Beneath his feet lay mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Sticky blood soaked the soil, making it feel as though he stood in a swamp. The human world resembled purgatory.

Then—

He looked up and saw a figure in white ahead.

The figure's features were obscured. His left hand held a long sword still sheathed, while his right rested on its hilt, poised to strike. His aura was restrained, like the warning signs before a thunderstorm.

Surrounding the man in white were countless fiends! Fiends filled the sky and earth, roaring as they encircled him at the center. They bellowed without end, yet did not dare press forward, merely scratching uneasily at the ground in fear.

The contrast made Qin Yang pause at the bizarre sight.

Who exactly was surrounding whom?

But just as he pondered it, the next moment—

Clang! A clear sound of a sword being drawn rang out, like a dragon's roar!

"It's coming!"

Qin Yang focused intently on the White-Robed Swordsman.

With one sword drawn, heaven and earth were destroyed!

Slash! Slash! Slash!

The sounds of flesh being torn rang out continuously, seeming to merge into a synchronized echo. Countless deformed fiendish heads flew into the air as a rain of blood poured down.

Killing intent! Killing intent like mountain ranges and tidal waves erupted, instantly sweeping through the entire valley.

Everyone outside the valley trembled violently. Some even collapsed to the ground, pissing themselves on the spot!

"That expert has made his move!"

"Impossible! With such terrifying killing intent, just how powerful is the star beast inside?!"

"I... I can't take it anymore! I'm leaving! Whoever wants the treasure can go fight for it. I'm fucking done with this!"

In an instant, the crowd gathered outside the valley scattered like startled birds.

"Old Li... w-what is going on?"

The Library Director suppressed the fear in his heart and struggled to remain calm as he nervously asked the dean beside him.

But when he turned his head, he noticed tears streaming down the dean's face.

He had been scared to tears!?

No... the Hall Master quickly realized that it was an expression of tearful joy.

"This old one has been obsessed with the Sword Dao all my life. I have traveled the four seas, sought instruction from countless Sword Dao masters, and at last, I have sensed it..."

Old Li gazed toward the valley from afar, his eyes brimming with tears as he murmured, "...an Emperor-level Sword Dao martial art."

Hearing this, the Hall Master immediately understood.

Old Li's attainments in the Sword Dao surpassed those of the three Innate Realm Peak experts, allowing him to sense even more Sword Intent.

And just moments ago—

The Sword Dao aura contained within that killing intent had actually moved Old Li, a martial arts fanatic, to tears!

Thinking of this, the Hall Master was deeply shaken and looked toward the valley alongside Old Li.

"Just what kind of terrifying star beast could force that senior to use such a devastating killing move?!"

"Phew~"

Inside the valley, Qin Yang, having completed his comprehension, let out a long breath of stale air.

"Finally done."

As the White-Robed Swordsman drew his sword and severed the heavens, all the illusions faded away like receding tides.

Every movement, every flow of true essence related to the Heaven Severing Sword Drawing Technique had fused into Qin Yang's mind.

"This Emperor-level martial art really is... terrifying beyond belief!"

Qin Yang lifted his eyes and looked around.

The valley was filled with chaotic marks. The rock walls had suffered brutal devastation.

All of it had been caused during his comprehension just now, when he unconsciously stirred the surrounding dead grass and fallen leaves, creating that terrifying scene through his Sword Intent.

"I'm getting a little sleepy."

Qin Yang yawned. Comprehending an Emperor-level martial art had drained an enormous amount of his spirit and energy.

All that remained was the final fifty years of cultivation that he had yet to absorb.

But Qin Yang no longer felt the excitement from before.

After witnessing the bearing of that sword-drawing figure, the so-called Innate Realm was nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well by comparison.

Greater realms of strength existed above him, and as a man born between heaven and earth, how could he remain beneath others for long?!

"Dog System, hurry up and absorb those fifty years of cultivation. Make it quick. Your daddy wants to go home!"

Qin Yang stretched lazily and pushed himself up from the ground.

As his thoughts shifted, fifty years of cultivation poured into his body.

Innate Realm Peak—he crossed into it in a single step! With his task complete, Qin Yang yawned and quietly left.

...Two hours later.

After Qin Yang left, the oppressive killing intent he had released finally dissipated for the most part.

"Come, Hall Master. Follow this old one inside and take a look."

Old Li, who had been waiting for an opportunity outside the valley, spoke in a deep voice. He called to the remaining Jianghai City experts around him, "That person's aura has faded. He seems to have truly left. Those with courage, follow me."

The moment he finished speaking, he dashed forward and entered the valley impatiently.

The other Jianghai City experts exchanged glances, then ultimately followed close behind him.

The instant they entered the valley, they were stunned by the sight before them.

Sheer cliffs towered throughout the valley, covered in clearly visible crisscrossing marks. Sword Intent flowed through the air, and immense sword qi had formed the mountain winds.

It had become a sacred ground for the Sword Dao!