At the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's training grounds, crimson sword light streaked past like meteors.
Ling Yun held an iron sword, Fire Attribute Sword Intent coiling around its blade. Every swing carried scorching currents of air, carving deep sword scars into the bluestone floor. Ten days had passed since his return from the Misty Secret Realm. With the pure spiritual power of the Dragon Origin Fruit and the Demonic Core of the Mist Hidden Demonic Leopard, not only had his cultivation stabilized at Late Stage Swordsman, but three days ago, he had broken through in one stroke and entered the Early Stage Great Swordsman realm.
The Sky-Rending Sword in his dantian trembled faintly, gray aura intertwining with crimson Sword Intent and making his control over the Fire Attribute ever more refined. The Seven Streams Sword Technique had been fully integrated into his Fire Sword Intent. The evolved Flowing Fire Seven Forms far surpassed the original, retaining the nimble grace of flowing clouds while gaining the tyrannical dominance of flames.
"Not bad. Your foundation at Early Stage Great Swordsman is stable, and you have comprehended thirty percent of Fire Sword Intent." Sword Elder's voice rang out in his sea of consciousness. "But the true power of the Chaos Sword Body has yet to be fully unleashed. Remember not to expose too much, lest you draw needless trouble."
Ling Yun sheathed his sword and stood still, wiping the sweat from his brow. He could clearly feel the Chaos Sword Body slowly transforming his meridians, allowing him to absorb spiritual power several times faster than cultivators of the same realm and giving him deeper insight into Sword Intent. Yet this very uniqueness meant he had to be more cautious than others.
"Brother Ling Yun!" Su Qingyuan's voice came from the edge of the training grounds. Carrying a food box, she hurried over. "Take a break. I brought you some Spirit Calming Soup. It can stabilize your Sword Intent."
Ling Yun accepted the food box, warmth welling in his heart. Over the past ten days, Su Qingyuan had brought him spiritual medicines and meals almost every day. She had also helped him gather plenty of intelligence concerning the Zhao Family and the Blood Fiend Hall. According to her, the Zhao Family had joined forces with the Wang Family and Li Family of the Qingyun Region. Their recent movements had been frequent, as though they were plotting something.
"Sister Qingyuan, has there been any new movement from the Zhao Family?" Ling Yun asked as he drank the soup.
"Yes. My father sent word that Zhao Kun has been contacting other lineages lately and has even invited people from the Blood Fiend Hall as guests." Su Qingyuan's expression was grave. "I'm afraid they'll soon come looking for trouble."
Before her words had faded, a commotion suddenly rose at the entrance to the training grounds. An outer sect disciple came running over in panic. "Senior Brother Ling, this is bad! The Zhao Family, Wang Family, and Li Family have come knocking. They're outside the mountain gate!"
Ling Yun abruptly rose to his feet, a glint of coldness flashing through his eyes. What was meant to come had come at last.
"Let's go and see!" Ling Yun took Su Qingyuan's hand and hurried toward the mountain gate. Along the way, disciples whispered among themselves, their faces filled with concern. The Zhao Family was the foremost of the five great lineages of the Qingyun Region, while the Wang and Li Families were no weaklings either. With all three clans joining forces, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect could not possibly contend with them easily.
At the mountain gate, the atmosphere was already taut as drawn swords. Zhao Kun, dressed in a blood-red robe, stood at the forefront, the pressure of the Sword Emperor Realm radiating from his body. Beside him stood Patriarchs Wang and Li, both Late Stage Sword Master cultivators. Behind them followed several dozen clan experts, all brimming with menace.
Sect Master Ye Chen and several elders of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect stood inside the mountain gate, their expressions solemn. Ye Chen was an Early Stage Sword Emperor cultivator, equal in strength to Zhao Kun. Yet the other side had overwhelming numbers and the backing of the Blood Fiend Hall. If battle broke out, the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect would likely pay a grievous price.
"Sect Master Ye, it has been some time." Zhao Kun coldly snorted, his gaze sweeping across the crowd before settling on Ling Yun, who had just arrived. "I heard your sect has taken in an enemy of my Zhao Family. I have come today to demand an explanation!"
"Zhao Kun, Ling Yun is a disciple of my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. What right do you have to call him your enemy?" Ye Chen asked in a deep voice.
"What right?" Zhao Kun laughed in fury. "This brat killed Zhao Family guards, gravely wounded my son Zhao Lei, and coveted my Zhao Family's treasures. Is he not our enemy? Sect Master Ye, I advise you to know what is good for you. Hand him over, then compensate my Zhao Family with one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, and we can let this matter rest. Otherwise, do not blame the three clans for joining forces and flattening the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"
"What utter nonsense!" Ling Yun stepped forward, staring coldly at Zhao Kun. "Your Zhao Family cultivates the evil Sword Devouring Art and slaughtered innocent cultivators. Three years ago, you even wiped out my Ling Family! Killing your guards and severely wounding Zhao Lei was merely acting on Heaven's behalf!"
"You still dare mention the Ling Family?" Killing intent flashed through Zhao Kun's eyes. "The Ling Family hid the Evil Sword Manual and intended rebellion. Their extermination was no more than what they deserved! Today, I will act on Heaven's behalf and cut down you, this surviving remnant!"
With a flicker of movement, the pressure of the Sword Emperor Realm instantly locked onto Ling Yun. He was about to strike when Ye Chen immediately stepped forward, shielding Ling Yun as his sword aura erupted. "Zhao Kun, you will not be allowed to behave outrageously before the gates of my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"
"Ye Chen, are you going to protect him?" Zhao Kun's face darkened. "Have you thought through the consequences of making enemies of our three clans?"
Patriarchs Wang and Li also stepped forward, glaring fiercely at Ye Chen. "Sect Master Ye, a wise man submits to circumstances. Hand over Ling Yun, and we can still keep to our own wells and not trespass upon each other's rivers."
Ye Chen furrowed his brows, caught in a dilemma. The Flowing Cloud Sword Sect already ranked at the bottom among the Seven Great Sword Sects, and its strength was far inferior to that of the three clans combined. Yet if he handed Ling Yun over, not only would he betray the sect's principles, but the other sword sects would mock them as well.
At that moment, Ling Yun suddenly spoke. "Zhao Kun, since you insist that I am your enemy, why not settle this in the manner of the cultivation world?"
"Oh? How do you wish to settle it?" Zhao Kun looked at him with interest, his eyes full of contempt. What waves could an Early Stage Great Swordsman brat possibly stir up?
"Three days from now, when the Sect Grand Competition begins, I will fight Zhao Lei." Ling Yun's voice rang clear, carrying throughout the mountain gate. "If I lose, I will submit to your disposal. But if I win, you must publicly acknowledge the crime of exterminating my family back then and restore the Ling Family's innocence!"
The entire scene erupted in an uproar. The outer sect disciples all thought Ling Yun had gone mad. Zhao Lei was already a Peak Early Stage Great Swordsman and cultivated the Sword Devouring Art. Ling Yun had only just broken through to Early Stage Great Swordsman. How could he possibly be his opponent?
Zhao Kun was also stunned for a moment, then burst into wild laughter. "Good! I agree! At the Sect Grand Competition three days from now, I want to see what abilities you, the remnant of an exterminated family, possess!" He did not believe Ling Yun could win in the slightest. To him, this was merely a legitimate chance to kill Ling Yun.
"And what if you lose and refuse to honor the agreement?" Ling Yun pressed.
"I, Zhao Kun, swear in the name of the Zhao Family Ancestor that if Zhao Lei loses, I will publicly acknowledge our crimes!" Zhao Kun said coldly. "If you lose, Sect Master Ye, you may no longer protect him!"
Ye Chen looked into Ling Yun's resolute eyes and finally nodded. "Good! My Flowing Cloud Sword Sect will bear witness! Three days from now, at the Sect Grand Competition, there will be a fair duel!"
Zhao Kun coldly snorted and turned away with the people of the Wang and Li Families. Before leaving, he cast Ling Yun a long look, his eyes brimming 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 battle of life and death.
"Ling Yun, do you know what you are doing?" Ye Chen looked at Ling Yun, his tone grave. "Zhao Lei's strength far exceeds yours. You have no chance of victory at all!"
"Sect Master, I know." Ling Yun's expression remained calm. "But this is my grudge with the Zhao Family. I cannot drag the sect into it. Besides, I may not lose."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Ye Chen finally sighed. "So be it. For these next three days, you may cultivate in the sect's Spirit Gathering Array. The sect will provide you with sufficient spirit stones and spiritual medicines. Murong Shuang, you should also guide Ling Yun. After all, he represents the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect."
"Yes, Sect Master." Murong Shuang stepped forward, her gaze toward Ling Yun growing more complicated. "Don't die at Zhao Lei's hands. I'm still waiting to fight you."
Over the next three days, Ling Yun devoted himself entirely to cultivation. Entering the Spirit Gathering Array, he used the dense spiritual qi and the sect's supplied medicines to frantically consolidate his cultivation. The Spirit Calming Pills sent by Su Qingyuan made his Sword Intent increasingly condensed, and his Fire Attribute Sword Intent had faintly approached forty percent.
Murong Shuang also came often to exchange sword techniques with him. Her Wind Spirit Physique was extraordinarily compatible with her Wind Sword Intent, and her sword moves were swift as lightning, giving Ling Yun much inspiration. Through their sparring, Ling Yun gradually mastered the technique of Fire and Wind Integration, greatly increasing both the speed and power of his sword moves.
Meanwhile, Sword Elder guided him within 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 transforming hardness into softness and softness into hardness. It could perfectly merge the dominance of Fire Sword Intent with the agility of Wind Sword Intent, and its power far surpassed 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 many people from other factions had come to watch as well. The grudge between the Zhao and Ling Families had long spread across the Qingyun Region. Everyone wanted to see how this revenge battle, delayed for three years, would end.
Zhao Kun sat in the honored seats with Zhao Lei and the experts of the three clans, looking arrogantly proud. Zhao Lei wore Silver Battle Armor and held a Blood-red Longsword. His eyes were filled with killing intent, and he was clearly already impatient to kill Ling Yun.
"Next, the final showdown of the outer sect disciples—Ling Yun versus Zhao Lei!" the elder presiding over the competition announced loudly.
Ling Yun slowly walked onto the Training Ground, dressed in a fitted azure outfit and holding an iron sword, his expression calm. Compared with Zhao Lei's arrogance, he seemed especially composed. Though the Fire Attribute Sword Intent around him had not fully erupted, it already carried a faint sense of oppression.
"Ling Yun, I never thought you would still dare to fight. You do have some backbone." Zhao Lei gave a savage grin. "But backbone cannot save you! Today, I will cut down you, this remnant, on behalf of my father!"
"Enough nonsense. Make your move." Ling Yun tightened his grip on his sword as Fire Attribute Sword Intent quietly circulated.
"Courting death!" Zhao Lei roared, shooting forward like an arrow. His Blood-red Longsword carried a bloody, fishy wind as it stabbed straight for Ling Yun's chest. The sinister aura of the Sword Devouring Art spread outward, making the surrounding disciples feel ill at ease.
Ling Yun's eyes narrowed. He used Breath Concealing Steps, his body drifting aside like willow catkins to evade the attack. At the same time, his iron sword swept out. Flowing Fire Seven Forms: Burning Wind burst forth, crimson sword shadows carrying the force of wind as they stabbed toward Zhao Lei's wrist.
"Trifling tricks!" Zhao Lei coldly snorted. His longsword blocked the strike as blood-red spiritual power erupted, knocking aside Ling Yun's sword move. He had not expected Ling Yun's sword techniques to be so agile, nor to contain such formidable Fire Attribute power.
The two instantly became entangled in battle. Sword Qi crisscrossed the Training Ground as firelight and blood-red radiance intertwined. Zhao Lei's sword moves were fierce and tyrannical, every strike carrying the sinister force to devour spiritual power. Ling Yun's moves were agile and ever-changing, combining Fire Sword Intent with wind force like prairie fire sweeping across the plains, pressing forward step by step.
"How did Ling Yun's strength rise so quickly?"
"His sword moves carry not only the Fire Attribute but traces of the Wind Attribute as well. It's too strange!"
"Zhao Lei doesn't seem to be gaining any advantage?"
The discussions around them grew louder and louder, while Zhao Kun's face gradually darkened. He had never expected Ling Yun's progress to be so astonishing. Three days ago, he had only been an Early Stage Great Swordsman, yet now he could fight Zhao Lei to a standstill.
"Stop wasting time! Kill him!" Zhao Kun's voice rang out with a trace of impatience.
Ferocity flashed through Zhao Lei's eyes. He suddenly activated the Sword Devouring Art, causing his blood-red spiritual power to surge. Countless fine blood lines appeared on his longsword. "Blood Devouring Sword Technique: Blood Drink!"
The Blood-red Longsword transformed into a bloody shadow and stabbed directly at Ling Yun's dantian. This strike was not only enormously powerful, but could devour the opponent's spiritual power as well. It was sinister to the extreme.
So he is finally using his full strength? A sharp glint flashed through Ling Yun's eyes. The Chaos Sword Body quietly began to operate, and his Clear Sword Heart instantly saw through the flaw in the sword move.
He drew a deep breath. The Sky-Rending Sword in his dantian trembled faintly, gray aura merging into the iron sword. At the same time, he activated the Three Forms of Qiankun. The dominance of the Fire Attribute and the agility of the Wind Attribute perfectly fused, and his sword momentum abruptly changed. Crimson sword shadows, laced with azure wind trails, stabbed straight at the center of the bloody shadow.
"Universe Three Forms: Wind Fire Wheel!"
The sword shadow and the bloody shadow collided with a deafening boom. Crimson flames and azure wind trails intertwined into a wheel, instantly breaking apart the devouring power of the blood-red spiritual force. Zhao Lei felt an enormous force surge toward him. His arm throbbed with agony, and his Blood-red Longsword nearly flew from his grasp.
"Impossible!" Zhao Lei's face changed drastically. He had never expected his full-force strike to be broken by Ling Yun.
Ling Yun gave him no chance to react. With a flash, he circled behind Zhao Lei, his iron sword carrying the force of fire and wind as it stabbed toward his back. Zhao Lei hurriedly turned to block, but Ling Yun's sword momentum knocked him back again and again. A large hole was burned through the armor on his chest.
"It's not over yet!" Ling Yun shouted. His Fire Attribute Sword Intent erupted at full strength, and the flames on the iron sword surged. "Flowing Fire Seven Forms: Meteor Fall!"
The crimson sword shadow plunged like a falling meteor, bearing the momentum to scorch mountains and boil seas as it bore down on Zhao Lei's face. Terrified out of his wits, Zhao Lei hurriedly summoned a blood-red shield.
Crack!
The shield shattered instantly. Zhao Lei was sent flying by the tremendous force, crashing heavily onto the Training Ground and coughing up a mouthful of blood. He struggled to rise, only to discover that the spiritual power in his dantian was in complete disorder. Ling Yun's Sword Intent had actually injured his meridians.
Ling Yun walked slowly before him, his iron sword aimed at his throat. "You lost."
The Training Ground instantly fell silent. Everyone stared in stunned disbelief. Ling Yun, an Early Stage Great Swordsman, had actually defeated Zhao Lei, a Peak Early Stage Great Swordsman? It was simply unbelievable!
Zhao Kun abruptly stood, his face ashen and his eyes filled with killing intent. "You dared injure my son!"
"Sect Master Zhao, a wager is a wager." Ye Chen immediately stepped forward, blocking Zhao Kun. "You swore in the name of the Zhao Family Ancestor!"
Ling Yun looked at Zhao Kun, his voice resounding. "Zhao Kun, now it is time for you to fulfill your promise. Publicly acknowledge your crime of exterminating my Ling Family all those years ago, as well as your cultivation of evil arts and collusion with the Blood Fiend Hall!"
Lying on the ground, Zhao Lei struggled as he shouted, "Father, don't admit it! He's spouting nonsense!"
Zhao Kun's expression shifted constantly as he looked at the eyes of everyone around him. He had never intended to acknowledge any crimes. Today had been meant to kill Ling Yun, yet he had never expected this outcome.
"Hmph! Utter nonsense!" Zhao Kun finally coldly snorted. "Zhao Lei was merely careless for a moment. It does not count as a loss! Do not mention this matter again!"
"You intend to deny the agreement?" A chill flashed through Ling Yun's eyes.
"Deny it? When my Zhao Family does things, why would we need to answer to a remnant like you?" Zhao Kun roared. The pressure of the Sword Emperor Realm erupted instantly. "Ye Chen, today I will clear your sect's gate for you and kill this wretch who slanders the Zhao Family!"
He moved, about to charge toward the Training Ground. Ye Chen immediately activated his sword momentum and blocked Zhao Kun. "Zhao Kun, you dare act outrageously in my Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"
"Stop them!" Patriarchs Wang and Li also rose to their feet, leading their clan experts toward the mountain gate. "Today, we will flatten the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect!"
The situation instantly spiraled out of control. The experts of the three clans and the disciples and elders of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect clashed in a chaotic melee. The disciples on the Training Ground scattered in panic, and screams and the clash of weapons rose one after another.
"Ling Yun, run!" Su Qingyuan rushed onto the Training Ground, grabbing Ling Yun and trying to pull him away.
"I can't leave!" Ling Yun clenched his sword as he watched the chaotic battle, a trace of resolve flashing through his eyes. "I caused this trouble. I can't drag the sect down with me!"
He turned and rushed toward Zhao Lei, aiming the iron sword at his throat. "Zhao Kun, stop! Otherwise, I'll kill Zhao Lei!"
Seeing this, Zhao Kun truly stopped, his eyes blazing with rage. "Ling Yun, you dare!"
"Watch me!" Ling Yun lowered his sword momentum, and the tip pierced Zhao Lei's skin, drawing a thread of blood.
At that moment, Zhao Lei suddenly gave a savage grin and fiercely activated a Blood-red Talisman. The talisman exploded, and blood-red poisonous gas instantly enveloped Ling Yun. "Father, kill him!"
Caught off guard, Ling Yun inhaled a small amount of the poison. His head spun, and his spiritual power instantly fell into disorder. Seeing this, Zhao Kun's eyes flashed with viciousness. His Blood-red Longsword, carrying vast spiritual power, stabbed directly at Ling Yun's chest. "Courting death!"
"Brother Ling Yun!" Su Qingyuan cried out as she threw herself forward, trying to block the attack.
At that critical instant, an azure sword light suddenly flew in from the edge of the Training Ground. Swift as lightning, it precisely blocked Zhao Kun's longsword.
With a crisp clang, Zhao Kun was shaken back several steps.
Everyone followed the sound and saw an old man in an azure robe standing on the Training Ground. His aura was ethereal. He was the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect's Grand Elder—a Sword Venerable Realm cultivator who had been missing for years, Lin Feng!
"Zhao Kun, bullying the young with the strong and colluding with demonic cultivators—your Zhao Family's nerve is growing greater and greater!" Lin Feng's voice was icy. The pressure of the Sword Venerable Realm instantly blanketed the entire Training Ground, crushing the experts of the three clans until they could not move.
Zhao Kun's face turned deathly pale. He had never expected the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect to still have a Sword Venerable Realm cultivator! He knew that he could no longer kill Ling Yun today, and could only grit his teeth. "Lin Feng, this matter has nothing to do with you! This is the grudge between me and the Ling Family!"
"The Ling Family are the descendants of my old friend. Their grudge is one I will certainly involve myself in!" Lin Feng said coldly. "Today, get out of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect! If you dare come seeking trouble again, do not blame my sword for showing no mercy!"
Seeing the killing intent in Lin Feng's eyes, Zhao Kun finally did not dare continue acting tough. He shot Ling Yun a vicious glare, then led the people of the three clans away in disgrace.
The chaotic battle on the Training Ground finally came to an end. Though the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect had suffered casualties, it had preserved the sect.
Lin Feng walked over to Ling Yun. A trace of approval flashed through his eyes as he looked at him. "Good boy. You possess Brother Ling's spirit from back then. Cultivate well, and you will surely become a great figure someday."
Ling Yun cupped his hands in salute. "Thank you for saving me, Grand Elder."
"Your grudge with the Zhao Family must still be settled by your own hand." Lin Feng sighed. "Zhao Kun will never let this go. You must raise your strength as quickly as possible."
With that, Lin Feng turned and departed, leaving behind an ethereal silhouette.
Ling Yun watched the direction in which Zhao Kun had left, determination flashing through his eyes. Though he had won today's duel, it had also made him understand that only true strength could bring revenge and protect those around him.
Su Qingyuan walked to his side and handed him a Detoxification Pill. "Brother Ling Yun, are you all right?"
Ling Yun swallowed the pill and shook his head. "I'm fine."
He knew this victory was only temporary. Zhao Kun would never let the matter rest. An even greater storm still lay ahead. But he would not retreat. His sword would cleave through every obstacle, avenge his lineage, and clear his own name.
Three days later, Ling Yun rose to fame in a single battle at the Sect Grand Competition, becoming a legend of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect. Yet everyone knew this was only the beginning of his grudge with the Zhao Family. A far greater confrontation was quietly brewing.
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