"Clang!"
The dark cyan longsword, wrapped in one-tenth Blade Intent, slashed toward Ye Feng with the force to split mountains and sever peaks. Before the blade wind even arrived, its bone-chilling killing intent had already turned the surrounding air cold.
As the Inner Sect First of Baiyang Sect, Lin Jie's strike was far more powerful than Fang Xu's. The dark cyan True Qi on his blade had almost condensed into substance, while his Blade Intent carried the might to tear everything apart. Hope flared in the eyes of the Baiyang Sect disciples, while the Feiyun Sect disciples clenched their fists, sweating for Ye Feng.
Zhao Yu's expression suddenly changed, and the True Qi within him instinctively surged.
He knew all too well how powerful Lin Jie's strike was.
Even with his cultivation at the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak, he would not dare take it head-on lightly.
Not to mention Ye Feng was only at the Ninth Layer Peak.
Zhao Yu quietly placed his right hand on his sword hilt, ready to intervene at any moment.
The instant Ye Feng was defeated, he would step in immediately.
He absolutely could not let Feiyun Sect's genius fall here.
Ye Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, but he showed no hint of retreat.
He drew a deep breath. The True Qi of Vajra Fist within him circulated wildly, and golden light burst from his body, making him seem as though he were wrapped in a layer of golden armor.
Two-tenths Fist Intent condensed around his right fist without reservation. Carrying a weighty, mountain-like might, it charged straight toward Lin Jie's longsword.
Fist and longsword collided with a thunderous boom. The ear-piercing clash of metal rang through the valley, while terrifying waves of air spread outward with the two men at the center.
The dust all around was thrown into the air, and the Spirit Spring water churned madly, splashing several zhang high.
Every disciple present widened their eyes and stared fixedly at the battlefield.
They had thought Ye Feng would be cut down by a single strike.
But no one had expected Ye Feng to stand there like an immovable boulder, forcibly blocking this deadly attack!
"Thud, thud, thud!"
Both men retreated two steps at the same time before managing to steady themselves. They had actually ended in a draw!
Ye Feng inconspicuously shook his numb fist, secretly relieved. Fortunately, I mastered two-tenths Fist Intent. Otherwise, there was no way I could have blocked that strike. Even if I had, my arm would have been crippled. Lin Jie truly deserves to be Baiyang Sect's Inner Sect First. His strength is indeed formidable.
Lin Jie, meanwhile, was utterly stunned.
He stared at Ye Feng, his eyes filled with disbelief.
His full-strength strike, infused with Blade Intent, had actually been blocked by a cultivator at the Qi Gathering Realm Ninth Layer Peak?
If word of this got out, where would Baiyang Sect's dignity be?
Lin Jie was unwilling to settle for a draw, and he was even more worried that the Spirit Spring Contest would be lost because of this. The ruthlessness in his eyes deepened as he gripped his longsword and prepared to strike again.
"That's enough!"
At that moment, a cold shout rang out.
Zhao Yu exploded with an incomparably terrifying aura. With a flash of his figure, he blocked Lin Jie's path.
He held a Fine Steel Longsword in his hand, dark cyan True Qi coiling around the blade. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and the might radiating from him was several times stronger than Lin Jie's.
"Your Baiyang Sect has already lost. Fang Xu was beaten down, and you drew with Ye Feng. The Spirit Spring and opportunities here should all belong to our Feiyun Sect." Zhao Yu's voice carried an unquestionable authority.
"If you keep pestering us, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Lin Jie's face darkened. The True Qi within him circulated furiously, and the aura of the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak erupted without the slightest restraint.
He was only one step away from the True Condensation realm. This was his true strength!
"Zhao Yu, it doesn't count as a defeat until the fight is over! If you want to protect him, then I'll beat you down along with him!"
Before his voice faded, Lin Jie swung his longsword. A dark cyan blade light blazed once more and slashed toward Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu's expression did not change. He drew his Fine Steel Longsword, unleashing dark cyan True Qi and one-tenth Sword Intent at the same time. His sword move was simple yet fierce as it thrust straight toward Lin Jie's blade.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The sounds of blade and sword colliding rang out one after another as the two exchanged dozens of blows in an instant.
Though Lin Jie's Blade Intent was powerful, it was completely inadequate before Zhao Yu.
Zhao Yu's True Qi was more robust than his, and his Sword Technique was Profound-grade Top-tier, already cultivated to the Great Accomplishment Realm. With one-tenth Sword Intent reinforcing it, the might of his sword moves multiplied.
In the short span of a few breaths, Lin Jie was completely suppressed by Zhao Yu.
His blade moves grew increasingly chaotic, and his breathing became hurried. He could only barely defend himself as he retreated step by step. Several wounds were even carved open on his body by Zhao Yu's Sword Qi, with blood pouring freely.
The Baiyang Sect disciples' expressions changed drastically at the sight.
Even their Inner Sect First had been suppressed. If the fight continued, things would only get worse.
Ye Feng seized the opportunity. His figure moved, and he closed in behind Lin Jie. Two-tenths Fist Intent erupted once more as he punched toward Lin Jie's back.
Lin Jie hurriedly turned to block, but all his attention was on Zhao Yu. The punch landed solidly on his shoulder. "Pfft!" Lin Jie spat out a mouthful of blood, staggered backward, and turned as pale as paper.
"Retreat!" Lin Jie knew that continuing the fight would certainly end in defeat. He gritted his teeth and roared, slammed both feet into the ground, turned, and fled toward the mouth of the valley.
Seeing this, the Baiyang Sect disciples hurriedly helped the injured Fang Xu to his feet and retreated after Lin Jie, afraid that being even one step too slow would leave them trapped by the Feiyun Sect disciples.
Watching the Baiyang Sect disciples flee, Zhao Yu sheathed his longsword, and the aura around him gradually calmed.
He turned and looked at Ye Feng, a trace of admiration in his eyes.
"I didn't expect you to block Lin Jie's blade. Your strength is even greater than I imagined."
Ye Feng smiled but did not respond.
If he had not possessed two-tenths Fist Intent, he would never have held out until Zhao Yu intervened.
At that moment, Zhao Yu changed the subject, his gaze falling on the Storage Ring at Ye Feng's waist. "Ye Feng, I'm very interested in the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flower in your possession. How about we have a spar? If you win, the flower is yours, and I'll give you a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill as well. If you lose, you'll hand the flower over to me. How does that sound?"
Ye Feng's heart stirred.
He had long felt that the Wind Shadow Sword Art he cultivated was too low-grade, only Profound-grade Low-tier.
Even with Sword Intent reinforcing it, it was difficult to unleash his full strength.
If he could obtain a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill, his strength would certainly rise by leaps and bounds.
Moreover, if he won, he could keep the flower. He had no reason to reject such terms.
"Good, I accept." Ye Feng nodded and drew the Low-grade Spirit Sword from his waist, his eyes turning sharp.
"Please go easy on me, Senior Brother Zhao Yu."
Zhao Yu slightly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. Then, holding the Fine Steel Longsword, he moved and thrust straight toward Ye Feng.
He did not underestimate Ye Feng because of his lower cultivation. His first move was already made with all his strength.
Ye Feng did not dare be careless. He used the Wind Shadow Sword Art, channeling cyan True Qi and two-tenths Sword Intent into the Spirit Sword at the same time as he swung it to meet the attack.
"Clang!"
The two swords collided, sending sparks flying in all directions.
Ye Feng felt tremendous force surge through his sword. His arm went numb, and his body involuntarily retreated three steps.
Zhao Yu, meanwhile, stood as steady as Mount Tai, without moving an inch.
In the battle that followed, Ye Feng completely fell into a predicament.
Zhao Yu's Sword Technique was not only Profound-grade Top-tier but also cultivated to the Great Accomplishment Realm.
His sword moves were exquisite beyond compare. With one-tenth Sword Intent and the True Qi of the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak added to them, every sword carried overwhelming might.
Even when Ye Feng brought out two-tenths Sword Intent, he could only barely resist. He had no chance to counterattack and retreated step by step, the pressure on his body growing heavier and heavier.
"Senior Brother Zhao Yu is truly formidable. He really deserves to be the Inner Sect First!"
"Ye Feng is already amazing to have lasted this long. If it were anyone else, they probably would have lost long ago."
The Feiyun Sect disciples discussed among themselves, all believing that Ye Feng was bound to lose.
Zhao Yu looked at Ye Feng, who was being suppressed, and a trace of regret flashed through his eyes.
"Ye Feng, your Sword Intent is outstanding. Unfortunately, your cultivation method and martial skill are too low-grade. If they were a little stronger, perhaps you could fight me. But now, how much longer can you hold on?"
Ye Feng gritted his teeth. He did not want to lose the Spirit Flower and the chance to obtain a high-level martial skill just like this.
As Zhao Yu's longsword stabbed toward him again, a sharp glint suddenly flashed through his eyes.
It seems I have no choice but to use that move!
Before you continue