Sun Lian's scrutinizing gaze swept over Song Wanníng. The woman before her was far too arrogant. It was about time she taught her a proper lesson in the rules of the Guhan Sect.
Without another word, Sun Lian released the oppressive force of her late-stage Void Refinement cultivation, letting it crash down on Song Wanníng like a tidal wave, trying to crush her spirit before the fight even began.
They were both in the late stage of Void Refinement, yet Sun Lian's aura was far stronger than Lin Hao's. That was the difference that natural talent made—same realm, completely different level of combat power.
Song Wanníng's interest was piqued, the corner of her lips blooming into a smile.
"So there are other rules in Guhan Sect? Then I truly must experience them for myself."
She released her folded arms and slowly raised her longsword.
Ever since she had comprehended the Sword Dao Realm, there had been few chances in the lower realm to advance it further. Now that an opportunity had come knocking, she had no intention of letting it slip away.
"Offense intended!"
Sun Lian gave a cold snort. Unlike Lin Hao, she would not give Song Wanníng the courtesy of making the first move. Her body flashed forward, and with a sharp crack, the long whip in her hand lashed out, streaking through the air as a blazing red light.
So she also possessed a fire-attribute spiritual root.
Song Wanníng's battle intent flared even brighter. Her sword swept forward in answer.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"She… that's really the Sword Dao Realm? I thought I was seeing things!"
"A lower-world cultivator, actually comprehending the Sword Dao Realm…"
The Sword Dao Realm was a pinnacle few sword cultivators ever reached. Many hit a wall before touching it, their cultivation stagnating as a result. That was why true sword cultivators were rare.
Yet all agreed on one point: sword cultivators were deadly. Killing an opponent of the same realm was hardly a challenge for them.
Now that Song Wanníng's mastery had been confirmed, the looks directed at her changed.
On the stage, her Sword Dao Realm met Sun Lian's whip head-on.
A thunderous boom tore through the air, shaking the battle platform as a vortex of spiritual power erupted, surging toward both combatants.
Song Wanníng swung her sword again, cutting the force apart, then spun sharply and closed the distance to Sun Lian.
Sun Lian was ready. Her left hand snapped open a folding fan, flinging a net of damp, earthy mud toward her foe. Song Wanníng's sword flicked upward, slicing the net apart.
From the right, Sun Lian's whip came whipping back, now wreathed in fierce flames, coiling around Song Wanníng's blade.
With a hard yank, she tried to drag the sword—and Song Wanníng—forward.
Song Wanníng didn't resist. She used the pull to close in, a flash of cold light blooming in her right hand as a dagger shot straight for Sun Lian's face.
Sun Lian twisted aside, but the blade still grazed her cheek. A searing sting flared as a long, shallow cut began to bleed. Her heart sank. She leapt back at once, whipping her weapon free.
Song Wanníng retreated a few paces as well, slipping the dagger back into her storage ring without a change in expression.
All she saw now was Sun Lian's blood-streaked face. Her sword came sweeping down again, brimming with unstoppable momentum.
Before, her Sword Dao Realm had been just a constructed domain of her own. Now the true battle began.
She intended to merge her internal world with the Sword Dao Realm. If she succeeded, she could suppress her opponent with the power of an entire world.
Even limited by her current cultivation, the result would still be formidable—enough to dominate the Void Refinement stage.
Her mind went completely still.
The two women clashed again, whip shadows and sword light exploding into dazzling bursts.
Sun Lian, clearly infuriated by the wound on her face, attacked with increasing ferocity.
The disciples below began murmuring in shock. Few had expected Song Wanníng to actually injure Sun Lian, an inner sect cultivator well-known for her strength, far above Lin Hao's level.
Beneath the platform, Sun Qing stood in the shadows, arms folded, gaze locked on Song Wanníng.
Beside him, his friend Li Yuer was fuming.
"She dared to hurt Senior Sister Sun Lian? She may have some skill, but if she thinks she can underestimate Senior Sister, she's in for a rude awakening. Senior Sister hasn't even used her ultimate technique yet!"
Sun Qing, however, remained calm. "Lian'er is quick-tempered. A little provocation and she jumps right in. It's about time she learned a lesson."
Another friend chuckled. "Well, you're certainly not worried for her, are you, Junior Brother Sun?"
After all, Sun Lian was his own younger sister. To see her get hit and still remain so composed was unusual.
"What's there to worry about? This is the sect's battle platform. As long as she doesn't die, it's fine."
He smiled faintly, but his eyes never left Song Wanníng. There was something odd about her footwork, as if she were deliberately holding back.
The longer he watched, the deeper his frown became.
"You're talking nonsense," Li Yuer said sharply. "Senior Sister Sun Lian isn't going to lose. You're just boosting someone else's morale and killing our own!"
Sun Qing finally glanced at her.
"Didn't you notice? Song Wanníng is using Lian'er for practice."
Li Yuer, whose cultivation wasn't weaker than Sun Lian's, was startled. She had been too busy feeling indignant for her friend to notice. But when she looked again with a calm mind, she saw it—Song Wanníng was indeed treating the fight as training.
Each time Sun Lian fought harder, Song Wanníng's strength rose in perfect response, as if she had calculated every move in advance.
And her Sword Dao Realm was visibly growing stronger with each exchange.
"This is too much… how could she…"
Li Yuer's voice faltered. She wanted to curse Song Wanníng, but she couldn't. Strength was everything, and this only proved Song Wanníng's skill. They could only accept it.
On the platform, the battle reached its peak.
The whip flared with red light, its silver scales stiffening like a spear shaft, the tip igniting into a blazing spearhead.
Song Wanníng's sword radiated icy light, each clash ringing with the metallic cry of gold and stone, sending shudders through the arena. The formation lines beneath their feet shimmered as brilliant sparks exploded between them.
Another deafening boom hurled both women back to opposite sides.
Sun Lian's face was flushed, her whip hand trembling with exhaustion.
Song Wanníng, on the other hand, looked as composed as ever, the battle light in her eyes only making her more striking.
Sun Lian's rage burned hotter. Song Wanníng seemed to be her natural nemesis, countering her every move with precision.