Sun Yangming streaked across the sky on a ribbon of rainbow light before landing gracefully on the ground in front of Luo Yin.
He never would have imagined that such a magnificent heavenly spectacle had been conjured by Luo Yin of all people.
He and Luo Yin knew each other reasonably well.
Gazing at Sun Yangming, Luo Yin felt a flicker of surprise, followed by a helpless smile.
Of course!
With a phenomenon like that shaking the heavens, how could Sun Yangming possibly stay away?
Ling Qingxue watched from inside the house, a thread of worry tightening in her chest. What if he sensed the presence of others within?
That would spell trouble!
Fortunately, Sun Yangming had come solely for Luo Yin. He couldn’t have cared less about how many people were holed up in the house.
By then, Liu Qingchan had hurried over, her lovely face etched with shock. A hint of awe now colored the way she looked at Luo Yin.
“Senior Brother, you’re incredible! When did you even start practicing the sword?”
Luo Yin waved it off. “Just today.”
The onlookers’ mouths twitched in unison.
Keep bragging!
Today, my ass!
No one was buying it!
Luo Yin wasn’t lying, though. He truly had only picked up a sword today—and barely touched the Primordial Chaos Sword Embryo at that.
“Come on, Luo kid! Spar with me right now! I’ll suppress my cultivation and hold back my sword intent. Impress me, and I’ll take you as my sword apprentice—regardless of your realm!”
Sun Yangming could barely contain his excitement as he stared at Luo Yin.
“If Senior Brother Luo could really study the sword under Elder Sun, his future would be brighter than rotting away on Heavenly Secrets Peak, right?”
“Yeah! Senior Brother Luo’s cultivation hasn’t budged in years, but now he’s grasped the Sword Dao. He’s finally found his path!”
“Even if his cultivation stalls out in the Body Tempering Realm forever, with an Invincible Sword Heart and powerful sword intent, he could still stand toe-to-toe with Great Power Realm experts!”
“But even if Elder Sun holds back his cultivation and sword intent, can Senior Brother Luo really match him? Elder Sun’s been honing his sword for who knows how many years—he must be one with his blade by now!”
“Still, something feels off about what Elder Sun said… ‘Impress me’…”
“…”
The gathering crowd murmured their thoughts as they watched Luo Yin and Sun Yangming.
“Alright, then.”
Luo Yin met Sun Yangming’s eager gaze and nodded with a helpless shrug. He knew the man well: refuse, and he’d just attack until Luo Yin caved.
Even with his newfound grasp of Yellow Springs Sword Intent, Luo Yin stood no chance against a Saint Energy Realm powerhouse in a real fight. His physical body alone couldn’t withstand that level of destructive force.
But if Sun Yangming suppressed his cultivation? That changed things.
Sun Yangming’s face lit up at Luo Yin’s agreement.
Then came Luo Yin’s next words, leaving the elder momentarily stunned.
“Just suppress your cultivation a bit. But don’t hold back on the sword intent.”
Sun Yangming frowned. “What do you mean by that, Luo kid?”
Luo Yin shook his head with a grin. “Let’s go!”
He raised the Peach Flower Branch in his hand, pointing its tip straight at Sun Yangming.
A touch of displeasure crossed Sun Yangming’s face. “You’re planning to use that to spar with me?”
He had seen Luo Yin repel Liu Qingchan with the branch earlier, and it had impressed him.
But was he Liu Qingchan?
Hardly!
His mastery of the sword surpassed hers by leagues!
And yet Luo Yin thought he could face him with a mere flower branch?
What a joke!
“No proper sword handy, so this’ll have to do for now.”
Luo Yin shrugged.
Sun Yangming’s mouth twitched.
Is that your excuse?!
He shot Luo Yin a glance, then tossed one of the three swords cradled in his arms.
Luo Yin caught it and inspected the blade. An immortal-grade weapon—just handed over like that?
“Use this for our bout. Give it back when you’re done.”
Sun Yangming’s voice carried over, and Luo Yin realized the old man wasn’t quite so generous after all.
Still, he didn’t refuse.
With a sharp ring, the sword cleared its sheath. Luo Yin’s grip tightened on the treasure blade, his eyes sharpening to a razor edge.
“Let’s go!”
The words barely left his mouth before he unleashed a slash.
Sword qi surged in wild arcs, shadows of the blade flickering chaotically!
“Well met!”
Light gleamed in Sun Yangming’s eyes as he bellowed and countered with his own strike!
Twin streams of sword qi pierced the sky like shooting stars. The onlookers scattered, wary of stray blows.
“Whoa! Senior Brother Luo’s the real deal—he’s actually holding his own against Elder Sun!”
“Wait—didn’t you notice? Senior Brother Luo’s aura… that’s the Body Tempering Realm 9th Layer!!”
“You’re right! He broke through!”
“No way! Just a couple days ago, he was only at the First Layer. How’d he jump straight to the 9th?”
“Has Senior Brother Luo been hiding his strength all along?”
“…”
The crowd gaped at the distant clash between Luo Yin and Sun Yangming, their tongues wagging in shock.
“Not bad, kid! I never dreamed your sword enlightenment had reached such terrifying heights! Looks like I’ll have to bring out my sword intent after all!”
Even with his cultivation suppressed to the Body Tempering Realm, Sun Yangming found himself locked in a grueling stalemate with Luo Yin—and falling slightly behind!
Luo Yin replied coolly, “Bring it.”
As the words hung in the air, Sun Yangming thrust his sword toward the heavens.
Gale-force winds howled across the world in an instant!
Each gust sliced like countless razor blades, rending the sky as they bore down on Luo Yin!
“Gale Sword Intent!”
“It’s the Gale Sword Intent! Elder Sun wields three divine swords, each with its own layer of intent—and that’s the Gale Wind Sword in his hand!”
“He’s got the Blazing Sun Sword at his waist too!”
“Senior Brother Luo’s holding Elder Sun’s Clear Spring Sword!”
“What a rare chance—actually sensing sword intent up close!”
“…”
The sword-cultivating disciples dropped to the ground in meditation, eyes closed, drinking in the essence of the Gale Sword Intent.
An opportunity like this didn’t come often!
But soon, they sensed something amiss.
Why was there suddenly another, even mightier sword intent?
Had Sun Yangming’s single intent failed to overpower Luo Yin, forcing him to draw the Blazing Sun Sword’s as well?
Impossible!
Puzzled, they opened their eyes.
The first thing they saw was the slack jaws and bulging eyes of those around them.
Then their gazes lifted to the sky above Luo Yin and Sun Yangming, where a vast river pulsing with terrifying aura had materialized!
At its heart churned a spring, gushing endless waters!
Corpses bobbed amid the bones in that spring and river—shattered remnants of immortals, buddhas, and emperors drifting lazily along!
Ghostly gates, a crumbling Naihe Bridge, and shadowy halls of the underworld flickered ominously within!
The wails of countless vengeful spirits and aggrieved souls echoed from the spring, sending chills down every spine!
Luo Yin’s deep voice rang out:
“Drifting souls, oh where do you wander? Seal the Yellow Springs, and find your eternal rest!”
“Yellow Springs Sword Intent: Corpses adrift amidst bones, entombing immortals and buddhas!”
In the next breath, the Yellow Springs surged forth, crashing headlong into the Gale Sword Intent!
Luo Yin had no intention of hiding his strength any longer. After being underestimated for seven years, it was time to show them what he could do.
Playing weak to catch them off guard wasn’t his style.
That said, flaunting power didn’t mean exposing everything. The Primordial Chaos Sword Embryo stayed hidden—unless he had no choice.
Otherwise, drawing the wrong eyes would only invite trouble.
Sun Yangming stood frozen, staring dumbstruck at the Yellow Springs overhead, horror filling his eyes.
“This… this is sword intent!?”
