Undoubtedly, defeating Lin Yun was a deeply satisfying achievement for Jiyuan.
His words, especially calling Lin Yun a “weakling,” stung sharply in Lin Yun’s ears.
Rising to his feet, Lin Yun lifted his head, a cold glint flashing in his dark eyes.
“Prince Jiyuan, it’s just a spar. No need for such harsh words, is there?” Lin Yun’s voice carried an icy edge.
“Haha, I’m always blunt and speak my mind. Honestly, I’ve been very polite with you. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t be so kind. I’d heard you were formidable, but it seems you’re just average, still defeated by me,” Jiyuan said, smiling.
“Defeated? Prince Jiyuan, I haven’t fallen off the arena or surrendered. The match isn’t over,” Lin Yun replied with a faint smile.
Jiyuan’s last strike was indeed powerful, but Lin Yun wasn’t without means to counter.
He’d only hesitated briefly during that attack.
Lin Yun’s words caused an uproar below.
“Is Lin Yun saying he wants to keep fighting?”
“It’s just a spar. He lost, fair and square. Prince Jiyuan didn’t knock him off the arena, already sparing his dignity, yet he’s so ungrateful?”
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Hall Master He hurriedly transmitted to Lin Yun, “Lin Yun, end it here. It’s the perfect stopping point, saving face for both.”
His voice echoed in Lin Yun’s mind.
Jiyuan stared at Lin Yun, “What? Lin Yun, still trying to struggle? You haven’t fallen or surrendered, true, but you have no chance of beating me. A spar is about knowing when to stop. This is that point. If you keep fighting, you’ll only humiliate yourself.”
“I think it’s too early to call the winner,” Lin Yun said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Initially, Lin Yun had considered letting Jiyuan win, but his “weakling” remark changed his mind.
Let skill decide the victor.
“Since you insist, fine. I’ll make you lose completely. When I knock you off the arena, don’t say I didn’t give you face,” Jiyuan said, gripping his sword.
As he spoke, his sword erupted with light, clearly ready to strike again!
“Let’s do this!”
*Holy Light Extinction Art!*
The surrounding spiritual energy surged violently, rushing into Lin Yun’s body.
His aura spiked noticeably.
Jiyuan, seeing this, retained his confident smile, “That’s a decent move, but it’s just a Saint Spirit-grade technique, and your mastery isn’t high. It boosts you some, but not enough to turn the tide.”
“Lin Yun, take this!”
*Taiyuan Void Charge Art!*
*Shadow Sword Art, Sixth Form!*
Rip!
Jiyuan’s sword vanished into the void, the space around it fracturing, winds howling!
This strike’s power matched the one that floored Lin Yun, infused with his refining art, divine sense, and Mysteries.
*Heaven-Shaking Hand, Fourth Form, Unleashed!*
Boom!
Lin Yun’s palm blackened instantly, a terrifying energy surging forth.
The fourth form’s power was profoundly fearsome.
The next moment, Jiyuan’s void-hidden strike appeared.
“Lin Yun, it’s over!” Jiyuan said, grinning, as his powerful sword swept toward Lin Yun.
“Indeed, it’s time to end this!”
Lin Yun’s lips curved, and he struck, channelling the *Heaven-Shaking Hand*’s terrifying power into his sword.
The *Holy Light Extinction Art* was just a bonus; *Heaven-Shaking Hand* was his trump card.
*Shadow Sword Art, Fifth Form!*
A purple sword aura flared, Lin Yun’s divine sense, *Withered Silence* power, demon bone, and fused Mysteries all merging into this strike, clashing head-on with Jiyuan’s!
Boom!
The heavens trembled, the colossal energy erupting like a millennium-old volcano, earth-shattering!
The shockwave slammed into the arena’s protective array, making the barrier tremble as if it might collapse.
“What?”
The spectators below gaped, horrified by the fluctuations that chilled them even from a distance!
Without the arena’s array, the shockwave’s spread would’ve been catastrophic!
At the collision’s centre, Jiyuan’s smile froze. His sword’s power was instantly annihilated, the remaining force flooding toward him, sending him flying.
Bang!
With a loud crash, Jiyuan smashed into the arena a hundred meters away.
The scene fell briefly silent.
Everyone was stunned.
No one expected Lin Yun to have such a terrifying technique.
No one expected him to unleash such a devastating attack!
“Lin Yun’s too young and headstrong, sigh…” Hall Master He shook his head, sighing as Lin Yun floored Jiyuan.
On the arena, Lin Yun didn’t press the attack.
“Prince Jiyuan, without some strength, if I were truly a weakling, how could I be His Majesty’s disciple, right?” Lin Yun said with a smile.
Jiyuan climbed to his feet, not angry but laughing heartily.
“Haha, interesting! It’s rare to meet such a strong opponent. But you don’t think that’s all I’ve got, do you? This isn’t the end.”
Jiyuan’s smile widened, his inner energy flooding out like a burst dam, pouring into his sword.
The sword buzzed and trembled, radiating blinding light, its terrifying power climbing rapidly.
“*Shadow Sword Art, Seventh Form!*”
Go!
Jiyuan pointed his sword, the aura flashing like lightning toward Lin Yun, its terrifying force shaking the surrounding kilometres of space, the void seemingly collapsing where it passed!
The crowd below erupted in shock.
“Good heavens, what a powerful strike!”
“Brother Jiyuan has mastered *Shadow Sword Art* to the seventh form! He’s never shown this publicly before!”
“Lin Yun’s probably done for.”
…
On the arena, shock flickered in Lin Yun’s eyes but quickly faded.
He hadn’t expected Jiyuan to have mastered the seventh form of *Shadow Sword Art*. Advancing each form was exponentially harder!
Reaching the seventh form was no small feat.
