325-326

Chapter 325: A Proposal? Guiding Lin Qingying (Two-in-One)

The Sword Saint's arrival at the Hundred Battles Arena sent the atmosphere soaring to its peak.

A million outer sect disciples were filled with fervent excitement. Given their status, it was incredibly rare for them to even glimpse the supreme figure of the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary, with occasional opportunities to listen to the Saint's teachings.

Numerous inner sect prodigies also watched with solemn expressions, their eyes gleaming with anticipation and excitement. If they could showcase their talents and gain the Sword Saint's favor, there was a chance they might receive his guidance.

However, the most dazzling figure at that moment was a Saintess standing before the Sword Saint.

Bian Ruxue.

As the youngest Saintess, she had attracted much attention since her arrival at the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary. Now, standing obediently before the Sword Saint, her exquisitely beautiful face held a hint of composure and vivacity, prompting envy and admiration from countless onlookers.

To be able to directly apprentice under the Sword Saint, among all the Saint Sons and Saintesses, her background was undoubtedly top-tier!

At this moment, with the rules announced and the selection of the top hundred commencing, three sets of combatants were soon chosen to initiate the first round.

Two of the matches pitted inner sect prodigies against each other, while the other featured an inner sect prodigy facing a Saint Son.

This Saint Son was none other than the Unmarked Saint Son, whom Li Hao recognized.

During their previous encounter at the Sword Cliff while fishing, Li Hao and Qiu Wuhen had exchanged a few pleasantries, but their acquaintance was superficial.

Li Hao knew that Qiu Wuhen was using the opportunity to fish and gain insights into sword intent, and his strength was formidable.

Now, as the Saint Son ascended the stage, most eyes were drawn to him.

After twenty consecutive days of battles, the Saint Sons and Saintesses had yet to participate. This was the first time they could witness the Saint Sons' prowess.

The inner sect prodigy facing Qiu Wuhen was a successful challenger in the previous defense battles, named Luo Cheng, whose reputation was incredibly prominent among the inner sect disciples.

As the arena formation solidified, the battle erupted in an instant.

Compared to Qiu Wuhen's composure, Luo Cheng's eyes were filled with arrogance. However, he didn't underestimate his opponent. He immediately mobilized the power of heaven and earth, simultaneously unleashing an extreme realm he hadn't previously revealed!

"It's the Divine Power Extreme Realm! And that vortex... it's a Heavenly Vein!"

The million outer sect disciples in the audience gasped in astonishment. The Extreme Realms were the aspiration of every outer sect disciple.

After accumulating power in his physical strength and Heavenly Vein, Luo Cheng unleashed a sudden burst of energy, his body seemingly teleporting and vanishing!

The Netherworld Extreme Realm!

This sight caused the six Half-Saints watching from the sidelines to narrow their eyes.

Mastering the Netherworld Extreme Realm guaranteed a considerable degree of survivability. For now, few beneath the Half-Saint realm possessed the means to perceive the movements of someone using the Netherworld Extreme Realm!

From this point forward, it was a test of strategy and prediction.

Pfft!

In the instant Luo Cheng reappeared using the Netherworld teleportation, he materialized beside Qiu Wuhen, not behind him. He unleashed a sudden, fierce sword strike, tearing through Qiu Wuhen's shoulder. This was only possible because Qiu Wuhen reacted swiftly and dodged; otherwise, half his body would have been gone!

The initial clash resulted in the Saint Son being injured, causing a collective gasp from the million disciples in the audience.

Luo Cheng, after a brief pause, vanished once more with another Netherworld teleportation. When he reappeared, it was in front of Qiu Wuhen, delivering another incredibly fierce and sharp sword strike.

The sword light aimed directly at Qiu Wuhen's head. Qiu Wuhen reacted with incredible speed, slightly tilting his head at the moment of impact, causing the sword light to only graze his cheek.

Luo Cheng's face darkened. His third Netherworld teleportation brought him to Qiu Wuhen's zenith, each attack angle incredibly cunning.

This sword strike seemed poised to shatter the earth, but surprisingly, Qiu Wuhen dodged it with a slight shift of his body.

Luo Cheng's eyes widened in surprise.

His body abruptly retreated, creating distance.

On the sidelines, Li Hao observed the intricate sword intent converging within the arena, shaking his head slightly. He knew that Luo Cheng was on the verge of defeat unless he had other tricks up his sleeve.

"This child, Wuhen, his sword intent has reached its peak!"

"The Thousand-Stranded Sword. Luo Cheng doesn't realize he's already entangled by the sword intent."

"He's actually using this sword intent to barely capture the movements of the Netherworld teleportation. From now on, the other Saint Sons will have to be wary when fighting him!"

The Half-Saints, including Yaozu, were also observing this battle, their eyes filled with a mixture of solemnity and contemplation.

To be able to faintly capture an Extreme Realm with sword intent alone was terrifying.

At this moment, the million outer sect disciples outside the arena were roaring Luo Cheng's name.

To suppress a Saint Son like this was incredibly impressive.

Whoosh!

Luo Cheng's fourth Netherworld teleportation appeared, again targeting Qiu Wuhen's front.

But as his figure materialized, Qiu Wuhen suddenly drew his sword. The un-sheathed, rust-covered Broken Wind Sword at his waist suddenly flashed, the rust vibrating, and with a bang, it pierced straight through Luo Cheng's body.

With one strike, he impaled him on the blade!

The cheers from the audience were abruptly cut short, like a strangled cry. Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.

The previously dominant Luo Cheng was suddenly strung up like a puppet!

"You..."

Luo Cheng, sensing the faint thread-like marks on his body, immediately recalled his opponent's reputation, and his face involuntarily twisted in displeasure.

Qiu Wuhen's arm trembled as he retracted his sword, his eyes still as calm as when he first stepped onto the stage, devoid of any fluctuation.

Luo Cheng knew that his opponent had shown mercy. Otherwise, with the continuous attacks following the initial strike, he wouldn't have been able to withstand them.

"I've lost."

Luo Cheng lowered his head, his expression tinged with frustration. Was this the strength of a Saint Son?

What made him feel even more stifled was that his opponent hadn't even unleashed an Extreme Realm, defeating him solely with sword intent!

As the outcome was decided, the million outer sect disciples gradually regained their composure, their faces filled with astonishment.

At this moment, some realized that Qiu Wuhen hadn't used any Extreme Realm, he hadn't truly exerted his full strength!

"Too strong! Is this the power of a Saint Son?"

"Defeating an Extreme Realm user with normal strength? That's too exaggerated! I didn't even understand what happened!"

"I sensed something was wrong earlier. Saint Son Wuhen didn't use the Netherworld to dodge, he probably didn't intend to reveal it."

"If Saint Son Wuhen is so strong, why didn't he use the Netherworld to instantly dodge and then attack? Getting injured like that earlier was so embarrassing."

"Embarrassing? What's embarrassing about being injured? Didn't you see that Saint Son Wuhen's injuries have already healed?"

"But winning like that isn't very elegant. He clearly had the chance to win without getting hurt."

"Elegance can't put food on the table! You think being a Saint Son is all about showing off and wasting energy? Saint Sons are all battle-hardened and experienced. To win, they'll use any means necessary. Winning is elegance!"

The audience buzzed with discussion, all feeling the terrifying power of the Saint Son in this battle.

Qiu Wuhen turned and left the stage. The dozen or so other Saint Sons and Saintesses also wore solemn expressions.

Only a few remained composed and unmoved.

Lin Qingying's eyes flickered, a hint of contemplation crossing her face. Qiu Wuhen's sword intent was somewhat similar to her Ultimate Softness Sword Intent, but with significant differences. If they were to clash, she wasn't sure if she could emerge victorious.

In this battle, Qiu Wuhen merely displayed his swordsmanship, yet it instilled a sense of oppression in many.

As the battle stage cleared, new duels quickly commenced.

After several consecutive battles, another Saint Son was selected to fight an inner sect prodigy.

However, this inner sect disciple didn't possess the Netherworld Extreme Realm. Still, he possessed the Divine Power, Heavenly Vein, and Spirit Extreme Realms. After unleashing all three, the Saint Son simply used the Netherworld teleportation to easily defeat him with a single sword strike.

The ease of this victory made many realize that in the face of the Netherworld Extreme Realm, other Extreme Realms seemed rather weak.

After all, there was no way to track its movements, it was invisible and intangible, leaving opponents to passively take hits. If they wanted to counterattack, they couldn't even catch up, making it incredibly difficult to deal with.

Li Hao watched these battles, comparing them to the six Dao Realm beings he had slain in the Great Yu Imperial Palace. One of them had also mastered the Netherworld Extreme Realm, and based on his assessment, he should have been among the top inner sect prodigies.

At that time, Li Hao was still at the Taiping Dao Realm, and it had taken him immense effort, ultimately relying on the Heavenly Venerable's will to defeat him. Now, he wouldn't need to go through such trouble.

The intense battles continued. After more than twenty matches, the Saint Sons and Saintesses had all taken to the stage, but without exception, they all won their battles.

Some won with ease in a single move, while others encountered challenging top inner sect prodigies who had mastered the Netherworld Extreme Realm, requiring considerable effort to win, which was considered somewhat awkward.

Soon, Lin Qingying also made her move. Her luck seemed to be rather poor, as her opponent was a Saint Son!

After nearly half the matches, a clash between a Saint Son and a Saintess occurred for the first time. This match, drawn by lot, instantly ignited the atmosphere in the arena.

In the previous battles, they hadn't really seen any Saint Sons or Saintesses pushed to their limits. Now, with this dragon and phoenix clash, there was a clear possibility of witnessing it.

All the disciples were incredibly curious about the limits of these top prodigies within the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary, wondering just how far they could push themselves.

Lin Qingying frowned slightly, surprised that she had to use her full strength so soon.

Premature exposure could make it easier for others to probe her abilities, which would be detrimental to future battles. But at this point, there was nothing she could do.

"Oh no, why is Qingying so unlucky?"

"Qingying must win!"

Beside Li Hao, Lin Shanhai and the other alchemists were so angry they were slapping their thighs. To draw a Saint Son in the points battle was simply too unlucky!

At this moment, Lin Qingying and the Saint Son she drew, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son, both descended onto the battle stage.

They exchanged a brief glance, both aware of the other's situation. The Dragon Slayer Saint Son sighed with a hint of regret:

"I didn't expect to face you so soon. Well, before my battle with Bright Moon, I'll warm up a bit first."

As soon as he said this, the audience erupted in gasps, some shocked that he dared to speak so boldly to a Saintess. This Dragon Slayer Saint Son was incredibly arrogant.

Lin Qingying remained expressionless, not responding, but slowly drew the sword in her hand, holding it calmly.

As the formation sealed them in, the battle began.

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son's eyes were cold as he drew his sword. He didn't charge, but walked step by step towards Lin Qingying.

This posture resembled a mortal preparing for a fight, but the disciples in the audience knew that even a single feather falling on the stage would instantly trigger a thunderous explosion.

Lin Qingying and the Dragon Slayer Saint Son were both building up their momentum. When the Dragon Slayer Saint Son entered a ten-zhang radius, Lin Qingying's eyes narrowed.

At the same time, the instant her eyes narrowed, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's body suddenly vanished with a Netherworld teleportation!

Bang!

Suddenly, a dragon-like roar echoed through the air. The Dragon Slayer Saint Son's crimson-gold divine sword erupted with a deafening roar, appearing above Lin Qingying's head, and he struck down with a fierce sword slash!

In the next second after the Dragon Slayer Saint Son vanished, Lin Qingying also vanished with a teleportation. Thus, when the Dragon Slayer Saint Son appeared, Lin Qingying's body was gone, reappearing behind him. The green sword in her hand swung gently, like a fluttering cloud sleeve.

But the energy of the surrounding heaven and earth instantly transformed into sword light, piercing outwards fiercely.

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son turned abruptly, swinging his sword light, seemingly anticipating Lin Qingying's teleportation location.

The crimson-gold sword light collided, but it didn't produce the expected violent shock. The crimson-gold sword light felt like it was slashing through cotton, as if sinking into it. Then, Lin Qingying's entire body erupted with golden divine power, her arm strength exploding.

But the power she unleashed was like golden, radiant clouds, soft and diffuse, turning into firefly-like lights that enveloped the Dragon Slayer Saint Son.

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son's face changed slightly. He vanished with a Netherworld teleportation, reappearing behind Lin Qingying.

But this time, Lin Qingying didn't choose the Netherworld. Instead, she turned gently, and at the moment the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's sword light pierced towards her, her turn seemed intentional and unintentional, causing the sword to pass through her arm and waist. Her sword light, however, was like golden flames, blowing across his face.

Pfft several times, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's face seemed to be slashed, instantly burning several holes, blood flowing freely.

"Damn it!"

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son was somewhat furious, his eyes suddenly shooting out domineering cold light. His sword path was inherently imbued with an imperial aura, honed by slaying dragons to accumulate sword intent. Now, it exuded a sword-path intimidation, like a majestic divine emperor standing in the arena.

This intimidation, even with the formation barrier, was felt by the disciples in the audience, who felt a sense of awe, wanting to kneel and worship.

Lin Qingying's eyes flickered, also affected, but her Ultimate Softness Sword Path was silent and gentle. This intimidation, when applied to her, pierced through her body, as if it couldn't be selected.

Whoosh!

Her sword intent was like water, swiftly gliding, seemingly soft and gentle, yet it directly pierced through the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's fierce, downward-striking sword, tearing another wound in his waist.

"Ultimate Softness Sword Path, soft sword like water, truly troublesome."

On another Saint platform, the dozen or so Saint Sons and Saintesses were also watching this battle, all recognizing that Lin Qingying's sword intent had been cultivated to near perfection.

In contrast, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son, while his imperial aura was strong, was being countered by Lin Qingying's Ultimate Softness, a clear disadvantage.

Bang!

Suddenly, a majestic Dharma Image slowly emerged on the battle stage, a clear replica of the Dragon Slayer Saint Son, but clad in a white-gold robe, wielding a giant sword, like a divine emperor.

Its aura was imposing, causing the clouds on the mountaintop to ripple.

"Heavenly Dharma Image, it's the Saintly Ascension Extreme Realm!"

Many disciples exclaimed in surprise. The Heavenly Dharma Image was the third Extreme Realm, but it was also known as the Saintly Ascension Extreme Realm because reaching this realm was a prerequisite for becoming a Saint!

Being able to condense the third Extreme Realm was sufficient proof that from the very beginning of their cultivation journey, they were exceptional prodigies, with minds capable of encompassing heaven and earth, overlooking the universe.

As the Dharma Image manifested, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's eyes flashed with furious killing intent. He had originally intended to reserve these techniques for his battle with Bright Moon, but now he had to use them prematurely.

"Sword Emperor Infinite, Heaven and Earth Boundless Sword!!"

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son roared, merging with his Dharma Image. At the same time, he raised his divine sword, his Dao Domain expanding, revealing a 21-layered Dao Domain!

With layer upon layer, the sword energy within the Dao Domain crisscrossed. As the sword fell, the entire battle stage was filled with sword energy.

If this were an open field, the Netherworld Extreme Realm could be used to escape, but on this battle stage, even with the Netherworld teleportation, it was impossible to linger within for long. One would inevitably have to reappear, and reappearing would mean facing this indiscriminate attack!

It was precisely because of the Netherworld Extreme Realm that the battle stage was set up, to limit the area. Otherwise, the two sides would continuously teleport with the Netherworld Extreme Realm, potentially fighting until the end of time.

Faced with the endless sword energy from all directions, Lin Qingying's figure transformed into a streak of green light, suddenly teleporting with the Netherworld, but not to dodge, but to close the distance with the Dragon Slayer Saint Son.

The sword light in her hand rose, and suddenly, the sound of ocean waves and tides echoed.

Then, endless waves suddenly surged, ultimate softness, yet also ultimate firmness!

Softness could penetrate anywhere, and once it seeped in, it became the sharpest sword energy.

Pfft pfft pfft pfft!

Lin Qingying's sword energy also erupted into a range, enveloping the Dragon Slayer Saint Son. The wave-like sword intent surged outwards, piercing through his Dharma Image and Dao Domain, piercing the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's body with streaks of blood mist.

"You!"

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son was shocked, his eyes filled with anger. Enduring his severe injuries, he suddenly slashed down with his sword.

Lin Qingying's face changed slightly, raising her hand to swing her sword. This sword strike seemed to press down the entire mountain and river, and with a bang, it sent his body flying.

With a pfft, Lin Qingying spat out a mouthful of blood, her face pale. Then, she quickly teleported, transforming into an extreme green light, suddenly piercing through the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's Dharma Image.

The sword energy on the battlefield also ceased, the imperial Dharma Image dissipated, and the Dragon Slayer Saint Son's face was ashen. Looking at the sword light in his chest, his eyes showed despair and unwillingness, but more so, anger at himself.

Lin Qingying retracted her sword, merely glanced at him, and turned to leave.

The battle ended, the victor decided.

The million outer sect disciples, including most of the inner sect disciples, hadn't seen how Lin Qingying had dispersed the Dharma Image. Seeing this grand battle end in a flash left them somewhat stunned.

However, the dozen or so Saint Sons and Saintesses on the Saint platform wore solemn expressions.

They all saw that the final sword strike was so soft that it was almost integrated into space, incredibly terrifying!

As Lin Qingying returned and rejoined the Saint platform, many Saint Sons and Saintesses turned their gazes towards her, their eyes filled with solemnity.

Li Hao, seeing Lin Qingying win, was also relieved. Her sword intent still had some minor flaws, yet she was able to win. Fortunately, her opponent's sword intent was more brittle, possessing imperial arrogance but lacking true imperial dominance.

The imperial aura cultivated by slaying dragons was ultimately still somewhat weak.

True imperial aura should be the supreme dominance of heaven and earth, with even Saints bowing in submission.

Li Hao shook his head slightly. Lin Qingying's battle had been quite dangerous. When he had the chance, he would help her refine the issues with her sword path.

As Li Hao pondered this, the six Half-Saints, including Yaozu, also smiled. The Saint Sons and Saintesses of the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary possessing such abilities filled them with comfort.

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son unleashed five Extreme Realms yet still lost. The shortcomings in his sword path led to his defeat, while Lin Qingying, although she hadn't displayed the Heavenly Dharma Image, her sword intent was near perfection, making her a rare sword path prodigy in a millennium.

The battles on the stage continued. With the subsequent second rounds and the accumulation of points, Qiu Wuhen and Lin Qingying were once again selected to take the stage, both facing inner sect disciples, winning easily.

In addition, there were two other matches where Saint Sons clashed. One of them was a fierce and evenly matched battle, both sides unleashing five Extreme Realms, their Heavenly Dharma Images clashing on the battle stage with a mighty roar, lasting for half an hour, ultimately ending with one side winning a hard-fought victory.

This battle made many disciples cheer with excitement and feel a sense of shock. It seemed that all these Saint Sons and Saintesses possessed Heavenly Dharma Images.

The Five Extreme Realms seemed to be standard equipment for Saint Sons!

The remaining differences in skill lay in their Dao Domains, Dao Bodies, and so on.

The other Saint Son match, however, ended quickly.

"Saint Son Bright Moon actually defeated Saint Son Ziyang with a single Crescent Moon Sword. That's too strong!"

"I heard he practices the Sun and Moon Sword Technique, seeking the harmony of heaven and earth, the eternal existence of the sun and moon."

"You guys don't know anything. Among the Saint Sons and Saintesses, Saint Son Bright Moon is in a league of his own. I heard that his Dao Domain reached thirty layers thirty years ago!"

"Thirty-layered Dao Domain? No way!"

"That's nothing. Saint Son Bright Moon also has a natural Sun and Moon Sword Body, with the sword energy of both the sun and moon within his body since birth. He's clearly a reincarnated Saint, and he was born with dual Yin and Yang veins!"

"...Compared to Saint Son Bright Moon, I, who was born with a Yang vein, feel like a dirt dog."

Seeing Saint Son Bright Moon make his move, the faces of the other Saint Sons and Saintesses turned solemn. Saint Son Ziyang's Heavenly Dharma Image and Netherworld Extreme Realm were cut down by a single Crescent Moon Sword from Bright Moon.

Even the Netherworld Extreme Realm was avoided by his opponent. This technique was difficult to fathom, a bit terrifying!

"Saint Son Bright Moon is too strong. I heard that thirty years ago, he was already the best among the Saint Sons. Now, thirty years later, his swordsmanship is even more terrifying."

Beside Li Hao, Lin Shanhai and the other alchemists were also discussing.

Although they usually only focused on alchemy, they were well-versed in various gossip.

"With a single sword defeating a Saint Son, if Qingying encounters him, she should just surrender and preserve her strength. Fighting for second place would be good too."

Zhao Yingzhen was full of worry, suggesting to Lin Shanhai.

Lin Shanhai's eyes were filled with worry. He thought the same, but he knew his granddaughter's temperament. Retreating to fight for second place? She might seem gentle and easygoing, but deep down, she was incredibly proud. How could she possibly bow her head!

The battles on the stage continued, and the tall, slender Yuwen Haoyue, with golden light in his eyes, walked directly in front of Lin Qingying.

"Well, about what I told you last time, have you thought it over? Marry me."

Yuwen Haoyue stood before Lin Qingying, his words shocking everyone.

Hearing his words, the dozen or so Saint Sons and Saintesses around them were startled, looking at each other, then at Lin Qingying.

Yuwen Haoyue was actually pursuing Lin Qingying?

This was earth-shattering news, and they were only just learning about it.

"You want to use me to hone your swordsmanship, to experience love and then sever it, to achieve your Great Harmony of Heaven and Earth will. Please find someone else. I decline."

Lin Qingying frowned, her face cold as she spoke.

Yuwen Haoyue's eyes flashed with a hint of golden light as he stared at her, saying, "Your Ultimate Softness Sword Path is a minor path. If you submit to me, when I become a Saint in the future, I will choose a path to Sainthood for you as a reward, as a gift from me."

Hearing their conversation, the other Saint Sons and Saintesses' eyes flickered, some understanding dawning on them. No wonder, at their level, besides the sword, even if they had other emotions, they were few and far between. Moreover, weighing the pros and cons, they often chose to give up.

Bright Moon's pursuit of Lin Qingying was clearly a losing proposition. After all, Lin Qingying had her own sword path and wouldn't easily agree. This pursuit was bound to be fruitless, even strenuous, but now, listening to their conversation, it made sense.

A path to Sainthood as a betrothal gift. These words caused the eyes of the other Saintesses to flicker slightly. Some didn't react, but others' eyes lit up.

In the end, the ultimate pursuit of cultivation was Sainthood, eternal existence for ten thousand years!

Although they were also Saint Son prodigies with their own pride, they could see that Yuwen Haoyue was indeed far stronger than them.

"My sword path is not a minor path. Even if it is a minor path, I will cultivate it into a Great Path!"

Seeing that he belittled her sword path, Lin Qingying's expression became even colder, her gaze icy. "Don't force me to draw my sword now!"

Yuwen Haoyue frowned slightly, a hint of coldness in his eyes. "Then we'll see."

With that, he didn't say another word, turning back to his seat.

Lin Qingying's face was cold, and she didn't bother to respond.

The conversation here was sealed within the Saint platform, not leaking out. Besides the dozen or so Saint Sons and Saintesses who knew, the disciples below were still focused on the intense battles on the stage.

Li Hao, sitting on the floating platform, was bored, but he noticed this scene. However, a barrier enveloped them, and he couldn't hear what they were saying. He only saw Lin Qingying's face turn a bit unpleasant.

As this battle of endurance and ultimate combat prowess continued for two days, the points battle finally came to an end.

Lin Qingying fought five times, winning them all, securing a spot in the top sixteen.

The other thirteen Saint Sons and Saintesses were also among the top sixteen, none of them losing, avoiding early elimination.

Within the top sixteen, besides the fourteen Saint Sons and Saintesses, there were two top inner sect prodigies with extremely strong combat abilities. In their previous battles against other Saint Sons and Saintesses, they had only narrowly lost.

The top sixteen battles would take place tomorrow.

Today, after watching for so long, many disciples were also tired, their brains buzzing, having absorbed too much, needing to go back and digest it all.

Li Hao also returned to the Alchemy Institute with Lin Shanhai and the other alchemists. He didn't go to see the Sword Master for fishing today.

Upon returning to the Alchemy Institute, Li Hao saw that Lin Qingying had already returned to the courtyard before them, still in her usual spot, resting cross-legged, her sword resting across her legs.

Li Hao thought for a moment and stepped forward, saying, "I watched your battle today. It was very exciting, very impressive."

Lin Qingying closed her eyes, seemingly indifferent, not reacting.

Li Hao said, "But some of your postures aren't elegant enough. I'd like to draw them for you to see, what do you think?"

Lin Qingying finally opened her eyes. The last time Li Hao pointed out the flaws in her sword path, he had used similar words, elegant... it was a painter's perspective from the outside.

Could there be flaws in her sword intent?

Lin Qingying looked at Li Hao, meeting his gaze for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"What about your own swordsmanship? Haven't you been cultivating it? I heard you passed Yaozu's test, entering the realm within ten days. Your sword path talent is among the top in the inner sect. Don't you intend to cultivate it?"

"How did you know?"

Li Hao was surprised. He hadn't publicized the fact that he passed Yaozu's test. In fact, no one else even knew about it.

Lin Qingying frowned slightly, withdrawing her gaze, and calmly said, "If you want to draw, go ahead."

Li Hao had sword path talent and was also a painter. She could understand why he could depict the flaws in her sword path.

Seeing that she agreed, Li Hao immediately took out his drawing board. He first pondered for a moment, thinking that battles would become more frequent in the future, and he might encounter extremely strong opponents at any time. He decided to depict the flaws in their sword paths all at once.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 326: Sword Intent Perfected, Showdown with Bian Ruxue (Two-in-One)

Numerous thoughts converged, and Li Hao's mind was filled with the images of Lin Qingying practicing her sword techniques over the past days.

Her graceful figure danced and swirled in his mind's eye.

Li Hao's mind, however, became completely tranquil, his gaze focused and solemn.

Those minor flaws he had observed during her sword practice now settled within his heart, guided by his intuition and flowing to the tip of his brush.

He ground ink, picked up his brush, and began to paint. A woman of exquisite beauty appeared on the white paper, dancing gracefully.

Her swordsmanship was divine, her eyes like clear lakes, her entire being imbued with the utmost gentle sword intent.

Under Li Hao's brushstrokes, her sword intent became even more pure and beautiful, like a tranquil pool of water, or like swaying rain threads.

The sword intent was like cotton, the sword's edge like a thread, her posture like rippling waves. Her offensive maneuvers were formless, impossible to anticipate, and utterly unpredictable!

With the completion of the first painting, Li Hao used his Qi to detach the paper and suspend it in the air. Then came the second, and the third.

Three paintings in total, each taking three hours to complete.

Upon finishing the three paintings, Li Hao's painting experience increased by a total of seventy thousand points, bringing him closer to the million-point milestone.

Returning from his state of absorbed contemplation, Li Hao looked towards the courtyard where the woman was still seated in meditation, comprehending the sword. He sent the three paintings floating towards her, saying:

"These are three paintings for you. Take a look."

With that, he stood up, put away his painting board and brushes, and returned to his own courtyard.

Lin Qingying opened her eyes and gazed at the three paintings floating before her. Her gaze fell upon the first one, and when she saw the woman dancing on the paper, she felt a jolt in her heart.

As her focus sharpened, the woman in the painting seemed to descend into reality, gracefully wielding her sword before her eyes. Every move, every dance, exuded a light and gentle beauty.

Suddenly, a faint memory surfaced – she had practiced in a similar manner before, but that was half a month ago.

And her posture back then, it seemed, was not as perfect as the one depicted in the painting.

Lin Qingying was stunned, her thoughts drawn into the sword intent within the painting, immersing herself in it.

When the sword technique in the painting finished its performance, Lin Qingying experienced a sudden sense of enlightenment. She realized where her flaws lay.

She was somewhat shocked. The other party had truly been able to discern the flaws in her sword intent and depict them!

And there were three paintings?

Lin Qingying's eyes flickered, but she resisted the urge to immediately begin practicing. Instead, she continued to observe the second painting.

The second painting depicted her practicing a week prior.

Lin Qingying gazed intently, and after a long while, she finally understood and absorbed the insights. Her expression became complex, as this second painting also helped complete her sword intent.

Her gaze fell upon the third painting. In addition to herself, a blurry figure was also present. Lin Qingying recognized it immediately – it was the scene of her earlier battle with the Dragon Slayer Saint Son.

Now, that battle seemed to replay before her eyes.

But this time, the woman in the painting drew her sword with exceptional decisiveness. When the opponent unleashed his Heavenly Dao Manifestation, she simply used a single, gentle sword strike to shatter it and defeat his true form!

Ultimate Gentleness!

What was Ultimate Gentleness? Gentle like water, like air, gentle to the point of being omnipresent!

Sword intent flowed endlessly, dispersing into all things, and then coalescing from them!

Lin Qingying's eyes fell into a daze. For a moment, the blood in her entire body seemed to boil and ignite, causing an uncontrollable surge of excitement.

This was the perfected Ultimate Gentleness Sword Intent, the Sword Intent's culmination!

She quickly turned to look for Li Hao, but the spot where he usually sat was empty.

Lin Qingying suddenly felt an indescribable sensation, as if time had slipped away, beyond her grasp.

This feeling momentarily caused Lin Qingying to lose her focus, but she quickly dispersed her spiritual sense, detecting Li Hao in his courtyard, seated and carving, as usual.

The taut strings of Lin Qingying's heart relaxed at that moment.

She gazed deeply at him, and at this moment, she had a faint inkling that the "Gentle Breeze" she had taken in was no ordinary person.

Lin Qingying collected her thoughts and carefully stored the three paintings away. This time, she was exceptionally meticulous, rolling them up and placing them within her Heavenly Dao Space.

Two of the three paintings depicted her daily sword practice. Lin Qingying bit her lip slightly, her eyes flickering, but she quickly refocused her thoughts on her sword.

The perfected Sword Intent flashed through her mind, and her sword began to dance once more.

As a Saintess-level prodigy, her talent in swordsmanship was exceptionally high. Now, with this guidance, she quickly grasped the essence.

Furthermore, the guidance through painting was easier to comprehend than instructions from her master. It was like receiving hands-on teaching.

Within the courtyard, the sword intent rose like wind and subsided like wind.

Wild grass swayed, fallen leaves swirled, carried by the wind. Perhaps it wasn't just the sword that was carried…

…

The battle for the Sweet Sixteen commenced.

The stands were once again packed. Outer Sect disciples had arrived early, and the tens of thousands of Inner Sect prodigies sat quietly in the lower seats. They had all finished their battles, secured their final rankings, and gained much from the experience.

Now, the battle of the sixteen strongest prodigies within the Sword Ancestor Holy Land was sure to be a magnificent and ultimate display of swordsmanship.

The clashes between Saint Sons and Saintesses were mostly at the Five Extremities Realm. Therefore, with equal realm levels, the comparison would be based on Dao Domains and swordsmanship.

Li Hao accompanied Lin Shanhai and other alchemists to the floating platform. The Sweet Sixteen battles hadn't begun yet, but the atmosphere was already incredibly heated.

Li Hao looked at Lin Qingying standing silently on the Sacred Stage, her eyes as still as water. He knew that she had absorbed the insights from his paintings.

"It's going to be a tough battle today. Hopefully, Qingying's luck won't be too bad, and she won't face those troublesome individuals right off the bat."

Shi Hua Jin said with a worried expression.

Due to their relationship with Lin Shanhai, they all hoped that Lin Qingying would win.

However, with the Moonlit Saint Son dominating the top spot, achieving first place would require overcoming a formidable obstacle.

The other rankings, however, held more hope and would be even more fiercely contested.

"Reaching the top ten will grant one the incense offerings of a hundred cities. Achieving first place will grant one the incense offerings of an entire nation!"

Lin Shanhai's eyes held a hint of worry. Incense offerings were crucial for achieving Sainthood, and the competition would undoubtedly be brutal.

Furthermore, these incense offerings weren't a one-time reward. They would also receive continuous offerings from the people of the region they were awarded!

On the Sacred Stage, over a dozen Saint Sons and Saintesses stood silently, each with their unique charm and temperament. Though gathered together, they seemed to be individualistic.

The Dragon Slayer Saint Son looked at Lin Qingying, his eyes filled with fighting spirit. Defeated earlier, he wanted another chance to face her and have a proper duel.

Soon, with the arrival of the Sword Saint, the chaotic laws enveloped everyone's tokens, shuffling them randomly.

Everyone's opponents were quickly paired.

"Hmm?"

Qiu Wuhen saw that his opponent was the Moonlit Saint Son, and his brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

Others also noticed that Qiu Wuhen had drawn the short straw, facing the Moonlit Saint Son.

This caused many to breathe a sigh of relief. Although they didn't believe they would necessarily lose to him, they preferred not to encounter him so early in the competition. While facing him in the finals would be fine, allowing them to fight to their fullest, they didn't want to face him prematurely.

At the same time, the Dragon Slayer Saint Son also saw his opponent, not Lin Qingying, but another Ziyang Saint Son, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Lin Qingying also looked up and saw that her opponent was a direct disciple of the Sword Saint.

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she turned to look. At the same time, another woman in snowy white clothing also looked over, and their stunning eyes met for a moment before they both looked away.

"Disciple, the Moonlit Saint Son's Sun and Moon Sword Technique is somewhat counter to your style. Be careful, and save your strength for later battles."

Qiu Wuhen's mind received a message from his master.

Qiu Wuhen remained silent, offering no response. Retreat? But he wanted to try.

Perhaps in the face of extreme adversity, he could discover the shortcomings in his sword intent and accelerate his progress on the path.

Soon, the first battle began.

There was only one battle arena today, not three simultaneous battles. This focused everyone's attention on a single point.

The first battle featured the Moonlit Saint Son and Qiu Wuhen.

Li Hao felt a pang of regret for his fishing buddy, who had drawn the Moonlit Saint Son.

He had witnessed the Moonlit Saint Son's swordsmanship yesterday, and it was indeed powerful, significantly surpassing the displays of other Saint Sons. It was already perfected and possessed an exceptionally strong sword intent!

Of course, unless others were concealing their abilities, based on current observations, the Moonlit Saint Son was likely the strongest in terms of sword intent alone.

On the stage, the Moonlit Saint Son and Qiu Wuhen both descended onto the arena.

"The Thousand Threads Sword, before the Sun and Moon Heavens, is merely a gentle rain. Your sword is countered by mine. You are not my opponent. Surrender."

The Moonlit Saint Son stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and composed, as if stating a fact, without any arrogance.

Qiu Wuhen's expression remained unchanged. He simply said:

"A drop of water can wear away a stone. Gentle rain can also obscure the Sun and Moon Heavens. A single spring curtain can cover all things. How can one know who is stronger or weaker without trying?"

"You wish to use my sword intent to hone your own? I'm afraid you won't have that opportunity."

A hint of coldness flashed in the Moonlit Saint Son's eyes. He instantly perceived the other's intention – to use him as a whetstone. How could that be allowed?

As the formation solidified, it signaled the start of the battle.

On the Sacred Stage, Lin Qingying and numerous other Saint Sons and Saintesses watched intently.

On the battle stage, Qiu Wuhen didn't rely solely on swordsmanship as he had against Luo Cheng earlier. Instead, he directly unleashed his Extremity power.

His entire body radiated a golden light. The Divine Power Extremity enhanced his physical strength, increasing his resistance and healing capabilities.

His Heavenly Dao Veins extended like whirlpools, drawing in the surrounding power and rapidly pushing his state to its peak.

His Primordial Spirit remained hidden within his body, merging with it, allowing him to perceive even the most imperceptible attacks.

This extremely difficult-to-cultivate Extremity was already mastered by the Saint Sons and Saintesses, who possessed abundant resources and exceptional talent.

"He's finally forced to reveal his Extremity."

In the stands, Luo Cheng, who had been defeated by Qiu Wuhen yesterday, chuckled wryly. His eyes, however, became serious as he watched to see how the other's ultimate power would manifest.

On the other side, one of the six Half-Saints sighed inwardly, knowing that his disciple was serious this time.

He chuckled wryly, aware of his disciple's nature. While seemingly calm on the surface, he was stubborn at heart.

The Moonlit Saint Son felt the might of the other's Extremity, but his eyes remained calm. His body gradually shimmered with golden light as he simply activated his Divine Power Extremity.

Whoosh!

Qiu Wuhen struck first, his body instantaneously vanishing in a blur, utilizing the Netherworld Blink.

Against Luo Cheng, he hadn't used this technique, relying solely on sword intent to capture and defeat him. Now, however, he unleashed the Netherworld Blink, initiating the attack.

The Moonlit Saint Son's eyes shifted, the golden rims in his pupils allowing him to seemingly perceive traces of something. His sword light suddenly lashed out. Qiu Wuhen, who had just reappeared from the Netherworld Blink, seemed to willingly charge towards the sword light.

Qiu Wuhen's body abruptly retreated. This initial attack wasn't a genuine assault, but a probe.

"Sun and Moon Divine Eyes, capable of perceiving the Netherworld!"

Qiu Wuhen's eyes narrowed. The other's innate heterochromatic eyes were indeed as rumored, able to perceive the movements of the Netherworld Blink!

Legend said that these were divine eyes, formed by a Saint condensing the ultimate essence of the Dao, imbued with the profound principles of the Saintly Path. Given that the Moonlit Saint Son possessed such eyes, his ability to perceive the Netherworld Blink was understandable.

Since the Netherworld Blink was useless, Qiu Wuhen had no intention of using it for offense. He drew his sword from his waist. The blade was covered in rust, but at this moment, the rust fell away.

This rust wasn't rust, but blood rust!

It was dried blood that had caked on the blade. Now, as the blood rust fell away, a dazzling sword light, like autumn water, emerged.

"Sword Passes, No Trace!"

Qiu Wuhen suddenly attacked, unleashing one of his signature techniques!

His sword seemed to transform into an autumn wind. As he swung it, the sword Qi abruptly vanished, yet the void was torn apart.

"Wherever the Sun and Moon shine, there are traces. Your sword, a minor path!"

The Moonlit Saint Son hovered in the air, his eyes cold as he looked down at Qiu Wuhen. The moment he swung his sword, his Dao Domain expanded. Forty-nine layers of Dao Domain overlapped, seeming to contain the rotation of the Yin and Yang, the Sun and Moon. The sword Qi that had left no trace suddenly appeared within his Dao Domain, solidified and fixed in place!

"Forty-nine Layers of Dao Domain!!"

"My heavens, did I see that right?"

The Outer Sect disciples in the stands were all in a frenzy of shock.

On the Sacred Stage, numerous Saint Sons and Saintesses also narrowed their eyes slightly.

Among the crowd, Jiang Yingyue, who had been eliminated from the Sweet Sixteen, subtly shifted her gaze towards a certain floating platform. Seeing the young man sitting calmly, her eyes flickered.

Due to his unknown age, the number of Dao Domains wasn't comparable.

It was said that some Dao Law Realm masters within the Holy Land, who had lived for thousands of years, had also condensed dozens, or even close to a hundred, Dao Domains. These were former Saint Sons who had failed to achieve Sainthood and had instead focused on developing their Dao Domains horizontally.

The power of those old Saint Sons who had cultivated for thousands of years was terrifying.

Bang!

Under the suppression of the Dao Domain, the silent and traceless sword Qi not only became visible but was also shattered.

The Moonlit Saint Son's expression remained calm. He then drew his own sword and suddenly unleashed a Moon Slash!

The sword light, like a crescent moon, was silver and dazzling. It was the same sword technique he had used to defeat another Saint Son yesterday.

Qiu Wuhen's eyes narrowed. He tried to dodge, but the sword light seemed to lock onto him.

Netherworld Blink!

He quickly shifted and moved, but the sword light pursued him, not hindered by the Netherworld Blink.

Qiu Wuhen immediately understood. This sword light moved according to the Moonlit Saint Son's will, and the other's Sun and Moon Divine Eyes could see his movements. As long as he couldn't escape the other's divine eyes, he couldn't escape the sword light!

No wonder the other party had been able to defeat a Saint Son with a single strike yesterday!

This was an inevitable strike!

If he couldn't dodge, then he would break through!!

A fighting spirit flashed in Qiu Wuhen's eyes. He suddenly swung his sword, his sword intent like threads, layer upon layer, seemingly forming a vast net in front of him, intending to envelop and imprison the entire space.

With a loud bang, the crescent moon rotated and sliced through, seemingly invincible. His sword net was instantly torn apart.

However, the layers of sword intent caused the sword light to slow down slightly. But the next moment, the sword light suddenly disappeared.

Qiu Wuhen's pupils constricted, and his body quickly moved. But a tearing force still struck his chest. With a loud bang, his body flew backward.

Blood splattered. Qiu Wuhen felt the bones in his chest shatter. He quickly activated his Indestructible Power, allowing his body to rapidly heal.

Fortunately, he was in the Divine Power state, with incredible self-healing abilities. Otherwise, this strike could have cost him half his life!

The other party had applied the Netherworld Blink to his sword light.

Qiu Wuhen looked up, his gaze icy. He knew this technique, but the other party had the Sun and Moon Divine Eyes, effectively negating his Netherworld Blink Extremity. While he could also perceive the Netherworld Blink, it was only barely. If the other party moved too quickly, he would still be hit.

Furthermore, his sword intent had been severed, depriving him of the means to perceive the traces of the Netherworld Blink.

The audience fell silent for a moment.

Yesterday, the Moonlit Saint Son had defeated another Saint Son with a single strike. Today, with another strike, he had severely injured Wuhen Saint Son.

Everyone could see that if the other party took the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, Qiu Wuhen would be in grave danger.

"A minor path is a minor path. How dare it compete with the Sun and Moon?"

The Moonlit Saint Son's voice was cold and indifferent, as if stating a fact. As he spoke, his own sword intent also reached perfection.

By constantly shattering minor paths, he could also build his invincible Dao heart and perfect his own Dao.

Qiu Wuhen used his sword to prop himself up, standing up. His eyes sharpened, and his sword erupted with a dazzling light.

"Sword Without Shadow!"

Suddenly, he attacked again. The moment he raised his hand, his sword had already struck.

Whoosh!

The sword light pierced through the void, suddenly appearing before the Moonlit Saint Son, directly passing through his forty-nine layers of Dao Domain!

Everyone's eyes were still fixed on the sword in Qiu Wuhen's hand, but his sword Qi had already been released.

With a soft "puff," the Moonlit Saint Son slightly tilted his head. A slight cut appeared on his cheek, but before the blood could flow, the wound had already healed.

His eyes turned icy. This strike had actually injured him.

"Moonlight!"

He slowly raised his hand, and the sword light in his hand condensed into a bright moon, as if holding a moonbeam in his palm.

Then, suddenly, thousands of sword lights shot out in all directions.

Each sword light radiated terrifying power, no less formidable than the single crescent moon he had unleashed earlier.

Bang, bang, bang!

The void flickered with sword light, and Qiu Wuhen's Thousand Threads Sword was torn apart, riddled with holes.

His Dao Domain expanded, thirty-seven layers of Dao Domain emerging one after another. The number of Dao Domains caused the disciples in the stands to gasp in shock. His Dao Domain alone was enough to suppress ninety percent of the Inner Sect disciples.

However, compared to the Moonlit Saint Son's forty-nine layers of Dao Domain, it was still far inferior.

The sword light pierced through, intersecting in straight lines, instantly tearing apart Qiu Wuhen's Dao Domain.

Several sword lights struck him, sending him flying, his arm severed.

A vast force suddenly enveloped Qiu Wuhen, blocking the remaining hundreds of sword lights.

The Moonlit Saint Son frowned slightly and looked up at the elder among the six elders.

"You have won this battle."

The elder said calmly. Then, Qiu Wuhen's body, along with the sword in his severed hand, vanished from the battle stage and appeared before the elder.

The elder reached out and pressed his hand on Qiu Wuhen, his Dao Law power enveloping him. Qiu Wuhen's body rapidly healed, his injuries recovering.

The Moonlit Saint Son's face was impassive, and he retracted his Dao Domain, the golden light on his body dissipating and receding inward.

If he had killed the other party in this battle, it would have been detrimental to his reputation and a significant loss for the Holy Land. He wasn't angry.

Qiu Wuhen stood up, his face grim, knowing that he had lost, and lost decisively.

His sword pursued the concept of being traceless, like gentle rain. But before the other's Sun and Moon Divine Eyes, it was completely exposed. His Netherworld Blink Extremity was also negated. The difference in strength between the two was simply too great.

"Thank you, Master."

Qiu Wuhen bowed his head to the elder and then turned to leave.

The elder sighed inwardly. Without trying, one would never know the gap. Hopefully, this battle would not be a blow to Qiu Wuhen, but an inspiration.

With the conclusion of the first battle, cheers erupted from the previously silent disciples in the stands. Countless shouts of "Moonlit Saint Son" filled the air.

Here, the strong were revered. The Moonlit Saint Son's strength had ignited the fervor of countless Outer Sect disciples. He was incredibly powerful, almost a tier above the other Saint Sons. He had severely injured a Saint Son with a single strike and nearly killed him with another. It was truly terrifying.

The expressions of the other Saint Sons and Saintesses also became more solemn. Seeing the Moonlit Saint Son return, they felt a sense of looming pressure.

Lin Qingying's eyes flickered slightly, sensing a hint of pressure. Her Ultimate Gentleness Sword Intent had now reached perfection, essentially reaching its peak. Further advancement would require entering the Dao.

She didn't know if her current swordsmanship would be enough to compete with him.

On the other side, Bian Ruxue was also observing the Moonlit Saint Son. His sword intent was vast and imposing, reflecting the Sun and Moon, and he possessed innate divine eyes. Among their generation, he was undoubtedly the most outstanding.

Her Sword Saint master had sent a message yesterday, warning her that the Moonlit Saint Son had been cultivating for longer than her and was not someone she could currently contend with. In this competition, her goal was to compete for the top five!

After all, compared to these Saint Sons and Saintesses, she was too young, and her foundation was still somewhat lacking.

"His sword should be close to the ultimate sword that Master Wudao mentioned, but it's not the true ultimate sword…"

Bian Ruxue glanced at the Moonlit Saint Son and then looked away. She had seen the ultimate sword – it was a casual strike from her Sword Saint master, a Dao-level sword technique.

The elegance of that sword strike was something she would never forget. It had solidified her Dao heart and confirmed that she was on the right path in pursuing swordsmanship. If she could master that sword, everything would be worth it!

"With Brother Hao's talent, if he focused on swordsmanship, perhaps in a hundred years, he could reach the same level as that one…"

Bian Ruxue's mind flashed with the image of that earthly figure. But thinking of him leaning over a chessboard with a smile, a hint of regret filled her heart.

At that moment, a voice from the elders called out her name.

Bian Ruxue snapped out of her thoughts and saw that the second battle was hers.

And her opponent was Lin Qingying.

The two women exchanged glances, without saying a word, and descended onto the battle stage.

Seeing the two Saintesses clash, the atmosphere in the stands heated up again. The male disciples' eyes shone brightly. Aside from their swordsmanship, the two Saintesses' beauty alone was a feast for the eyes.

But the Inner Sect prodigies were more interested in the duel of their swordsmanship, paying no mind to their appearances.

"It's Saintess Xue'er. I heard she's the youngest Saintess, only 27 years old?"

"Wow, a Dao Law Realm master at 27, that's incredible!"

"That's not that impressive. Her master is the Sword Saint. She has top-tier alchemists serving her and the Sword Saint guiding her cultivation. Do you understand what it means to receive guidance from a Saint?"

"This battle is going to be dangerous for Saintess Qingying."

"Are you kidding? Saintess Qingying has been cultivating twice as long as her. There's no way she'll lose."

"Saintess Qingying's master made a mistake and was imprisoned in the Sword Prison. She's been cultivating through self-study. What does it matter that she's older than Saintess Xue'er? How can that compare to personal guidance from the Sword Saint?"

"Don't underestimate her because she's young. This Saintess Xue'er has an innate sword body and exceptional talent. She's not inferior to other Saintesses."

The disciples in the stands buzzed with discussion, all familiar with the youngest Saintess in the Holy Land.

On the battle stage, the formation slowly solidified.

Lin Qingying's expression was calm and indifferent. Her master's mistake and imprisonment were a wound in her heart, but she wouldn't let those thoughts affect her during battle.

Bian Ruxue's expression also became serious. This was her first battle against a Saint-level disciple, and it was her first battle in the competition.

She had watched Lin Qingying's previous battles. The Ultimate Gentleness Sword Intent was similar to her own Ice and Snow Sword Intent, but her sword intent was sharper.

The two were not familiar with each other, so they didn't exchange any words.

With the start of the battle, neither of them took it lightly. They both unleashed their Extremities, their Divine Power and Heavenly Dao Veins!

Soon, they pushed their states to their peak.

Lin Qingying's eyes were as calm as a lake, while Bian Ruxue's eyes seemed to have snowflakes drifting through them, gradually becoming sharp.

Whoosh!

Bian Ruxue suddenly swung her sword. In an instant, the battlefield seemed to freeze, the heavens and earth turning into ice.

In terms of sword intent, her swordsmanship countered Lin Qingying's. Lin Qingying's sword was gentle like water, but she could freeze it!

To break through the ice, one would need an extremely rigid and blazingly bright swordsmanship. For Lin Qingying's kind of gathering, dispersing, and separating Ultimate Gentleness Swordsmanship, it was extremely easy to be affected by her.

This was a battle she believed she must win!

As the ice spread, even through the formation, the disciples outside felt a chill, and the surrounding temperature dropped.

Lin Qingying's eyes narrowed. She knew the difficulty of this battle. If it were before, she wouldn't have been confident, but now, with her Sword Intent perfected, she had a clear understanding of Ultimate Gentleness.

The boundless frost that the other party had condensed was also the trajectory of her sword intent!

Clang!

A sword intent like green light suddenly slashed out, tearing a gap in the ice. The gentle, water-like power now tore through the ice, rushing straight towards Bian Ruxue.

Bian Ruxue was startled, her pupils constricting slightly. She suddenly swung her sword, her Dao Domain expanding, freezing everything around her.

The rushing sword intent was blocked by her Dao Domain. Her Dao Domain was layered, with twenty-two layers!

And within the Dao Domain were sword lights, clearly condensed from different sword techniques and signature moves!

At this moment, the Dao Domains intertwined, and snowflakes swirled around her, suddenly roaring, shattering the rushing sword intent and covering Lin Qingying.

But at this moment, Lin Qingying took a step and used the Netherworld Blink, appearing behind Bian Ruxue. Her hand unleashed a green light slash. The mist that Bian Ruxue exhaled, like guiding threads, transformed into sword Qi, enveloping and strangling her body!

(End of Chapter)