Inner Sect Martial Arena, atop the dueling platform.
Yoon Zhengyang easily broke through Song Yan's three-zhang-long sword-qi and strode toward him.
Watching Yoon Zhengyang stroll forward as if taking a casual walk, Song Yan narrowed his eyes, rare seriousness flashing across his face. This guy's cultivation was already at the peak of ninth-layer Qi-Refining, and his swordsmanship was no joke—Song Yan himself was a sword dao master.
Just from that last exchange, it was obvious: in the entire Inner Sect, aside from himself, this guy's sword dao was definitely the strongest.
A worthy opponent like this deserved to be taken seriously.
So, he put away the Falling Star Sword and drew an ordinary refined-steel longsword.
Seeing Song Yan actually give up using his sixth-grade spirit weapon, the crowd was a bit puzzled. Darren Duanmu couldn’t help but mock, “The only reason Huang Liang can win is that sixth-grade spirit sword. Now that he’s not using it, I bet he can’t last three moves against Senior Brother Yoon!”
On the stage, Yoon Zhengyang frowned slightly and looked at Song Yan. "What are you doing?"
Song Yan smiled. "Your sword dao is impressive. I want to have a proper exchange with you, so the Falling Star Sword is off the table!"
What did he mean by that?
Hearing Song Yan’s words, the crowd was even more confused. Was Huang Liang actually some kind of sword dao expert?
But looking back at Song Yan’s previous matches, nobody had ever seen him use any advanced sword techniques.
So Darren Duanmu mocked again, “Talk about putting gold on your own face!”
Yoon Zhengyang shook his head, his tone flat: “My cultivation is three minor realms higher than yours. Using the Falling Star Sword just evens the gap. If you don’t use it, you can’t beat me. Of course, even if you do, I’m still confident I’ll win!”
Yoon Zhengyang’s words sounded arrogant, but they really weren’t. His tone was natural, as if stating a fact—showing just how confident he was. A true swordsman should always have the will to win; otherwise, his sword would lose its edge.
Hearing this, Song Yan just smiled. Then his whole aura suddenly changed—gone was the playful grin, replaced by a solemn, focused intensity.
"What’s this...?"
Zong Shan’s eyes lit up. “Is that... intent?”
On stage, everyone was baffled. Why did Huang Liang seem like a completely different person in just a moment?
Even Harriet Gu couldn’t help showing a hint of surprise in her eyes. Things that could actually make her react were almost nonexistent.
Especially for Yoon Zhengyang, who was facing Song Yan directly—he actually felt a pressure coming from him. A sixth-layer Qi-Refining cultivator making him feel pressure? It was absurd, but the feeling was real.
Song Yan’s wrist moved slightly, his longsword slanting toward the ground. Just that one simple motion sent sword intent rippling out from him in all directions.
Buzz... buzz...
Yoon Zhengyang, hit head-on, instantly felt his breathing tighten.
Zane Zong’s face showed shock, surprise, and excitement all at once.
He never expected an Inner Sect disciple at sixth-layer Qi-Refining could actually comprehend sword intent.
In this world, sword arts are ranked: entry level, entering the hall, sword mastery, subtlety, sword intent, sword heart, and so on.
If you just practice a sword form until it’s perfect, that’s entry level. Plenty of Inner Sect disciples are at this stage.
If you perfect the form and add your own insights, boosting its power by about thirty percent, that’s entering the hall. Not many reach this in the Inner Sect—maybe ten at most.
If you improve the form further so its power doubles, that’s sword mastery.
This level is rare—Harriet Gu is at this stage. The same sword form in her hands is at least twice as strong, maybe even more.
As for subtlety, that’s even rarer. Not only can you multiply the power several times, you can use weakness to overcome strength. Like just now—Yoon Zhengyang easily broke Song Yan’s sword-qi. His attack wasn’t forceful, but it had dozens of hidden variations.
It looked simple, but was actually complex to the extreme.
Reaching subtlety in Qi-Refining is a once-in-a-century feat.
Sword intent, though, is on another level entirely. You’re beyond technique—every move fits perfectly with heaven and earth, drawing on their power. To reach sword intent in Qi-Refining is a once-in-a-millennium miracle; even among Elite Disciples, none have grasped it.
Only a handful of Core Disciples have managed to comprehend sword intent.
"This kid’s future is definitely extraordinary!"
As Song Yan’s sword intent emerged, Yoon Zhengyang found it hard to breathe. As the intent grew stronger, he even felt a faint fear and urge to retreat.
"It’s sword intent!"
Suddenly, Yoon Zhengyang’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Song Yan. In his vision, Song Yan’s body vanished—he seemed to be swallowed by heaven and earth, or maybe merged with it...
No, I can’t wait any longer. If I do, even without him making a single move, just his sword intent alone will defeat me!
Kill!
With a sharp shout, Yoon Zhengyang lunged forward, his sword flashing like lightning—thrust, sweep, chop, slash, parry—his swordplay pushed to the absolute limit.
Everyone in the audience who understood sword arts was utterly entranced by the display.
In an instant, Yoon Zhengyang unleashed over two hundred strikes, but every single one hit empty air. All those attacks were just to break Song Yan’s domain—but he failed.
He knew victory was out of reach now, but he still refused to give up—he wanted one last shot.
His ninth-layer true qi erupted, his aura surging as man and sword became one—he transformed into a streak of sword-light, charging straight at Song Yan.
Zane Zong shook his head at the sight. He could already see the outcome—Yoon Zhengyang’s sword dao was dazzling, but compared to Huang Liang, it just didn’t measure up.
The sword-light arrived in a flash. Song Yan tilted his body slightly and tapped forward with his steel longsword.
With that move, the power of heaven and earth around him stirred—the air thickened, slowing Yoon Zhengyang’s lightning-fast strike just enough.
Clang!
Song Yan’s steel longsword tapped seven inches up Yoon Zhengyang’s blade.
Instantly, Yoon Zhengyang was like a balloon popped with a needle—his aura collapsed.
He was sent flying backward, a shadow of disappointment flashing in his eyes. He cupped his fists to Song Yan: “Junior Brother Huang, I concede!”
“Senior Brother Yoon admits defeat!” Song Yan’s body shimmered as he withdrew from his merged-with-heaven-and-earth state. This was the first time he’d ever revealed his sword mastery in this world.
“Huang Liang scores another point—seven total! Need a break?” Zane Zong called out, his gaze warm. For someone to grasp sword intent at sixth-layer Qi-Refining—a peerless genius like this deserved special cultivation. Maybe Pristine Way Sect could produce another Martial Saint.
“No need!” Song Yan shook his head, then turned to Harriet Gu. “Senior Sister Gu, would you do me the honor of a match?”
“I concede.”
Harriet Gu replied calmly.
“Huang Liang scores another point—eight in total!” Zane Zong announced with satisfaction. The outcome was now clear: Song Yan was Inner Sect number one.
“Nate Moore, you’re up!”
Song Yan looked at Nate Moore.
Everyone thought Nate Moore would concede, but to their surprise, he leaped onto the stage.
The crowd was stunned—even some people laughed at Nate Moore for not knowing his own limits.