When the sword is birthed, blood appears.

When the sword is birthed, blood appears.

Qin Wentian stood his ground, his gaze fixed upon the empty expanse of sky above. His elegant face betrayed a calm and indifferent expression, laced with a hint of a confident smile. There was an air of self-assuredness about him.

The brilliant rays of the sun played upon his handsome features, accentuating his charm. In this moment, he exuded an aura of extraordinary magnetism.

"What a handsome young man," remarked Mo Qingcheng's father, his gaze drawn to the youth's radiant countenance. "The Qin Clan truly has a rare gem in him—a youth who has surmounted trials and tribulations through sheer hard work and strength, standing now on the grandest stage of the Chu Country. I hope he can work a miracle."

The Mo Clan sent their heartfelt blessings to Qin Wentian.

"He will," Mo Qingcheng chimed in, sporting a gentle smile. At this very moment, Qin Wentian looked exceptionally dashing.

As the spectators observed Qin Wentian's unyielding smile, they couldn't help but exchange baffled glances. Did he truly not care about being ousted from the first battle, disappearing entirely from the Jun Lin Banquet's stage? Or was his self-confidence so unwavering that he believed he could defeat Jiang Xiu, one of the Royal Capital's ten prodigies?

Just then, a loud crash resonated from the first platform. Luo Qianqiu had dispatched his opponent with a single punch. However, since his adversary hadn't conceded voluntarily, he was sent hurtling backward with a deafening thunderclap. Every bone in his body shattered, and his meridians were obliterated. It was a pitiable sight.

This was the quickest battle yet. Luo Qianqiu had spared his opponent's life but exhibited dominance that seemed to declare, "This Jun Lin Banquet is my stage this year."

Simultaneously, on the ninth platform, a torrent of energy surged from Jiang Xiu's body, and frenetic Sword Qi howled as an astral sword took shape in his grasp.

On the Jun Lin Banquet stage, the use of Divine Weapons was strictly prohibited to ensure fairness.

The sword's tempestuous gusts rattled the very void as Jiang Xiu's Sword-type Astral Soul emerged. In that moment, his sword intent surged exponentially, becoming markedly more ferocious.

A piercing noise reverberated, and the crowd, even from a distance, could sense the relentless Sword Qi and the overwhelming aura of Jiang Xiu. Their hearts trembled slightly.

Although Jiang Xiu had yet to engage in combat, he had already unleashed his full potential, sparing no effort. This act underscored his confidence and delivered an unequivocal message to Qin Wentian: in Jiang Xiu's eyes, Qin Wentian's talent was nothing more than trash.

Jiang Xiu was determined to unleash his utmost strength, to obliterate Qin Wentian completely. He was one of the Royal Capital's ten prodigies, and he sought to avenge the humiliation he had suffered at the Emperor Star Academy.

"You now have a choice," Jiang Xiu sneered, his tone dripping with scorn. "Either you remove yourself from this stage that doesn't belong to the likes of you, or I'll do it for you."

Qin Wentian's circular arterial pathways surged with Astral Energy within his body, and his aura skyrocketed in response to Jiang Xiu's challenge.

"After today, Jiang Xiu will be erased from the list of ten prodigies," Qin Wentian declared, his voice steady and brimming with unshakable confidence.

The crowd was taken aback by this unexpected show of self-assurance. No one had anticipated that Qin Wentian would boldly proclaim his triumph while facing off against one of the Royal Capital's ten prodigies.

In the Emperor Star Academy's section, Mustang wore a proud smile as he sensed the extraordinary aura emanating from Qin Wentian. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He had never directly mentored Qin Wentian, who had already developed his cultivation techniques and mastered innate techniques independently.

Mustang's mixed emotions stemmed from his realization that he couldn't adequately guide a talent like Qin Wentian, though he was undeniably proud of his disciple. This young man had been recruited from Sky Harmony City, and today, he seemed poised to make a name for himself throughout Chu Country.

Was this the day when Qin Wentian would introduce himself to the entire nation?

Though Mustang looked forward to it, he also felt a knot of anxiety. Could Qin Wentian truly defeat Jiang Xiu?

The spectators couldn't help but sense the abnormality of Qin Wentian's aura. He had reportedly entered the Emperor Star Academy with only a Body Refinement Realm cultivation level. Remarkably, within a year, he had ascended to the 7th level of Arterial Circulation. His accomplishments in Divine Inscriptions were equally impressive, and even if he didn't perform extraordinarily well in the Jun Lin Banquet, no one would doubt his capabilities.

He was already an exceptional talent.

This unexpected revelation of Qin Wentian's progress also weighed on the minds of Ye Zhan, Liu Yan, Bai Qingsong, and Autumn Snow. In the past, Ye Zhan had sought Qin Wentian's life, but their positions had shifted significantly. Bai Qingsong and Autumn Snow, too, were aware that just a year ago, Qin Wentian hadn't even reached the Body Refinement Realm.

Qin Wentian had only just embarked on his cultivation journey.

The other battles concluded swiftly, yet none could draw attention on the scale of the showdown transpiring on the ninth platform. The stage was set, not only due to the contestants' fame but also because of Jiang Xiu's arrogance and Qin Wentian's unwavering confidence.

Amidst the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jiang Xiu's body sprang into action. In a heartbeat, his sword, cold as ice, brought him right before Qin Wentian. With a subtle flourish, his sword transformed into a cascade of meteors, illuminating the sky with its dazzling radiance.

"Look at that, Meteor Shower—Jiang Xiu's Starpoint swordplay has reached an astonishing level. With a single stroke, he has blocked all escape routes for Qin Wentian, entrapping him within this space. It's no wonder he's one of the Royal Capital's ten prodigies," the spectators whispered, admiring the Astral Light points radiating from Jiang Xiu's swordplay.

Indeed, the ten prodigies had earned their renown, proving their mettle time and again.

Yet, Qin Wentian remained unperturbed. He stood there, seemingly unfazed by the life-threatening swordlight before him. His countenance remained as tranquil as ever, and to the surprise of many, there was no Astral Light weapon materializing in his hand. This scene left the onlookers baffled—was this confidence or sheer arrogance?

Jiang Xiu's eyes flashed with a trace of murderous intent. If Qin Wentian was intent on his own demise, he would gladly oblige.

Even if the Emperor Star Academy intended to protect Qin Wentian, they couldn't voice any objections if he met his end during the Jun Lin Banquet.

The swordlight permeated the air, carrying an ominous aura. The rays of swordlight pierced through the atmosphere towards Qin Wentian. Jiang Xiu had evidently unleashed an intent to kill.

At that moment, Qin Wentian's senses were at their peak. A remarkable energy filled the air—a manifestation of his Dream Presence.

Sword-type Astral Souls could render Astral Energy as sharp as blades, Lightning-type Astral Souls could imbue it with the explosive power of thunder and lightning, while Dream-type Astral Souls inherently contained dream-like wills.

Jiang Xiu felt as if he were in a dream. His sword attacks seemed almost illusory.

However, for Qin Wentian, this was his realm. With his Dream Presence manifested, he held dominion over his surroundings, sensing everything with heightened clarity. He also had perfect awareness of the meteor shower of attacks looming overhead.

Each sword strike within the meteor shower appeared bone-chillingly cold and capable of claiming lives. Yet, Qin Wentian's senses were so acute that he seemed to anticipate the trajectory and intricacies of every sword thrust. At last, he moved.

Qin Wentian blurred into motion, transforming into an ethereal mist, every step precise and purposeful. Remarkably, he navigated through the meteor shower of Jiang Xiu without a single sword touching him.

It was as though his body was impervious to their lethal intent.

As his spirit moved, his body flowed in perfect unison.

"The Nine Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique, skill level: Divine," an Emperor Star Academy elder gasped. This surpassed the 'Perfect' stage, an astonishing achievement.

"It appears his comprehension of innate techniques has been overshadowed by his talents in other areas," the crowd speculated silently. This technique was an unconventional choice for cultivation, yet Qin Wentian had mastered it to its divine pinnacle at the Arterial Circulation level.

The meteor shower, which had sealed the entire space, proved wholly ineffective, unable to touch Qin Wentian's body.

Upon reaching the 'Divine Level,' his movements were flawless. He, without exaggeration, boasted the most unparalleled movement technique at the Jun Lin Banquet, unrivaled by any other.

Jiang Xiu's expression shifted, and a flash of realization washed over him. Adjusting his strategy, he continued to unleash his surging sword intent.

But in the blink of an eye, Qin Wentian's body surged into action once more. He stamped the ground, causing Astral Energy to course through his meridians and infuse into his legs. His body materialized instantly in front of Jiang Xiu, moving at such an alarming speed that Jiang Xiu couldn't believe his eyes.

In that split second, Jiang Xiu made a swift and calculated decision — he threw his sword aside.

His sword converted into starlight and vanished. Simultaneously, his right palm slashed out, its sharpness rivaling that of a real sword. A direct hit on Qin Wentian's body would undoubtedly cleave him in two.

"The Slashing Sword Technique, while not particularly extraordinary, was executed with impeccable timing. Jiang Xiu's ability to adapt swiftly in battle is truly impressive," the onlookers marveled. These spectators had witnessed countless battles and were familiar with many conventional innate techniques.

Buzz! The pent-up Falling Mountain Palms stored by Qin Wentian burst forth. The sword primarily focused on sharpness and was suitable for combat at a certain range. In such close-quarters combat, the explosive power of the Falling Mountain Palms proved immensely formidable.

In an instant, it felt as if an entire mountain peak was crashing down upon Jiang Xiu, effortlessly dismantling the sharp sword intent of his sword palms.

Qin Wentian's Falling Mountain Palms wielded such terrifying force that the pressure alone left Jiang Xiu gasping for breath. How could someone at the 7th level of Arterial Circulation exhibit such immense power?

It pressed down upon everything, obliterating all in its path. Jiang Xiu felt as though he was trapped in a nightmare.

Quickly, Jiang Xiu retreated, gathering his formidable strength. In the next breath, an abundance of swordlights converged, coalescing into the form of a colossal sword that thrust toward the mountain peak created by the Falling Mountain Palms.

A resounding boom echoed as the greatsword's strike met the descending Falling Mountain Palm. The greatsword's manifestation became lodged within, but Jiang Xiu couldn't completely shatter it. This slight delay was enough to decide the victor.

Qin Wentian's palms swung, and in an instant, it seemed as though a flash of swordlight streaked through the air, accompanied by a crimson gleam.

"The sword carried murderous intent; I shall sever the arm that wielded it."

With these words, Qin Wentian's ruthless blow severed Jiang Xiu's arm, causing him to wail in agony. His body staggered backward, clutching his severed right arm, which bled profusely onto the stage. His severed limb lay motionless on the ground.

Silence enveloped the arena.

"The sword carried murderous intent; I shall sever the arm that wielded it."

After this day, the name Jiang Xiu vanished completely from the ranks of the ten prodigies.

However, a question lingered in everyone's mind: How had Qin Wentian managed to manifest that swordlight when he wasn't even proficient in swordplay?