Rumble!
The instant his words had barely left his mouth, Lin Xuan made his move!
The ground beneath his feet began to crack.
His aura surged with berserk fury, like a Flood Dragon gone mad.
He closed in on Xu Qingyun in the blink of an eye.
The scarlet longsword in his hand came crashing down, like a crimson mountain bearing down with terrifying force.
A suffocating feeling swept over many of the spectators.
It was as if this single strike would split Xu Qingyun's body in two.
However, Xu Qingyun, standing in the plaza, merely leaped backward without so much as changing his expression, easily evading the attack.
Then he swiftly raised his right fist and sent a three-zhang scarlet-gold fist imprint flying.
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow and gave his sword a casual sweep.
A vast mass of scarlet Sword Qi surged across the plaza in every direction.
It quickly obliterated the scarlet-gold fist imprint.
A moment later, streak after streak of Sword Qi came hurtling toward Xu Qingyun, their momentum undiminished.
Faced with Lin Xuan's killing move, Xu Qingyun immediately raised his fists to defend himself.
Boom!
In an instant, sparks flew everywhere.
The sheer power of the Sword Qi made Xu Qingyun frown despite himself.
His body staggered backward three steps.
Drip! Drip!
He raised his hands and saw that streaks of Sword Qi had carved cuts into both fists. Blood trickled down and dripped onto the ground.
"An upper Mysterious Grade sword technique!"
Xu Qingyun's expression turned grave.
He and Lin Xuan were both at the ninth level of the Mystic Profound Realm.
For Lin Xuan to wound him with a sword technique, his cultivation method had to be of a higher grade.
After all, the prodigies who made it onto the Heroes List were almost all cultivating Mysterious Grade techniques.
Xu Qingyun's ranking was relatively high, and he cultivated a middle Mysterious Grade fist technique that he had already mastered.
That was how he had once defeated the Great Yun prodigy ranked thirteenth with that very technique.
But Lin Xuan seemed to be cultivating an upper Mysterious Grade sword technique, and his mastery was no shallow thing.
At the very least, he had reached the proficient stage!
"What, surprised already?"
Seeing this, Lin Xuan grinned.
Rumble!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Xuan's figure suddenly blurred.
To Xu Qingyun's senses, it seemed as if Lin Xuan had split into two bodies.
It was as though three Lin Xuans were charging at him!
"Not good!"
Xu Qingyun's expression changed drastically.
Lin Xuan had to be cultivating some kind of high-grade movement technique.
At least a middle Mysterious Grade technique, perhaps even an upper Mysterious Grade one.
He was simply too fast!
A cultivator at the Mystic Profound Realm had actually mastered two Mysterious Grade techniques.
It was simply inconceivable.
Many martial artists in the Mystic Profound Realm were doing well if they could cultivate one or two Yellow Grade techniques.
Even among the talented martial artists, most cultivated just one Mysterious Grade technique at most.
After all, a person's energy was limited. How could anyone cultivate several Mysterious Grade techniques?
And Lin Xuan's talent had once been about the same as his—or, strictly speaking, even a little worse.
What gave him the right to cultivate two Mysterious Grade techniques?
And with such a high level of mastery, at that!
In that instant, Xu Qingyun was overwhelmed by conflicting feelings, his mind full of questions.
Rumble!
The next moment, even though he reacted in time and flashed aside, a streak of sword light still slashed into his right arm, sending blood streaming down.
The wound was severe!
Lin Xuan naturally wasn't about to let such a fine opportunity slip by.
He repeatedly used his movement technique, sending streak after streak of scarlet sword light slashing out and further battering Xu Qingyun.
In the end, Lin Xuan sent Xu Qingyun flying with a single sword strike. He crashed down at the edge of the plaza, barely breathing and unable to move.
The entire crowd erupted at the sight.
Xu Qingyun had actually lost!
And he had barely been able to fight back.
Both of them were at the ninth level of the Mystic Profound Realm, yet the gap between their strength was enormous.
"The winner is Lin Xuan!"
The White-Robed Deacon from the Cloud Pavilion announced solemnly.
"The Divine Fist Sect is nothing special after all."
Lin Xuan held his longsword and spoke with indifference.
At that, Jiang Feng and the others' expressions darkened.
The Divine Fist Sect and the Mystic Blade Sect were both top sects within the Great Cloud Dynasty, and their strength was evenly matched.
Lin Xuan had joined a sect overseas. Now, by saying the Divine Fist Sect was weak, wasn't he also sneering at the other sects, implying they were no better?
"Lin Xuan really is strong."
Outside the plaza, Su Yun's expression shifted slightly.
It seemed Lin Xuan had mastered at least two Mysterious Grade techniques, and had reached the proficient stage in nearly both.
Although he hadn't reached the great mastery stage, their power was still frightening.
Compared to Lin Xuan, Su Yun's martial techniques were naturally a little weaker.
But Su Yun had one enormous advantage.
Eight-tenths Blade Momentum!
Once he unleashed Blade Momentum at that level—
one strike would be enough to defeat Lin Xuan.
Inside the restaurant beside the plaza.
Patriarch Xu's expression was unusually grim.
Crack!
The jade cup clenched in his hand was instantly crushed into pieces.
Shards scattered across the floor.
Earlier, he had confidently guaranteed that his son, Xu Qingyun, would win.
But now his son had been beaten unconscious by Lin Xuan!
"Lin Xuan has good comprehension. Xu Qingyun's loss was no disgrace. It was only to be expected."
King Wanyang spoke with indifference, his expression unchanging.
"Thank you for your understanding, King Wanyang. I will make sure my son cultivates diligently from now on and devotes his life to serving Great Yun!"
Patriarch Xu hurriedly bowed and replied respectfully.
Fortunately, King Wanyang hadn't pursued the matter.
Otherwise, even if the Xu Family survived, it would have been skinned alive!
On the White Jade Plaza.
Lin Xuan glanced around and spoke loudly.
"Everyone, I'm sure you know that I joined a sect overseas."
"Since that's the case, I'll speak frankly."
"The sect I joined is called the Heaven Sword Sect. Its territory alone stretches for ten thousand li in every direction. It is a peerless great sect."
"Anyone here who's interested may join my Heaven Sword Sect!"
The moment he finished speaking, the crowd erupted, and discussions broke out all around.
This brazen act of poaching disciples was simply too audacious.
But didn't it also show that the Heaven Sword Sect was powerful enough not to fear the Great Cloud Dynasty?
Besides, Lin Xuan's terrifying strength proved it.
For a moment, many martial artists in the crowd were tempted.
"Damn it!"
Jiang Feng had a fiery temper. Seeing Lin Xuan's smile, he was so irritated that he couldn't help cursing.
Unfortunately, he had only been cultivating for a little over a year and hadn't yet broken through to the Mystic Profound Realm. He was no match for Lin Xuan.
His words naturally drew the attention of many people.
Lin Xuan, standing on the plaza, looked over as well.
After sensing Jiang Feng's cultivation, he gave a faintly mocking smile.
"What? You, disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect—if you're dissatisfied, you can come up and spar with me."
"You!"
Jiang Feng's expression flared with anger, but he didn't recklessly charge forward.
After all, he couldn't beat Lin Xuan.
He'd only go up there to get beaten.
"Don't dare come up? Afraid I'll use my cultivation to crush you?"
Lin Xuan laughed.
"How about this?"
"I can suppress my cultivation and lower it to the ninth level of Body Refining. Then you can come up and fight me!"
Veins bulged on Jiang Feng's forehead. His fists clenched and his teeth ground together, but he still didn't foolishly rush up.
After all, even if they had the same cultivation, Lin Xuan had already mastered two Mysterious Grade techniques.
How could Jiang Feng possibly beat him?
"You still won't come up?"
Lin Xuan's smile grew broader.
"Looks like the Mystic Blade Sect's disciples are nothing special either. All they can do is run their mouths."
Boom!
At that moment, Jiang Feng glared furiously as his aura erupted. He could no longer hold back.
How could he put up with someone humiliating him like that?
Even if he died, so be it!
But just then, Su Yun placed his right hand on Jiang Feng's shoulder.
"Junior Brother Jiang Feng, he's just some nobody."
"Why get angry?"
Su Yun spoke calmly.
A nobody?
At those words, Lin Xuan's smile froze.
"Junior Brother Su Yun."
Beside him, Chen Qingxue looked worried.
Lin Xuan had mastered two Mysterious Grade techniques, and his proficiency was no low. He really was powerful.
He was no minor character!
Jiang Feng, with Su Yun's hand resting on his shoulder, was also a little stunned.
"Senior Sister, keep an eye on Junior Brother Jiang Feng."
After saying this, Su Yun used Spirit Roc Dustless Step and flashed onto the plaza.
The two of them stood facing each other across the White Jade Plaza.
"Hmm? The third level of the Mystic Profound Realm?"
Lin Xuan's eyes gleamed coldly, and the corner of his mouth curled into a sneer.
Where had this man found the confidence to challenge him?
"Hmm? Is he an Outer Sect disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect? He's only at the third level of the Mystic Profound Realm!"
"Strange. What kind of ability does he have to dare challenge Lin Xuan?"
"Just young and hot-blooded!"
The spectators all looked astonished, turning the matter over in their minds.
After all, even Xu Qingyun had lost!
What could a martial artist at the third level of the Mystic Profound Realm possibly do to defeat Lin Xuan?
Inside the restaurant beside the plaza.
Patriarch Xu frowned as he watched the scene before him.
"Which family does this junior belong to? He's only at the third level of Profound Mastery, yet he dares challenge Lin Xuan?"
"Even my son lost. Isn't this just fooling around?"
The other patriarchs also chimed in one after another.
Not one of them thought much of Su Yun's chances.
But King Wanyang, standing off to the side, had become interested.
"Perhaps this Outer Sect disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect can surprise me."
On White Jade Plaza.
Lin Xuan spoke with a smile.
"I have to say, I admire your courage. With cultivation like yours, you still dare to come up here and fight me."
"Perhaps I should even thank you. Once I defeat you, the Heavenly Sword Sect's reputation will surely rise another level."
"And then I'll be able to claim even greater rewards."
Lin Xuan was confident, sure of his victory.
"You talk too much."
Su Yun glanced at him.
"One slash is all I need to defeat you."
Hearing this, Lin Xuan froze.
His expression darkened.
Just then, the White-Robed Deacon from Cloud Pavilion finished checking Su Yun's information.
Then he raised his right arm and announced loudly,
"Su Yun, Outer Sect disciple of the Mystic Blade Sect, challenges Lin Xuan, disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect!"
"The match begins!"
Rumble!!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Yun unleashed eighty percent of his Blade Momentum!
A terrifying aura of Blade Momentum surged outward in every direction like an earth-splitting tide!
Crack!!
The White Jade Plaza around Su Yun visibly began to fracture, cracks spreading out like a spiderweb.
The plaza had already been shattered by the force of his Blade Momentum.
Lin Xuan was utterly horrified!
His face was deathly pale, his body soaked with sweat, his legs trembling.
Though he desperately unleashed his own three-tenths of a Sword Momentum, against such terrifying Blade Momentum—
It shattered at the slightest touch!
"This is... Great Accomplishment Blade Intent!?"
"Impossible!"
"How could an Outer Sect disciple at the third level of Profound Mastery comprehend Great Accomplishment Blade Intent!?"
Veins bulged across Lin Xuan's face as he gritted his teeth and shouted.
Creak!
The next moment, under the crushing pressure of the terrifying Blade Momentum, his bones began to crack and creak!
"Slash!"
Suddenly, a cold voice rang in his ear.
In the next instant, a dazzling blood-red blade light completely blotted out his vision.
He could see nothing.
Lin Xuan's heart lurched, and his eyes flew wide open.
He knew perfectly well.
He couldn't block that slash.
He would die!
"I... I surrender!!"
At the brink of death,
Lin Xuan's eyes nearly burst from their sockets as he roared toward the sky!
In that instant, the blood-red blade light stopped three feet in front of him.
At last, the blood-red blade light turned into countless specks of light and vanished completely.
Seeing this,
Lin Xuan gasped for breath, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Yet his eyes still held a look of terror!
That slash had been far too terrifying!
At last coming to his senses, the White-Robed Deacon drew a deep breath.
He quickly raised his right arm and announced excitedly,
"Winner: Su Yun!"
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