The Three Clans Provoke, Grand Competition Displays Might

The training grounds of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, streaks of crimson sword light flashed like meteors.

Ling Yun held an Iron Sword, its body entwined with fire-attribute sword intent. Each swing carried scorching airflow, leaving deep sword marks on the bluestone ground. Ten days had passed since his return from the Misty Mist Secret Realm. With the pure spiritual energy from the Dragon Origin Fruit and the resources from the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard's demon core, his cultivation had not only stabilized in the Late Stage Swordsman realm but had also broken through three days ago, entering the Early Stage Great Swordsman realm.

The Sky-Rending Sword in his dantian trembled slightly, gray energy and crimson sword intent interweaving and flowing, making his control over the fire attribute increasingly proficient. The Seven Streams Sword Technique had been completely integrated into his fire sword intent, evolving into the Flowing Fire Seven Forms, whose power far surpassed the original version. The sword techniques retained the fluidity of Flowing Cloud while adding the dominance of flame.

"Not bad, the foundation of the Early Stage Great Swordsman is stable, and you've grasped thirty percent of the fire sword intent," Elder Sword's voice echoed in his sea of consciousness. "However, the true power of the Chaos Sword Body has not yet been fully unleashed. Remember not to expose too much, lest you attract unnecessary trouble."

Ling Yun sheathed his sword and stood, wiping the sweat from his brow. He could clearly feel the Chaos Sword Body slowly transforming his meridians, allowing him to absorb spiritual energy several times faster than cultivators of the same level, and his comprehension of sword intent was also deeper. It was this uniqueness that destined him to be more cautious than others.

"Brother Ling Yun!" Su Qingyuan's voice came from the edge of the training grounds. She was carrying a food box and walked over quickly. "Take a break, I brought you Spirit Calming Soup, it can stabilize sword intent."

Ling Yun took the food box, a warmth surging in his heart. For the past ten days, Su Qingyuan had brought him medicinal herbs and meals almost every day, and she had also helped him gather a lot of information about the Zhao Family and the Blood Fiend Hall. According to her, the Zhao Family had joined forces with the Wang and Li Families of the Qingyun Region, and their recent actions were frequent, seemingly plotting something.

"Sister Qingyuan, are there any new developments from the Zhao Family?" Ling Yun asked while drinking the soup.

"Mmm, my father sent word that Zhao Kun has been contacting other families recently and even invited people from the Blood Fiend Hall as guests," Su Qingyuan said with a solemn expression. "I'm afraid they'll come looking for trouble soon."

Before she could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted at the entrance of the training grounds. An outer disciple ran over in a panic, "Senior Brother Ling, this is bad! People from the Zhao, Wang, and Li Families have come to our door, right outside the mountain gate!"

Ling Yun stood up abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. What was coming, was coming after all.

"Let's go, let's go see!" Ling Yun pulled Su Qingyuan and strode towards the mountain gate. Disciples along the way were discussing in hushed tones, their faces filled with worry—the Zhao Family was the foremost among the five great families in the Qingyun Region, and the Wang and Li Families were also not weak. With the three families united, it was by no means something the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect could easily contend with.

At the mountain gate, the atmosphere was already tense. Zhao Kun, clad in a blood-red robe, stood at the forefront, exuding the pressure of the Sword Emperor Realm. Beside him stood the Patriarchs Wang and Li, both cultivators in the Late Stage Sword Master realm. Behind them were dozens of family experts, their auras menacing.

The Sect Master of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect, Ye Chen, and several elders stood inside the mountain gate, their expressions grave. Ye Chen was an Early Stage Sword Emperor, comparable in strength to Zhao Kun, but the opposing side had more people and the backing of the Blood Fiend Hall. If a battle broke out, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect would likely pay a heavy price.

"Sect Master Ye, I trust you are well," Zhao Kun sneered, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on Ling Yun, who had just arrived. "I heard your sect is harboring an enemy of my Zhao Family. Today, I've come to demand an explanation!"

"Zhao Kun, Ling Yun is a disciple of my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. On what grounds do you call him your enemy?" Ye Chen asked in a deep voice.

"On what grounds?" Zhao Kun laughed in anger. "This brat killed my Zhao Family's guards, severely injured my son Zhao Lei, and coveted my Zhao Family's treasures. Is he not an enemy? Sect Master Ye, I advise you to be sensible and hand him over, then compensate my Zhao Family with one hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones, and this matter will be dropped. Otherwise, don't blame me for the three families joining forces to flatten the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"

"Utter nonsense!" Ling Yun stepped forward, his gaze coldly fixed on Zhao Kun. "Your Zhao Family practices the evil art, the Sword Devouring Art, slaughtering innocent cultivators, and three years ago, you annihilated my entire Ling Family! My killing your Zhao Family guards and severely injuring Zhao Lei was merely acting on behalf of heaven!"

"You dare mention the Ling Family?" A killing intent flashed in Zhao Kun's eyes. "The Ling Family harbored the Evil Sword Manual and intended to rebel. It was their just deserts to be annihilated by me! Today, I will act on behalf of heaven and slay you, this remnant!"

He moved, and the Sword Emperor Realm's pressure instantly locked onto Ling Yun, about to make a move. Ye Chen immediately stepped forward, blocking Ling Yun, his sword intent erupting. "Zhao Kun, you will not be allowed to act presumptuously before my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"

"Ye Chen, you intend to protect him?" Zhao Kun's face darkened. "Have you considered the consequences of opposing my three families!"

Patriarch Wang and Patriarch Li also stepped forward, staring menacingly at Ye Chen. "Sect Master Ye, a wise man knows when to adapt. Hand over Ling Yun, and we can continue to mind our own business."

Ye Chen's brows furrowed, caught in a dilemma. The Flowing Cloud Sword Sect was already at the bottom of the Seven Great Sword Sects, and its strength was far inferior to the combined forces of the three families. However, if he handed over Ling Yun, it would not only violate the sect's moral code but also invite ridicule from other sword sects.

Just then, Ling Yun suddenly spoke, "Zhao Kun, you keep calling me an enemy. Why don't we settle this the way cultivators do?"

"Oh? How do you propose we settle it?" Zhao Kun looked at him with interest, his eyes full of contempt—what waves could a mere Early Stage Great Swordsman stir up?

"In three days, the Sect Grand Competition will begin. I will fight Zhao Lei," Ling Yun's voice was loud and clear, spreading throughout the entire mountain gate. "If I lose, I will be at your disposal; if I win, you must publicly admit your crimes of annihilation back then and restore the Ling Family's honor!"

As soon as he said this, the entire place erupted in an uproar. The outer disciples thought Ling Yun had gone mad—Zhao Lei was already at the Peak Early Stage Great Swordsman and had cultivated the Sword Devouring Art. Ling Yun had just broken through to the Early Stage Great Swordsman; how could he possibly be a match?

Zhao Kun was also taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Good! I agree! In the Sect Grand Competition three days from now, I'll see what this remnant of an annihilated family is capable of!" He didn't believe Ling Yun could win at all; this was merely an opportunity for him to kill Ling Yun legitimately.

"What if you lose and refuse to honor the deal?" Ling Yun pressed.

"I, Zhao Kun, swear upon the ancestors of my Zhao Family that if Zhao Lei loses, I will publicly admit my crimes!" Zhao Kun said coldly. "If you lose, Sect Master Ye, you can no longer protect him!"

Ye Chen looked at Ling Yun's determined eyes and finally nodded. "Alright! My Flowing Cloud Sword Sect will bear witness! Three days from now, in the Sect Grand Competition, a fair duel!"

Zhao Kun snorted coldly, and with the people from the Wang and Li families, he turned and left. Before leaving, he gave Ling Yun a deep look, his eyes filled with malice.

The crisis at the mountain gate was temporarily resolved, but everyone knew that the Sect Grand Competition three days later would be the true life-or-death struggle.

"Ling Yun, do you know what you're doing?" Ye Chen looked at Ling Yun, his tone grave. "Zhao Lei's strength is far superior to yours; you have no chance of winning!"

"Sect Master, I know," Ling Yun said calmly. "But this is a feud between me and the Zhao Family, and I cannot implicate the sect. Moreover, I may not necessarily lose."

Ye Chen looked at the determination in his eyes and finally sighed. "Fine. For these three days, you may enter the sect's Spirit Gathering Array to cultivate. The sect will provide you with sufficient spirit stones and medicinal herbs. Murong Shuang, you will also go and guide Ling Yun, after all, he represents the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect."

"Yes, Sect Master," Murong Shuang stepped forward, her gaze towards Ling Yun carrying a hint of complexity. "Don't die at Zhao Lei's hands; I'm still waiting to fight you."

For the next three days, Ling Yun devoted himself entirely to cultivation. He entered the Spirit Gathering Array, using the dense spiritual energy and the medicinal herbs provided by the sect to frantically consolidate his cultivation. The Spirit Calming Pills brought by Su Qingyuan made his sword intent even more refined, and his fire-attribute sword intent was already approaching forty percent.

Murong Shuang also visited frequently, sparring sword techniques with him. Her Wind Spirit Physique and Wind Sword Intent were extremely compatible, her sword moves as fast as lightning, giving Ling Yun much inspiration. In his spars with her, Ling Yun gradually mastered the technique of "Fire and Wind Integration," significantly improving both the speed and power of his sword moves.

Elder Sword, meanwhile, guided him in his sea of consciousness to comprehend the third level of the Qiankun Sword Canon, the Three Forms of Qiankun. This sword technique contained the profound principle of "softness and hardness transformation," capable of perfectly merging the dominance of fire sword intent with the fluidity of wind sword intent, its power far exceeding that of the Flowing Fire Seven Forms.

On the morning of the third day, the Sect Grand Competition officially began. The training ground was packed with disciples and elders, and even many people from other forces had come to spectate—the feud between the Zhao Family and the Ling Family had long spread throughout the Qingyun Region, and everyone wanted to see how this revenge battle, three years overdue, would conclude.

Zhao Kun, accompanied by Zhao Lei and the experts from the three families, sat in the VIP section, their expressions arrogant. Zhao Lei, clad in silver battle armor and wielding a blood-red longsword, had eyes filled with killing intent, clearly eager to slay Ling Yun.

"Next, the ultimate duel of the outer disciples—Ling Yun versus Zhao Lei!" the elder presiding over the competition announced loudly.

Ling Yun walked slowly onto the training ground, dressed in an azure martial uniform, holding an Iron Sword, his expression calm. Compared to Zhao Lei's arrogance, he appeared exceptionally composed. Although the fire-attribute sword intent around him was not fully unleashed, it already exuded a subtle oppressive aura.

"Ling Yun, I didn't expect you to dare accept the challenge. You do have some backbone," Zhao Lei sneered. "However, backbone won't save you! Today, I will slay you, this remnant, on behalf of my father!"

"Enough nonsense, make your move," Ling Yun gripped his longsword, the fire-attribute sword intent quietly circulating.

"You're seeking death!" Zhao Lei roared, charging out like an arrow. His blood-red longsword carried a foul wind, stabbing directly at Ling Yun's chest. The sinister aura of the Sword Devouring Art permeated the air, making the surrounding disciples feel uncomfortable.

Ling Yun's eyes narrowed, and he executed the Breath Concealing Steps, his body moving like a willow catkin to evade the attack. Simultaneously, he swung his Iron Sword, unleashing Flowing Fire Seven Forms: Burning Wind. The crimson sword shadow, carrying the force of the wind, struck directly at Zhao Lei's wrist.

"Petty tricks!" Zhao Kun coldly snorted, blocking with his longsword. Blood-colored spiritual energy erupted, repelling Ling Yun's sword move. He hadn't expected Ling Yun's sword techniques to be so fluid and to carry such considerable fire-attribute power.

The two immediately engaged in a fierce battle, sword qi crisscrossing the training ground, flames and blood-red light intermingling. Zhao Lei's sword moves were fierce and overbearing, each strike carrying the sinister power to devour spiritual energy; Ling Yun's moves were fluid and unpredictable, his fire sword intent combined with the force of the wind, like a prairie fire, pressing forward step by step.

"How did Ling Yun's strength improve so quickly?"

"His sword techniques not only have fire attributes but also carry hints of wind attributes. It's too strange!"

"Zhao Lei doesn't seem to have the upper hand?"

The surrounding discussions grew louder, and Zhao Kun's expression gradually turned grim. He hadn't expected Ling Yun's progress to be so astonishing. Just three days ago, he was only an Early Stage Great Swordsman, but now he could fight Zhao Lei to a draw.

"Stop wasting time! Kill him!" Zhao Kun's voice boomed, laced with impatience.

A fierce glint flashed in Zhao Lei's eyes. He suddenly activated the Sword Devouring Art, his blood-colored spiritual energy surging. Countless tiny blood threads appeared on his longsword: "Blood Devouring Sword Technique: Blood Drink!"

The blood-red longsword transformed into a blood-colored shadow, thrusting directly at Ling Yun's dantian. This strike was not only powerful but could also devour the opponent's spiritual energy, making it extremely insidious.

"Finally going all out?" A sharp glint flashed in Ling Yun's eyes. The Chaos Sword Body quietly circulated, and Clear Sword Heart instantly saw through the flaws in the sword technique.

He took a deep breath. The Sky-Rending Sword in his dantian vibrated slightly, and a gray aura merged into the Iron Sword. At the same time, he activated the Three Forms of Qiankun. The domineering nature of the fire attribute and the agility of the wind attribute merged perfectly. The sword's momentum suddenly changed. The crimson sword shadow was interspersed with azure wind marks, thrusting directly at the center of the blood-colored shadow.

"Three Forms of Qiankun: Wind Fire Wheel!"

The sword shadow and the blood shadow collided, emitting a deafening roar. Crimson flames and azure wind marks intertwined into a wheel, instantly dissolving the devouring power of the blood-colored spiritual energy. Zhao Lei felt a massive force surge through him, his arm in excruciating pain, and his blood-red longsword was almost knocked from his grasp.

"Impossible!" Zhao Lei's face contorted in shock. He hadn't expected his full-power strike to be broken by Ling Yun!

Ling Yun gave him no chance to react. His figure flickered, and he appeared behind Zhao Lei. The Iron Sword, imbued with the power of fire and wind, thrust directly at his back. Zhao Lei hastily turned to block, but the force of Ling Yun's swordplay sent him staggering backward. His chest armor was burned through by the flames, leaving a large hole.

"It's not over yet!" Ling Yun roared. His fire-attribute sword intent erupted with full force, and the flames on the Iron Sword surged: "Flowing Fire Seven Forms: Meteor Fall!"

The crimson sword shadow descended like a meteor, carrying the momentum to burn mountains and boil seas, heading straight for Zhao Lei's face. Terrified, Zhao Lei hastily conjured a blood-red shield.

"Crack!"

The shield shattered instantly. Zhao Lei was sent flying backward by the immense force, crashing heavily onto the training ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood. He struggled to get up, only to find the spiritual energy in his dantian in chaos. His meridians had actually been injured by Ling Yun's sword intent.

Ling Yun slowly walked up to him, pointing the Iron Sword at his throat: "You lost."

The training ground fell into an instant silence, everyone stunned. Ling Yun, an Early Stage Great Swordsman, had actually defeated Zhao Lei, an Early Stage Great Swordsman peak? This was simply unbelievable!

Zhao Kun leaped to his feet, his face ashen, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "You dare injure my son!"

"Sect Master Zhao, a bet is a bet." Ye Chen immediately stepped forward, blocking Zhao Kun. "You swore by the name of your Zhao Family ancestor!"

Ling Yun looked at Zhao Kun, his voice resounding: "Zhao Kun, now it's time for you to fulfill your promise and publicly admit to the crime of annihilating my Ling Family back then, as well as your cultivation of evil techniques and collusion with the Blood Fiend Hall!"

Zhao Lei, lying on the ground, struggled to shout: "Father, don't admit it! He's spouting nonsense!"

Zhao Kun looked at the gazes of the people around him, his expression fluctuating. He had never intended to admit his crimes. Today, he was supposed to kill Ling Yun, but he hadn't expected this outcome.

"Hmph! Utter nonsense!" Zhao Kun finally snorted coldly. "Zhao Lei was merely careless for a moment; he didn't lose! Let this matter be dropped!"

"You want to renege?" A cold glint flashed in Ling Yun's eyes.

"Reneging? The Zhao Family does as it pleases, why should we account to a mere remnant like you!" Zhao Kun roared. His Sword Emperor Realm pressure erupted instantly. "Ye Chen, today I will cleanse your sect and kill this scoundrel who slanders the Zhao Family!"

He moved, about to charge into the training ground. Ye Chen immediately activated his sword momentum, blocking Zhao Kun: "Zhao Kun, how dare you act so presumptuously in my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"

"Stop them!" Patriarch Wang and Patriarch Li also stood up, leading their family experts towards the mountain gate. "Today, we will flatten the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"

The situation instantly spiraled out of control. The experts of the three families and the disciples and elders of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect clashed. The disciples on the training ground scattered, their screams and the clanging of weapons echoing everywhere.

"Ling Yun, hurry and leave!" Su Qingyuan rushed onto the training ground, pulling Ling Yun to escape.

"I can't leave!" Ling Yun gripped his longsword, looking at the chaotic battle, a look of determination flashing in his eyes. "This trouble was caused by me; I can't implicate the sect!"

He turned and charged at Zhao Lei, pointing his Iron Sword at his throat: "Zhao Kun, stop! Otherwise, I'll kill Zhao Lei!"

Seeing this, Zhao Kun indeed stopped his actions, his eyes filled with rage: "Ling Yun, how dare you!"

"See if I dare!" Ling Yun's sword momentum sank, the tip piercing Zhao Lei's skin, drawing a trickle of blood.

Just then, Zhao Lei suddenly let out a sinister laugh and hastily conjured a blood-red talisman. The talisman exploded, and blood-colored poisonous gas instantly enveloped Ling Yun. "Father, kill him!"

Caught off guard, Ling Yun inhaled a small amount of the poisonous gas, feeling dizzy and his spiritual energy instantly thrown into disarray. Seeing this, a fierce glint flashed in Zhao Kun's eyes. His blood-red longsword, carrying immense spiritual energy, thrust directly at Ling Yun's chest: "You're courting death!"

"Brother Ling Yun!" Su Qingyuan cried out and rushed forward, trying to block the attack.

At this critical moment, an azure sword light suddenly flew from the edge of the training ground. It moved as fast as lightning and precisely blocked Zhao Kun's longsword.

With a crisp "clang," Zhao Kun was forced back repeatedly.

Everyone looked towards the sound and saw an old man in an azure robe standing on the training ground. His aura was ethereal. It was the Grand Elder of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect—Lin Feng, a Sword Venerable Realm cultivator who had been missing for many years!

"Zhao Kun, bullying the young and colluding with demonic cultivators. Your Zhao Family's audacity is growing!" Lin Feng's voice was icy. His Sword Venerable Realm pressure instantly enveloped the entire training ground, pinning the experts of the three families so they couldn't move.

Zhao Kun's face turned pale. He hadn't expected the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect to still have a Sword Venerable Realm cultivator! He knew it would be difficult to kill Ling Yun today and could only grit his teeth and say: "Lin Feng, this matter has nothing to do with you! This is a grievance between me and the Ling Family!"

"The Ling Family are descendants of my old friend. Their grievances are my business!" Lin Feng said coldly. "Today, get out of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect! If you dare to cause trouble again, don't blame me for being merciless with my sword!"

Zhao Kun looked at the killing intent in Lin Feng's eyes and finally did not dare to press further. He glared fiercely at Ling Yun and, with the people of the three families, retreated in a sorry state.

The chaotic battle on the training ground finally ended. Although the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect suffered casualties, they managed to protect the sect.

Lin Feng walked up to Ling Yun and looked at him, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Good lad, you have the same spirit as Brother Ling back then. Cultivate well, and you will surely achieve great things in the future."

Ling Yun cupped his fists in a salute: "Thank you, Grand Elder, for saving me."

"Your grievance with the Zhao Family still needs to be resolved by yourself." Lin Feng sighed. "Zhao Kun will never let this go; you need to improve your strength as soon as possible."

After speaking, Lin Feng turned and left, leaving behind an ethereal figure.

Ling Yun watched the direction Zhao Kun had left, a flicker of determination in his eyes. Although he had won today's duel, it also made him realize that only true strength could avenge him and protect the people around him.

Su Qingyuan walked to his side and handed him a detoxification pill. "Brother Ling Yun, are you alright?"

Ling Yun swallowed the pill and shook his head. "I'm fine."

He knew this victory was only temporary. Zhao Kun would never give up. A bigger storm was still coming. But he would not back down. His sword would cut through all obstacles, avenge his clansmen, and vindicate himself.

Three days later, at the Sect Grand Competition, Ling Yun became famous overnight, becoming a legend of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. But everyone knew this was only the beginning of his feud with the Zhao family, and a greater confrontation was quietly brewing.