Fifth-Order Force Weapon

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

Bai Luoyan's sword momentum continued to build, its power even faintly surpassing that of the silver dragon.

At that moment, Bai Yuan was already exerting every ounce of his strength.

His whole body trembled, his muscles taut to the limit, his heart racing at an astonishing rate. Every nerve was like a bowstring stretched to its breaking point!

This feeling... It's the chance to break through!

Bai Yuan instantly sensed the signs of an imminent breakthrough. He focused his mind and decided to make one final push.

Before taking part in the clan's tournament, he had already reached the peak of Apprentice Level 8, just one step away from Apprentice Level 9.

Then, after a series of fierce battles, he had continued to tap into his body's potential. Now, at last, he was showing signs of a breakthrough.

Of course, attempting a breakthrough now was extremely dangerous. If he were interrupted midway, he might well suffer a hidden injury.

Even if he failed and sustained a hidden injury, though, the Blade Clan had the resources to heal a wound like that without much difficulty.

Some of the Universe Realm powerhouses watching the battle had already noticed what was happening.

"He's trying to break through to Apprentice Level 9! What a bold move!"

"Heh, how else do you think he made it this far? Breaking through in the face of death—that's the path of the strong."

"Exactly. Our Blade Clan stands tall among the stars of the universe not because of our bloodline or talent, but because of this will to face death and come through alive."

Clearly, most of them approved of Bai Yuan's decision to force a breakthrough.

Under this extreme pressure, the instant his mind and body both reached their peak, a barrier within Bai Yuan shattered with a crash.

His cells grew dramatically more active, his bones and sinews began to subtly transform, and his muscles and skin underwent enhancements too subtle for the naked eye to detect.

Apprentice Level 9—breakthrough!

With the breakthrough, Bai Yuan's strength surged, doubling in an instant!

"Not good!"

Bai Xingyun and Bai Luoyan had only just realized what was happening when an overwhelming force crashed toward them like an oncoming tide, sending both the silver dragon and Bai Luoyan flying.

They had never imagined that, at this critical moment, Bai Yuan could withstand the pressure of their combined attack and still complete his breakthrough.

"What's your name?" Bai Luoyan steadied herself. Her voice held a softness she had never shown before, along with unmistakable astonishment.

Before coming to take part in the clan's tournament, she had never imagined she would lose.

According to her great-grandfather, her talent was the kind seen only once every several dozen eras throughout the entire Blade Clan, far beyond that of an ordinary Special Grade Elite.

But today's battle had completely surpassed her expectations.

Bai Xingyun, standing nearby, seemed much calmer.

Unlike Bai Luoyan, he came from an ordinary background and had a limited outlook. He knew only that Blade Planet was full of talented people, and that he was merely one among them. Winning and losing were simply part of life.

He had no idea that, in any of the previous tens of thousands of tournaments, his strength and talent would have been enough to secure first place.

"Bai Yuan. May I ask both of your names?" Bai Yuan asked.

He admired the two of them just as much.

After all, he had made it this far thanks to sudden insights provided by the system, while the two of them relied on their own talent.

"Bai Luoyan."

"Bai Xingyun."

After they exchanged names, Bai Xingyun spoke again. "As far as strength goes, I admit I'm no match for Brother Yuan. That leaves the next fight between Luoyan and me."

"Then let's do it. If I gain some insight during the battle, I might still have a chance to match Bai Yuan. I imagine you're thinking the same thing."

Bai Luoyan nodded, voicing his unspoken thoughts.

Bai Xingyun didn't disagree. He really had been thinking that way.

If they continued fighting two against one, they probably still wouldn't win.

Their only chance was to do what Bai Yuan had done: break through during battle and reach a higher level.

"Sure, I'll just watch."

Bai Yuan readily agreed.

As Bai Yuan retreated to give them room to fight, Bai Luoyan and Bai Xingyun clashed once more.

Thirty-three blades turned into a silver storm that swept across the arena. Sword flashes and afterimages filled the air.

Both of them fought at their strongest, in peak condition, holding nothing back.

In the end, Bai Luoyan seized a fleeting opening, broke through the layers of flying blades, and flashed in front of Bai Xingyun.

Bai Xingyun didn't simply wait to be defeated. He swung both blades at once, while recklessly driving every flying blade back toward her at full speed.

This attack carried the resolve to take them both down.

Pfft!

The sword pierced Bai Xingyun's chest, defeating him on the spot.

Bai Luoyan, meanwhile, had slowed for a moment as she blocked the twin blades coming straight at her. A blade that had ricocheted back from her blind spot pierced a vital point, and her life force abruptly dwindled.

Two beams of white light flashed in quick succession, transporting them both out of the Blade Tomb World.

"They actually took each other out!"

"Not quite. Bai Xingyun was killed on the spot, while Bai Luoyan was gravely wounded and on the verge of death. Strictly speaking, Bai Luoyan still had the slight edge."

"Those two really are formidable. I just didn't expect things to end like this."

Bai Yuan was the most surprised of all.

He had thought he would have to fight another battle. He never expected the two of them to fight to such an extreme.

Before he could even react, white light enveloped him.

He wasn't the only one. Every participant still inside the Blade Tomb World was transported out at the same moment.

All the participants reappeared in the plaza.

At the same time, a figure slowly descended from the sky.

His aura was as vast as a sea of stars. It seemed as if the entire world trembled faintly at his arrival.

"It's Lord Bai Luoyan!"

Someone shouted, and a thunderous chorus of reverent greetings immediately swept across the plaza.

"Greetings, Lord Bai Luoyan!"

Bai Luoyan smiled, looking to be in an excellent mood.

First he glanced at Bai Luoyan, his eyes holding a trace of satisfaction, then he looked at Bai Yuan and Bai Xingyun.

"Luoyan, come back." He spoke softly, and Bai Luoyan appeared beside him.

Then he turned to Bai Xingyun. "You have excellent talent. My main focus is Martial Artists and the Law of Wind, but I've also studied the Law of Water and the path of the Psychic Master. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

His words sent a shock through the crowd.

A World Lord Level powerhouse... had personally offered to take him as a disciple!

"I'm willing!" Bai Xingyun agreed without hesitation.

An opportunity like this came once in a thousand years. How could he let it pass him by?

Bai Luoyan nodded slightly, his smile deepening. With a mere thought, he summoned Bai Xingyun to his side as well.

Finally, his gaze fell on Bai Yuan.

"There's nothing I can teach you," Bai Luoyan said slowly, though a War Blade appeared in his hand.

"I'll give you this Fifth-Order Force Weapon."

The War Blade was jet-black from hilt to tip, its blade patterned with flowing dark-gold lines. Even resting motionless in his palm, it radiated a razor-sharp aura that made one's heart tremble.

Everyone present looked on with envy.

It was a Fifth-Order Force Weapon, a treasure that many might never lay hands on in their entire lives.

It wasn't just the younger generation. Even the many Universe Realm powerhouses watching the battle had a flash of fervor in their eyes.

Even if they couldn't use a Fifth-Order Force Weapon themselves, they could trade one for vast amounts of resources.

An ordinary Fifth-Order Force Weapon was worth several million Universe Coins.

A better-quality one could be worth hundreds of billions, even approaching one Hunyuan Unit!

A whole galaxy, after all, cost only between one thousand and ten thousand Universe Coins.