Chapter 801: Top Ten

Wang Qingshan once asked Sword Saint Xiaoyao what sword intent he had comprehended. Sword Saint Xiaoyao replied that he couldn't discern it either.

There are countless types of sword intent, each with a unique manifestation. Wang Qingshan's comprehended sword intent was quite unique. He chose to cultivate the way of the sword to protect his clan, and his sword heart was linked to his family.

Sword Saint Xiaoyao had analyzed that for Wang Qingshan to fully unleash the power of his sword intent, he first needed to understand what kind of sword intent he had comprehended. Was it "invincible with me by its side" or "slaying gods and Buddhas alike"?

For years, Wang Qingshan had pondered what sword intent he had comprehended, but he couldn't figure it out himself. He knew it was related to his family, but he wasn't clear on the specifics.

Previously, Sword Saint Xiaoyao was conventional, practicing every move according to ancient texts, considered an ordinary sword cultivator. Later, he burned all his sword cultivation texts, forgot the stances of sword arts, and allowed his sword to move freely, unpredictably, without fixed forms. He named this "Xiaoyao Sword Intent."

Wang Qingshan had only a preliminary grasp of sword intent and did not yet know its true essence. Once he comprehended the true essence of sword intent, his strength would increase significantly.

Hai Xin's expression became solemn. She had never imagined that Wang Qingshan had actually comprehended sword intent. Generally, comprehending sword intent was related to personal experience, and any sword cultivator capable of doing so possessed far greater strength than ordinary cultivators.

She opened her mouth, and a red light flew out, transforming into a translucent red flying sword with a flower pattern carved on its hilt.

With a "whoosh," a layer of crimson flame appeared on the surface of the red flying sword, and the ambient temperature suddenly rose.

The red flying sword blazed brightly, transforming into a crimson lotus about a foot tall, spinning rapidly as it flew towards Wang Qingshan.

The crimson lotus quickly reached the Azure Glaze Sword, which chopped fiercely towards it.

A "swish swish" sound filled the air as the crimson lotus spun rapidly, unleashing countless crimson sword energies that slashed towards the Azure Glaze Sword.

The Azure Glaze Sword was enveloped in a large expanse of azure glow. As if imbued with some mysterious power, the crimson sword energies surged into the Azure Glaze Sword, causing its radiance to surge and its sword aura to more than double in size.

Hai Xin's willow-like eyebrows furrowed. With a change in her sword art, the crimson lotus reverted to its original form, merging with nine red flying swords to become a giant red sword over ten zhang long, which then slashed towards the Azure Glaze Sword.

The two swords collided with a dull clang of metal on metal.

The Azure Glaze Sword shook incessantly, seemingly unable to withstand the giant red sword.

Wang Qingshan knew clearly that if it came down to a contest of spiritual power, he could not defeat Hai Xin.

He chanted an unusual sword incantation, and an astonishing sword intent burst forth from his body, with phantom images of azure flying swords appearing all around him.

Each phantom flying sword slowly materialized, emitting dazzling azure light as if solid, sparkling with spiritual energy. Thousands of azure flying swords flew towards the Azure Glaze Sword, merging with it.

The Azure Glaze Sword's size surged, and the giant red sword was sent flying backward. Mid-flight, it transformed back into ten red flying swords, hovering in front of Hai Xin, their spiritual light appearing slightly dim.

"Sword Qi Materialization! To comprehend this secret sword art at such a young age is impressive. Truly worthy of being Daoist Ye's registered disciple."

Du Yunlong expressed his approval, praising him.

Sword Qi Materialization was a relatively common secret sword art. When used in combat, it could increase the power of sword techniques by twenty percent. This secret art varied from person to person, and since Wang Qingshan had even comprehended sword intent, mastering Sword Qi Materialization was not surprising.

The young woman in the green dress smiled faintly, saying nothing.

"Wang Qingshan wins."

As the referee's announcement concluded, Hai Xin put away her flying swords and said to Wang Qingshan, "Daoist Wang's sword arts are superb. Let's spar again another day."

"Alright."

The fourth round of competition concluded. Seven cultivators advanced to the next round, while the remaining seven would compete again for the eighth, ninth, and tenth rankings. The spectators were more interested in the battle for the top seven spots.

Among the top seven sword cultivators, five were disciples of the Myriad Sword Sect. Besides Wang Qingshan, there was also Han Tianlei, a disciple of the Grand Unity Immortal Sect, who was at the fifth layer of Core Formation.

Li Rui stepped forward and stated deeply, "Defeat me, and you can claim the third rank."

Han Tianlei looked towards the main platform. Du Yunlong nodded and said, "Li Rui is my disciple, and he indeed possesses this strength. Of course, if anyone else believes they are capable of ranking third, they may challenge Rui'er."

With Du Yunlong's declaration, the other four Core Formation sword cultivators naturally wouldn't object. The ranking in the Sword Fighting Assembly was merely a nominal honor, and there was no need to displease Du Yunlong. Furthermore, Li Rui was one of the "Seven Sons of Myriad Swords"; if his strength were insufficient, he wouldn't even have been selected. To put it bluntly, if Li Rui claimed the first rank, the other four Core Formation sword cultivators would still have no objection.

The rewards of the Sword Fighting Assembly were generous to outsiders but negligible for disciples of the Myriad Sword Sect.

His claim of the third rank was mainly to provide a fallback. All things are interconnected and nothing is absolute, so it was best not to be overly assertive.

Han Tianlei stepped forward and said gravely, "I, Han, am willing to experience Daoist Li's sword manipulation techniques."

Li Rui smiled faintly and flew to a combat stage, with Han Tianlei following closely.

As soon as the match began, Han Tianlei slapped the giant yellow sword on his back. The sword flew out of its sheath and hovered above his head.

Han Tianlei's ten fingers continuously formed incantations, striking several sword arts onto the giant yellow sword.

The ground shook violently, and yellow stones flew up, rapidly gathering to form a towering, reddish-yellow giant sword.

Li Rui's expression turned solemn. He opened his mouth, and thirteen glittering red flying swords flew out, transforming into a crimson giant sword over ten zhang long, its body enveloped in a layer of crimson flames.

Around him, streaks of red sword shadows appeared, slowly solidifying. At the same time, most of the sword cultivators' flying swords trembled violently, seemingly eager to fly out of their sheaths.

"Sword Intent!"

Wang Qingshan was slightly taken aback; Li Rui had also comprehended sword intent.

Du Yunlong smiled faintly, and the young woman in the green dress's expression remained as usual.

After thousands of red flying swords surged into the crimson giant sword, it instantly transformed into a sky-piercing giant sword, its body enveloped in crimson flames, emitting astonishing heat.

"Strike!"

Both shouted almost simultaneously. Their cultivation levels were identical, so there was no need for probing; they immediately launched their strongest attacks.

The giant yellow sword and the crimson giant sword collided, unleashing a powerful shockwave. The two swords were locked in a stalemate.

Li Rui did not intend to delay for too long. With a swift incantation, his body rapidly withered, becoming as thin as a sheet of paper, and merged into the red giant sword—a secret art of Human-Sword Fusion.

A bright yellow light emanated from Han Tianlei's body, transforming into a yellow streak that merged into the giant yellow sword.

The crimson giant sword emitted a clear ringing sound. Most of the sword cultivators' flying swords flew out of their sheaths, and multi-colored flying swords hovered high in the air, emitting bursts of sword cries, seemingly echoing the crimson giant sword.

The crimson giant sword's radiance intensified, and a small crack appeared on the surface of the yellow giant sword.

"Boom!"

With a deafening thud, the yellow giant sword was instantly sent flying backward.

A flash of yellow light, and Han Tianlei fell out of the giant yellow sword, spitting out a mouthful of vital blood.

A flash of red light, and Li Rui landed in front of Han Tianlei, holding a giant red sword.

"Daoist Li, you've won."

Han Tianlei let out a light sigh and cupped his hands.

Li Rui smiled faintly, cupped his fist, and said, "Daoist Han, I accept your concession."

The flying swords suspended in mid-air all fell, returning to their original owners' sheaths.

Li Rui's gaze turned towards Wang Qingshan, with a hint of fervent zeal in his eyes.