Chapter 786: One Sword

The moment that incredibly sharp sword light whistled forth, all the members of the Wind Pavilion in the plaza were stunned. They had not expected Zhou Yuan to be so decisive.

Without another word, he attacked directly!

However, more than Zhou Yuan's resolve, what truly captivated their attention was the fierce sword energy that erupted. Under its influence, they felt a stinging chill on their skin.

This caused their previously mocking gazes to become considerably more solemn.

Though Zhou Yuan appeared to be only at the mid-stage Divine Dwelling, his combat strength seemed exceptionally formidable.

"How bold!"

While others were still reeling in shock, Jin Teng let out an angry laugh, his voice like thunder. "Do you think that just because you defeated Mo Yuan, you can do whatever you want in my Wind Pavilion?! That's utterly ridiculous!"

"Since you underestimate my Wind Pavilion, I, Jin Teng, will personally deal with you today!"

Though his expression was righteous and stern, a flicker of wild joy passed through the depths of Jin Teng's eyes. Since Zhou Yuan had initiated the conflict, he had no one to blame. He didn't believe that if he defeated Zhou Yuan today, the latter would still have the face to continue as deputy pavilion master!

The sharp sword light rapidly expanded in Jin Teng's vision.

Jin Teng took a deep breath, and immense Genesis Qi burst forth from his body, directly forming three Divine Dwelling halos behind him, shimmering with eight-colored light.

Despite Jin Teng's condescending words towards Zhou Yuan, he held nothing back in his attack.

The powerful and surging Genesis Qi swelled, transforming directly into a dark golden giant hand in the air before him. The giant hand was covered in ancient patterns, like the hand of a deity, exuding potent pressure.

"That's a high-grade Heavenly Genesis Art, the Sky-gang Giant Spirit Hand..."

"This is Jin Teng's strongest technique; I didn't expect him to use it right away. It seems he doesn't intend to give that kid any chance."

"Heh, that kid already boasted. Let's see how he'll clean up this mess later!"

The surrounding Wind Pavilion disciples exclaimed in surprise at the sight.

"Sky-gang Giant Spirit Hand!"

Jin Teng's roar was like thunder. The dark golden giant hand whistled down directly, shaking the space and casting a shadow as it fiercely clawed at the sharp sword light.

*Screech!*

The two clashed violently. The giant hand clenched, seizing the sword light within it, and muffled Genesis Qi explosions continuously reverberated.

"Watch me crush your pathetic sword art!" Jin Teng sneered, his hands suddenly forming seals.

The Giant Spirit Hand clenched fiercely, causing the space around it to gradually twist, demonstrating the terrifying power of that grip. Even a mountain would likely struggle to withstand it.

However, the moment the Giant Spirit Hand clenched, a clear sword hum resounded. Jin Teng's expression drastically changed, because at that instant, he felt towering sword energy burst forth from within the Giant Spirit Hand.

*Clang, clang, clang!*

The Giant Spirit Hand vibrated violently. The next moment, Jin Teng's pupils contracted.

He saw cracks rapidly spreading across the Giant Spirit Hand.

"Damn it!"

A chill ran through his heart. Just as he was about to activate Genesis Qi to stabilize the Giant Spirit Hand, a loud explosion rang out. Countless sharp sword lights shot out from within the Giant Spirit Hand, forcefully tearing it apart.

Amidst the surging sword light, a streak of sword energy pierced through like lightning, aiming directly at Jin Teng.

Jin Teng's expression changed dramatically. He hadn't expected Zhou Yuan's sword light Genesis Art to be so powerful that even his Giant Spirit Hand couldn't block it.

Jin Teng swiftly retreated. The three Divine Dwelling halos behind him appeared in front, forming his last defense.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Yet, the sword streak pierced straight through. On its body, green dragon scales radiated a chilling light, adding several points of power to this Exorcism Sword!

All three Divine Dwelling halos exploded.

The streak of sword energy showed no pause. As the space vibrated, the sword streak, amidst Jin Teng's horrified expression, pierced through his shoulder.

Jin Teng shot backward, falling heavily to the ground and scraping a long mark across the plaza. Blood splattered from his shoulder, staining his clothes.

After piercing Jin Teng's shoulder, the sword streak vanished into thin air, but the heart-palpitatingly sharp sword energy still lingered in the air.

The entire bluestone plaza was silent.

All the Wind Pavilion members' expressions were moved. Zhou Yuan's strike had been swift as lightning, yet in just over ten seconds, the confrontation between Zhou Yuan and Jin Teng had been decided.

And the result was something they found hard to believe.

Jin Teng had actually been defeated by Zhou Yuan, who was only at the mid-stage Divine Dwelling?!

How was that possible?!

One had to know that Jin Teng was no nobody; he was also a named individual on the Divine Dwelling Rankings, and in terms of strength, he was even slightly stronger than Mo Yuan!

Yet now, he was defeated by Zhou Yuan in a single move?!

In that silence, Chen Beifeng and Ye Bingling, standing at the very front, also looked at this scene with slightly changed expressions, clearly somewhat surprised by Zhou Yuan's performance.

Chen Beifeng squinted his eyes slightly, then slowly withdrew his gaze. Zhou Yuan's sword light earlier was indeed very powerful, but he could sense that this was likely Zhou Yuan's limit. While it might pose a threat to Jin Teng, he himself was not concerned by it.

Ye Bingling's gaze towards Zhou Yuan, however, softened a little, presumably no longer viewing him as a profligate young master who relied on connections.

On the platform, Yi Qiushui also let out the breath she had been holding. However, she was somewhat surprised because she had seen Zhou Yuan's sword art before, but its power seemed to have become stronger compared to his previous confrontation with Mo Yuan.

Elder Yi Yan watched the scene with a calm old face, but he too felt quite appreciative of Zhou Yuan in his heart. At times like these, only by displaying strength could one tame these unruly Wind Pavilion prodigies.

The powerful Genesis Qi surging around Zhou Yuan gradually subsided. He looked at the quiet plaza and spoke calmly, "Does anyone else have any objections?"

The plaza remained silent, and no one dared to shout anymore.

After all, though arrogant, they weren't foolish. Their previous opposition was simply because it seemed unbelievable for a mid-stage Divine Dwelling practitioner like Zhou Yuan to become a deputy pavilion master. But now, Zhou Yuan had proven his combat strength at that stage...

If they were to find fault again now, even Elder Yi Yan might no longer stand by and let them dispute Lord Xi Jing's orders.

Jin Teng's face was ashen as he clutched his bleeding shoulder. Although he was extremely unwilling, he understood that Zhou Yuan had held back earlier; otherwise, the sword light would have gone through his head...

Seeing this, Elder Yi Yan stepped forward and smiled slightly. "Since everyone has no objections, then from today onward, Zhou Yuan will be the third deputy pavilion master of the Wind Pavilion."

"Furthermore, there is another piece of news: Lord Xi Jing has personally ordered that in two months, the Wind Pavilion will hold a contest for the Pavilion Master position. This time, the candidate for the Wind Pavilion Master must be decided."

Upon hearing this, the previously quiet plaza erupted into an uproar again, causing a stir.