Inside the secret chamber of Flowing Cloud Pavilion, dawn filtered through the gaps in the window lattice, casting a long, narrow patch of light across the floor. Ling Yun sat cross-legged, the Sky-Rending Sword across his knees glowing with a faint silver-red halo. The patterns on its blade flowed like living creatures—this was a sign that the Chaos Sword Body had fully fused with the medicinal power of the Soul Awakening Grass.
Within his dantian, six Sword Intent pearls floated at the center of the chaotic sea of qi, wrapped in a pale green soul-protecting halo. Among them, the pale blue pearl representing Water Element Sword Intent was especially active. When he had deduced the Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash yesterday, the Water Element Sword Intent had been only a faint thread. Now, under Sword Elder's guidance, it formed a wondrous resonance with the solidity of Earth Element Sword Intent and the blazing heat of Fire Element Sword Intent.
"Water Element Sword Intent governs softness. It can coil and deflect. You always tried to use it to resist demonic qi head-on before, and that only put you at a disadvantage." Sword Elder's voice rang out within his dantian as an illusory sword shadow swept across the sea of qi. "Try wrapping Gold Element Sword Qi in Water Element Sword Intent, like flowing water around a blade. It can deflect the brute force of a demonic sword while concealing its sharp edge even better."
Ling Yun circulated his Sword Intent as instructed, and pale blue currents slowly wound around the golden Sword Qi. At first, the two types of Sword Intent repelled each other, and the Sword Qi scattered from time to time. Only after he infused them with the source power of the chaotic sea of qi did the pale blue and golden yellow gradually merge, forming a composite Sword Qi that gleamed faintly. He abruptly opened his eyes. The Sky-Rending Sword left its sheath, and its Sword Qi skimmed past the stone wall of the chamber. With a sharp hiss, a smooth shallow mark appeared on the hard bluestone wall, its edges beaded with fine droplets of water—Water Element Sword Intent had not weakened the sharpness of the Gold Element at all. Instead, it had made the Sword Qi's path even more elusive.
"Not bad. Now try incorporating Wind Element Sword Intent." Sword Elder's voice carried approval. "Murong Shuang's Wind Spirit Physique may be powerful, but if you can command wind intent yourself, the speed of the Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash can rise another thirty percent. It will be perfect for countering the heaviness of Zhao Hao's demonic sword."
The sky beyond the window gradually brightened, yet the Sword Qi in the secret chamber grew ever more intense. Five-colored Sword Intent sometimes intertwined into a net and sometimes condensed into sharp edges. The Sky-Rending Sword wheeled and darted in Ling Yun's hands, every swing producing the collision of currents with different attributes. When the first ray of sunlight filled the chamber, he finally unleashed the complete Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash: Gold, Fire, and Earth Element Sword Intent condensed into a five-colored giant sword over three meters long; Wind Element Sword Intent held the blade aloft in midair, while Water Element Sword Intent formed a transparent film along its edge. The instant the giant sword fell, the air in the chamber seemed to tear apart. The shallow marks on the stone walls deepened at once, and fine stone chips began to seep out.
"It worked!" Ling Yun sheathed his sword and stood tall, fine beads of sweat appearing at his temples. Though the chaotic sea of qi within his dantian churned somewhat, it was more condensed than yesterday. He raised a hand and stroked the blade of the Sky-Rending Sword, clearly sensing the resonance from within—it seemed that this Mortal Iron Ancient Sword, too, was awaiting tomorrow's decisive battle.
At that moment, the door to the secret chamber was gently pushed open. Su Qingyuan entered carrying a white jade porcelain bowl filled with pale cyan medicinal liquid that gave off a fresh herbal fragrance. "The Soul Protecting Liquid was just refined. Drink it while it's hot." She held the bowl out to Ling Yun, concern in her eyes. "I heard the sounds of Sword Qi outside just now. Did your new sword technique succeed?"
Ling Yun took the bowl and drained it in one gulp. A cool current immediately surged through his dantian, and the exhaustion from his training vanished in an instant. "It was thanks to the weakness diagram you found, and Murong Shuang's Flowing Cloud Demon Breaking Style." He looked at Su Qingyuan, his tone full of gratitude. "By the way, how is Murong Shuang doing?"
"She is at the Training Ground, arranging a wind formation with several disciples." Su Qingyuan nodded with a smile. "She said that even if she cannot directly help you in tomorrow's life-and-death arena, she will use the wind formation to disrupt the flow of Zhao Hao's demonic qi. But don't worry. She has kept within her limits and will not let the Zhao Family seize any leverage against her."
As the two spoke, Murong Shuang appeared at the doorway. She still carried dust from the Training Ground, but her usual cold arrogance was gone, replaced by a few traces of gravity. "Ling Yun, you must be careful of Zhao Hao's demonic sword. When I went to investigate just now, I saw people from the Zhao Family collect a black box from Black Wind Stronghold. After Zhao Hao received it, he locked himself in his room. The demonic qi in there is so dense now that it is practically overflowing."
Ling Yun's grip on the Sky-Rending Sword tightened, a cold glint flashing through his eyes. "It should be some evil object that can strengthen demonic qi. But it doesn't matter. The Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash was made to suppress demonic cultivators. With the Soul Awakening Grass and Soul Protecting Liquid as well, his demonic qi cannot hurt me."
At the hour of the Snake the next day, the plaza for the Qingyun Region Grand Competition was already packed shoulder to shoulder. On the western stands, members of the Zhao Family and Black Wind Stronghold wore matching black clothes and held black banners, shouting provocations from time to time. On the eastern side, the disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect mostly wore tense expressions. Only a few held up wooden signs reading "Ling Yun Will Win," but their voices were drowned out by the clamor opposite them.
At the judges' platform, Elder Liu's expression was so dark it seemed water could drip from it. Beside him, a black-robed cultivator—the elder invited by the Zhao Family—stroked his beard and sneered. "Elder Liu, Ling Yun agreed to this battle willingly. If he dies on the arena today, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect had better not be sore losers."
"Hmph. It is still uncertain who will win and who will lose." Elder Liu shot back coldly, though his gaze could not help drifting toward Flowing Cloud Pavilion—Ling Yun had yet to appear.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance to the plaza. Dressed in a cyan sword robe and holding the Sky-Rending Sword, Ling Yun slowly approached. His steps were steady, and there was not the slightest trace of nervousness on his face. Instead, he carried a calm determination. Su Qingyuan walked at his side with a medicine case in hand, while Murong Shuang walked on his other side, the sword at her waist half drawn, clearly guarding against a sneak attack from the Zhao Family.
"Ling Yun is here!" Cheers suddenly erupted from the eastern stands, instantly igniting the previously stifled atmosphere.
Zhao Hao had long been standing on the arena. The demonic sword in his hand was even blacker than yesterday, and the pale black powder on its blade had condensed into tiny particles that shone with an eerie purple light beneath the sun—this was a sign that the Soul Devouring Pearl had fused with the demonic sword. When he saw Ling Yun approach, a vicious gleam flashed through his eyes. His voice spread through the plaza along with demonic qi. "Ling Yun, you actually dared to come! But this arena will be your burial ground today!"
Ling Yun ignored his provocation and walked directly onto the arena. The Sky-Rending Sword trembled lightly in his hand, and its silver-red halo instantly spread outward, forcing the demonic qi on the arena back several paces. He looked toward the judges' platform and said in a low voice, "It can begin."
The black-robed cultivator had just opened his mouth to say something when Elder Liu beat him to it. "The rules of the life-and-death arena are simple: both parties agree willingly, one battle decides life and death, and no one outside the arena may be harmed." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Hao. "If anyone uses forbidden techniques again and harms innocents, do not blame the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect for showing no mercy!"
Zhao Hao sneered and slammed his demonic sword into the arena. Black qi instantly poured from the blade, forming a black barrier around him. "Enough nonsense. Take this sword!"
Before his words had faded, he was already charging at Ling Yun with the demonic sword in hand. The purple light on the blade surged, and a Soul Devouring Sword carrying Soul Corroding Demonic Qi stabbed straight toward Ling Yun's chest—this strike was several times faster than Zhao Hu's demonic sword. Before it even reached him, Ling Yun could smell a bloodstained stench that made his heart tremble.
Ling Yun's eyes narrowed. Rather than retreat, he advanced. The Sky-Rending Sword left its sheath, and Gold Element Sword Intent instantly merged with Water Element Sword Intent. A pale golden Sword Qi wrapped in pale blue met the attack head-on. With a thunderous clang, the Sword Qi collided with the demonic sword. The black demonic qi became entangled by pale blue currents and could not spread in all directions, only struggling and twisting along the blade.
"What?" Zhao Hao's pupils shrank sharply. He had never expected Ling Yun's Sword Intent to trap demonic qi. He abruptly increased his output of demonic qi, and the purple light on the demonic sword intensified as he tried to break free from the Sword Qi's restraints.
A faint smile touched Ling Yun's lips. He formed a sword seal with his left hand, and the Wind Element Sword Intent in his dantian erupted. "Five Elements Demon Breaking Slash, rise!"
Five-colored Sword Intent surged from around him and gathered above the Sky-Rending Sword into an enormous sword shadow. Gold, Fire, and Earth Element Sword Intent formed the blade, Wind Element Sword Intent made the sword shadow incomparably fast, and Water Element Sword Intent formed a protective layer along its edge. The instant the sword shadow descended, the black qi on the arena melted away like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun. Zhao Hao's demonic sword even began to tremble slightly—this was the combined result of elemental suppression and Sword Intent pressure.
The cheers across the plaza stopped at once. Everyone stared wide-eyed at the five-colored sword shadow on the arena. The mockery vanished from the faces of the Zhao Family and Black Wind Stronghold members, replaced by disbelief. The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect clenched their fists in excitement, while Elder Liu suddenly sat upright, a flash of delight passing through his eyes.
As Zhao Hao looked at the five-colored sword shadow above him, an unprecedented terror surged through his heart. He fiercely bit through his tongue and sprayed a mouthful of blood essence onto the demonic sword. "Soul Devouring Pearl, explode!"
The purple light on the demonic sword surged in an instant, and black demonic qi erupted like a volcano, causing the ground of the arena to crack. Yet the five-colored sword shadow did not pause in the slightest, plunging straight into the demonic qi. With a wet rip, the demonic qi was torn apart by the sword shadow. A pale green soul-protecting halo spread from within it, purifying all the Soul Corroding Demonic Qi.
"No—!" Zhao Hao let out a shrill howl. His demonic sword began to shatter beneath the impact of the sword shadow, while the power of the Soul Devouring Pearl rebounded upon him and black demonic qi rampaged wildly through his meridians.
Ling Yun did not stop. The Sky-Rending Sword thrust forward with the momentum, its tip stopping before Zhao Hao's brow. Looking at Zhao Hao's twisted face, he spoke calmly, yet with unquestionable authority. "Zhao Hao, you cultivated demonic arts and slaughtered your fellow disciples. Today, I will cleanse the Qingyun Region of you."
Just then, an angry shout suddenly rang out from the western stands. "Stop!"
Before you continue