Chapter 2008: Beating the Elder Hall (Part 1)

The exact level of a Transcending Immortal Lord was not recorded in any books I had read, nor had Elder Lu Yun ever mentioned it. Yet, the person before me had clearly reached it.

Such an individual was unfathomable; if one truly intended to act against him, a single thought could eradicate them.

While I was still in shock, Sect Master Han Jianqiu's laughter rang out.

“Young friend Zhang Xuan, would it be convenient for you to demonstrate your sword techniques for us?”

“Sect Master, how would you like me to demonstrate?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“Your cultivation is only at the early stage of the Virtual Immortal realm… which means you cannot enter the Divine Comprehension Hall exclusive to elders. How about we all enter the Divine Comprehension Hall for core disciples? Everyone will have the same power and cultivation there, and we can have a match. This way, you can better showcase your sword techniques!”

Sect Master Han Jianqiu smiled and said.

Elders had their own Divine Comprehension Hall, and core disciples had theirs. The opponent's cultivation was clearly not yet high enough for the elder level, so they could only enter a lower-tier hall.

“Enter the Divine Comprehension Hall… forget it. Why don't you suppress your cultivation and compete with me right here?”

Seeing that the other party hadn't noticed his deliberately suppressed cultivation, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and said.

“Here? Are you sure?” Before Sect Master Han could speak, Elder He frowned and interjected, “In the Divine Comprehension Hall, everyone has the same cultivation and true qi reserves, which is the fairest. But here, even if we suppress our cultivation, our physical strength, soul strength, and the purity and reserves of our true qi cannot be controlled…”

In the Divine Comprehension Hall, only a wisp of consciousness enters; the allocated bodies all have identical attributes, somewhat similar to possessing a puppet. Only in such a match could the true strength or weakness of sword techniques be genuinely displayed.

But here, even with suppressed cultivation, the physical body and soul of an Immortal Lord were still incredibly formidable—something an early-stage Virtual Immortal could simply not contend with.

“No worries!” Zhang Xuan said.

Although the Library of Heaven's Path could discern identity within the Divine Comprehension Hall, it could only confirm the sword techniques used and similar aspects. Here, however, he could gather much more detailed information, even down to eighteen generations of ancestors. In case of an unforeseen event, this information might serve as a means of self-preservation!

“Hmph, since you've made such a decision, we also happen to want to see just how powerful the God's Sword Intent truly is!”

An elder stood up first.

The God's Sword Intent, comprehended by the founding patriarch, was known to be unattainable the moment one entered the Sword Pavilion. Yet, no one had ever comprehended it. Even the most powerful experts in the sect didn't know where the true power of this sword intent lay, or just how strong it was!

Since this person before us wanted to compete here, it couldn't be better!

They could also experience it firsthand.

Anyway, with their strength, even with suppressed cultivation, it would be impossible for the other party to injure them!

“My name is Qiu Huo, the Grand Elder of the Sword Pavilion's Core Disciple Elder Council, with peak Immortal Lord realm strength. I'll test your sword moves!”

The elder named Qiu Huo came forward, quickly suppressing his cultivation to match Zhang Xuan's. His long sword vibrated, emitting a clear hum, and he looked over indifferently.

Their swords were all uniformly provided by the Elder Hall, belonging to the same batch and possessing identical attributes, ensuring no one could gain an advantage by relying on a sharper weapon.

“You alone aren't enough; the rest of you should come down as well!”

Glancing around, Zhang Xuan did not draw his sword but smiled faintly.

“Not enough?”

The eyebrows of the several elders in the room all twitched.

Elder Bai Ye, in particular, was clutching his forehead.

This guy’s nickname was 'I'm Very Low-Key' – where on earth was that low-key?

Those present were not only the peak experts of Lingyun Sword Pavilion, but every single one of them was renowned across the continent. Even if his sword techniques were strong, challenging one person to test the waters would have been acceptable… but to demand that everyone come down at once, including the Sect Master…

This was beyond arrogant!

“What, are you scared?” Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

“The God’s Sword Intent is indeed powerful, but my position as the Grand Elder of the Core Disciple Elder Council is not undeserved. Furthermore, this is merely a suppression of cultivation, not the Divine Comprehension Hall… If you want to challenge others, defeat me first!”

Qiu Huo’s expression was not pleasant.

He had stepped forward first, suppressing his cultivation to challenge an early-stage Virtual Immortal, which was already somewhat beneath his dignity. Yet, the other party… actually disdained to compete with him…

It was simply a direct slap in the face!

And it was the kind that slapped back and forth, 'Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!'”

“Defeat you first, then talk? Very well!”

Seeing that the others had no intention of entering the arena and seemed to have great confidence in the person before them, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and extended a finger.

“What do you mean? You’re going to defeat me in one move?” Qiu Huo was startled, then laughed in extreme anger. “Isn’t that a bit too arrogant?”

“One move? You’re thinking too much!”

Zhang Xuan shook his head. “I mean, without using a sword or any other part of my body, I will defeat you with one finger, within a single breath!”

“You…”

Qiu Huo was on the verge of exploding.

As the Grand Elder of the Core Disciple Elder Council, he usually cultivated his mind and temperament and had long since reached a state of inner calm. But… the other party’s words were truly infuriating!

Crucially, his gaze and every single movement… were as if he was looking at an ant…

He was a peak Immortal Lord!

One of the strongest individuals on the continent…

Why did it feel like the roles were reversed in the other party’s eyes?

“Alright, since that’s the case, I’ll experience your superior move. Let me see how you will defeat me with one finger within a single breath…”

Despite his overflowing anger, Elder Qiu Huo still endured it.

Having reached his level of strength, he had long been able to control his temperament at will and would not be swayed by emotions.

“He’s a bit arrogant…”

“More than just arrogant, he’s unbelievably arrogant…”

As the two discussed, Han Jianqiu and Elder He, who were observing from above, exchanged glances and gave wry smiles.

A young man in the Virtual Immortal realm, seeing so many peak Immortal Lords, not only wasn't afraid but was this arrogant and overbearing…

Was he missing a screw, or was his skill truly matched by his audacity?

“The God’s Sword Intent can contend with gods… I hope his strength can truly amaze us!”

“Let’s see!”

They looked forward once more.

“What a pity…”

Seeing that he had said all this, yet no one else came down, Zhang Xuan was a bit disappointed.

It wasn’t that he was arrogant; rather… he did it on purpose.

If they all came down together and performed their martial techniques, the Library of Heaven’s Path could clearly identify all their flaws and so on. If they came down one by one, what if… once they realized his sword techniques were powerful, the remaining ones would be concerned about their reputation and refuse to enter the arena, making it impossible for him to observe them further?

Such a thing wasn’t impossible.

“Forget it. I’ll deal with this one first, and if I continue to challenge everyone, they should all come down then…”

Seeing that everyone was sitting stably, Zhang Xuan knew it would be almost impossible to get them to come down again. He immediately smiled faintly and said, “Begin!”

As his words finished, Qiu Huo, who was before him, moved.

Although he had suppressed his cultivation to the early Virtual Immortal realm, his speed was still as swift as a hurricane and lightning. The long sword before him, in particular, tore through the spatial restraints and instantly appeared before Zhang Xuan.

Although at the same level, he was many times stronger than He Jingxuan from before.

Just as the opponent’s long sword was about to reach his throat, Zhang Xuan raised a finger and pointed forward.

His movement wasn't fast, yet it gave off a feeling of growing larger and heavier, like a falling meteor. In an instant, it ignited an illusion of irresistible power within Qiu Huo's heart.

“How is that possible?”

His pupils contracted, and Qiu Huo’s eyes widened.

He was a peak Immortal Lord expert; although he had suppressed his cultivation, his mental fortitude remained. It was absolutely impossible for him to hallucinate from aura suppression, yet… the other party’s finger genuinely gave him an irresistible power.

How exactly did he do it?

Crack! Crack!

Roaring in his heart, the oppressive feeling from the opponent’s fingertip surged towards him. His true qi at the Virtual Immortal realm could no longer bear it; his long sword involuntarily bent, cracked in an instant, and shattered into countless pieces.

And his advancing body was also as if confined in place, unable to move any further. He could only watch helplessly as the opponent’s finger pointed towards his glabella.

“This guy… is interesting!”

As Qiu Huo was filled with shock and disbelief, Sect Master Han Jianqiu, who was on the platform, suddenly paused, then smiled faintly.

“Sect Master, this…”

Even though he saw that Sect Master Han understood, Elder He was still full of doubts.

Everyone was at the same strength, yet Zhang Xuan, with just one finger, not only broke the sword but also seemed to seal off the opponent’s power… What was the principle behind it?

“If I’m not mistaken, he is not only proficient in sword techniques but also knows a great deal about formations!”

Sect Master Han Jianqiu explained.

“Formations?” Elder He was even more confused.

“Yes, with that finger, he not only used sword techniques but also utilized the formation of the entire Elder Hall, imbuing his sword intent with the formation to make his power so formidable…” Sect Master Han Jianqiu explained, “He deliberately provoked the other party with words just now, which was actually to buy time to hide his sword intent within the formation…”

At this point, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “No wonder he could comprehend the God’s Sword Intent; his utilization of the environment is simply astounding!”

“This…”

Elder He’s face twitched.

How long had he been in this great hall?

At most, no more than ten minutes…

Not only did he recognize the formation contained within it, but he also imbued his sword intent within it, utilizing the grand momentum of the formation…

This… this was too heaven-defying!

Before, he had thought that at the same level, it was impossible for one person to defeat so many of them. But now, it seemed quite possible!

While they were too astonished to speak, the two fighting in front had already reached a conclusion. As Zhang Xuan’s finger landed, Qiu Huo flew backward, and while still in the air, he unsealed his cultivation.

Otherwise, he would surely suffer severe internal injuries.

“How was that?”

Withdrawing his hand and standing upright, Zhang Xuan’s expression was proud.

From the moment he extended his finger until the opponent was sent flying, it was exactly one breath, no more, no less.

“I… lost!”

His chest aching with a burning pain, Qiu Huo felt that the opponent’s move wasn’t purely sword technique, but he couldn’t say much more.

To be defeated by a single finger from someone only in the Virtual Immortal realm was already very shameful; if he spoke further, he truly couldn’t face them.

“Heh heh!”

Seeing him admit defeat, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, then suddenly glanced around, and his faint voice rang out in the ears of every elder.

“I wonder if you all would be willing to give me face and come down together… allowing me, with just one person and one sword, to beat you all up one by one… How about it?”