The Mystic Heaven Dao Palace occupied a vast area.
Besides the main hall and guest rooms, it also had a training ground.
At that moment, on the training ground.
Chu Kuangren and Zhuo Han stood ten zhang apart.
"Senior Brother, please."
After cupping his hands in greeting, Zhuo Han gripped a three-foot-long, blue-green sword that appeared in a flash of light.
Precious light flowed over the extraordinary blade.
It was a Supreme Artifact!
Though inferior to a Saint Sword, it was still exceedingly rare.
In the outside world, countless people would fight to the death over a Supreme Artifact, battling until their heads split and blood flowed.
"This sword is named Azure Moon. It is a Supreme Artifact."
Zhuo Han spoke with a proud expression.
Earning a Supreme Artifact's recognition was already exceedingly difficult. After all, few in the Mystic Heaven Sect's history had earned a Saint Sword's recognition.
"Yes, a fine sword."
Chu Kuangren nodded slightly. Then white light flashed in his hand, and Sacred Sword Kunwu appeared in his grasp. "This sword is named Kunwu."
Looking at the Saint Sword, with Daoist Rhyme flowing over it and Sword Intent soaring skyward, Zhuo Han's mouth twitched. The pride on his face was instantly crushed.
What Supreme Artifact?
Compared to a Saint Sword, it was nothing, all right?
"Please."
Zhuo Han drew a deep breath, then focused his gaze. Spiritual Power flowed into Azure Moon in his hand, and a streak of Sword Qi shot out.
Chu Kuangren swung his Saint Sword and shattered the Sword Qi.
Though his cultivation was only at the golden core level, his Nine-Orifice Exquisite Sword Heart gave him combat strength no weaker than a nascent soul cultivator's, and his Spiritual Power was even purer.
As a Daoist Seed, Zhuo Han had long since reached the nascent soul realm, yet he still felt pressure fighting Chu Kuangren.
The two were merely sparring and did not truly use their full strength. Chu Kuangren did not even manifest his Dao Body Phenomenon.
After about an hour, Zhuo Han took the initiative to stop.
"Though your cultivation is only at the golden core realm, Senior Brother, your combat strength is astounding. You have my admiration," Zhuo Han said with a smile.
"Your strength is extraordinary too, Junior Brother Zhuo."
"How could I compare to you, Senior Brother?"
The two exchanged a round of compliments.
"Watching you fight has made my hands itch a little."
Junyi walked over with a smile.
"What, do you want to spar with Senior Brother too?"
Zhuo Han asked.
Junyi shook her head. "I've already witnessed Senior Brother's strength. I won't go looking for suffering."
She looked toward Lan Yu beside them and smiled. "I'm more interested in Miss Lan's strength. Would you be willing to offer me some pointers, Miss Lan?"
The other Daoist Seeds' eyes lit up too. They were also very interested in the strength of this mysterious woman at Chu Kuangren's side.
Lan Yu looked at Chu Kuangren, clearly seeking his opinion.
"Just follow your heart," Chu Kuangren said.
"Yes."
Lan Yu nodded slightly and said to Junyi, "Please."
"Please."
The two women walked to the center of the training ground.
Junyi ranked among the highest in cultivation of the Mystic Heaven Sect's nine great Daoist Seeds. She possessed the weak water dao body and had reached nascent soul perfection.
Her strength was no weaker than Zhuo Han's.
After a swirl of watery blue light.
An azure sword appeared before Junyi. Judging by the profound Daoist Rhyme flowing over it, it was at least a Supreme Artifact.
Light flashed over Lan Yu as well. Her ruqun dress vanished, replaced by an ornate suit of silvery-white Battle Armor.
"What extraordinary Battle Armor."
"Yes, it's at least a Supreme Artifact too. A complete suit of Supreme Artifact Battle Armor is exceedingly rare. Miss Lan has an extraordinary background."
An unusual gleam flashed through the Daoist Seeds' eyes.
"What beautiful Battle Armor."
Envy appeared in Junyi's eyes.
Lan Yu had already looked cool and sacred. Wearing this silvery-white Battle Armor added a heroic bearing, making her look like a female war god.
After admiring her, Junyi immediately attacked.
She formed a sword seal with her hand, pouring Spiritual Power into the azure sword before her.
The rushing sound of water echoed through the air.
The azure sword fired several streaks of water-attribute Sword Qi at Lan Yu.
Lan Yu remained where she stood, allowing the streaks of Sword Qi to strike her. With a splash, the Sword Qi shattered, while she did not budge an inch.
The Sword Qi could not breach her Battle Armor's defenses at all!
"Again."
Junyi's expression sharpened. Spiritual Power poured continuously into the azure sword. Blue light flickered, and immense Sword Qi surged out like a flood.
"Oh, not bad." Lan Yu smiled faintly. Taking this attack seriously, she stepped forward, clenched her fingers into a fist, and punched into the air.
The air boomed beneath her punch.
Space seemed about to burst!
Silvery-white fist light, bearing a sacred, majestic presence, erupted violently. That single punch blasted the surging torrent of Sword Qi apart!
The sweeping impact forced even Junyi back several zhang.
Her gaze filled with surprise. "Nascent soul cultivation!"
The moment Lan Yu attacked, her cultivation was revealed to everyone.
Nascent soul early stage!
Though she was only at the nascent soul early stage, the power of her punch astonished the Daoist Seeds. Even a cultivator at the nascent soul middle stage, or even the late stage, might not have been able to deliver such a punch.
Yet Lan Yu had done it with ease.
"Lan Yu's strength is extraordinary indeed."
Chu Kuangren's eyes lit up.
Others might not know, but how could he be unaware? Lan Yu possessed the sacred light body, a supreme dao body!
Moreover, Lan Yu also cultivated a Sage Law and Supreme Laws. Her combat strength was unparalleled, far beyond comparison with ordinary nascent soul realm cultivators.
No, even nascent soul Heavenly Prides would probably struggle to compare.
"Your abilities truly are extraordinary, Miss Lan."
Junyi offered her heartfelt praise. Then she stirred her Spiritual Power again, activating a Supreme Law. Profound Daoist Rhyme swirled around her and her sword, actually manifesting a mighty, rushing river in midair.
The rushing sound of water echoed incessantly.
"Three Thousand Weak Waters!"
Junyi gave a low cry.
Instantly, the surging river rushed toward Lan Yu.
A vast, boundless force erupted.
This was a Supreme Law designed specifically for offense. Unleashed with Junyi's nascent soul perfection strength, its might was incomparable.
Yet Lan Yu neither retreated nor dodged. "Well met!"
Silvery-white light shone in her eyes. A sacred, solemn presence spread out, enveloping heaven and earth, as though a deity had descended.
"Immovable Light Fist!"
Lan Yu punched into the air.
A white pillar of light shot out, striking the river.
The two forces exploded with a thunderous crash, nearly blasting space apart.
The impact created fierce wind pressure. Even Murong Xuan, Zhuo Han, and the other Daoist Seeds watching the battle could not help retreating several steps.
Xiao Bing cried out, almost swept off her feet.
At that critical moment, Chu Kuangren reached out and caught her around the waist, then sheltered her behind him, stirring his Spiritual Power to form a barrier.
Looking at Chu Kuangren's back, which was not particularly broad, Xiao Bing felt warmth flow through her heart and a sense of security unlike anything she had ever known.
Being protected like this felt wonderful.
Especially when her protector was someone like Chu Kuangren, a figure akin to an Exiled Immortal.
At that moment, Xiao Bing became utterly devoted to Chu Kuangren.
Junyi and Lan Yu continued sparring for a while.
Neither used her full strength, but Junyi realized that even if she went all out, she had little confidence of defeating Lan Yu.
Finally, Junyi withdrew her azure sword and took the initiative to suggest stopping.
Lan Yu nodded slightly and changed back into her blue-and-white ruqun dress. Her Radiant Armor was nurtured within her body and could be summoned or withdrawn at will, making it extremely convenient.
"Birds of a feather flock together. Those around Senior Brother truly are dragons and phoenixes among people," Junyi said with a smile.
Chu Kuangren smiled back. "You're right, Junior Sister Jun. All of you junior brothers and sisters truly are dragons and phoenixes among people."
Junyi had meant to praise Lan Yu, but Chu Kuangren's words included them among those close to him as well.
That single remark instantly brought them closer, and the smiles on Murong Xuan's, Zhuo Han's, and the others' faces grew more sincere.
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