Chapter 680: Who are you?

"Sword Intent?!"

The resonant sword hum instantly pierced through an area ten li in radius.

If this were anywhere else, the sound might not have been so piercing.

But where was this? It was Tianluo Chang!

The central hub of the Lianling World in Dongtian Wangcheng, where spirit refiners were most densely concentrated!

In this place, sword cultivators were everywhere. Almost the moment Xiao Wanfeng cried out with a mournful face, "Don't kill me!", every sword they carried erupted in unison.

"Clang—"

Following the initial light hum as the sword intent formed, came the terrifying wave of sound from thousands of spirit swords converging into a storm.

No one in the audience could stay seated.

In such an intense battle, a mere mortal had comprehended sword intent?

"Am I dreaming?"

No one dared to believe what they were seeing with their own eyes.

On the stage, the youth who had released the sword intent was now radiating a light that nearly overshadowed Xu Shao. How could anyone not notice him?

And upon truly seeing this person, the crowd found it even more astonishing.

"A mortal!"

His eyes were tightly shut, his face full of fear, with not a trace of spiritual energy fluctuation—he was purely a mortal.

Yet, the aura of Dao rhythm flowing from him was so intense that even in a place with few grandmasters, a large number of people could recognize it.

This aura was overwhelmingly strong!

So strong that even those who had witnessed the breakthrough from innate peak to grandmaster level refused to believe it could come from a mortal.

After all, not even a grandmaster could necessarily release such an intense Dao rhythm aura.

"Have I gone blind? This guy comprehended sword intent... at the acquired level? Or innate sword intent?" someone exclaimed, gripping their waist-hung spirit sword tightly.

It was as if they had to hold it back, or their own sword would tremble uncontrollably and fly away.

That would make the scene even more fantastical.

Wan Jian Gui Zong...

But that was on a completely different level from what was happening now.

"Innate sword intent, right?"

"Acquired sword intent resonates within one li; innate sword intent within ten li—that's common knowledge, isn't it?"

"And looking at this commotion, that youth absolutely couldn't have just comprehended acquired sword intent, but..."

"Can innate sword intent cause such an exaggerated disturbance?"

Someone tried loosening their grip on their spirit sword.

The sword, stimulated by its spirituality, trembled and nearly unsheathed itself.

Some swords without sheaths even began to float, but they only rose a foot or so before losing power and clattering to the ground, continuing to bump and grind against the earth.

"Oh my god, what the hell is going on?"

Many were experimenting, and everyone was startled by this phenomenon.

This was a crowd of over ten thousand people!

For innate sword intent to stir the spirituality of so many spirit swords was impressive enough, let alone having extra Dao rhythm and energy to manipulate them into forming a grand array of ten thousand swords.

Keep in mind, the guy on stage was still just a mortal!

Even if he wanted to do it, the mental energy required for such an initiation would be beyond what a mere mortal could handle.

He might faint on the spot just from the thought.

But if they didn't explain it as something like "Wan Jian Gui Zong"...

How else could they account for the swords floating and then falling?

"Could it be that this guy comprehended it directly at the peak level of innate sword intent?"

At this thought, everyone was horrified.

On the stage.

Is it the most powerful innate sword intent right from the start? Unlike the others, Xu Xiaoshou didn't agree with that view.

He was one of the few who knew Xiao Wanfeng inside out.

Naturally, he knew that, unless hiding something, Xiao Wanfeng was still in a state of sword concealment.

Could the sword concealment technique unleash this level of sword energy?

That would break the laws of the Dao!

Yet, clearly, the white sword energy that had immobilized Mu Zixi was exactly like the "Man as Sword" that Xu Xiaoshou had comprehended before.

If it were just that level, plus the ten-li sword hum phenomenon, Xu Xiaoshou could confirm it was merely innate sword intent.

But Xiao Wanfeng was different!

He was still in sword concealment!

Never mind the theory that "sword concealment prevents drawing the sword," which even Xiao Wanfeng himself accepted—right now, this guy had inexplicably broken the rules and pulled off this mysterious move.

"Comprehension, comprehension..."

Xu Xiaoshou had indeed wanted Xiao Wanfeng to gain some insight, so he used some provocative methods.

But he never imagined Xiao Wanfeng could have such an epiphany in such a short time, and that the insight would be so powerful!

"What did he comprehend?"

Sword concealment prevents drawing the sword—that's certain, at least Xiao Wanfeng hadn't reached the points mentioned by Master Si Ren.

So, this guy must have taken a completely different path.

Since sword concealment forbids drawing the sword, that means anyone who draws under those conditions, if not from their true will, would have their power greatly diminished.

From this, Xu Xiaoshou deduced that the sword intent Xiao Wanfeng had just realized was likely not "a stronger innate sword intent," but rather "a suppressed Wan Jian Gui Zong"!

"So, grandmaster sword intent?"

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt his lips go dry.

He stared blankly at the youth in his hands. This guy was silent until he made a move, and what a move it was!

Sword sect...

That was a sword sect level!

One must know, the path of ancient sword cultivation was incredibly difficult.

Under the constraints of the Dao that didn't align with this Lianling era, practicing ancient sword techniques was like rowing against the current. So, every emergence of acquired or innate sword intent was a major event for the city.

Such matters were the same in Tiansang City as in Dongtian Wangcheng!

It wasn't that someone like Su Qianqian, a once-in-a-century sword dao prodigy, would pale in comparison here.

Nor was it that, because Dongtian Wangcheng was one of the central cities of the Lianling World, innate sword intent wielders were as common as weeds.

The numbers of acquired and innate cultivators did vary greatly between different prefectures.

But these spirit refiners should gather in the true Lianling World, not in cities mixed with ordinary mortals.

Among such people, there were sword cultivators.

Yet, nearly all of them were spirit sword cultivators, walking paths far from ancient sword cultivation.

For them, spirit techniques wielded through swords were the foundation.

Essentially, the sword was just a form of their innate attribute power, as common as the five elements.

Like breathing fire from the mouth or wielding a sword with the hand...

Nothing more.

But innate sword intent was different.

Even in Dongtian Wangcheng, it was something only major families, forces, and top spirit palaces could cultivate.

What's more, Xiao Wanfeng... Xu Xiaoshou wasn't sure of the youth's age, but he was certain this guy was much younger than him.

At most, even if older, not by much compared to Su Qianqian.

But!

"Sword sect?"

This sudden sword intent was giving him a headache.

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly regretted accepting the city guard's suggestion to set up a stall.

On the first day of stall-setting, he had attracted a Seven Sword Immortal and an ancient sword cultivation genius.

If he kept it up for a month or so, wouldn't the continent's top power change hands and be renamed "Heaven's First Tower"?

"So, maybe I shouldn't go for a personal domination route, but instead establish a sect, rely on my personal charisma, and gather disciples widely?" Xu Xiaoshou began to doubt himself.

He felt that even if he stood on the Tianluo Chang stage now, his use of the passive system was based on a misunderstanding.

"Sword Intent???"

While Xu Xiaoshou was deep in thought, the crowd was still in a daze.

But at that moment, the host's booming voice finally rang out after a brief silence.

"Though today's Tianluo Battle has brought us too many surprises, with Xu Shao and the sword intent contender..."

"But if I were competing, I certainly wouldn't forget the first purpose of this match."

"Claim the championship!"

"Secure the qualification for the Wangcheng Trial!"

With the host's words controlling the scene, everyone's attention quickly returned to the event.

Yes.

This was the Tianluo Battle.

Even with such a bizarre mortal comprehending innate sword intent, those who needed to be killed would still be killed, those who needed to die would die, and the championship still had to be won!

"Kill—"

"Charge!!!"

"Target that guy, innate sword intent—don't let him grow!"

"Huh? Are you crazy? No spiritual refinement qualifications yet he comprehended innate sword intent—this is clearly an ancient sword cultivation genius. Even if not from a major force, he'll surely join one later. Do you want to offend him?"

"Hey, buddy, are you blind? He looks like Xu Shao's servant at first glance. Do you think he's not from a major force?"

"Uh, yeah, that makes sense?"

"Ha, fooled you... Die for me!"

Some banter turned into action as someone thrust a sword into the chest of the person beside them, blasting them off the stage.

The scene erupted into chaos once more, with fierce fighting.

But at this level, though blood flowed, few were going for the kill.

After all, those who made it to the finals were either lone wolves or geniuses with major force backing.

If too many died, the effort wouldn't be worth it for this match's purpose.

To win the championship, one should defeat the most opponents at the smallest cost!

As the situation turned messy, Xu Xiaoshou immediately grabbed Xiao Wanfeng and leaped into the air.

He wasn't afraid of becoming a target, because as a blatant one, few dared to attack, and those who did couldn't break through, only ending up bloodied.

"Dissipate."

With a thought from Reverse Hidden Bitterness, the sword energy on Mu Zixi shattered.

The young girl hovered in the air, blinking her large eyes, still not reacting to what had happened.

Yes, that sword energy had indeed immobilized her.

But the harm was negligible.

And as for the one who struck, Mu Zixi could tell at a glance.

Her gaze fixed on the human shield in front of Xu Xiaoshou...

She didn't recognize him!

Though he had shouted the loudest earlier, this guy clearly wasn't a sword cultivator!

So...

"Xu Shao!"

"You sneaky Xu Shao, how dare you immobilize me!"

Mu Zixi pouted and lunged forward without hesitation, wanting to chase down this annoying senior brother who had stolen her spotlight since entering.

"Mu girl."

Just then, a tall, burly man over two meters high appeared, blocking Mu Zixi's path.

The man had disheveled black hair and wore a white training robe. The outlines of his muscles were visible through the bulging fabric...

To put it simply, the muscles on one of his arms were about as big as Mu Zixi's head.

Mu Zixi tilted her head back high until she saw that familiar chin, and a flash of hatred crossed her eyes.

"It's you!"

That sharply defined chin belonged to the culprit from the previous match, who had inexplicably clashed with her, leading to mutual defeat and the championship slipping away.

"...Luo fellow!"

It took Mu Zixi a while to remember his name.

The man lowered his voice slightly and said in a refined tone, "Luo Yin. I'm not called 'Luo fellow'."

Mu Zixi exploded on the spot: "I don't care if you're Luo or Yin—I'm busy now, get out of my way!"

"Does Mu girl know that Xu Shao?"

Luo Yin glanced back at Xu Shao and advised the girl before him, "If not, I must kindly warn you... that guy is no simple matter. He might not hold back like I did, so please think twice before going over."

"Mind your own business?" Mu Zixi shot back immediately, trying to sidestep him, but then grew more annoyed. "What do you mean 'hold back'? Are you saying I need you to go easy on me?"

Luo Yin smiled.

He had a bear-like build, but his face was rugged yet refreshingly handsome, and his smile was as warm as spring.

"Get lost!"

The more Mu Zixi looked at that smile, the angrier she got. She clapped her hands, and a seed appeared in the void.

"Little tree, grow!"

With a whoosh, the seed sprouted and instantly transformed into a towering ancient tree.

The tree's canopy shook, scattering seeds everywhere, and soon, a series of whooshes filled the air as a small forest sprang up, completely enveloping Luo Yin.

Smack smack.

Mu Zixi dusted off her hands, puffed out her cheeks, and said, "Little tree, explode!"

"Boom boom boom boom boom..."

The explosive waves were so powerful they shook the divided barriers in the sky.

Some nearby contestants hadn't even reacted to the sudden battle above when they were blasted away by the shockwave, spurting blood as they were hurled out of the arena.

"Hmph!"

Mu Zixi wrinkled her nose in satisfaction, hands on her hips, and stepped through the dissipating smoke.

But as the wind blew and the dust cleared, the burly man in the training robe stood there, spotless, without a single tear in his clothes, let alone any injuries.

"You!" Mu Zixi's eyes widened.

In the previous match, even with his tough body, he should have been sent flying by that explosion!

Now...

"Sorry."

Luo Yin looked apologetic, seemingly unconcerned about the explosion, and instead worried about the girl's future. "I can't let you pass."

The explosion had cleared a wide area.

For a moment, compared to the crowded central zone, the space around Mu Zixi felt empty.

Just then, a trembling voice rose from the ground.

"H-hello?"

Luo Yin looked down to see the person on the ground—the one who had amazed everyone with his sword intent comprehension.

Also, the Xu family servant who had been holding a tea tray.

He seemed to be gathering his courage.

It was clear he was clenching his teeth tightly, his jaw muscles tense from the effort.

After holding back for a long time, he finally mustered the courage, steadied his shaking legs, and said, "Hello, Xu... Xu Shao sent me to ask you... who are you?"