Defeat Zhao Yu!

Zhao Yu's Profound-grade Top-tier sword strike was already upon him, the sharp sword qi tearing through the air and carving a thin line of blood across Ye Feng's cheek.

Ye Feng's pupils contracted sharply. He knew that continuing to defend passively would only trap him completely.

Without hesitation, he sank his mind into the system and issued a hasty command: "System, modify my Sword Intent—time set to a hundred years later!"

The moment the command landed, a flood of sword insights surged into his mind like a breached dam.

From the perfect fusion of sword techniques and True Qi, to the invisible suppression of an opponent's mind through Sword Intent, to how to amplify sword momentum by borrowing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy...

These cultivation insights, spanning a hundred years, instantly elevated Ye Feng's understanding of Sword Intent.

The Azure Sword Intent swirling around his body suddenly swelled, breaking straight through from twenty percent to thirty percent.

The hum of the trembling sword blade echoed through the Spirit Spring valley, and even the surrounding spiritual energy was drawn by this Sword Intent, forming visible whirlpools.

"Hm?"

Zhao Yu, who had been pressing his advantage, furrowed his brow sharply. He could clearly sense that the aura emanating from Ye Feng had changed.

That Sword Intent was no longer sluggish as before—it had become condensed and domineering, like an unsheathed peerless blade. Without a moment's delay, Zhao Yu twisted his Fine Steel Longsword in hand, unleashing his own ten percent Sword Intent without reserve. A tidal wave of pressure surged toward Ye Feng, his sword strike aimed straight at the vital point of his heart.

Ye Feng's expression remained calm, but the hand gripping his Low-grade Spirit Sword grew steadier.

Facing Zhao Yu's killing blow, he once again executed the Wind Shadow Sword Art.

To outsiders, this Profound-grade Low-tier sword technique looked no different from before, but under the boost of thirty percent Sword Intent, it had been completely reborn.

The azure sword light cut through the air—no earth-shattering roar, yet carrying an irresistible penetrative force as it met Zhao Yu's blade head-on.

"Something's wrong!"

Alarms blared in Zhao Yu's mind. He clearly recognized this as the basic stance of the Wind Shadow Sword Art, yet the threat he felt now was even more terrifying than his own Profound-grade Top-tier technique.

The next second, Zhao Yu saw the Azure Sword Intent on Ye Feng's blade surge violently.

Thirty percent Sword Intent spread out like a canopy of heaven.

The pressure was so immense that his hand gripping the sword began to tremble!

It wasn't fear—it was that his Fine Steel Longsword simply couldn't withstand the impact of this Sword Intent. Fine cracks had already appeared on the blade's surface!

"Clang!"

The two swords collided. Azure sword qi and white sword qi clashed in an explosive impact.

The terrifying force radiated outward from the two of them, sending waves of the Spirit Spring water into the air and shaking the surrounding trees violently.

The Feiyun Sect disciples, already on guard, hurriedly channeled their True Qi to resist, but were still pushed back several steps by the shockwave.

The moment the force dissipated, everyone froze.

Ye Feng's Low-grade Spirit Sword was firmly pressed against Zhao Yu's neck, the blade having cut through the skin, seeping a trace of blood.

As for the Fine Steel Longsword in Zhao Yu's hand, it was already covered in cracks. With a light tap, it snapped in two with a crisp "crack."

"You lost. I accept your concession." Ye Feng sheathed his sword, his tone flat, as if the thrilling duel just now had been nothing more than an ordinary spar.

Zhao Yu looked at the broken sword in his hand, then at Ye Feng, and gave a bitter smile. "I lost. I'm completely convinced."

He had never imagined he would be defeated by a Profound-grade Low-tier sword technique.

Even less did he expect Ye Feng's comprehension to be so monstrous.

Breaking through mid-battle, grasping thirty percent Sword Intent in the blink of an eye...

Such talent was practically unheard of.

Without any hesitation, Zhao Yu took a yellowed manual from his storage ring and handed it to Ye Feng. "This is the Thunderclap Sword Art, a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill. As agreed, it's yours now."

Ye Feng took the manual and casually stored it in his ring without flipping through it on the spot.

He had long heard of Zhao Yu's integrity. More importantly, his mind was already brimming with anticipation for the Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill, eager to study it later.

Just then, Zhao Yu turned to look at the Spirit Spring, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "The spiritual energy in this spring is so dense—it's clearly been forming for a long time. Absorbing it alone would take at least several days, and even then, you might not drain it completely. If the Baiyang Sect catches wind of this, they'll likely come to steal the credit."

"How about this—you and I, along with all the Feiyun Sect disciples, cultivate here together and share the Spirit Spring's resources. That way, we can absorb it quickly and avoid any trouble down the line."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment.

He did need spiritual energy to consolidate his cultivation, and absorbing it alone would take too long.

Zhao Yu's proposal was reasonable, so he nodded in agreement. "Fine. Let's do it your way."

Zhao Yu immediately turned and announced to the surrounding Feiyun Sect disciples, "Everyone, follow me into the Spirit Spring to cultivate. Share the resources and absorb them as quickly as possible!"

The disciples cheered in response and began to move forward, but Ye Feng suddenly spoke up. "Wait. Disciples from Li Yue's squad are not allowed to cultivate here."

The moment these words were spoken, the scene fell silent.

The few disciples from Li Yue's squad changed color instantly. One of them, a Qi Gathering Realm Ninth Layer cultivator, stepped forward and demanded indignantly, "Brother Ye Feng, why the discrimination? We're all Feiyun Sect disciples—why can't we use the Spirit Spring?"

"Exactly! Senior Brother Li Yue is already dead. We haven't offended you—why won't you let us cultivate?"

Another disciple chimed in, even with a hint of provocation.

"Today, we're going to cultivate here whether you like it or not!"

Ye Feng's gaze turned cold. Without holding back, he unleashed his thirty percent Sword Intent and the full pressure of his Qi Gathering Realm Ninth Layer peak.

The Low-grade Spirit Sword was drawn once more, its azure light pointing straight at the provocative disciple: "You're no match for me. When Li Yue wanted to kill me, you all stood on his side—where was your talk of sect brotherhood then? Now you want a share of the Spirit Spring? Fine, try it."

That Qi Gathering Realm Ninth Layer disciple was shaken by Ye Feng's aura but still refused to back down. Gritting his teeth, he tried to charge past Ye Feng into the Spirit Spring.

A cold glint flashed in Ye Feng's eyes. With a slight flick of his wrist, a streak of Azure Sword Qi lashed out, grazing the disciple's head and cleaving through several thick trees behind him before slowly dissipating.

The disciple was scared out of his wits, his face pale as he stumbled back several steps, daring not advance again.

If Ye Feng hadn't held back just now, his head would already be separated from his body.

"Back then, when you forced me to hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flower, why didn't you mention sect brotherhood?" Ye Feng said coldly.

"If you want to cultivate here, it'll be over my dead body."

Li Yue's squad members exchanged glances, looking at the spirit sword in Ye Feng's hand and the felled trees on the ground. They dared not argue anymore.

They understood.

Ye Feng really would go for the kill.

They could only slink away in defeat, like beaten dogs, not even daring to look back.

Ye Feng watched their retreating figures and snorted coldly: "Try to take my things and still want a share of the Spirit Spring? No such luck."

With the trouble dealt with, Ye Feng wasted no time and strode straight to the center of the Spirit Spring.

The spiritual energy there was densest—the best spot for cultivation.

Ye Feng sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began circulating the Azure Origin Art, greedily absorbing the pure spiritual energy from the Spirit Spring.

Zhao Yu watched Ye Feng's back, admiration filling his eyes.

This Ye Feng—not only was he strong, but he also knew how to repay kindness and settle grudges.

No wonder he'd grown to this level in such a short time.

Zhao Yu hesitated no longer. He led the other disciples to find good spots around the Spirit Spring and began cultivating.

The spiritual energy of the Spirit Spring surged endlessly into his body. Ye Feng could clearly feel his True Qi growing rapidly, and his three-tenths Sword Intent was becoming more refined under the nourishment of the spiritual energy.

This cultivation session at the Spirit Spring would be the key to breaking through to Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer.