"Summoning Demon Scripture"!
The sea outside Wudi City was already enveloped by the terrifying field of sword energy created by Sword Twenty-Three.
The Grandmasters, Great Grandmasters, and even the experts who had entered the Three Shattered Realms were all terrified.
They felt as though an invisible, immense force had bound them fast, leaving them unable to move even an inch. The true energy within their bodies seemed like streams frozen solid, utterly unable to flow. Every one of them stared wide-eyed, their eyes filled with fear and despair, as if their gazes spoke of their profound awe toward this unknown, overwhelming power.
Yu Xinlang bore the brunt of it, facing the terrifying might of Sword Twenty-Three head-on. He felt as though an invisible hand were slowly pulling his soul from his body, plunging him into utter panic. Before the sword intent of Sword Twenty-Three, Wang Xianzhi's Martial Dao Will seemed utterly powerless, completely suppressed. Yu Xinlang knew full well that in terms of true strength, he was worlds apart from Wang Ritain. Even after using the fallback plan his master had left behind, he still couldn't escape defeat. Deep despair welled up within him, as if he had fallen into an endless abyss of darkness.
Wang Ritain's golden Nascent Soul floated in midair, radiating dazzling light like the blazing sun. A golden longsword slowly appeared in its hand. Runes shimmered across the blade, suffused with mysterious power. Wang Ritain fixed Yu Xinlang with a cold gaze, then casually swept the sword through the air. In an instant, the entire space seemed to be ripped apart by an enormous hand, making a shrill sound, as though heaven and earth themselves would be cleaved in two. Beneath this single strike, Wang Xianzhi's Martial Dao Will was like fragile foam, shattered completely. The once-impenetrable reefs were instantly reduced to countless tiny fragments beneath the ravaging sword energy, scattering in every direction.
Without his Martial Dao Will to support him, Yu Xinlang's body shuddered, and he dropped to one knee on the sea. His face was pale as paper, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes full of unwillingness and despair. The field of sword energy slowly dissipated, and Wang Ritain's figure appeared before Yu Xinlang in an instant, like a ghost. Wang Ritain looked at him without a trace of pity, only profound disappointment. That look of disappointment pierced straight into Yu Xinlang's heart like a sharp blade. A sudden, searing pain gripped his chest, and he couldn't help spitting out a mouthful of blood.
All around them, the crowd fell into profound silence. They stared at Wang Ritain, their eyes filled with shock and awe. Wang Ritain had actually defeated Wang Xianzhi's Martial Dao Will—a miracle beyond belief. They knew that a sword art like Sword Twenty-Three had already transcended the mortal realm. Its terrifying might was enough to remake heaven and earth. Deng Tai'a and Cao Changqing, two of the greatest experts in the martial world, were deeply shaken as well. They stared at Wang Ritain, unable to put their astonishment into words. Cao Changqing shook his head slightly and sighed, "This young man truly is a heaven-sent prodigy!" Deng Tai'a gripped his sword case tightly, a complicated look in his eyes: awe at Wang Ritain's strength, mingled with worry about the challenge he would face in the future.
Far away outside Wudi City, Huang Longshi watched everything unfold. His face was as dark as the sky before a storm. Even he had been pinned in place by the terrifying field of sword energy unleashed by Wang Ritain's Sword Twenty-Three. Huang Longshi knew that if he tried to break through the field by force, he would have to pay a heavy price. He looked at Wang Ritain, his eyes full of helplessness and unwillingness. "Wang Ritain really is an unpredictable variable. He's now completely beyond my control." Huang Longshi sighed softly, his voice filled with helplessness.
The sea gradually returned to calm. Dragging his heavily injured body, Yu Xinlang trudged toward the shore, each step seeming to take all the strength he had. At last, he reached the shore and slowly raised his head to look at Wang Ritain. His expression was complicated, filled with both respect for Wang Ritain's strength and frustration at his own defeat. "I lost, Wang Ritain. You won." Yu Xinlang's voice was low and hoarse, as though he had forced the words out through clenched teeth. His admission struck the crowd like a thunderclap.
At that moment, a deathly silence fell over Wudi City and its surroundings. Wang Ritain's strength had stunned everyone, leaving them speechless. They knew that among the younger generation, no one could rival him. He was beginning to look like the foremost talent of his generation. After all, who else in the martial world could defeat Wang Xianzhi's Martial Dao Will?
Wang Ritain watched Yu Xinlang's retreating figure, then lifted his head slightly and looked toward Wang Xianzhi atop the city wall. His gaze was resolute and confident, as if a flame burned within him, never to be extinguished. "Wang Xianzhi, tomorrow, at the East Sea, I challenge you!" Wang Ritain's voice rang out like a great bell, echoing across the sea and reaching everyone's ears. The announcement struck like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a storm. Everyone turned to look at Wang Ritain, their eyes full of shock and confusion. They couldn't understand why, despite his severe injuries, he still dared to challenge Wang Xianzhi. Wang Xianzhi was one of the martial world's foremost experts, with unfathomable strength. Wang Ritain was powerful, but how much chance did he stand against Wang Xianzhi himself?
Standing atop the city wall, Wang Xianzhi gazed calmly at Wang Ritain. His eyes were deep and tranquil, like a lake with no visible bottom. "Good. I accept." His voice wasn't loud, but it struck the crowd like a heavy hammer. Everyone was shocked all over again. They hadn't expected Wang Xianzhi to accept Wang Ritain's challenge. This battle would surely become a legend in the martial world.
When Wang Ritain heard Wang Xianzhi's reply, the corners of his mouth lifted into a confident smile.
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