This Ming Wen was no ordinary opponent, and Tian Wei was well aware of that. He extended his hand, and golden shards of chi began to gather, snapping together like a complex puzzle, forming a magnificent sword.
With a wave of his hand, three swords materialized and seamlessly merged into one.
As the swords united, the fabric of space itself trembled, causing time to seemingly halt.
With a flick of his fingers, the sword soared forward with regal magnificence, possessing the power of a comet.
Yet, Ming Wen's attack was equally formidable. He conjured a swirling vortex of green and withered leaves, resembling a powerful drill tearing through the air, breaching the boundaries of space as it surged towards Tian Wei.
The clash between the sword and the leaf vortex unleashed a blinding light accompanied by a deafening roar.
The surface of the mountain cracked under the immense energy and the resulting shockwave. Violent tremors coursed through the terrain, causing the trees at the mountain's base to be obliterated.
Ming Wen lunged forward, tearing through the air with incredible speed, and in an instant, he materialized before Tian Wei. Bamboo leaves gathered around him, swiftly coalescing into a radiant green sword.
With a swift and forceful arc, he sliced through the air, leaving behind a trail of chi and shockwaves that reverberated through the surroundings.
In response, Tian Wei summoned his own sword and swung it with cosmic momentum, meeting Ming Wen's leaf sword in a clash of titans. The ensuing exchange became a relentless barrage of jabs and slashes, each strike unleashing whirlwinds of surging chi and shockwaves of energy.
The sheer force of their clash sent massive boulders tumbling down the mountainside, shattering into fragments under the onslaught of the relentless shockwaves.
The solid rock surface of the mountain trembled under the immense power unleashed by their clash. It was only a matter of time before several feet of its depth would be reduced to rubble and sand, forever changed by the destructive forces at play.
Xiao Dan came to a realization: this was not a battle he was ready to join. However, he understood something profound.
The limits of extraordinary strength could not be confined to the mortal shell of humanity alone. Despite Tian Wei being on par with Xiao Dan in terms of strength, his tempered phase revealed a whole different level of power. He near effortlessly held his ground against opponents far surpassing his own strength.
Unable to actively participate in the battle, Xiao Dan assumed a meditative posture and began his own practice, his mind traversing the realms of space and reality that were currently besieged by torrents of attacks.
Meanwhile, Hai Du and the bamboo woman chose to stand at a safe distance, observing the unfolding confrontation. Each of them harbored a belief that the other might retreat depending on the outcome.
However, they were unaware of the naivety of their assumptions. The Xuan would never retreat if it involved Xuan Yi, and Hai Du remained oblivious to the fact that the Yang faction had another hidden trump card up their sleeve.
"You are undeniably strong, but I highly doubt you are my equal," Ming Wen hissed as he strategically withdrew and hovered at a safe distance.
Raising his hand, an astonishing sight unfolded. Thousands of luminous bamboo leaves surged up from beneath the mountain, converging along a celestial path as they amalgamated into a formidable longsword.
Lightning crackled and thunder boomed throughout the mountainous landscape, creating an atmosphere of impending doom. This mountain, sturdier and more resilient than its surroundings, had yet to invite the heavenly tribulation.
The land would have to be significantly ravaged before the full force of the tribulation would be unleashed.
"Leaves of Spring, the first change," Ming Wen uttered solemnly as a gentle pulsation of power coursed through the sword. It exuded an air of tranquility by his side, accompanied by a soft breeze that encircled him as he unleashed the sword.
Hai Du swiftly rose to his feet, recognizing the formidable attack unleashed by the Yang faction. This assault originated from their powerful Spring Bamboo skill, a technique previously exclusive to inner disciples but now taught to all.
The Spring Bamboo skill carried a deceptive aura of vitality and gentleness, reminiscent of the blossoming of spring. However, the more serene and composed the skill and its energy appeared, particularly in the case of significant attacks, the more lethal the outcome.
Just as Hai Du prepared to intervene, the bamboo woman sprang into action, bringing forth a powerful storm that engulfed the area. The two forces appeared to be locked in a fierce standoff, rendering both unable to act.
Meanwhile, Tian Wei summoned his golden sword, causing it to hover before him.
He intended to allow Ming Wen to experience the might of the fourth sword.
As he touched the sword with his hand, a chilling sensation filled the air, as if it had frozen into ice.
A divine power surged through the sword, seemingly capable of shattering the very fabric of space. Scales of ice that appeared to crack and reform as they encased the sword.
Tian Wei's expression turned frosty, his face covered in cold beads of moisture. Having been tempered in icy canyons, he aimed to remind everyone of the unyielding coldness of winter, even amidst the blossoming of spring.
And the sword flew from Tian Wei, and a shockwave violently rattled the mountain.
As the two swords collided, one composed of swirling green bamboo leaves and the other adorned with icy scales, the mountain quaked under the immense impact of the shockwaves that swept through its core.
The mountain, which had enjoyed years of tranquility and dormancy, could no longer withstand the devastating blow.
Deep within the mountain's depths, a wound was inflicted, causing a surge of red fluid to gush forth. This molten magma rushed towards the surface, erupting in a fiery display.
The peaceful slumber of the mountain had come to an end, as its dormant power was unleashed in a cataclysmic eruption.
[Dear reader,
Thank you for your support.
Lots of love,
Author]