Jian Chaomian.
He had begun practicing the sword at three.
At six, he could unleash sword light.
At twelve, he possessed Sword Qi!
Now, he had reached the threshold of the Sword Dao.
A supreme elder of the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy was also a sword cultivator.
He was also the strongest sword cultivator in the Northern Region today.
He had once said that, given the right opportunity, Jian Chaomian could be called a Sword Saint!
And what did Ye Qiubai have?
He was unknown.
His cultivation was only at the late Purple Mansion Realm.
Although his actual strength allowed him to fight above his realm, Jian Chaomian was a Qi Sea Realm expert.
What was more, Jian Chaomian could also fight above his realm.
And he could crush those above him.
Under the weight of all these halos, what chance did Ye Qiubai have of winning?
Ignore someone crowned with halo upon halo.
And instead believe that an unknown person, separated from him by such a vast gap in cultivation, could win?
No one would think that way.
The deans on the high platform thought the same.
Except Qin Tiannan!
Watching this, Huang Tian Ming gave an exclamation and smiled. "What does Jian Chaomian mean by this?"
Wu Deshi also shook his head. "That boy Chaomian devotes himself entirely to the sword. Sometimes, even I can't fathom his thoughts."
"Could Jian Chaomian think Ye Qiubai is a match for him?"
At this point, Qin Tiannan chuckled. "Why couldn't that be the case?"
"Oh?" Wu Deshi smiled faintly. "It seems Dean Qin thinks very highly of this student of yours. More highly than even your own disciple, perhaps?"
At that, Qin Tiannan merely smiled and said nothing more.
Just then, Jian Chaomian raised his head toward the high platform and called out, "Deans, will you grant my request? If not, I can defeat the leaders of the other two regions first."
His tone carried a matter-of-fact certainty!
As though this were something easy and ordinary!
Huang Yuan and Tian Cheng both looked displeased, but they could not refute him.
Because Jian Chaomian truly had the strength!
After a long while, Wu Deshi finally stood and said, "Granted."
At that moment, everyone looked toward Ye Qiubai at the competition platform.
Huang Yuan looked at Ye Qiubai with a complicated, puzzled expression.
Qin Tiannan looked at Ye Qiubai with anticipation.
Huang Tian Ming also stared at Ye Qiubai, his thoughts unknown.
Beside Huang Tian Ming, Jiang Chan clenched her hands.
Jian Chaomian likewise looked at Ye Qiubai. "Come up."
At that, Ye Qiubai raised his eyebrows, cradling his sword in both arms. "Why do you want to fight me?"
Jian Chaomian answered, "I can sense something about you that resembles me..."
"Just that?"
"Isn't that enough?"
A sword cultivator's senses were keen, whether toward danger, opportunity, or someone's presence.
Ye Qiubai nodded. "Then, as you wish."
The competition platform was not high.
It had nine steps.
Ye Qiubai stepped forward, planting his foot on the first step.
Sword Qi suddenly erupted without restraint!
The entire space filled with razor-sharp Sword Qi!
This Sword Qi made everyone's expression change!
It seemed capable of slicing through all things!
The expressions of Huang Yuan, Tian Cheng, and Zhang He all changed.
Because they sensed a threat within this Sword Qi!
Could this be Ye Qiubai's true strength?
Then Ye Qiubai took his second step.
He stepped onto the second stair!
At that moment, towering demonic Qi burst forth!
It merged with the Sword Qi raging freely between heaven and earth!
Everyone present was affected to some degree in mind and spirit. Those with low cultivation wanted to kneel in submission!
Even those with high cultivation felt their minds tremble!
Huang Yuan and the others were no exception!
On the platform, a gleam of interest appeared in Jian Chaomian's eyes at the sight.
A surge of Sword Qi likewise swept out, seemingly resisting Ye Qiubai's highly corrosive black Sword Qi!
On the high platform, Huang Tian Ming also leaned forward slightly. Watching this, he could not help thinking, So he really did encounter a fortuitous opportunity?
Xin Hongyi gazed at Ye Qiubai's back, momentarily lost in thought.
His presence already far surpassed hers.
So I really can't catch up...
With every step upward.
The Sword Qi around Ye Qiubai grew more powerful!
His presence also continued to rise!
Everyone discovered, to their horror.
That Ye Qiubai's presence was already far beyond that of an ordinary late Purple Mansion Realm cultivator!
It was actually approaching the Qi Sea Realm!
At that moment, on the high platform, Wu Deshi smiled in surprise. "Oh? Dean Qin, this student of yours has hidden himself quite deeply."
The Eastern Region academy's dean also gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "No wonder he could defeat Zhou Xing with a single strike."
Zhou Xing was the peak Purple Mansion Realm cultivator whom Ye Qiubai had crushed.
Qin Tiannan smiled faintly. "I wouldn't know about my students' private affairs."
Old fox!
The other three academy deans could not help cursing inwardly!
At the seat of honor, Jiang Chan clasped her hands between her knees. Watching this, her eyes shone with delighted surprise.
He really has regained his talent.
And he's even stronger than before!
Huang Tian Ming frowned.
He had heard about Ye Qiubai losing his talent.
Now, not only had his talent returned, but his cultivation was advancing so rapidly.
It seems I'll have to get Shadow Kill to move faster.
But the next moment.
When Ye Qiubai took the ninth step and reached the competition platform.
A ringing sword cry soared into the sky!
Within this space, besides the towering Sword Intent and rampant demonic Qi!
Something else swept across the competition platform!
Everyone was stunned by the sight!
Huang Yuan, Tian Cheng, and Zhang He all underwent drastic changes in expression!
On the high platform, the four regional deans looked solemn!
Qin Tiannan's face was filled with delighted surprise!
On the competition platform, Jian Chaomian froze at first, then looked ecstatic. He laughed three times and drew his longsword, waves of Sword Intent coating it!
"Just as I thought, my senses weren't wrong!"
If the earlier sight had merely stirred Huang Tian Ming's desire to kill.
Now, the strength Ye Qiubai displayed made Huang Tian Ming abruptly rise to his feet!
Killing intent spilled from his eyes!
How was this possible?!
How could it be Sword Intent!
Indeed, Ye Qiubai had unleashed his Sword Intent without holding anything back!
Unlike Jian Chaomian's Sword Intent, which had only just reached the threshold.
Ye Qiubai's Sword Intent had already reached the level of a Great Swordmaster!
How many years had Ye Qiubai even practiced the sword!
Yet he could comprehend Sword Intent to such a degree?
What kind of talent was this?
Unless this man was killed immediately, Huang Tian Ming would know no peace!
At once, Huang Tian Ming said to the general behind him, "Once the match ends, dispatch the Asura Iron Cavalry immediately and kill Ye Qiubai!
"Also, send a voice transmission to the palace Attendant and Eunuch Ming immediately. Have him come in person!"
The general's face turned solemn upon hearing this. He nodded and immediately flew toward the ship to contact those in the palace!
He knew that Huang Tian Ming had already resolved to kill!
Beside him, Jiang Chan felt no delighted surprise. Seeing this, her heart filled with anxiety!
At that moment, Ye Qiubai held his wooden sword in one hand and looked at Jian Chaomian, saying calmly, "Make your move."