Defeating Zhao Yu!

Zhao Yu's Profound-grade Top-tier Sword Technique had already reached Ye Feng, its fierce Sword Qi slicing through the air and opening a fine cut on Ye Feng's cheek.

Ye Feng's pupils contracted sharply. He knew that continuing to defend passively would only plunge him completely into a desperate situation.

He no longer hesitated. His mind sank into the system as he issued an urgent command: "System, modify my Sword Intent. Set the duration to a Hundred Years Later!"

The instant the command fell, an ocean of sword insights surged into his mind like a flood bursting through a dam.

From the ultimate fusion of Sword Technique and True Qi, to the invisible suppression of an enemy's mind by Sword Intent, and then to how to use Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to amplify sword force...

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

The Azure Sword Intent coiling around his body suddenly surged, breaking straight through from twenty percent to Thirty Percent Sword Intent.

The buzzing vibration of the sword resounded through Spirit Spring Valley. Even the spiritual energy around them was drawn in by this Sword Intent, forming a visible vortex.

"Hm?"

Zhao Yu's brows furrowed sharply as he pressed his advantage. He clearly sensed that the aura around Ye Feng had changed.

That Sword Intent was no longer sluggish as before. Instead, it had become condensed and domineering, like an unparalleled sharp blade drawn from its sheath. Without hesitation, Zhao Yu rotated the Fine Steel Longsword in his hand. His ten percent Sword Intent erupted without restraint, a tidal wave of pressure surging toward Ye Feng as his sword pointed straight at Ye Feng's heart.

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

Facing Zhao Yu's killing move, he still unleashed the Wind Shadow Sword Art.

To outsiders, this Profound-grade Low-tier Sword Technique looked no different from before, but with the support of Thirty Percent Sword Intent, it had long since been reborn.

Azure sword light split through the air. There was no earth-shaking boom, yet it carried an irresistible penetrating force as it met Zhao Yu's sword head-on.

"That's not right!"

Alarm bells rang in Zhao Yu's heart. He clearly recognized this as the basic sword move of the Wind Shadow Sword Art, yet the threat he sensed now was even more terrifying than his own Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill.

In the next instant, Zhao Yu saw the Azure Sword Intent on Ye Feng's sword surge violently.

Thirty Percent Sword Intent spread out like the vault of heaven.

The pressure actually made the hand holding his sword begin to tremble!

It was not fear. Rather, the Fine Steel Longsword in his hand simply could not withstand the impact of this Sword Intent. Fine cracks had already appeared across the surface of the blade!

"Clang!"

The two swords collided, Azure Sword Qi and white Sword Qi crashing into each other.

Terrifying force spread outward with the two men at its center. The Spirit Spring's waves were thrown into the air, while the surrounding trees shook violently.

The Feiyun Sect disciples had been prepared in advance. They hurriedly circulated their True Qi to resist, yet the force still sent them stumbling backward again and again.

The instant the force dispersed, everyone froze.

Ye Feng's Low-grade Spirit Sword was steadily braced against Zhao Yu's neck. The blade had already cut through the skin, and a thread of blood seeped out.

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

"You lost. No offense." Ye Feng returned his sword to its sheath, his tone calm, as if that thrilling clash had merely been 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 convinced."

He had never imagined that he would actually lose to a Profound-grade Low-tier Sword Technique.

Even less had he expected Ye Feng's comprehension to be so monstrous.

To break through mid-battle at the drop of a hat, comprehending Thirty Percent Sword Intent in the blink of an eye.

Such talent was simply unheard of.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhao Yu took a yellowed manual from his storage ring and held it out to Ye Feng. "This is the Thunderclap Sword Art, a Profound-grade Top-tier Martial Skill. As agreed, it belongs to you now."

Ye Feng accepted the manual and casually put it into his storage ring without opening it on the spot.

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

Just then, Zhao Yu turned toward the Spirit Spring, a trace of delight flashing in his eyes. "The spiritual energy in this Spirit Spring is so dense. It clearly formed long ago. One person would need at least several days to absorb it, and might not even be able to absorb it all. If people from the Baiyang Sect noticed it, they would probably come here to seize the credit."

"How about you and I, together with all the Feiyun Sect disciples, cultivate here and share the Spirit Spring's resources? That way, we can absorb it all as quickly as possible and avoid complications from delay."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment.

He did indeed need spiritual energy to consolidate his cultivation. Absorbing it alone would take too long.

Zhao Yu's proposal was reasonable, so he nodded in agreement. "All right. We'll do as you say."

Zhao Yu immediately turned around and called out to the surrounding Feiyun Sect disciples, "Everyone, enter the Spirit Spring with me and cultivate. Share the resources and absorb them all as quickly as possible!"

The disciples cheered in response and were about to step forward when Ye Feng suddenly spoke. "Wait. The disciples from Li Yue's squad are not allowed to cultivate here."

The moment he said this, the scene instantly fell silent.

The faces of several disciples from Li Yue's squad changed drastically. A disciple at the ninth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm stepped forward and questioned him indignantly. "Senior Brother Ye Feng, why are you treating us differently? We're all Feiyun Sect disciples. Why can't we use the Spirit Spring?"

"Exactly! Senior Brother Li Yue is already dead, and we haven't offended you. Why won't you let us cultivate?"

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

"Today, we're going to cultivate here no matter what!"

Ye Feng's gaze turned cold. The aura of his Thirty Percent Sword Intent and peak ninth-layer Qi Gathering Realm cultivation erupted without restraint.

The Low-grade Spirit Sword was drawn once more, its Azure Sword light pointing straight at the provoking disciple. "Because you're not my opponents. Li Yue wanted to kill me, and you stood on his side back then. Why didn't you think of our fellow-disciple bond then? Now you want a share of the Spirit Spring? Fine. Go ahead and try."

The ninth-layer Qi Gathering Realm disciple was intimidated by Ye Feng's aura, yet he remained unwilling to submit. Gritting his teeth, he was just about to rush past Ye Feng and charge into the Spirit Spring.

A cold glint flashed through Ye Feng's eyes. His wrist flicked lightly, and a streak of Azure Sword Qi shot out. It skimmed over the disciple's head and cleaved straight through several thick trees behind him before slowly dissipating.

The disciple was scared out of his wits. His face deathly pale, he staggered back several steps and did not dare advance again.

If Ye Feng had not shown mercy just now, he would already have been separated from his head.

"When you forced me to hand over the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flower back then, why didn't you mention our fellow-disciple bond?" Ye Feng said coldly.

"If you want to cultivate here, do it only after I'm dead."

The disciples from Li Yue's squad exchanged glances. Looking at the Spirit Sword in Ye Feng's hand and the fallen, severed trees, they no longer dared to argue.

They knew.

Ye Feng truly dared to strike to kill.

They could only turn and leave dejectedly like stray dogs, not even daring to look back.

Ye Feng watched their retreating figures and snorted coldly. "You stole my things and still want a share of the Spirit Spring? There's no such good deal."

Having dealt with the trouble, Ye Feng did not delay any longer and went straight to the center of the Spirit Spring.

The spiritual energy there was the densest, making it the best place to cultivate.

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

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

This Ye Feng was not only powerful but also clearly distinguished gratitude from grudges.

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

Zhao Yu no longer hesitated either. He led the other disciples to find suitable places around the Spirit Spring and began cultivating.

The Spirit Spring's spiritual energy continuously poured into their bodies. Ye Feng could clearly feel his True Qi rapidly increasing, while his Thirty Percent Sword Intent also grew increasingly condensed under the nourishment of the spiritual energy.

This cultivation session in the Spirit Spring would be the key to breaking through to the tenth layer of the Qi Gathering Realm.