Chapter 614: Transmission of the Sword

The symphony of a thousand swords and the roar of a dragon across the sky signify the Sword Heart realm. At this level, a longsword develops a spiritual essence, perfectly attuned to its wielder, becoming an extension of their arm and more than doubling their combat effectiveness.

Mastering this realm typically allows one to found a new sect and become a grandmaster.

Many rulers and sect leaders haven't even achieved it. So, who in the mist has attained this level, causing countless swords outside to resonate uncontrollably? And who is it whose sword qi permeates the air, whose aura crisscrosses, even before their full sword intent is unleashed?

"It must be Liao Wuzhi. Both our sects are located at the foot of the mountains outside Ten Thousand Kingdoms City. Every morning, we see him practicing sword forms by the waterfall; his sword echoes through the valley, and his renown shakes the Nine Provinces. Even then, I thought he had at least reached the pinnacle of sword intent, if not the Sword Heart realm itself!"

"Now that you say that, I recall seeing the marks from his sword practice. His sword intent permeated several *zhang* around him, leaving perfectly uniform and equally deep indentations on the ground. Only someone who has attained the Sword Heart realm could achieve such precision!"

"Liao Wuzhi, hailed as the supreme sword genius of the Cold Qi Sect, is certainly no exaggeration."

"Indeed, the Sword Heart realm grants overwhelming power over opponents of the same rank. Master Zhang's inherent strength is already inferior to his opponent's, so winning this time will likely be very difficult!"

"I disagree with your assessment. I believe it's Master Zhang who has reached the Sword Heart realm! You all witnessed his performance in the previous rounds..."

The master teachers below the stage all wore solemn expressions, shaken by the pervasive sword qi emanating from the mist.

"The Sword Heart realm?"

Wu Tianhao, returning from the sky, shivered.

Initially, he had intended to challenge Master Zhang in swordplay, not in fist or palm techniques. He had believed his profound understanding of the sword would ensure an easy victory. However, Master Zhang immediately accepted the challenge, putting him on the defensive.

He had planned to use his sword in any future challenge, avoiding unnecessary complications. But feeling the overwhelming sword qi ahead, he instantly lost all confidence.

No matter who had attained the Sword Heart, how could their swordsmanship be anything but exceptional if they could contend with such a force? It was certainly beyond what someone of his cultivation level could handle.

"Master Zhang... can he win?" Hall Master Kang and the others were also filled with concern.

"Don't worry, he'll definitely win, it's just..." Zhao Feiwu's elegant brows furrowed.

"Just what?"

Knowing that the Second Princess had a good relationship with Master Zhang, they all looked at her.

"Master Zhang's swordsmanship is beyond doubt; he reached the Sword Heart realm long ago!" Zhao Feiwu confirmed with a nod.

At the Altar of Heaven in Xuanyuan Kingdom, Master Zhang demonstrated the sword qi of the Lesser Sword Heart realm. She and Jin Conghai had witnessed it clearly from atop a savage beast.

With his strength increasing, his comprehension of that realm must have grown even more powerful. If anyone inside were displaying the Sword Heart realm, she was absolutely certain it would be Master Zhang. Even if it weren't him, his understanding of the sword would certainly be no less profound.

"It's just... he lacks a suitable weapon," Zhao Feiwu added.

Master Zhang's rise has been so rapid that while he possesses numerous spirit stones, he has hardly any suitable weapons.

When he carved array disks at the Array Master Guild in Honghai City, the sword he used was borrowed.

In a sword duel, while understanding the blade is crucial, the weapon itself plays a significant role. Without a longsword of sufficient grade to match his opponent's, even a superior understanding might leave him at a disadvantage.

"Then... what can be done?"

Hall Master Kang and the others were momentarily stunned.

They had assumed that with a formidable teacher like Master Yang, he would lack nothing. They never expected him not to possess even a mid-tier spirit-grade longsword. If this were truly the case, how could he compete?

Had they known, they would have lent him one without hesitation. But now the competition had already begun, and it was too late to procure a weapon.

"We can only wait for the outcome; there's nothing more we can do," Zhao Feiwu said.

Zhao Feiwu shook her head.

As they worried, a clear voice resonated from within the mist: "Master Hong, please withdraw the formation!"

"The battle is over?"

Everyone was stunned once more.

They had intended to keep the results private, yet now they were requesting the formation be lifted. Did this mean the duel had already concluded?

It had only been a few minutes, less than two, perhaps. Had someone already won, and someone lost? That was incredibly fast!

As bewildered eyes watched, the mist slowly dissipated, revealing two figures.

Master Zhang and Liao Wuzhi stood in their original positions, seemingly untouched, without a single injury or sword mark. The sword duel, which had been anticipated to be perilous, appeared, from the surface, as though it had never even begun.

"Who... who actually won?"

"I don't know either, but... where is Master Zhang's sword?"

"Right, wasn't this a sword duel? Why isn't Master Zhang holding a sword?"

"Could Master Zhang have thrown down his sword and conceded?"

Though neither contestant had moved, Liao Wuzhi held his longsword, radiating a chilling aura, while Master Zhang stood empty-handed. It was unclear if he had put his sword back into his storage ring or if he had never even drawn it. From their appearances, it was impossible to tell who had won or lost.

"I lost!"

As the speculation grew, Liao Wuzhi's voice rang out. The genius then shook his head, sheathed his longsword, and placed it back into his storage ring.

"Master Liao lost?"

"What exactly happened?"

A wave of uproar swept through the crowd. What exactly had Master Zhang done to make Liao Wuzhi, a master of profound swordsmanship, willingly concede defeat in less than two minutes?

"Master Zhang's swordsmanship is truly profound; I am ashamed of my own inferiority!"

Disregarding the astonished crowd, Liao Wuzhi shook his head, faced the young man, and cupped his fists. "I have reached the early stage of Lesser Sword Heart, and I find it extremely difficult to progress further. Master Zhang, would you be willing to offer me some guidance and direction for my cultivation?"

Within the entire Cold Qi Sect, he was the only one who had reached the Sword Heart realm, leaving him without guidance for further advancement. This young man, though younger than him, possessed an understanding of the sword that far surpassed his own. Seizing this opportunity for guidance would undoubtedly be of immense benefit to his future cultivation.

"Guidance?"

Zhang Xuan, surprised by Liao Wuzhi's humble concession and direct request for guidance, nodded calmly and extended his hand. "The sword!" he commanded.

"Yes!"

Liao Wuzhi's eyes lit up, and he swiftly retrieved his longsword, presenting it.

With a flick of his finger, the longsword sprang from its sheath, a chilling sword qi surging forth like a dazzling, brilliant light.

"Is Master Zhang... going to instruct Liao Wuzhi?"

"It appears so, but... if he's offering instruction, why isn't he using his own sword? Others' swords are bound to their masters; if the spiritual essence resists, he won't be able to demonstrate sword intent effectively!"

"Indeed, it's very strange..."

Everyone's brows furrowed as they watched Zhang Xuan request the sword.

Once a longsword attains the spirit level, it develops its own spiritual essence. Once it acknowledges a master, it becomes incredibly difficult for outsiders to wield it, as long as the master lives. If Master Zhang intended to demonstrate swordsmanship, why would he use someone else's weapon instead of his own?

As their curiosity grew, and they wondered what Master Zhang would do, a sharp ringing sound emanated from the longsword in his hand.

"The spiritual essence is stirring, actively seeking a new master?"

"He merely touched Master Liao's longsword, and it acknowledged him as its master?"

Everyone gasped in shock.

Getting a spirit-grade weapon to acknowledge a master was an arduous task; some spent years polishing their blades daily without success. Yet, Master Zhang simply touched Liao Wuzhi's sword while he stood there, and the blade instantly vibrated with excitement, ready to accept him as its new master, just like the Green Eagle Beast before it. This was utterly unbelievable!

Liao Wuzhi himself was stunned, his eyes wide with disbelief.

He had spent a full six months just to make this sword's spiritual essence acknowledge him, even nourishing it with his heart's blood for an entire month before it finally submitted, dramatically enhancing his sword intent. Yet, the other man simply touched it, and it practically begged to acknowledge him as its master... The disparity was simply too vast.

"Watch closely, I will only demonstrate it once!"

While still reeling from shock, they heard Master Zhang's calm voice.

Hastily steadying their minds, they fixed their gaze on him.

The audience below fell into a sudden silence. No one dared to blink, afraid of missing a single detail.

Having witnessed him defeat Master Liao, who had attained the Sword Heart, they were eager to see just how profound Master Zhang's understanding of the sword truly was.

Under their collective gaze, the longsword in Zhang Xuan's hand moved.

The longsword, which moments ago had exuded a chilling aura, now seemed to lose its radiance and formidable power in his grasp. It felt as light as a piece of straw, becoming a seamless extension of his arm, without the slightest hint of discord.

*Whoosh!*

The longsword slashed towards Liao Wuzhi, stopped just before him, and was instantly withdrawn. The movement was so swift that many in the audience failed to even register it.

*Clang!*

Zhang Xuan sheathed the longsword and walked off the stage.

"What incredibly fast swordsmanship!"

"Is this Master Zhang's understanding of the sword?"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, completely perplexed.

Even Liao Wuzhi was utterly confused.

Master Zhang's recent slash had been swift, but... with his own abilities, he could easily replicate it, perhaps even faster. Such a basic move hardly seemed worth studying!

As he pondered, a gust of wind from his turn brushed past him, and a single strand of hair gently drifted down from his forehead.

"Just now... did he cut off one of my hairs?"

Liao Wuzhi's pupils constricted as he watched the single strand of hair slowly fall.

His hair was thick, yet a single slash had severed only one strand, leaving the rest untouched. Such control over power was utterly astounding. Could it be...

As expected of Master Zhang, truly terrifying!

"A single sword stroke severed a hair, and Master Liao didn't even realize it?"

"What kind of swordsmanship is this? What level of sword mastery does it require to achieve such a feat?"

"I don't know... but it must have reached the pinnacle of the Lesser Sword Heart, or perhaps even the Middle Sword Heart realm!"

"The Middle Sword Heart realm?"

Everyone in the audience was speechless.

To cut a single strand of hair with one sword stroke, such mastery was unbelievable unless witnessed firsthand.

"Many thanks for your guidance, Master Zhang..." Liao Wuzhi clasped his fists, his demeanor respectful.

"Did you understand?" Zhang Xuan paused.

"I understood. Master Zhang's single stroke, severing a hair, demonstrated terrifying control. It means I should focus more on cultivating control..."

Before he could finish, Master Zhang shook his head, his back looking unusually disappointed under the moonlight. "It seems... you didn't understand," he said.

With that, he gently waved his sleeve.

A gust of wind swept through, gently lifting the fallen hair, instantly tearing it into dozens of tiny pieces that scattered in all directions.

"This... wasn't a single strike?"

His pupils constricted, and Liao Wuzhi's face turned ashen.