What's going on?
Feeling the strange fluctuation of yuan energy within his body, Lin Yun was stunned. Ye Qian, on the other hand, was completely shocked.
What kind of sword art is this kid using? How could it block my attack?
The sight was a considerable visual shock to her. But soon, she sneered. I'd like to see how much good luck you have left.
"Go!"
A sound of tearing air rang out as Ye Qian formed a seal with her hands. The flying sword in her grasp shot forward.
How could Lin Yun possibly manage so many things at once? The moment he had used the "Seven Mystic Sword Art" to block her attack, he felt the primordial power within him surging uncontrollably, as if it were about to burst out.
And at this moment, Ye Qian's attack was just arriving.
With a mere thought, a continuous stream of yuan energy converged on his wooden sword.
This is... the Mystic Passage Pills I ate before?
Lin Yun had consumed many pills previously, causing yuan energy to stagnate within his body, refusing to dissipate. It posed no threat in the short term, but in the long run, it was naturally not good for his cultivation. Now, using the "Seven Mystic Sword Art" in his battle with Ye Qian had actually driven all of this stagnant energy out, converting it into power he could wield.
BANG!
The crowd saw an invisible aura explode from Lin Yun's body. The lapels of his robe fluttered wildly, and his long, black hair danced in the wind.
Facing the flying sword coming at him, Lin Yun did not dodge. Instead, holding his wooden sword, he met it head-on.
"Hiss, is this kid crazy? He actually wants to clash swords with Ye Qian?"
"The sword in Ye Qian's hand is a Mid-grade Spirit Artifact! Not only is Lin Yun's technique inferior, but his weapon isn't even in the same league. How could he possibly win a direct clash?"
Amidst the crowd's sighs, the two swords had already collided. It was an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. A terrifying power exploded outward from the center of the two, causing the entire fighting ring to shake as if it would collapse.
The referee at the side was dumbfounded. Was this really a battle between outer-sect disciples? Even in the inner sect, it would be difficult to find someone with such aptitude at this age.
The most astonished of all was Ye Qian. She felt it most clearly. Her confident strike had been completely neutralized by Lin Yun.
"How could you block my attack?"
She looked at Lin Yun, the yuan energy in her body still pouring out endlessly. But facing Lin Yun's power, which was as vast and unfathomable as the ocean, even she could not win this fight. At this moment, their duel had completely captured everyone's attention.
Lin Yun did not answer Ye Qian.
Suddenly.
CRACK!
A crisp sound cut through everyone's thoughts. They looked at the stage and saw a crack appear in the middle of the wooden sword, which then rapidly spread. A moment later, it disintegrated into flying splinters and dust.
Ye Qian's flying sword, however, transformed into a streak of sword qi and slammed directly into Lin Yun's chest.
Pfft.
A sweet taste filled Lin Yun's throat, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"As expected, Lin Yun was still one step behind."
"But he did well. To be able to fight Ye Qian with such strength, he truly is a dark horse!"
In the viewing stands, Gu Xiande was also very satisfied with Lin Yun's performance. He looked at the woman beside him. "This child is truly full of surprises. Do you still think that Ye Qian is not good enough now?"
The woman sneered. "Gu Xiande, when did your eyesight get so bad? That kid was just using the 'Seven Mystic Sword Art,' a technique that every martial artist down the mountain knows. Although it's been modified, it can't fool me. And his weapon was nothing more than a casually carved wooden sword. Under these circumstances, Ye Qian couldn't even seriously injure him. Do you think she can win?"
Gu Xiande was all smiles on the outside, but cursing a storm on the inside. Seeing Lin Yun's performance, he was also incredibly excited. This was likely another new Sword Child in the making. He had naturally wanted to take him as his own disciple, but he hadn't expected the woman beside him to value Lin Yun so highly.
The woman continued, "Lin Yun only looks seriously injured, but this kid... has been hiding his strength the entire time. In that last exchange, I'm afraid he didn't even use seventy percent of his power."
Now, even Gu Xiande's eyes went wide. Ye Qian was, after all, the strongest in the outer sect. And this kid, in a duel with her, with inferior techniques and weapons, still dared to hold back? Was he insane?
As if to prove the woman's words, Lin Yun stood up. His clothes were in tatters, but his sturdy, jade-like body beneath was completely unharmed.
Ye Qian stared at Lin Yun, her eyes wide. What kind of monster is this?
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you win this time," Lin Yun said with a smile.
Just a moment ago, he had received a mental transmission from Deng Pengzu. The successful execution of the "Seven Mystic Sword Art" had also made Lin Yun acknowledge Deng Pengzu's strength. But Deng Pengzu's terms were simple. If Lin Yun wanted to continue learning swordsmanship from him, he had to first win the Inner Sect Grand Competition and successfully enter the inner sect.
However, he was not allowed to choose any of the Flowing Cloud Sect's elders as his master.
Lin Yun had originally thought that the reclusive elder was Deng Pengzu, but now it seemed it was someone else.
I already carry Jian Wuming's inheritance. If I become a disciple of one of the Flowing Cloud Sect's elders, it will definitely be exposed. If Xiao Pingtian comes after me then, I won't have time to deal with him. Since Deng Pengzu seems to know everything, I'll bet on him!
Lin Yun muttered to himself, making up his mind to learn the sword from Deng Pengzu.
With that, he slowly straightened his back.
Seeing this, Ye Qian sneered, "I heard you were once just a lowly handyman disciple. It's already a rare feat for you to have made it to the outer sect. A toad lusting after a swan's flesh. The inner sect... is a place for trash like you to enter?"
Ye Qian was truly flustered now. She had always been a peerless talent, lauded and admired wherever she went. But now, on this stage, she was being held up for so long by some low-class kid? It was utterly humiliating!
Lin Yun shook his head.
"Ye Qian, you are indeed a rare talent, but that has a lot to do with your family background. To be honest, with your family's resources, even an old sow could ascend to the heavens with a little bit of talent!"
The moment Lin Yun finished speaking, Ye Qian lost her temper. "You're courting death!"
She actually bit her finger and smeared the blood on her flying sword. The sword, which had been glowing with a gentle white light, instantly took on a crimson hue, and its sword qi became much more sinister.
Gu Xiande shot to his feet.
The woman smiled faintly. "It's fine. Sit down and watch. This little fellow is only just getting serious."
Gu Xiande sat back down, half-convinced.
At this moment, Ye Qian, now filled with killing intent, charged toward Lin Yun. The referee intended to intervene—after all, this was just a competition, not a life-or-death battle—but seeing Gu Xiande signal for him to stand by, he held back.
Lin Yun took a deep breath. After all the stagnant yuan energy had been dispersed, he had finally adapted completely to his tempered body.
He looked at Ye Qian, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
In the Sword Intent Corridor, he had witnessed too many sword dao experts. He was no longer someone who could be intimidated by a novice sword cultivator like Ye Qian.
"Ye Qian."
"Your sword... is too weak!"