At the Highest Level

When the vast sea surged, a hero's true colors emerged.

In the depths of despair, Shen Yun's mind became as clear as a lake. Gradually, he saw the road ahead, as though parting the clouds and mist to reveal blue skies.

Facing attacks that blotted out the sky and covered the earth, Shen Yun slowly swung out a streak of sword qi. Its red glow was dim, its sharpness concealed, as though it had fallen short of his usual standard.

Yet the Shen Yun opposite him seemed to have been struck by a Body Binding Curse. His body suddenly stalled, and the seemingly weightless sword qi punched a hole through him.

"Just as I thought."

Shen Yun's eyes grew brighter and brighter. With a sweep of his sleeve, he unleashed another streak of sword qi, this one far swifter than before.

An indelible gravity filled his opponent's face, and the wariness in his heart was plain for all to see.

Divine Sense burst forth from his body, resisting the strange power within the sword qi. Then he swiftly cast the Earth Wall Technique to protect himself.

The earthen wall blocked the sword qi and diverted its trajectory, but it still grazed his body, leaving several savage bloody wounds.

It was clearly such a weak streak of sword qi, yet it had exhausted his donkey's skills, making the whole thing especially strange.

"Using sword qi to spur Divine Sense, wielding spiritual power with the physical body, and blending all three into one—this is the road ahead for me."

Shen Yun clenched his fists, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit growing ever more condensed.

Spiritual power liquefied, blood qi became Pure Yang, and Divine Sense took form.

It seemed as though he had achieved results in all three aspects at once, but in truth, he had merely skimmed the surface.

The opponent before him was the best example. He had cast Dao techniques and used Divine Sense at the same time, vainly attempting to divide his mind in two, only to be beaten into utter collapse.

Shen Yun's momentum rose even higher. In the past, he had guarded a treasure vault without knowing it. Now, the road before him became increasingly clear, and his Heaven-Defying Comprehension began to reveal its power.

Nearly every second brought forth a new inspiration. He threw another punch, spiritual power erupting from his fingertips. His fist wind struck alongside a Divine Sense assault, and his opponent's figure froze once more.

The other Shen Yun was still stubbornly resisting from a corner, but it was merely a mantis arm trying to stop a chariot. Even his Five Elements Primordial Chaos Body had been battered to pieces, and his momentum visibly plummeted.

Shen Yun proved himself in battle. His lean body was stained with blood and covered in savage wounds, yet his presence grew ever more intimidating.

"Kill!"

If gods stood in his way, he killed gods; if Buddhas stood in his way, he killed Buddhas. He beat his opponent until he had no power to fight back.

Shen Yun's fists shook, his qi charging toward the Dipper and Ox constellations as he unleashed his strongest strike yet.

A sound like a meteor crashing down rang out. Unmatched power erupted, smashing his opponent's entire body to pieces like shattered porcelain that would fall apart at the slightest touch.

"It's over."

Shen Yun withdrew his fist. An inexplicable majesty rested upon his handsome face, as though he had been tempered by blood and fire, transforming from an unfledged young bird into a roc soaring through the nine heavens.

"Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is within reach!"

Shen Yun clenched his right hand. Once his injuries recovered, he was absolutely confident that he could pass this heavenly trial.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of flowing water rose. Blue droplets floated up from the ground and condensed into a profound and mysterious gate.

Twisted streams of light coiled around the doorframe. From afar, it resembled a shattered mirror, reflecting countless stars and leading to an unknown realm.

"I wonder what kind of trial awaits on the Seventh Floor."

Shen Yun took a deep breath and stepped into the gate.

Outside the Seven Xuan Tower, the place was now almost packed to capacity. Great figures who were rarely seen on ordinary days had all appeared.

These elders were usually calm and unruffled, their expressions unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before them. Now, however, they looked as though they had been pumped full of blood.

A group of old monsters who had lived for hundreds of years all stared with blazing eyes and high spirits, leaving onlookers dumbfounded.

"This old man has counted on his fingers and found that a master-disciple fate awaits in this place today. The person in the tower shall be my beloved disciple."

"Pah! You old stick, have you no shame? He is clearly my future great-grandson-in-law."

"What are you arguing for? The Supreme Elder has rendered great service over the years and exhausted himself for the Sword Sect. He happens to lack a closed-door disciple. Do you have the nerve to compete with him?"

"That's not right either. Who can compare to the Sect Master in terms of contributions? I think he should become the Sword Sect's future successor."

"..."

These great figures argued without end, as though they had gone to a market fair.

They had long tossed their Nurturing Qi Skill to the back of their minds. They could still maintain some dignity over other matters, but this was an unrivaled genius who had ascended the Seven Xuan Tower. Miss this village, and there would be no shop.

"Cough, cough!"

The Law Enforcement Elder suddenly began coughing. At that moment, everyone was arguing with such fervor that no one had the mood to care what he was doing.

These old fools have thrown away all of the Sword Sect's dignity.

The Law Enforcement Elder's face darkened as he said in a deep voice, "All of you, stop! The young friend in the tower is Mister Fang's beloved disciple. What kind of conduct is all this bickering and squabbling?"

At those words, it was as though a basin of cold water had been poured over everyone's heads. Quite a few people began sighing in disappointment.

The feeling was like going for a walk and picking up a peerless Immortal Artifact, just as one was about to claim it, only to discover that it already had an owner—and, more importantly, that its owner was someone they could not afford to provoke.

Though the comparison was not entirely accurate, the regret in many people's hearts was even greater.

When the Sword Sect disciples witnessed this madness, the rose-colored image they held of these people shattered at once.

Quite a few people began fantasizing on the spot about how wonderful it would be if they were the person in the tower.

The Law Enforcement Elder brought the situation under control, then cupped his hands toward Fang Tianyi. "Please forgive us for embarrassing ourselves before you, Mister Fang. Your disciple is simply too outstanding; they could not restrain themselves."

He finally understood why Fang Tianyi had come here with such fanfare. As the saying went, returning home in fine clothes without showing them off was like walking through the night in embroidered garments. If he had such a disciple, he would want the whole world to know.

Since the Seven Xuan Tower had been established, only one person had been recorded as reaching its summit. That person had not belonged to the Sword Sect. It was said that he was a friend of the Founding Ancestor, though outsiders did not know his true identity.

Shen Yun was the second person to reach the summit. There was no need to elaborate on his talent. Which person present was not an old hand who had become shrewd with age? Whoever could take him into their sect would surely leave a bold and brilliant mark upon the history of the Sword Sect.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, Fang Tianyi calmly said, "The Sword Sect has been troubled this time."

The Law Enforcement Elder waved his hand and declared brightly, "What are you saying, Mister Fang? You are forever a friend of the Sword Sect. Besides, we have truly feasted our eyes today."

Seeing his respectful attitude, some of the younger elders were still baffled, while the older generation had already put on kindly smiles.

As expected of Mister Fang, who swept through Soul Severing Ridge with a single sword. A famous master truly produces outstanding disciples.

Even now, they still vividly remembered that peerless figure whose robes were white as snow.

Amid laughter and casual conversation, the Azure Flood Dragon King fled to the Northern Wasteland, while the Qiongqi King perished, his Dao dissipating. A war that had lasted decades came to an end, sparing Tianlan Prefecture from the flames of conflict.

This man had already become an immortal monument. No one dared show him even the slightest disrespect.

Fang Tianyi calmly looked toward the Seven Xuan Tower and murmured, "Since he has already reached the summit, he should be coming out soon."

From his words, it seemed that he knew exactly what was inside the tower.

After passing through the Space Gate, Shen Yun found himself before a silent valley.

The black rock walls were covered in moss. Strange flowers and exotic grasses bloomed in profusion across the ground, while faint rustling insect cries drifted through the air.

At the center of the valley stood a towering tree. Its thick trunk was dozens of zhang around, and its luxuriant canopy had turned into a vast parasol that blocked out the sky. Sparse sunlight filtered through the leaves and gathered upon the stone platform beneath the tree.

"This is... a ring?"

Shen Yun looked toward the stone platform. Upon its ink-black surface rested a green ring, reflecting a gorgeous sheen beneath the sunlight.