One Sword Defeats the Enemy

The realms of martial techniques, from low to high, are: Initiation, Minor Success, Major Success, Peak, and Perfection.

Perfection-level footwork allowed Fang Yuan to move through battle like a fish in water; his opponents simply couldn't touch the hem of his robes.

"Are you just going to keep dodging?"

Fang Yuan felt a kind of frustration, like having strength but no way to use it.

Fang Yuan's expression was calm, unhurriedly stepping with Phantom Step, within the limited space, drifting like a ghost.

Clang!

Suddenly, the sound of a sword's ring echoed.

The snowy-white blade pierced straight through Fang Yuan's unbroken chain of sword strikes, aiming for his heart.

Seeing this, Fang Yuan was greatly startled.

His body retreated rapidly, and at the same time, he channeled true qi to cover himself, forming a faint film, trying to withdraw his sword and defend.

Boom...

But Fang Yuan's sword strike was simply too fast, and extremely sharp; it tore straight through the true qi armor, producing an explosive sound.

In the end, the sword tip stopped less than a finger's width from Fang Yuan's neck.

One strike, defeated the enemy!

"How is this possible?"

Fang Yuan's gaze was dull, staring at the cold blade that could take his life at any moment, filled with intense disbelief.

From the moment he made his move, he had gone all out.

Even when channeling true qi to form armor, his reaction was very fast, yet the armor was like paper, fragile and unable to withstand a single blow.

"Such strong combat talent, such exquisite control over the rhythm of battle."

What others saw might have been just one sword strike.

But in the eyes of the Fifth Elder, that strike was not so easy to deliver.

It required rich combat experience, mastery of timing, and even the ability to channel true qi in an instant!

"Yuan'er's combat level has risen even higher since the Azure Cloud Sect trial."

The Fifth Elder seemed to think of something and sighed slightly, "It's just a pity..."

On the stage, Fang Yuan withdrew his longsword, looking at the dejected Fang Yuan, and said calmly:

"If you're not convinced, you can continue!"

Fang Yuan was silent for a long while before slowly raising his head, cupping his hands, and saying: "My skill is inferior; I concede defeat."

It wasn't that he couldn't accept losing.

It was that he couldn't accept losing so quickly, and especially under the premise of having broken through to the Xiantian Realm.

"This battle, Fang Yuan, wins!"

The Fifth Elder, acting as the temporary referee, made the final call.

"I thought it would be a spectacular fight, but it ended so quickly," someone said, still wanting more.

"A cup of tea's time?" another scoffed. "That wasn't even fifty breaths."

"The young master is mighty!"

"I knew it would turn out this way; Fang Yuan overestimated himself a bit."

The female disciples below who admired Fang Yuan had undisguised worship sparkling in their eyes.

"This mountain may never be surmountable again."

Those disciples who had earlier harbored some thoughts now saw all their fantasies shattered.

Having reached the Xiantian Realm, they thought they could narrow the gap with Fang Yuan, but the facts proved the gap had only widened.

"Soon the clan competition will be held. I hope everyone will train hard and achieve good results."

Fang Yuan stood on the stage, a smile on his face, looking at his clan brothers, not sparing words of encouragement.

"We will surely keep pace with the young master!"

Fang Yuan smiled, returned the three-foot green blade to Ke'er, walked down the arena, and under the gaze of all eyes, his figure gradually disappeared.

"If Fang Yuan hadn't just entered the Xiantian Realm, winning against him wouldn't have been so easy."

On the way to his cheap father's study, Fang Yuan reviewed the battle just now, pondering silently.

That sword strike just now was the Perfection-level Gale Nine Swords, fast as lightning, nine swords in one.

To outsiders, it looked easy, but in truth, it had drained most of the true qi from his entire body just to pierce the true qi armor.

This was also based on the fact that Fang Yuan hadn't fully mastered his own power.

If Fang Yuan had insisted on continuing the fight, Fang Yuan would have had to put in more effort to win.

Of course, Fang Yuan understood that fellow's character; he would never do such a thing, hence that one sword strike.

"The gap between the Xiantian Realm and the Houtian Realm is still enormous!"

Wanting to cross realms and defeat an enemy isn't so simple—otherwise, what would be the point of realms? Just for show?

Given enough time, a Xiantian Realm expert could slaughter dozens or even a hundred Houtian Ninth Layers without much difficulty.

The further you go, the harder it becomes to bridge the gap between realms.

Being undefeated within the same realm is already the mark of an exceedingly rare genius.

"I still need to break through to the Xiantian Realm as soon as possible; otherwise, this is too troublesome."

Compared to defeating enemies across realms, Fang Yuan preferred crushing them with overwhelming cultivation—wasn't that much easier?

"With the talent boost from the Heavenly Origin Earth Realm, my cultivation will far outpace my peers, and might even surpass the older generation."

Before long, Fang Yuan arrived at his father's study.

The study was simply arranged; most of the books were just for show, with a few shelves set up and books piled on them.

Fang Zhongwu sat at the desk, still reviewing a dossier, his brow slightly furrowed.

Fang Yuan didn't disturb him and helped himself to a cup of tea, sipping it leisurely.

After a moment, Fang Zhongwu put down the dossier, his expression quite displeased.

"A bunch of bandits and thieves, daring to covet our family's mines—they've got some nerve."

Fang Yuan didn't interject.

The Fang family had many businesses and vast assets; there would always be some petty scoundrels with no foresight causing trouble.

"I heard you just had a scuffle with Fang Yuan?" Fang Zhongwu's mood settled, and he asked with a smile.

Fang Yuan spread his hands helplessly. "He openly declared war on me—I couldn't just not respond, could I?"

As the head of the Fang family, Fang Zhongwu couldn't miss any stir within the clan.

Fang Yuan could even predict that his father was fully aware of the details of the fight just now.

"No wonder you asked me for a Qi Condensation Pill. Are you about to return to the Xiantian Realm?"

Fang Zhongwu suddenly felt he couldn't see through this son of his anymore; it was as if a veil of mist shrouded him, hard to fathom.

It had only been a few days since he destroyed his own dantian, and now he was about to return to his peak.

"Something like that." Fang Yuan gave an ambiguous answer.

Fang Zhongwu didn't press further. With a wave of his hand, a pile of precious medicinal herbs appeared before him, their rich fragrance refreshing and invigorating.

"This is the Qi Condensation Pill."

To Fang Zhongwu's right sat a white jade bottle.

"Do you need me to stand guard for you when you return to the Xiantian Realm?" Fang Zhongwu asked, a bit worried.

"This isn't too difficult—just retracing a path I've walked before."

Fang Zhongwu still trusted his son's talent and nodded slightly.

"By the way, I noticed that girl Ke'er seems to have feelings for you. How about..."

Before Fang Zhongwu could finish, Fang Yuan immediately waved his hand to cut him off, his eyes widening slightly.

"Old man, don't go playing matchmaker. I'm still young."

Fang Zhongwu looked a bit displeased. "In a few years, you'll be ready to take my place. You should start thinking about marriage."

"Can't you take on the heavy responsibility sooner and build up the family?"

Fang Yuan felt helpless and simply said quietly, "Have you forgotten that I've already been betrothed?"

"Oh, I almost forgot about that."

Fang Zhongwu thought for a moment, his expression turning somewhat serious.

"In a few days, it'll be time for our family's ancestral rites. The branch family should send people too."

"You didn't pass the Azure Cloud Sect's trial, so the Murong family might have some thoughts about that..."