The next challenger stepped forward—a young swordsman in a silver robe, his demeanor calm but his eyes sharp with determination. This was Northern Ningxia, known for his icy composure and ruthless precision. He held a Sword Soul with a faint blue aura, its edges shimmering with frost.
As he stepped onto the stage, he addressed Yun Xiao coldly. "You've made your point, but your arrogance will be your downfall. I won't let you disgrace Sword Cloud any further."
Yun Xiao chuckled, his azure Sword Soul rising to meet the frost-tinged blade of Northern Ningxia. "Big words, but can you back them up? Show me if Sword Cloud has anyone worth my time."
The air grew heavy as the two swordsmen faced each other, their auras colliding like waves crashing against a cliff. Around the arena, the crowd held their breath, knowing this battle would determine whether Yun Xiao's rise could be stopped—or if his dominance over Sword Cloud was inevitable.
"He is from the Ningjia family, my younger male cousin—he should be counted as Senior Sister Zhao's family member," Ning Yan said suddenly, as if offering an explanation.
"Good!" Yun Xiao nodded, acknowledging the information.
"Shut up!" Northern Ningxia shouted in anger from the stage.
The insane aunt, asking favors from him? Did he need any help?
He suddenly released a burst of Sword Soul, unleashing a flurry of strikes. Thirty-six Sword Gangs appeared in the air, like a storm of death, charging toward Yun Xiao!
His Sword Soul rings, like Yun Xiao's, surrounded him with an eerie, deathly aura.
A single strike sent a cold wind howling through the air!
This was a palm sword technique of the Yuheng level, known as "Dark Cloud Covers the Moon!"
The attack surged, with the sword's power continuously growing like a dark cloud enveloping the entire stage, smothering Yun Xiao in its shadow.
But Yun Xiao was unfazed.
Without delay, he swung his sword, his white robes fluttering as he moved with the grace of an Azure Dragon. His sword, an extension of his body, roared like a dragon, charging toward Northern Ningxia with relentless power.
The righteous qi of the Azure Dragon! How could it fear the evil of dark clouds?
Yun Xiao's Azure Dragon Wind was fierce and unyielding. His swordsmanship, his body, and his spirit were perfectly in tune. His Sword Heart was vast and deep, free and unbound, sending a wave of indomitable spirit that swept through the battlefield.
His sword, full of expert precision, shone brightly, and even the Sword Lord and Ning Yan couldn't help but notice his exceptional form.
As for Northern Ningxia, his murderous intent was clear, but his thinking lacked depth—his rage clouded his judgment.
Evil cannot defeat righteousness.
Ding!
Yun Xiao sword, like the roar of an enraged Azure Dragon, tore through the dark clouds with ferocity. It sliced through thorns and shattered the supernatural shield that Northern Ningxia had conjured. The Heaven-Burying Sword Soul's blade plunged with deadly accuracy into Northern Ningxia's eyes, pricking sharply!
Northern Ningxia's eyes widened in shock as he froze in place. A drop of blood oozed from both his eyes, flowing down his face. Tremors wracked his body.
Clearly, if Yun Xiao had not stopped, that sword would have pierced his skull—death was a mere moment away.
Northern Ningxia stumbled back, his body quaking. The palm sword he had been holding slipped from his grip and fell to the ground with a thud.
"Senior Brother, please accept my respect," Yun Xiao said calmly, sheathing his sword and cupping his hands across his chest.
Yun Xiao had already achieved his goal—not through pride, but because the victory meant securing the 1 million spirit crystals and ten Source Pills, and, ultimately, inheriting the azure kite.
Before the ancestor sword hall, applause filled the air. The spectators turned their gaze toward the Sword Lord, whose approving smile gleamed.
The Sword Lord praised, "As expected from the Tianji-level Sword Soul owner, your ten scales and Azure Dragon wind are outstanding. In comparison, even I fall short! If Yun Xiao is not a true genius, then who in this world can claim to be one?"
Yun Xiao, with a humble smile, responded lightly, "The Sword Lord is too kind. I still have much to learn."
Behind him, Northern Ningxia, deeply humiliated, clenched his fists. The defeat was too crushing, too embarrassing. He and the yellow-clad youth had been completely overpowered.
Northern Ningxia's head snapped up in fury.
There stood the white-robed youth, his back turned as he chatted and laughed with the Sword Lord, unbothered by the devastating defeat.
"Is this the person whom Sword Cloud pushes into the abyss?" Northern Ningxia muttered under his breath. "Why did you, Ning, let me fall into this disgrace? Why did you drag me into the battlefields of life and death? Why is it that I now face the Ten Thousand Swords Sea in such a humiliating way?"
Northern Ningxia's frustration boiled over. Without another word, he lunged forward!
"You die, death ends all troubles!" he shouted, his voice filled with a deadly resolve.
He struck out with his sword, sending a grey flying sword toward Yun Xiao's back. It surged forward like a fatal nightmare, seeking to pierce him through.
Murong Qian and the yellow-clad youth reacted instantly, their hearts pounding.
"Death!" they roared, their voices laced with malice, as they watched the fatal attack unfold.
But Yun Xiao was already aware of the lethal intent behind him. His brows furrowed as he prepared to defend himself.
With a swift motion, he swung his azure sword. The blade collided with the grey flying sword, knocking it off course and sending it spiraling past Yun Xiao. The sword flew past him, striking toward the Sword Lord instead!
The Sword Lord's eyes widened in surprise, and with a quick motion, he swatted the flying sword away, cursing in frustration as the weapon clattered harmlessly to the ground.
But Yun Xiao wasn't finished. His azure flying sword, after deflecting the grey sword, flashed again, this time gripping firmly onto Northern Ningxia's thigh!
"Agh!" Northern Ningxia cried out in agony, his face draining of color as he fell to his knees. The intense pain seared through his body, and he collapsed to the ground in desperation.
The Heaven-Burying Sword Soul had dug deep into his leg, the excruciating sensation making him writhe in pain.
"Why… why such pain?" Northern Ningxia howled, his voice filled with misery as he crawled on the ground, clutching at his thigh. He believed that the black Sword Ring was the source of the torment.
With a swift turn, Yun Xiao retracted the Heaven-Burying Sword Soul. He glanced down at the kneeling figure before him.
"Senior Brother Ning," Yun Xiao sneered, "you lost today—not only in sword technique, but also in moral conduct."
Northern Ningxia's heart burned with humiliation as he heard these words, his frustration reaching a boiling point.
The Sword Lord appeared suddenly, placing a palm on Northern Ningxia's head. With a loud bang, Northern Ningxia's head smashed to the ground, cracking open and bleeding profusely.
"Brother Feng, please calm your anger! Show mercy! Let me plead for him..." Ning Yan quickly grabbed the Sword Lord's arm, trying to stop him.
"You, Sword Cloud's Young Sword Lord, are nothing but a despicable disciple! Someone spared your life, and yet you attempted a sneak attack with your flying sword. What kind of sword cultivator are you? From this day forth, I abolish your position as the Young Sword Lord. Your training resources will be reduced to those of an ordinary disciple!" The Sword Lord declared firmly.
"Yes, Sword Lord!" Northern Ningxia's eyes widened, his heart heavy with despair. It was over for him.
"Brother Feng, no, no! If you do this, my brother will bear a mortal grudge against me!" Ning Yan pleaded desperately.
"Your brother is a coward! Among all the great sword cultivators, only you and I stand as honorable people!" the Sword Lord bellowed. His voice was crude, yet commanding.
Turning to Yun Xiao, he continued, "Aside from you and me, in this vast world, there are only three true men!"
"Brother Feng, I'm a woman!" Ning Yan protested, her face darkening.
"Uh..." The Sword Lord, reeking of liquor, belched loudly and staggered away.
"What about Northern Ningxia?" Ning Yan asked anxiously.
"He'll serve as an ordinary disciple for now. Let him reflect on his actions! If your brother has any complaints, remind him that sneaking an attack after being defeated is shameful!" the Sword Lord scolded.
"Alright..." Ning Yan muttered, puzzled. She thought she could protect Yun Xiao, but things had spiraled out of control. Now, no one liked her, and she felt out of place everywhere.
"Sword Lord..." Murong Qian, a young man in yellow robes, began to speak in defense of Northern Ningxia.
Before he could finish, the Sword Lord glared at him and shouted, "You two are accomplices! Starting today, you will kneel before the Ancestral Sword Hall and reflect on your actions. You are not to take a single step away, nor will anyone disturb you during your reflection!"
"For how long?" Ning Yan asked.
"Until you draw the hook and hang yourselves—100 years! No exceptions!" the Sword Lord roared.
"No way! Brother Feng, I'm begging you. How long will they really have to kneel?" Ning Yan pleaded again, blushing with shame.
"Alright, fine! A month!" The Sword Lord took another swig of liquor.
A month! Murong Qian and the young man in yellow felt their worlds collapse. Kneeling for that long would not only hinder their cultivation but also ruin their legs.
"You will kneel, and that's final!" the Sword Lord barked.
"Yes..." The three disciples lowered their heads, holding back tears as they knelt before the Ancestral Sword Hall. Their veins bulged with suppressed rage and humiliation.
"Yun Xiao, here are one million spirit crystals and ten Day Source Pills. Take them. Additionally, you can challenge the Azure Kite's tenth level. Ning Yan will guide you," the Sword Lord said.
Hearing these words, Northern Ningxia and the others felt as if the sky had collapsed. Their hatred for Yun Xiao burned, but they were powerless to act. Meanwhile, Yun Xiao accepted the spirit crystals and pills with a grin
"Sword Lord, I'll be on my way," Yun Xiao said, leaving immediately with Ning Yan following behind.
The three kneeling disciples clenched their fists in fury but dared not move.
--------------
Outside the hall, a bored young girl in a short skirt, Lin Lin, perked up at the sound of footsteps. Seeing Yun Xiao, she raised an eyebrow and sneered, "You're out already? That was fast."
"Is that a problem?" Yun Xiao replied calmly.
"Not really. Just unexpected," Lin Lin said with a smirk.
"It's just a matter of my true capabilities," Yun Xiao said confidently.
"Right," Lin Lin said sarcastically, giving him a condescending look. "Someone like you, obsessed with nonsense all day, probably doesn't last long at anything."
Yun Xiao's face darkened. Without a word, he slapped Lin Lin across the face.
"Idiot!" he snapped, walking away without looking back.