Chapter 64: The Supreme Authority of Saber Technique.
Translator: Krukist
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Facing five Peak Profound Sovereign experts, not one of the experts from the Three Sects dared to show any negligence. Nearly twenty Peak Profound Sovereign experts unleashed their full might, with a myriad of techniques erupting and a dazzling array of energies surging forth.
Among them, the offensive launched by Lin Tiancheng and his two compatriots was the most fearsome—a saber beam, a fist beam, and a palm imprint. Like three commanding generals, they led the assault of nearly twenty Peak Profound Sovereign experts from the Three Sects as they charged headlong against the attack of Ximen Chuixue and his comrades.
Furthermore, nearly eighty experts from the Three Sects at or above the Entering Sovereign level also sprang into action. However, unwilling to face Ximen Chuixue's assault alone, a dozen of them joined forces to engage his group. Among these, several were Sovereign-level experts. The nearly eighty experts at or above the Entering Sovereign level were divided into seven teams, and under the leadership of a few Sovereign-level experts, they launched their coordinated offensive.
Boom!
In an instant, the assault of Ximen Chuixue and his group collided with that of Lin Tiancheng and his allies. A deafening explosion reverberated throughout the Divine Arrival City Square, and a fearsome storm of power swept out in all directions.
The major sect experts stationed at the edge of the high platform had their expressions change drastically as they hurriedly mobilized their power to resist the onslaught. Even General Chen Lie narrowed his eyes and extended his hand to cast a protective shield, safeguarding the Crown Prince and those around him.
Many of the fighters in the square fled in haste, for such a terrifying impact of force promised grievous injury with even the slightest contact.
Once the experts on the high platform had secured their own, they fixed their gaze firmly on the epicenter of the explosion. This was undoubtedly the most heavily attended clash among the hundreds of experts from the Three Great Empires.
At that moment, Wang Feng had already appeared atop the high platform, shielding Ling Feiwu and his companions from the fierce impact. Standing beside him was Ye Muqing, with Zhong Feng positioned at his rear. Wang Feng deliberately kept Zhong Feng in reserve, holding back a move that might unleash an even greater effect.
Meanwhile, Zhong Feng, positioned just behind Wang Feng, watched the battlefield intently. When the sword intent of Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng erupted, a brilliant light ignited in his eyes; he immediately realized that these two far surpassed him in Sword Dao. The Sect Master had indeed not deceived him—Divine Immortal Sect truly boasted even more formidable Sword Dao experts.
Moments later, the fearsome surge of power gradually dissipated, revealing the scene on the field. Witnessing the spectacle, the major sect experts present contracted their pupils in shock, their hearts profoundly stirred. At that moment, the five members of Ximen Chuixue's group still stood aloft, entirely unscathed, exuding an aura of invincibility as though divine kings had descended upon the mortal realm.
In contrast, the three sect masters—including Lin Tiancheng—remained uninjured, yet behind them lay nearly twenty experts from the Three Sects at the Entering Sovereign level, sprawled on the ground and wailing in pain; the remaining fighters had sustained injuries of varying severity. Only the Profound Sovereign experts suffered no injuries, though their faces were ashen.
Exchanging solemn glances, the three leaders wore expressions of deep gravity. The strength of the Divine Immortal Sect had exceeded their expectations and caught them completely off guard.
"The three of us will each pin down one opponent. You all split into two groups of ten, each group confronting one adversary, while the rest of you offer support from the flanks!" Although the might of Ximen Chuixue's group had initially caused Lin Tiancheng and his fellows some panic, being seasoned Sect Masters, they soon recovered their composure and swiftly formulated a response.
Though among the Three Sects only these three were Peak Profound Sovereign experts, they were outnumbered by a multitude of Profound Sovereign-level fighters. Even the might of Peak Profound Sovereign experts can be overwhelmed if besieged by ten such experts or even dozens of opponents at or above the Entering Sovereign level—a situation bordering on a death sentence. Yet Lin Tiancheng and his comrades had not anticipated that their adversaries were no ordinary Peak Profound Sovereign experts.
"Yes!" The Profound Sovereign experts of the Three Sects did not hesitate in the slightest. They quickly split into two groups—one led by the Grand Elder of the Flying Feather Sect and the other by the Grand Elders of the Azure Sea Sect and the Four Directions Palace—with nearly thirty experts at or above the Entering Sovereign level standing in support behind them.
For a moment, the might unleashed by the Three Sects was by no means inferior to that of Ximen Chuixue and his group; indeed, it even appeared marginally superior.
"This is indeed a vicious struggle—a true grand spectacle! Splendid, splendid." Observing the scene, General Chen Lie allowed a smile to play upon his face and murmured softly. He had been intimidated by the might displayed by the Divine Immortal Sect, but at that moment, witnessing the responsive measures of the Three Sects, a great weight was lifted from his heart.
It must be said that Lin Tiancheng truly lived up to his reputation as the Sect Master of the Flying Feather Sect; under these circumstances, his tactical arrangement nearly turned the tide. Even General Chen Lie, when confronted with the combined assault of ten Profound Sovereign experts and thirty experts at or above the Entering Sovereign level, would have been forced to retreat—how could the Peak Profound Sovereign experts of the Divine Immortal Sect possibly hold them off? In this battle, whether the Divine Immortal Sect prevailed or the Three Sects emerged victorious, heavy losses were inevitable—and such an outcome was of benefit rather than harm to the empire.
"Which one do you choose?"
Just as General Chen Lie was inwardly amused, a calm, indifferent voice resonated across the square, causing him to pause in surprise. Likewise, many of the major sect experts present were momentarily stunned; looking upward, they discovered that the speaker was none other than Ximen Chuixue. At that moment, with a sword in one hand, Ximen Chuixue looked toward Ye Gucheng beside him—clearly addressing his words to Ye Gucheng. But what did he mean by them? Not only was General Chen Lie puzzled, but the major sect experts present were equally confounded.
"Then choose him!" Ye Gucheng casually pointed and declared indifferently. The man he indicated was none other than Tian Sang, the Sect Master of the Azure Sea Sect.
The gesture left everyone utterly dumbfounded. Were they choosing opponents or allies? His nonchalant manner made it seem as if they were contending with mere ants. Ximen Chuixue then cast an unmistakable look toward the Shadow Empress, his eyes speaking volumes.
"Hehe, that little lady shall choose them!" The Shadow Empress pointed toward the team led by the Grand Elder of the Flying Feather Sect and giggled coquettishly. In matters of the Devouring Heaven and Earth Demon Art, numbers hold no sway.
"I choose him!" declared Xiao Shiyilang, brandishing the Deer-Slaying Saber as he pointed toward Lin Tiancheng. "In the art of the saber, I, Xiao Shiyilang, am unmatched!"
Almost simultaneously, as if inciting death itself, Lin Tiancheng and his two compatriots erupted in fury. The might of the Peak Profound Sovereign stage surged forth once again; with a resounding boom, the high platform split open into three massive pits at their heels, and the trio was launched forth like cannonballs.
As they charged forth in a frenzied assault, Ye Gucheng, Wuxiang Monk, and Xiao Shiyilang did not hesitate—they too dashed out horizontally toward the trio.
"Flying Feather Saber Technique!"
Galloping forward, Lin Tiancheng gripped the handle of his saber with both hands and let out a low roar. The Profound Qi within him surged into the blade, instantly imbuing it with an even more substantial aura. His arms bulged with veins as he raised his great saber high and ferociously swung it at Xiao Shiyilang.
In the distance, the major sect experts watched in terror, their mouths agape. In their view, a saber aura—shimmering with light and spanning nearly three meters—suddenly soared into the air and slashed out horizontally.
Slash—
Wherever it passed, the void revealed a jet-black fissure.
"Hiss!"
Those major sect experts and the other fighters in the square gasped in unison.
Lin Tiancheng, true to his reputation as the Sect Master of the Flying Feather Sect and as a Peak Profound Sovereign expert, unleashed a strike of such power that it could easily have slain an ordinary early-stage Profound Sovereign fighter.
The next moment, all eyes turned to Xiao Shiyilang. In the face of such a formidable strike from Lin Tiancheng, how would this elder of the Divine Immortal Sect respond?
To everyone's astonishment, Xiao Shiyilang began to draw out his Deer-Slaying Saber slowly and deliberately. He showed not the slightest hint of tension as he drew the blade inch by inch. Previously concealed within an ancient, timeworn sheath, the blade's edge had gone unnoticed—yet as Xiao Shiyilang drew it, everyone present was amazed; even Chen Lie's eyes shone with admiration. In a single glance, it was clear that this was an exceptional blade—a peerless treasure.
The saber, including its hilt, measured only about two feet in length. Its blade glimmered with a crystalline brightness reminiscent of a pool of autumn water. Both the blade and its gleam were a pale cyan, unassuming at first sight; yet the moment it was drawn, a bloodcurdling aura of killing intent emerged.
Clang!
In an instant, Xiao Shiyilang fully unsheathed his Deer-Slaying Saber. Without any additional flourish, a pale cyan saber light shot forth like a brilliant arch, and an indescribable aura of murderous intent descended, imposing itself with a chilling force.
The saber light moved so swiftly that everyone could barely follow its course; by the time they managed to glimpse it, it had already collided with a dense, heavy aura of blade energy.
Bang!
The saber aura was severed outright. Had the arching saber light continued its strike toward Lin Tiancheng, trailing a jet-black tail, it would have rent the void asunder.
"Not good!"
Lin Tiancheng's face turned horrified as he instinctively held his great saber horizontally before his chest, channeling a surge of inner power. Boom! The saber light clashed against his blade, producing a resonant metallic clang.
Bang!
A tremendous force seemed to push Lin Tiancheng backward. Beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead as his feet slammed onto the high platform, causing it to fracture into massive pits with every step. After retreating nearly a dozen steps, he barely managed to steady himself.
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