Chapter 1194: Sealing the Mountain

Some gathered towards the mountaintop, while others began to fully blockade the various passages around the base of the mountain, setting up their positions strictly according to the directives of Sect Master Jian Yunqing.

Silently, the entire Sword Pavilion was besieged by various external forces, layers deep. If today's sword inquiry had concluded as planned, these forces naturally would not have acted rashly. However, if the situation spiraled beyond the control of Jian Yunqing and his allies, with Xu Yang's power dominating, then this day's battle would ultimately become unavoidable.

As time passed, second by second, the situation on the battlefield seemed to shift with every moment. This was because the sword aura emanating from the Blood Pool was incredibly powerful. Even hundreds of meters away from the central area of the Sword Pool, people could still feel the biting sharpness of the sword energy constantly clashing in the air.

Even these spectators, renowned for their sword cultivation, were unable to withstand this overwhelmingly powerful sword energy and maintain their safety. One can only imagine what kind of physical pressure Xu Yang, standing at the very eye of this storm, must have been enduring.

Of course, the most terrifying aspect was the immense mental pressure. Even a slight lapse in concentration from Xu Yang at this moment, and all the ancient artifacts below, guided by his spiritual power, would instantly unleash irreversible, devastating attacks on his soul.

Awen and the others exclaimed with heartfelt admiration. "Hahaha, perhaps true power is only revealed in such extreme conditions," one said. "Our boss is truly playing with fire, risking his life, almost self-destructing! But he can withstand such terrifying pressure, controlling countless ancient artifacts by himself. Such power is something I can only aspire to in this lifetime.” This time, they had truly witnessed the fundamental difference between themselves and Xu Yang. Before this, they had only known that Xu Yang's offensive power was immense; almost no one could withstand the terrifying pressure of his attacks if he intended to kill them.

Furthermore, due to his extensive knowledge and profound experience, Xu Yang's ability to control the situation on the battlefield and his efficient combat mindset for handling crises were also highly admirable. Yet, even with these past experiences, others had only regarded Xu Yang as a top-tier expert. But now, witnessing him single-handedly stir up the entire Sword Pavilion, they finally realized that Xu Yang was practically synonymous with the god-like figure in their subconscious.

Some of the great kings and marquises had already begun to voice such sentiments. "Such an extraordinary individual has emerged in Yingzhou Continent. It seems this junior is destined to cause a great stir. How should we decide? It's probably no longer up to us to say.” This demonstrated that in their perception, Xu Yang had surpassed all limits, reaching a level they could neither control nor comprehend.

This time, Xu Yang reversed roles, openly speaking with a challenging tone, putting pressure on the Sword Sect in front of all the world's heroes. "To be honest," Xu Yang began, "this esteemed Sword Pavilion claims to possess the world’s divine weapons, but what I’ve seen today is merely adequate. I don’t mean to offend the Sword Sect’s reputation, but the pressure I’m currently feeling isn’t enough to make me revere the name ‘Sword Sect.’ I wonder, Sect Master Jian Yunqing, do you have any more stimulating top-tier artifacts?” What kind of person was Jian Yunqing? Though advanced in age, this old man had lived his life like an unyielding sword, never allowing himself to be suppressed by outsiders. He was also someone who highly valued his reputation, so how could he permit an obscure junior to stand on his territory and provoke him?

"Hahaha, young man, you truly are a newborn calf unafraid of tigers,” Jian Yunqing chuckled. “Since you’re so confident in your abilities, I’ll show you the true foundation of the Sword Pavilion. However, let me warn you: once I release the Sword Sect’s true sealed artifact, the consequences will be beyond my control. Even if that power surpasses your limits of endurance, you’ll simply have to accept your fate.” As expected, Jian Yunqing seemed to want to see the extent of Xu Yang’s endurance. On the other hand, he had secretly resolved that if he were to unleash the Sword Pavilion's true hidden power to the outside world, it would mean that the martial artists gathered around the Blood Pool today would undoubtedly have to pay a price.

Jian Yunqing did not wish to reveal the Sword Sect’s true foundation prematurely, and each of the top-tier famous swords he was about to unleash possessed an extraordinary history. He swiftly performed a complex set of martial arts techniques with his hands. In moments, brilliant sword light erupted around Jian Yunqing’s body, completely enveloping him. Seven incredibly condensed rays of sword energy repeatedly shot forth from Jian Yunqing’s brow, striking the deepest part of the Blood Pool. Sure enough, guided by Jian Yunqing’s aura, the formation power sealed at the very bottom of the Blood Pool rapidly disintegrated.

Following this, the powerful spiritual energy released by Xu Yang quickly resonated with the legendary divine weapon buried deep within the formation beneath the Blood Pool. The first red artifact to be released responded immediately, shooting forth without warning amidst a deafening roar.

The personal attendant to the Sixth Prince, a scholarly-looking man, spoke up leisurely. “Good heavens,” he exclaimed, “Isn’t that the legendary Red Emperor, the signature divine weapon of the previous Sword Sect Master, Sword Emperor Ichiro? My master once mentioned that the Red Emperor Sword glows with a pure crimson light, forged from a meteorite from outside this world, and its blade is engraved with a red coiled dragon. This is indeed that legendary divine weapon! To think that the greatest secret of the Blood Pool is the sealed signature divine weapons of successive Sword Sect Masters! The power unleashed by this single sword alone probably rivals that of the previous dozen divine weapons combined, doesn't it?” This young man was known as 'Jianghu Baixiaosheng' and was remarkably knowledgeable about the strange happenings and affairs within the martial arts world. Listening to his interpretation, the surrounding spectators and top swordsmen from all paths were utterly dumbfounded. It was clear that this must be one of the Sword Sect’s true hidden foundations. With even the Red Emperor Sword released, it seemed Sect Master Jian Yunqing was truly serious today.