Up in the sky, the eleven Golden Core experts of the Miao Clan stood in a fan-shaped formation, suspended in midair. Then, Justin Su drew the sword he always cradled in his arms—a blade that looked utterly ordinary.
"Wong!"
A surge of sword resonance rang out, shaking everyone to their core.
This sword was no magic weapon, not even a fine blade—just an ordinary iron sword. Yet from the moment Justin Su became a swordsman, it had followed him everywhere.
By rights, once he stepped onto the path of cultivation, he should've abandoned this plain iron sword. But he never did. Even with top-grade magic swords available, he refused them and only used this iron sword. Plenty of people laughed at him for it.
Years passed, and even after reaching the peak of late-stage Golden Core, this iron sword still stayed by his side. Through countless days and nights of tempering with his zhenyuan, the plain iron sword gradually gained spirituality, its material evolving from mundane iron into god-iron.
Its power now rivaled that of a top-tier treasure.
This left many people puzzled.
Whenever Justin gripped the iron sword's hilt, he felt an inexplicable calm—and he could sense his old partner's excitement. Unconsciously, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
The other ten cultivators also summoned their own magic weapons.
The fat middle-aged man held a brush in his right hand and a black inkstone in his left. The others wielded magic tools—a short flying sword, a heavy seal, a wooden sword, a short spear, a long saber, and more.
In short, all eleven experts—each at least mid-stage Golden Core—unleashed the power of their magic weapons. Even with the Guardian Mountain Formation between them, everyone below could feel the threat bearing down from above.
The third-generation disciples already knew that the seven-colored barrier overhead was the Guardian Mountain Formation.
Many had heard of the Guardian Mountain Formation before; those who hadn't soon learned from their companions. Pride swelled for their sect, but seeing the powerful magic weapons summoned overhead, worry crept onto their faces.
Could the Guardian Mountain Formation really withstand a joint strike from all these experts?
"Abbess, can the Guardian Mountain Formation really block their attacks?" Lena Ling couldn't help voicing her concern, quietly asking Abbess Yvonne.
"Don't worry, Lena. Senior Azure set up this Guardian Mountain Formation herself. Even Nascent Soul experts would struggle to break it, so it'll definitely hold!"
Abbess Yvonne's voice instantly echoed across the whole plaza, reaching everyone's ears.
Hearing her words, many disciples finally calmed down. At the same time, curiosity rose—just who was this Senior Azure?
Lena Ling, though, looked a bit strange at the mention of Senior Azure. She honestly couldn't recall ever meeting this mysterious expert. Yet Abbess Yvonne insisted Senior Azure was helping her out of gratitude for a past favor.
But no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't remember...
"Attack!"
With a crisp shout from above, Justin Su's iron sword slashed downward. No dazzling glow, no swirling sword-light, not even a hint of sword energy—just a perfectly ordinary strike.
Yet this strike carried an aura of unstoppable force, as if nothing in the world could withstand it.
"Cut!"
The iron sword struck first, landing squarely atop the seven-colored barrier.
Wong!!!
The seven-colored barrier trembled, its radiance flaring brilliantly. In that instant, Lana Snow, Abbess Yvonne, and the others all tensed, praying the Guardian Mountain Formation would hold.
Halfway up the mountain.
Ian Song stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing up at the iron sword striking the seven-colored barrier overhead. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes—he hadn't expected anyone in the cultivation world to master swordsmanship to such a level.
In the fantasy world, warriors rely on martial techniques.
But in the cultivation world, cultivators display their might through magic treasures and Dao arts.
That's why few bother to study attack techniques. Instead of honing skills, it's far easier to get a powerful magic treasure and watch your strength soar.
Of course, Justin Su's sword strike was impressive—he'd grasped the true essence of sword intent. But he was still far from perfect mastery of swordsmanship.
Ian Song wouldn't claim to be the world's top swordsman, but even in the fantasy world, he was among the absolute elite.
Justin Su's attack was like a bugle call for battle. The other ten Golden Core experts immediately activated their magic weapons, unleashing dazzling lights and fearsome power as a barrage of attacks crashed against the seven-colored barrier.
For a moment, all of Jade Maiden Peak trembled, and everyone in the Jade Maiden Sect held their breath.
But...
When the brilliance faded and the power vanished, the seven-colored barrier remained utterly unmoved.
It held!