Gu Qingshan sheathed his sword and cupped his fists. "You let me win."
Hundred Flowers Fairy rose from the high platform and said coolly, "You didn't use your full strength."
"I didn't need to," Gu Qingshan replied.
Hundred Flowers Fairy drifted down to land opposite Gu Qingshan. "Oh? Now that's interesting."
She fixed her bright gaze on Gu Qingshan. "I'll give you one chance to prove what you said."
"How do I prove it?" Gu Qingshan asked.
"Attack me with all your strength. I'll judge for myself," Hundred Flowers Fairy said.
She was one of the Three Saints. Even at the height of his powers, Gu Qingshan wouldn't have been able to defeat her.
Gu Qingshan had no intention of being coy. He flipped his iron sword around and pointed its tip straight at Hundred Flowers Fairy.
"Water Severing Flow!"
Gu Qingshan roared as he thrust his sword forward.
Sword Aura coalesced on the iron sword, forming one clump after another.
In the space of an immeasurably brief instant, Sword Aura surged forth like a flood.
Heaven and earth fell silent.
Boom!
A dazzling Sword Aura flashed from the iron sword's edge, then abruptly vanished.
The entire iron sword couldn't withstand the power of that strike. It shattered into a flurry of iron fragments that fell to the ground with a pleasant clatter.
Gu Qingshan froze.
Hundred Flowers Fairy moved, and in an instant she was back on the high platform.
"That was a fine strike. For someone your age, it's truly impressive," she judged.
Though the strike had never been unleashed, Hundred Flowers Fairy had such keen eyes that she saw through Gu Qingshan's swordsmanship at a glance.
She suddenly felt the slightest stir of appreciation for his talent.
"A sword cultivator without a sword is a sorry sight.