On the arena stage, Ximen Ye wielded his bamboo sword, continuously clashing with Han Qianshan of the Heavenly Sword Dao.
True to his name, Han Qianshan's sword intent caused the surrounding temperature to drop several degrees with every swing.
Frost began to appear on Ximen Ye's body, gradually covering him over time.
He had essentially turned into an ice statue standing still.
Han Qianshan did not press the advantage further, but looked at him with disdain and said coldly, "Ximen Ye, if you madman refuse to concede, don't blame me for being merciless!"
"Unity of Heaven and Man!"
From within the ice, Ximen Ye shouted, and with a crack, the ice shattered. He thrust his bamboo sword toward Han Qianshan.
"Ice Seals a Thousand Mountains!"
Han Qianshan immediately responded by stabbing his sword forward.
Clang!
Two sword lights flashed simultaneously.
Below the arena, Xiao Chen watched quietly and murmured, "What a pity."
Liu Yuer, curious, asked, "Senior brother, who's the pity for?"
Xiao Chen replied calmly, "Ximen Ye has indeed touched the threshold of Unity of Heaven and Man, but he has only barely achieved the unity of man and sword. Naturally, he cannot match Han Qianshan's fully realized Ice Sealing sword intent."
With those words, the outcome on stage was decided.
Ximen Ye was frozen once again and slowly collapsed to the ground.
Nearby, the elder beside Xiao Chen sighed deeply, "Alas… this path still cannot be taken?"
Xiao Chen smiled, "Of course it can be taken. It's just that his comprehension isn't deep enough. To be precise, he isn't mad enough yet."
The elder blinked in confusion.
What was this youth talking about? Who in their right mind would cultivate sword techniques until they became mad?
Crack...
The ice surrounding Ximen Ye shattered, and he slowly stood up, then said to Han Qianshan, "I admit defeat."
"You madman, get off the stage quickly and don't affect my next fight!"
Han Qianshan gave Ximen Ye no face and then turned his gaze coldly toward Xiao Chen.
"Do you have anyone else practicing both Heaven and Heart sword paths?"
Liu Yuer was about to respond but was stopped by Xiao Chen.
He stepped forward and said, "They haven't even named names yet. Let your senior brother here show them a lesson."
Ximen Ye, still dazed, cast Xiao Chen a meaningful glance and warned, "Young man, you should think carefully. Han Qianshan is no ordinary master of sword intent. He is only one step away from perfect sword intent."
Xiao Chen smiled, "Since you have a brain illness, consider what happened yesterday forgiven. When I return, you can kowtow and apologize."
"You…"
Ximen Ye did not expect this kid to be so arrogant even after witnessing Han Qianshan's power.
Xiao Chen ignored him and leapt onto the stage, casually grabbing a bamboo sword.
Han Qianshan's face revealed a cold, sinister smile as he saw Xiao Chen finally take the stage.
"Boy, you finally understand to come up. You don't seem to be from the Thousand Islands Sea. According to the rules, you may explain your sword path."
Xiao Chen smiled slightly and said, "Coincidentally, my sword path can be summed up in four words: Unity of Heaven and Man.
It can be divided into three realms.
The first realm: sword in hand, sword in heart, man and sword as one.
The second realm: no sword in hand, sword in heart, all things in the world are swords.
The third realm: no sword in hand, no sword in heart."
Everyone present pondered these mysterious words with thoughtful expressions.
Those practicing the dual Heaven and Heart sword paths were especially shocked by Xiao Chen's explanation.
Ximen Ye's eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at the young man on stage.
"He… he truly understands the Unity of Heaven and Man sword Dao!"
"Hmph!"
Han Qianshan snorted coldly, "Trickery! Take this!"
Han Qianshan unleashed his "Ice Seals a Thousand Mountains" technique again, but Xiao Chen casually waved his hand, shattering Han Qianshan's sword intent and pressing his sword to the other's throat.
Silence— the entire arena fell completely silent.
Han Qianshan was one of the top Heaven Origin cultivators in the Thousand Islands Sea region and a sword prodigy. His victory over Ximen Ye proved his sword talent.
Yet such a genius had just been defeated by this young man practicing both the Heaven and Heart sword paths.
Although both were at the peak of Heaven Origin, nearing Spirit Nurturing Realm, their sword Dao mastery was worlds apart.
"I lost!" Han Qianshan said, then turned and jumped down from the stage.
At the same time, a monk from the Heart Sword School's stand descended and bowed slightly to Xiao Chen.
"Amitabha, I am Dukong from Mingjing Temple. I wish to ask the friend here for another duel. Would you be willing?"
"Why not," Xiao Chen said, tossing his bamboo sword down casually, unfazed that Dukong was a Spirit Nurturing cultivator.
Dukong's face showed surprise. "What do you mean by this, friend?"
Xiao Chen replied calmly, "I only want to show everyone what it means to have no sword in hand, but a sword in heart."
"Amitabha," Dukong clasped his hands together.
"In that case, please lend me a Heart Sword. My Heart Sword is only half a step away from perfect sword intent. If I hurt you, I ask for your forgiveness."
"You won't hurt me."
Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "Since you're so polite, I suggest you protect yourself with your Golden Body, lest I lose control and you lose your life."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
Who gave this kid the confidence to think a Heaven Origin cultivator could hurt a Spirit Nurturing master like Dukong?
"Thanks for the reminder, friend. But my little saint has awakened the Arhat Golden Body. Your sword strike still won't harm me."
Dukong spoke as calmly as if discussing the weather.
Xiao Chen's mouth twitched. It was hard to reason with this stubborn fool. He'd just give him a little shock.
"Please!"
"Please!"
Both gestured a polite invitation, then stepped back a few paces.
Xiao Chen folded his hands behind his back, showing no intention of striking first.
Dukong sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and uttered four words: "Heart like a clear mirror, strike!"
His left hand formed a sword shape with two fingers, pointing at Xiao Chen.
Whoosh!
A golden sword light shot toward Xiao Chen's shoulder.
Xiao Chen raised his hand to meet the attack.
Clang!
He emitted a pure sword qi from his two fingers.
The sword qi's intent took shape as a sword shadow, piercing through Dukong's Heart Sword as easily as tearing paper.
The crowd erupted in astonished shouts.
"Sword intent becomes shadow!"
"This is perfect sword intent!"
"How is this possible?"
Amid the cheers, the sword qi pierced Dukong's shoulder.
After this strike, the outcome was clear.
Dukong landed, face pale, and bowed.
"Amitabha, friend, your sword intent is unparalleled. This monk admits defeat wholeheartedly. May I ask your name?"
The once noisy scene fell into complete silence.
Everyone leaned in, eager to discover who this man truly was…
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