Chapter 125: Flowers Bloom Again, but Youth Never Returns

At the entrance of the training ground, a figure appeared. He was a middle-aged man with a thin and haggard appearance, his temples speckled with gray hair. Slung diagonally behind him was a scabbard with loose patterns.

He had a slightly short stature and an ordinary appearance. But as soon as he appeared, numerous prominent figures in the area stood up. The younger generation also showed a fanatical reverence.

Mu Cangtu.

The Master of Qinghe Sword Mansion.

He was renowned as the "One Sword of Qinghe Suppressing Half the City!"

According to rumors, his sword technique was so sharp that it could sever rivers and split the void like tearing a piece of cloth.

Behind Mu Cangtu, there were also several elders from Qinghe Sword Mansion, but Zhou Huaiqiu was not among them.

Clearly, after being defeated by Su Yi's sword last night, he had lost face and didn't dare to show himself.

Seeing Mu Cangtu's arrival, Qin Wenyuan felt considerably relieved. Although he had prepared to deal with Su Yi himself, it would be even better if he could achieve his goal with the help of someone else.

"Brother Mu, please have a seat quickly!" Qin Wenyuan smiled and stood up to greet him.

"No need," Mu Cangtu replied expressionlessly, rejecting the invitation.

Ever since he entered the training ground, he had ignored everyone, appearing extremely rude. However, no one dared to say anything because in their eyes, Mu Cangtu had the qualifications and confidence to behave that way.

Mu Cangtu's gaze directly locked onto Su Yi, and a hint of confusion appeared on his brow as he said, "I thought you had lost your cultivation and would never be able to cultivate again. But I didn't expect that a year later, you would be able to defeat Zhou Huaiqiu with a single sword. It truly surprises me."

The elders of Qinghe Sword Mansion behind him had complex expressions.

How could they not recognize the former Outer Gate Sword Leader?

However, no one had expected that they would meet again in this manner after a year had passed.

Su Yi's expression remained calm as he said, "Is the Master here to reminisce or to settle our grievances?"

Mu Cangtu let out a light sigh and said, "The seven people you killed had their reasons, which can be understood. However, we stand on different sides. I am the Master of Qinghe Sword Mansion and cannot overlook this matter. Do you understand?"

Su Yi nodded. "Naturally."

Mu Cangtu stared at Su Yi for a moment, and a trace of complexity appeared on his face.

Immediately, Mu Cangtu shook his head, his expression calm and unruffled, as he said, "When martial cultivation reaches my level, in order to refine each of the five viscera to perfection, it can be said that each step is a formidable barrier. Only at this stage did I understand that if one clings to worldly power, there is no hope of reaching the realm of a precelestial martial master."

"After this incident, I will step down from the position of Master of Qinghe Sword Mansion and dedicate myself to martial cultivation, no longer concerning myself with worldly conflicts!"

His words shocked the entire audience.

No one had expected that Mu Cangtu would announce such a significant decision at this moment!

Su Yi couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.

In his perception, he could even clearly sense the surging blood and qi within Mu Cangtu's short body, like a vast sea, turbulent and majestic. His spirit was as solid as a rock.

This wielder of power in Qinghe Sword Mansion had honed his physical body, spiritual consciousness, and internal energy to a top-notch level, far beyond the ordinary.

Although he was only at the first stage of the Grandmaster realm, in Su Yi's eyes, this person's foundation far surpassed most second-stage Grandmasters in the world!

"I didn't expect that Yunhe County would also produce someone worthy of attention," Su Yi thought to himself. "Unfortunately, no matter how sturdy the body is tempered in the Furnace Cultivation Realm, as one ages, their future achievements are inevitably limited."

"Step back, and let me and Su Yi determine the winner," Mu Cangtu spoke.

The other members of Qinghe Sword Mansion around him all retreated to the side.

Qin Wenyuan's eyes lit up, and a smile appeared on his lips.

This was the Mu Cangtu he knew, upright and solitary, a man as sharp as a sword!

Many prominent figures in the audience also became excited, filled with anticipation.

In their impression, Mu Cangtu had not made a move for many years.

No one knew to what extent this martial master, who could "suppress half the city with a sword," had strengthened his cultivation.

Yuan Wutong's eyes flickered, and he felt a slight unease in his heart.

Even though he had heard that Su Yi had beheaded a Grandmaster, Yuan Wutong couldn't help but feel nervous, especially considering that Mu Cangtu was far from an ordinary Grandmaster.

Zhang Zhiyan sighed and said, "Such a remarkable talent may meet his end here, which is truly disheartening."

Zhang Yuanxing's expression was strange as he whispered, "To die at the hands of the Master of Qinghe Sword Mansion is enough to let him rest in peace with a smile."

At this moment, discussions began to arise around the training ground.

"No matter how strong he is, he is no match for a Grandmaster!"

Someone spoke with certainty.

"That's for sure."

Most people didn't have much confidence in Su Yi.

Even though he had displayed astonishing combat power by defeating Zhou Huaiqiu with a single sword last night, it must be understood that he was now facing a martial master!

Yuan Luo Xi and Huang Qianjun were relatively calm, but they couldn't help but feel anxious in their hearts.

Mu Cangtu was far from an ordinary martial master!

"Just as flowers can bloom again, but people cannot regain their youth, it is the same for you and for those disciples of Qinghe Sword Mansion who died at your hands."

In the center of the training ground, Mu Cangtu remained calm. "Today, when I make my move, I won't distinguish between right and wrong, I won't discuss grievances. I will only consider victory or defeat, and I hope... you won't blame me for being merciless."

However, Su Yi simply smiled faintly and said, "Go ahead, no need to delay."

"Good."

Mu Cangtu didn't waste any more words.

His gaze was as cold as iron as he extended a hand.

Using his palm as a sword, he made a horizontal slash in the air.

Rip!

A howling gust of energy came from the void.

An unmatched sword qi swept out from Mu Cangtu's hand, instantly traversing ten zhang of empty space, carrying an incredibly sharp and piercing sound as it slashed towards Su Yi.

Qi projection causing harm from a distance!

This was the extraordinary power that only a martial master could master.

Before the sword arrived, the overwhelming sword qi had already arrived.

The place where Su Yi stood was paved with solid bluestone slabs as hard as steel. As the sword qi swept over, sharp friction sounds echoed on the slabs, leaving visible and shocking white marks, with stone chips flying in the air.

Furthermore, a magnificent sword intent enveloped Su Yi from a distance. If an ordinary warrior stood here, their soul would be injured by the sword intent before the sword qi even arrived.

This was the terror of a martial master.

"Break it."

Su Yi casually threw a punch in response.

His profound internal energy condensed, and his fist, as brilliant as jade, transformed into a radiant pillar of light, directly colliding with the sword.

Since reaching the Qi Gathering stage, Su Yi's true qi was not just ten times stronger than when he was at the Blood Moving stage; his 108 spiritual apertures had all been opened and tempered, making his foundation so robust that he could overlook anyone in the world.

Combined with his cultivation achievements from his previous life, even this seemingly simple punch carried a natural momentum, like the mighty Yangtze River, unstoppable.

Boom!

The collision between the sword qi and the fist power resonated throughout the training ground, causing a massive residual force to surge in all directions, flipping the bluestone slabs on the ground and leaving deep grooves in the earth.

In that instant, everyone present felt as if the entire training ground had trembled.

This strike was like the collision of two mountains, earth-shattering!

The strong gusts of wind scattered, and Su Yi's figure remained motionless, completely unharmed. Only his robe fluttered, making his figure appear even more upright.

Silence fell upon the scene.

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

Qin Wenyan's expression froze, and his heart trembled.

He actually blocked it!

"This..."

Zhang Zhiyan abruptly sat up straight, and a look of astonishment appeared on his usually smiling face, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

Yuan Wutong felt considerably relieved. In that instant, even he was amazed.

Among the people present, there were only four grandmasters: Qin Wenyan, Zhang Zhiyan, Yuan Wutong, and Mu Cangtu.

Therefore, only the three of them understood the true power of Mu Cangtu's attack, which was enough to easily kill a Qi Gathering stage perfection expert.

But now, it was effortlessly shattered by Su Yi's casual punch!

Who could help but be amazed?

The younger generation of talents in the scene was in an uproar, their faces filled with astonishment, as if they couldn't believe their own eyes.

The important figures of Qinghe Sword Mansion had slightly changed expressions at this moment. Did the Mansion Lord intentionally hold back his strength?

As the entire arena shook, Mu Cangtu's eyes brightened, and he didn't hesitate to praise, not hiding his astonishment.

His internal energy had been cultivated through decades of bitter practice, gradually honed to an incredibly solid state, almost becoming substance itself.

Just like his earlier strike, even other Martial Masters wouldn't dare to easily confront it.

Yet Su Yi casually shattered it with a single punch!

It was simply a miracle.

However, Su Yi pondered for a moment and casually said, "You should have also reserved half of your strength just now and did not use your sword. But why would I be any different?"

The entire crowd was stunned. Did Su Yi also hold back his strength just now?

Mu Cangtu's pupils surged with sharp sword intent as he said, "Then I'll test how much strength you've actually reserved!"

Swish!

Mu Cangtu's palm turned into a sword finger, slashing out another sword.

This time, the sword radiance soared, completely different from before, like a streaking rainbow that pierced through the sky!

This was Mu Cangtu's true Grandmaster-level power.

He was confident that even with bare hands, this strike could divide rivers and streams!

The tyrannical and overbearing sword intent swept through the surroundings, tearing apart the void like a piece of torn cloth, accompanied by sharp howls and continuous explosions.

In response, Su Yi's fingers formed a sword shape as he casually slashed.

From the Great Fuyao Sword Manual, "A Sword Pulling the Milky Way!"

Although he wasn't a Martial Master and couldn't release his true qi outside of his body to attack from a distance, when he manipulated his fingers into a sword gesture and thrust it into the void, there seemed to be a solid and brilliant edge emanating from his fingertips.

Bang!

A collision erupted, causing disbelief to fill Mu Cangtu's eyes.

Su Yi's casual finger actually split the sword qi he had unleashed into two halves!

It was as if he had struck the snake's weak point, a single hit that was sure to connect, exquisite and unparalleled.

"Releasing true essence externally is not used in such a crude manner. The rougher the sword qi, the more flaws it contains," Su Yi said softly.

Mu Cangtu had a solid foundation in martial arts, but his swordsmanship had clearly not reached a state of perfection.

His sword seemed overwhelmingly powerful, but in Su Yi's eyes, there was not a single flaw in that strike!

The entire arena fell into silence, and everyone was astonished.

No one could have expected that Su Yi could easily break through Mu Cangtu's second sword!