Chapter 241: Integration Realm Before Battle
The crucial third round determined the spots for entering the Xianxian Holy Land, causing everyone's nerves to be taut.
This feeling was as if one step forward led to a vast, clear sky, and one step backward meant all efforts were in vain.
Because if one did not enter the Xianxian Holy Land, all efforts here would turn into dust.
In the early morning, within the Lingxi Dojo, where the morning light scattered.
Although there was still a hint of summer heat in the wind, which carried a subtle sense of desolation, the dryness had become imperceptible, replaced by a cool autumn chill, perfectly matching the fair weather.
The Seven Great Immortal Sects and ancient Worldly Sect had all gathered here, including twenty-four Tong Xuan Realm cultivators, sitting upright and attentive, as Saber Qi crisscrossed and heavenly light flashed on the stage.
Zheng Lei was indeed a soft target; in terms of strength, entering the third round was truly a close call.
In other words, his Luck accounted for a significant portion.
The person challenging him was Ba Yang, who had broken through his Realm just before the competition, and his Saber Qi was overwhelming from the start.
The second contestant, Wei Bo, was better than Zheng Lei; his own strength was not weak. The reason he was challenged was because the inherited family techniques he relied on prioritized defense and lacked killing power.
In such a battle, if the opponent did not strike ruthlessly, there would be many more opportunities.
After all, defense alone could not secure victory.
Everyone who had watched Wei Bo knew that from the group stage to the third round, whenever he encountered a strong opponent, Wei Bo's strategy was to slowly deplete the opponent's Spiritual Qi using his family's inherited Heavenly Light Guidance.
His opponent was Li Yunlang, who had been a focus of attention before.
However, unlike Zheng Lei's straightforward match, this one finally saw a change, as Wei Bo switched his techniques, and his intense Killing Intent was striking.
This person had been holding back earlier.
Nevertheless, Li Yunlang's Qi also surged, and his Aura suddenly became rigid, exerting an even stronger pressure on Wei Bo.
Upon seeing this scene, some people's expressions became much more solemn, such as the Master's Courtyard members of Tianshu Academy, as well as Cao Jinsong, Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi, along with Kuang Cheng and Wei Rui.
They were not concerned about Wei Bo, nor Li Yunlang; it was the fact that both of them had been holding back that stirred their hearts.
The battle between Wei Bo and Li Yunlang concluded before noon, with Li Yunlang ultimately emerging victorious.
After half an hour of rest and recuperation, everyone's gaze began to focus on the north and south sides. In fact, even before the first two matches, eyes had constantly shifted between these two directions, because everyone knew that the upcoming battle was the true reason for their presence today.
Before long, the Young Master from the south, dressed in luxurious brocade robes and a black gauze cloak, walked to the stage carrying a heavy sword.
From the north, a figure in white robes with a sword gracefully arrived, stopping in the waiting area.
At this sight, everyone involuntarily held their breath.
Yesterday, Ji You had faced Chen Ruiyang, and by engaging him head-on, he had caused Chen Ruiyang to suffer a backlash from his own Ten-Stage Slash, sparking widespread discussion in the arena.
A self-cultivator from the countryside with no background, reaching this point step by step, actually made those pampered Worldly Family Disciples, born into Legacy, feel as if they had lost Face.
The Tiandao Conference had a significant impact, and many Worldly Sect with daughters, besides spectating, also harbored thoughts of finding husbands for their daughters here.
However, since yesterday, the phenomenon of boasting about one's Worldly Family background had noticeably decreased.
Because after Ji You defeated Chen Ruiyang, the more one boasted about their background, the more useless they appeared.
But even at this moment, no one could understand why he had chosen Yan Hao; it made no sense.
Others were also present when Ji You went to the Immortal Supervision Office yesterday. They all knew Ji You went very early, and at that time, Wei Bo had not yet been chosen.
If those two had dueled, many people believed Ji You had a very high chance of winning, and entering the Xianxian Holy Land would be a certainty. Who knew he would make such a decision?
“After the duel begins, you must be careful that Yan Hao might be holding back.”
“You saw Wei Bo and Li Yunlang just now; they were like different people compared to their previous battles, and Yan Hao will naturally be the same.”
“I observed his Qi just now and only saw a hazy blur; he must be hiding something.”
The three Masters from the Master's Courtyard came together to the waiting area and repeatedly cautioned him.
Ji You nodded: “I will be careful.”
“Actually, you should have chosen Wei Bo. You saw it just now; facing him, the risk would be almost negligible.
?”
“The choice has been made; thinking about it now is meaningless.”
The three Masters also knew this was true, and as they spoke, they couldn't help but look towards the southwest.
There stood a group of white-haired old men, dressed in Tianshu Academy's immortal robes, their Faces grim, subtly tinged with anger,
These were the Elders who had come to the Tiandao Conference to discuss the Dao this time.
Yesterday, when the news of Ji You challenging Yan Hao spread, these Elders, who usually paid little attention to Disciple duels, suddenly went to Ji You and asked him to withdraw from the battle.
It wasn't because they didn't want Ji You to lose, but because they didn't want their own Dao discussions to fail.
For hundreds of years, the Tiandao Conference had been like this: Disciple battles had a very direct impact on the Dao discussions.
After all, if you're up there lecturing, debating the Heavenly Dao with your opponent, passionate and eloquent, spitting everywhere, but your Disciples either lose or win by foul means, then even if your Dao is incredibly brilliant, it simply cannot stand.
In recent days, Wang Gaocen and Gu Zetao had lost first, and Xiao Hanyan had won a narrow victory by secretly using a Magical Artifact, which had already begun to affect their Dao discussions.
They were already anxious, and later, when they heard that Ji You had crippled Chen Ruiyang with eight swords, they relaxed a little. Who knew Ji You would choose the riskiest opponent in the arena competition?
They were unwilling to see such a risk, so they naturally had to intervene.
As a result, Ji You completely ignored them, merely scoffing twice.
The Elder Council was instantly enraged, and then, in a fit of anger, they became angry.
Because they suddenly realized that they had nothing to threaten Ji You with, whether it was Medicinal Pills, Spirit Stones, or techniques, they had none.
Ji You now stepped onto the stage with his sword, standing on the circular platform, while Yan Hao, draped in a gauze cloak, also walked onto the platform and looked him up and down.
“You could have entered the top ten, but your choice was truly poor. I'm curious, Tianshu Academy's people actually allowed you to choose me, or perhaps you chose me without informing them.”
“Otherwise, I don't think anyone would willingly Face me in this round.”
“Victory sometimes clouds the mind, which is why cultivation emphasizes a clear Dao Heart. Your cultivation is still a bit lacking.”
Someone daring to choose him on the first day of the challenge matches truly surprised Yan Hao, making him think someone had gone mad.
Later, someone told him about this person's sword-slaying of Chen Ruiyang, making him realize that this Tianshu Academy Disciple was no ordinary person. He seemed to follow the path of heavy swords, but for Yan Hao, this was useless.
As Yan Hao spoke, he extended his hand and slowly removed the gauze cloak draped over his shoulders. As the cloak fell to the ground, his Aura gradually began to emanate.
The next instant, the scene erupted in an uproar, and many people involuntarily rose from their seats, their eyes fixed on Yan Hao, sensing something unusual in his Aura.
“He—he has Integrated Dao?”
“Yan Hao has Integrated Dao!”
“No wonder, no wonder in the previous battles, I always felt he was hiding something; in reality, he was concealing the Aura of breaking through his Realm!”
Yan Hao now looked at Ji You, a hint of arrogance flashing in his eyes.
His goal from the beginning was not merely the top ten; he wanted to take first place, he wanted to enter the deepest part of the Xianxian Holy Land to seek the Legacy of the ancestors. This matter was very important to their Tianjian Peak.
So, before coming here, he had already prepared to break through his Realm during the competition.
In his opinion, the third round didn't really require a breakthrough, but three of the thirty qualifiers had already broken through first,
which made him slightly worried.
But this was also good; after hiding for so long, Yan Hao suddenly felt a sense of complete liberation, his Qi constantly surging, gradually filling the enclosed barrier.
Upon seeing this, the Faces of the Tianshu Academy members changed dramatically.
They knew Yan Hao had a hidden trump card, but they didn't know he had such a big one.
Even Cao Jinsong, who usually had blind faith in his unruly Disciple, couldn't help but frown at this moment.
And the most intense reaction came from the Elders of the Master's Courtyard; they were already grumbling about Ji You's disobedience, and now seeing that Yan Hao was already in the early Integration Realm Realm, they felt a sense of relief mixed with their indignation.
“Acting so stubbornly and arrogantly, I fear our Tianshu Academy will suffer another loss.”
Elder Xiao finished speaking, unable to resist cursing a few more times, but was suddenly enveloped by a chill, his scalp tightening, and he immediately widened his eyes, turning to look at the small building not far away.
And from where the chill came, Yan Shuyi was looking at an old man beside her, with a faint smile: “Seventh Uncle, how has your health been lately?”
“Thank you, Master Jian, for your concern. This old man’s health is still good.”
“Seventh Uncle also knows that I have never entered the Xianxian Holy Land, so I am always curious. Besides accelerating cultivation, what else exists in this Holy Land? Can Seventh Uncle enlighten your niece?”
“The Holy Land contains infinite mysteries. Besides being able to personally listen to the Heavenly Dao, leading to rapid advancement in cultivation, it is said there is also a Legacy that shares the same origin as a Sacred Artifact, connected to the Heavenly Dao itself. However, after so many years, no one has ever found it.”
“Same origin as a Sacred Artifact, so that’s how it is—”
Yan Shuyi looked at Yan Hao in the arena, her gaze slightly cold.
Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu's gazes were originally on Ji You, their Faces filled with worry, as it was they who had influenced Ji You to choose Yan Hao here. It wasn't until they heard this conversation that their mouths slightly parted, and they turned to look at Yan Hao.
In truth, breaking through a Realm right before a competition, while not against the rules, is often looked down upon. For someone of Yan Hao's character and strength, breaking through so early in the third round wasn't entirely necessary.
Moreover, his breakthrough was very well hidden; even those close to him weren't fully aware until his Aura accidentally leaked out yesterday.
This means he has been more composed than his personality suggests, indicating that his ambitions are not limited to this, or perhaps Tianjian Peak's ambitions are not limited to this.
Their hearts sank, and they looked towards their Master Jian.
For the past decade or so, Tianjian Peak has been trying every possible method to find a way for the spirit mirror to choose a new Master. Thinking of this, the two suddenly pulled themselves out of their previous worry and fell into an even greater one, their lips even turning a bit pale.
Only Ji You, after seeing the Aura Yan Hao displayed, lowered his head to glance at the gauze robe, unable to take his eyes off the orange-yellow embedded within it.
Another good item that a poor person has never seen before—
"Is that made of gold?"
"??"
Just then, the gong on the platform suddenly rang out.
A fierce Aura immediately roared forth from the circular platform, and a powerful sword hum echoed throughout the venue. Even though the Killing Intent was blocked by the closed barrier, its oppressive feeling spread in all directions, instantly causing a sense of dread.
Ba Yang, with no Worldly Family Legacy or deep background, was able to push through to this point simply by crossing an additional Realm.
Then, for a Xian Zong Bloodline like Yan Hao, who comes from the noblest background, is full of Legacy, and has now crossed the threshold of the Rongdao Realm, the terrifying nature of his Battle Intent is naturally imaginable.
Boom!
The sword's roar was like an angry thunderclap, its sound waves making everyone's eardrums ache.
Amidst the powerful clang, Yan Hao, gripping a heavy Profound Iron Black Sword, brought it down with a cold gaze, the sword body trailing a dark Qi, like a collapsing mountain.
Seeing this, everyone held their breath.
Many had watched Ji You's previous battle and seen Chen Ruiyang, who started with a ten-stage Saber Qi, directly cut through all the Qi he himself had stirred up. Now, Yan Hao, with an even more overbearing method, shattered all the surrounding Qi with just his powerful Sword Qi, his soaring Sword Intent causing the entire barrier to tremble continuously.
Sword Intent is something formed by the Sword Dao itself in resonance with Heaven and Earth. It is said that before an irresistible Sword Intent, some people cannot even draw their swords.
They passively imagined themselves as Ji You under this black sword, seemingly already feeling the intense pain of a giant mountain crashing down and crushing their spine, causing a chill to instantly run up their spine.
Especially Ba Yang, his Face couldn't help but turn pale.
Though he had also broken through to the same Realm before the competition, he now felt a very distinct gap.
This battle should end quickly, because this one sword is very difficult to block!
Amidst the wind and waves, Yan Hao's eyes were cold as he brought his sword down with immense force.
Clang!
Just as everyone was judging whether Ji You could block this opening sword, a piercing clang of metal tore through the stagnant air like ripping silk, making everyone's temples throb.
But to their surprise, that heavy sword, which was supposed to crush everything, did not cleave down without resistance as imagined, but was directly pressed in mid-air amidst a burst of sparks.
It wasn't a matter of blocking or not blocking.
At that moment, Ji You held his sword horizontally amidst the wind and waves. The three-foot green sword in his hand made the Profound Iron Heavy Sword tremble continuously, but it couldn't advance an inch, leaving everyone stunned for a moment.
Ji You's physique was slender, like a scholar, appearing somewhat delicate, but once he moved, his entire Aura changed dramatically. The original elegance completely faded, replaced by the chilling pressure of a dormant Vicious Beast about to devour its prey.
At this moment, a scorching Aura burst forth from his entire body, surging and powerful, like the raging flames of an overturned furnace, spreading intensely in all directions.
On the west side of the high platform, Chen Ruiyang, with his arms tightly bound by bandages, frowned, his Divine Thought trembling.
Ji You's strength in yesterday's fight had far exceeded his imagination, and the strength he displayed today was even more unfamiliar than the day before.
At this moment, Yan Hao's pupils constricted, his heart trembling as the heat wave rushed towards him.
For a Sword Cultivator, the sword is part of their body. Although it's not bare-handed combat, there is still a tactile sensation when two blades clash.
The feeling his sword gave back just now made him feel as if he had struck something unmovable. Just then, Ji You loosened his grip on the sword and flipped his wrist. The Dao sword that had just clashed with him soared into the air, and as he waved his hand,
Another sword appeared in his right hand, rising with his arm.
Veins bulged like ancient vines under his skin, and as his arm gathered strength, his muscles tensed like a drawn bowstring. The Aura surrounding him grew even more scorching, and then the Dao sword before him crashed down.
Buzz!
The intense Sword Qi seemed to cut through the air, causing a stinging sensation on the skin, and ripples continuously appeared in the air wherever the sword edge passed.
Yan Hao's scalp tightened. He was all too familiar with the ripples cut by that sword edge, because his strongest sword could also make the air momentarily stagnant.
With a clang, the three-foot green blade before him fell savagely, and a heavy surge of Qi instantly filled his arms.
The crushing Qi surged forward, forcing Yan Hao back three zhang, and the heavy sword in his hand made his tiger's mouth ache.
Indeed, after the Immortal Sect descendants cross the Integration Realm threshold, there is still a significant difference from others.
Ji You murmured after dropping his sword, his Battle Intent growing even stronger.
His goal from the beginning was to make Yan Hao lose badly. He held nothing back from the start, unleashing all the power of his Physical Body. The only thing he didn't use was the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao.
After all, defeating Yan Hao with the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao would only show that he himself was strong, not that Yan Hao was weak.
But even so, this was not something that could be easily resisted.
Because according to his theory, the pure Physical Body strength he gained after Body Refining reached the Integration Realm Rank.
As he pondered, a sudden roar erupted. Yan Hao unleashed his full Qi, Spiritual Qi surging out from his entire body, and at the same time, he raised his sword. The Sword Dao of Si Xuan Mountain cleaved through wind and waves.
With a crash.
The Profound Iron Heavy Sword was struck back again, and Yan Hao directly drew a thin sword from within the sword body.
As Sword Qi soared, a sharp sword hum, like a cold flash, exploded and rapidly struck Ji You.
Ji You sidestepped and retreated at this moment, while simultaneously drawing his sword down and slashing horizontally.
Amidst the flashing blades and shadows, the audience was silent, only seeing the powerful iron swords clashing continuously, with only one thought in their minds.
Who exactly is in the Tong Xuan Realm, and who is in the Rongdao Realm?
They didn't know why they couldn't understand, why they couldn't judge. Cao Jinsong also felt a surge of fear at this moment, looking at the figure on the arena. After a few deep breaths, he couldn't help but inwardly curse, "My wicked Disciple."
He knew that Ji You, who practiced Body Refining, might have the strength to fight against someone in the Integration Realm Realm, but that was based on Ji You using the Spiritual Sword Mountain Sword Dao, not relying purely on Qi to slash.
Only now did he realize that this wicked Disciple had never used his full strength before.
What kind of monster did he bring out from Yuyang County because of a momentary softheartedness?
Just as the sword shadows flickered continuously, a different sword hum, like a clear silver bell, suddenly rang out, rapid and swift.
Seeing this, the Disciples of Lingjian Mountain couldn't help but feel a stir in their hearts.
Dao Sword: White Rainbow Illumination.
That's right, everyone thought Junior Brother (Senior Brother) Yan's heavy sword was a fatal Killing Intent, and that his thin sword was only to compensate for speed deficiencies, for use in emergencies.
But no one knew that his thin sword could be stronger, faster, and sharper.
With a clang, the clash of weapons in the arena suddenly paused for a moment.
Everyone focused their Divine Thought and saw Ji You stepping back amidst the wind and waves. A narrow sword mark was cut into his white robe, and his inner shirt seemed to be torn as well, revealing a smooth, jade-like chest.
"As expected of White Rainbow Illumination, it's a pity Ji You dodged too quickly. This sword didn't hit him, only his clothes!"
"No matter, as long as there's an opportunity, it will hit sooner or later."
"Look at Ji You's sword habits, he seems to take a step back every three swords, as if he forces himself to stand in the absolute center of the circular platform to feel comfortable!"
"Why would he do that?"
"It's his personality. I also need to align the lapels when I fold clothes to feel at ease, but what I'm talking about isn't the lapels, but Junior Brother Yan's opportunity. This step back is Junior Brother Yan's opportunity!"
In fact, the people of Lingjian Mountain had a good impression of Ji You, especially under the promotion of the masked storyteller. Many people felt that he was a Disciple nurtured by Lingjian Mountain outside.
But at the Tiandao Conference, the two represented two Immortal Sects, so they naturally supported Yan Hao more and hoped to see an opportunity to break the deadlock.
In their eyes, Yan Hao's Sword Dao cultivation was higher, and if they could see this opportunity, he naturally would too.
Just then, Ji You unleashed three fierce swords, making Yan Hao lose his former arrogance and instead fill his eyes with ferocity.
And he did indeed, as the Lingjian Mountain Disciples expected, look at Ji You's retreating movement.
But for some reason, he did not draw that thin sword again in the fleeting moment.
Whoosh!
Ji You's Spiritual Qi surged wildly as he rose into the sky, bringing down a sword imbued with immense power. With a thud, Yan Hao was struck, his Qi and blood churning uncontrollably, and his Aura began to become chaotic.