Free Web NovelChapter 245: Chapter 241: The Star Sword Sect’s Attack
A beam of Xinghe Sword Qi lit up the night sky. A hundred zhang long, it tore through the air, rushing straight for Ning Jiang.
’He’s in danger.’
The hairs on Grand Elder Meng Nanfeng’s arms stood on end, and he stared without blinking.
’This strike is too terrifying.’
As fellow Sword Cultivators, the Twin Sword Sons felt their hearts nearly stop, stunned by the power of this sword strike. They had a feeling that it wasn’t just the two of them; even if all the young prodigies attacked together, they would be slain by this one blow without a doubt.
"With a sword like this, who can even compete?"
The Elders of the Star Sword Sect were brimming with confidence. Even some at the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm were secretly alarmed, thinking they would likely be injured if they tried to receive this blow.
This single strike was enough to prove Jian Xinghe’s status as the number one of the younger generation.
’It’s over.’
Within the sword light, Jian Xinghe had completely merged with his attack, pushing its power to the absolute peak.
Today, he would defeat Ning Jiang, and then, with the momentum of being the undisputed champion of Qing Province, he would step into the Six Eastern Provinces and conquer a wider world.
In that moment, his heart swelled with heroic ambition, his will to fight soaring to the heavens.
As the massive Xinghe Sword Aura pressed down, the arena was the first to give way. It began to make a CREAKING sound as cracks appeared one after another.
This was the immense pressure from the Xinghe Sword, a pressure that could lock down an enemy, making escape impossible.
The arena trembled, on the verge of disintegrating.
Ning Jiang, who faced this sword strike head-on, naturally bore a terrifying pressure that was beyond imagination.
But his expression was utterly serene as the sword in his hand swung out slowly.
"It’s so cold."
Suddenly, some people in the crowd shivered, feeling a chill seep into their bodies that threatened to freeze them solid.
"Why did it get so cold all of a sudden? This is even colder than Liu Bingxue’s Extreme Cold Qi, isn’t it?"
People cried out in alarm. This cold was even more intense than Liu Bingxue’s, far more extreme.
Even Liu Bingxue’s delicate body trembled, and she felt a sense of discomfort.
"No, this is more than just cold. It’s an aura of death. That’s what makes it so bone-chilling."
The Hall Master of Floating Snow Hall, a graceful and beautiful woman, let out a cry of surprise, her shocked gaze fixed on Ning Jiang.
Because the source of this cold qi was radiating from Ning Jiang himself.
Or more accurately, from his sword!
His sword seemed to transport people into the harshness of deep winter. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Winter is not just unbearably cold; more importantly, it is a time when all life withers, a time when everything decays and dies.
This season is the complete opposite of vibrant spring. Spring is revival and endless life; winter is demise and deathly stillness.
Winter’s End!
The most powerful strike of the Four Seasons Sword Technique.
"The four seasons are like a cycle of reincarnation. Spring is for birth, summer for glory, autumn for withering, and winter for death. Spring Birth, Winter’s End. It is like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, or a person’s life, moving from birth toward death."
"Jian Xinghe, take this strike from me—Winter’s End!"
Ning Jiang murmured, and with a swing of his sword, a ghastly white Sword Aura blossomed, filled with the decaying stench of death.
Compared to the hundred-zhang-long Xinghe Sword, Winter’s End was only about ten zhang long.
Ten zhang versus a hundred zhang—a difference of a full ten times.
In the eyes of the crowd, it was like the difference between an Ancient Divine Mountain and a small dirt mound. The collision was not on the same level at all.
But to everyone’s surprise, when the ghastly white Winter’s End collided with the Xinghe Sword, a world-shaking sound erupted.
BOOM—
A ring-shaped storm of Sword Qi spread out in all directions like an avalanche.
Beneath their feet, the arena was the first victim, torn apart by the Sword Qi and reduced to dust.
The scene was absolutely heart-stopping.
"Who’s going to win?"
Everyone’s eyes were wide as they stared at the center of the collision between the two Sword Auras.
At first, the two were locked in a stalemate. But slowly, the Xinghe Sword began to be disintegrated by the deathly aura of Winter’s End, crumbling inch by inch.
’The Four Seasons Sword Technique. This is a Top Level Sword Technique I specifically chose. At the Spirit Level, it’s virtually unrivaled. What’s a mere Star Sword Sect in comparison?’
’Impossible.’
Jian Xinghe roared in his heart.
"Break!"
Veins popped on his forehead as he continuously poured all his Spiritual Qi into the Xinghe Sword Qi, but no matter how he tried, he could not stop Winter’s End.
In the end, the hundred-zhang-long Xinghe Sword Qi completely collapsed. About two-thirds of Winter’s End had been consumed by the clash, and the remainder continued on to strike Jian Xinghe.
Jian Xinghe spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura weakening as he was sent flying backward like a kite with a snapped string.
"How is this possible?"
The expressions of countless Star Sword Sect Elders changed drastically.
"He actually won."
The many experts of the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm, including the powerful Sect Leaders of the Five Great Sects, were all aghast and found it unbelievable.
"The era of Jian Xinghe is about to become a thing of the past. The younger generation is about to welcome a new King."
"From now on, the number one of Qing Province’s younger generation will be Ning Jiang of the Yanyue Sect!"
Gazing at the white-robed, white-haired youth standing proudly in the void, for a moment, both sides of the canyon fell silent.
They all knew that a massive shift was about to occur among the younger generation. The throne of number one no longer belonged to Jian Xinghe, but to Ning Jiang.
In the past, all the young cultivators chased after Jian Xinghe’s footsteps. Now, the person they needed to chase was Ning Jiang!
"The Ninth Elder won! The heavens have not forsaken our Yanyue Sect!"
"With the Ninth Elder here, our Yanyue Sect is destined to prosper!"
The Elders of the Yanyue Sect were so overjoyed they were nearly moved to tears. Today was arguably the happiest day of their lives.
"Our Yanyue Sect has truly struck gold."
Meng Nanfeng also laughed heartily, but then he thought of something, and his expression changed. "Don’t let your guard down. With the Ninth Elder revealing such strength, I fear some villains will not want him to live!"
As he said this, the hearts of the others instantly grew heavy.
Geniuses often attract jealousy.
In this world, many astonishingly talented geniuses never reach their full potential because they are envied and assassinated prematurely.
Right now, the Yanyue Sect is not safe. The Fire Cloud Sect is still eyeing them like a hungry tiger. They couldn’t afford to be careless.
"I declare Ning Jiang..." Ge Changming hadn’t expected Ning Jiang to win either and was about to announce the result.
"No! I don’t accept this! I will fight again!"
Suddenly, a long cry rang out. Jian Xinghe shot up into the sky, his body radiating an incredibly intense will to fight.
He had always been the number one of Qing Province’s younger generation, high and mighty, believing no one in the province could be his rival. His defeat at Ning Jiang’s hands was something his heart could not accept.
"Xinghe, come back."
From the Star Sword Sect’s viewing platform, a giant hand reached out and pulled Jian Xinghe back.
"My apologies for this embarrassing display."
An Elder stepped forward, exuding the fluctuations of the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm. He glanced at Ning Jiang and said, "Mr. Ge, excuse me, but before you announce the results, this old man has a few questions for this boy."
"Please, go ahead."
Ge Changming did not dare to offend the Star Sword Sect, so he nodded in agreement.
"A few months ago, a disciple of my Star Sword Sect, Shangguan Yang, along with a large group of Fire Cloud Sect disciples, were killed by someone named Meng Daoyi. Do you remember this matter?"
This Elder was precisely Shangguan Yang’s senior, Shangguan Yu.
"Elder Shangguan, what is the meaning of this?"
Ning Jiang didn’t answer. The Grand Elder beside him, his expression changing, quickly said, "Didn’t Elder Shangguan already visit our Yanyue Sect and rule us out as suspects? Besides, our Yanyue Sect doesn’t know this Meng Daoyi."
Meng Daoyi. When this name was mentioned, there was practically no one present who didn’t recognize it.
This person’s deeds had once caused a huge uproar. He had assaulted the Fire Cloud Sect, used a Celestial Tribulation to trap and kill the Fire Cloud Sect’s Grand Elder Cai Lin, and later appeared in a Demon Cave in the Death Mountain Range to fight a Demon King.
The name was extremely famous.
But his identity was a mystery; no one knew who he really was.
"Hmph, don’t know him?"
Shangguan Yu snorted coldly. "At the scene of the murder, everyone was killed with a single sword strike, proving that Meng Daoyi is an expert swordsman. Now I ask you, where did this boy learn his Sword Technique? Don’t tell me he’s self-taught!"
Shangguan Yu’s words actually voiced a question on the minds of many people present.
Indeed, where did Ning Jiang learn such an astonishing Sword Technique?
Jian Xinghe hailed from a Great Sect of Sword Dao like the Star Sword Sect, yet he had been defeated by Ning Jiang in a contest of Sword Techniques. It was simply unbelievable.
"The Ninth Elder had a fortunate encounter and mastered a Sword Technique. What’s so strange about that?" Meng Nanfeng said angrily.
"A fortunate encounter? Do you take me for a fool? I now suspect that this Meng Daoyi is connected to this boy. Perhaps his Sword Technique was taught to him by Meng Daoyi. Otherwise, how does your Yanyue Sect explain him suddenly joining your sect a few months ago?"
Shangguan Yu was aggressive, his gaze sharp.
Ning Jiang had not been a member of the Yanyue Sect before; he had only joined a few months ago. They had already investigated this point very clearly.
"Mere speculation without solid evidence is not enough to condemn my Yanyue Sect," Meng Nanfeng retorted.
"Whether he can be condemned or not is simple. My Star Sword Sect’s Sect Leader has cultivated a Soul-Searching Technique. One Soul Search is all it will take to prove his innocence. So please, have him come with us," Shangguan Yu said slowly.
’Interesting. The Star Sword Sect is probably doing this because they’ve taken a fancy to the Sword Technique the boy displayed,’ some people thought, their expressions turning strange.
Ning Jiang’s Four Seasons Sword Technique was even stronger than the Xinghe Sword Technique.
To a Sword Dao Sect, this Sword Technique was absolutely a huge temptation.
"No! A warrior can be killed, but not insulted! The Yanyue Sect will absolutely not agree to this!" Meng Nanfeng refused directly.
"Insolent! How dare the Yanyue Sect defy an order from my Star Sword Sect? In this matter, the Yanyue Sect has no room to refuse!" Shangguan Yu flicked his sleeve and spoke coldly.
As the strongest sect in Qing Province, they had the confidence to back up their words.
"Star Sword Sect, don’t push us too far!" Meng Nanfeng and the other Elders were all furious.
"Heh heh, it looks like our Fire Cloud Sect won’t need to make a move after all." The people from the Fire Cloud Sect watched from the side, enjoying the show.
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Since it has come to this, this old man will take action myself."
Shangguan Yu’s gaze suddenly sharpened. He stretched out his hand, and a giant palm shot towards Ning Jiang to grab him.
