Chapter 202: The Battle for Number One Under Heaven
Shen Yue, dressed in the blue sect robe of the Clear Sky Sect, walked along the broad stone steps.
A group of Clear Sky Sect disciples followed closely behind him, and looking downward, there were in fact many martial world figures following as well.
These martial world figures had all come to join the excitement.
They had guessed that the Clear Sky Sect would not let the matter rest, and sure enough, they had waited until the Sword God personally arrived.
This made them incomparably exhilarated.
This broad flight of steps had over a hundred levels and led straight to the mountain gate of Tianxuan Mountain.
The gate towered skyward, with a plaque hanging high above it, engraved with the four characters “Tianxuan Orthodox Lineage.” The brushwork was grand and majestic, manifesting the profound heritage of a holy land.
Below the mountain gate, dozens of Tianxuan Mountain disciples were already waiting.
Tianxuan Mountain was far removed from the secular world, and its disciples were not numerous.
However, with its long-standing heritage, there were still three to four hundred disciples on the mountain.
Yet compared to the vast and majestic Tianxuan Mountain, this number was far from enough to dispel the mountain’s desolation.
The gazes of the Tianxuan Mountain disciples all fell upon Shen Yue, their expressions complex.
Although Shen Yue had not drawn his sword, as he walked he was like a peerless blade with its sharp edge fully revealed.
This was a presence that Li Yang, Yang Dong, and the others simply did not possess.
Tianxuan Mountain was far from the secular world, so its access to martial world news lagged behind.
Yet precisely because of this delay, the lingering might of the Sword God’s name still occupied their hearts.
This man was the one who had come closest to a Martial Legend in the past hundred years, and he had once been the unquestioned Number One Under Heaven.
Li Qingqiu was indeed formidable, but for many people, his title was still too new.
Shen Yue was different.
He had shaken the martial world for decades, and his title of Number One Under Heaven was far more accepted.
It was precisely because Shen Yue had joined the Clear Sky Sect that the sect’s title as Number One Under Heaven had been acknowledged by more and more people.
The Tianxuan Mountain disciples all knew why Shen Yue had come.
Regarding this battle, they felt both anticipation and unease.
If their sect master was no match for Shen Yue, then the last shred of their faith in the martial path would also collapse.
However, the moment they thought of the strength of Yan Daozong, their eyes grew fervent.
Defeat the Sword God, and Yan Daozong would become Number Two Under Heaven, or even contend for Number One!
And if even Li Qingqiu were defeated, then…
The more the Tianxuan Mountain disciples thought about it, the more excited they became, their gazes fixed tightly on Shen Yue and the others.
The Clear Sky Sect disciples likewise held absolute confidence in Shen Yue.
They could hardly wait to see Yan Daozong defeated.
Hua Daozang appeared on the steps behind the mountain gate.
From afar, he raised his hand and saluted Shen Yue, saying, “Senior Shen, our sect master is already waiting for you at the Path-Seeking Cliff. Please follow me.”
Shen Yue gave a slight nod.
Only then did Hua Daozang turn around.
The Path-Seeking Cliff was located at the back mountain.
The grand procession walked for the time it took a half-stick of incense before finally arriving.
The Clear Sky Sect disciples emerged from the forest.
Ahead was an upward slope, and at the top of the slope was a cliff.
Yan Daozong stood on the mountain cliff, his back facing them.
As if he had heard the footsteps, Yan Daozong turned around to look.
The two sides were separated by nearly a hundred zhang.
Yan Daozong’s gaze immediately fell upon Shen Yue.
His intuition told him that this person was Shen Yue.
That terrifying sword intent simply could not be concealed.
With just a single glance, Yan Daozong could not help but sigh inwardly, “Worthy of being the Sword God. The reputation truly lives up to the name.”
Shen Yue raised his hand, signaling for his disciples to stop.
He alone walked toward Yan Daozong on the Path-Seeking Cliff.
The gazes of the two collided across a hundred zhang.
No words were needed; they could both feel the other’s battle intent.
The martial world figures who had rushed out from the forest immediately became excited.
“Starting to fight as soon as they arrive?”
“This is what a peerless expert looks like. With just a look, they understand each other’s battle intent. If Li Qingqiu weren’t around, this would be the battle to decide Number One Under Heaven.”
“Exactly. Looking across today’s martial world, Tianxuan Mountain is the only sect that can contend with the Clear Sky Sect. It’s said that Yan Daozong is an unprecedented prodigy. If he wins, then within the Clear Sky Sect, only Li Qingqiu could stop him from ascending to Number One Under Heaven.”
“The Sword God isn’t simple either, alright? If not for encountering Li Qingqiu, then even if he passed away, later generations would still call him a Martial Legend.”
“Shen Yue has simply killed too few people, making others feel that he lacks the domineering aura of a Martial Legend. The Martial Legends of a hundred years ago earned their fame through slaughter.”
The Clear Sky Sect disciples and Tianxuan Mountain disciples were also discussing among themselves.
Watching Shen Yue approach Yan Daozong, they all grew tense.
Hua Daozang stood alone at the edge of the forest.
He stared at Shen Yue and Yan Daozong, his expression gloomy.
“Damn it, things still ended up at this point…”
No matter who won or lost, this was not a situation Hua Daozang wanted to see.
“Yan Daozong, you are the only martial artist in today’s martial world who has entered the Dao. Your talent and comprehension are unmatched, but if you remain only at Tianxuan Mountain, it would be a pity.”
Shen Yue’s voice suddenly rang out, resounding across the Path-Seeking Cliff, so clear that everyone heard it distinctly.
“For me, one leaf reveals a thousand autumns, one mountain hears heaven and earth. It is the same no matter where I am.”
Yan Daozong replied.
His tone was not as indifferent as when facing Hua Daozang.
This was respect for the Sword God.
When he was very young, he had heard his master mention Shen Yue, the words filled with admiration.
He had never forgotten it.
Defeating Shen Yue was not only proof of how strong his martial path was, but also a way to fulfill a long-held wish.
Because his master had wanted to see the day he challenged Shen Yue, but had not lived to see it.
“Yan Daozong, why don’t you and I make a wager?”
Shen Yue spoke again, his footsteps never stopping as he drew closer and closer to Yan Daozong.
“How shall we wager?”
“If I win, you come down the mountain with me and join the Clear Sky Sect. If I lose, I will leave everything I have learned here at Tianxuan Mountain, including my sword intent.”
At these words, the Clear Sky Sect disciples, Tianxuan Mountain disciples, and the martial world figures all erupted in an uproar.
They had not expected Shen Yue to wager something so great.
At the same time, this represented Shen Yue’s absolute confidence.
“Good!”
Yan Daozong agreed without the slightest hesitation.
His answer rang out with force, allowing everyone to feel his resolve and confidence.
The Tianxuan Mountain disciples grew anxious.
They felt the wager was unfair.
If the Clear Sky Sect lost, they would only lose the Sword God’s inheritance.
But if they lost, they would lose their sect master.
However, before they could speak to dissuade him, Shen Yue drew the sword at his waist.
The sword’s ringing was crisp and clear, echoing between heaven and earth.
Everyone fixed their eyes on it, all filled with shock.
A wooden sword was actually producing the ringing sound of a steel blade?
Shen Yue charged toward the mountain cliff in quick strides.
His figure grew faster and faster, even producing afterimages.
Yan Daozong likewise drew his sword and charged down the slope.
The moment he moved, Shen Yue’s speed surged abruptly.
The two were like two streaks of startled light colliding, so fast it was inconceivable.
Clang—
The twin swords struck.
Two powerful sword energies erupted, shaking the mountain cliff.
Even the forest a hundred zhang away was pressed backward by the violent wind.
Their momentum brought immense pressure upon everyone present.
Li Yang watched this scene and felt secretly alarmed, nearly frightened out of his wits.
The others hurriedly raised their weapons in front of themselves to withstand the shockwave.
Before their eyes, Shen Yue and Yan Daozong leapt back at the same time, transforming into two streaks of sword light that collided rapidly in midair.
Their speed was so fast that no one could fully see it.
They rose into the air and fell back to the ground, even tearing open crack after crack along the mountain slope, dust flying everywhere.
Shen Yue swung his sword rapidly, his sword momentum like a raging storm pressing down on Yan Daozong.
Yan Daozong’s footwork was fast, but compared to Shen Yue, his sword moves appeared slow.
Yet paradoxically, his slow sword managed to block every single strike from Shen Yue.
After dozens of exchanges, their figures crossed.
Shen Yue landed on the Path-Seeking Cliff, while Yan Daozong slid down the slope for over twenty zhang, kicking up a trail of dust behind him.
The two stood back to back, sword intent already surging from their bodies.
Though it was said to be dozens of moves, to the onlookers, only a few breaths had passed.
“So fast!”
Yang Dong stared at Yan Daozong, cold sweat pouring down.
No wonder he could not even receive a single move from him.
Li Yang likewise recalled his own defeat.
Even after mobilizing the power of the dragon soul, he had still been unable to see Yan Daozong’s moves clearly.
Such speed in movement and strikes was indeed extremely difficult to defend against.
Zhang Ping nervously looked around.
He always felt that something was watching this place, making his scalp prickle.
He could only pray that Shen Yue would not lose.
If he did, something extremely terrifying might appear.
Shen Yue and Yan Daozong turned around at the same time.
Their positions were exactly where they had stood before exchanging blows, only their directions had been swapped.
Yan Daozong looked up at Shen Yue, a smile appearing on his face.
He raised his sword with his right hand, and visible gusts of wind coiled around the blade.
His temples fluttered as his eyes grew excited.
Shen Yue stood holding his sword, looking down at him.
His eyes were likewise excited, even carrying a hint of appreciation.
Almost at the same instant, the two charged at each other, swift as lightning.
Dust rose from where they stood, and before it even reached half a zhang high, they collided again.
This time, they were serious.
Sword energy overflowed and ravaged the Path-Seeking Cliff.
The mountain cliff shook even more violently.
Gravel continuously slid down from the edges, while the Clear Sky Sect disciples, Tianxuan Mountain disciples, and martial world figures felt as though the entire Tianxuan Mountain was trembling.
Boom!
Shen Yue slashed out a vast sword energy that pressed Yan Daozong backward, forcing him to slide dozens of zhang.
Just as he stabilized himself, Shen Yue appeared beside him and swept his sword horizontally.
In an instant, Yan Daozong’s speed suddenly increased.
He bent his body backward, bending at the waist faster than Shen Yue’s sword swing, dodging the strike.
He followed up with a sweeping kick.
Shen Yue raised his arm to block.
Bang—
Shen Yue was kicked flying.
He quickly flipped in midair and landed to dissipate the force, but he still slid backward for quite a distance.
He frowned, not expecting Yan Daozong’s physical strength to be so great.
This man was not merely a swordsman!
Before Shen Yue could think further, Yan Daozong was already closing in.
His right hand held the sword forward, while his left hand rose from his waist, palm lifted.
Sword energy surged, and palm force accumulated, ready to be unleashed.
Shen Yue had no time to dodge.
A sword soul instantly arose from the wooden sword in his hand.
The sword soul swung its shadowed blade, blocking Yan Daozong’s unstoppable sword energy.
Boom—
Cracks rapidly spread across the ground beneath their feet.
Gravel soared upward, yet their figures stood unmoving, as if they were not even standing on the ground.
Their eyes met, and both were surprised by the other’s strength.
It was Yan Daozong’s first time seeing a sword soul, and he was greatly astonished.
Shen Yue, meanwhile, felt that Yan Daozong’s palm force carried the might to shake mountains and rivers, capable of resisting the power of the sword soul.
If Yan Daozong could only achieve this much, then it would not be enough!
Shen Yue’s gaze sharpened.
He actually separated from the sword soul and swung his sword to slash at Yan Daozong.
Yan Daozong, pinned by the sword soul, had his pupils constrict.
He stomped down fiercely, shattering the mountain cliff with a single step, then leapt upward.
The sword shadow in the sword soul’s hand followed and fell, cleaving the mountain body in one strike, cutting the entire Path-Seeking Cliff apart.
That terrifying sword energy left the immortal cultivation disciples and martial artists in the distance utterly terrified.
Midair, Yan Daozong glimpsed his hair crown being severed, and his gaze was drawn to the figure below.
Standing beneath the sword soul, Shen Yue appeared insignificant, yet he brought Yan Daozong immense pressure.
A streak of sword light suddenly pierced through the rolling dust, shattering the rocks along its path as it killed toward Yan Daozong.
Yan Daozong raised his sword to block, circulating his cultivation method.
Inner energy flooded his sinews and bones, using inner energy to protect his bones and sword energy to guard his body.
Puchi—
The sword light flashed across the air.
Yan Daozong was directly sent flying, falling toward the ten-thousand-zhang abyss.
At that moment, Yan Daozong felt as though every bone in his body had shattered, filling him with terror.
He could not leap upward and could only fall along with chunks of broken stone.
He had lost!
Awaiting him was the fate of being shattered to pieces!
Pa!
A hand suddenly grasped his left wrist.
Shen Yue appeared atop a rock above him, crouching down and pulling him up with one hand.
Sunlight poured down.
Yan Daozong could not clearly see Shen Yue’s face, only hearing him say:
“This sword was originally meant to be saved for our sect master. I didn’t expect you to force it out.”