Yuan’s Ascension

"He's going to lose."

"Li Xia's strength is still a notch weaker. They're both employing Thousand Swords Arrays, but he's no match for Xing Luo. His defenses are on the verge of collapse." The audience observing the match from the viewing stands or within the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm discussed heatedly amongst themselves.

They might be weaker than the fighters, but could still roughly make out how the situation on the battlefield was turning out.

Master, lose? That’s not possible. Qiong Sea King watched the match with razor-sharp focus.

After decades of following Wu Yuan, he had come to view him as an unbeatable force among his peers.

Notably, having conquered level fifty-eight of the one-star tower, Wu Yuan had already proven his prowess.

The seventh artifact of Xing Luo’s is actually an array diagram? It coordinates the attacks and defense of the seven artifacts seamlessly. Watching the battle through the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm, Chen Jing turned pale.

Xing Luo had hidden his abilities well. Even during the last Dragon Star Tournament, Xing Luo hadn't revealed his array diagram.

Of course, Xing Luo was younger and weaker during the previous tournament. Even if he had revealed his strategy with the array diagram then, he wouldn't have won.

Within that special observation space.

"Haha, I never expected Xing Luo to study so many paths simultaneously – array, sword, artifacts. They may be varied, but work together perfectly in battle," Mountain Master Xu chuckled. "This combination array, I've never seen it before. He probably created it himself."

"Yes, Mountain Master is right."

"Xing Luo's strength surpasses Li Xia's." A few Earth Immortals from the Moonsilver World readily agreed.

"Abbot Wu, what do you think?" Mountain Master Xu asked with a hint of a smile. "The one who will take the first place might just be Xing Luo."

"Xing Luo is not bad at all," Abbot Wu responded mildly, his gaze falling onto the arena below.

Suddenly, he smiled and said, "However, Mountain Master Xu, it seems a bit early for you to draw conclusions. The situation has changed again."

"Hm?" Mountain Master Xu was taken aback.

"Something’s amiss."

"Look at Li Xia’s sword array. How is its power so intense? It has stabilized again."

"How strange, the power of the sword array is burgeoning." The expressions of the other High Immortals and Earth Immortals turned to astonishment.

"Nine lifebound flying swords?" Mountain Master Xu's gaze tightened, catching onto something.

Abbot Wu couldn't help but smile.

For him, whether Xing Luo or Wu Yuan won was irrelevant. However, he enjoyed the flustered look on Mountain Master Xu’s face.

After all, which sect would be willing to have their members constantly poached away by Moonsilver World?

At this moment, those immortals weren’t the only ones staring at the scene in shock, but also the countless spectators inside the arena and through the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm.

…

Within the spherical arena.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The colors of the sky and earth transformed as the two great sword arrays clashed fiercely, colliding over and over again.

Earthy-yellow qi flows and turbulent flames swept through the air, but neither could establish dominance.

How is this possible? This! This! Xing Luo stiffened, staring in absolute shock at the massive sword array surrounding Wu Yuan that resembled a celestial body. Nine...nine lifebound flying swords?

As one of the combatants, he was able to sense it clearly. After dozens of consecutive clashes, he could tell that there were nine flying swords with exceptionally strong auras within Wu Yuan's massive sword array.

Within his realm of understanding, lifebound flying swords were the only explanation.

Nine of them? For many weak sword cultivators, cultivating three lifebound flying swords was a tough challenge, let alone six. Those who managed it were hailed as top-tier geniuses.

Starting from three lifebound flying swords, every additional sword only increased the difficulty of cultivation.

But likewise, for every extra lifebound flying sword summoned, one's strength would also surge dramatically.

Wu Yuan was unable to use his lifebound flying swords in the Seven Star Luminaries Tower, hence he could not clear level fifty-nine. He only felt confident that he could conquer it recently.

If he could wield nine lifebound flying swords? Wu Yuan felt that even challenging level sixty was a possibility. At least, he might be able to stand his ground.

Nine swords! How is that possible? Unless he has the legendary innate first-degree immortal root, it'd be hard to cultivate nine lifebound flying swords even with a second-degree root. [1] Xing Luo was unspeakably shocked.

He fancied himself a genius, managing to cultivate seven lifebound objects after exhausting countless methods.

"After entering the sect thirteen years ago, I spent the majority of my time in secluded cultivation, especially after upgrading my nine lifebound flying swords to the fourth grade. This is the first time I've unleashed them all," Wu Yuan transmitted his voice with a smile.

Their conversation could not be heard by anyone else.

In terms of equipment quality, Xing Luo's seven lifebound treasures were all third-grade. Wu Yuan's lifebound flying swords were slightly inferior.

However, when nine lifebound swords were integrated into one sword array, the grade gap could basically be disregarded.

Two to three was a qualitative leap, just as eight to nine was also a qualitative change.

"Li Xia." Xing Luo’s heart still pounded with shock as he extended his Soul Force. He could barely sense Wu Yuan's position.

Forging nine lifebound flying swords was a legend among sword cultivators. It was just a step below the legend of the first-degree immortal root!

Immortals who lived for tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years, might see such geniuses once or twice in their entire lives. But for Xing Luo, those were nothing but myths.

"Li Xia, your talent is truly unimaginable. No wonder you were taken in as a disciple by our founding ancestor." Xing Luo's heart burned with a desire for battle.

When legends become reality, becoming your opponent?

"Quit playing defense, that isn’t what sword cultivators excel at. You can't block me just by defending," Xing Luo growled. "Attack! Even if you are to lose, let me witness just how strong the strongest sword cultivators in legends really are."

Wu Yuan listened quietly, sensing Xing Luo’s unprecedented thirst for battle.

This was not hostility; they were all martial brothers under the same sect. It was not a fight to the death, but a competition. Therefore, there was no enmity between them.

"As you wish, Xing Luo." Wu Yuan conveyed his agreement via Soul Force.

Boom! The Star Ruins Sword Array, which previously resembled a miniature star, transformed.

Countless flying swords shifted positions. The originally cohesive and flawless Star Ruins Sword Array dispersed in a split second, dividing into nine Hundred Swords Arrays.

Each Hundred Swords Array vaguely formed a massive, earthy-yellow divine sword, with sword aura spanning hundreds of li.

Nine earthy-yellow divine swords were subtly connected, flying around Wu Yuan. Numerous powerful strands of soul consciousnesses merged into the nine Hundred Swords Arrays.

What incredible power. Wu Yuan felt a little emotional. His soul acted like a hand, manipulating this power.

Dark Earth Sword Array, fifth step – Sword Intent Tempest!

Each divine sword was powerful enough to rival a Thousand Swords Array of the fourth step, and there were nine divine swords in total.

Go! Wu Yuan gave a mental command.

Whoosh! The Celestial Body Domain rapidly expanded.

The divine swords cried out as they soared, one of them crossing the vast sky with a frightening speed. It left behind a lasting sword scar in the air, aiming directly for Xing Luo.

Assemble! Hold! Xing Luo's pupils turned red with strain. His soul operated at full force, supporting his seven lifebound artifacts as he put up his strongest defense.

Swish! Swish! Countless sword lights roared. Hundreds of flying swords, wreathed in brilliant flames, blocked the earthy-yellow divine sword.

The divine sword was like a sharp spear, piercing through the sky.

Loud booming sounds echoed as essentia exploded. Even light seemed to distort. The countless flying swords were struck and scattered.

The earthy-yellow divine sword tore a hundred-li long rip in the Conflagration Domain before its power was exhausted.

But Xing Luo had no time to catch his breath.

Whoosh! Another earthy-yellow divine sword arrived in an instant. Following the previous divine sword's path, it easily crossed the hundred li and stabbed one of the huge cauldrons.

Hum~ There was a low explosion as the cauldron shook and trembled. The cryptic patterns connecting the Three Talents Cauldron Array began to show cracks.

Not good. Xing Luo felt his mind shake. He raced to stabilize the Three Talents Cauldron Array, draining his essentia and mana.

Boom! Another divine sword howled, striking the Three Talents Cauldron Array.

Boom! Earthy-yellow divine swords streaked across the sky, relentlessly raining down like a meteor shower.

These divine swords were all part of a single entity, each one a crushing force; their overwhelming sword intent and layers of oppressive sharpness leaving Xing Luo gasping for breath.

Rumble! As wave after wave of divine swords assaulted Xing Luo, who couldn't evade them, the Three Talents Cauldron Array, supposedly the strongest defense, finally crumbled apart under the onslaught.

Whoosh! Another divine sword whistled out.

"Li Xia, you've won this battle, but I'll work hard to beat you in the next Dragon Star Tournament." Xing Luo's determined words resounded in Wu Yuan's ears.

Swoosh~ The divine sword swept past. Less than a millisecond after being hit, Xing Luo turned into a white light and disappeared from the arena.

Only Wu Yuan remained.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Countless flying swords circled back, and Wu Yuan swiftly collected them.

The next Dragon Star Tournament? Wu Yuan murmured to himself.

Considering my current cultivation speed, after the Moonsilver Tournament ends in ten years and a brief consolidation period, I'll move on to the Amethyst Cradle phase.

Many Golden Core hereditary disciples would certainly be demoted to inner disciple status if they rushed their advancement to the Amethyst Cradle phase due to their short length of cultivation.

Therefore, some hereditary disciples delayed their transition until they were two hundred. Normally, they would cultivate until they reached 120 to 130 years old to solidify their immortal roots.

But for Wu Yuan? Once he fully perceived the unique profundity of a perfect Golden Core, he wouldn't delay at all, charging straight into the Amethyst Cradle phase.

Thirty years? It was too long!

But this Xing Luo was much stronger than I initially thought. If he hadn't encountered me, he could have potentially taken first place. Wu Yuan thought.

Xing Luo was young yet incredibly powerful. He deserved to be called a peerless genius, a once-in-a-millennium prodigy of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect. Even if he failed to conquer level sixty of the one-star tower, his talent still shone brightly.

Wu Yuan quickly retreated through the arena’s passage after packing up all his artifacts.

"The first battle of the second round, Xing Luo versus Li Xia, Li Xia wins!" the voice of the Void Refiner Eminence supervising the tournament reverberated across the arena.

…

"Unbelievable!"

"Xing Luo is even stronger than the previous champion, but he still lost?"

"Xing Luo isn’t weak; Li Xia is simply stronger," the crowd discussed the battle spiritedly, all astounded by the outcome.

Before the battle began, most of them predicted Wu Yuan would win. After all, Wu Yuan's performance in the first battle was incredible. What's more, he was the top performer in the Seven Star Luminaries Tower.

Unexpectedly, Xing Luo demonstrated unprecedented strength right from the start. And yet, Wu Yuan still defeated him.

He did not resort to any tricks, relying solely on his divine swords to bombard Xing Luo's sword-cauldron array, utterly destroying it.

It was the epitome of 'one strike shatters all laws'.

No matter how unwilling one might be, they had to admit defeat!

"Li Xia, the number one genius of the sect! Number one!"

"Even Xing Luo couldn't stop him. Can anyone else? Chen Jing? Or Hao Shanjing?"

"Unstoppable!"

"Even a few thousand years ago, there wasn’t anyone as strong as Li Xia among our sect's Golden Core cultivators."

"Golden Core Great Senior Brother." Numerous disciples from the sect discussed, the vast majority already convinced that Wu Yuan would claim the top spot.

They even started chanting “Golden Core Great Senior Brother”.

Indeed, the strength that Wu Yuan displayed was significantly greater than the other Golden Core hereditary disciples. They were simply not on the same level.

…

"Unbelievably powerful."

"Junior Brother Li Xia is too overpowered. During his final move, I believe he showcased nine lifebound flying swords."

"It might be." In the Dragon Star Immortal Voidrealm, hundreds of Amethyst Cradle hereditary disciples gathered in the Hereditary Disciple Tower, discussing amongst themselves.

Their matches would come after the Golden Core disciples, hence they had time to watch the fights.

These Amethyst Cradle disciples were all shocked by the battle between Wu Yuan and Xing Luo.

"If both of them were in the ninth-stage Amethyst Cradle phase, Junior Brother Xing Luo could probably break into the top two hundred in the Amethyst Cradle ranking battle."

"Junior Brother Li Xia could at least break into the top fifty." The Amethyst Cradle disciples couldn't help but sigh.

Too strong. These hereditary disciples had trained for hundreds of years, some more than a thousand.

But Xing Luo and Wu Yuan? One had only trained for eighty-nine years, the other even fewer at fifty years.

The gap was too wide.

1. innate first-degree immortal root = first-degree immortal root established at the time of transcendence (Qi Sea/Communion phase). Non-innate = immortal root upgraded to this degree in later cultivation phases. ☜

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