Zhao Yu's Might

"Clang!"

The Dark Cyan longsword, wrapped in One-tenth Blade Intent, slashed toward Ye Feng like it could split mountains and sever cliffs. Before the blade wind even arrived, the biting killing intent had already chilled the surrounding air.

As the Inner Sect First of Baiyang Sect, Lin Jie's strike far surpassed Fang Xu's. The Dark Cyan True Qi on the blade was almost condensed into substance, and the Blade Intent carried a momentum that seemed to tear everything apart. The Baiyang Sect disciples' eyes lit up with hope, while the Feiyun Sect disciples clenched their fists, sweating for Ye Feng.

Zhao Yu's expression shifted abruptly, and his True Qi surged instinctively.

He knew all too well the power of Lin Jie's strike.

Even with his peak Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer cultivation, he wouldn't dare take it head-on.

Let alone Ye Feng, who was only at peak Ninth Layer.

Zhao Yu's right hand quietly rested on his sword hilt, ready to act at any moment.

If Ye Feng couldn't hold, he would intervene immediately.

He couldn't let Feiyun Sect's genius fall here.

Ye Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, showing no sign of retreat.

Taking a deep breath, the True Qi of Vajra Fist within him spun wildly, golden light blazing across his body as if he were wrapped in a suit of golden armor.

Two-tenths Fist Intent was unleashed without reservation, concentrated in his right fist, carrying a heavy, mountain-like momentum as it met Lin Jie's longsword head-on.

Fist and blade collided with a thunderous crash. The piercing sound of metal clashing echoed through the valley, and a terrifying shockwave spread outward from the two.

Dust flew into the air, and the Spirit Spring water churned violently, splashing several zhang high.

All the disciples stared wide-eyed, fixed on the scene.

They had expected Ye Feng to be cut down in one blow.

But instead, Ye Feng stood firm as a rock, blocking the lethal strike!

"Thud, thud, thud!"

Both of them staggered back two steps before steadying themselves—a draw!

Ye Feng subtly shook his numb fist, silently relieved: "Good thing I mastered Two-tenths Fist Intent, or I couldn't have blocked that. Even if I did, my arm would be wrecked. Lin Jie really lives up to being Baiyang Sect's Inner Sect First—his strength is formidable."

Lin Jie, on the other hand, was completely stunned.

He stared at Ye Feng, disbelief flooding his eyes.

His full-powered strike, wrapped in Blade Intent, had been blocked by a Qi Gathering Realm Ninth Layer peak cultivator?

If this Spread Out, where would Baiyang Sect's face be?

Lin Jie refused to accept a draw, and he feared losing the Spirit Spring Contest. The ruthlessness in his eyes deepened as he gripped his longsword, ready to strike again.

"Enough!"

Just then, a cold shout rang out.

Zhao Yu erupted with an overwhelmingly terrifying aura. With a flicker of movement, he stood before Lin Jie.

He held a Fine Steel Longsword, Dark Cyan True Qi swirling around the blade, his gaze sharp as an eagle's. The pressure he exuded was Several Times stronger than Lin Jie's.

"Your Baiyang Sect has already lost. Fang Xu is down, and you're tied with Ye Feng. The Spirit Spring and opportunities here belong to Feiyun Sect." Zhao Yu's voice carried an unyielding authority.

"If you keep this up, don't blame me for being rude."

Lin Jie's face darkened. His True Qi surged wildly, and the peak Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer aura burst forth without restraint.

He was only a step away from the True Condensation realm—this was his true strength!

"Zhao Yu, it's not over until the fight's done! If you want to protect him, I'll take you on too!"

Before his words faded, Lin Jie swung his longsword, and the Dark Cyan blade light flared again, slashing toward Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu's expression didn't change. The Fine Steel Longsword left its sheath, Dark Cyan True Qi and One-tenth Sword Intent erupting simultaneously. His sword technique was simple yet fierce, meeting Lin Jie's blade head-on.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The clash of blade and sword rang out in rapid succession. The two exchanged dozens of moves in an instant.

Though Lin Jie's Blade Intent was strong, it was nothing before Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu's True Qi was denser, and his Sword Technique was a top-grade Profound-level art, already cultivated to the Great Accomplishment Realm. With One-tenth Sword Intent backing it, the power of his strikes doubled.

In just a short time, Lin Jie was completely suppressed by Zhao Yu.

His blade moves grew chaotic, his breathing ragged. He could only barely defend, retreating step by step, with several gashes opened on his body by Zhao Yu's Sword Qi, blood streaming down.

The Baiyang Sect disciples' faces changed drastically.

Even their Inner Sect First was being overwhelmed—continuing would only make it worse.

Ye Feng seized the opportunity. With a shift of his body, he closed in behind Lin Jie, unleashing Two-tenths Fist Intent again, and punched toward Lin Jie's back.

Lin Jie turned hastily to block, but his focus was entirely on Zhao Yu. The punch landed solidly on his shoulder. "Pfft!" Lin Jie spat out a mouthful of blood, stumbling backward, his face pale as paper.

"Retreat!" Knowing he was doomed to lose if they kept fighting, Lin Jie gritted his teeth and roared. He kicked off the ground hard, turned, and fled toward the valley exit.

The Baiyang Sect disciples quickly helped the injured Fang Xu up and followed Lin Jie in retreat, afraid that a moment's delay would leave them trapped by the Feiyun Sect disciples.

Watching the Baiyang Sect disciples flee, Zhao Yu sheathed his longsword, and his aura gradually calmed.

Turning around to look at Ye Feng, Zhao Yu's eyes carried a hint of admiration.

"I didn't expect you to block Lin Jie's blade. Your strength is even greater than I imagined."

Ye Feng smiled but didn't respond.

If not for his two-tenths Fist Intent, he wouldn't have lasted until Zhao Yu stepped in.

Just then, Zhao Yu shifted the topic, his gaze landing on the storage ring at Ye Feng's waist. "Ye Feng, I'm quite interested in the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flower you have. How about we spar? If you win, the flower stays yours, and I'll throw in a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill. If you lose, you hand over the flower. Deal?"

Ye Feng's heart stirred.

He'd long felt that the Wind Shadow Sword Art he practiced was too low-level—only Profound-grade Low-tier.

Even with Sword Intent backing it, he couldn't unleash his full potential.

If he could get a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill, his strength would skyrocket.

And winning would let him keep the flower too. There was no reason to refuse.

"Alright, I accept." Ye Feng nodded, drawing the Low-grade Spirit Sword from his waist, his gaze sharpening.

"Please go easy on me, Senior Brother Zhao Yu."

Zhao Yu gave a slight bow out of respect, then gripped his Fine Steel Longsword, moved, and thrust straight at Ye Feng.

He didn't underestimate Ye Feng for his lower cultivation—he went all out from the start.

Ye Feng didn't dare slack off. He activated the Wind Shadow Sword Art, channeling cyan True Qi and two-tenths Sword Intent into the spirit sword as he swung to meet the attack.

Clang!

The two swords clashed, sparks flying.

Ye Feng felt a massive force surge through the blade, numbing his arm and forcing him back three steps involuntarily.

Zhao Yu, however, stood as steady as a mountain, unmoved.

From then on, Ye Feng was completely cornered.

Zhao Yu's sword technique wasn't just Profound-grade Top-tier—it was mastered to perfection.

His sword moves were exquisitely refined, and with one-tenth Sword Intent plus peak Qi Gathering Realm tenth-layer True Qi, every strike carried overwhelming momentum.

Even with two-tenths Sword Intent, Ye Feng could barely defend, with no chance to counterattack. He was pushed back step by step, the pressure mounting.

"Senior Brother Zhao Yu is truly formidable—no wonder he's the Inner Sect First!"

"Ye Feng's already impressive for lasting this long. Anyone else would've lost by now."

The Feiyun Sect disciples murmured among themselves, all convinced Ye Feng was doomed.

Zhao Yu watched the suppressed Ye Feng, a flicker of pity in his eyes.

"Ye Feng, your Sword Intent is remarkable, but your technique and martial skill are too low-tier. If they were stronger, you might have stood a chance against me. Now, how much longer can you hold out?"

Ye Feng gritted his teeth. He didn't want to lose the flower and the chance at a high-level martial skill.

As Zhao Yu's longsword thrust toward him again, a glint of determination flashed in Ye Feng's eyes.

Looks like I'll have to use that move!