The True Sword Technique

"Was mastering a Movement Technique and Sword Art such a great feat?"

"If you'd trained diligently, you could have done it too."

"Besides, that level of skill was nothing special in the Myriad Phenomena Hall."

"Ruojie, your horizons are still too narrow."

Liu Ruoxue glanced at the platform and said coolly, "If he'd comprehended some profound Sword Art, I might have been surprised. But that good-for-nothing Qin Hao probably spent all his time practicing those ordinary techniques. Mastering them was his limit. There's no need to worry about a fool like him."

"Good, good!" Liu Ruojie let out a breath. "Sister, when do you think Liu Kuang will beat Qin Hao?"

"It won't take long. Liu Kuang still has a trump card," Liu Ruoxue said flatly.

"All the better!" Liu Ruojie was overjoyed.

"Tian'er, what do you make of this fight between Liu Kuang and Qin Hao?"

In the Chen family's section, Chen Huo, the Family Head of the Chen family, pondered for a moment before turning to his son, Chen Yuntian.

"Neither is worth mentioning!"

Chen Yuntian spoke with supreme confidence. "Qin Hao may have mastered a Movement Technique and Sword Art, but they're both ordinary techniques. He poses no threat to me."

"And Liu Kuang is even more foolish. He's barely mastered the Frenzied Blade Art, and his blade work is riddled with openings."

"If neither of them has a stronger move, neither would last three moves against me."

"Besides, I've already reached the late Seventh Layer of Body Tempering!"

Among Tianshui City's younger generation, Chen Yuntian could rightly claim the highest cultivation!

He had every reason to be arrogant.

"There is always a sky beyond the sky, and someone beyond every person." Chen Huo shook his head. "Remember that. When you enter the Myriad Phenomena Hall, never underestimate anyone. Take Qin Hao. His First-Grade Martial Soul limits his prospects, but diligence can make up for a lack of talent. He's mastered both Sword Art and a Movement Technique."

"And those admitted to the Myriad Phenomena Hall are all geniuses from their cities. If they train hard, their future achievements won't be small. You must devote yourself to training even more. Understand?"

"I understand, Father," Chen Yuntian replied without hesitation.

Pleased by his son's answer, Chen Huo nodded. Neither of them gave Qin Hao any further thought. His mastery of both techniques had surprised them, but it proved little. Everyone believed this was as far as Qin Hao could go.

Meanwhile, in the Liu Family Stockade's section, surprise flickered across Liu Xiao's face before he fell into thought.

My goal is first place. Judging by this fight, Qin Hao and Liu Kuang aren't much of a threat. But how strong is Chen Yuntian, really? He hasn't shown his full strength once since the Genius Tournament began.

Liu Xiao looked toward Chen Yuntian and clenched his fists. He had shown exceptional martial talent from childhood and received considerable training resources from the Liu Family Stockade. But compared with the three great Lineages of Tianshui City, the stockade was small and had little of value to offer.

That made the Azure Origin Fruit awarded for first place in the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament especially important to him.

On the platform.

"Good-for-nothing, I never thought you'd manage to master a Movement Technique and Sword Art."

Gulp!

Liu Kuang swallowed. Then the aura around him began to rise.

"Too bad you ran into me!"

"Let me show you what it means to be crushed by absolute power, you good-for-nothing!"

A fierce blade wind shrieked through the air.

His saber slashed down at Qin Hao!

"What? How did his strength suddenly surge?"

Startled, Qin Hao raised his sword to block.

In the next instant, Liu Kuang's saber struck Qin Hao's sword like a thunderbolt.

Bang! Qin Hao flew backward, barely stopping at the edge of the platform. A trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"A good-for-nothing is a good-for-nothing! Qin Hao's about to lose!"

"So this is Liu Kuang's true strength! He's so strong!"

The sight sent many spectators into a frenzy.

As if seeing Qin Hao injured were cause for celebration.

"Qin Hao, no matter how strong you are, you can't beat Liu Kuang now that his strength has risen by fifty percent."

"Accept your fate!"

"You're nothing but trash anyone can trample underfoot."

Liu Ruoxue's lips curved into a mocking smile.

The Violent Burst Pill!

Liu Kuang chose to take the Violent Burst Pill now? No matter. He'll cripple Qin Hao in front of everyone.

Beside her, Yang Benhong sneered. "What a surprise! Junior Sister Liu, it seems that good-for-nothing had some stroke of luck. He managed to get this far with a First-Grade Martial Soul."

"Too bad he'll never amount to anything. Today will be the crowning moment of his life."

Neither spoke again. Both turned their attention to the platform.

No one noticed Chi Zhenheng, who had been resting with his eyes closed on the main dais, slowly open them. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he frowned slightly.

"Hm? That scent?"

He had sensed a faint trace of a pill on Liu Kuang, but it vanished in an instant.

"Hahaha! Qin Hao, if you're a good-for-nothing, you ought to know your place!"

Liu Kuang felt power coursing through his body. "You'll never leave Tianshui City. No, your life ends right here! I, Liu Kuang, will be the one to end it!"

Just moments earlier, Liu Kuang had swallowed the Violent Burst Pill he'd kept ready in his mouth.

His strength had surged almost instantly.

Even so, Liu Kuang didn't dare unleash the pill's full effects.

But it was already more than enough to deal with Qin Hao.

"Tianshui City?" Qin Hao shook his head. "My goal is the pinnacle of martial arts! Forget Tianshui City—even the Myriad Phenomena Hall is only my starting point."

"I don't know how you forced your strength to rise, but you think you can win the Genius Tournament by relying on something external? Liu Kuang, you're a fool."

"Today, I'll show you what real Sword Art looks like."

As he spoke, Qin Hao walked forward, slowly raising the sword in his hand.

Huh? Has this good-for-nothing still not shown his full strength? Liu Kuang's heart lurched. He could clearly feel an overwhelming aura building around Qin Hao.

"Firmament Phantom Sword, First Form!"

"Shadowless!"

In the next instant, the Iron Sword in Qin Hao's hand whipped through the air. In less than half a breath, he had struck dozens of times.

Countless sword shadows filled the platform.

Every shadow carried power comparable to the Sword-Drawing Art!

"This..." Liu Kuang's face went white. One strike of the Sword-Drawing Art had already been more than he could handle. Now Qin Hao had unleashed so many sword shadows, each bearing that same power.

How can this move be so powerful?

Liu Kuang roared inwardly, stunned and panicked.

He couldn't understand it. He couldn't even imagine how Qin Hao, whose test had revealed only a First-Grade Martial Soul, could cultivate so quickly and hone his Swordsmanship to such a level.

As though a supreme being had unfurled a Domain, the entire Martial Arts Arena fell silent in an instant.

Everyone stared at the platform, eyes wide and mouths open enough to swallow an egg.