"Sword—come!"
A clear, resonant voice echoed through the heavens and earth.
In an instant, a colossal sword intent erupted, bursting forth from within, soaring skyward, and piercing the clouds!
Boom—
The clouds above the firmament scattered in a flash.
An invisible sword intent enveloped the surroundings.
All eyes turned to the scene.
Ji Changfeng stood with an impassive gaze, one hand behind his back, the other slightly raised. He was summoning—calling for his bonded sword!
Hum, hum, hum—
The intangible sword intent blanketed the entire plaza.
Every sentient sword-shaped treasure was drawn to this intent, trembling uncontrollably.
The sight left everyone stunned.
Their own swords were reacting to Ji Changfeng's single command, "Sword, come"?!
"No! This is my sword!"
Disciples clutched their treasures tightly, terrified their weapons might abandon them.
At that moment, on the arena platform, Lu Xueqi realized her Tianya Divine Sword was also affected by Ji Changfeng's call.
Tianya let out a series of quivering hums, conveying a playful urge to join the fray.
"No way!"
Lu Xueqi gripped Tianya tightly, her eyes flashing with grievance. Her cold gaze locked onto Ji Changfeng, a stubborn glint flickering in her depths.
She refused to accept this!
She would prove to Tianya that she was its true master!
She would defeat Ji Changfeng and show Tianya who it belonged to!
Clang—
Just then, a crisp sword cry rang out.
All eyes turned to the source.
Below the arena, Tian Ling'er stood holding two divine swords. The cry had come from one of them.
Swish—
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Ji Changfeng gently beckoned with a single word:
"Come."
The next moment, the Dragon-Slaying Sword in Tian Ling'er's arms erupted in dazzling sword light.
Clang—
The sword's cry resounded through the heavens.
A radiant arc of light shot toward Ji Changfeng.
The crowd strained their eyes, desperate to glimpse the true form of the divine sword, but…
The sword's brilliance formed a rainbow, its blinding light shrouding the blade, obscuring its true appearance.
Whoosh—
The sword light sliced through the air.
It finally reached Ji Changfeng.
At that moment, everyone's eyes widened as they finally saw the divine sword's true form.
The sword gleamed a deep azure, its light shimmering like a clear autumn stream. A faint dragon-shaped pattern adorned the blade, as if a dragon's soul were sealed within…
On the high platform, the sect leaders furrowed their brows.
They scrutinized the sword in Ji Changfeng's hand, their expressions shifting dramatically—
"The Dragon-Slaying Sword?!"
"The Nine Heavens Divine Weapon, Dragon-Slaying Sword? How is it in his hands?!"
Shang Zhengliang, Tianyun Daoren, and Zeng Shuchang exchanged shocked glances, their eyes turning to Cangsong Daoren.
They all knew the Dragon-Slaying Sword had been in Cangsong Daoren's keeping, never passed down.
So why was it in Ji Changfeng's hands today?
Cangsong ignored their astonishment.
He stared, entranced, at the spirited young man in white on the arena, gripping the Dragon-Slaying Sword with unyielding resolve, reminiscent of Senior Brother Wan from a hundred years ago…
So alike! Too alike!
No wonder…
Cangsong stopped himself, swallowing the words. Instead, he sighed, "As expected, the Dragon-Slaying Sword suits Nephew Changfeng best."
Daoxuan Zhenren stroked his beard, casting a subtle glance at Cangsong.
Nearby, Master Shuiyue stood frozen.
She gazed at the white-robed youth on the arena, two figures merging in her mind until they became one—Ji Changfeng, holding the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
A glimmer of tears welled in her eyes. Trembling, she asked Cangsong, "Senior Brother Cangsong, what is going on?"
Cangsong glanced at her and said flatly, "I passed the Dragon-Slaying Sword to Nephew Changfeng. What else could it be?"
The sect leaders fell silent.
Shuiyue opened her mouth but said nothing, her gaze returning to the youth on the arena.
Su Ru gently squeezed Shuiyue's hand, a trace of worry in her eyes. "Senior Sister…"
The Arena
The atmosphere on the platform reached its peak.
The aloof young woman gripped Tianya, her eyes burning with defiance as she stared at Ji Changfeng, her fighting spirit blazing.
Ji Changfeng held the Dragon-Slaying Sword, his white robes pristine, his posture upright.
A faint smile played on his lips as he looked at the resolute girl before him. "Junior Sister Lu, please."
Lu Xueqi's expression hardened.
Without hesitation, she thrust her sword forward.
Swish—
Tianya's edge gleamed with blinding brilliance.
The match had officially begun.
The wager made four years ago would find its answer today!
Clang—
A faint cyan sword intent coiled around Tianya, like a graceful azure snake dancing in the air.
Lu Xueqi's face was as cold as frost as she struck.
Ji Changfeng's expression remained unchanged.
He lightly raised the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
Swish—
In an instant, dazzling cyan light burst forth.
Two Azure Snakes!
He, too, unleashed the Two Azure Snakes technique!
Boom—
The Dragon-Slaying Sword clashed with Tianya.
A powerful shockwave erupted from the impact.
The strike landed.
Ji Changfeng's demeanor remained steady.
But Lu Xueqi frowned, feeling a surge of qi and blood. She let out a muffled groan.
Unwilling to yield, she swallowed the metallic tang in her throat, her fingers forming a sword gesture as she drove Tianya to attack again.
Below the arena, the Qingyun disciples exchanged glances.
Why does this feel… like a lovers' quarrel?
Yes, a lovers' quarrel.
Some had already noticed that Lu Xueqi's sword technique was identical to Ji Changfeng's.
Two Azure Snakes?
What was their relationship?
The disciples' minds buzzed with confusion.
Another Arena
On a nearby platform, Qi Hao and Zhang Xiaofan's match had yet to begin.
All eyes were fixed on Ji Changfeng's arena.
Qi Hao sighed helplessly. "Junior Brother Zhang, how about we hold off? Let's wait until their match is over."
To Qi Hao, Zhang Xiaofan was no match for him.
With his Jade Purity Ninth Layer cultivation and superior treasure, what could Zhang Xiaofan, a mere Jade Purity Fifth Layer, possibly do?
Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head, feeling outmatched. He nodded. "Alright, I'll follow Senior Brother Qi's lead."
Both turned their attention to Ji Changfeng's arena.
Time to watch the show.
With Qi Hao's keen insight, he had long sensed something unusual between Ji Changfeng and Lu Xueqi.
Their relationship was far from simple.
There was definitely something more.
But what intrigued Qi Hao most was Ji Changfeng's strength.
Lu Xueqi, also at Jade Purity Ninth Layer and wielding the Nine Heavens Divine Weapon Tianya, might just force Ji Changfeng to reveal his full power.
Back on the Arena
The two divine weapons clashed relentlessly.
Sharp sword rays and radiant sword light enveloped the entire platform.
The match had ignited into a true inferno.
This was no longer a mere spar.
For Lu Xueqi, it was a battle of life and death.
But for Ji Changfeng?
He hadn't even used a third of his strength.
Lu Xueqi noticed the calm ease on Ji Changfeng's face.
A surge of defiance welled within her.
She was already struggling under the intensity, yet Ji Changfeng seemed entirely unaffected?
No! I can't lose!
Lu Xueqi gritted her teeth.
She forced her inner energy to surge, making Tianya's sword light even more radiant.
Swish—
The divine sword, imbued with spirit, unleashed a powerful sword qi.
Ji Changfeng met the strike with a faint smile, casually waving the Dragon-Slaying Sword.
Boom—
A surge of sword qi erupted.
The faint cyan sword intent shattered Tianya's light, sending it flying.
Pfft—
Lu Xueqi could no longer hold on.
A rush of blood surged within her, and she spat out a mouthful of crimson.
"Qi'er!" Master Shuiyue's face paled on the high platform.
Su Ru comforted her. "Senior Sister, don't worry. Changfeng knows his limits."
Shuiyue shook her head bitterly.
She knew Ji Changfeng had control, but she feared… Xueqi did not.
As if on cue, Lu Xueqi made her decision.
Swish—
One hand clutching her chest, the other gripping Tianya, Lu Xueqi's lips were stained with blood, her face pale. Yet her eyes burned with stubborn resolve.
Is that move my only option now?
____
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