"Questioning the sword in Profound Moon?" Xu Jingyan's eyes reflected her confusion.
"You might not have heard of the name Profound Moon. Within the Northwest Region of Heavenly South where our Azure Dragon Prefecture is located, there are a total of eight prefectures.
And the strongest among them is Profound Moon Prefecture.
The Profound Moon Sect is the Hegemonic Nascent Soul Power of the Northwest Region. In theory, all factions across the prefectures must obey the arrangements of the Profound Moon Sect.
However, according to father.
As long as the various prefectures do not cause too much chaos, the Profound Moon Sect generally cannot be bothered to intervene.
This is mainly because the Northwest Region is simply too vast.
Our Azure Dragon Prefecture alone spans over five hundred thousand kilometers."
Xu Jingyan listened, her face filled with shock.
"So this 'questioning the sword in Profound Moon', is it challenging the Profound Moon Sect? With the Profound Moon Sect being so powerful, wouldn't doing this truly anger them?"
Xu Jingyan asked again.
"Naturally, it is not marching up to their gates to challenge the Profound Moon Sect. Instead, it is setting up an arena in Profound Moon City to challenge all enemies from all directions using the Sword Dao. Anyone below Late Foundation Establishment can issue a challenge.
Remaining undefeated for seven days will be considered a success."
Xu Chongjian explained the details of his mission thoroughly.
"As for the Profound Moon Sect, there is naturally no need to worry. My grandfather is a Golden Core elder of the Profound Moon Sect, and a personal disciple of the Ancestor of Profound Moon.
The current Sect Master of the Profound Moon Sect is his senior brother.
However, grandfather is busy comprehending the Array Dao, so he probably won't make the trip.
I wonder which elder will escort Chongjian to Profound Moon Prefecture."
Xu Chongfei commented.
Pausing for a moment, he looked toward Xu Jingyan. "You should talk about your brother's."
"Compared to my brother's, your prodigy missions are a piece of cake," Xu Jingyan declared proudly. "My brother's mission is to train at least fifty Origin Martial Realm martial artists for the family within thirty years."
"That long?"
Xu Chongfei's first reaction was that the timeframe was too extensive, and then he frowned deeply.
Xu Chongjian also sensed that something was amiss with Xu Jingwu's mission.
"Something's wrong. This mission is far too perfunctory. It doesn't seem like something the First Elder and the Family Heads would agree upon."
Xu Chongfei looked at Xu Jingwu. "You didn't use the back door, did you?"
"Do not spout nonsense. The mission was decided by the First Elder and the Family Heads. If you have doubts, you can seek them out yourself," Xu Jingwu replied calmly.
"Forget it then."
Xu Chongfei sighed. "The decisions of the First Elder and the others are not something we can criticize right now.
But give me another dozen years or so, and I, Xu Chongfei, am confident I will secure a seat among the clan's elders.
As for you, Jingwu, your Martial Dao is only at the second realm..."
"Since the second realm of the Martial Dao could be pioneered by someone, why can't the third realm of the Martial Dao be created by my hands?" Xu Jingwu stated flatly.
"Such ambition! Now this is a prodigy of my Xu family!"
"Even among prodigies, one must strive to be top-tier!"
"Just like Aunt Deling!"
After Xu Chongfei returned, he sought out Ye Fan to ask some questions.
Only then did he learn that the ones escorting Xu Chongjian to Profound Moon Prefecture were his own parents.
However, when the topic shifted to Xu Jingwu, the two of them remained tight-lipped, warning him not to question the decisions of the First Elder and the others.
Xu Chongfei was no ordinary person either; he naturally deduced that Xu Jingwu harbored a great secret.
'None of them will tell me. Just wait until I step into the Golden Core stage. I'd like to see who will still hide things from me then.'
Currently, Golden Core cultivators of the Xu family could naturally enter the core circle and learn of the clan's various secrets.
But a few hundred years from now.
That might not be the case.
Perhaps only a small fraction of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators would be privy to the family's deepest secrets.
A few days later.
The disciples of the Xu family began their respective trial missions one after another.
Some, upon completing theirs, sought to challenge higher difficulty trial missions.
And there were quite a few with such thoughts.
A few more days passed.
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue took Xu Chongjian toward Profound Moon Prefecture.
Xu Chongfei also wanted to tag along to watch. After some relentless pestering, he brought Chen Yulian along with them.
They flew on the highest-tier Flying Skiff crafted by the Heavenly Plume Sect.
Although it wasn't massive in scale, measuring only over sixty meters long, its speed was roughly double that of a Golden Core Perfection cultivator.
Currently, the Xu family possessed only three such Flying Skiffs.
A month and a half later.
The group arrived outside Profound Moon City.
It was the first time visiting for Xu Chongfei and the other two youngsters. Seeing this colossal city, which was even more majestic than their own Cloudstream City, their faces filled with awe.
Ye Fan sighed softly. "It still took too much time. If father could comprehend the Fourth-Tier Teleportation Formation, travel would be much easier in the future."
"Let's enter the city and find an inn to settle down first. We still need to pay a visit to the Profound Moon Sect later," Xu Deyue suggested.
"My wife's words make sense."
With Golden Core cultivators entering the city, there was naturally no need to pay an entry fee of Spirit Stones.
This was the rule for any city in Heavenly South.
It was a sign of respect for Golden Core experts.
After Ye Fan and Xu Deyue settled the three youngsters, instructing them to cultivate quietly in their rooms.
The couple then headed toward the Profound Moon Sect.
Before the mountain gate of the Profound Moon Sect.
Ye Fan cupped his fists toward the gate-guarding disciple and said, "From Azure Dragon Prefecture, Cloudstream City's Xu family, True Lord Withered Glory's disciple Ye Fan has come to visit your esteemed Sect Master."
"The Xu family of Elder Xu Mingxian?"
"Exactly."
"Please wait a moment, seniors. This junior will immediately send a message to the outer sect elder."
Soon, a middle-aged man in purple robes with early Golden Core cultivation arrived outside the mountain gate.
"I am Outer Sect Elder Jian Tang." He glanced at Ye Fan and his wife, then asked, "For what matter do you two Fellow Daoists seek our Sect Master?"
"We have come on behalf of my Honored Master to visit your esteemed Sect Master."
"Azure Dragon Prefecture, True Lord Withered Glory?"
The purple-robed elder murmured softly.
He naturally knew who True Lord Withered Glory was.
It was Xu Mingxian's father.
Although Xu Mingxian and he were both Golden Core elders, their statuses were worlds apart.
He was an Outer Sect Elder, whereas Xu Mingxian was an Inner Sect Elder.
Inner Sect Elders were all individuals who had at least the potential to achieve Great Accomplishment in Divine Abilities, or even the hope of Nascent Soul Formation.
As for someone like him, reaching the mid-to-late stages of Golden Core in this lifetime would be his absolute limit.
"You are True Lord Withered Glory's disciple, then who might this fairy be?" Elder Jian Tang looked toward Xu Deyue.
"This is my Dao companion, and also the daughter of your sect's Elder Mingxian... um, biological daughter."
'What is the meaning of your extra explanation?!'
Elder Jian Tang was slightly confused, but he also realized that neither of these two were ordinary individuals.
The Xu family produced prodigies.
It was quite obvious that these two were part of the Xu family's prodigies!
"Fellow Daoists, please come inside quickly. This elder will send a message to the Sect Master right away. If he is willing to see you, I will personally escort you over."
"Many thanks, Elder Jian."
The two entered the Profound Moon Sect.
Jian Tang's message quickly received a reply. He smiled and said, "Follow this elder. The Sect Master wishes to see you."
The three arrived at the grand hall on Moon-Gazing Peak.
"Sect Master, Fellow Daoist Ye and his wife have arrived."
"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Jian. You may step down for now."
"Yes, Sect Master."
After Jian Tang left, Zhang Daoran looked at the couple and said, "You two have traveled a long way. Please, take a seat."
"Thank you, Senior."
The two complied.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, how is your Honored Master doing?"
"Honored Master is doing well. He went into secluded cultivation a few days ago."
"Fellow Daoist Withered Glory's foundation is truly enviable. To possess such combat power at the mid-stage Golden Core... I wonder what heights he will reach once he achieves Golden Core Perfection."
Zhang Daoran sighed in admiration. After a brief catch-up, he asked, "The two of you didn't come all this way just to deliver greetings to this Sect Master, did you?"
"Senior has sharp eyes. We came this time to escort a junior of our clan to Profound Moon City."
"For what purpose?"
"To question the sword in Profound Moon City."
"Just like Junior Brother Mingxian did back then?"
"Quite similar, though this person is still young, and his cultivation base is only Early Foundation Establishment. Therefore, the targets of his sword questioning are all sword cultivators below Late Foundation Establishment."
"Including my Profound Moon Sect."
"Yes." Ye Fan's tone was neither arrogant nor humble.
Zhang Daoran pondered for a moment, then sighed softly. "Since it is Fellow Daoist Withered Glory's request, this Sect Master will naturally grant him some face.
I will give the order. You may question the sword with peace of mind; no one will make things difficult for you.
However, many disciples of my Profound Moon Sect have chosen the path of the sword cultivator. Your clan's junior will not have an easy time over these next few days.
If he is defeated and his Dao Heart shattered, do not blame my Profound Moon Sect."
Ye Fan cupped his fists and smiled. "Senior, rest assured. My Xu family produces prodigies. If a simple defeat is enough to shatter his Dao Heart, then he is unworthy of being called a prodigy of the Xu family."
"Fellow Daoist Ye, you have quite a lot of confidence in him."
Zhang Daoran's eyes flashed with surprise. "However, the way your Xu family trains its members is truly stringent."
"We merely go all out."
"This Sect Master understands. You may begin questioning the sword tomorrow."
"Thank you, Senior. My wife and I shall take our leave."
"Wait. Since you are Junior Brother Mingxian's daughter and son-in-law, follow this Sect Master to pay respects to my Honored Master on his behalf."
""
"Yes."
Profound Moon Peak.
In the grand hall at the summit.
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Grandmaster."
Zhang Fan smiled faintly. "Your father didn't come, but he sent you two youngsters instead."
"Replying to Grandmaster, father is in secluded cultivation, fully dedicating himself to comprehending formations."
"Is that so? And what level has his formation mastery reached now?"
"Father once said that within ten years, he should be able to reach the level of a Half-Step Fourth-Tier Array Master, and within thirty years, he hopes to become a Fourth-Tier Array Master."
Xu Deyue slightly exaggerated the timeframe.
"Is Junior Brother Mingxian's progress in formations really that fast?!" Zhang Daoran exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this.
However, Zhang Fan appeared quite calm; after all, he already had a fairly good grasp of Xu Mingxian's Formation Dao Attainment. "This speed of comprehension is indeed not slow," Zhang Fan remarked. "However, his cultivation base must not fall behind either."
Ye Fan cupped his fists and said, "My Honored Master also frequently admonishes us with those exact words."
Zhang Fan nodded slightly. "Now that we have met, you may go."
"Yes."
Zhang Daoran and the others bowed and withdrew.
After Xu Deyue and Ye Fan left the Profound Moon Sect and returned to the inn, they began busy preparations for the "Questioning the Sword in Profound Moon" matter.
Last time when Xu Mingxian set up an arena, it was under the auspices of the Profound Moon Sect.
But this time it was the Xu family's own affair, so naturally, they had to think of another way.
However, this matter was actually quite simple.
Men die for wealth, birds die for food.
The next day.
Bright daylight bathed the city.
In the central square of Profound Moon City.
Xu Chongjian stood tall upon the arena stage.
Ye Fan stood at the side of the stage and erected a wooden sign.
The writing on the wooden sign was clear:
"Questioning the sword in Profound Moon for seven days. Below Late Foundation Establishment. Win one match to obtain ten thousand Spirit Stones."
Simultaneously, he gathered his breath and repeated the words written on the sign.
Though his voice was not booming, it was imbued with spiritual energy, spreading far and wide to reach up to fifty kilometers away.
As his voice fell, the lingering echoes curled through the air, scattering into the streets and alleys of Profound Moon City with the wind.
Within less than an hour, the news had spread across half of Profound Moon City.
In teahouses and taverns, discussions erupted.
"A Foundation Establishment cultivator questioning the sword in Profound Moon, offering ten thousand Spirit Stones for a single win? Which faction sent their genius out for a trial?"
"Interesting, let's go take a look."
"Below Late Foundation Establishment... the level is a bit low. If it were a battle at Foundation Establishment Perfection, then it would be worth watching."
"Ten thousand Spirit Stones a match is truly generous. This faction isn't afraid of squandering their entirely wealth?"
"Might as well give it a try. What if I get lucky and snatch a win?"
Countless discussions sprang up.
Those who were interested flocked toward the central square of Profound Moon City.
As for the square at this moment.
There were already quite a few people around, and they immediately crowded in. Soon, hundreds of people had gathered.
There were Rogue Cultivators, disciples from minor families, and passing low-level cultivators looking for a show.
In the crowd.
A gray-robed Rogue Cultivator's eyes flickered.
Seeing the promise of ten thousand Spirit Stones for a single win, he hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Senior, is it true that you'll pay ten thousand Spirit Stones just for winning one match?"
"Naturally, though it is restricted only to sword cultivators," Ye Fan smiled faintly.
"Then let me give it a try."
The gray-robed Rogue Cultivator leaped onto the stage and looked at Xu Chongjian.
Xu Chongjian hadn't bothered to suppress his cultivation realm, so the man's divine sense swept over him and saw it clearly.
Early Foundation Establishment?
He was attempting to fight above his realm. It seemed he really was a sword cultivator genius.
This faction was undoubtedly trying to temper him.
"I am Zhao Hu," the gray-robed Rogue Cultivator said, cupping his fists.
"Xu Chongjian."
Suddenly.
Discussions broke out from below the stage.
"It's Zhao Hu! At the peak of mid-stage Foundation Establishment, a member of the Black Tiger Demon Hunting Squad. His strength is supposedly quite good."
"That's right, I've seen Zhao Hu's sword techniques. Fast, accurate, ruthless, and incredibly sharp."
"Now there's a good show to watch!"
Zhao Hu flipped his right hand, and a blue-steel longsword appeared in his grasp.
The blade glinted with cold light, emitting faint sounds of wind. It was impressively a Top-Grade Magical Artifact.
Xu Chongjian did not draw "Startling Swan," but countered by wielding an ordinary Top-Grade Magical Artifact. He said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, please."
Zhao Hu didn't stand on ceremony. His figure blurred, and the sword light arrived instantly.
He walked the path of the fast sword, launching a torrential assault right off the bat.
The blue-steel longsword transformed into streaks of sword shadows, enveloping Xu Chongjian from all directions like an inescapable net.
The sword momentum was fierce, and sword qi crisscrossed violently. The crowd below felt their vision blur as the stage was filled with blinding sword light.
"Good!"
Cheers erupted from the audience.
However, Xu Chongjian's expression remained perfectly calm.
His body shifted slightly, and his Qingfeng sword lightly thrust forward.
Just a single strike.
That strike seemed to possess foresight, precisely hitting the weakest point of Zhao Hu's sword momentum.
Zhao Hu only felt a jolt run through his grip, and the sky full of sword shadows dissipated in an instant.
Before he could even react, Xu Chongjian's second strike had arrived.
It was still a seemingly ordinary thrust, yet it aimed directly at his throat.
Shocked, Zhao Hu hurriedly brought his sword up to block.
Clang! Zhao Hu's figure retreated violently.
But Xu Chongjian didn't let a single opening slip by.
Every thrust was like a stroke of divine inspiration, perfectly predicting his opponent's moves, forcing Zhao Hu to use barely six or seven tenths of his true skill.
After a dozen moves.
A dazzling golden sword gleam suddenly flared, filling Zhao Hu's vision.
He only had time to hastily block before his entire body was sent flying backward.
He crashed heavily below the stage, spitting out fresh blood, his face as pale as gold paper.
Total silence enveloped the area.
From the moment Zhao Hu stepped onto the stage until his defeat, it hadn't even taken twenty exchanges.
A moment later, gasps of astonishment exploded.
"T-This is it? He lost?"
"Zhao Hu couldn't even last twenty moves?"
"He seemed to completely suppress Zhao Hu the entire time. This kid's Sword Dao Attainment is no small matter."
The crowd burst into a frenzy of discussion, their gazes shifting completely as they looked at Xu Chongjian.
After Zhao Hu picked himself up, his face was ashen. He sighed, cupped his fists, and said, "I have lost."
Then, he turned and squeezed his way out of the crowd.
Even though his cultivation base was higher than Xu Chongjian's, the opponent's majestic mana was not inferior in the slightest.
Moreover, the opponent's understanding of the sword and comprehension of the Sword Dao were far beyond his own.
This first battle set an excellent precedent.
Next, seven or eight Rogue Cultivators successively ascended the stage.
Some were at Early Foundation Establishment, others at Mid Foundation Establishment.
There was even one at Late Foundation Establishment.
But the moment he stepped onto the stage, Ye Fan reminded him, "Fellow Daoist, the rule is below Late Foundation Establishment. You do not meet the criteria."
That person had tried to conceal his aura to sneak by.
Exposed, he left in embarrassment.
Xu Chongfei watched from the side, nodding continuously as he muttered, "Chongjian's Sword Dao is growing more and more formidable.
He truly is a peerless genius in the lineage of the Sword Dao."
Standing beside him, Chen Yulian heard his words and smiled in agreement. "He is indeed extraordinary.
I'm afraid even among Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators, few can surpass his understanding of the Sword Dao."
Without exception, the cultivators who went up were defeated within twenty or thirty rounds.
Xu Chongjian's expression remained consistently nonchalant, neither flushed nor panting.
His sword arts appeared plain and unremarkable, yet they were always perfectly timed to break the opponent's assault and find the flaw to counterattack.
Whether his opponent was fast or slow, rigid or flexible, he handled them all with effortless ease.
This was the power of Sword Heart Illumination!
Any sword technique laid bare before his eyes would be rapidly analyzed.
Because of this, his speed in mastering sword arts was incredibly fast.
Xu Chongjian had essentially practiced all the sword arts recorded by the Xu family.
The sun climbed higher.
The crowd of onlookers continued to swell.
Within the crowd.
Someone suddenly cried out, "Isn't that Ye Fan?"
"Ye Fan? Which Ye Fan?"
"The Ye Fan who ranked among the Heavenly Dipper top thirty-six during the last Prodigy Grand Assembly! The person beside him must be his fellow prodigy, the Cold Moon Immortal Fairy.
Though their ranks weren't the highest, they left a deep impression because they are a pair of Dao companions."
"It's actually them!"
"Could the one on the stage be their descendant?"
"I'm not sure about that, but the boy is named Xu Chongjian. He should belong to the same family as the Cold Moon Immortal Fairy."
Amidst the murmurs, a powerful aura suddenly approached from the distance.
The crowd looked up to see a figure walking through the void.
In the blink of an eye, he arrived in the air above the square.
It was a middle-aged man in purple robes with a refined face, exuding the aura of the Golden Core level.
"It's the Outer Sect Elder of the Profound Moon Sect, Elder Jian Tang!"
Upon arriving, Jian Tang first greeted Ye Fan and Xu Deyue.
He didn't interfere; he simply stood beside them and quietly observed the battles.
"It seems the Xu family's 'Questioning the Sword in Profound Moon' has received the approval of the Profound Moon Sect."
"Obviously. The Xu family's Xu Mingxian is a personal disciple of the Ancestor of Profound Moon. It stands to reason that the Profound Moon Sect would offer them some convenience."
As the news spread, even more people flocked to the scene.
Over the next two days, Xu Chongjian fought over thirty consecutive matches without a single defeat.
The challengers included Rogue Cultivators, disciples of minor families, and even a few inner sect disciples of the Profound Moon Sect.
Yet no matter who it was, none could last past sixty exchanges beneath his blade.
Xu Chongjian's sword arts grew increasingly masterful; every strike felt as natural as breathing, yet precisely placed.
"To possess such Sword Dao Attainment at his young age, the Xu family is likely going to produce another prodigy in the future."
"Indeed. It's almost as if he is absorbing the sword moves of those he spars with, integrating and mastering them.
His sword is profoundly mystical, as if he has touched upon the legendary Sword Dao True Intent."
"Sword Dao True Intent is a rare True Intent of a Divine Ability. Ordinary sword cultivators usually only comprehend the Dao of the Five Elements.
Those who can truly achieve greatness purely in the Sword Dao are incredibly scarce.
Even within the Profound Moon Sect, such a genius is unheard of!"
Of course, Xu Chongjian couldn't accept challenges indefinitely.
Occasionally, he needed to rest and recover his mana and divine sense.
The third day, the fourth day, the fifth day—
Everyone realized that these ten thousand Spirit Stones were not easy to take!
But the real show was only just beginning.
The sixth day.
A streak of light flew in from the distance, landing on the stage.
The newcomer wore a blue shirt and bore a cold, stern expression. A longsword hung at his waist, and his entire being radiated an aura as sharp as a blade.
"Cloud Mist Sect, Lin Han. Mid Foundation Establishment. I have come to experience Fellow Daoist Xu's superb skills."
The Cloud Mist Sect!
It was the second largest faction in Profound Moon Prefecture, trailing only behind the Profound Moon Sect.
Compared to the current Sun family, their foundation was slightly stronger.
However, their strength did not lie in Nascent Soul heritage, but rather in their sheer number of Golden Core experts.
The sect recruited geniuses from all over, producing a number of Golden Core Stage Cultivators that ordinary aristocratic families simply could not rival.
Xu Chongjian's gaze narrowed slightly. He cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist Lin, please."
The two drew their swords almost simultaneously.
Lin Han's sword techniques followed a graceful and ethereal path.
His sword light moved like clouds and mist, ever-changing and unpredictable.
His strikes were incredibly fast, occasionally shifting like unfurling drifting clouds, and other times crashing like startling waves against the shore. It made his moves impossible to pin down.
Xu Chongjian's expression turned serious. His Qingfeng sword thrusted continuously, each strike perfectly intercepting Lin Han's sword momentum.
However, Lin Han's mana reserves were stronger than Xu Chongjian's, and the weapon in his hand was an impressive Two-Pattern Magic Tool.
They traded blows back and forth. In the blink of an eye, they had clashed for forty to fifty rounds, yet neither could secure a victory.
"This Lin Han truly lives up to his reputation as a genius of the Cloud Mist Sect! It's said he is the disciple of a Golden Core Perfected Being from the sect!"
"Xu Chongjian is even more remarkable. Despite being inferior in cultivation realm and mana, he can still contend with him for so long.
It shows that his Sword Dao Attainment surpasses Lin Han's."
The onlookers fell silent in agreement.
At this moment, Xu Chongjian finally began to feel the pressure.
He had to admit that geniuses carefully cultivated by Nascent Soul sects were indeed leagues above ordinary Rogue Cultivators.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, your Xu family is also a Nascent Soul Power. I refuse to believe you don't even possess a Two-Pattern Magic Tool.
Your Sword Dao Attainment is indeed formidable, but certain gaps cannot be bridged by that alone."
"Not necessarily!" Xu Chongjian fired back.
Another twenty rounds passed.
Xu Chongjian gradually figured out the underlying patterns of Lin Han's techniques.
Although his sword arts were ethereal and his foundation extremely solid, they were not without flaws.
"It's about time."
Xu Chongjian took a deep breath, and his sword momentum abruptly changed.
It was still a seemingly ordinary thrust.
But this time, the tip of the blade seemed to carry an indescribable conceptual intent.
That intent was exceedingly faint—so faint that most of the audience couldn't even detect it—yet Lin Han's expression changed drastically.
In his eyes.
The sword qi of this strike was so piercingly sharp it felt as though it could cleave through anything.
"This is..."
By the time he fully reacted, the Qingfeng sword was already hovering three inches from his throat.
Lin Han stood frozen on the spot.
A moment later.
He offered a bitter smile, sheathed his sword, and cupped his fists. "I have lost. I never expected Fellow Daoist Xu's Sword Dao Attainment to have reached such a level. I am full of admiration."
Xu Chongjian sheathed his sword and returned the bow. Fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Ye Fan handed over a pill and sent a voice transmission: "Rest for an hour."
Xu Chongjian nodded, swallowed the pill, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.
An hour later.
Another figure darted onto the stage.
"Sun Family, Sun Wujiu. Mid Foundation Establishment. Please impart your guidance."
Xu Chongjian opened his eyes and slowly stood up.
Sun Wujiu was equally formidable.
Compared to Rogue Cultivators, members of major factions benefited from expert guidance, meaning their foundations were often much more solid.
Xu Chongjian fought him for fifteen minutes.
Sun Wujiu was eventually defeated, falling equally prey to Xu Chongjian's Sword Heart Illumination and a sudden flash of Sword Dao True Intent.
Many inner sect disciples from Nascent Soul sects crossed blades with Xu Chongjian, but up to now, not a single one had emerged victorious.
Even the Golden Core cultivators of the various major powers were intrigued and came to spectate.
"It's a pity this competition only allows sword cultivators. Many powerful cultivators possess a diverse range of methods.
If they were to step in, I wager Xu Chongjian wouldn't win so easily."
"Not necessarily. Sword cultivators have always been renowned for their overwhelming offensive power.
In our Heavenly South, there are quite a few supreme experts who suppress multitudes relying solely on a single sword."
Below the stage, the hum of discussion never ceased.
In the blink of an eye, the seventh day arrived.
This was the final day of the arena.
Just past the hour of the Snake.
A white-clothed figure arrived, stepping through the air, and lightly touched down on the stage.
It was a young man with a handsome face and an unworldly aura. His white clothes were like snow, and an archaic longsword hung at his waist.
His aura was deeply restrained, making it impossible to discern his depth, but his eyes were like deep, ancient pools—calm and undisturbed.
Below the stage, the eyes of Elder Jian Tang of the Profound Moon Sect lit up slightly.
"He actually came."
Seeing his surprise, Ye Fan asked curiously, "Who is this young man?"
"A genius of my Profound Moon Sect, Ji Baiyi. His talent in the Sword Dao is extraordinary, and he is the Sect Master's youngest personal disciple."
"Accepted as a personal disciple by Sect Master Zhang during the Foundation Establishment stage? Then his talent is truly remarkable."
"Indeed, Ji Baiyi's talent surpasses even that of Elder Zhang Xuanzhi."
"Does that make him the number one prodigy of your sect's Foundation Establishment stage?"
Jian Tang turned to Ye Fan and merely smiled faintly without confirming.
The white-clothed youth stood on the stage and offered a slight bow to Xu Chongjian, his voice clear and ringing: "Profound Moon Sect, Ji Baiyi. I have come to experience Fellow Daoist Xu's sword arts."
Late Foundation Establishment!
An uproar erupted instantly below the stage.
"Didn't they say only those below Late Foundation Establishment could challenge him?"
"Isn't this breaking the rules?"
Ye Fan frowned, and just as he was about to speak, Xu Chongjian beat him to it.
"Elder Ye, Chongjian is willing to accept Fellow Daoist Ji's challenge!"
Ye Fan glanced at Xu Deyue, who gave a slight nod.
"Let it be up to you then," Ye Fan sighed.
"Thank you, Elder Ye."
Ji Baiyi looked at Xu Chongjian and asked, "Why has Fellow Daoist Xu made an exception for me?"
"I can sense a powerful sword intent emanating from you. My intuition tells me you are an opponent worth going all out for!"
A slight smile curled the corner of Ji Baiyi's lips as he spoke again, "I was ordered by my master to witness Fellow Daoist Xu's Sword Dao.
Please, do not hold back."
"The same to you!"
A flash of admiration crossed Ji Baiyi's eyes, and a longsword materialized in his hand out of thin air.
The blade of the sword was like water—clear and transparent—with a cold gleam swirling faintly at the tip.
"This sword is named 'Frost'. Be careful, Fellow Daoist Xu."
Xu Chongjian put away his Qingfeng sword and drew another blade. "This sword is named 'Startling Swan'!"
The two locked eyes for a moment before attacking almost simultaneously.
Ji Baiyi's sword arts were completely unlike anyone from before.
His sword was incredibly slow.
So slow that the crowd below could clearly trace the trajectory of every strike, so slow that it felt as if time itself had frozen.
Yet within that slowness lay an indescribable conceptual intent.
It was precisely Sword Dao True Intent!
Xu Chongjian held nothing back either, fully merging every ounce of his comprehension of Sword Dao True Intent into his sword moves.
The roar of a dragon seemed to echo through the void.
Clang!
As the twin swords clashed, Xu Chongjian felt an overwhelmingly immense force travel up the blade.
The next instant, berserk sword qi ran rampant around the two of them.
Xu Chongjian was forced three steps back, the webbing between his thumb and index finger going numb.
'Seemingly slow, yet practically fast; seemingly soft, yet practically hard!'
Although he could discern Ji Baiyi's sword intent, in his current eyes, the opponent's sword appeared nearly flawless, offering no openings to exploit.
Ji Baiyi's assault did not stop; one strike followed another. Each strike was astonishingly slow, yet each strike left Xu Chongjian barely able to parry.
Three strikes.
Five strikes.
Seven strikes.
When the nineteenth strike thrust forward, Xu Chongjian was sent flying by a stream of sword light as clear and piercing as cold water.
Xu Chongjian did not suffer any serious injuries. He stood up with his sword in hand, gazing at Ji Baiyi.
In terms of comprehension of the Sword Dao, they were evenly matched.
But the opponent's mastery over his sword arts was above his own.
As for magical artifacts.
His sealed 'Startling Swan' was considerably inferior to the other's 'Frost' in sheer power.
'To defeat him, I would have to unseal Startling Swan, but relying on external force offers no benefit to my own Sword Dao.'
After all, this was not a life-and-death battle, but rather a process of his sword questioning, meant to increase his own experience and comprehension of the Sword Dao.
A moment later.
Xu Chongjian cupped his fists and said, "Fellow Daoist Ji, I have lost."
Ji Baiyi was slightly stunned. "The victor has yet to be decided. It is far too early for Fellow Daoist Xu to admit defeat."
"A miss by a hair's breadth is a miss by a thousand li. If this were a life-and-death struggle, I would certainly go all out.
But as it stands right now, I am indeed inferior to you."
"Very well. I have witnessed Fellow Daoist Xu's Sword Dao, and it is enough for me to report back to my master.
I hope that next time, we can battle while at the same cultivation realm!"
"Definitely," Xu Chongjian replied, cupping his fists.
Ji Baiyi subsequently departed.
The crowd was left with a lingering sense of unfulfilled desire.
With the level of Sword Dao mastery the two had just displayed, even ordinary Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivators wouldn't dare claim they could beat either of them.
"I am at Late Foundation Establishment, and I'd also like to test Fellow Daoist Xu's strength."
A middle-aged man in red robes from the crowd ascended the stage.
Xu Chongjian looked at him. "Since that is the case, for the remaining time, any sword cultivator below Foundation Establishment Perfection may challenge me."
Many people were immediately tempted.
"If we win, can we still get the ten thousand Spirit Stones?"
"Naturally."
The red-robed middle-aged man instantly went all out.
Xu Chongjian didn't hold back this time either, utilizing Sword Dao True Intent, the "Startling Swan" sword, and all manner of sword techniques.
However, the red-robed middle-aged man had overestimated himself, thinking he could win through superior mana reserves alone.
But every one of Xu Chongjian's strikes matched the attack power of a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator, and his peerlessly sharp sword intent proved unstoppable.
In mere dozens of breaths.
The red-robed middle-aged man was sent flying off the arena, his face slightly pale.
Some refused to believe it.
Yet, several consecutive challengers fell at Xu Chongjian's hands.
Late Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Profound Moon Sect, Cloud Mist Sect, Sun Family, and other factions big and small all took their turns.
Some of the true geniuses managed to exchange blows with the sharply-honed Xu Chongjian for more than fifteen minutes.
But the vast majority couldn't even last the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Ye Fan announced loudly, "The seven days are almost over. Is there any other Fellow Daoist who wishes to step up and try?"
Not a crow or sparrow could be heard below the stage.
For a long time, no one answered.
The sun gradually dipped toward the west.
Xu Chongjian stood upon the stage. His gaze swept over the dense, silent crowd below as he cupped his fists. "For these seven days of questioning the sword, I have been honored to receive your guidance.
I have benefited immensely. Thank you."
He offered a deep bow.
And then stepped down from the arena.
Ye Fan turned to Jian Tang and said, "Many thanks to Elder Jian. Were you not present, this sword questioning by our Xu family's junior might not have gone so smoothly."
"Fellow Daoist Ye is too polite. These were all the Sect Master's orders. I wouldn't dare claim any credit.
However..."
He cast a glance toward Xu Chongjian. "This junior of your Xu family possesses truly incredible talent.
Even if placed in my Profound Moon Sect, he would undoubtedly be a prime candidate worthy of our full resources and training."
Ye Fan smiled faintly.
"Elder Jian, then I shall take my leave first."
"As you wish."
Ye Fan and Xu Deyue did not linger. They departed Profound Moon City with Xu Chongjian, Xu Chongfei, and Chen Yulian in tow.