The training ground of the Martial Saint Hall is a massive, ancient, circular stone platform surrounded by arrays designed to prevent the leakage of true energy. The top ten masters on the Earth Ranking have gathered here to compete for the two spots that will earn them the chance to challenge the Heaven Ranking.
According to the rules, anyone who receives a "Battle Token" must engage in cyclical sparring until the final scores determine the two strongest individuals.
Xiao Wuchen's first opponent was Qi Feng, who was ranked seventh on the Earthly Ranking and was known for his "Flowing Cloud Palm." Qi Feng's palm techniques were as unpredictable as flowing clouds. Their trajectories were elusive and his inner force was endless. It was a typical style that combined softness and strength.
However, his prized "softness" appeared immature and shallow compared to Xiao Wuchen's "Life-Giving Sword Intent," which he had perfected after an enlightening period.
When Qi Feng unleashed his palm strike, evoking the image of drifting clouds, Xiao Wuchen simply swept it away with his sword.
His sword energy no longer pursued speed, but rather purity. The instant the sword energy made contact with the palm strike, an extreme sense of "annihilation" erupted.
The alternation of life and destruction!
Qi Feng's palm force instantly lost all resilience upon contact with the sword energy, like clouds frozen in ice and suspended in midair. Immediately afterward, the aura of annihilation surged upward along the force of the palm. Qi Feng's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly withdrew his palm, but it was already covered with a fine layer of frost, hindering the flow of his true energy.
"You...your swordsmanship! How has it become so pure?" Qi Feng stared at Xiao Wuchen in astonishment.
Xiao Wuchen did not press his advantage, sheathing his sword. "You flatter me," he said.
One move decided the outcome, shocking all the top-ranked experts present. They could tell that Xiao Wuchen's swordsmanship had changed significantly; the "yin-softness" had reached a level that could defeat those of the same rank.
In the subsequent sparring matches, Xiao Wuchen employed a more flexible strategy. When facing the fifth-ranked fierce swordsman, he used the "Nirvana" sword intent to destroy his sharpness. When facing the ninth-ranked master of lightness skills, he used the "Vitality" sword intent to trap his opponent within a sword circle.
In his match against the fourth-ranked "Flying Shadow," Xiao Wuchen's opponent's speed and agility reached the pinnacle of the Meridian Building Realm, nearly matching the level of "Flying Swallow Through Willow." Although Xiao Wuchen's swordsmanship was powerful, he had difficulty keeping up.
At the critical moment, the system issued another prompt:
System Prompt: The host has activated martial arts instincts at extreme speed.
System Fusion II Activated: Combining the agility concept of 'Flying Swallow Through Willow' (ultimate lightness and change) with the intent concept of 'Flowers Bloom to Reveal Buddha' (vitality and harmony), a new type of mobile swordsmanship is being created."
With the system's assistance, Xiao Wuchen's footwork and sword moves were integrated perfectly. His movements were no longer just about speed; they incorporated the essence of "life and destruction" into his rapid pace.
With each step he took, it seemed as if he left behind a phantom flower poised to bloom or wither instantly. His trajectory became unpredictable and highly disruptive.
As he approached his opponent, the "Wind Shadow" was not just speed but also an invisible pressure of intent. His opponent felt caught in a storm of life and death, his mind thrown into chaos.
Xiao Wuchen took advantage of his opponent's momentary lapse in concentration and struck his opponent's chest with his sword tip, securing victory once more.
The new mobile sword technique, "Wind Shadow Without Form," was officially created!
This battle brought Xiao Wuchen not only victory, but also a movement and attack system that rivals any other in the world.
After a day of fierce competition, six of the eight Earth Ranking masters were defeated, leaving only three: Xiao Wuchen, Su Mubai, and Qin Lie, the third-ranked "Ten Thousand Jun Blade."
According to the rules, the two with the highest scores would qualify for the challenge.
Although Qin Lie lost to Xiao Wuchen, he performed exceptionally well in the other sparring matches. Su Mubai, on the other hand, had an undefeated record; his strength was undeniable.
Therefore, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the final two challengers would be Xiao Wuchen and Su Mubai.
The Elder of the Martial Saint Hall announced the results: "Congratulations to Xiao Wuchen and Su Mubai! You two have earned the right to challenge the Heaven Ranking masters!"
However, Su Mubai stepped forward at that moment, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Elder, please allow us to have a fair and unrestricted spar. Only the outcome between us can determine who is most qualified to challenge the Heaven Ranking masters and represent the highest level of martial artists in our generation!"
His words caused a stir throughout the arena. Su Mubai wants to take the initiative and have an ultimate showdown with Xiao Wuchen to determine who is the best of their generation!Su Mubai's request for a final duel caused an uproar in the Martial Saint Hall. After exchanging glances, the Hall Master and the other elders ultimately agreed to this exchange that transcended the rules. They understood that it was the pursuit of the limits of martial arts by two of the most dazzling rising stars.
Xiao Wuchen stepped forward and looked at Su Mubai. The prodigy of the Haoran Sword Sect showed no trace of jealousy or resentment in his eyes; only the pure fire of seeking the Dao burned there.
"Brother Su, our battle will decide who is the strongest of our generation. More importantly, it will determine our shared beliefs in swordsmanship," Xiao Wuchen said calmly.
"Indeed!" Su Mubai's voice was powerful and resonant, and an aura of righteousness swirled around him. "In our last battle, I lost because of an unstable mind. But now, my righteousness has advanced further. I must prove that righteous light swordsmanship is the ultimate, most powerful martial art!"
Su Mubai's words addressed the core of Xiao Wuchen's swordsmanship—the criticism that it was "not righteous enough."
"My swordsmanship is called Vitality," Xiao Wuchen replied, his tone filled with unwavering confidence. "It originates from respect for and protection of life. It can embrace destruction and bring new life. I will prove that even the ultimate yin and yang can lead to the true path of perfection!"
The two exchanged no further words, but their beliefs clashed fiercely.
During the brief rest before the decisive battle, Xiao Wuchen didn't meditate to recover. Instead, he stood in a corner of the training ground and quietly contemplated Su Mubai's "righteous spirit."
Although his "vitality sword intent" was powerful, he needed to find an absolute advantage when facing Su Mubai's supremely masculine and unstoppable "righteous sword intent."
System Notification: The host has pushed "Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha" to its limit.
Core Advantage Analysis:
Su Mubai's Righteous Spirit: Fierce and fearless linear attack that repels all evil.
Xiao Wuchen's Vitality Sword Intent: Soft and harmonious, containing both "life" (flexibility) and "destruction" (rigidity).
Xiao Wuchen focused on the aspect of "life." Su Mubai's sword energy was fierce, like a raging fire capable of burning everything. However, only the ultimate "life" could encompass, absorb, and transform the fire into nourishment.
"The ultimate in raw power has its weakness: 'Too much rigidity leads to breakage.' The ultimate in vitality, however, is the harmonious balance of 'overcoming rigidity with softness.'"
He had found the best strategy to fight Su Mubai. Rather than pursuing a head-on clash of annihilation, he would use the flexibility of life to encompass and guide, then restrain with a harmonious approach.
This duel will be the ultimate test of two pinnacle swordsmanship philosophies.