Facing Shawn Steele's overwhelming aura, Howard Jiang, Serena Sima, and Faye Xi bore the brunt of it.
Everyone else only felt the aftermath of his aura; even so, they were awed by its unmatched force. It was clear just how much pressure Howard, Serena, and Faye were under.
What terrified them even more was that Shawn's aura kept rising. Under that pressure, all three felt like tiny boats adrift in a vast ocean, ready to capsize at any moment.
"We can't let his momentum build any further—we have to strike first!"
Howard Jiang called out, his hands forming rapid seals as he strode forward—each step forging a new imprint. By the ninth step, nine law-seals had condensed in his hands.
The moment Howard Jiang stepped out, Jade Pool Saintess Serena Sima also made her move.
Her weapon was a jade-green short sword, its blade crystal clear as if carved from pure jade. Suddenly, the sword slipped from her grasp and shot forth as a streak of green light toward Shawn.
"That's Jade Pool Holy Land's legendary flying-sword art!"
Someone cried out in shock at the sight.
Faye Xi was just as quick as Serena Sima. Her weapons were two icy, crescent-shaped blades. Her movements were graceful, yet she was the first to close in on Shawn, slashing out with both blades—two silver arcs flashing by, seemingly able to slice the giant sword aura around Shawn into pieces.
The three prodigies attacked in unison—even a mid-stage Heaven-and-Man expert would fall to such a combined strike. Everyone stared wide-eyed, watching to see how Young Master Shawn would handle their assault, or if he would be slain on the spot.
"Slash!"
Three clean sword strikes answered in return.
The first sword met Howard Jiang's palms. At first, it felt like sinking into a quagmire, but then Shawn's sword essence erupted—hundreds of unstoppable sword-qi burst forth, shattering the mire-like field and raining down on Howard.
Howard's face changed dramatically. He formed more seals and retreated, his palms striking and tapping at the air, twisting the void in front of him and swallowing up the sword-qi chasing him.
After retreating hundreds of meters, Howard finally neutralized the pursuing sword-qi. But his face was deathly pale—he had completely exhausted his zhenyuan.
The second sword—Shawn slashed toward the jade-green short sword.
A few meters away, Serena Sima's fingers danced, sending out rapid sword-seals. The jade-green short sword darted around Shawn, searching for a fatal opening.
Clang!
Shawn's sword struck the jade-green short sword head-on.
The jade-green short sword was knocked flying, leaving a rice-grain-sized chip in its blade. Serena Sima, spiritually linked to her sword, nearly spat blood from the backlash.
But as Shawn unleashed his second sword, Faye Xi's twin crescent blades had already reached his throat and chest.
The third sword strike flashed out.
A silver sword-dragon burst from Shawn's steel longsword, its cry a blend of dragon roar and sword chant. The sword-dragon bit onto one crescent blade, its tail smashing into the other.
But to Shawn's surprise, the sword-dragon didn't bite through the crescent blade. He shifted his focus and reached out to grab it.
At that instant, Faye Xi's aura surged. Her crescent blade broke free from the sword-dragon's jaws, erupting in a dazzling burst of light.
"Ding!"
Shawn suddenly raised his steel longsword. With a crisp ring, the crescent blade struck the sword, unable to pierce his brow.
Just then, the jade-green short sword appeared once more.
Its target: Shawn’s dantian.
"Heh!"
Shawn sneered. A matching jade-green short sword flew out from his own dantian, unleashing a flurry of sword-shadows.
"Dang dang dang!"
Amid the barrage of blows, Serena Sima's short sword fell to the ground with a mournful cry, shattering into dozens of pieces.
"Ah!"
Serena Sima could no longer suppress her injuries. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her flawless face turning ghostly pale.
At the same time, Shawn's steel longsword shattered as well.
But Faye Xi didn't attack again. She retreated swiftly.
"Think you can run?"
With a gesture, the Azure Lotus Sword fell into Shawn's hand.