Yang Wudi and Yang Wutian, the Yang Brothers, watched the four people confronting each other in the arena with bated breath, their palms slightly sweating.
They were just one step away—just one step away from the Breaking Clan creating a precedent in their history and reaching the pinnacle of the Soul Master World. While this made the two of them incredibly excited, they were also somewhat anxious. What if they lost? Although even a loss now would still make them the second-greatest sect in the world and the highest honor in their clan's history, the position of second place, while high, was in a sense also the biggest loser. So, if they could win, they might as well win all the way!
Dugu Bo looked at the two nervous brothers beside him and spoke a word of comfort.
"The Yun kid looks quite calm, and he didn't even use his Spirit Avatar when he defeated that Old Dragon from the Yu Family. He is definitely far from his limit. Don't worry!"
"Besides, even if you lose, once the Yun kid advances his cultivation further, this title will be yours sooner or later."
Hearing Dugu Bo's well-reasoned statement, the tension in the hearts of the Yang Brothers faded a bit, and they nodded.
The three of them didn't say anything more and focused their attention on the battlefield.
Yun Ming stood opposite the trio of the Sword Bone Pagoda. The momentum of the three Title Douluo-level combatants stirred the wind and clouds, causing wild winds to rage within the plaza and clouds to roll across the skyline.
Chen Xin looked at the tangible Spear Intent condensing on Yun Ming's body. He didn't make a move immediately; instead, he voiced the doubt he had held earlier.
"Little Friend Yun, before the battle officially begins, I have a question. I wonder if you could enlighten me? Of course, if this involves the secrets of your cultivation, you need not answer."
Yun Ming had no objections.
"Very well. Senior Chen, please feel free to ask. If I am able to speak of it, I will tell you everything I know."
Chen Xin continued.
"Earlier, when you were fighting the four sects, you used a technique where Spear Light took on physical form. I consider myself to have some attainments in sword qi, yet I am completely unable to grasp how exactly that is achieved. Therefore, I wanted to ask the reason behind it."
"Of course, as I said before, if it concerns your cultivation secrets, do not answer."
Spear Light and sword qi were very similar to soul skills, but their essence was very different.
The essence of a soul skill was the result of Soul Power operating according to a series of natural laws, producing changes in properties and form; fundamentally, it was another manifestation of Soul Power. However, things like Spear Light and sword qi, in addition to the Soul Power that served as a carrier, contained something more important: the user's 'intent', or perhaps, their 'Dao'.
So, what is 'intent'? The ability to cut through anything is intent; being indestructible is also intent; living in seclusion away from the world can likewise be intent.
'Intent' has no fixed form; it follows only the heart.
However, intent is different from Soul Power. Although it truly exists, it cannot be seen, heard, or touched; it is formless and imageless. Soul skills can take on physical form because Soul Power can be solidified. While the Soul Power within Spear Light and sword qi could be solidified under the master's control, intent could not. Once it left the master's control, it would head toward an irreversible collapse. Even if one were to force it, it would only leave behind a crystal of Soul Power, having lost its essence.
Based on this, Chen Xin could not figure out how Yun Ming achieved it. Normally, Chen Xin shouldn't have asked this question, but he was simply too curious.
Yun Ming was not surprised to hear that this was what Chen Xin was asking about, and he began to explain.
"There is nothing that cannot be said about this. There is no special technique involved; it is enough if your comprehension of the Spear Dao is sufficiently profound."
"When you reach the point where you can cultivate Spear Intent to an indestructible level, that will be enough."
An indestructible 'intent' sounded very vague and mysterious, but there was also a common, easy-to-understand term for it: 'divinity'. This was different from divine sense or divine power; it meant reaching the realm of 'divinity' in the path one cultivated.
In his previous life, Yun Ming had already reached the realm of the Spear God, and having lived another life, his realm was even higher, so he could naturally achieve it.
Chen Xin murmured upon hearing this.
"Indestructible, you say?"
Yun Ming's words were easy to understand, and Chen Xin's comprehension was not poor, so he naturally understood the general meaning. It was just that he hadn't realized the Sword Dao had such a realm. It was truly something to yearn for!
After Yun Ming finished speaking, seeing that Chen Xin seemed to have been led into deep thought, he reminded him.
"Senior, let's attend to the matter at hand first! The question of 'Dao' can be discussed another day."
Chen Xin's current Sword Dao realm was not yet high enough; a mere level 96 Title Douluo was still far off. He should just go back and cultivate it slowly.
Chen Xin came back to his senses, cupped his hands, and bowed to Yun Ming.
"Thank you for your guidance, Little Friend!"
Yun Ming accepted the gesture. A single sentence of true instruction is worth ten thousand books of false teachings. Although Yun Ming hadn't taught Chen Xin any specific methods, he had pointed out the path, and Yun Ming was worthy of this respect. Thinking of this, Yun Ming had a sudden whim: what would happen if he used that move on Chen Xin?
Before Yun Ming could finish his thought, Chen Xin finished his bow and straightened his posture. He turned the tip of the Seven Kill Sword in his hand, and countless white sword qi surged violently all over his body, causing the air around him to whistle incessantly. Chen Xin looked at Yun Ming and said in a deep voice.
"Little Friend, let us begin!"
Afterward, Chen Xin also said to his teammates beside him.
"Fengzhi, Old Bone, let me exchange moves with Little Friend Yun first! If I am unable to defeat him, you may step in."
Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong were both very clear about Chen Xin's obsession with the Sword Dao. They knew he wanted to devote himself entirely to experiencing Yun Ming's Spear Dao, so they naturally didn't say anything more. After leaving behind a "be careful," they temporarily withdrew from the battle.
The two from the Bone Pagoda stepped back, and the first round officially began.
Yun Ming accepted the challenge, standing far opposite Chen Xin, his pure intent rising to its peak almost instantly.
In Chen Xin's eyes, Yun Ming was like an invincible god of war; just by standing opposite him, he couldn't help but think that he couldn't defeat his opponent. In Yun Ming's eyes, Chen Xin was like a sword—fierce, peerless, and a divine blade that sought to sever everything.
Subsequently, sword qi and Spear Light erupted from both of them, white and gold sweeping toward each other frantically.
Under Yun Ming's feet, blood energy and Soul Power exploded simultaneously. His entire body transformed into a golden dragon, charging toward Chen Xin at an astonishing speed, with the Atlas Divine Spear acting as the fangs of this golden dragon.
Almost simultaneously, Chen Xin also leaped into the air to meet Yun Ming. The terrifying Sword Intent was surrounded by the bones of various humans and beasts that had been sliced in two; in that world of white bones, it was filled with world-shaking killing intent.
For the first move, both of them tacitly chose not to use too much Soul Power, focusing more on a contest of intent.
The golden dragon transformed by Yun Ming was like a moth to a flame, charging into that white world. The surrounding temperature plummeted, and all the killing intent seemed to sense an external invasion, surging toward Yun Ming. Finally, the killing intent condensed, transforming into a terrifying giant sword that seemed intent on splitting the heavens and the earth, cutting down all enemies with a fierce strike.
Yun Ming looked at the giant sword, neither happy nor sad, and simply continued to thrust his spear.
"Rumble--"
Sword energy and spear light collided, sounding like a thunderclap in the sky. Both the gold and white light vanished at the point of impact, revealing the figures of Yun Ming and Chen Xin.
The two were within arm's reach, with the tip of Yun Ming's spear pressed against the edge of Chen Xin's sword.
A terrifying energy fluctuation erupted from the center of the collision, blasting outward!
Yun Ming's figure was sent flying backward, as was Chen Xin's, instantly widening the distance between them.
Chen Xin retreated a hundred meters before stabilizing his stance. A trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth involuntarily. He glanced at the Seven Kill Sword, which was emitting a low hum, and then at the young man in the distance who had performed a flourish with his spear and stood firm once more. A sense of loss washed over him.
He had lost! In just one exchange, his intent and his sword had been shattered. Just as Chen Xin had perceived, Yun Ming's spear was infinitely domineering and invincible. When his own Heaven-Slashing and Earth-Killing Seven Kill Sword Intent struck it, it was met only with the destructive, overwhelming force of Yun Ming's Atlas Spear Intent. Had the opponent not held back in time, his mind would have suffered severe damage the moment his sword intent was broken.
Furthermore, as Chen Xin shifted his gaze to the Atlas Divine Spear, he realized that while he had previously felt Yun Ming's Weapon Spirit was strong—causing his own Seven Kill Sword to fluctuate—this time, the contact had actually caused the Seven Kill Sword to transmit a feeling of fear to him. This was an experience Chen Xin had never encountered in all his years as a Soul Master.
Yun Ming looked up at Chen Xin and said in a loud voice.
"Senior, shall we exchange a few more moves?"
Chen Xin was the first, and so far the only, wielder of a Weapon Spirit he had encountered in this era whom he truly acknowledged. Yun Ming did not mind exchanging a few more moves to help him hone his sword intent.
(Tang Hao had lost his spirit before he died, and while Tang Xiao had decent ability, his heart was in chaos during his final battle; neither could earn Yun Ming's recognition.)
Chen Xin naturally understood the meaning behind Yun Ming's words, and for the other's goodwill, there was only one thing he could do.
"Continue!"
Chen Xin took a deep breath and held his Seven Kill Sword horizontally. Across the blade of the Seven Kill Sword, layers of cloud patterns emerged, and a powerful sword intent blanketed the area.
Yun Ming pointed his Atlas Divine Spear forward. In an instant, man and spear became one, and a sharp, piercing spear intent shot out, locking onto Chen Xin.
If Chen Xin's sword intent was like a raging sea, then the Atlas Divine Spear in Yun Ming's hand was like a ship braving the waves, proud and peerless.
"Zheng—"
A clear, resonant sword chime rang out from the Seven Kill Sword. Chen Xin poured his formidable Soul Power as a Super Douluo into the weapon, and phantom images of sword light flickered on the surface of his body, attaching themselves to the Seven Kill Sword.
From the first collision, Chen Xin could clearly feel that in terms of pure intent, he still had a significant gap to bridge compared to Yun Ming. Only by utilizing his cultivation of Soul Power would he have a chance to fight.
The next instant, Chen Xin moved. He tapped his toes lightly on the ground, his figure flickering once more, and his Third Soul Ring lit up, causing a pair of wings made of sword energy to emerge.
Chen Xin's Third Soul Skill, 'Sword Intent Like Flight', was activated.
With a powerful flap of the sword-intent wings behind him, Chen Xin transformed into a killing sword, flashing forward and heading straight for Yun Ming.
Watching the approaching sword light, Yun Ming manifested the Sun Moon Phantom behind him. He thrust his Atlas Divine Spear forward, and a massive spear light accompanied by the roar of a divine warrior shook the entire arena.
At the same time, two magnificent long swords appeared behind him. Judging by the fluctuations of their aura, they were fine swords, no less impressive than the Seven Kill Sword. But unlike the murderous Seven Kill Sword, these two swords lacked killing intent. One was a cyan sword that gave off an impression of supreme detachment, while the other was a pink sword that felt the exact opposite, filled with lingering affection. However, both swords were subsequently suppressed by the Atlas Spear.
Chen Xin looked at the scene appearing behind Yun Ming; though he did not understand the reason, he knew that striking at it was the right move.
"Zheng—"
At the tip of the Seven Kill Sword, a massive white character for "Kill" emerged, fiercely slashing toward the terrifying, abyss-like spear light.
"Boom—"
The suppressing spear light and the "Kill" character sword energy collided with a roar!
To everyone's eyes, the world-renowned Seven Kill Sword showed signs of collapsing in an instant.
The "Kill" character sword energy first contracted, then began to dissipate over a wide area. The moment the white light and golden light overlapped, the spectators saw the Atlas Divine Spear strike the spine of the Seven Kill Sword.
"Ding—"
After a crisp sound, Chen Xin's entire body trembled violently, and he was blasted away like a meteor by the terrifying force carried by the Atlas Divine Spear.
Golden spear intent surged madly into his body, but at that very moment, a halo of white light rippled out from the Seven Kill Sword. Its aura shifted, mimicking the aura of the two divine swords behind Yun Ming to resist his Atlas Spear Intent.
At this moment, Chen Xin was in excruciating pain, as if every inch of his skin were being torn apart, but he had no time to care about that. He was comprehending the two types of intent hidden within Yun Ming's moves.
From these two sword intents, Chen Xin saw a vastness of the Sword Dao he had never known before. Guided by this higher level of sword intent, he fell into a state of enlightenment.
His body stabilized itself autonomously, and he began to swing his sword unconsciously. From the most basic techniques—Stab, Point, Collapse, and Stir—to his advanced sword arts, and finally to his family's unique Seven Kill Sword Technique, he danced faster and faster. His sword momentum grew thicker and colder, and after reaching its peak, it began to slowly slide back down, while his sword moves returned to simplicity. He cycled through them over and over again.
Watching the changes in Chen Xin's sword momentum, Yun Ming curled his lips. Not bad! He was worthy of being a Titled Douluo known for his sword.
This spear move of Yun Ming's was one he had conceived in his previous life while fighting two masters of the Sword Dao. Those two were the leaders of the Tang Sect from his own era; their strength was close to Yun Ming's, though a gap remained. Their spirits were the Sentimental Sword and the Unsentimental Sword, both top-tier sword spirits that did not lose to the Seven Kill Sword. But they had one advantage over the Seven Kill Sword: the two spirits possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Relying on this, those two masters could even suppress Yun Ming slightly, though they could never defeat him.
"Sentimental, Unsentimental—to what extent will you evolve them?"
Yun Ming murmured, watching the situation unfold.
Chen Xin's abnormality also drew the attention of others. Bibi Dong frowned slightly as she watched Chen Xin practicing his sword art. However, she could not interrupt such an obvious state of epiphany; doing so in front of everyone would be too great a blow to her reputation, so she could only watch.
On the other side, Gu Rong and Ning Fengzhi, who were watching from close range, were overjoyed to see Chen Xin gaining insight. The fact that their sect's strongest expert had the possibility of advancing further filled them with delight, though Gu Rong felt a tinge of emotion in his heart—it seemed he was truly about to be left behind by Chen Xin.
Beyond these two groups, other Titled Douluo and members of other sects watching the battle were also silently observing the subsequent changes.
The crowd watched for a full quarter of an hour.
The aura on Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword became increasingly peaceful, and the wanton killing intent slowly receded. The moment the killing intent completely dissipated, his Soul Power cultivation, which had not improved for many years, suddenly surged upward and rose by a fraction.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader