Not long after.
From within the sea of clouds, a loud shout rang out:
"The competition begins!"
The announcement from the sea of clouds was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring excitement.
However, on the high platform, a strange "stillness" prevailed.
Nangong Wenjian still stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes pristine, his aura perfectly rounded and contained, as if he had merged with the heavens and earth.
His calm, unruffled eyes rested lightly on Shangguan Feihong, who stood opposite him, looking as if he faced a formidable enemy.
Shangguan Feihong took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the tremor in his heart.
As a fellow Huashen Realm Sword Cultivator, he could feel that invisible, mountain-like pressure more acutely than anyone below the stage.
Nangong Wenjian merely stood there, and the surrounding space seemed to subtly distort due to his extremely pure Sword Intent, with a sharp sensation that pricked the skin permeating the air.
"Nangong Wenjian, please enlighten me!"
Shangguan Feihong let out a low cry, not daring to hold back in the slightest.
"Clang—!"
His purple longsword let out a clear, prolonged hum, its blade instantly wreathed in dazzling purple lightning, crackling and popping.
A fierce and powerful Sword Momentum shot into the sky, stirring the surrounding Spiritual Qi into a frenzy, subtly accompanied by the sounds of wind and thunder.
This sword strike was the culmination of Shangguan Feihong's lifelong cultivation, its Sword Momentum vast and directed straight at Nangong Wenjian, attempting to seize the initiative with the force of a thunderbolt!
Many Cultivators on the viewing platform nodded slightly; such power was indeed worthy of a Tongtian Peak true Disciple.
However, facing this thunderous sword strike, powerful enough to tear apart mountains and sever rivers, Nangong Wenjian finally moved.
He did not draw his sword, nor did he form hand seals; he merely pointed his fingers like a sword.
"Buzz—!"
A terrifying Sword Intent, infinitely more powerful than Shangguan Feihong's, suddenly descended!
Space seemed to freeze time under this unparalleled Sword Intent.
Shangguan Feihong's grand and imposing sword strike, before Nangong Wenjian's casual finger-point, was as fragile as a child's waving branch.
His initial resolve instantly turned into shock and despair at this moment, his pupils reflecting the Sword Qi that filled his vision and was impossible to avoid!
"Pfft—!"
Before he could react, the terrifying torrent of Sword Qi instantly impacted his entire body, his Flying Sword flying off, unable to resist such a powerful attack.
Shangguan Feihong's body was struck as if by a heavy hammer, letting out a wail:
"Ugh ah—!"
He flew through the air like a kite with a broken string, tracing an arc before crashing heavily against the barrier at the edge of the arena.
He struggled to prop himself up, but then "wah" several mouthfuls of fresh blood, his condition quite dire.
In reality, Nangong Wenjian had held back and did not attack his vital points, otherwise, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand right now.
Nangong Wenjian slowly lowered his finger, the wisp of sharp Sword Qi lingering at its tip quietly dissipating.
He still stood in place, his white robes spotless, his aura as stable as ever, as if that astonishing finger strike just now was as effortless and casual as brushing away a fallen leaf for him.
The entire venue was dead silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
From the moment Shangguan Feihong unleashed his wind and thunder-infused sword to Nangong Wenjian's finger-point that defeated his enemy, the entire process happened in a flash!
Many Cultivators with slightly lower cultivation levels didn't even see how Nangong Wenjian made his move; they only saw a flash of silver light, and then Shangguan Feihong, along with his sword, was sent flying.
Absolute crushing! Crushing without any suspense!
Nangong Wenjian's calm eyes swept over the fallen Shangguan Feihong, without any arrogance of a victor, only a natural indifference.
As if defeating a Huashen Realm true Disciple of Tongtian Peak was an insignificant trifle.
"Hiss—!"
After a moment of dead silence, gasps of cold air rose and fell in succession.
The sword-viewing platform completely erupted!
"One finger! Only one finger!"
"This... what a terrifying Realm of Dao of the Sword!"
"He didn't even draw his sword! Shangguan Feihong's'Startled Swan' sword is a sixth-tier Flying Sword, is the gap really that big?"
"A Huashen Realm Cultivator, before him, is like an ant!"
"The Great Xia's number one Prodigy... truly lives up to his reputation! With his strength, if a Returning to Void Realm powerful Cultivator doesn't make a move, he should be invincible in the same Realm, right?"
The Heavenly Sword Sect's Disciples were even more excited, their faces flushed with pride.
"Alas."
Lü Tianxing shook his head and sighed.
Battles between Sword Cultivators are simple; within the same Realm, it's nothing more than a comparison of Sword Dao attainment, the quality of Spiritual Power, and the power of sword moves.
He could tell that Nangong Wenjian had even controlled his Spiritual Power to be on the same level as Shangguan Feihong, but the difference in their Sword Dao levels was too great; their Sword Intent was no longer on the same level, hence the one-sidedness.
Lu Fan was also dumbfounded, not expecting that the long-awaited battle between experts would end so hastily.
What could he comprehend from this?
In his mind, the Demon Master's voice appeared at the opportune moment:
"Fighting isn't a show; if it were a life-or-death battle, it would end even faster, but it's also because the difference between these two is too great."
"Seems so."
Lu Fan thought carefully; when he fought against Demon Cultivators, life and death were indeed instantaneous, it just depended on whose strength was tougher.
At this moment, as he looked at the solitary figure in white robes, like snow, standing on the stage, seemingly detached from the entire noisy world, the shock in his heart was inexpressible.
Lu Fan clenched his fists tightly, his eyes not showing discouragement, but rather a stronger fighting spirit.
"One day, I will be stronger than him!"
On the high platform, Nangong Wenjian ignored all the commotion.
He turned with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly sweeping over his surroundings, his voice clear but carrying an undeniable authority:
"There's no need for others to come up. I heard the Shenxuan Sect has a Demon-Slaying Sword Master; I wonder if Your Excellency can show up for a meeting?"
His voice was not loud, yet it clearly suppressed all discussions, like a cold sword blade pressed against everyone's throats.
For a moment, in the vast Sea of Clouds Plaza, no one dared to respond and step forward.
These words caused the Shenxuan Sect Disciples to feel humiliated, but they could not refute; in reality, they had expectations for the Demon-Slaying Sword Master to make a move.
Numerous Disciples discussed animatedly.
"I wonder if the Demon-Slaying Sword Master will make a move."
"I think the other party probably won't dare to come. If he comes and exposes his true identity, he might attract retaliation from the Heavenly Demon Sect."
"He's so strong, even if he's exposed, the Heavenly Demon Sect probably can't do much to him, right?"
"It is said that the Demon-Slaying Sword Master is actually a Returning to Void Realm expert of the Shenxuan Sect, and the reason he doesn't show himself is that the Shenxuan Sect wants to create an unparalleled Sword Cultivator to enhance the Sect's prestige."
"Nangong Wenjian is the number one Sword Cultivator in a thousand years, invincible below the Returning to Void Realm; if they really fight, it will be a sight to behold."
Lu Fan and the others also stood on the pavilion, looking at the white figure on the Sword Discourse Platform.
"Will the Demon-Slaying Sword Master appear?"
Lu Fan asked softly.
"I don't know."
Lü Tianxing was also quite helpless; in reality, he also placed his hopes on the elusive Demon-Slaying Sword Master.
Behind him stood numerous Tongtian Peak Disciples, their eyes filled with anticipation.
And under the gaze of the multitude, Nangong Wenjian suddenly moved, leaving only a message:
"If it's inconvenient, Your Excellency can come with me. I only seek a battle and will not ask for your identity."]}