Chapter 214: Absolute Swordsmanship Genius

"It's basically confirmed."

After Chen Mobai defeated the true disciple from the Artifact Forging Department, two young men, who had been watching the entire match from a window in the restaurant, nodded slightly, and one of them spoke.

"It's the Sword Qi Rainbow realm!"

Hearing this, Ding Ying, who was seated behind them, turned pale. She had originally planned to get her revenge in the next competition.

"I can't believe the rumors were true. There truly is an unparalleled genius who can comprehend the third realm of sword cultivation before even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage." Another robust, imposing youth with a tiger-like beard and broad shoulders sighed with emotion. As he watched Chen Mobai gracefully step off the stage after defeating his opponent, his bell-like eyes blazed with intense battle intent.

"Nephew Feng, if you were to fight him, what are your chances of winning?" Zhou Wangshen asked Feng Hongxue, who was beside him. The senior disciple of the Sword Cultivation Department closed his eyes, recalling Chen Mobai's recent strike.

After a long moment, he opened his eyes and shook his head.

"No chance at all. Within the Qi Condensation realm, no one can withstand that sword strike of his!"

After saying this, Feng Hongxue turned to Ding Ying, a look of apology on his face.

"Junior Sister Ding, I originally planned to help you get your revenge, but I can't defeat this person."

Hearing this, Ding Ying still felt a pang of unwillingness.

"Uncle Zhou, my conflict with him was entirely because of Junior Sister Yin. Given his current prestige, if he truly succeeds in Foundation Establishment in the future, I might never be able to thrive within the sect."

"Don't worry, I will personally intervene to resolve this for you." Zhou Wangshen nodded, his gaze fixed on Chen Mobai below, as he continued to ask Feng Hongxue beside him. "His opponent in the next round is Mu Yuan. That's the Sect Master's precious disciple. Who do you think will win?"

As last year's top true disciple, Feng Hongxue didn't hesitate to give his answer.

"No matter how strong Mu Yuan is, I have a good chance of defeating him. But against the Sword Qi Rainbow realm, I don't even have the courage to challenge it."

Zhou Wangshen listened and smiled.

"My Divine Wood Sect truly has heaven's favor. Since we separated from the Five Elements Sect, not only have we had Patriarch Fu achieve Core Formation, and Senior Brother Hong He, a talent of astonishing killing prowess, and even a Heavenly Spirit Root disciple join us, but now we also have an unparalleled sword cultivation genius. When I succeed as Sect Master in the future, with so many talents under my command, perhaps we can reunite the Five Elements under the name of Divine Wood."

Hearing Zhou Wangshen's words, Ding Ying knew that from now on, whenever she encountered Chen Mobai in the Divine Wood Sect, she would likely have to walk a wide circle around him. Compared to an unparalleled genius who comprehended Sword Qi Rainbow at the Qi Condensation stage, she, a mere true disciple—even if ten of her were combined—might not equal Chen Mobai in the eyes of the sect's upper echelons. Unless she successfully reaches Foundation Establishment! It seemed she couldn't delay any longer. Ding Ying, who had been hesitant about taking the Foundation Establishment Pill, finally made up her mind after hearing Zhou Wangshen's words. Perhaps, this was her opportunity for Foundation Establishment.

As Ding Ying was thinking this, Zhou Wangshen took out a talisman and handed it to Feng Hongxue.

"This is... a Spirit Leaf Talisman!" As the senior disciple of the Talisman Forging Department, Ding Ying's eyes widened when she saw the talisman. This precious talisman, refined using the leaves of the sect's Rank 3 Golden Sunwood as paper, can reach up to Rank 3 in grade and is one of the most potent defensive talismans in the Divine Wood Sect's talisman master lineage.

"This Spirit Leaf Talisman I drew has a flaw, only reaching the Mid-Rank 2 level, but it's still enough to block that sword strike from Chen Guixian." After Feng Hongxue received the talisman, his previously narrowed eyes instantly opened wide, and his fighting spirit soared. "The Sword Qi Rainbow is a realm only sword cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage can achieve. Even if he's an unparalleled genius, at the Qi Condensation stage, he can at most unleash one such strike. If I can withstand that one sword strike, I might be able to defeat him."

Hearing this, Ding Ying's expression also grew excited. Indeed, given Zhou Wangshen's arrogance, he wouldn't just sit by and watch Chen Mobai dominate for ten years like Hong He. However, Zhou Wangshen's next words sent her spiraling into an icy abyss.

"After you defeat him, raise your hand and concede, yielding the top true disciple position to him." Even Feng Hongxue hadn't expected Zhou Wangshen to say this. The hand holding the Spirit Leaf Talisman suddenly stiffened.

"Uncle Zhou, isn't that... not right?"

"What's not right about it? You'll only win because you have my talisman. Based on true strength, the top true disciple position should rightfully be his, shouldn't it?" As Zhou Wangshen spoke, his bell-like eyes met Feng Hongxue's. The latter stubbornly met his gaze but, after a moment of thought, realized Zhou Wangshen was right. Indeed, in terms of true strength, Chen Mobai could already be considered unrivaled in the Qi Condensation realm.

"I understand." Hearing this, Zhou Wangshen nodded in satisfaction, then rose and left.

As Chen Mobai stepped off the stage, he felt many gazes upon him. One of them, in particular, gave him a very dangerous feeling. It must have been a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, after defeating Ding Ying, he had already grown accustomed to such attention.

The next round would be the match he anticipated most in this sect competition. He walked over to another arena. The Divine Wood Sect disciples who recognized him immediately cleared the closest spot for him. Chen Mobai thanked them and stood below the arena.

The two combatants on the stage were Mu Yuan and Yuan Chiye. Chen Mobai was certain that whoever arranged this bracket must have first decided on this particular match before arranging the others. Before his sudden emergence, the fight between Mu Yuan and Yuan Chiye was undoubtedly the most anticipated match in the entire Divine Wood Sect. Last year, Mu Yuan lost to Yuan Chiye by a single move. This year, the former had trained diligently for a year, his spiritual power and spells both far more refined, making him almost a replica of E Yun. He wondered if Yuan Chiye could still suppress him this year.

"Senior Brother Chen, who do you think will win?" Zhuo Ming had been following Chen Mobai closely these past few days. Watching this match, she couldn't help but ask.

"I hope Mu Yuan wins."

"Senior Brother Yuan is a good person. I actually hoped he would win." Hearing Chen Mobai's words, Zhuo Ming looked disappointed.

"I merely said I hope Mu Yuan wins because I don't wish to defeat Senior Brother Yuan on the stage, and I also hope to resolve the regret of my defeat last year."

The outcome was just as Chen Mobai had expected. Mu Yuan and Yuan Chiye delivered the most spectacular fight of this sect competition. Their strengths were comparable, and their mastery over their respective cultivation techniques and spells had reached an an exquisite peak. Even their Rank 2 magical artifacts were wielded as if extensions of their own limbs. However, Mu Yuan's spirit was sharper. In the end, Yuan Chiye was unwilling to expend his vital energy to use 'Two-Phase Reversal.' After their final spell clash, he took the opportunity to fall off the stage. This meant that in the ninth round, Chen Mobai's opponent would be Mu Yuan. He had finally waited for this. This sect competition, right before his Foundation Establishment, would allow him to resolve all the regrets in his heart.