"Alright, we’ll stick to the old rules. First, disciples from the Yue and Wu families will compete in three matches, followed by each family’s offspring challenging each other. How does that sound?" Yue Fanyi’s expression subtly changed, but he nodded in agreement.

Noticing the slight change on Yue Fanyi’s face, Wu Tianxiong felt even more certain, and he secretly exchanged a glance with a Wu family disciple.

"It’s a pleasure to have Princess return to her homeland. I was thoroughly impressed by how she shone brightly in the recent sword sound competition. I would like to take this opportunity to learn from the Princess. Please enlighten me a little." The man stood up and said.

"Wu Zifeng!" Upon seeing the man, many people showed expressions of surprise.

Wu Zifeng, who became a Sword Master at seventeen and a Great Sword Master at twenty-seven, is now thirty-five, and it’s said that his strength is just a step away from the Sword Saint. Some say he is already a Semi-Saint, and he is the most outstanding cultivation prodigy in the Yue family after Wu Tianxiong. If not for being from a branch family, with his natural talent, he would have already become the Young Master of the Wu family, the next Shoulder-to-shoulder King.

No one expected that he would challenge Mu Hanyan.

Although at every Jinlan Palace feast, the offspring of the Yue and Wu families challenge and compete with each other, to avoid animosity, those who usually participate are young novices, and rarely do strong figures like Wu Zifeng get involved.

More crucially, Wu Zifeng’s cultivation isn’t only profound; he’s also extremely fierce. Anyone who has fought him ends up dead or severely injured, with broken limbs or wasted cultivation being common. Why would he challenge Mu Hanyan?

The originally merry banquet suddenly turned eerie.

The civil and military officials exchanged glances, sensing something unusual in the air: could it be that this Jinlan Palace banquet is bound for some earth-shattering change?

"Alright!" Mu Hanyan stood up without hesitation.

Since advancing to the Great Sword Master, Mu Hanyan had sparred only with Feng Qingyu. However, Feng Qingyu, mindful of his status, naturally didn’t exert his full power, leaving Mu Hanyan unsatisfied. This match would allow her to see her true combat power, combining her current Great Sword Master strength and the Five Great Magical Instruments’ support.

Soon, the two moved to the open ground between the tables.

"Please instruct!" Wu Zifeng cupped his hand respectfully, as a strong oppressive force emanated from him.

Under this pressure, even the surrounding civil and military officials felt their breath stagnate.

It’s no wonder he’s called the invincible Wu Zifeng below the Sword Saint, even though he’s yet to reach the Holy-grade. Even an ordinary Sword Saint might not have much chance against him. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Watching Mu Hanyan, many people showed worried expressions. Although Wu Tianxiong had roped in some officials over the years, most remained loyal to the Yue Family and hoped that nothing unexpected would happen to Mu Hanyan.

They had witnessed the previous competition day; Mu Hanyan’s strength was only at the Sixth-level Sword Master. Though she had the ability to defeat stronger opponents, the Wu family’s ancestral Fu Tao Technique isn’t reputed for nothing, also allowing defeating stronger foes. With her Sixth-level Sword Master strength, how could she hope to defeat the semi-Saint Wu Zifeng?

"Please instruct!" Mu Hanyan seemed unfazed by the opponent’s pressure, she cupped her hand and said calmly.

"Could she be pretending? I heard Brother Zifeng is a semi-Saint, the invincible below Sword Saint. Is she really unafraid?" He Yangqiu asked, puzzled.

This time, he hit the nail on the head. Seeing Mu Hanyan so composed caused everyone to wonder if she was feigning calm or had something up her sleeve. They guessed the former seemed more likely.

Wu Zifeng stared deeply at Mu Hanyan, realizing she remained calm despite his Sword Saint-comparable pressure, her composure made him slightly reconsider underestimating her.

"Princess, as they say, blades have no eyes. If unintentional harm befalls the Princess, I beg forgiveness," Wu Zifeng said, breathing in pride.

"Perhaps that’s a saying I should use," Mu Hanyan coldly smiled.

"Ignorant of life." Wu Zifeng raised his eyebrows and transmitted with Gathering Qi Transmission.

He knew Wu Tianxiong’s plan today, fearing not to offend Mu Hanyan.

"Kill him!" Lu Tianxiong’s sharp voice reached his ears.

"Fu Tao Waves, slash!" Wu Zifeng didn’t say more, exerting all his strength in the sword strike.

Once engaging, regardless of whom he faced, Wu Zifeng never held back his full strength, resulting in previous opponents being either dead or severely injured. With Lu Tianxiong’s command, there’s no reason for him not to exert fully.

Sword Light waves converged like stormy clouds, like crashing waves directed at Mu Hanyan. The accumulated Qi compounded layer upon layer, its force growing stronger.

This was the secret of the Wu family’s Fu Tao Heart Method—their powerful point!

"Princess, watch out!" someone couldn’t help but cry out.

Wu Zifeng’s Sword power kept accumulating, even reaching the Sword Saint Realm level, making it unlikely for a Sixth-level Sword Master like Mu Hanyan to defend.

As Mu Hanyan was about to fall under the opponent’s sword, the crowd didn’t have time to ponder why Wu Zifeng dared to harm the Princess.

"Star Fall, Eight Desolates!" With Mu Hanyan’s clear voice, the Cold Sky Sword drew from its scabbard.

No one noticed that as Mu Hanyan executed her strike, Huayue and Zirong also simultaneously performed their hand gestures.

"Bang!" A loud sound; the Sword Light pierced the sky, its dazzling brightness blinding onlookers.

After a moment, as the Sword Light vanished, everyone’s sight gradually returned to normal.

"How...how is this possible!" Witnessing the scene, virtually all were stunned, even Lu Nianxin was no exception.

Wu Zifeng’s towering figure lay on the ground, his limbs twitching, mouth spilling blood, his sword-wielding right hand like a boneless snake lay on the ground, twisting in an unusual posture.

Anyone with discernment saw he not only had his meridians and Qi Sea ruined, but his right sword hand also fractured into fragments. Even a Heavenly God descending couldn’t heal it, leaving him lucky to survive.

Mu Hanyan emerged unscathed—truly unscathed—even the strands of hair beside her ear remained unchanged, elegantly floating behind.

That strike was so quick that none saw her exact strength nor comprehended the Sword power within.

All they knew: one strike, just one strike, Mu Hanyan had wasted the Semi-Saint Wu Zifeng known as invincible beneath the Sword Saint.

"Unfortunate blades have no aim, as you mentioned, it’s entirely true. My apologies for the harm, I beg forgiveness." Mu Hanyan retracted the Cold Sky Sword, lightly offering a disingenuous apology.