The Iron Blade seemed to have been sharpened anew. Its many tiny chips were erased just like that. Apart from the enormous notch in the middle, which could not be repaired, the rest instantly gleamed as though new, and an exceptionally clear blade intent spread out like water.
"Thank you," said the Blade Sage Cao Yuan.
"You're welcome," Jing Jiu said. "I've grasped some new methods over these hundred years. See whether they can help with your injuries."
No sooner had he finished speaking than an exceptionally pure yet utterly biting sword intent emerged from his right hand, descended upon the enormous Iron Blade, and mingled with its blade intent.
With a hum, a wind rose inside the Small Temple. The flakes of damaged lacquer on the Golden Buddha trembled, threatening to fall at any moment.
This was a contest between the most powerful sword intent and blade intent in the world.
Even as a Sea-Breaking Peak cultivator, Zhao Layue could hardly withstand it. Several strands of her black hair were severed, and she had no choice but to retreat beyond the threshold.
With a soft clap, the wind swung the Small Temple's door shut.
Only after a long time did the Small Temple's door open again. Jing Jiu walked out, his face somewhat pale, faint traces of blood visible on his damaged earlobe.
Zhao Layue gave him a somewhat puzzled look, unsure whether they had merely been exchanging pointers or had really been exchanging blows...
Jing Jiu did not resolve her doubts. If this truly had been a contest, no one would ever know who had won.
The Small Temple's door closed again. Through it, she could just make out that most of the gold lacquer on the Buddha statue had peeled away, yet it looked far