Demonic Sword Backlash, Death Arena Appointment with Zhao Hao

The instant the three-colored sword energy collided with the Soul Devouring Storm, a blinding light erupted on the stage. The sharpness of the Gold Element Sword Intent sliced through the entangling dark energy, the scorching heat of the Fire Attribute burned the soul-corroding demonic energy, and the solidity of the Earth Element firmly supported the foundation of the sword technique—the "Primordial Toxin-Dispelling Slash" acted like a cloud-piercing blade, instantly tearing open the demonic sword barrier Zhao Hu had erected and heading straight for his face.

Zhao Hu's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected Ling Yun's sword technique to be able to counter the Sword Devouring Art. In a hurry, he placed his black longsword horizontally across his chest, attempting to block. "Clang!" The Sky-Rending Sword collided with the demonic sword. The halo of silver-red sword patterns instantly suppressed the faint black powder on the sword blade. The medicinal properties of the Soul Cleansing Dew spread along the sword, completely neutralizing the toxicity of the Soul-Corroding Powder. Zhao Hu felt a scorching force surge from his palm, and the demonic energy within his body churned, even going against its normal flow—this was the demonic sword backlash triggered by the combined forces of Chaos Sword Intent and the Soul Cleansing Dew.

"Pfft!" Zhao Hu spat out a mouthful of black blood, his arm trembling violently, and the demonic sword nearly slipped from his grasp. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. He suddenly bit his tongue, spraying a mouthful of vital blood onto the sword: "Soul Devouring Burst!" The demonic sword instantly erupted with dense black energy, and cracks began to appear on its body. It was clear he intended to detonate the demonic energy within his body through self-harm, aiming for a mutual destruction with Ling Yun.

"Be careful! This is a forbidden technique of the Sword Devouring Art, it will affect areas outside the stage!" Elder Sword's voice urgently sounded in his dantian. "Use Earth Element Sword Intent for defense, then draw upon Fire Attribute Sword Intent to detonate his demonic energy, making him suffer the consequences of his own actions!"

Ling Yun immediately complied. He placed his left hand on the ground of the stage, and Earth Element Sword Intent surged forth, instantly raising an earth-yellow sword wall about ten feet high, separating the stage from the spectator stands. At the same time, he gripped the Sky-Rending Sword tightly in his right hand, and his Fire Attribute Sword Intent surged, with crimson flames coiling around the sword blade, forming a scorching ring of fire—this was a variation of the "Fire-Earth Demon Suppressing Slash," specifically designed to counter self-detonation of demonic energy.

"Boom!" Zhao Hu's demonic sword couldn't hold on in the end. Under the backlash of the dark energy, it shattered with a roar. The demonic energy, having lost its vessel, rampaged across the stage like an out-of-control torrent, but its path was blocked by the earth sword wall. Ling Yun seized this momentary gap, sweeping the Sky-Rending Sword horizontally. The ring of fire instantly enveloped the rampaging demonic energy. With a "sizzle," the demonic energy was incinerated by the flames, leaving only wisps of black smoke dissipating into the air.

Without the support of his demonic sword and suffering from the demonic energy backlash, Zhao Hu's sword intent within his dantian became completely chaotic. His body slumped limply onto the stage, and before losing consciousness, he roared unwillingly, "I'm not reconciled! The Zhao Family won't let you go!"

The expression of the black-clothed cultivator at the referee's stand turned ashen. Just as he was about to protest, Elder Liu preempted him: "Zhao Hu used a forbidden technique, intending to harm innocents. Ling Yun wins this match!" The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect in the east stands erupted in cheers, and even several neutral sect elders nodded in agreement—everyone had witnessed the scene just now, and Zhao Hu's methods indeed violated the rules of the grand competition.

Ling Yun put away the Sky-Rending Sword. The silver-red sword patterns on the blade slowly faded but became even more refined than before—this battle not only allowed him to master two sword techniques that countered demonic swords but also further strengthened the Chaos Sword Body's resistance to demonic energy. As he walked off the stage, Su Qingyuan immediately stepped forward, handing him a bottle of Soul Cleansing Dew: "Your sleeve was affected by the demonic energy just now. Drink some Soul Cleansing Dew quickly to prevent any residual Soul-Corroding Powder from entering your body."

Ling Yun took the porcelain bottle and tilted his head back to drink. The Chaos Sword Intent in his dantian indeed flowed much more smoothly. Murong Shuang also walked over, her eyes grave: "Zhao Hao was using demonic energy to transmit messages from below the stage just now, seemingly plotting with people from Black Wind Stronghold. You need to be extra careful from now on; they definitely won't let you advance to the finals smoothly."

As soon as she finished speaking, a commotion suddenly arose from the west stands. Zhao Hao, carrying a black longsword, slowly walked onto the stage. The faint black powder on the sword blade shimmered with an eerie luster under the sunlight. He scanned the plaza before finally fixing his gaze on Ling Yun, his voice carrying a provocative coldness: "Ling Yun, you could defeat Zhao Hu only by relying on unorthodox spiritual medicine. Do you dare to have a deathmatch with me? Tomorrow at this time, on this very stage, we'll fight to the death. The loser... will have their soul scattered!"

The plaza fell silent instantly, all eyes focusing on Ling Yun. The people from the Zhao Family and Black Wind Village had mocking looks in their eyes, clearly believing Ling Yun wouldn't dare accept the challenge; the disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect were filled with worry. Zhao Hao's strength was far greater than Zhao Hu's, and he had cultivated the complete Sword Devouring Art. Ling Yun's chances of winning a deathmatch against him were slim.

"Zhao Hao, don't push your luck!" Elder Liu slammed the table angrily. "The grand competition has its rules. A deathmatch requires the voluntary consent of both parties and the approval of sect elders. How can you force him?"

"Voluntary?" Zhao Hao sneered. He suddenly pointed at a disciple of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect in the east stands. Black energy emanated from his black longsword, and a "Soul Devouring Sword" shot directly towards the disciple's dantian. "If Ling Yun doesn't agree, I will devour the Sword Soul of one Flowing Cloud Sword Sect disciple every incense stick! Anyway, your sect wouldn't dare to oppose the Zhao Family, Black Wind Stronghold, and the Blazing Fire Gate, would you?"

"Stop!" Ling Yun suddenly spoke. His figure flashed as he moved to stand in front of the disciple. The Sky-Rending Sword was drawn, and Gold Element Sword Intent condensed into a sword energy, blocking Zhao Hao's demonic sword. "I accept your challenge. We'll meet in a deathmatch tomorrow at this time!" His voice was calm but carried an undeniable firmness—he couldn't let innocent disciples suffer because of him, nor could he let Zhao Hao's arrogance trample the dignity of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect.

A hint of triumph flashed in Zhao Hao's eyes: "You know what's good for you! Tomorrow, I will let you witness firsthand what the true Sword Devouring Art is, and what the fate of an ant is!" With that, he put away his demonic sword and turned to walk off the stage. The people from the Zhao Family and Black Wind Village followed, jeering, and the plaza was filled with mocking laughter.

Elder Liu walked to Ling Yun's side and sighed, "You shouldn't have agreed. Zhao Hao's strength is already close to the peak of the late Great Swordsman Realm, and he has the assistance of demonic cultivators. You..."

"Don't worry, Elder Liu, I have a plan," Ling Yun interrupted him. The Sky-Rending Sword in his hand trembled slightly, and the silver-red sword patterns on its blade emitted a faint glow. "I will enter seclusion for the next few days and will definitely find the key to breaking the Sword Devouring Art."

When they returned to the Flowing Cloud Pavilion, Su Qingyuan and Murong Shuang were already waiting in the room. Su Qingyuan opened her medicine box and took out a herb emitting a faint green glow: "This is 'Soul Awakening Grass.' It can enhance the Sword Soul's resistance to demonic energy. I refined it overnight. Taking it before the deathmatch tomorrow will give you an extra layer of protection. Also, this is a diagram of the weaknesses in the Sword Devouring Art. I found it in an ancient text left by my master, marking three weak points in the energy sea during its operation."

Murong Shuang also handed over a silk booklet: "This is the advanced sword manual for the Flowing Cloud Seven Sword Technique, the 'Flowing Cloud Demon Breaking Style.' My father used this move to kill demonic cultivators back then. Although it's incomplete, it might help you counter demonic swords. In tomorrow's deathmatch, I will interfere with Zhao Hao's sword techniques from the stands using Wind Element Sword Intent. Even if I'm discovered, we can just tear down the pretense!"

Ling Yun looked at the two women before him, a warmth spreading through his heart. He took the Soul Awakening Grass and the silk booklet, nodding solemnly, "Thank you both. In tomorrow's deathmatch, I will not only win, but I will also expose the truth of the Zhao Family's collusion with demonic cultivators, and seek justice for the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, and for the clansmen of my Ling family!"

That night, Ling Yun began his seclusion. He refined the Soul Awakening Grass, and its medicinal power surged into his dantian through his meridians, merging with his Chaos Sword Body. The six-colored sword intent pearl in his dantian emitted a faint green glow, making his perception of demonic energy even more acute. Afterward, he opened the weakness diagram drawn by Su Qingyuan, combining it with the Flowing Cloud Demon Breaking Style and his own sword techniques, and began to deduce new composite sword moves—primarily using Gold, Fire, and Earth Element Sword Intent, with Wind Element Sword Intent assisting speed, Water Element Sword Intent (a faint sword intent newly awakened from his Chaos Sword Body) assisting defense, and further incorporating the Remnant Soul Imprint of the Primordial Sword, forming a sword technique specifically designed to counter the Sword Devouring Art, the "Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash."

In the quiet of the night, the room in the Flowing Cloud Pavilion was still illuminated. The Sky-Rending Sword moved as if an extension of his arm in Ling Yun's hand. The five-element sword intents intertwined into a multi-colored sword energy, slicing through the night sky and leaving behind brilliant trails. Elder Sword's voice continuously guided him from his dantian, adjusting the transitions and force of the sword moves, ensuring that each strike accurately hit the weaknesses of the Sword Devouring Art.

Meanwhile, in the temporary residence of the Zhao Family, Zhao Hao was holding a black token emanating a dense demonic energy. A black-robed demonic cultivator stood behind him, holding a black box: "Young Family Head, this is the 'Soul Devouring Pearl' sent by the Blood Fiend Hall Master. It can enhance your demonic energy in the deathmatch and temporarily suppress the power of the Chaos Sword Body. Tomorrow, as long as you integrate it into your demonic sword, you will surely send Ling Yun to a place with no burial grounds!"

Zhao Hao took the box, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes: "Ling Yun, tomorrow will be your death day! I will use your Chaos Sword Body to prove my worth to the Blood Fiend Hall Master and head to the Spirit Realm soon to cultivate even more advanced demonic arts!"

As the night deepened, a deathmatch that would determine the pattern of swordsmanship in the Qingyun Region was quietly brewing. Ling Yun stood by the window, gazing at the starry sky. The Sky-Rending Sword in his hand glowed with interwoven silver and red light—tomorrow's deathmatch was not just a contest between him and Zhao Hao, but a contest between the righteous path of swordsmanship and the evil arts of demonic cultivators. He had to win, for his clansmen, for his sect, and even more so for the justice of the sword path in his heart.