Sword Assembly Opens, First Battle Establishes Might

On the central square of the Qingyun Region, banners snapped in the wind. The flags of the Seven Great Sword Sects and the five great Lineages of the Mortal Realm stood on either side, while the arena at the square's center was paved with millennium-old bluestone and engraved with faint spirit-gathering runes—this was the venue of the Qingyun Region Inter-Realm Sword Assembly. At this moment, cultivators packed the square, their discussions rising and falling like waves. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two high platforms beside the arena: one was the viewing platform for the Qingyun Region's Region Lord, while the other displayed the Spirit Realm Teleportation Token and Sword Soul Fragment that symbolized the assembly's rewards. The token glimmered with pale blue light, while the fragment resembled a shrunken star, radiating an incomparably pure Sword Soul aura.

"Senior Brother Ling, look over there!" Murong Shuang pointed toward the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect, her voice carrying a trace of vigilance. A young man clad in fitted crimson clothes sat with his eyes closed, resting his mind. Blazing crimson Sword Intent coiled around him, seemingly roasting the very air until it warped—he was Chi Yang, the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect's genius disciple. The sect elder beside him wore a smile at the corner of his lips, clearly brimming with confidence that Chi Yang would claim the championship.

Ling Yun followed Murong Shuang's gaze. His Clear Sword Heart quietly circulated, and he instantly sensed the dominance and heat within Chi Yang's Sword Intent—it was pure Crimson Sun Sword Intent, already at the peak of the Early Sword Master Stage, more condensed than Ling Yun's own Sword Intent, which had only recently entered the Early Sword Master Stage. "Is this man Chi Yang?" Ling Yun asked.

"That's right." Murong Shuang nodded. "The Crimson Sun Sword Canon he cultivates is a top-tier technique of the Mortal Realm. His sword moves are famed for their fierce might and tyranny. It is said that he once split the defenses of a third-rank demonic beast, the Blazing Fire Lion, with a single slash. His strength is formidable. Moreover, the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect has always had friction with our Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. He will definitely target you."

Ling Yun gave a slight nod and carried the Sky-Rending Sword on his back. After several days of nurturing, the gray glow on its blade had become increasingly restrained, revealing itself only when he activated Chaos Sword Intent. He knew that this sword assembly was not merely a contest for a place in the Spirit Realm; it was also a clash concerning the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's reputation. He absolutely could not lose.

"All participating contestants, enter the arena!" The Region Lord's voice rang through the square, carrying the pressure of a Late Stage Sword Emperor and instantly suppressing every murmur. Fifty contestants from the various factions stepped onto the arena and took their places according to the order of their draws. Ling Yun had drawn number seven, and his opponent was an Early Sword Master Stage disciple from the Green Wood Sect named Mu Qing.

The Green Wood Sect excelled in Wood Attribute Sword Intent, focusing on defense and entanglement. Mu Qing's sword was an emerald-green Green Wood Sword, its blade wrapped in faint phantom vines. Seeing that his opponent was Ling Yun, Mu Qing's face turned somewhat pale. Ling Yun's feat of defeating Zhao Lei during the Sect Grand Competition had long spread throughout the Qingyun Region. Mu Qing knew his chances of victory were slim, yet he still tightened his grip on his sword, a trace of stubbornness flashing through his eyes. "Senior Brother Ling, I will not surrender easily!"

"Please enlighten me." Ling Yun nodded slightly without the slightest hint of contempt. On the path of the sword, every opponent deserved respect.

"The match begins!" As the referee elder's voice fell, Mu Qing immediately activated his Wood Attribute Sword Intent. With a sweep of the Green Wood Sword, several emerald vines burst from the ground and lashed toward Ling Yun. At the same time, Mu Qing retreated, preparing to execute the defensive sword move, Green Wood Shield.

"Clear Sword Heart!" A glint of light flashed through Ling Yun's eyes as he instantly saw through the vines' flaw. Though the vines appeared densely packed, there was in fact a weak point in the connection of their spiritual power. He neither dodged nor evaded. The Sky-Rending Sword left its sheath, and crimson, azure, and yellow three-attribute Sword Intent intertwined into a sword arc that struck the weak point with pinpoint precision.

"Crack!" The emerald vines shattered at once, turning into spiritual power that scattered through the air. Mu Qing's expression changed drastically. Just as he was about to activate Green Wood Shield, Ling Yun's figure had already appeared before him—the speed of the Breath Concealing Steps far surpassed his expectations. The Sky-Rending Sword stopped before his throat, carrying not a trace of killing intent, only pure Sword Intent.

"I lost." Mu Qing gave a bitter smile, sheathed the Green Wood Sword, and stepped down from the arena.

The entire square fell silent for a moment before erupting in thunderous cheers. Ling Yun had won far too quickly. From the beginning to the end of the match, only three breaths had passed, and he had not used any powerful sword moves throughout. Clearly, he had held back. Chi Yang of the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect opened his eyes and looked toward Ling Yun, disdain flashing through them. "He was merely lucky to encounter an opponent who specialized in defense."

"Brother Ling Yun, you're amazing!" Su Qingyuan's voice came from the spectator stands. She carried a medicine basket, her eyes filled with pride. Ling Yun nodded in her direction, then walked to the edge of the arena to await the next round. Under the assembly's rules, the winners of the first round would advance, with their next opponents decided by drawing lots.

Just then, a crimson figure descended onto the arena. It was Chi Yang. His opponent was Li Yan, the young master of the Li Family among the five great Lineages. Li Yan specialized in Fire-Attribute Sword Intent and had reached the middle of the Early Sword Master Stage. He had thought himself capable of fighting Chi Yang, but Chi Yang used only one sword strike.

"Crimson Sun Sword Intent—Heaven Burning!" Chi Yang swept his crimson longsword. Blazing Sword Intent transformed into an enormous flaming sword phantom that instantly crushed Li Yan's Fire-Attribute Sword Intent and sent his sword flying. The sword phantom stopped before Li Yan's chest, radiating scorching heat. "You are too weak. You are not worthy of being my opponent." Chi Yang withdrew his sword, his tone brimming with arrogance.

Li Yan's face flushed red, yet he did not dare refute him. He could only leave the arena in disgrace. Chi Yang looked toward Ling Yun, a provocative smile curling across his lips. "Ling Yun, I heard you just broke through to the Sword Master Realm. If you meet me in the next round, do not be as unable to withstand a single blow as Li Yan."

Ling Yun did not respond. He merely tightened his grip on the Sky-Rending Sword. On the path of the sword, verbal provocation meant nothing. Only strength could prove everything.

Murong Shuang walked to Ling Yun's side and said in a low voice, "Chi Yang's Crimson Sun Burns the Sky sword move is extremely powerful. It can scorch an opponent's Sword Intent, so be careful. I asked a Crimson Cloud Sword Sect disciple just now. Chi Yang also possesses a forbidden art called Crimson Sun Burst, which can briefly enhance the power of his Sword Intent, though it damages his meridians. He will most likely not use it lightly."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister Murong." Ling Yun nodded. Sword Elder's voice then sounded in his sea of consciousness. "Though Chi Yang's Crimson Sun Sword Intent suppresses Fire-Attribute Sword Intent, your Chaos Sword Body can absorb and transform his Sword Intent. You must only beware of the scorching force within it and avoid having your meridians burned. The Clear Flame Pill Su Qingyuan gave you will be useful. You may take one in advance."

Ling Yun took a pale-blue medicinal pill from his robes—the Clear Flame Pill Su Qingyuan had given him. After he swallowed it, a cool aura instantly spread throughout his body, and the burning sensation in his meridians was immediately suppressed. He knew that if he met Chi Yang in the next round, it would be a hard battle.

The second-round draw began. Ling Yun drew number three, and his opponent was an Early Sword Master Stage disciple from the Iron Sword Sect named Tie Shan. Tie Shan excelled in fierce and forceful sword moves. The sword in his hand was a heavy iron sword that gleamed with cold light. Once the match began, Tie Shan immediately activated his sword force. His iron sword crashed toward Ling Yun with the weight of a thousand catties, its attack incomparably fierce, yet Ling Yun easily blocked it with Earth Attribute Sword Intent.

"Three Forms of Qiankun - Earth Shield!" Yellow Sword Intent condensed into a heavy shield. The instant it blocked the iron sword, Ling Yun flashed around Tie Shan and appeared behind him. The Sky-Rending Sword carried the swiftness of the Wind Attribute as it lightly tapped Tie Shan's back. "You lost."

Tie Shan froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile and sheathed his iron sword. "Senior Brother Ling's Sword Intent is indeed formidable. I concede."

After two rounds of matches, Ling Yun and Chi Yang had both advanced with ease. Murong Shuang, another Li Family disciple, and two Crimson Cloud Sword Sect disciples also advanced. The atmosphere in the square grew increasingly tense. Everyone knew that Ling Yun and Chi Yang would very likely face each other in the next round—this would be the most spectacular battle since the sword assembly began.

Night fell, and the sword assembly paused. Disciples from all factions returned to their lodgings to rest. Ling Yun returned to the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's temporary quarters, where Su Qingyuan had already been waiting. She held a food box containing warm Sword Heart Porridge that could nourish Sword Intent, along with two Meridian Protecting Pills.

"Brother Ling Yun, you worked hard in today's matches." Su Qingyuan handed the food box to Ling Yun. "My father sent word that people from the Blood Fiend Hall have indeed infiltrated the sword assembly. They disguised themselves as disciples from various factions and seem to intend to seize the Sword Soul Fragment and Spirit Realm Teleportation Token during the finals. You must be careful. They may very well make a move against you."

Ling Yun accepted the food box, his heart tightening. The Blood Fiend Hall truly refused to let the matter rest. It seemed that during the assembly finals, he would not only have to face Chi Yang but also guard against a sneak attack from the Blood Fiend Hall. He nodded. "I understand. You must also watch your safety. Stay in the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's quarters whenever possible, and do not act alone."

Su Qingyuan nodded, then took a pale-green jade pendant from her robes and handed it to Ling Yun. "This is Medicine Immortal Valley's Warning Jade Pendant. If it encounters demonic qi, it will emit green light. Keep it on you, and it can warn you in advance."

Ling Yun accepted the jade pendant and stored it close to his body, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew that with Su Qingyuan's support, Sword Elder's guidance, and Murong Shuang's help, he had the confidence to handle either Chi Yang or the Blood Fiend Hall.

Late at night, Ling Yun sat on his bed and circulated the Qiankun Sword Canon, consolidating his Early Sword Master Stage cultivation. The Sky-Rending Sword rested across his knees, its blade giving off a faint gray glow as it resonated with his Sword Intent. He could clearly feel that the three-attribute Sword Intent in his dantian was becoming increasingly condensed, while the Chaos Sword Body slowly transformed his meridians, making his control over Sword Intent ever more refined.

"Tomorrow will be the day I face Chi Yang." Ling Yun opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them. He gripped the Sky-Rending Sword tightly, and its blade gave a soft cry, as though answering his fighting spirit. He knew that this battle concerned not only a place in the Spirit Realm, but also the first step on his road to revenge. Only by defeating Chi Yang and seizing the Sword Soul Fragment could he more quickly uncover the truth behind the Ling Family's destruction, journey to the Spirit Realm, and seek the Blood Fiend Hall's trail.

At this moment, in the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect's temporary quarters, Chi Yang sat with his eyes closed, cultivating as the Crimson Sun Sword Intent around him became ever more blazing. The Crimson Cloud Sword Sect elder stood beside him with a crimson medicinal pill in his hand, a vicious glint flashing through his eyes. "Chi Yang, if you encounter Ling Yun tomorrow, use this Crimson Sun Pill if necessary. It can instantly raise your Sword Intent to the Late Stage Sword Master. Though it will damage your meridians, so long as you can seize the championship, everything is worth it. Remember: the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect must never rise again. Ling Yun must die!"

Chi Yang opened his eyes and accepted the Crimson Sun Pill, greed and ruthlessness flashing through his gaze. "Rest assured, Elder. Tomorrow, I will make Ling Yun die beneath my sword, seize the Spirit Realm Teleportation Token and Sword Soul Fragment, and bring glory to the Crimson Cloud Sword Sect!"

As the night deepened, the spirit-gathering runes in the Qingyun Region's central square continued to flicker, as though foretelling tomorrow's soul-stirring confrontation. A great battle concerning honor, places, and revenge was about to raise its curtain with the rising sun.