Contest over Control of Sword Range

Contest over Control of Sword Range...

Amidst the boundless expanse, where sword qi swept across the void, Qin Wentian's gaze remained riveted on the Zong Clan's elder, a palpable battle intent radiating from him.

This young man had effortlessly crippled Zong Peng, a cultivator at the same level as himself, and now he stood ready to challenge an elder.

The elder locked eyes with Qin Wentian, his voice dripping with cold resolve. "Very well, I'm eager to witness your capabilities."

As the sound of his voice faded, a formidable Astral Nova materialized, hovering above him. This Nova exuded an aura of dread, housing countless thin, razor-sharp sword threads that twirled around it, each thread capable of cutting down opponents.

The speed at which these threads moved was astonishing, akin to beams of light darting through space, illuminating the area with an intense sword-like radiance.

With a step forward, the elder unleashed the full force of the sword threads, sending them hurtling toward Qin Wentian. It appeared as if he could vanquish Qin Wentian with but a thought.

Lacerating sounds reverberated within Qin Wentian's body. In an instant, the resounding keening of a sword echoed through the void as a dazzling manifestation of a majestic sword materialized above his head.

At that very moment, the brilliance emanating from the sword surpassed all comparison. A single glance revealed its status as the pinnacle of supreme swords. Its form seemed to have been crafted from countless iterations of condensed sword essence—a spectacle previously unfelt by any spectator.

Moreover, this sword exuded an aura of exalted sovereignty, as if it were the monarch of all blades, emanating a force that threatened to obliterate any competing sword.

"Is this his Astral Nova? How can it possess such formidable might?"

The onlookers shuddered, finding the elder's Astral Nova eclipsed by this astonishing display. What's more, it seemed as if the elder's Nova was faintly suppressed by Qin Wentian's.

Qin Wentian's gaze bore into the elder's, his expression devoid of emotion. Tremors coursed through the elder's Astral Nova, which began to emit a subtle hum.

This spectacle drained all color from the elder's face. With a sweeping gesture, the myriad sword threads coalesced into an intense beam of swordlight, hurtling toward Qin Wentian with the intent to engulf him.

Qin Wentian's countenance hardened. He extended his hand and flicked his finger, causing his Astral Nova to dart through the air, producing an eerie chorus of sword wails that resembled the unhinged cries of demonic beasts.

A radiant burst filled the space, forming a luminous barrier. Astonishingly, the sword beam, crafted from countless threads, was blocked and forcibly suppressed by Qin Wentian's Astral Nova, rendering it motionless.

"I truly want to gauge your strength," Qin Wentian remarked coldly. Within his body, surges of demonic energy churned, materializing his third Astral Nova.

This Nova mirrored his Astral Soul's form, bearing the likeness of a towering, primordial demon. A profound, oppressive demonic aura engulfed the surroundings, causing even the space itself to tremble from its dominance.

"What an overwhelming demonic aura!"

The onlookers were awestruck. Despite Qin Wentian's recent entry into the Heavenly Dipper Realm, both of his Astral Novas exuded such supremacy that spectators felt profoundly overawed, as if their own Astral Novas could be shattered by them.

"Go," Qin Wentian ordered, his finger pointing once more. The fearsome demonic Astral Nova roared like a dragon, shaking the atmosphere with its tyrannical presence, adding to the suppression already exerted by the kingly sword. The vibrations coursing through the elder's Astral Nova intensified, hinting at its impending fragmentation.

At this moment, the elder comprehended why Zong Peng's Astral Nova shattered before Qin Wentian even unsheathed his sword. This was a testament to the Astral Nova's quality—Qin Wentian's was a grade higher than the rest.

In the surrounding crowd, numerous disciples watched this battle unfold. The elder had earlier expressed his desire to kill Qin Wentian and rid the Zong Clan of its disgrace. He now found himself in a perilous situation, compelled to secure victory to maintain the elders' prestige.

A sinister gleam flashed in his eyes, as the elder consecutively summoned his Astral Novas, their potency enhanced by the will of his Mandates. The two of them teetered on the brink of an earth-shattering showdown.

"PRESUMPTUOUS!"

A thunderous roar erupted, sending shockwaves coursing through the spectators. Blood and qi surged within their bodies, and for some of the weaker onlookers, it was almost as if their consciousness wavered.

The palpable battle intent emanating from both Qin Wentian and the elder abruptly dissipated, swallowed by the sheer force of this commanding shout.

"Clan lord."

"You needn't explain further; I've grasped the entire situation." Zong Yi's voice carried the weight of authority. He continued, "Zong Peng manipulated Zong Hong into approaching the Sword Son for guidance. Qin Wentian didn't intentionally cause trouble for him, but Zong Hong smeared the Sword Son's reputation intentionally. And you, as an elder, without consulting me, intended to strip him of his title? I showed restraint, respecting your status, but you seem to have no grasp of the gravity of your actions, thinking you could clean our clan of its garbage. For whom were you purging this garbage?"

Zong Yi, usually warm and amiable in his interactions, was now genuinely furious. A profound silence blanketed the surroundings as all present were cowed by the clan lord's presence.

Though the elder harbored resentment, he kept his silence and lowered his head. Zong Yi's standing within the clan was far above his own; moreover, the Doyens were still above him.

"Zong Peng went astray, forcing Qin Wen to intervene. Furthermore, moving forward, when the Sword Son Qin Wen takes action, no one shall question or investigate his motives," Zong Yi declared icily. He then turned his gaze to Zong Hong. "Zong Hong, I know your character isn't inherently bad, but your resolve is too feeble. That's why others easily manipulate you. I hereby strip you of your title as a Sword Son nominee. Enter seclusion and reflect on your actions."

"Yes, clan lord," Zong Hong acquiesced, bowing to Zong Yi. Witnessing Qin Wentian's formidable display earlier had shaken him deeply. He realized that Qin Wentian had never bothered to retaliate, despite his numerous provocations and challenges. With such power, and considering Qin Wentian's character, he could have effortlessly dispatched Zong Hong with a casual palm strike.

"This matter ends today. No one is to pursue it further. Prepare yourselves; the battle for control of the sword range will begin in five days. I hope you all aren't merely good for petty squabbles," Zong Yi concluded, flicking his sleeves before departing. He hadn't uttered a single word to Qin Wentian throughout the entire ordeal, but it was clear to everyone that Clan Lord Zong Yi placed immense trust in Qin Wentian and was blatantly favoring him.

In all honesty, Qin Wentian's display of power had indeed left a lasting impression on everyone. The fact that he had the audacity to confront an elder was mind-boggling. The spectators couldn't help but entertain the notion that if Qin Wentian were to participate in the upcoming sword range battle, perhaps the Zong Clan had a fighting chance.

For the disciples of this generation, both the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Li Clan were formidable adversaries, while the Zong Clan's disciples hadn't shown themselves to be particularly outstanding. Despite their attempts to bolster their spirits, deep down, they knew their chances in the sword range battle were slim. The Heavenly Sword Sect was widely expected to emerge victorious.

Yet, now, a glimmer of hope had emerged.

Qin Wentian effortlessly withdrew his Astral Novas into his Yuanfu and shot a final glance at the elder before departing. This incident didn't rattle him in the slightest.

"You should consider yourself fortunate," the elder grumbled with a grimace as he too reabsorbed his Astral Nova. He couldn't help but utter those words, suggesting that without the clan lord's intervention, Qin Wentian would surely have met his end.

Qin Wentian paid no heed to the elder, walking away without a second thought. The elder's words were likely a feeble attempt to save face, but in a real battle, Qin Wentian wouldn't have been at a disadvantage. The spectators couldn't help but wonder who would have emerged victorious if the clan lord hadn't intervened in their duel.

Qin Wentian's Astral Nova was truly fearsome, but the elder held an advantage in terms of cultivation level. If they had genuinely clashed, the outcome would have remained uncertain. Although the elder had a slightly higher probability of winning due to his two-level advantage in cultivation, it would forever remain an unanswered question.

"Qin Wen is incredibly formidable," remarked Zong Leng, the young girl, as she gazed at Qin Wentian's retreating figure, awe and admiration evident in her eyes. The recent battle had truly astounded her.

The clan lord's judgment had proven to be impeccable. There was no doubt that Qin Wentian was a worthy choice for the role of Sword Son.

This incident sent shockwaves throughout the Zong Clan. Zong Peng's family held a deep-seated grudge against Qin Wentian, but the clan lord's decree prevented them from taking any action. However, for the younger generation who had witnessed the battle, they had long forgotten about Zong Hong's smear campaign against Qin Wentian. Instead, they were captivated by Qin Wentian's awe-inspiring display in battle. His overwhelming strength and effortless victory were etched into their memories.

To cripple Zong Peng without even unsheathing his sword, to fearlessly confront an elder – such a character was undeniably extraordinary.

Indeed, admiration for Qin Wentian blossomed among the younger generation. They found themselves frequently gravitating to his residence, seeking his guidance. Qin Wentian graciously welcomed all of them, patiently explaining the intricacies of cultivation. His teachings left a profound impact on the young disciples. They returned to inform their seniors and elders, and before long, Qin Wentian's popularity and reputation among the Zong Clan's youth soared to unparalleled heights.

Qin Wentian likely hadn't anticipated this development either.

In the blink of an eye, five days elapsed. Today, a multitude of figures gathered in the Zong Clan's training field. Atop a towering platform, Clan Lord Zong Yi gazed down at the assembled disciples.

"The outcome of the sword range battle will determine control over it for the next decade. Let us hope that this time, the Zong Clan emerges victorious," Zong Yi declared. With a casual wave, an ancient sword materialized beneath his feet, serving as his platform.

"For those who wish to spectate, you may join us. Let's go," Zong Yi added, and in the next moment, the sword beneath his feet soared into the skies, heading towards the sword range.

One by one, the members of the Zong Clan took to their swords, filling the air with sword qi as they ascended into the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Leading the way was none other than Zong Yi, accompanied by the Doyens of the Zong Clan. Following closely behind were the elders, with Qin Wentian at the forefront, guiding the group of disciples.

Qin Wentian stood proudly on his ancient sword, his arms crossed over his chest, projecting an aura of calm confidence. Numerous eyes were fixed on him, for the responsibility of winning the battle rested heavily on the shoulders of the Sword Son.

As the Zong Clan departed en masse, soaring beyond the confines of Sword Reverence City, a formidable sword energy emanated from another direction. A rival group emerged, clashing with them in a silent battle of sword intent suspended in mid-air.

This was one of Sword Reverence City's three major powers—the Li Clan. They had arrived to compete.

Leading the younger generation of the Li Clan was none other than Li Ran, their representative in the Heavenly Dipper battle. The members behind him cast disdainful glances at the Zong Clan, brimming with provocation and arrogance.