Saber King Dugu Dugu Jue had indeed been very lonely these past years. When a person reached the pinnacle, without opponents, their own progress would slow. Only truly powerful opponents could spur him to climb another level and constantly break through his limits.
Whether it was Empress Xuan, Xu Jing, Chu Zhongtian, or the Snow Sword Emperor, they might be able to contend with him in strength, but for some reason, he could never find that sense of passion. Perhaps it had something to do with his Blade Intent. The Blade Intent of Despair needed pressure to fully unleash its potential.
"Ye Chen!"
Dugu Jue, a white-haired man with a long saber on his back, looked toward Ye Chen.
"Dugu Jue."
Ye Chen was also sensing the other man's Blade Intent.
Chu Zhongtian stepped aside and said to Dugu Jue, "I'd like to see whether your progress over these three years has surpassed mine. Don't just talk big."
"Whether it's empty boasting, you'll soon find out."
"I hope so."
Chu Zhongtian had not actually gone all out just now. He still had a follow-up move to Furious Lion Strike—Wild Lion Dance—but Ye Chen had shattered Furious Lion Strike so cleanly and decisively that the follow-up move could not be unleashed.
"Ye Chen, take this saber."
Dugu Jue did not waste words. His right hand drew the long saber from his back. The blade flashed snow-bright as he slashed at Ye Chen, swift and fierce. Its power was secondary; its saber momentum was as fast as racing thunder.
Ye Chen raised the index and middle fingers of his right hand together. A streak of Sword Light burst forth, and with a slight lift, it struck the thunderous saber light. The shattered saber light cast Ye Chen's face in a snow-white glow.