Chapter 606: Sword Intent

Of the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators who advanced to the finals, two had died. Xu Zilin had privately inquired and found that none of the remaining six possessed nascent magic treasures. Given Zhou Yunxiao's demonstrated strength, those without such treasures couldn't even withstand a single strike from him.

Eastern Wilderness cultivators had already lost eight consecutive matches; they couldn't afford another defeat. It was rare for Wang Qingshan to be evenly matched with Zhou Yunxiao, even forcing out Zhou Yunxiao's protective talismans and artifacts. However, considering Zhou Yunxiao's status, it was highly probable he had other life-saving items.

Although it was a fight to the death, if Zhou Yunxiao truly died in the arena, the Great Yan Dynasty would certainly not let the matter rest. The reason was simple: Zhou Yunxiao was not only a member of the Great Yan Dynasty's imperial family but also a registered disciple of the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor. Before this, no one had ever heard that the Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor had any disciples.

The Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor was known as the strongest cultivator below the Soul Transformation stage. If his disciple were killed, who could guarantee that the Blade Emperor wouldn't seek retribution?

The fight clearly couldn't continue. If Zhou Yunxiao died in the arena, it would cause significant trouble. Furthermore, as a member of the imperial family, Zhou Yunxiao likely possessed powerful offensive artifacts. If the fight continued, winning would be acceptable, but losing would cause the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world to lose immense face. As the organizers of the Dao Discussion Conference, Chongyang Academy would suffer even greater humiliation.

Princess Yong'an frowned slightly, saying with a hint of displeasure, "Unfair? Who stipulated that participants cannot carry protective talismans and artifacts? One's background is also a part of their strength."

"That may be so," another voice interjected, "but both of them are rare young prodigies. If the fight continues, any casualties would be a great loss. From the current situation, Junior Friend Wang holds a slight advantage. I propose we declare Junior Friend Wang the winner!"

Leng Rumei mediated. Strictly speaking, the Wang family was a subsidiary force of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. It was rare for Wang Qingshan not to be defeated, so it was natural for her to speak on his behalf.

To be honest, if Xu Zilin hadn't intervened to stop the fight, Wang Qingshan would have already unleashed a new attack.

"He only holds a slight advantage; it would be too hasty to declare Junior Friend Wang the winner based on that. I suggest we call it a draw!"

Zhou Yuxuan presented his view. Zhou Yunxiao's eight consecutive victories had already brought honor to the Great Yan Dynasty. Further victories might strain the relationship between the Great Yan Dynasty and the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world. Moreover, he had to admit that Wang Qingshan was indeed a prodigy, and Zhou Yunxiao might not necessarily win if the fight continued.

Princess Yong'an, Xu Zilin, and the others debated intensely. They finally reached a consensus: Wang Qingshan and Zhou Yunxiao would be declared a draw.

Zhou Yunxiao said coldly, his gaze full of arrogance, "In scholarly pursuits, there is no second; in martial arts, there is only one first. I do not accept a draw. My master once said that not winning means losing; there is no such thing as a draw."

Blade cultivation emphasizes dominance: either victory or defeat. Failure is not fearsome; what is fearsome is the inability to admit one's failure.

If one dares not face their own failures, how can they achieve breakthroughs in the future?

The Seven Absolutes Blade Emperor had told Zhou Yunxiao that three types of people were unsuitable for cultivating blade techniques. The first type consists of the weak and timid; such individuals cannot unleash the true power of blade techniques, which are inherently dominant. What does dominance mean? It is to advance fearlessly. The second type are those who are petty and full of schemes; in the face of absolute power, all schemes are but jokes. The third type are those who dare not face their own failures, lacking even the courage to admit defeat. How can they embody dominance?

Princess Yong'an frowned slightly and sent a telepathic message to Zhou Yunxiao: "Yunxiao, a draw would be beneficial for everyone. You cannot act on a whim. Wang Qingshan might still have a greater trump card; if you continue fighting, you might not win."

"Aunt," Zhou Yunxiao replied, "not winning is losing. Accepting a draw would go against my Dao heart and hinder my future cultivation. I cannot accept it."

Zhou Yunxiao was extremely stubborn. In his world, not winning was losing, and there was no such concept as a draw.

He looked at Wang Qingshan and said with a serious expression, "You didn't take advantage of me just now, so I won't take advantage of you now. I will stand here without moving and receive three of your moves. If you can injure me, you win; otherwise, I win. You can unleash your full power without worrying about my safety. If I die, it means my skill was inferior, and the Great Yan Dynasty will absolutely not trouble you. I guarantee this in the name of the Imperial Family."

Earlier, Wang Qingshan was about to launch a new attack but was unfortunately interrupted by Xu Zilin. Zhou Yunxiao felt this was unfair to Wang Qingshan, so he was willing to stand still and take three of Wang Qingshan's moves.

Princess Yong'an's face showed approval as she declared loudly, "Well said! Truly worthy of our imperial lineage. Junior Friend Wang, please hold nothing back."

Leng Rumei stepped forward to encourage Wang Qingshan, saying, "Junior Friend Wang, I am Leng Rumei of the Taiyi Immortal Sect. Unleash your full power; if anything happens, our Taiyi Immortal Sect will bear full responsibility."

If a disciple from a subsidiary force of the Taiyi Immortal Sect was this strong, wouldn't the disciples of the Taiyi Immortal Sect itself be even more formidable?

Zhou Yunxiao took out a blue porcelain bottle, poured out a blue pill, and consumed it, then tossed the bottle to Wang Qingshan.

"This is a Jade Essence Pill," he explained. "It can quickly restore spiritual power. Wait until your spiritual power recovers, then I will take your three moves."

Wang Qingshan accepted without ceremony, poured out a blue pill, swallowed it, and sat cross-legged to slowly recover his spiritual power.

The spectators watched intently, their eyes fixed on Wang Qingshan and Zhou Yunxiao.

Wang Tianwen and the other members of the Wang family looked extremely excited, though their eyes also revealed a hint of worry.

Han Yuexin's cherry lips were parted wide, and her eyes showed a hint of admiration.

Only a prodigy like Wang Qingshan would be worthy of becoming her future dual cultivation partner.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Qingshan stood up, his expression solemn.

Zhou Yunxiao had also recovered his spiritual power, and his gaze was somewhat fervent.

Wang Qingshan stepped forward, an astonishing Sword Intent erupting from his body. A fierce gust of wind suddenly swept through the vicinity, causing Wang Qingshan's robes to flutter and his hair to dance in the wind.

A crisp sword hum resonated, and countless azure sword qi flew out from him, forming a luminous azure sword over thirty zhang long. A whirlwind swirled around its blade as it slashed directly towards Zhou Yunxiao.

Even before the azure luminous sword descended, a powerful gale swept down, kicking up a large amount of dust and smoke.

Zhou Yunxiao brought his hands together, then slashed at the empty air towards the azure luminous sword. A colossal crimson blade aura shot out, meeting the azure luminous sword head-on.

Boom!

The azure luminous sword and the crimson blade aura collided, mutually annihilating each other. A massive wave of air erupted, scattering flames and generating fierce gusts of wind.

Wang Qingshan's eyes were slightly closed. Everyone around him seemed to disappear, leaving only Zhou Yunxiao and himself. He moved his right foot forward one step, and ripples appeared in the air before him, as hundreds of hazy azure sword shadows suddenly materialized. He took another step forward, and hundreds more hazy azure sword shadows materialized in the air.

One step, two steps… ten steps.

Wang Qingshan took ten continuous steps. With each step, hundreds more hazy azure sword shadows appeared in the air. The azure sword shadows gradually solidified, shimmering with spiritual light.

This was not all. The flying swords of the observing cultivators began to shake uncontrollably, emitting crisp sword hums, as if guided by some unseen force.

"What's happening? My flying sword seems to be out of control."

"Mine too! Who's behind this?"

The spectators exchanged bewildered glances, completely confused.

Princess Yong'an's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief, as she exclaimed, "Sword Intent! He's only at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could he have comprehended Sword Intent? Impossible!"

Leng Rumei and several other Core Formation cultivators wore expressions of shock. Even Core Formation stage sword cultivators might not necessarily comprehend Sword Intent. There were not many sword cultivators who could comprehend Sword Intent, but any who did possess infinite potential, making being unrivaled among their peers seem trivial.