Free Web NovelChapter 19: Chapter 19: Fierce Clash of Blade and Sword
The figures on the high platform were all slightly stunned.
Wang Chongshan asked, slightly surprised, "Is this... a Spiritual Fire fusion?"
"Some special flames exist in the world, known as Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires. They might be the flames carried within the core of a fallen meteorite,"
"or perhaps the molten earth-fire forged for hundreds or thousands of years in the depths of a volcano, or even the frigid ice-fire that grows in lands of extreme cold..."
"These Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires are far more powerful than flames conjured by Magic and Martial Techniques."
"Moreover, using them for Alchemy can enhance an Elixir’s potency."
"However, these Spiritual Fires are incredibly volatile and rarely seen."
"Even if an ordinary person stumbled upon a heaven-defying stroke of luck and found one, it would be nearly impossible to claim it for themselves."
"So for Xiao Chen to possess two Spiritual Fires, and even be able to fuse them, is incredibly rare."
"What an incredible genius. This is a true chosen one."
Xiao Chen’s Buddha’s Fury Fire Lotus had undoubtedly captured the attention of the Elders on the platform.
"This year’s Outer Sect Competition is far more interesting than the last."
"We have someone who has comprehended Momentum while still in the Spiritual Martial Realm, and now an exceedingly rare Secret Technique has appeared."
"Could the great age be upon us? Does our Profound Celestial Sect have a chance to return to its former glory...?"
"If the peak cannot be held, then one must tread the old path once more."
Gu Yun had no idea what the powerful figures on the high platform were discussing.
Seeing this move, Gu Yun was utterly shocked. ’Holy shit, it’s so damn similar.’
’When I saw Xiao Chen unleash that Spiritual Fire fusion, it was just like that Xiao Huohuo from my past life. I can say for sure now, Xiao Chen is without a doubt a Child of Destiny with the protagonist template.’
’With just a Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Middle Stage Cultivation, the power of that flame fusion is comparable to the Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak. How can he be so absurdly overpowered!’
’Sigh... I take back what I said about not finding a worthy opponent in the Spiritual Martial Realm. He’s right in front of me.’
’Luckily, I did a mission with Xiao Chen before, so we’re on good terms. If I had to make an enemy of him, I’d be exhausted just thinking about it.’
’With my Heaven Rewards Diligence cheat, I’m confident I can become a true peak-level expert. But I still have to take it one step at a time, building my strength on a solid foundation!’
’But guys with the protagonist template like Xiao Chen just stumble upon some heaven-defying opportunity and their cultivation skyrockets. There’s just no competing with that!’
...
The Deacon Referee saw Sima Yaotang get blasted off the stage, slamming hard onto the floor with a THUD. He was heavily injured, unconscious, and unable to continue the fight.
He shouted, "Number nine, Xiao Chen, is the winner!"
「On the third day.」
In his next match, Gu Yun’s opponent was a genius at the Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Late Stage. Gu Yun revealed a corresponding level of strength, also at the Ninth Layer Late Stage.
He then easily defeated his opponent with his powerful, Perfection Level Martial Techniques. After watching a few more matches, he returned to his quarters in the Seventh Institute to consolidate the insights he had gained over the past few days.
Name: Gu Yun
Realm: Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak
Cultivation Technique: Celestial Thunder Technique (4th Layer 10%) Trait: Purple Lightning
Martial Techniques: Wind and Thunder Saber Technique (Perfection) Mountain-Breaking Fist (Perfection) Wandering Dragon Step (Perfection)
Technique: Earth-Bursting Heaven-Shaking (Minor Success 10%) Breath Concealment Technique (Minor Success 50%) Celestial Thunder Technique (Great Success 2%)
Saber Momentum: Minor Success Saber Momentum (56%)
「On the fourth day.」
The number of contestants had dropped sharply. This was the final round of the preliminary matches. It would decide who advanced to the top eight of the group, and it was also the fight that determined entry into the Inner Sect.
Gu Yun was in the Group Seven area, sitting below the stage with his eyes closed, centering himself and adjusting his condition.
The first couple of matches failed to capture his attention.
"Third match! Number twenty-four, Gu Yun, versus number five, Shangguan Jian!" the Group Seven Deacon Referee shouted.
At these words, Gu Yun’s eyes snapped open, his gaze as sharp as lightning.
His figure blurred, leaving an afterimage, and in the next instant, he appeared on the fighting stage.
His opponent, however, was already standing on the stage.
His opponent was a young man in a white Profound Robe, his expression cold, a longsword strapped to his back.
When Gu Yun sensed his opponent’s strength, his expression turned grave.
’Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak. The number one disciple of the Seventh Institute, Shangguan Jian! An expert ranked in the top twenty among the hundred thousand disciples of the entire Outer Sect.’
His heart sank.
’This is going to be a tough fight.’
Gu Yun still intended to fight using the strength of a Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Late Stage cultivator.
The two faced each other from a distance, their eyes locked. Their long hair stirred, though there was no wind.
"Third match, begin!" the Deacon Referee yelled.
The words had barely faded when his opponent attacked, striking first without a shred of hesitation. A sharp, white blade of light split the air, slashing directly at Gu Yun.
SWOOSH!
Gu Yun didn’t hesitate either, swinging his saber to unleash a wave of Saber Qi laced with purple lightning, blocking the attack.
Shangguan Jian followed up with dozens of sharp, white streams of Sword Qi.
Undaunted, Gu Yun channeled his Saber Momentum. With a single slash, a surge of purple lightning Saber Qi shot into the air, resembling a purple Thunder Flood Dragon as it lunged to devour the dozens of streams of Sword Qi.
BOOM!
Shangguan Jian’s expression remained cold. "You’re quite good. To think you’ve also comprehended Saber Momentum!"
Then, his Sword Qi surged to the heavens as he unleashed his Sword Momentum!
Gu Yun’s expression grew serious. "As expected of Shangguan Jian. Of course Sword Momentum would be no challenge for you. Let’s continue!"
Shangguan Jian, a man of few words, replied, "Fine."
The moment the words left their lips, they shot toward each other. Flashes of purple lightning from the saber and white light from the sword crisscrossed in a balanced exchange. In a few moments, half of the stage had been torn to shreds by their clash.
The audience could no longer follow their movements.
"They’re too strong! So these are the top Outer Sect disciples of the Profound Celestial Sect? I don’t think I could block a single one of their attacks," a middle-aged man at the Ninth Layer Late Stage remarked.
"I could probably withstand three," said the elderly patriarch of a minor clan, himself at the Ninth Layer Peak.
Haha, the pot calling the kettle black!
After that initial clash, their figures became a complete blur.
All anyone could see were flashes of purple lightning from the saber, each strike faster than the one before.
The white streams of Sword Qi grew fiercer with every thrust.
The shockwaves from the collisions between the purple lightning and the white Sword Qi eventually obliterated the stage entirely.
A storm of flashing steel, purple saber light and white Sword Qi, swept from one side of the ruined stage to the other.
They fought from the ground to the edge of the stage,
from the edge of the stage into mid-air,
from mid-air back down to the ruins of the stage.
Every inch of the stage was their battlefield.
One hundred moves!
Two hundred moves!
Three hundred moves!
They had exchanged a full three hundred moves!
"My god, three hundred moves! Senior Brother Gu has actually exchanged three hundred moves with Senior Brother Shangguan!"
"In the Seventh Institute, most people are considered impressive if they can even block three of Senior Brother Shangguan’s attacks!"
"Senior Brother Gu is a true hidden master! To have such strength and yet be so low-key!"
"He’s not just a dark horse, he’s a flying one!"
"How is Senior Brother Gu so incredible? I want to be just like him!"
Certain Outer Sect disciples from the Seventh Institute were shocked, screaming with excitement.
Just then, Shangguan Jian suddenly shot backward and declared to Gu Yun, "One move to decide it all!"
Gu Yun also retreated rapidly. "Fine."
Gu Yun’s Spiritual Essence vibrated as he completely unleashed the power of the Spiritual Martial Ninth Layer Peak!
Purple lightning crackled around him, emitting a sizzling sound.
"Wind and Thunder Saber Technique, Third Form—Wind and Thunder Annihilation!" With the force of ten thousand thunderbolts, he slashed out. A torrent of Saber Qi shot toward the sky, like a roaring Thunder Dragon!
In response, Shangguan Jian’s Spiritual Qi roiled, his Sword Qi growing impossibly sharp. Countless small white swords materialized in the air around him.
Then, the countless small white swords condensed in the air, forming an enormous white sword shadow dozens of meters long.
Shangguan Jian bellowed, "One Sword Opens the Celestial!"
The massive, white sword shadow shot toward Gu Yun!
The Saber Qi, like a purple lightning Thunder Dragon, collided with the enormous white sword shadow!
