Dai Yuling’s victory over She Jiao marked a small climax at the Three Sects’ Martial Assembly.
After all, Yuehua Sect had always been the underdog in these assemblies, never achieving a win like this, where their fifth-ranked disciple defeated another sect’s fifth.
Even their first defeating another sect’s third or fourth was unthinkable.
This was why Yuehua Sect had long been bullied and looked down upon by the other two sects.
“This woman must have obtained an ancient inheritance. At the same level of cultivation, She Jiao could never be her match!” the higher-ups of Sword King Sect and Beast King Palace quickly concluded.
Within the twelve sects, each had its own secret realm, like Yuehua Sect’s Yuehua Pagoda.
Yet, those who could obtain an ancient inheritance from these realms were exceedingly rare, sometimes not appearing for thousands of years.
This time, for several to emerge from just the three eastern sects was nothing short of a miracle.
The conclusion reached by the three sects’ leaders was that the Mountain River Martial Soul had appeared, and the Human King’s fortune had returned to the Tianlong Continent, enhancing its overall destiny.
Among martial soul inheritances, there were ordinary ones, ancient ones, and even stronger ones like the Ancient Demon King or Human Immortal inheritances.
These inheritances varied in strength.
Ling Xiao’s Ancient Hell Dragon Martial Soul was the strongest inheritance in the Yuehua Pagoda, though no one but him knew this yet.
Dai Yuling’s Ancient Gourd Vine Martial Soul inheritance ranked second, surpassing even Tantai Lingzi’s Spider Goddess Martial Soul inheritance.
“This generation of Yuehua Sect has produced quite a talent. It’s a pity her cultivation is too weak, or she might actually help Yuehua Sect wash away its past shame!” Chen Nanxing said with a slight smile. “Cao Yun, are you ready?”
“Reporting to the Sect Leader, your disciple is ready.”
“Good. Go test this young lady’s skills. Be gentle, don’t be too harsh. It’d be a shame for such a pretty girl to lose face!” Chen Nanxing’s words seemed caring but were laced with mockery and disdain.
Anyone who wasn’t a fool could hear the sarcasm.
Dai Yuling was far from pleased.
In her earlier fight with She Jiao, she hadn’t used her full strength. This time, facing Cao Yun, she had no intention of holding back.
Cao Yun was stronger than She Jiao, and not by a small margin, but she was determined to defeat him spectacularly.
Once on the stage, Cao Yun gave a perfunctory salute, then flicked his longsword, a cold light flashing as if frost had condensed, slashing towards Dai Yuling.
The power of that strike was indeed formidable. In fact, both Wang Lang and Li Hu had fallen to this very move.
Cao Yun’s use of it right from the start clearly showed his intent to humiliate Yuehua Sect by defeating Dai Yuling in a single blow.
As its name suggested, Sword King Sect excelled in swordsmanship.
Their style leaned heavily on offence over defence, and Cao Yun was no exception.
Facing this fierce strike, Dai Yuling’s expression turned cautious. She drew a circle in the air with both hands.
Green Vine Guard!
Vines coalesced into a massive shield before her, true essence surging wildly to block Cao Yun’s sudden attack.
Her cultivation was significantly lower than Cao Yun’s, so she had to rely on her martial soul’s advantage to win. In battle, she couldn’t afford the slightest mistake, or she would indeed lose.
Crack!
The sword light flashed, and the Green Vine Guard shattered, large cracks spreading across it.
Dai Yuling retreated several steps, nearly stepping out of the battle circle.
The sparring had rules: a large circle marked the centre of the Sword Pavilion, and stepping outside meant defeat.
“What a domineering attack! Is this the power of the sword path?” Beast King Palace disciples exclaimed in awe.
Yet, Yuehua Sect showed no such amazement.
They had seen stronger swordsmanship. In terms of sword skills, Cao Yun wasn’t fit to carry Ling Xiao’s shoes.
Having barely blocked Cao Yun’s attack, Dai Yuling became even more cautious.
The two exchanged blows, clashing for over a dozen moves in an instant.
Throughout, Dai Yuling remained at a disadvantage but didn’t lose.
She wasn’t skilled in attack or defence but excelled in recovery.
Thus, prolonged battles were greatly to her advantage, though Sword King Sect’s members didn’t know this and cheered for Cao Yun, believing the fight would soon end.
Jian Wuji watched the battle with narrowed eyes. Dai Yuling’s fighting style reminded him of someone he had once encountered.
That person was from the Holy Dynasty’s top sect, the “Heavenly King Sect,” the leader of the twelve sects.
There was a prodigy in Heavenly King Sect, only seventeen, yet already at ninety percent strength in the Half-Step Heavenly Venerate realm.
Moreover, this person excelled in prolonged, sustained attacks. If you couldn’t defeat him quickly, you were bound to lose.
The top-ranked among the Holy Dynasty’s Six Young Masters was this very person!
He seemed unremarkable but was stronger than anyone.
His name was rarely mentioned because he was the Holy Dynasty’s Holy Son, the designated heir to the Holy King.
There was no other!
Thus, people simply called him “Holy Son.”
In the Holy Dynasty, only the one who could inherit the Holy Emperor’s throne was called the Holy Son; others were merely princes.
Power, talent, strength, status, appearance—everything.
This Holy Son was practically a supreme being, showered with endless favour.
Even Jian Wuji couldn’t last two moves against him, suffering a crushing defeat.
Dai Yuling’s strong sustained combat ability reminded Jian Wuji of the Holy Son. He frowned, growing worried about the outcome of Cao Yun’s fight.
With his keen eye, the longer this battle dragged on, the more thoroughly Cao Yun would lose.
“Senior Brother Ling, why does it feel like Sister Yuling is always on the back foot? Should I go up and teach Cao Yun a lesson?” Leng Hao whispered with a grin beside Ling Xiao.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Ling Xiao said with a smile. “Wait a bit. After Yuling’s fight, it’ll be your turn. As for winning or losing, Yuling will definitely win. Cao Yun’s attacks are strong, but he lacks stamina. Look, his moves are already weakening, while Yuling is fighting with increasing vigour!”
Wu Xiang, Chang Yueying, Chang Yueli, and Golden Light Heavenly Venerate could all see this. In truth, Leng Hao saw it too but, as Ling Xiao noted, was eager to fight and had spoken deliberately.
At that moment, a sudden change occurred on the stage.
Purple Vine Triple Wave!
Dai Yuling unleashed her killer move. Cao Yun, low on stamina and preparing to gather his sword technique again, was struck by three vines. His longsword fell to the ground, and he was knocked out of the battle circle.
“I concede!” Dai Yuling said with a slight smile.
Though slightly out of breath, she had controlled the fight from start to finish. She weathered the most dangerous early phase, and by the end, it became easier and easier.
Defeating Cao Yun was only natural.
