Ye Li's calm voice, like an icicle falling to the ground, shattered the deathly silence of the Plaza.
The four words, "The feel is so-so," carried blatant contempt and echoed across the devastated ruins, slapping the faces of every Sword Sect disciple and elder.
Before the dust and debris had completely settled, Zhou Qingyan's figure was already a scene of utter devastation in the center of the deep pit.
The once proud Xuanming Sword Master, as proud as a lotus on a snow-capped mountain, now had a breath as weak as a candle in the wind, with only her body's unconscious twitching proving that she was still alive.
That once aloof and peerless face was now swollen, bruised, and covered in blood, completely losing all its luster and dignity. The Selfless Sword Heart that he was so proud of had long since shattered under the crushing force of pure violence.
Countless Sword Sect disciples were completely stunned.
The representatives from the Mountain Gate were equally astonished. Before they could even process the rapidly changing situation, the black-clad lieutenant, who was clearly at a disadvantage, suddenly erupted and instantly pinned the composed Zhou Qingyan to the ground, beating her mercilessly!
"Ye Li!!!"
Atop the three- High Platform, a roar filled with terror and rage suddenly erupted!
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's hair and beard bristled, his eyes bulging as if about to burst!
The terrifying Sword Intent that had been contained within him could no longer be suppressed, erupting like a volcano that had been dormant for millennia!
The entire Sword Sect Divine Mountain trembled violently, its body groaning under the strain. Countless sharp and incomparable Sword Qi phantoms gathered and roared behind him, threatening to pulverize the entire world!
The wrath of a venerable one can change the very fabric of heaven and earth!
He stared intently at the pitiful white figure in the deep pit—the peerless Sword Prodigy to whom he had poured his heart and soul, placed his hopes, and regarded as the future pillar of the sect!
Furthermore, he is the new symbol of the Xuanming Sword Xianjing Continent's dominance over the Xuanming Sword Sect Realm!
If it were just a simple defeat, it would at most be a failure to build momentum. With the Xuanming Sword Sect's resources, it wouldn't be difficult for them to help Zhou Qingyan regain momentum in the future.
But Zhou Qingyan's defeat is not the only one!
Instead, in full view of everyone, he was utterly humiliated and crushed by a junior who had only recently risen to fame, his sword bones shattered and his Dao Heart collapsed! Whether he can ever rebuild that invincible Sword Heart is still unknown!
This is not only a great disgrace, but it has also broken the backbone of his Sword Sect!
It nearly destroyed the future supreme master of the Sword Sect!!
"Young man! You... you have some nerve!!"
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor spat out a voice filled with Killing Intent through gritted teeth. He stepped off the edge of the High Platform, and his violent Sword Intent, like a tangible tsunami, crashed down on Ye Li in the center of the ruins!
He wished he could erase this scoundrel who dared to destroy the sect's hopes, along with this shameful Sword Sect Plaza!
The terrifying pressure of the Venerable One crashed down like a burden of billions of tons, causing all the surviving Sword Sect disciples on the Plaza to kneel in horror, their breaths almost stopped!
"..."
Ye Li's eyes shone brightly, his Blood Vitality surged instinctively, and his muscles tensed like steel. He glanced at the old figure on the High Platform and felt his heart surge with emotion.
Without a doubt, this Sword Sect Old Ancestor had already decided to kill him!
That's wonderful!!
Although his cultivation at the peak of the second level of the Dao Evolution Realm was still somewhat of a hindrance.
Even at the Second-Tier of [Golden Soul Revival], he was still somewhat unable to defeat this Sword Dao Venerable who belonged to the Cosmic Birth Realm.
However, if the real trump card is used, this dead end is not impossible to turn around!
Unfortunately, someone else reacted just as quickly.
"Sword Sect Old Ancestor, who gave you permission to make a move?"
A voice, not tall, yet seemingly imbued with the philosophy of heaven and earth, carrying an unquestionable and authoritative coldness, suddenly rang out from above the Plaza.
Cao Ming's face was ashen, and he sat upright like a mountain.
A more powerful, majestic, and dignified aura suddenly rose around him!
This oppressive force was not the unparalleled sharpness of Sword Intent, but rather like an invisible barrier in the Firmament, steadily blocking the extremely violent Sword Intent of the Sword Sect Old Ancestor!
Boom!--
Two powerful auras, each capable of moving mountains and filling seas, clashed fiercely in the void!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a terrifying scene of space violently distorting and light dimming!
Dark void rifts spread out like a spiderweb, only to be forcibly closed by the Power of Law in an instant!
In the blink of an eye, the outcome was clear. The Sword Intent of the Sword Sect Old Ancestor, which was powerful enough to tear the sky apart, was steadily resisted by Cao Ming's unwavering aura, unable to advance an inch.
In the deathly silence of the entire venue.
Cao Ming slowly raised his eyelids. In his deep eyes, there was no longer any trace of the forbearance and consideration he had shown before, only a cold, unquestionable official authority.
He didn't even glance at the Sword Sect's Old Ancestor, his gaze calmly sweeping across the ravaged Plaza below before finally settling on Ye Li, a hint of indescribable shock and... satisfaction flashing deep within his eyes.
The young man's actions just now not only helped Yushan Nine Luminaries Division maintain its last shred of dignity, but also saved face for the governor.
If that's the case, how can we let such a proud and arrogant person feel disheartened?
He slowly set down his teacup, his gaze finally landing on the Sword Sect's Old Ancestor, a chilling smile playing on his lips.
"When juniors spar, there will be winners, losers, and even death."
"Your sect's sword master was outmatched and lost in public; according to the rules, this is the inevitable outcome."
"Could it be that you intend to personally attack my subordinate general of the Nine Luminaries Division, completely breaking the centuries-old rules of the Xuanming Sword Sect?"
Rule?!
With just two words, the Sword Sect Old Ancestor trembled with rage, pointing at Zhou Qingyan, whose life or death was unknown in the deep pit, and roared in a hoarse voice:
"Lord Cao! Ye Li has beaten our sect's sword master to such a state, almost crippling him!"
"This is hardly a friendly spar! It's clearly a premeditated murder! This boy is vicious by nature; if he's not punished, he'll become a great menace! If he dares to treat my Sword Sect like this today, he'll dare to trample on your Jade Mountain Prefecture tomorrow! I beg you, sir, to see the truth and not protect this scoundrel!"
"Protecting?" Cao Ming finally stood up slowly, calmly looking at the Sword Sect Old Ancestor.
His gaze wasn't sharp, yet it exuded an indescribable pressure. He said calmly, "Ye Li is a registered lieutenant of my Immortal Realm Nine Luminaries Division, and the champion of this 'Jade Mountain Refinement'."
"In this trial of strength, he held back and did not violate the rules of the duel set by your Xuanming Sword Sect. The three-move agreement was also stated by your Sword Master Zhou himself, witnessed by all."
"Do you now intend to commit injustice because you disregard me, the governor, or... do you wish to challenge the rules of my Great Sheng Nine Luminaries Division?"
A brief, ambiguous voice entered my ears, its tone neither smiling nor frowning.
The Sword Sect Old Ancestor's violent Sword Intent suddenly froze, and his expression immediately turned extremely ugly.
For the sake of Zhou Qingyan, Dao Heart is destroyed and whose future is ruined, would it be worthwhile to completely offend the Yushan Prefecture and potentially invite even more terrible retribution?
This price... is far too high!
He stared intently at Cao Ming, then looked at the Boy in Black standing tall like a pine tree amidst the ruins, his Golden Eyes closed but his bloodlust still burning, wishing he could tear him to pieces!
"..."
Facing that Killing Intent gaze, Ye Li merely raised his chin slightly. His lava-like Golden Eyes showed no fear, but rather a hint of almost provocative indifference.
Cao Ming was clearly not afraid of this Sword Sect Old Ancestor. As for the remaining Sword Sect experts... even if those Dao Evolution Realm peak elders with grim faces joined forces, they might not be able to stop him when he activated the Heaven and Earth Manifestation.
If all else fails, just pull off a last-minute breakthrough...
As his thoughts raced, Ye Li couldn't wait for the other party to make a move right now.