"The Gu Jian Li family? What kind of family is that? Why have I never heard of it?"
"Haven’t heard of the Li family, but you’ve heard of the previous Sword God ’Gu Jian Lee Ye’, right? This is the descendant of the former Sword God..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd present looked at the young man with a sudden change in their gaze.
Sword God Lee Ye!
Before Su Changqing appeared, the pinnacle of the Sword Dao was this person.
Sword God Mountain had very few mountain lords throughout history, but among them, Lee Ye was the most renowned!
Because this person possessed the Sword God Body, comparable to an Imperial Body!
"Please forgive us, Sword God Su."
At this moment, several elders with strong presences appeared beside the boy.
One of them stepped forward, smiling bitterly and saluting:
"Our young master has never been outside, his words may have been disrespectful, and the old man apologizes on his behalf."
As he spoke, the elder saluted deeply, and the several elders beside the young man all smiled bitterly and clasped their fists.
"He’s not much older than me, Grandpa Lin, there’s no need for such fuss!"
Li Bufan’s face fell a bit at the situation, speaking discontentedly.
Elder Lin and others smiled bitterly at his words.
They were not like their young master, fearless like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger.
Not to mention how terrifying Su Changqing’s background is.
The fact that he could become the current Sword God was already enough to warrant their respectful salute.
"In youth, one should be audacious, a little arrogance is no matter."
Su Changqing laughed at those words, showing no concern.
Elder Lin and the others immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at Su Changqing, who was clearly not much older than their young master yet carried himself with poise, stability, and warmth, they couldn’t help but secretly praise him in their hearts.
Indeed, someone capable of becoming the Sword God would not be ordinary.
"Hmph!"
Li Bufan snorted discontentedly, looking at Su Changqing, "I am here for the position of Sword God!"
"With the grand era approaching, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my ancestor and claim the title of Sword God in this generation once the Imperial path opened."
"Unexpectedly, you got ahead of me!"
"Since you’ve already ascended to the peak of Sword God Mountain, there’s no need for me to venture further!"
"Would you dare to compete with me? The winner shall be this generation’s Sword God!"
Li Bufan had no enmity with Su Changqing, seeking him out was merely a matter of pride.
Back then, the Sword God position of the Li family patriarch was usurped by someone else, and if the descendants didn’t show ambition, so be it.
But since he had confidence in defeating Su Changqing, naturally, he was unwilling for the title of Sword God to be taken by someone else.
At this time, even the elders of the Li family remained silent.
They respected Su Changqing, yet concerning the issue of restoring the Li family’s name, they had no choice.
However, just as Li Bufan’s voice fell and before Su Changqing could speak, the crowd already erupted in scoffs.
"Competing in Sword Dao with Su Changqing? This young man is rather clueless about the heights of the heavens."
"Indeed, doesn’t everyone know that Su Changqing’s Sword Dao is divine, condensing imperial intent, who else would dare to compete with him in Sword Dao?"
"Hehe, ignorance is bliss, it’s just youthful arrogance..."
The crowd spoke and laughed, not holding much hope for the Li family’s challenge.
They stood, for certain reasons, on the opposing side of Su Changqing, friend yet not foe.
Yet even as enemies, none of them could deny Su Changqing’s prowess!
His terrifying talent, formidable Sword Dao, all far surpassed those so-called prodigies.
However, just as people spoke and laughed, Li Bufan suddenly gave a cold snort.
Bang!
An overwhelming Sword Intent spread in all directions, the river of Sword Intent surging with boundless waves, as if singing in excitement.
Not only that, Li Bufan’s entire body was glowing.
Divine sword beams transformed into terrifying visions, rising and falling behind him.
"Sword God Body!"
Witnessing this scene, cries of surprise erupted from the crowd.
Many wore expressions of awe, looking at that legendary, unmatched Sword Dao physique comparable to the Imperial Body.
Initially, everyone was disdainful of the Li family’s challenge.
But now that the Sword God Body was revealed, people found... Su Changqing might not have the assured victory!
"Sword God Body?" Su Changqing raised an eyebrow in surprise.
With the Imperial path soon to open, some hidden prodigies on the continent were gradually emerging.
"Quite an impressive physique."
Xian Xian nodded, chuckling, "An innate sword embryo nurtured by the laws of Sword Dao."
"His divine soul and body are both condensed from innate sword energy, naturally attuned to Sword Dao."
Saying so, he glanced at Su Changqing and shook his head:
"Your Original Sword Body, by comparison, is several levels inferior."
Su Changqing chuckled, showing no concern.
A powerful physique indeed greatly benefits cultivation.
But physique is merely something that determines the lower limit of potential; the path of cultivation is not solely about physique.
"Su Changqing, today let’s spar along this river of Sword Intent!"
Li Bufan strode forward, ten thousand swords floating behind him, and spoke proudly,
"Here lies the ten thousand sword techniques left by the Sword Emperor. Whoever comprehends them first will win!"
"If you lose, leave behind the title of Sword God. Do you dare?"
Su Changqing was just about to say something upon hearing this.
But suddenly, the distant skies roared, as if the end of days bore down upon the world, slowly yet firmly approaching him.
Everyone present turned pale at the sight, feeling the terrifying aura of the newcomer.
"You see, I’m being hunted."
Su Changqing shook his head helplessly, "I have no interest in the title of Sword God. You can have it if you want."
"I have more pressing matters, forgive me for not accompanying you."
With those words, Su Changqing did not hesitate and stepped directly into the river of Sword Intent.
Buzz!
In an instant, a barrier of Sword Intent, transformed from sword technique, appeared.
Without comprehending the sword technique and breaking the barrier, one cannot progress through this river of Sword Intent.
"Damn it, you say we won’t compete and that’s it?"
"Why would I need the title of Sword God acquired through trickery!"
Li Bufan was filled with anger upon hearing this and followed Su Changqing into the river of Sword Intent almost simultaneously.
Everyone present focused their gaze with anticipation.
The contemporary Sword God, competing in Sword Dao with the descendant possessing the Sword God Body from the last generation.
This was a battle worthy of being recorded in history; they naturally wouldn’t miss it.
Although Su Changqing did not acknowledge the start of this battle, the final outcome would not change.
"I will show the world that the title of the contemporary Sword God is still..."
Li Bufan looked at Su Changqing, ready to say a few harsh words.
But suddenly, Su Changqing swung his wide sleeve, a long sword condensed from Sword Intent fell into his hand, and he made a slash.
With the sound of shattering glass, the first barrier shattered as expected.
"Damn it, you jumped the gun!"
Li Bufan swallowed his unfinished words and immediately began comprehending the sword technique before him.
His eyes sparkled like lightning, Sword Intent surging, as if penetrating the source of all swords in the world.
Just three breaths later, his two fingers aligned and slashed, and the barrier shattered as expected.
"Just this sword technique? The Sword Emperor’s legacy is nothing fantastic..."
Li Bufan’s face displayed an expression of ease as he stepped forward, a new sword technique formed anew.
Still, just like before, within three breaths, the barrier shattered as expected.
For others, progressing through the river of Sword Intent was extremely difficult, but for Li Bufan, it was like walking on flat ground.
His steps were swift, and the barriers formed by various sword techniques were all broken by him one by one.
The crowd gasped in amazement at what they saw.
In just such a brief moment, Li Bufan had walked a hundred steps, and his speed showed no signs of slowing.
At this rate, even for the ten thousand sword techniques, it wouldn’t take long to break through.
However, compared to the relaxed Li Bufan, Su Changqing seemed to encounter trouble.
After breaking through the first sword technique barrier, Su Changqing halted his steps.
"No, just comprehending the sword technique, why hasn’t the Sword Seal condensed?"
Su Changqing looked at the barrier before him, furrowing his brows in contemplation.
The Ten Thousand Tribulations Sword Seal requires the condensation of ten thousand Sword Seals to form a ’Tribulation’.
The sword techniques here are not difficult to comprehend; he can grasp them upon a thought.
But the problem is that the sword techniques he displayed could not condense into a Sword Seal.
"The Sword Seal is the key, but... how to condense it?"
Su Changqing’s eyes glimmered with the brilliance of understanding, suppressing the urgency in his heart from being pursued by the end of days, he calmed himself and devoted himself to comprehension.
The bystander Trap Immortal remained silent but had a look of admiration.
The sword technique of the Ten Thousand Tribulations Sword Seal is easy to comprehend.
But to condense a Sword Seal with the sword technique requires an understanding of the true essence of ’technique’.
Transforming ’technique’ into Dao!
Only then can the intangible technique become a tangible seal!
This is exceedingly difficult, for with only technique and no method, few can grasp its true meaning.
Like Li Bufan beside him, his speed forward appears swift, but his comprehension is but superficial.
While Su Changqing, by shattering just one barrier, discovered the Dao contained within the ’technique’, which is rare and valuable.
"To transform technique into Dao is no easy task; a bit of help would be good."
Trap Immortal looked at the youth beside him, eyes smiling, ready to offer a few pointers, to say something.
But suddenly!
Su Changqing, who was pondering deeply with his head down, suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining brightly.
"Transform technique into Dao!"
"This method... I’ve learned it!"