Generally, only those who have reached the Immortal Realm can wield Heavenly Dao-grade weapons. The vast majority of Tribulation Realm cultivators use Saint Spirit-grade weapons as standard. Those in the Tribulation Realm who wield Heavenly Dao-grade weapons are exceedingly rare.
Prince Jiyuan, standing before Lin Yun, was clearly among that rare group.
As a prince, his status far surpassed that of ordinary royals, so it wasn’t surprising he could wield a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon.
With both wielding Heavenly Dao-grade swords, Lin Yun lost his usual weapon advantage, reducing his ability to fight above his level by two full tiers.
However, Jiyuan had suppressed his realm to match Lin Yun’s, ensuring no disadvantage in realm.
This fight wouldn’t hinge on realm but on who had greater skill.
Lin Yun drew his Purple Qiong Sword.
Jiyuan eyed Lin Yun’s weapon, “That must be the weapon Father gave you. From what I know, Father has taken many disciples, but rarely gifts Heavenly Dao-grade weapons. He truly favours you.”
“His Majesty has indeed been very kind to me,” Lin Yun replied.
Below the arena, dozens of spectators, mostly royals, including many younger royals, had gathered.
“Prince Jiyuan has suppressed his realm to sixth-stage Tribulation, matching Lin Yun. I wonder who’ll win.”
“One is the most outstanding prince of our royal family in the last millennium, the other is His Majesty’s highly favoured disciple. This match is full of intrigue.”
The crowd was eager for the fight.
“Though Lin Yun is a renowned genius, Prince Jiyuan is no slouch. More importantly, Jiyuan is over three hundred years older, with that much more cultivation time.”
“True, that makes it hard for Lin Yun to win.”
…
On the arena, Jiyuan said confidently, “Lin Yun, to be honest, I’ve fought at least five hundred matches on this arena, if not a thousand, always suppressing my realm to match my opponent. I, Jiyuan, have never lost. I don’t think you’ll end my winning streak.”
Lin Yun thought to himself, *You use a Heavenly Dao-grade weapon while most Tribulation Realm cultivators wield Saint Spirit-grade ones. Even suppressing your realm, your weapon gives you a two-realm advantage. No wonder you’ve never lost…*
“Lin Yun, let’s begin. I’m very skilled in arena combat, so be careful. My experience is vast. Per the rules, the match ends if one surrenders or is knocked off the arena,” Jiyuan said, holding his sword.
As soon as he spoke, Jiyuan’s sword transformed into a radiant beam, slashing toward Lin Yun!
Rip!
The sword sliced through the void, emitting a piercing screech.
“Impressive power. Interesting!”
Lin Yun’s inner energy surged, his sword glowing brightly as he met the attack.
Clang!
The clash shook the space, sending terrifying shockwaves rippling.
The arena’s protective array contained the shockwaves, preventing them from spreading below.
After one exchange, Jiyuan’s ferocious assault continued to envelop Lin Yun.
Neither went all-out initially, probing with tentative attacks.
The commotion drew more royals to watch, with the crowd growing to over a hundred.
“Prince Jiyuan, go!”
“Brother Jiyuan, you got this!”
The younger royals, male and female, cheered for Jiyuan, their kin.
…
Inside the Palace of Divine Connection, the red-furred pet cat said, “Master, your disciple has some real skill and cunning to pull this off. He’s someone who can achieve great things.”
“Indeed, he has talent, perseverance, courage, and decent strategy. It all depends on whether he can reach immortality—that’s the true dividing line,” Emperor Huoyun said slowly.
Reaching immortality was incredibly difficult. In his long life, Emperor Huoyun had seen countless geniuses, some even surpassing Lin Yun.
Though he took one or two disciples every millennium, his long life meant he’d had many.
Over ten thousand years ago, he took an exceptional genius whose talent and ability rivalled Lin Yun’s. Emperor Huoyun had high hopes, but that genius failed to reach immortality.
Since then, while he took other disciples, none had truly satisfied him until Lin Yun.
“Hm? Those two are sparring on the martial arena?” Emperor Huoyun opened his eyes.
With a wave, an image appeared in the air, showing Lin Yun and Jiyuan fighting on the arena.
“Master, who do you think will win?” the red-furred cat asked curiously.
“Both have learned *Shadow Sword Art* and are skilled. With realms equalised, it’s hard to predict,” Emperor Huoyun said, watching the scene.
“But Jiyuan is over three hundred years older, with that much more cultivation time. That’s an advantage,” the cat noted.
“From that perspective, Jiyuan’s odds are slightly better,” Emperor Huoyun said slowly.
He added, “Jiyuan has good talent but lacks Lin Yun’s steadiness and resilience. He needs more tempering.”
…
Outside, on the martial arena, Jiyuan attacked relentlessly, but Lin Yun blocked every move flawlessly.
Soon, Jiyuan grew impatient.
“Lin Yun, I’m getting serious!”
As he slashed again, his sword’s power surged.
His fifth-tier Transcendent divine sense erupted, merging with his sword, water droplets forming threads around it, laced with purple lightning—a fusion of two complete Mysteries.
“*Shadow Sword Art*, Fifth Form!”
The terrifying sword aura twisted and collapsed the space it passed.
“Fifth form of *Shadow Sword Art*? I’ve got that too!”
Lin Yun’s dormant energy exploded, his sword radiating brilliance as he countered.
His fifth-tier Transcendent divine sense surged, matching Jiyuan’s.
Seven Mysteries fused instantly, releasing a seven-coloured glow that coated his sword.
Boom!
On the arena, two radiant sword auras collided, unleashing a deafening roar.
