On the fully repaired duelling stage, two figures stood a hundred metres apart: a man and a woman.
To the left was Ling Xiao, clad in simple cyan robes. Though his attire was ordinary, the man beneath was not. Having defeated three of the Six Princes, he was now the hottest contender to challenge Ji Mingkong.
Opposite him stood Bai Qianjiao, dressed in white, resembling a lotus emerging from water. She slowly drew a slender, flexible sword from her storage ring—an immortal-grade weapon with water attributes, embedded with the Heart of the Ocean. In all her previous battles, Bai Qianjiao had never used a sword. Even Hong Li was unaware she wielded one.
“Among all my opponents, only you are worthy of my sword,” Bai Qianjiao said, her smile radiant and unprecedented.
“Oh? That’s high praise. Qin Bixue defeated you, didn’t he?” Ling Xiao replied calmly.
“He overwhelmed me with his cultivation in the final moments. A sword would’ve been useless. The gap between the Mortal Realm and the Heaven-Human Realm is too vast,” Bai Qianjiao said, shaking her head.
“Is that so?” Ling Xiao smiled faintly. He saw no need to suppress Bai Qianjiao with cultivation; that would be dull and yield little gain.
“Indeed,” Bai Qianjiao replied, taking a deep breath. She fell silent, her bright eyes locking onto Ling Xiao, her senses pinpointing every opportunity across his body.
Truthfully, compared to the domineering and bloodthirsty Qin Bixue, Ling Xiao exerted greater pressure on her, his strength harder to fathom. Qin Bixue’s power was clear, but Ling Xiao’s remained elusive. No one knew his true limits. The human fear of the unknown was instinctive, not easily shaken.
“Clearwater Sword Art: Wrath of Water!” Her technique, born from the Clearwater Divine Palace, was unique; only the palace master might match it. Bai Qianjiao’s movements flowed like water, slow to the eye but lightning-fast to Ling Xiao. In an instant, the distance between them shrank to less than ten metres.
Her sword thrust forward for the first time, carrying a peculiar sword intent that churned the air, like raging seawater unleashing towering waves. A glimmer within those waves was her terrifying sword light, amplified by the momentum of the sea, enhancing both its intent and power.
Hong Li, watching from below, marvelled. Ling Xiao was remarkable, forcing her senior sister to unleash her true ultimate technique. Moreover, Bai Qianjiao seemed to have elevated her skills, as if empowered specifically to defeat Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao’s expression remained indifferent. He held no sword, but one had formed in his heart. His fingertip radiated astonishing energy, and a condensed air sword erupted with blinding light, like a venomous snake striking from a dark cave. Calculated with precision, it struck Bai Qianjiao’s sword body.
In discerning weaknesses, Ling Xiao surpassed Bai Qianjiao by far. Neither sea momentum nor sword intent could sway his indomitable will or agile technique. The Mountain and River World was eternal, capable of rebirth even after collapse—a presence seemingly more enduring than heaven and earth.
Clang! The air sword met the treasure sword, their potent Heavenly Essence sparking brilliantly, like stars in the night. A buzzing sound followed.
“Ah, my ears hurt!” a Heavenly Vein warrior in the stands cried, clutching his ears, feeling as if they were sliced by sharp blades, the pain terrifying.
“Me too! What’s happening?” another asked.
“It’s sword intent! Their sword intents are so strong that even with the protective array, it’s uncomfortable,” someone explained.
“Hmph, weaklings, stay back, or you’ll go deaf and blind,” a Heaven-Human Realm warrior snorted. Though unaffected in his ears, his body had trembled, as if a chilling force had pierced him, leaving him cold.
“Both are technical swordsmen, focusing energy into a single point for maximum impact. Swordsmanship often seeks the ultimate in attack,” a Cave Heaven Realm referee, a swordsman himself, commented knowingly.
“Hmph, didn’t expect this shameless kid to have some skill,” the chief referee muttered, his gaze complex. Perhaps the Holy Emperor had spoken ill of Ling Xiao, turning his earlier anticipation into hostility.
As the crowd buzzed, the duel escalated into a thrilling exchange. Clashing swords rang out, their winds roaring like thunder. The stage resounded with piercing collisions, sonic shrieks, and scattered energy, cracking the protective barrier. The duelling stage, once again, bore countless scars.
“This stage won’t hold. Next tournament, we need better materials and stronger arrays, or it’ll be destroyed at the start,” a spectator remarked.
The duel continued. With a fixed stage area, the fighters could battle in midair if needed. Heavenly Vein warriors couldn’t fly but could hover briefly.
“Clearwater Sword Art: Song of Water!” Bai Qianjiao, her attacks effortlessly countered, frowned tightly. She retreated abruptly, switching tactics. Her furious swordplay turned lively, yet a terrifying killing intent lurked within, like a sword’s song. Ripples of sword light wove a melody of combat, surging toward Ling Xiao.
Boom! The interwoven sword light was obliterated by a giant sword wreathed in black-gold flames. Ling Xiao unleashed the “Hell Dragon Sword,” shattering her attack and shooting toward her with unstoppable force.
His counterattack had begun. He had only defended earlier, seeking insights from her swordsmanship. But he couldn’t remain passive forever. A victor had to emerge.
