Moreover, Lin Yun had never consulted him about the seventh or eighth forms of the Shadow Sword Technique!
Emperor Huoyun himself was quite bewildered.
As Emperor Huoyun observed Lin Yun’s battles on the arena, he noticed that when Lin Yun employed the Shadow Sword Technique, even the details of its execution differed slightly from his own, yet were remarkably ingenious!
This left Emperor Huoyun even more astounded.
It wasn’t unusual for individuals to have slightly different interpretations of sword techniques, but to adapt them so effectively to the Shadow Sword Technique he had created was truly impressive!
The immortals present were equally astonished, as Lin Yun’s displayed swordsmanship had elevated to the same level as Cao Jun’s blade techniques.
Both the Ten Directions Annihilation Blade and the Shadow Sword Technique comprised sixteen forms, and both combatants had now reached the eighth form.
On the arena.
“You, with such a short cultivation time, how have you mastered swordsmanship to this degree!” Cao Jun exclaimed, unable to contain his amazement as he fought.
Though Lin Yun’s current strength still couldn’t defeat him, for Lin Yun to achieve such swordsmanship at an age under a hundred was astonishing!
“Senior Cao Jun, you flatter me, besides, I haven’t gone all out yet.”
“Let’s try again!”
“Shadow Sword Technique, ninth form, Sword-Slashing Form!”
The offensive power of Lin Yun’s treasured sword surged once more, unleashing a ferociously fierce attack that enveloped Cao Jun!
Lin Yun’s heart leapt with joy, he had actually pulled it off!
In truth, Lin Yun didn’t know to what extent he could perform the Shadow Sword Technique.
For the past twenty years, while afflicted with the soul-severing poison, Lin Yun had practised swordsmanship purely for its own sake, comprehending the art of the sword.
Executing the Shadow Sword Technique required internal energy, so Lin Yun had never performed it.
Though he hadn’t actively practised the eighth or ninth forms, the Shadow Sword Technique was etched in his mind.
As long as his swordsmanship reached a certain level, he could naturally execute it.
Thus, before using it, Lin Yun didn’t know which form of the Shadow Sword Technique he could reach.
Moreover, over those twenty years of sword practice, Lin Yun’s mindset had shifted, leading to a completely different understanding of swordsmanship, so when employing the seventh, eighth, and ninth forms, they weren’t identical to the original, as Lin Yun had infused his own unique insights.
Bang!
Their powerful attacks clashed again, unleashing terrifying might.
This collision forced Cao Jun to stagger back several steps.
“Again!”
Lin Yun’s sword, brimming with formidable power, whistled forth once more, striking towards Cao Jun with lightning speed.
Clang, clang, clang!
“Damn it! How! How can this be!”
Cao Jun roared lowly, resisting with all his might.
This was too shocking, Lin Yun had pushed his swordsmanship to such a level?
Under Lin Yun’s relentless assault, despite Cao Jun’s full resistance, he was already at a disadvantage!
“What? The ninth form of the Shadow Sword Technique?”
“How is Lin Yun’s swordsmanship so formidable?”
Gasps of astonishment echoed through the crowd.
If Lin Yun had cultivated for thousands of years, even reaching the ninth form wouldn’t have been so surprising.
But how old was Lin Yun!
To master the Shadow Sword Technique to this extent in his mere decades was what truly stunned everyone!
Previously, they believed that even with strong defence, Lin Yun couldn’t defeat Cao Jun, as they assumed his swordsmanship and realm were inferior, since these required time to develop.
They thought Lin Yun could only rely on the explosive power of his physical realm to bridge some of the gap, but not enough to defeat Cao Jun.
Yet now, not only had Lin Yun compensated with his physical realm’s power, his swordsmanship had surpassed Cao Jun’s blade techniques!
“Lin Yun… he can actually perform the ninth form?” Bing Yi stared, dumbfounded.
Even Emperor Huoyun, though seated calmly without overt shock, was inwardly roiled by tumultuous waves.
The ninth form!
How many years had Lin Yun studied the Shadow Sword Technique to master the ninth form?
This left even Emperor Huoyun incredulous.
On the arena.
“Let it end!”
As Lin Yun launched another powerful attack towards Cao Jun, a surge of divine consciousness struck first, briefly disorienting Cao Jun.
When Lin Yun’s attack reached him, its overwhelming force snapped him awake, prompting a frantic attempt to parry with his blade.
Boom!
The terrifying power of this sword erupted like a volcano, hurling Cao Jun backwards, and under countless stunned gazes, he crashed below the arena with a ‘boom’.
The victor was decided!
Lin Yun, victorious!
For a moment, the scene fell into dead silence.
Everyone knew Cao Jun was at the third level of eternity, having defeated Bing Yi, also at the third level, making his strength above average among third-level eternals.
Yet now, he had been defeated by Lin Yun, a first-level eternal!
Lin Yun, who had stepped into eternity less than a month ago!
Lin Yun, not even a hundred years old!
The shock this result brought was unimaginable!
“This… how is this possible?!”
After a moment’s stupor, Emperor Xingwu leapt from his chair, eyes fixed on the arena below, his face contorted with disbelief.
Lin Yun had truly succeeded in defeating Cao Jun across levels?
This outcome was utterly unacceptable to Emperor Xingwu!
Had it been anyone else, Emperor Xingwu might have felt some admiration for such a prodigy from the Heavenly God Palace.
But it was Lin Yun!
The Lin Yun he had once refused to recruit due to his pride!
“He actually defeated Cao Jun…” The master of Xiaoyao Tower was equally stunned by the scene.
At that moment, the master truly realised the extent of Lin Yun’s prodigious talent!
He even felt a pang of regret, had he known, Xiaoyao Tower should have spared no effort to recruit Lin Yun before he joined Emperor Huoyun.
Of course, for the Heavenly God Palace to produce such a prodigy was ultimately a boon, regardless of faction!
After a moment of stunned awe, Emperor Huoyun couldn’t help but chuckle, “Lin Yun, you’ve once again exceeded my expectations, I… underestimated you again…”
Emperor Huoyun finally understood why Lin Yun had dared to challenge, his strength had reached such a level.
As Lin Yun’s master, even he hadn’t anticipated this!
