Chapter 157: The Sword Cleansing Pool Contention

Chapter 157: Chapter 157: The Sword Cleansing Pool Contention

A shrill scream, both illusory and real, echoed out. Everyone in the Washing Sword Sect shuddered in shock.

The crowd below the Stone Sword Stele opened their eyes in horror. They saw Yi Xiaoyao with his hand on the stele, his own face filled with astonishment, so no one suspected he was the cause of the scream.

"What was that sound?"

"It sounded like some enormous being exists deep underground!"

"Looks like the Washing Sword Sect is hiding a huge secret."

While the crowd was abuzz with discussion, Yi Xiaoyao pulled his hand back from the Stone Sword Stele.

A moment ago, the Evil Soul within the Stone Sword Stele had tried to surge into his body. But using the Soul-Devouring Forbidden Technique, he had devoured nearly a third of it. The soul had let out a final, wretched scream before rapidly fleeing back deep underground.

The soul was immense. Even though he had only devoured a third of it, to Yi Xiaoyao, it was a massive tonic.

This one-third portion of the soul not only fully replenished what he had consumed previously using the Soul Burning Forbidden Technique, but it also strengthened his own soul to an unprecedented level!

’What exactly is that Evil Soul?’

Yi Xiaoyao wondered, filled with a craving to devour the soul completely. If he could, he would be able to sustain his Soul Burning Forbidden Technique for an extremely long time.

Suddenly, a vast power bloomed within Yi Xiaoyao’s body. It was a surge of pure Cultivation Power he had absorbed while devouring the soul, giving him the feeling that he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

HUM!

A ripple of energy spread out as Yi Xiaoyao’s aura soared.

’A breakthrough! The Golden Core Fourth Realm!’

A strange smile touched Yi Xiaoyao’s lips. This only made him more eager to devour the rest of the fleeing soul. It could not only strengthen his soul but also raise his Cultivation.

The others nearby noticed the disturbance from Yi Xiaoyao’s direction and looked over in surprise.

"Not only did Yi Xiaoyao gain some insight into Sword Momentum, but his Cultivation also advanced a layer."

"The guy is a monster. So many of us have been meditating here for days without any gains, yet he’s the only one who has benefited so much."

"Now that Yi Xiaoyao has broken through, his strength must be even greater, right?"

Just as the crowd suspected, now that Yi Xiaoyao had broken through to the Golden Core Fourth Realm, his strength had naturally increased. He was now powerful enough to contend with someone at the Golden Core Ninth Realm. He might even be able to fight a powerhouse from the Hidden Dragon List without activating his Soul Burning Forbidden Technique.

After that bloodcurdling scream, no one continued trying to comprehend the Stone Sword Stele. The five days mentioned by the Washing Sword Sect had passed, and everyone began to wait for the Sword Cleansing Pool to open.

A few moments later, the refined man from the Washing Sword Sect appeared before the crowd.

He didn’t mention the recent scream. Instead, he addressed the crowd, "The Sword Cleansing Pool is about to open. Please, follow me."

The crowd followed the refined man to a spacious stone dais. It was immense, with Sword Cleansing Platforms arranged upon it like a tactical formation.

The Sword Cleansing Platforms varied in size, and each had a Sword Hole. There were eighty-one in total, arranged in nine concentric circles of nine. The closer a platform was to the center, the larger it was.

In the center of the eighty-one Sword Cleansing Platforms was a sunken stone pit. This had to be the Sword Cleansing Pool, though it was currently empty.

"They say these Sword Cleansing Platforms can improve a sword’s quality, that they can turn even a piece of scrap iron into a fine blade! I wonder if it’s true."

"That rumor is true. The Sword Cleansing Pool in the center is especially effective; it offers the greatest enhancement for a Spirit Sword. Shangguan Tianjian’s blade broke through to the Earth Tier thanks to this very pool."

"So many people came this time, but there are only eighty-one Sword Cleansing Platforms. A scramble for them is inevitable."

Everyone’s eyes gleamed as they gazed at the Sword Cleansing Platforms and the Sword Cleansing Pool, their discussions growing more animated.

However, most people were already planning to give up the fight. After all, among the many Sword Cultivators present, there were far too many powerful experts.

Sure enough, the Golden Core Powerhouses who were confident in their strength lit up at the sight of the Sword Cleansing Platforms and shot forward.

"Get lost! This Sword Cleansing Platform is mine!"

"This one’s mine! Anyone who tries to take it dies!"

"You? You dare to fight me for it? You must have a death wish!"

In an instant, fights erupted around every Sword Cleansing Platform.

Yet, no one dared touch the platforms in the innermost circle.

Those were the largest and best platforms, naturally reserved for the strongest experts in the crowd.

Everyone clearly understood that among those present, the few experts from the Hidden Dragon List were unquestionably the strongest.

Most people had already given up the fight. They stood at a distance, watching the fierce battles unfold around the platforms while discussing among themselves.

"Those people are too strong. If we tried to snatch one, it would be suicide."

"Exactly. Strength equals status. Look at those experts from the Hidden Dragon List—they can claim the best platforms without even lifting a finger."

"I am curious, though. Who do you think will claim the Sword Cleansing Pool in the very center? Which expert from the Hidden Dragon List?"

"Is there even a question? Of course, it’ll be Ye Qingqing, ranked twentieth on the Hidden Dragon List!"

Just as they spoke, Ye Qingqing began walking straight toward the Sword Cleansing Pool. She moved slowly, her calm expression tinged with arrogance, completely unconcerned that anyone would dare challenge her for the best spot.

Meanwhile, the other experts from the Hidden Dragon List each claimed one of the innermost Sword Cleansing Platforms. Seeing Ye Qingqing head for the Sword Cleansing Pool, they could only smile wryly.

They naturally wanted the Sword Cleansing Pool for themselves, but while confident, they were also self-aware. They knew they were no match for the beautiful woman ranked twentieth on the Hidden Dragon List.

Rank represents strength. The higher the rank, the greater the power.

Ye Qingqing’s rank was far above everyone else present; they all understood the massive gap in strength between them and her.

But just as Ye Qingqing was about to step into the Sword Cleansing Pool, a figure flashed past, claiming the universally acknowledged prime spot a step ahead of her. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Who is that? Who dares to fight Ye Qingqing for the Sword Cleansing Pool? Does he have a death wish?"

Everyone who saw this was stunned.

But a moment later, they got a clear look at the face of the person who had taken the Sword Cleansing Pool. It was a rather handsome face, and his expression was perfectly calm.

"Is that Yi Xiaoyao?"

"He’s going to fight Ye Qingqing for the Sword Cleansing Pool?"

"He’s ranked thirtieth, but isn’t the gap between him and Ye Qingqing still huge?"

"Now this is getting interesting."

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