Primordial Divine Emperor-Chapter 59 - 57: The Terrifying Sword Strike That Shook the Arena
The moment Jian Zhu’s Sword Qi collided with Ye Xiaofan’s Sword Qi, the former crumbled like seawater crashing against a coastal cliff.
BOOM——!
In an instant, a colossal roar erupted from beneath the South Peak. The force unleashed by the collision of the two terrifying Sword Qi spread like ocean waves, wreaking havoc in all directions, covering a radius of dozens of meters. The rippling power left onlookers in awe and fear.
Even after shattering Jian Zhu’s Sword Qi, the terrifying Sword Qi from Ye Xiaofan remained unstoppable, barely weakened by ten or twelve percent, continuing to pierce through the void towards Jian Zhu.
Merely the aftermath of the Sword Qi was enough to send the extraordinary genius with once-in-a-millennium Sword Dao talent flying.
The moment Jian Zhu was swept by the residual wave of Sword Qi, he was suddenly lifted off his feet and thrown backward.
However, the dozen-zhang long Sword Qi did not dissipate, continuing its pursuit towards Jian Zhu. If this sword were to strike, the consequences would be unimaginable.
At the critical moment, a terrifying force swiftly appeared from Cangqiong Peak, instantly neutralizing the sword silently.
Ye Xiaofan knew that it was the Elder protector of the Divine Sword Sect who intervened. The rules for disciple challenges set by the Divine Sword Sect naturally included acting as protectors to save the defeated disciples’ lives at crucial moments. Allowing deaths and injuries would be an unbearable loss even for the Divine Sword Sect.
However, the intervening Elder never showed himself, as if such matters were entirely normal.
Yet, numerous disciples of the Divine Sword Sect stood frozen, eyes full of shocked disbelief at this scene.
Only after a long while did they burst into a furious uproar.
"What kind of Sword Qi was that? How could it be so terrifying? Junior Brother Jian Zhu couldn’t even block a single sword?"
All the observing disciples were thunderstruck, especially when the Divine Sword Sect’s Elder stepped in to neutralize that sword. A tidal wave surged in their hearts as they realized how terrifying the sword’s power must have been for an Elder to intervene personally.
Many exceptionally talented Sword Dao geniuses, particularly among the older disciples, stood stunned, eyes wide with shock.
"It seemed like Fifth Layer Sword Qi combined with Sixth Layer Sword Intent, but how... how is that possible?"
"Not just Fifth Layer Sword Qi and Sixth Layer Sword Intent, he even fused Sword Intent into his Sword Qi, that’s why it’s so terrifying."
"What did you say? Fusing Sword Intent into Sword Qi?"
Upon hearing that Ye Xiaofan fused Sword Intent into his Sword Qi, countless disciples of the Divine Sword Sect felt as if struck by a thunderbolt on a clear day. Even among the Three Hundred and Sixty Celestial Pride Mansions, peerless sword cultivators were full of astonishment.
Even on the One Hundred and Eight Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, Seventy-Two Small Peaks, and Thirty-Six Holy Peaks, figures watched from afar, deeply shocked.
It was evident that the Divine Sword Sect indeed deserved its reputation as one of the ten great Divine Sects in the Hundred Broken Mountain Range region. The disciples within were no ordinary individuals; one glance was enough to recognize the terrifying nature of Ye Xiaofan’s sword.
Sword Intent fused with Sword Qi was not a secret in the Divine Sword Sect. Many disciples even knew the key to fusing them. However, this synthesis not only required a high level of Sword Dao Talent but also hinged crucially on Sword Dao Comprehension.
Some people, even with the keys, might never grasp that elusive opportunity in their lifetime to find that subtle balance of Qi and Intent.
"He actually melded Sword Intent and Sword Qi into one?" On a certain Holy Peak, Luo Qingxian murmured to herself as she watched the scene, a flicker of surprise in her beautiful eyes. Had this person achieved such an accomplishment just over two months after entering the Divine Sword Sect?
Many observing disciples thought this was already astonishing enough.
However, some older sword cultivators with a deeper understanding of the Sword Dao remained astounded, continuing to speak shockingly.
"It’s not just the fusion of Sword Intent and Sword Qi; that previous sword was devoid of any Sword Technique." An older sword cultivator guessed, full of astonishment: "Is it possible that... he’s cultivated a Sword Technique to the ’Breaking Shackles’ realm?"
Before the older sword cultivator’s words could finish, another elder quickly spoke up: "Not just Breaking Shackles, that previous sword was extremely casual, not only lacking any trace of Sword Technique, but it even resonated with him. That’s the strongest sword enlightened after the Sword Technique ’Break and Rebuild’. "
"What did you say? Break and Rebuild?"
Many Divine Sword Sect disciples were jolted to their senses.
The difficulty of cultivating a Sword Technique to Break and Rebuild was akin to a Hell Level challenge. Many Sword Dao geniuses stopped at the Peak Climbing realm their entire lives.
The difficulty of breaking the shackles of a Sword Technique was as hard as ascending to heaven.
Yet the sword Ye Xiaofan just displayed reached the realm of Break and Rebuild.
He did it, and not only did he do it, but the time he took was astonishingly short.
For a moment, countless people stood frozen, a surge of emotion in their hearts, wondering just how terrifying this person’s Sword Dao Talent was!
Many older disciples were parched, "Could anyone tell what Sword Technique he broke and rebuilt?"
This question is equally crucial. The rebuild and understanding are based on a certain Sword Technique, and the one Ye Xiaofan cultivated will determine the power after breaking and rebuilding.
Without a doubt, the more terrifying the Sword Technique, the ultimate Sword derived from breaking and rebuilding will be even more terrifying.
These words prompted numerous Celestial Pride Sword Cultivators to carefully recall the sword Ye Xiaofan just displayed.
Although the ultimate Sword derived from a Sword Technique’s breaking and rebuilding no longer belongs to the original technique, one can still see traces of the original Sword Technique. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
At a certain moment.
"The Grass Cutting Sword Technique, it’s the Grass Cutting Sword Technique!"
An exceptional Sword Cultivator exclaimed, eyes full of shock.
The words ’Grass Cutting Sword Technique’ instantly ignited the entire scene.
Countless older disciples of the Divine Sword Sect suddenly raised their eyes, with thunder tearing through their gaze.
The Grass Cutting Sword Technique, created by the First Generation Sword Saint of the Divine Sword Sect, is widely spread and highly revered within the Sect. However, no one has ever successfully developed the Sword Qi from it before condensing ’Spiritual Essence’.
For reasons unknown, one of the conditions for the Sword Saint to find an heir was to explode the Grass Cutting Sword Qi before condensing ’Spiritual Essence’, a challenge almost impossible for all stellar Sword Cultivators until the Sword Saint, seriously injured, perhaps aware his time was short, abolished this condition.
These details are best known by the disciples of the Divine Sword Sect.
But nearly a hundred years ago, the Divine Sword Sect did produce a Saint Peak extraordinary Demon Fiend. That individual even cultivated the Grass Cutting Sword Technique to the breaking shackles realm before condensing ’Spiritual Essence’, being the most promising candidate to inherit the Sword Saint’s legacy back then.
However, the heavens seem to be jealous of geniuses, and this extraordinary Demon Fiend from the Saint Peak fell in a siege by several Demon Fiends from enemy Sect during an out-of-sect training at an Ancient Ruins, leaving many regretful.
And now, seeing Ye Xiaofan cultivate this Sword Technique to such a realm, all outstanding Sword Cultivators had dim eyes.
Obviously, the hope of competing for the identity of the Sword Saint’s heir has become very slim for them.
For a time, many outstanding celestial figures started having thoughts of giving up the contest for the position of the Sword Saint’s heir.
Unbeknownst to them, they were considering whether to challenge Ye Xiaofan, but in the near future, Qi Yun’s words would prove prophetic, as today’s situation would reverse. Ye Xiaofan would crazily challenge them; of course, that is a story for later.
At this moment.
At the foot of South Peak, it was utterly silent. Jian Zhu, who escaped with the help of the Divine Sword Sect’s Elder’s intervention, stood dazed, staring at the proud figure standing beneath South Peak, his heart unable to calm for a long time.
"How... How did you do it? Aren’t you a Plant Martial Soul under the level of one?" Jian Zhu gazed at Ye Xiaofan, eyes full of disbelief.
Under the impact of that sword just now, for the first time, he felt so insignificant and perceived the gap between same Sword Dao talents—a gap that made one despair, hard to overcome.
"Sword brother, thank you for letting me win." Facing Jian Zhu’s doubt, Ye Xiaofan did not respond directly but instead cupped his hands apologetically toward Jian Zhu.
Actually, before coming down the mountain, Ye Xiaofan had understood the challenge rules of the Divine Sword Sect, knowing that the Elder would make a move to protect Jian Zhu at the critical moment, hence daring to exert his all in that sword.
Jian Zhu sighed deeply seeing Ye Xiaofan’s demeanor and refrained from asking further questions.
He slowly closed his eyes, seemingly struggling to accept that he had twice stepped forward, confident to easily defeat the Child of Destiny, only to realize that both times he had willingly presented himself as a tool for the other to establish prestige.
A moment later, Jian Zhu opened his eyes, looking dejectedly at Ye Xiaofan, deeply bowed.
This bow meant complete submission, accepting he was indeed inferior to the Sword Saint’s heir.
After the bow, Jian Zhu picked up the sword dropped on the ground and silently left.
Everyone watched Jian Zhu leave, all feeling a mix of emotions.
However, at the next moment, Ye Xiaofan abruptly changed his usual style, scanning everyone with his eyes.
Everyone met his gaze and felt a complex expression.
Ye Xiaofan quietly looked at everyone, his voice although calm, contained a presence not overwhelmingly strong yet not weak either.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge? For any fellow disciples who have issued a challenge letter, how about we seize the moment rather than procrastinate? Ye is willing to accept them all today."
