Chapter 604: Outdrawing the Knife

Li Yuan's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she sneered, "It's still uncertain who will win or lose! Let's talk after Daoist Zhou emerges victorious."

Zhou Yunxiao and Li Yuan flew to a bluestone arena, which was soon enveloped by a light blue barrier of light.

"Wait, this protective barrier is too weak," Princess Yong'an said with a frown. "Set up a Tier 3 defensive formation to prevent harm to bystanders." Her words implied that the current barrier wouldn't withstand Zhou Yunxiao's full strength.

Given that Zhou Yunxiao was a named disciple of the Seven Absolutes Saber Emperor, Xu Zilin did not dare to be careless. He retrieved a set of Tier 3 formation-arranging tools and promptly deployed a Tier 3 formation.

Witnessing this, the cultivators watching were surprised, yet also thrilled. It seemed Zhou Yunxiao had merely been testing the waters before; now, he was truly getting serious.

The spectators were all very curious to see who could force Zhou Yunxiao to draw his saber, as he hadn't used any magical artifacts since the start of the competition, right up to the finals.

A light blue barrier of light suddenly appeared, enveloping the arena like a giant blue egg.

"The duel begins!" As the words fell, the lotus lamp in Li Yuan's hand blazed brightly, and countless green petals flew out, hurtling towards Zhou Yunxiao with a whooshing sound.

She opened her mouth and spat out a light green seed, its surface covered in spirit patterns. The moment it touched the ground, the seed rapidly took root and sprouted, growing into a ten-meter-tall green lotus. A large cloud of green mist then emerged from its bud, enveloping Li Yuan.

Seeing the vast expanse of green petals flying towards him, Zhou Yunxiao maintained a calm expression. He clasped his hands together and slashed at the empty space before him. A green saber aura, over sixty meters long, shot forth, accompanied by a powerful gust of wind, cutting towards his opponent.

As the green petals neared the green saber aura, they were swept away by the enormous gust of wind, dissolving into shimmering specks of spiritual light. The green saber aura then struck down like lightning, cleaving into the green mist. A metallic clang resounded, indicating that the green saber aura had been blocked by something.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Qingshan's eyes. Previously, Zhou Yunxiao had unleashed red saber aura, which carried fire attacks and was relatively slow. This time, he released green saber aura, which was faster and accompanied by a powerful air current. It appeared that saber auras of different colors possessed distinct attributes. He wondered just how many different elemental saber auras Zhou Yunxiao had mastered.

Zhou Yunxiao let out a soft snort, then spread his arms wide, forming an 'X' shape. A sudden gale swept across the arena, causing the long saber on his back to shake uncontrollably, emitting a series of sharp, whistling sounds.

Foot-long yellow flying daggers suddenly materialized in the air, each one crystalline and translucent, shimmering and vibrating with palpable spiritual energy.

Clasping his hands together, he slashed at the empty space before him. Thousands of yellow flying daggers swiftly converged, transforming into a colossal yellow blade over one hundred meters long, which descended upon Li Yuan with crushing force, like Mount Tai falling.

Before the colossal yellow blade even landed, an unbearable force of gravity enveloped the area. Within the green mist, countless green petals transformed into a gigantic green hand, which then held up the yellow blade.

"Break!" Zhou Yunxiao roared, taking a step forward as his aura swelled. The colossal yellow blade blazed brighter, unleashing an immense gravitational force. The gigantic green hand flickered violently, developing several fine cracks. Shortly after, the green hand splintered into countless pieces.

*Boom!* The entire arena was cleaved in half by the colossal yellow blade, sending shattered stones flying. A powerful shockwave swept out in all directions, stirring up vast clouds of dust and smoke.

At this sight, everyone held their breath, their eyes glued to the arena. After three breaths, the dust cleared. Li Yuan, or more accurately, a large patch of blood and flesh, lay scattered among the shattered stones.

"The yellow saber aura controls gravity!" Wang Qingshan's gaze towards Zhou Yunxiao was filled with apprehension. Zhou Yunxiao was clearly no ordinary person; he might be the descendant or disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Upon seeing Li Yuan's remains, Leng Rumei and Daoist Ziyang's expressions turned grim. The lower-ranked cultivators present collectively gasped, gazing at Zhou Yunxiao as if he were a monster. He was so powerful without even using a magical artifact; imagine how formidable he would be if he did!

Zhou Yunxiao took a step forward, his arrogant gaze sweeping over Wang Qingshan and the others. He coldly asked, "Who is next to court death?"

Wang Qingshan and the others exchanged glances, none wishing to be the first to step forward. It wasn't that Wang Qingshan feared the challenge; rather, he wanted to observe Zhou Yunxiao's techniques more closely.

"I am Liu Yunfei of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect. Please enlighten me, Daoist Zhou," a dark-skinned middle-aged man said as he leaped onto the arena, cupping his fists.

"Very well," Zhou Yunxiao agreed with a cold expression, "if you wish to die, I shall grant it."

A light blue barrier of light materialized out of thin air, enveloping the entire arena.

As the duel began, Liu Yunfei flicked his sleeve, releasing twenty-two watermelon-sized metal spheres that transformed into twenty-two puppet beasts. These twenty-two Tier 2 low-grade puppet beasts were equivalent to twenty-two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Liu Yunfei performed a hand seal, and the twenty-two puppet beasts simultaneously opened their mouths. Shimmering lights appeared within them, and shortly after, each beast unleashed a thick beam of light towards Zhou Yunxiao. Twenty-two massive light beams hurtled forward, their combined might terrifying. Even a top-grade defensive artifact would be unable to withstand them.

Zhou Yunxiao let out a soft snort and stomped his right foot forcefully on the ground. With a crisp *clang*, a long, sheathed saber, gleaming with crimson light, shot from its scabbard. Its hilt was carved with a three-headed miniature dragon, and intricate patterns adorned the blade. Judging by the astonishing fluctuations of magical power it emitted, it was unmistakably a nascent magical treasure.

Zhou Yunxiao raised his right hand, and the crimson saber settled into his grasp. He gripped the hilt and slashed at the empty space before him. "Wind-Flame Slash!"

A dazzling crimson arc of light shot forth, transforming into a red tornado over thirty meters tall, which swept towards his opponent. The red tornado appeared to be composed of condensed flames, radiating astonishing heat waves.

The twenty-two beams of light struck the red tornado, vanishing without a trace or sound, like mud swallowed by the sea. The red tornado moved with incredible speed, steadily expanding in size. Before long, it reached Liu Yunfei, now over one hundred meters tall. A powerful current of air materialized, drawing the puppet beasts irresistibly towards the red tornado. No matter how Liu Yunfei urged them, the puppet beasts remained unresponsive.

Liu Yunfei stared, startled, at the red tornado before him. He hastily conjured a light green talisman, which transformed into a blue hurricane several dozen meters tall, rushing to meet the encroaching threat.

*Boom!* A deafening roar erupted as the blue hurricane collided with the red, both perishing in the clash. Flames scattered, and a powerful shockwave swept out in all directions, raising thick clouds of dust and scattering numerous shattered stones.

Before the dust even cleared, a whistling sound emerged, and the smoke directly in front of Liu Yunfei parted. A red tornado, now over one hundred and fifty meters tall, suddenly appeared before him, and the powerful current of air pushed him towards it. "No..." Liu Yunfei cried out in despair as the powerful airflow propelled him directly into the red tornado.

Zhou Yunxiao calmly slid the crimson saber back into its sheath, his expression indifferent.

*Boom!* A colossal explosion ripped through the air as the red tornado burst apart, transforming into a vast sea of crimson flames, radiating intense heat. Moments later, the flames dissipated, revealing Liu Yunfei lying amidst the debris, his entire body charred black and emitting a smell of burnt flesh. He was utterly devoid of life.

Witnessing this sight, the spectators involuntarily swallowed, their gazes fixed on Zhou Yunxiao, now filled with awe.

Wang Qingshan's expression grew increasingly solemn, though his eyes held a hint of eager anticipation.