Crack!
You Canghai shuddered his left arm, and the layers of ice shattered and fell away. His arm bore not a single trace of injury; only his sleeve was tattered, torn by the sheer force of Gao Han's Mountain-Soaring Grandeur.
Had Wei Ying taken that palm strike, he would have perished without a doubt, You Canghai reflected inwardly. Had he not intervened just now, Wei Ying would already be a corpse.
This round is awarded to Gao Han! You Canghai declared in a resonant voice, his hands clasped behind his back.
The crowd below erupted in uproar. No one had expected that Gao Han, the weaker-seeming combatant, would emerge victorious.
Wei Ying was no ordinary opponent. Few among the spectators felt confident blocking even the first form of the Sky-Sundering Nine Swords, let alone the six consecutive strikes Wei Ying had unleashed.
The Seventh Sundering: Asura Chaos was a technique even some fourth-layer True Essence warriors dared not face head-on, yet Gao Han had dissolved it with a single palm. His prowess was plain for all to see.
The three members of the Gao clan were overcome with joy. Gao Jianfeng said with heartfelt relief, Heaven has blessed the Gao clan. Han'er has cast off the cloak of mediocrity and become a true dragon soaring the skies! Gao Zhi and Gao Yong high-fived each other, unable to contain their elation.
Amid the hush that had fallen over the arena, their celebration stood out conspicuously. Another who reacted with unbridled delight was Zheng Kong of the Zheng clan.
Hahaha! Well done, Brother Han! I knew that bastard was no match for you! A worthless punk like him isn't worth a fart against you! How dare he look down on Brother Han!
Zheng Kong's crude language left the rest of the Zheng clan crimson with embarrassment, ashamed to call him their young master.
Those who had spoken arrogantly and belittled Gao Han shrank back into the crowd in shame. The man who had claimed he could crush Gao Han with one finger was particularly scorned, treated like a rat scurrying through the streets.
Xiang Ling's mouth hung open in astonishment as she murmured blankly, Senior Brother Nian… it seems you were mistaken. This boy is no ordinary genius.
Nian Hua muttered in return, Indeed. A prodigy of this caliber could rival the top talents of the Southern Cang Region. He may one day earn a place among the Four Young Masters and reign supreme among the younger generation.
The Four Young Masters of the Southern Cang Region were revered as heroes of their generation. Topping the list was Feng Haoran, disciple of the Azure Sea Sect—a peak seven-star power. Next came Jian Jingtian, Sword Hero of the Western Sword Jian clan, an eight-star aristocratic family. Third was Feng Buai, Leg Hero of the Fengling Demon Sect, another peak seven-star sect. Last was Yu, Spear Hero of the Third Star of the Eight-Star Tower, a seven-star powerhouse.
Nian Hua's face flushed with awkwardness. How could he face Gao Han now? He had insisted Gao Han concede the match, even quarreling with him, only to watch Gao Han claim victory.
High upon the witness platform, Jian Wuxiang chuckled at the sight of Gu Manxing's darkening expression. Duan Muhua showed no outward smile, yet amusement glinted clearly in his eyes.
Li Changtian cared nothing for decorum and threw back his head in laughter. Ha! I wonder if your Gu clan's finest young warrior can stand against a disciple of my Misty Sect like Wei Ying!
Ah, and we must thank Clan Leader Gu for his generous support of the tournament, Zheng Mufeng's aged voice rang out, his gentle smile tinged with slyness.
Our thanks to the Gu clan for sponsoring the contest! The other eight elders cupped their hands toward Gu Manxing in unison.
Gu Manxing was so enraged he could barely speak. He now had little faith that Gu Ye could prevail.
Even at his strongest, Gu Ye was no more powerful than Wei Ying. If Wei Ying could not withstand a single palm from Gao Han, then Gu Ye stood no chance either. What was more…
Gu Manxing's gaze remained fixed on Gao Han. Two treasured swords hung at his waist, yet he had not wielded either in combat—only his Steelpoint Sword, to shatter sword qi.
He did not believe the swords at Gao Han's waist were mere ornaments. A true warrior carried no dead weight.
Duan Muhua suddenly fixed Gu Manxing with an intense stare, unleashing a crushing pressure like a mountain bearing down upon him. Gu Manxing found it nearly impossible to breathe.
Soul power—and it is fused with Mountain Momentum! The elders watching were stunned. None had expected Duan Muhua to wield soul power, nor could they fathom his intentions toward Gu Manxing.
Mountain Momentum, like Sword Momentum, was a variant of cosmic aura, simply known as earth momentum. It emphasized overwhelming physical force.
Old Duan! What do you intend to do to Gu?
Lu Shuang and Hu Ziyan rose at once, their auras flaring. The Gu, Lu, and Hu clans were allies; if Gu Manxing was harmed, the imperial faction would suffer a severe blow, especially with the Zheng and Situ clans already aligned against them.
A surge of wood elemental energy erupted from Hu Ziyan, coalescing into a sturdy wooden shield in midair, tough as ancient bark and unyielding as a primeval forest. This was the Wood Barrier of the Hu clan. Though Hu Ziyan could not wield soul power, his Wood Barrier was far stronger than ordinary defensive arts.
But fate favored not the imperial faction. Jian Wuxiang's eyes snapped open, his gaze as piercing as a peerless sword unsheathed, shooting straight toward the wooden shield. With a single glance, the barrier splintered into pieces.
The oppressive gazes of Duan Muhua and Jian Wuxiang vanished. Both wore solemn expressions. Duan Muhua said gravely, True will cannot be matched by momentum alone.
Jian Wuxiang glanced at him disdainfully and said matter-of-factly, Naturally. Else, how do you suppose my grandson Jian Jingtian became one of the Four Young Masters at the ninth layer of True Essence?
Is it not due to his special physique?
Physique is one factor, but do not forget how many geniuses roam the Southern Cang Region. Beneath the Four Young Masters are the Eight Princes, each at the Spirit Fusion realm, their power matching ours. To stand above them requires more than just a physical advantage.
You mean Jian Jingtian…
Indeed. He has awakened Sword Intent.
Duan Muhua's face fell. The Duan clan had laid low for years, planning to astonish the world with a single grand entrance—yet the Jian clan had grown even more formidable.
On the arena, You Canghai marveled. No wonder they feared nothing. They each wield momentum just as I do, and can weave it into soul power.
Not only You Canghai, but every spectator in the stands was stunned, their minds reeling.
So this is the true power of Spirit Fusion experts. We cannot even withstand a glance from them.
Truly overwhelming. Their gaze alone could crush our bodies and minds.
Gao Han watched the aerial clash with a solemn expression, lost in thought. Jian Wuxiang's Sword Momentum could be unleashed in multiple forms—by hand, by gaze.
His own Sword Momentum, by contrast, only activated when he drew his sword. He was incomparably inferior.
The only aura he could wield freely was his peculiar Ice Momentum, though it consumed immense soul power. He had used it only once, against the Fire Cloud Manor disciple, and had felt dizzy and drained afterward.
Yet its power was undeniable. A wisp of soul power, unaccompanied by any technique, had defeated his foe utterly, leaving no room for counterattack.
I must delve deeper into Sword Momentum, Gao Han sighed inwardly. Ice Momentum is strong, but its cost prevents frequent use. I shall focus on comprehending Sword Momentum.
Momentum was an ineffable, mystical state, forged when the soul communed with heaven and earth. To resist the power of the cosmos with mortal strength was akin to a mayfly trying to topple a giant tree.
Even a wisp of cosmic power could annihilate a human being.
Gao Han studied every detail of the confrontation above, his mind gradually slipping into the Empty Serenity State, entirely untroubled by the outside world.
The Empty Serenity State was a rare, fortuitous condition in which one's comprehension, insight, learning speed, and cultivation ability all increased more than tenfold.
Old Gu, you will not go back on your promise to the champion, will you? Duan Muhua's eyes glinted with killing intent.
I second that, Jian Wuxiang said casually, yet his ring flickered as he drew a sword from his storage artifact.
Gu Manxing's face shifted between crimson and ashen. At last, he heaved a heavy sigh and ground out, Naturally not. Though they bullied him with their superior power, the three imperial allies combined were no match for Duan Muhua and Jian Wuxiang.
Neither Duan Muhua nor Jian Wuxiang cared about his humiliation. When their own interests were at stake, both believed their disciples would claim first place, and the ancient Condensing Solid Pill was theirs to win.
Medicinal pills were ranked in nine grades; those above the sixth were classified as ancient pills. Even a master alchemist like Li Changtian could forge only fourth-grade pills at most. Both the Condensing Solid Pill and the Foundation Gathering Pill were sixth-grade ancient pills.
Even with the ability to forge ancient pills, one needed a recipe—and such formulas were exceedingly rare. Fully ninety percent of ancient pill recipes had been lost to history.
Of the remaining ten percent, most lay hidden in ancient ruins, with only a fraction in the hands of the truly powerful. To obtain one was nearly impossible.
And even if one secured a recipe without the strength to protect it, it would be seized by overlords, with the holder's entire clan exterminated.
The elders above had reached an agreement, but Gao Han remained in the Empty Serenity State. He stared upward with a vacant, lifeless gaze. Were it not for his steady breathing, even You Canghai would have thought him dead.
The heavens are truly unfair, You Canghai sighed. I have reached Spirit Fusion and never once entered the Empty Serenity State. This boy, at only the first layer of True Essence, achieves it effortlessly. Such heavenly fortune.
He knew full well what state Gao Han was in. Disturbing someone in this condition could result in severe injury, or even the total loss of cultivation.
The elders above finished their talks and looked down to resume the tournament, only to find the match halted and the entire crowd fixed on a single person.
Zheng Mufeng asked in confusion, What has happened to the boy? Was he injured in the fight?
No! Jian Wuxiang's eyes blazed. This boy has entered the Empty Serenity State!
The announcement sent shockwaves through every spectator. Ma Liang of Fire Cloud Manor glinted with murderous intent, blood-red clouds swirling behind him.
Fire Cloud Manor and the Misty Sect had long been bitter enemies. The rise of such a prodigy—one who could battle across realms and boasted unnatural comprehension and cultivation speed—was a dire threat to Fire Cloud Manor.
Danger must be snuffed out in the cradle, Ma Liang thought coldly. Gao Han, do not blame me. Blame your own recklessness.
As Ma Liang plotted Gao Han's assassination, he suddenly felt scorching energy wrap around him.
The attacker was Li Changtian—his first move since arriving, made to protect Gao Han.
Ma Liang, you little worm, I warn you not to scheme against him. Else your journey home may be rather… unsafe.
The threat was unmistakable, yet Ma Liang dared not defy him. He was a coward at heart. A single True Essence disciple would amount to little in the long run.
For the sake of his own life, Ma Liang abandoned his plan to kill Gao Han.
Jian Wuxiang was merely surprised that Gao Han had entered the Empty Serenity State, and soon dismissed the first-layer True Essence youth as insignificant. What interested him far more was Wei Ying. The Jian clan possessed a top-tier Mortal-Rank sword art, practiced by many of their guards and thus little-known to outsiders.
Its forms were eerily similar to the Sky-Sundering Nine Swords. It was called the Earth-Sundering Nine Swords.
Its stances were: First Sundering: Earthly Stride, Second Sundering: Wind's Dominion, Third Sundering: Ten Thousand Fall, Fourth Sundering: Unbridled Fury, Fifth Sundering: Four Seas' Roar, Sixth Sundering: Thousand Trails, Seventh Sundering: Asura Chaos, Eighth Sundering: Gods' Tremble, Ninth Sundering: Heaven and Earth's Calm.
The techniques were nearly identical, differing only in name. Even the seventh form was exactly the same.
Jian Wuxiang sank into contemplation. The Earth-Sundering Nine Swords is mighty, and the Sky-Sundering Nine Swords equally so. Their names and forms are shockingly alike. Could it be…
His eyes lit up. They are two halves of one sword art! Split apart by someone long ago. Both are top-tier Mortal-Rank, so combined, they would form at least an elementary Mystic-Rank art!
Mystic-Rank techniques were extraordinarily rare. The Jian clan held only two: the Formless Sword Art, practiced by Jian Wuxiang himself—among the finest elementary Mystic-Rank arts—and the Thunderclap Sword Art, awarded to Jian Jingtian for his tournament victories, which he currently cultivated.
If the Sky and Earth Sundering arts were reunited, the Jian clan would possess three Mystic-Rank sword arts, greatly bolstering their power.
Gao Han now felt as though he himself were a sword, forged entirely of ice, drifting through the heavens and earth.
The power of the sky and the momentum of the earth flowed endlessly into his body. He felt himself becoming one with the sword.
Gao Han's eyes snapped open. He formed a sword gesture with his hand and tapped lightly against the ground. A fearsome, sharp Sword Momentum, infused with ice energy, burst from his index and ring fingers. The stone arena was pierced clean through, as if stabbed by a divine sword, leaving a bottomless hole. Frost seeped from the opening, coating the edges with a thin layer of ice.
Joy surged within Gao Han. Elemental Sword Momentum—and an ice-elemental variant, unseen in living memory. This must stem from his ice-forged soul.
Sword Momentum came in many elemental forms: killing intent, fire, earth, wood, and others.
The most commonly comprehended was non-elemental Sword Momentum.
The element of one's Sword Momentum determined the element of their future Sword Intent.
What's more, awakening ice-elemental Sword Momentum had strengthened his Ice Soul—the core of his power.
And having entered the Empty Serenity State, his cultivation speed had accelerated dramatically. He was now a single step away from breaking through to the second layer of True Essence.
Ah… ice-elemental Sword Momentum. This boy's talent is staggering. To comprehend Sword Momentum at his level speaks volumes of his swordsmanship. If he were to join the Jian clan, his potential would know no bounds. We would grant him unlimited access to our top-tier Mortal-Rank sword arts. What say you?
Jian Wuxiang had grown interested in Gao Han, addressing Li Changtian. To sweeten the deal, I would also permit ten disciples of the Misty Sect to train in the Jian clan for five years, with treatment equal to our true disciples.
The offer was immensely tempting. The Jian clan was a sacred name to all swordsmen in the Spirit Kingdom. To be trained personally by the Jian clan would elevate one's swordsmanship exponentially.
But Li Changtian would never surrender such a prodigy. Gao Han had reached the first layer of True Essence and would soon be eligible to challenge for inner-sect disciple status upon returning to the Misty Sect.
He could wait until year's end to be promoted automatically, but that would mean being assigned like cargo to peak lords, who often sent elite disciples to choose recruits rather than attending personally.
Though challenging for inner-sect status outside of promotion season was required, Gao Han's strength made it a mere formality. He would then be free to choose his peak.
His sister was Li Changtian's personal disciple, making it highly likely Gao Han would join the Drifting Wind Peak. With a genius like him in the ranks, the Drifting Wind Peak could become the strongest of the Misty Sect's five peaks within years.
Besides, Li Changtian smiled bitterly, thinking of Gao Han's temperament. Even if I ordered him, it would backfire. This boy answers to no one but himself.
Jian Wuxiang was astonished. Very well. I shall speak with You Canghai instead.