Chapter 318 - 302: Zhaang Ye’s Guidance

"Hm?"

"Eh?"

"Er..."

Seeing Zhaang Ye forcefully cleave their auras apart, the young masters were all stunned. Chu Yuxiang and Fu Songcheng were especially shocked, scarcely able to believe their eyes.

Chu Yuxiang and Fu Songcheng were both standouts among the Younger Generation. The auras they unleashed were as turbulent and surging as ocean waves, possessing the power to topple mountains and overturn seas. Yet now, with both their auras pressing down on him simultaneously, they couldn’t do a thing to the little-known Zhaang Ye. This left the two of them feeling utterly indignant.

"Hah—"

Chu Yuxiang and Fu Songcheng let out a soft cry in unison, and their auras surged forth as if they were tangible. Wei Jingtian and Xuli Long, who were also at the Martial Arts Ninth Layer of Cultivation, were caught in the aftershocks of the aura and immediately found it difficult to breathe. But Zhaang Ye, standing at the center of it all, didn’t move an inch. His figure was like a pillar in a raging river; no storm or wave could touch him.

"Sword Intent! That’s the Sword Intent of an Ancient Great Power!"

"What terrifying Sword Intent! This kid has integrated Ancient Sword Intent into his aura. No wonder even Chu Yuxiang and Fu Songcheng together can’t do anything to him!"

"A youth who has comprehended Ancient Sword Intent has actually appeared. Heh heh, this warm-up match just got interesting! I wonder if he can compete with Chu Yuxiang?"

"That’s impossible. His Ancient Sword Intent is formidable, but Chu Yuxiang is a great master at the Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer; his Cultivation far surpasses this kid’s. Besides, Chu Yuxiang’s specialty is the bow and arrow. No matter how powerful his Ancient Sword Intent is, it can’t attack Chu Yuxiang from a distance."

At the judges’ platform, several of the judges, in their astonishment, quickly discerned the origin of the Sword Intent on Zhaang Ye. Seeing that Zhaang Ye had actually comprehended an Ancient Sword Intent, the judges, all at the Peak of Martial Arts Ninth Layer of Cultivation, were visibly moved and began to take Zhaang Ye seriously for the first time.

Ancient Sword Intent was exceptionally tyrannical. Even if one obtained a weapon left behind by an Ancient Great Power, various conditions still had to be met to comprehend the Sword Intent within. Zhaang Ye was not yet thirty, yet not only had his Cultivation reached the Martial Arts Ninth Layer, but he had also faintly grasped a trace of Ancient Sword Intent. This left the judges astounded.

「In the tournament arena.」

The twenty or thirty young masters from the Six Eastern Countries now all had their eyes fixed on Zhaang Ye. The allure of his Ancient Sword Intent was simply too great for these youths. Some of the more belligerent ones had a strange light in their eyes as they stared intently at Zhaang Ye, wishing they could fight him on the spot.

At this moment, Chu Yuxiang and Fu Songcheng sensed the terrifying Sword Intent emanating from Zhaang Ye and knew they couldn’t overwhelm him with their auras alone. They simultaneously retracted their auras. Chu Yuxiang gave Zhaang Ye a deep look and said, "I am Chu Yuxiang of the Great Rong Kingdom. Might I ask for your name, brother?"

Zhaang Ye smiled faintly and replied, "Zhaang Ye, eighth disciple under the Fourth Hall Master of the Wei Kingdom True Hall."

"Zhaang Ye..." Chu Yuxiang repeated the name. "I’ll remember you. We will have a battle soon enough."

Chu Yuxiang’s Cultivation had reached the Late-stage Martial Arts Ninth Layer, making him the number one expert of the Younger Generation in the Six Eastern Countries; his status was extraordinary. An ordinary young master, upon hearing Chu Yuxiang’s challenge, would have likely lost their composure. But Zhaang Ye’s heart was as solid as iron, and he paid the challenge no mind. He gave a faint smile and said, "Alright!"

After this brief display, the young masters of the six countries returned to their respective positions. At that moment, a judge suddenly appeared on the tournament stage and slowly announced, "Since the contestants from both sides have arrived, the newcomer warm-up match will now begin. The competition is divided into two parts. The first part is matched battles by drawing lots. The thirty young masters from the six countries will draw lots to determine their opponents. Winners will receive three points and advance to the next round of challenges, while losers will be directly eliminated. The second part is a free-for-all challenge period, where you may call out and challenge anyone. Winners will also receive three points. After the competition ends, the country with the highest total points will be allowed to cultivate for one day in the Great Rong Kingdom’s Spiritual Spring."

The rules for the Six Eastern Countries’ newcomer warm-up match were simple. The judge only spoke a few sentences before promptly starting the drawing of lots. After the lots were drawn, the various young masters handed their lots to the judge, who recorded them all before announcing the pairings.

The judge quickly finished the registration and announced, "First match: Xuli Long of the Wei Kingdom versus Liao Zhichen of the Great Chang Kingdom!"

"HAHAHAHA!" As the judge’s words fell, a tall young man in red robes suddenly appeared on the stage and shouted, "Which one of you is Xuli Long? Get up here for me, Liao Zhichen! Today, I will cut you down on this very stage with my Flaming Blade!"

Hearing how arrogant this Liao Zhichen was, Zhaang Ye’s brows furrowed slightly. He looked over at Xuli Long, only to see his face flush then pale, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Zhaang Ye said in a low voice, "What’s wrong? Are you afraid of this Liao Zhichen?"

At this, Wei Jingtian gave a wry smile and explained, "This Liao Zhichen is the second-strongest expert of the younger generation in the Great Chang Kingdom. His Cultivation is just a hair’s breadth away from the Martial Arts Ninth Level Middle Stage, and his combat strength is second only to Yann Wutian’s. Great Chang is near the Ten Thousand Volcanoes, and he has spent years cultivating there, developing an extremely fierce Combat Skill called the Flaming Blade. When he unleashes this Flaming Blade, the area within dozens of yards becomes like a volcanic eruption, capable of even igniting one’s skin. Although Xuli Long has cultivated his Dragon and Tiger Celestial Hand to the Great Success Realm, I’m afraid there’s still a considerable gap between him and this man..."