Chapter 1196 - 1193: Clash of Geniuses (Part 1)

After Lin Hongyi’s battle, there were a few more challenges, all taking place on the ninth level. The duels were exciting, but compared to Luo Feng and Leng Feifan’s fight, they seemed to lack a certain flair.

Swish!

Suddenly, another figure stepped onto the Ascending Dragon Platform; it was He Qin.

Her cold gaze directed at the tenth level, He Qin spoke, "I challenge Zhu Xiaotian."

"It has finally begun!"

"At this point, there shouldn’t be too much change in the rankings of the ninth level. The subsequent matches will be pinnacle duels for the top ten new dragons."

As soon as He Qin’s words fell, a wave of noise erupted from the stands. This was the first battle challenging the top ten new dragons, worthy of anticipation.

Zhu Xiaotian is a disciple of Yuangang Hall, ranking ninth among the top ten new dragons. Tall and carrying a broad black giant blade on his back, the blade has no edge, resembling a ruler or a knife, and looks extremely heavy.

"The fearsome aspect of your Ice and Snow Sword Intent is that it freezes a martial artist’s Yuan Qi. Unfortunately, I used to be a Refining Body Realm martial artist, then later switched to saber techniques. I’ve long since achieved Small Success in the Tempering Body stage; your Ice and Snow Sword Intent can’t affect me at all. This challenge, you’ve already lost."

Zhu Xiaotian laughed heartily, arms crossed, as he evaluated He Qin.

Hum!

He Qin said nothing, directly drawing her treasured sword. As the sword’s light flickered, the cold air scattered, leaving snowflakes in the surrounding air, "Make your move."

Luo Feng smiled slightly, he immediately saw through Zhu Xiaotian’s bluff—his Refining Body Realm was far from Small Success, clearly trying to bluff and gain an advantage.

This tactic was good, but unfortunately, he chose the wrong target.

So far, He Qin was the most pure swordsman Luo Feng had seen. In her eyes, heart, there was only the sword in her hand. To be a high-level swordsman, you must first refine your spirit to purity. He Qin, dedicated wholeheartedly to swordsmanship, was undoubtedly a paragon. Trying to affect her mind with a few words was impossible.

Zhu Xiaotian also noticed this, and his smile gradually dissipated. He took down the Edge-less Giant Blade from his back.

Boom!

With just a casual swing, the air in front of Zhu Xiaotian emitted a terrifying explosive sound, causing hearts to palpitate.

"Take this—a Pine Wave Moon Shatter!"

His eyes bursting with intense fighting spirit, Zhu Xiaotian stomped the ground, his figure flashing across dozens of meters, instantly appearing above He Qin. Holding the knife handle with both hands, he slashed down.

Boom boom boom boom...

The seemingly simple move carried a formidable, unmatched momentum, as if reversing rivers and oceans, pressuring the air into a series of explosive sounds.

A glint flashed in He Qin’s pupils, cold and chilling, as she raised her sword horizontally and thrust it forward.

Clang!

The sword tip accurately struck the giant blade, only three inches from the knife’s handle, the weak point of Zhu Xiaotian’s attack. He was immediately shaken, unsteady, nearly losing his grip on the Edge-less Giant Blade.

He Qin also found it difficult to bear; Zhu Xiaotian’s saber technique was so powerful that even targeting its weak point, the immense force transmitted through the sword forced her back several steps.

"Azure Cloud Sky Limitless!"

As her feet touched the ground, He Qin used the momentum to turn, her snow-white dress flaring in the wind, her figure soaring out, her sword trailing chaotic snowstorm, chasing Zhu Xiaotian.

"So fast!"

Zhu Xiaotian’s pupils contracted, surprised at heart. Although caught by the weak point earlier, his cultivation was slightly more advanced. The two were evenly matched, neither gaining an advantage. Yet, he didn’t expect her swordsmanship to be so profound, her moves so fluid, turning the tide in an instant.

Daring not to delay, Zhu Xiaotian channeled Yuan Qi into the Edge-less Giant Blade, which became enveloped in a layer of silvery light.

"Moonfall Storm Slash!"

With a loud roar, Zhu Xiaotian’s body sank, the Edge-less Giant Blade slashing downwards, creating a massive silver crescent moon in the void, crashing to the ground with a thunderous sound, the qi force spreading into terrifying gales, as if a real moon had fallen. The disastrous momentum left many Golden Palace disciples breathless.

Luo Feng’s heart also stirred; the top ten new dragons were indeed the top ten new dragons. Even if they shared the same peak Spiritual Rotation Realm, their battle ability was incomparable to regular new dragon rankers.

He Qin’s earlier sword was exquisitely refined; an ordinary person would have already been defeated. That Zhu Xiaotian remained calm and counterattacked is noteworthy.

"Flying Snow Unending!"

Seeing the approaching storm, He Qin remained unflustered. Her sword technique changed; she lightly touched the ground, her figure weaving with sword light through the storm, each pause strengthening her sword momentum, ultimately transforming into a massive wind and snow sword light, laden with boundless sharpness and chill, attacking Zhu Xiaotian once more.

"Impressive swordsmanship!"

Zhu Xiaotian couldn’t help but praise. He had faced countless swordsmen; He Qin’s cultivation wasn’t the strongest, but her swordsmanship was undoubtedly the most exquisite.

"Slash!"

Having no avoidance left, Zhu Xiaotian could only engage directly, exerting all his Yuan Qi, a heavy blade light meeting the sword qi.

Boom!

The wind and snow exploded, enveloping the platform in large snowflakes, revealing two intertwining figures and sparks flying everywhere.

Ice and fire intertwined, creating an inexplicable strangeness.

He Qin seized the initiative, her sword moves imaginative and seamless, one following another, giving Zhu Xiaotian no chance to breathe. Zhu Xiaotian could only defend desperately, seeking a chance to counterattack.

Fifty moves!

A hundred moves!

Two hundred moves!

Clang!

After nearly three hundred encounters, He Qin’s sword shook Zhu Xiaotian away, her figure gracefully retreating, sheathing her sword, emotionless, she said:

"Do you want to continue?"

Zhu Xiaotian was startled and said, "We haven’t determined a winner! Why not continue?"

He Qin remained silent, her cold gaze fixed on Zhu Xiaotian’s arms.

Zhu Xiaotian looked down and saw that after such a long fight, both the Edge-less Giant Blade and his body were covered in a layer of frost. As the ice and snow gradually melted, a tingling sensation spread through his arms.

Frowning slightly, Zhu Xiaotian exerted Yuan Qi, shattering the frost on his body.

Chiii chiii chiii chiii...

Immediately, blood spurted from his arms like fountains. Unbeknownst to him, there were over a dozen sword marks on his arms!

A brief reflection revealed the truth to Zhu Xiaotian. He was actually injured long ago, just his senses dulled by the Ice and Snow Sword Intent.

With a wry smile, Zhu Xiaotian cupped his hands and said, "Impressive! I admit defeat wholeheartedly."

"What a spectacular fight."

"He Qin defeating Zhu Xiaotian basically secures her position among the top ten new dragons. Her talent is not just in comprehending sword intent; her mastery of swordsmanship is profoundly unfathomable."

"Hmm, watching her perform swordsmanship is a pleasure. She’ll undoubtedly become a peerless swordsman in the future."

Long after He Qin’s duel with Zhu Xiaotian ended, many were still immersed in the intensity of the recent match.

He Qin is the second newcomer to ascend to the top ten new dragons after Luo Feng. With her ethereal swordsmanship, her popularity soared instantly.

Swish!

No sooner did He Qin and Zhu Xiaotian leave the Ascending Dragon Platform than Lin Hongyi leaped up.