Night lay heavy. In a courtyard on the other side of the Cloud-Leveling Hall's outer sect, flickering candlelight illuminated a tall, slender figure.
Luo Chuan sat cross-legged on his bed, a sinister chill between his brows. The Spiritual Qi within him remained unstable, but his gaze was fiercer than ever.
He slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "Qin Yu... you think entering the mortal fetus realm means you can compete with me?"
A cold smile curled his lips. He took out a black jade vial, gently stroking it with his fingers, his eyes deep and dark.
"In the arena, I'll make sure you... never rise again."
The candle flame suddenly swayed in the wind, stretching his shadow into a hideous, uncanny shape. Outside the window, the night wind howled, as though whispering some ominous portent.
Luo Chuan abruptly clenched the jade vial, his knuckles whitening, his eyes as cold and vicious as a venomous snake.
The next instant, he swept his sleeve, and the vial vanished without a trace. He closed his eyes again, his breathing gradually steadying, as though nothing had happened.
Yet an indescribable oppression hung in the air.
His eyes remained tightly shut, Spiritual Qi flickering around him with a trace of unusual gloom.
Here the suspense lingered, an unanswered mystery lurking in the dark.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
At dawn, bells boomed from the roof of the Nine Heavens Hall, their deep, lingering peals shaking mountains and rivers. The entire outer disciple compound instantly seethed with activity. Countless people emerged from courtyards, mountain paths, and training grounds, converging along the stone steps.
Today was the day of the outer sect tournament!
The martial grounds below the Cloud-Leveling Hall's main peak stretched vast as a sea. Stone spectator stands dozens of zhang high surrounded them. At the center stood an arena carved from a single Spirit Stone, thirty zhang across. Formation patterns covered its surface, spiritual light flowing through them, faintly releasing suppressive fluctuations to ensure the matches would not endanger lives.
Spirit cranes circled overhead, mountain winds swept colorful banners, and countless outer disciples gathered in the plaza with their robes fluttering. Their presences converged like a tide, creating a scene of immense grandeur.
Dozens of deacons and elders sat on the surrounding stone stands, some looking indifferent, others composed, their gazes like lightning as they watched the arena below.
Qin Yu stood with the other newly admitted outer disciples in a corner of the martial grounds, the Spirit Annihilation Sword in hand. Though his face was youthful, his eyes were resolute. The morning light fell upon him, revealing a tenacity beyond his years.
Zhang Hao stood on the other side with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and gratified as he nodded to himself.
"After today, he'll truly have a foothold in the outer sect."
Meanwhile, Luo Chuan stood nearby in blue robes, his presence steady, a faint smile on his face. Yet a trace of coldness lurked deep in his eyes. With his hands behind his back, he surveyed his surroundings, the corners of his lips rising slightly.
Qin Yu, I'll make everyone witness how your so-called supreme spiritual root is nothing but a joke.
Discussion swept through the plaza like a tide:
"I heard a new disciple in this tournament once triggered a phenomenon of heaven and earth-that one named Qin Yu."
"Heh, however dazzling he is, he's only at initial entry into the mortal embryo realm. How could he compare to the outer sect's top ten?"
"Not necessarily... anomalous spiritual roots are rare in this world. Maybe he really can defy the heavens!"
The voices gradually converged, and gazes settled one after another on Qin Yu.
The bells rang again. The elder presiding over the tournament slowly rose, his Spiritual Qi turning his voice into the boom of a great bell that shook the entire grounds:
"The outer sect tournament officially begins!"
The ground shook with a thunderous rumble. Every formation pattern on the arena lit up, spiritual light surging like a sea and forming a protective barrier over it. Golden light shot skyward in a magnificent spectacle!
At the arena's center, the light of the formation patterns gathered into a hovering sphere. It rotated slowly, spiritual light flickering within as though countless names were flowing through it.
The presiding elder declared, "First round-draw lots for the matchups!"
The sphere abruptly radiated dazzling brilliance. Two streams of spiritual light shot skyward and landed on opposite sides of the arena.
"Qin Yu-versus-Zhang Ling!"
An uproar instantly swept the grounds.
"Zhang Ling? He's a veteran outer disciple! He's cultivated for two whole years and reached the middle stage of the mortal fetus realm long ago!"
"Qin Yu only just joined the outer sect, and he's already facing a veteran disciple... isn't that too cruel?"
"Perhaps this is a test for his anomalous spiritual root?"
Discussion rose and fell as countless gazes turned toward Qin Yu and Zhang Ling.
On the arena stood the tall, imposing Zhang Ling, an iron spear in hand. His eyes were sharp, his face carrying disdain and a cold smile.
"Heh, a brat who only just joined? You dare stand before me? Don't think the reputation of your Spirit Root lets you throw your weight around in the arena."
Qin Yu did not answer. He merely gripped the Spirit Annihilation Sword with both hands, his eyes clear and resolute.
Mother... I have to win. Deacon Zhang, I'll prove you weren't wrong about me!
The presiding elder raised his hand, his voice like thunder:
"The match-begins!"
Zhang Ling stamped down, Spiritual Qi erupting as his iron spear turned into a silver snake, thrusting straight toward Qin Yu's chest with a howling gale.
A boom burst through the air. Spiritual Qi gathered at the spear tip into a streak of white light, its momentum so fierce it seemed capable of piercing rock!
Qin Yu's footing was steady as bedrock, his breathing calm. His gaze instantly locked onto the spear tip.
With a low shout, he abruptly raised the Spirit Annihilation Sword. Azure light flowed along its blade!
"Spirit Light Slash!"
Azure light erupted from the sword's edge and crashed into the white light at the spear tip! Spiritual light exploded across the arena, shock waves rolling outward like peals of thunder!
Zhang Ling's expression changed. He had never expected someone at initial entry into the mortal embryo realm to block his full-strength blow.
Meanwhile, Qin Yu was secretly gathering momentum-he had yet to use his true trump card.
On the arena, spear shadows fell like a torrential downpour. Zhang Ling moved like the wind, pouring Spiritual Qi into his iron spear as howling blasts rang out incessantly.
"Let's see how many thrusts you can block!" he roared. His spear attacks flowed without pause, making the air tremble, spiritual light dancing wildly like silver snakes.
Qin Yu gripped the Spirit Annihilation Sword. Though his footwork showed inexperience, he stood firm as mountain rock. Whenever a spear shadow closed in, he unleashed an azure slash. Sword edge and spear tip clashed, sending spiritual sparks flying amid ceaseless booms.
Light flared at the arena's center. Sword light and spear shadows collided fiercely, sending rings of Spiritual Qi rippling outward. The watching disciples cried out in astonishment.
"This kid... he's actually held his own against Zhang Ling this long?" "He only just joined the outer sect!"
Zhang Ling's expression darkened, his spear attacks growing fiercer. Spiritual Qi flooded the spear tip, like a great dragon roaring in fury. "Get off the stage!"
Qin Yu stepped back half a pace, but his gaze suddenly sharpened.
Spiritual Qi circulated within him. The presence in his Dantian gathered like converging rivers, rapidly compressing before surging along the cultivation method's route toward his Sword Heart acupoint.
The Spirit Annihilation Sword shuddered violently. Every spiritual pattern on its blade lit up, and the spiritual pearl in its hilt burst with dazzling brilliance!
The azure light at its edge abruptly condensed into a fine thread of light, so sharp that sizzling cracks rang through the air.
Qin Yu murmured, "Extinction Spirit Light Art-"
He gripped the Spirit Annihilation Sword in both hands. His youthful face now revealed unprecedented resolve and coldness.
"This is my sword-the strike that will win!"
With a furious shout, he abruptly stepped forward and slashed!
Blinding azure-white sword light erupted from the edge like a meteor cleaving the sky, instantly piercing the void and sweeping several zhang! The arena's formation patterns flickered under the impact, and the air exploded with terrifying force!
Zhang Ling's pupils contracted. Unable to dodge in time, he could only hastily raise his spear to block.
Boom!
The sword light struck the spear shaft and instantly exploded. Spiritual Qi swept out like a torrent, blasting Zhang Ling several zhang away. He crashed heavily onto the arena's edge, blood gushing from his chest!
The entire grounds fell silent.
As the dust dispersed, Qin Yu stood straight, the Spirit Annihilation Sword in hand. The lingering radiance along its edge slowly faded, as though it had never existed.
On the ground, Zhang Ling's face was filled with horror. His hands trembled, and he could not rise again.
That single sword strike had decided the match!
The dust over the arena gradually dispersed. Qin Yu still stood straight, his chest heaving, but the Spirit Annihilation Sword remained steady, pointed toward the ground as the radiance along its edge faded bit by bit.
Zhang Ling lay at the arena's edge, deathly pale. His hands clawed desperately at the ground, but he could no longer push himself up.
The presiding elder's gaze deepened. Sweeping his sleeve, he declared, "First-round match-Qin Yu wins!"
His voice echoed like thunder. The protective formation's light contracted with it, sending a sudden, thunderous tremor through the entire martial grounds!
The countless disciples in the spectator stands erupted, their cries surging like a tsunami.
"He... he won?!"
"A disciple who only just joined the outer sect actually defeated Zhang Ling with one sword strike!"
"What sword art was that? I've never seen it! It's terrifying!"
Cries of astonishment rose one after another, but everyone's eyes were fixed on that youthful yet upright figure at the arena's center.
Deacon Zhang Hao stood in the outer sect deacons' seating area. His usually stern face finally broke into a smile. His eyes blazed as he stared at Qin Yu, silently cheering:
Good! Qin Yu, you truly haven't disappointed me! With this step, you finally have a real foothold in the outer sect.
His hands unconsciously tightened, veins rising slightly beneath his sleeves as he struggled to suppress his excitement.
An anomalous spiritual root, extinction spirit light... you're bound to shake the entire Cloud-Leveling Hall!
Qin Yu slowly raised his head, his youthful face drenched in sweat, his eyes clear and resolute. His gaze swept over the spectator stands before finally settling on Zhang Hao, and he nodded lightly.
Zhang Hao answered with a steady look. In that instant, it conveyed more than a thousand words.
Below the arena, the disciples' whispers still stirred the crowd, but amid the clamor, Qin Yu had only one thought:
Mother, rest assured. I'll keep going.
After the presiding elder announced the result, the first round continued without pause. The arena lit up again, and new names emerged from the sphere of light.
"Lin Hao-versus-Zhou Lie!"
Two figures leaped onto the arena. Lin Hao was tall and thin, his longsword in hand, its light flowing like water. He clearly followed a light, swift approach. Zhou Lie wielded a massive axe, his muscles knotted, his Qi and Blood rolling like thunder.
"The match-begins!"
Sword light streamed like meteors, swift as lightning, while axe shadows descended like mountains, each swing carrying a violent gale. On the arena, wind-swift sword attacks faced heavy, powerful axe shadows. The clash of light and strength whipped Spiritual Qi into a raging tide!
Boom! With a tremendous crash, Lin Hao narrowly evaded the axe's frontal strike. His sword light slid across Zhou Lie's arm, leaving a bloody cut. Zhou Lie roared, his presence surging as he forcibly used Blood Qi to resist his injury. He swept his axe sideways, blasting Lin Hao several zhang back.
In the end, relying on speed and agility, Lin Hao seized an opening in Zhou Lie's defenses and brought his sword to his throat, deciding the match.
Immediately afterward, another fierce battle broke out on another arena.
"Chen Wan-versus-Zhao Qian!"
Chen Wan held a long whip, its shadows turning into roaming dragons. Spiritual Qi clung to it, and each lash produced a piercing whistle through the air. Spiritual light gathered in Zhao Qian's palms, his palm force surging like a tide. With each strike, even the formation patterns on the ground trembled.
Whip shadows and palm light intertwined across the arena, spiritual sparks flying as the watching disciples cried out repeatedly. Chen Wan's footwork was nimble, her whip shadows falling like raindrops, while Zhao Qian stood as steady as Mount Tai, each palm strike bringing a dull boom.
In the end, Chen Wan won through finesse. A feint lured Zhao Qian into exposing an opening, and her whip shadow abruptly coiled around him, Spiritual Qi instantly locking his throat. The presiding elder announced, "Chen Wan wins!"
The arenas shook one after another as matches unfolded in full, fiery swing.
Some disciples won through footwork, some subdued their opponents with method formulas, and others overwhelmed them with powerful Qi and Blood. Every match set the watching disciples' blood boiling.
Yet amid these dozens of battles, Qin Yu's single strike of extinction spirit light remained the most stunning sight. Even amid the bustle and clamor, many could not help recalling that flash of sword light slicing across the arena.
After several matches ended, the sphere lit up again. Two streams of spiritual light flew out and landed at opposite ends of the arena.
"Luo Chuan-versus-Han Yue!"
An uproar swept the grounds as the watching disciples began discussing:
"Han Yue is no pushover. He's made a bit of a name for himself in the outer sect. He's at the middle stage of the mortal fetus realm and specializes in Earth Spirit Body Protection. His defense is extremely strong."
"That's right. He fought a senior brother at the middle stage of the mortal fetus realm before and held out to the very end with his Earth Spirit Shield, turning defeat into victory."
"This match... will probably be a tough battle."
On the arena, Han Yue's expression was stern. He formed seals with both hands, and dense, earth-colored spiritual light appeared over his body like a layer of stone armor. Spiritual power surged beneath his feet, making the ground tremble thunderously.
"Luo Chuan, you may be among the outer sect's top ten, but I'm not afraid of you!" Han Yue shouted in a deep voice.
Luo Chuan wore long blue robes, his longsword drawn, his eyes cold. A mocking smile curled his lips. "Middle stage of the mortal fetus realm? Earth Spirit Body Protection? Hmph, nothing but a turtle shell."
The presiding elder gave the command: "The match-begins!"
Han Yue abruptly stamped down. Spiritual power surged beneath his feet, the formation patterns on the ground burst apart, and a thick wall of earth and stone instantly rose, rushing straight toward Luo Chuan!
Luo Chuan's expression remained cold. Spiritual light suddenly bloomed along his sword, sword shadows raging like a violent storm. With one downward slash, azure sword light cleaved through the earthen wall like thunder, scattering broken stones everywhere!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Earth Spirit Body Protection crumbled repeatedly, but Han Yue seized the chance to close in. Gathering earth spirit power in both palms, he struck fiercely toward Luo Chuan's chest!
"Earth Spirit Collapse!"
Spiritual Qi roared as a gigantic earth-colored palm pressed down like a mountain.
Luo Chuan snorted coldly and shifted his feet lightly. His figure turned into a blue blur, instantly appearing beside Han Yue. His sword light wheeled, slashing straight at Han Yue's protective spiritual barrier.
Crack!
A split opened in the Earth Spirit Shield. Han Yue grunted and hurriedly retreated, but Sword Qi still cut a bloody mark across his shoulder.
The watching disciples exclaimed, "Han Yue's defense is so strong, yet Luo Chuan actually broke his shield?!"
Luo Chuan's expression was sinister, his eyes locking onto Han Yue like a venomous snake. "Forcing me to use genuine sword intent is no small feat. But this ends here."
His longsword suddenly shuddered. Azure sword light surged, becoming a fierce Sword-Ray that shot straight toward Han Yue!
The sword light streaked like a meteor, carrying a shrill whistle as it tore through the air and slashed straight toward Han Yue's chest!
Han Yue drove his Earth Spirit Shield with all his strength, but it shattered thunderously under the sword light's impact. He was blasted off the arena and crashed heavily onto the ground, vomiting blood, his breathing faint.
The presiding elder immediately announced, "Luo Chuan wins!"
The entire grounds erupted again, the disciples crying out repeatedly.
"He's too strong! Even Han Yue's Earth Spirit Body Protection couldn't hold!"
"As expected of Luo Chuan, one of the outer sect's top ten. His sword intent is incomparably sharp!"
"Now, if Qin Yu faces him, I'm afraid the odds will be grim..."
Luo Chuan sheathed his sword and stood with an indifferent gaze, a smile curling his lips. Instead of looking toward the spectator stands, he looked straight at Qin Yu in the crowd, his eyes icy, as though issuing a silent challenge:
Qin Yu, you're next.
The dust over the arena had yet to fully settle, and Han Yue's blood still stained the ground. Luo Chuan stood with his sword sheathed, his gaze sharp as a blade as it coldly locked onto Qin Yu. That challenging curve of his lips carried contempt and confidence in certain victory.
The crowd's gazes turned toward Qin Yu at once, whispers rising one after another.
"Qin Yu may be impressive, but Luo Chuan's sword intent is far too sharp..."
"Exactly. Even Han Yue's defense was cleaved apart with one strike. Can he block it?"
"An anomalous spiritual root may defy the heavens, but he's only just joined."
The voices gathered into an invisible pressure, bearing down on Qin Yu layer by layer.
Yet Qin Yu did not waver. He simply stood calmly in place, his hand slowly settling on the Spirit Annihilation Sword's hilt. Its azure-silver blade trembled faintly, as though sensing its master's will.
Luo Chuan, I've accepted your challenge.
But I will never back down. Mother sent me to the Cloud-Leveling Hall to walk the path of the strong, not to be trampled underfoot.
He murmured these words in his heart, his youthful face revealing unprecedented determination.
Spiritual Qi raced through Qin Yu's meridians. The presence in his Dantian gradually condensed, forming an image of sharp sword light that resonated with the Spirit Annihilation Sword from afar.
Night fell, and the disciples dispersed. The martial grounds were empty and silent, moonlight spilling over Qin Yu.
He returned to his room alone. Without resting for even a moment, he immediately sat cross-legged, held the Spirit Annihilation Sword in both hands, and quietly contemplated the Extinction Spirit Light Art.
Spiritual Qi was drawn strand by strand toward the sword's edge. Azure light quietly kindled in the darkness, flickering bright and dim like a star about to erupt.
"Annihilation... spirit light..."
Qin Yu murmured, his gaze resolute, his youthful voice nonetheless like an oath.
Luo Chuan, you are as sharp as a blade, but with this strike, I will show you what annihilation means.
Stars twinkled outside the window. Inside the stone house, azure light abruptly blazed, like a streak of Sword-Ray cleaving the night sky.
That night, his sword intent and spirit light burned more fiercely than ever before.
Early the next morning, bells thundered once more, shaking the entire outer disciples' compound. The second round of the outer sect tournament officially began!
In the square, the arena's formation patterns lit up again. The orb formed from gathered spirit light floated in midair once more, slowly revolving, its spiritual radiance flowing like stars.
The presiding elder stood on the raised platform, his voice steady as thunder. "Second round, the drawing of lots-begin!"
In an instant, the orb erupted with dazzling light. Two streaks of spirit light shot straight into the heavens before descending on opposite sides of the arena.
The crowd held its breath, all eyes converging at once.
"Qin Yu-versus-Liu Feng!"
The entire crowd erupted in an instant.
"It's Qin Yu! He's taking the stage again!"
"Liu Feng? He's a veteran outer disciple at the middle stage of the Mortal Fetus Realm, and he specializes in the Fire Spirit Palm! Qin Yu's in danger this time."
"But... that sword strike Qin Yu used in the last match shook the whole crowd. Maybe he can work another miracle!"
The disciples' discussions went on without end, and the elders also raised their eyes one after another to watch the arena.
In the arena, Liu Feng wore a red robe, his hands burning with crimson flames. Firelight illuminated his face, and his eyes held confidence and arrogance. He swept a contemptuous glance over Qin Yu and snorted coldly. "New disciple, your good luck ends here."
Qin Yu slowly stepped into the arena, the azure-silver Spirit Annihilation Sword in hand. The blade trembled with a faint hum, its azure light falling over his youthful face, making his gaze seem all the more resolute.
He said little, merely nodding slightly. "Please instruct me."
Spirit light flashed in the presiding elder's hand. The formation patterns lit up in full, and a protective barrier enveloped the arena.
"Match-begin!"
Liu Feng abruptly clapped his palms together. Flames burst forth with a roar, transforming into two crimson fire dragons that hurtled straight toward Qin Yu, roaring! Firelight illuminated the entire arena, and waves of heat surged as though they would burn everything to ashes.
Qin Yu's gaze sharpened. Spiritual Qi circulated within him as he abruptly raised the Spirit Annihilation Sword, and azure light flared along its blade!
"Spirit Light Slash!"
Azure-white sword light swept outward and collided thunderously with the oncoming fire dragons. Flames exploded and azure light crisscrossed. For a moment, light and shadow intertwined at the center of the arena, the impact making the spiritual barrier shudder violently!
The entire crowd held its breath, eyes fixed on the clash between the two.
Could Qin Yu work another miracle?