Chapter 1205: Personal Showcase

"With your strength, you should easily be able to sense the profound sword power contained within this stellar array totem, shouldn't you?"

Sword Sect Master Jian Yunqing's face was filled with pride as he spoke of the dazzling array totem above them, which seemed to be formed from a myriad of converging nebulae. This was a confidence born from countless years of accumulated honor for a Sword Sect disciple.

It was evident how deeply this old man cherished the reputation and heritage of the Sword Sect. After all, it held his life's memories and decades of dedication. Regrettably, all of it was now destined for ruin today, thanks to a single misguided decision.

He should never have crossed paths with Xu Yang, nor should he have made an enemy of him. Even if he was determined to aid the Fourth Prince, he should never have aimed his hostility at Xu Yang. Otherwise, he wouldn't have met such a disastrous end today.

Even if Jian Yunqing wished for a destructive confrontation, Xu Yang would not allow it. The lives of the other princes were crucial to the grand scheme between Xu Yang and the Fifth Prince.

Before the Seven Dragon Formation was fully activated, the bloodline power of every prince was indispensable. Therefore, Xu Yang naturally couldn't allow the destructive sword qi totems of this stellar array to completely manifest on Seven Jue Mountain, as everyone within the Sword Tower would surely perish in such a cataclysm.

"Since our confrontation has reached this point," Jian Yunqing declared, "I no longer need to conceal anything from you. This stellar sword array contains a trace of the sealed true essence of the sword souls of all previous Sword Sect Masters!

Unlike the sword dao inheritances you gained from the seven ancient renowned swords, this formation encapsulates the most potent materialized power, sealed and unique to our seven past Sect Masters.

In essence, when you face the might of this sword formation, it is tantamount to you, alone, confronting the combined power of the strongest attacks from seven Sword Sect Masters simultaneously.

In my judgment," he continued, "there is no one on the entire Yingzhou Continent, apart from the most powerful living fossils and elders within the Central Domain Imperial Dynasty, who could withstand the crushing force of my Sword Sect's ultimate stellar sword array."

Xu Yang remained unfazed, gently shaking his head at the intensely gazing Jian Yunqing. "Don't speak so boastfully. At least in front of me, Xu Yang, such words are nothing more than a joke. How much courage does it take to declare yourself 'the strongest' in my presence?"

Xu Yang's words unequivocally showcased his overwhelming dominance. Simultaneously, he had no intention of letting his opponent off easily, and he began to furiously gather the immense wellspring of power within his body.

It was crucial to note that Xu Yang had just comprehended the Boundless Sword Realm. What he needed most was precisely an experience that would push his physical potential to its absolute limit, allowing him to fully master and further refine his Boundless Sword Realm to a state of ultimate perfection.

Thus, as Xu Yang gazed up at the stellar sword array above, his heart was filled with only one emotion: exhilaration! In that very instant, an intensely brilliant golden light burst forth from Xu Yang's pupils once more. The dazzling spiritual power profoundly astonished Jian Yunqing.

Jian Yunqing had never dreamed that Xu Yang could maintain such an abundant fighting spirit even at such a critical life-or-death juncture. This was something no one else could easily achieve, and how could a person with such a mindset not grow powerful?

Jian Yunqing's personal history was quite legendary. He was not originally the most outstanding disciple of his generation within the Sword Sect, nor was he even among the top tier. Yet, through his extraordinary effort and unwavering perseverance, he steadily ascended to the position of Sword Sect inheritor, becoming the new generation's Sword Saint.

Consequently, Jian Yunqing had always believed that no one was born a king; rather, with sufficient effort and perseverance, guided by proper methods and seizing opportune moments, even the most humble individual could one day ascend to their desired position.

However, upon encountering Xu Yang's sword dao, he fundamentally altered this belief. Especially at this moment, seeing the unique sharpness of a true powerhouse in Xu Yang's eyes — that profound composure that allowed him to face the impending collapse of heaven and earth with a calm smile — Jian Yunqing knew he was destined to fail.

The moment he felt the immense pressure emanating from Xu Yang, he understood that no matter how much power he himself wielded, his spirit had already been profoundly conquered. Facing this man, he knew he had absolutely no chance of victory. Even more terrifying was that Xu Yang had not yet fully unleashed his murderous intent; if he were to release his killing aura, Jian Yunqing would likely collapse in utter defeat without even a true exchange of blows.

True conquest of an opponent only occurs when one is defeated in their innermost being; at this moment, Jian Yunqing had been utterly conquered by Xu Yang.

A deafening, sky-shaking thunder rumbled above their heads. Endless golden sword light descended from the sky, converging within the core of the stellar sword array. It coalesced into a continuously flashing, epoch-making bolt of lightning, which then slammed down fiercely towards Xu Yang's head.

This immense power was originally intended to engulf the entire battlefield within the Sword Furnace, impacting every single expert present. Yet, at this moment, it was all borne by Xu Yang alone, who stood defiantly at the apex of the void.

"Oh my goodness," exclaimed one of the Eight Gates team members, "Boss truly lives up to his name! To confront the power of the entire stellar formation single-handedly? While his strength is immense, I certainly wouldn't have the courage to face such terrifying might alone!"

Meanwhile, members of the Eight Gates team, who had already breached the sealed exit area of the Sword Furnace, seized this rare lull to gaze upwards. The sheer intensity of the stellar array above was so profound that over eighty percent of the experts within the Sword Furnace were fixated on the astonishing power unleashed in that moment.

When these onlookers clearly saw that it was Xu Yang who had blocked the terrifying force of that lethal sword strike on their behalf, a profound reverence filled everyone's hearts for his towering figure. Deep within the hearts of these various heroes, the new generation's Sword Saint, the supreme master of the sword dao, and a legendary figure in the martial arts world of Yingzhou Continent, could only be Xu Yang.

Jian Yunqing could never have imagined that by opening the Sword Dwelling and offering an opportunity for heroes to challenge its might, he would inadvertently become a mere stepping stone, instead solidifying Xu Yang's eternal and unyielding reputation. Yet, who could he truly blame but himself?