For cultivators with lesser talent, mastering *Shadow Sword Art* could mean being stuck at the fourth or fifth form for life, never advancing further.
But Jiyuan, as a prince with exceptional talent, likely received guidance from Emperor Huoyun. Plus, being centuries older, he had hundreds of years more to train *Shadow Sword Art*. Reaching the seventh form wasn’t surprising.
Lin Yun swiftly unleashed *Heaven-Shaking Hand*, *Shadow Sword Art* fifth form, and other techniques, clashing head-on with the incoming attack!
Boom!
The two radiant sword auras collided fiercely.
Instantly, a terrifying shockwave swept out like a hurricane, cracking the arena’s surface under the immense force!
Both were pushed back, but Jiyuan stabilised after just over ten meters.
“Again!”
Jiyuan’s sword erupted with dazzling light, his body transforming into a streak as he charged at Lin Yun.
Lin Yun met him with full force.
Bang, bang, bang!
Deafening collisions erupted continuously, waves of terrifying energy bursting and slamming into the arena’s protective barrier.
The barrier trembled violently, the surrounding space quaking, the commotion immense!
“What a clash of prodigies…”
The terrifying exchanges left many spectators dumbfounded, their hearts racing, fearing the barrier might collapse.
The arena was built to withstand Tribulation Realm battles, as immortals wouldn’t fight here, so its capacity was limited to that level.
Though this was a sixth-stage Tribulation Realm fight, the power was extraordinarily fearsome.
The commotion drew even more spectators.
On the arena, the fierce clashes continued, the battle locked in a heated, stalemate state.
The seventh form of *Shadow Sword Art* was a qualitative leap over the sixth, and Jiyuan’s overall mastery and application of swordsmanship clearly surpassed Lin Yun’s. Combined with techniques like *Taiyuan Void Charge Art* infused into his sword, Jiyuan dominated.
Lin Yun was suppressed, on the defensive.
But his Pure Yang Body’s robust defence, paired with the Frost Heart armour, meant Jiyuan couldn’t decisively defeat him.
“Lin Yun, your strength exceeds my expectations. No wonder Father values you,” Jiyuan said mid-strike.
“But compared to me, you’re still lacking. You can’t break my undefeated record. Your defeat is certain. Surrender now—you’ll lose with dignity. Dragging this out, my inner energy reserves outlast yours. When you’re exhausted, you’ll still lose!”
Though Jiyuan suppressed his realm to sixth-stage Tribulation, his inner energy reserves remained at ninth-stage levels.
“Prince Jiyuan, you wanted this spar to prove to everyone you’re stronger than your father’s favoured disciple, right?” Lin Yun said, parrying with his sword.
Lin Yun now saw through Jiyuan’s underlying motive.
As a prince, the most talented among his peers, Jiyuan had been adored and praised since childhood, even by Emperor Huoyun.
But Lin Yun’s rising fame in the Huoyun Empire, coupled with the emperor’s favour—evidenced by his unpunished absence—sparked Jiyuan’s desire to defeat Lin Yun, proving his superiority.
“Lin Yun, that’s irrelevant. What matters is you’re out of tricks and options. Surrender. Persisting is pointless!”
As Jiyuan spoke, his terrifying attacks pounded Lin Yun, growing faster.
“Don’t rush, Prince Jiyuan. I rarely get such thrilling fights. Let’s enjoy it first!”
Lin Yun’s voice boomed, his inner energy surging, his speed increasing!
For Lin Yun, such a formidable opponent was rare. Fighting at this level pushed his abilities to the limit, squeezing out every ounce of potential!
Bang, bang, bang!
Their terrifying attacks clashed relentlessly.
As Lin Yun wielded his sword, his mind replayed Emperor Huoyun’s demonstration of *Shadow Sword Art*’s sixth form.
Applying it to combat.
“Haha, yes!”
“That’s it!”
*Shadow Sword Art, Sixth Form, Go!*
After another clash, Lin Yun, previously on the defensive, saw his sword’s power surge, radiating dazzling light.
Shifting from passive to active, his sword, brimming with immense power, shot toward Jiyuan!
His divine sense, fused Mysteries, Pure Yang Body, and *Heaven-Shaking Hand* fourth form all poured into this strike, meeting Jiyuan’s assault head-on.
Boom!
The collision, like two comets crashing, produced a thunderous boom that pained the ears.
This clash was more terrifying than any before!
“What?!”
Jiyuan’s face changed, the overwhelming force pushing him back, sending him flying.
“You’ve only been Father’s disciple for so long, yet you’ve mastered the sixth form!” Jiyuan roared unwillingly as he was flung back.
It took him over a century to master the sixth form at age one hundred, while Lin Yun had been under Emperor Huoyun for less than a decade!
“Haha, exhilarating!”
Comprehending the sixth form in battle, guided by Emperor Huoyun’s demonstration, thrilled Lin Yun!
“Prince Jiyuan, my apologies!”
Lin Yun charged at the retreating Jiyuan, his sword brimming with power!
Jiyuan, off-balance and flying back, saw Lin Yun’s terrifying attack coming and could only hastily raise his sword to block.
Bang!
Their attacks clashed again.
Lin Yun’s next strike swept out swiftly, relentless!
Bang, bang, bang!
Jiyuan, already unsteady, kept retreating, fully on the defensive, as Lin Yun pressed his advantage.
“Prince Jiyuan, I think you’ve given your all, with no tricks left. Surrender. It’s over,” Lin Yun said, pursuing his attack.
Jiyuan’s face no longer held a trace of a smile.
