Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Thirty-Six: In the Name of the Sword (Part II)

No matter how fierce the outcry from the audience became, the battle on the stage showed no sign of stopping.

In a short span of time, Mo Gu had already unleashed thirteen sword strikes. Given Mo Gu’s strength, even if he was limited to the Hunyuan realm’s power and techniques, it was still unfathomable that such a barrage of attacks had yet to bring down Feng Qi.

Of course, Feng Qi’s condition was far from good. His brown martial attire was tattered, darkened by blood seeping through the fabric, the brown hue growing deeper, almost merging with the night.

Just then, Mo Gu suddenly paused, his gaze upon Feng Qi filled with admiration.

“The Immaculate Sword Intent is the strongest technique of Immaculate Peak. Even on the peak itself, few can comprehend it. You’re only sixteen years old—your mastery of the Immaculate Sword Eye alone was already astonishing. I didn’t expect you to have even evolved its second level.”

Everyone below the stage knew what Feng Qi was using—how could he not? Yet he wasn’t as surprised as the Sword or Blade Guardians, nor did he believe Feng Qi’s Lifeless Sword Vault had anything to do with Xue Wuhen.

There are many things in this world that can be taught, but talent is not among them. Neither the Moment of Enlightenment nor the Unmoved Zen could escape his eyes, so he accepted Feng Qi’s current display of talent more readily than the others.

Heaven has never been fair. Just as he outclassed others, so too did those two surpass him.

“I suppose I was lucky,” Feng Qi replied with a smile. “Of course, I won’t deny my master did offer some pointers, but his advice wasn’t on the technique itself—he merely helped clear up my doubts about cultivation.”

“Xue Wuhen’s talent is impressive too—he may reach Unity within a century. But even those at that level cannot accomplish this... Not even the infamous Transplantation could be used on a sixteen-year-old child.” Mo Gu’s voice grew soft. “If it were an ordinary opponent, facing the Lifeless Sword Vault, they would likely have lost already.”

At the mention of Transplantation, Feng Qi’s expression flickered, but he quickly suppressed it, just as he heard Xue Wuhen’s next words.

The Lifeless Sword Vault was currently his strongest technique. He had scoured the ancient records and was certain that no one in the Hunyuan realm could withstand it. Even when facing Zhou Zihan, the top-ranked Sword Prodigy on the Soaring Cloud List, or Ming Fa, the Dao Child ranked second, he was confident this move would secure his victory—though perhaps at the price of mutual destruction.

Perhaps sensing Feng Qi’s thoughts, Mo Gu spoke, “It’s good for the young to cherish an invincible heart, but I advise you not to underestimate the monsters in the top ten of the Soaring Cloud List.”

Feng Qi was slightly taken aback. How did he see through that?

Mo Gu chuckled. “After living so many years, it’s not difficult to read you youngsters.”

Feng Qi was about to say more when his brows suddenly knit together. The move named after lifelessness was, naturally, not easily controlled. Given his current realm, merely invoking the Lifeless Sword Vault was already a great burden—let alone suppressing its power.

“Go on, then. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that move. Let me see just how—”

Before he could finish, a flash of sword light interrupted him. The cloth at his right shoulder was shredded, revealing skin pale as jade.

Mo Gu raised an eyebrow, surprised by the force behind the attack. While he hesitated, his upper garment was torn in several more places, nearly exposing his entire torso. Unable to use higher-level essence, his clothing could not withstand such a ferocious onslaught. He looked rather disheveled, but he managed to steady himself, even dodging a sword light now and then.

The Lifeless Sword Vault continued to unleash flashes as relentless as a sudden storm.

Within that storm, Mo Gu was like a tiny boat tossed by the waves, perilously close to capsizing at any moment.

“I knew something was off—this still isn’t the true Lifeless Sword Vault,” the Blade Guardian remarked.

“It has the shape but not the spirit. Otherwise, we could already declare the outcome,” the Sword Guardian added.

“But he’s only sixteen. To have come this far is already remarkable,” the Blade Guardian said softly.

The Sword Guardian detected the praise in his tone and arched his brow, smiling without a word.

“This boy’s edge is too sharp,” Xue Wuhen said, frowning.

“Isn’t that also bringing honor to the Lawful Sword?” Feng Muyun replied with a laugh.

Xue Wuhen snorted. “Since when does the Lawful Sword Sect need a novice to win its honor?”

Though his words were dismissive, everyone present was keen enough to detect the pride in his voice.

“At the very least, the Wind Guardian is the chief of the Four Great Guardians. Even if he’s suppressed his cultivation, he won’t lose so easily,” the Blade Guardian suddenly said.

Xue Wuhen replied, “Indeed. I’ve assessed Feng Qi’s combat strength—before the Sword Purification, he likely couldn’t match even eighty percent of Zhou Zihan’s power. Even with the Lifeless Sword Vault, he wouldn’t surpass ninety percent. I am certain of this.”

“Ninety percent? I didn’t expect the younger generation to grow so powerful,” said the Blade Guardian in surprise.

“Heaven and earth have changed. The path of cultivation is now well-trodden, and the experience of our predecessors means the new generation takes fewer detours,” Xue Wuhen replied.

“How many among the young can surpass the Prince of Yanbei, in your opinion?” asked the Blade Guardian.

“I’d say all ten of the Soaring Cloud List’s top ranks have the chance,” Xue Wuhen replied.

The Soaring Cloud List, maintained by the Pavilion of Freedom, ranks the Hunyuan realm disciples of all the sects; even if those in the top ten were slightly older than Feng Qi, they were not by much. That so many could surpass Feng Qi was a staggering thought.

The Blade Guardian’s gaze grew deeper. “It seems His Majesty’s decision to allow greater ties between the sects and the noble houses was not without merit.”

“Everyone has their bonds,” Xue Wuhen said. “The imperial laws of the Divine Dynasty have cut down countless talents over the generations.”

“The court has suffered enough from sectarian interference, has it not?” the Blade Guardian retorted.

Xue Wuhen sighed. “I cannot resolve that. But since the Divine Emperor has received such thorough guidance from the late emperor, I trust he will not act rashly.”

After a pause, he continued, “Besides, with the Divine Dragon Formation in place, the Divine Emperor remains unrivaled in Wuyang City. The border armies are loyal, the seven armies of the Divine Dynasty are invincible, and the people live in peace. Even if someone harbors ill intent, it would be nigh impossible to muster a large-scale rebellion—without numbers, how could the nation be shaken?”

The Blade Guardian recalled the Emperor’s words in the palace, thinking how Xue Wuhen truly was a man apart from the world, his sense of changing times still somewhat delayed. He was about to say more when he caught the Sword Guardian’s gaze.

He was puzzled.

The Sword Guardian slowly shook his head.

His confusion deepened. If the situation ever did grow chaotic, wouldn’t forewarning from the Snow Cloud Sect be a blessing?

...

...