CHAPTER 214: CHAPTER 210: CONTENDING FOR SUPREMACY

In the eyes of everyone present, should Li Fan face off against Ying Ze, his defeat would be inevitable.

His cultivation level was far below Ying Ze’s, yet Li Fan excelled in talent and limitless potential. These Seven Swords and Seven Inquiries were not solely about battle strength, but about testing sword talent through combat techniques.

Therefore, they wanted to see how many swords Li Fan could inquire about in this match.

The concern was that Ying Ze might crush him outright, denying him the chance to showcase his Sword Dao talent.

"Ying Ze, you’ve got some nerve. Hero Zuo, you don’t need to pay him any mind," Lu Yulin advised Li Fan nearby. The Lu Family valued Li Fan’s talent and potential.

With this inquiry into seven swords, they believed Li Fan could reach five inquiries.

That way, their Lu Family could secure at least five positions in the dojo, and coupled with their naturally gifted Sword Cultivators, even without Li Fan leading them, the numbers could grow further.

"Ying Ze, you’re taking this too far." Before Li Fan could respond, someone else spoke—none other than Duan Feiyu, whom Li Fan had encountered by Moon Lake the previous night.

On the Green Cloud List, Ying Ze was ranked first; Duan Feiyu, second.

Duan Feiyu had challenged Ying Ze several times, attempting to shake him from his top position, but each of his attempts had ended in failure.

"This battlefield is meant for a contest between you and me!" As Duan Feiyu finished speaking, a streak of Sword Aura shot toward Ying Ze’s location.

The sword grew sharper, enveloping Duan Feiyu as his body radiated Sword Intent. It was like a relentless blade, surging forward with an overwhelming fighting spirit.

"Listen to the Wind Sword Intent."

The fierce Sword Aura carried a hint of violent, tearing force. Concealed within the wind, it aimed directly at Ying Ze.

"Clang..."

Golden light burst forth dazzlingly. Before Ying Ze appeared a set of solid golden swords, radiating sharp energy. They hovered around him, spinning in a manner resembling a Sword Array. When the storm of Sword Aura struck, it was as if it were completely sealed off.

"Vajra Sword Intent."

Beside Li Fan, Lu Yuhuan whispered softly, "Ying Ze’s talent is remarkable. He’s not only a Sword Cultivator but also a Qi Cultivator of the metal attribute. With his comprehension of Vajra Sword Intent, his offense and defense are exceptionally formidable. Even Duan Feiyu, ranked second on the Green Cloud List, and Ren Yuzhi, ranked third, with his Quick Sword, cannot break through Ying Ze’s Vajra Sword Intent. Ying Ze has consistently held the top rank.

Ren Yuzhi, too, was among those from Cang Yunxuan who trained in the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena. His sword was the fastest on the Green Cloud List, yet it couldn’t tear through Ying Ze’s Vajra Sword Intent either.

Duan Feiyu’s carefree, unrestrained Swordsmanship was equally swift, blending his sword into the wind. His movement technique was extraordinarily agile, creating numerous afterimages across the battlefield.

"Duan Feiyu similarly practices Qi Refinement, cultivating wind attributes. Among those ranked high on the Green Cloud List, many dual-cultivate Spells and possess Innate Dharma Forms. Their primary focus remains on Swordsmanship, but their other abilities serve to bolster their Sword Dao," Lu Yuhuan continued.

Li Fan nodded, unsurprised. *Talent often manifests in this manner. The truly gifted frequently excel in multiple disciplines.*

He himself trained in Martial Arts. Though he lacked a Dharma Form, he too could qualify as a multi-attribute Qi Cultivator.

The battlefield grew increasingly fierce, with Ying Ze completely enveloped by the Listen-to-the-Wind Sword Intent. However, the golden swords surrounding him remained as impenetrable as walls. With a thunderous shout, the golden swords encircling Ying Ze suddenly shot forth, covering every angle around him.

"Clang..." With a loud impact, Duan Feiyu’s body was forced backward. The radiant, domineering golden swords pushed him along relentlessly until he was blasted far away before the assault finally ceased.

"Duan Feiyu, you’re no match for me," Ying Ze declared confidently. His will moved, and a massive golden sword took shape in mid-air. As the sword grew larger, layers of golden runes emerged, emanating the true essence of Vajra Sword Dao and casting streaks of golden sword light toward Duan Feiyu.

Standing tall, Ying Ze radiated Sword Aura that soared skyward. Golden sword light burst from his body, creating a continuous sword chant. He had already inquired about four swords.

"Ying Ze’s Sword Bone must also be of superior Sword Dao quality. The condition for invoking a sword chant is to possess an exceptional talent in a specific area," Lu Yuhuan patiently explained to Li Fan.

Although Duan Feiyu had fought in this match, he might still face Ying Ze again upon entering the Secret Realm.

Knowing oneself and one’s enemy increases the chances in battle.

"Ying Ze forged superior Sword Dao Bone, condensed an outstanding Sword Seed, and comprehended powerful Sword Dao true essence. His Swordsmanship is extraordinary—four out of seven swords inquired."

Many expressed their awe. The top figure on the Green Cloud List indeed lived up to his reputation.

"Clang..."

A deafening roar erupted as the Vajra Giant Sword unleashed by Ying Ze charged at Duan Feiyu with unbeatable force.

Duan Feiyu swung his sword, his Sword Aura cascading like a waterfall and forming a tempest. Within the gusts, a brilliant sword materialized, accompanied by dazzling light spilling from his forehead and reflecting onto the sword he had forged, resulting in three swords chanting simultaneously. He inquired about three swords—one short of the Sword Bone criteria.

The two massive swords shot forth, colliding fiercely in mid-air. The domineering golden Divine Sword clashed against the razor-sharp Storm Sword, sparking a chaotic surge of Sword Aura in the Sword Domain.

"Duan Feiyu, you are not my equal."

Ying Ze spoke aloud with an overwhelming sense of authority. An ethereal shadow appeared over him, transforming into a sword that raced toward Duan Feiyu.

"Sword of the Primordial Spirit."

The Soul Emergence Realm allowed one to unleash their Primordial Spirit. In the Foundation Establishment Realm, the spirit became stable enough to transform into a sword for attacking. However, this technique carried great risk for practitioners; damage to the Primordial Spirit meant devastating injuries and was rarely employed.

To inquire about the fifth sword, Ying Ze unleashed his Sword of the Primordial Spirit, striking toward Duan Feiyu.

As Duan Feiyu lifted his gaze, a tempest surged from him, revealing an ethereal shadow of his own.

The spectators were shaken to their cores by the intensity of this first match—a battle between the top two ranked on the Green Cloud List.

An invisible whirlwind exploded forth as the two Swords of the Primordial Spirit clashed. Duan Feiyu groaned, his body flung backward. The golden giant sword followed him relentlessly, strike after strike pushing him into retreat.

Only then did Ying Ze stop his attack, recalling a streak of golden sword light into his body. His eyes gleamed brightly as he glanced skyward, noticing that the fifth sword hadn’t triggered a sword chant.

"Failure."

The crowd murmured silently. Despite Ying Ze’s unparalleled strength, he only achieved four sword inquiries. The Sword of the Primordial Spirit failed to provoke a chant, unlike before in Cang Yunxuan.

Ying Ze’s remarkable talent still lacked the necessary spark.

As for Duan Feiyu, he fell one sword short of Ying Ze.

Their performance revealed the difficulty of entering the Secret Realm, even for the top two on the Green Cloud List.

Ying Ze didn’t push further. The Seven Sword Inquiries weren’t infallible; Sword Gall and Sword Heart couldn’t be measured so directly.

Despite inquiring about four swords, this result wouldn’t weaken his Sword Heart.

He soared through the air, heading toward the dojo’s entrance.

The top figure on the Green Cloud List naturally took the lead in entering the dojo.

"Let’s hope you’ll find the courage to face me next time." Ying Ze’s voice carried through the air. These words were evidently aimed not at Duan Feiyu but at Li Fan.

Li Fan didn’t pay much attention. As Lu Yuhuan mentioned, knowing oneself and one’s enemy was crucial.

Now, he had a clear understanding of Ying Ze’s abilities. However, Ying Ze still knew little about him.

Li Fan’s victory against Han Zhong revealed three swords. Some speculated it wasn’t his full potential—if he managed three swords, surely more followed.

Others believed those three swords were his limit, suggesting he’d struggle against anyone ranked in the top five of the Green Cloud List.

*But Li Fan alone knew the truth: even without relying on his Sword Intent or other trump cards, he still possessed his master’s sword legacy.* However, he had no reason to use it here at the Sword Inquiry site.

*The Heavenly Nine Declines were swords of resolute finality and slaughter—not tools for proving oneself. He had no need to show the world anything.*

"I represent the Duan Family and will bring three people into the dojo," Duan Feiyu declared to the elder.

"Approved." The elder nodded, and three figures emerged from the crowd to join Duan Feiyu in entering the dojo’s inner gates.

"Next." The elder announced loudly.

As his words fell, a streak of Sword Aura shot forth, and a youthful figure stepped into the Seven Swords Domain.

Li Fan’s gaze lingered on the figure, revealing a hint of surprise.

The Xuantian Sect?

The youth was none other than a disciple of Xuantian Sect whom Li Fan had encountered in Yun Meng City, the one who had, back then, tried to provoke him into a fight under Tian Chenzi’s command.

No wonder his senior brother said that once he attended this gathering, his identity as a Li Mountain disciple would be hard to conceal; it was indeed the case.

Now, the Xuantian Sect was aware he hailed from Li Mountain.

Perhaps Sword Cultivators from Lingxiao Pavilion were hidden among the crowd too.

Last night, Li Fan asked his senior brother about the origins of this Xuanyuan Sword Secret Realm.

Ji Hua explained that the Xuanyuan Sword Secret Realm dated back a thousand years, faintly linked to legends of Immortals from that era.

It was even speculated that Xuanyuan Sword’s ascension to becoming the greatest sword in Da Li World was tied to this realm.

Li Fan grew even more curious about the Secret Realm.

The Li Mountain Sword Ancestor had also gained his opportunity during the chaos of a thousand years ago—a time undoubtedly marked by major events now lost to history.

Xuantian Sect’s Ke Junlin unleashed his Sword Aura in the air, his gaze sweeping across the crowd and pausing briefly on Li Fan.

*Sword cultivators, driven by their unwavering Sword Dao hearts, press forward ceaselessly.*

Green Cloud List top-ranked Ying Ze inquired about four swords, prompting Ke Junlin to test himself.

This time, he sought to let the world know of the Xuantian Sect’s Sword Cultivators.

"Boom."

Another figure emerged, drawing the crowd’s gaze—it was Han Zhong.

Han Zhong, defeated by Li Fan outside the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena and humiliated, had been rejected by the Shadow Inheritor Sword. His Sword Heart had taken a hit.

Now was his chance to regain his glory.

"With Han Zhong making his move, this Sword Cultivator is likely doomed." The crowd murmured. For those in Chi Xiao City, the Green Cloud List’s Sword Cultivators were far more familiar.

Xuantian Sect’s Ke Junlin, though renowned in the Western Territories, was relatively unknown in Chi Xiao City.

Hearing the rumblings of the crowd, Ke Junlin smirked coldly. He turned toward the Seven Swords, and light erupted brightly from his forehead—a sword chant resonated.

Ke Junlin unleashed his Sword Intent, instantly blanketing the Seven Swords Domain. A second sword chant rang out.

His blood surged as his body transformed into a sword, streams of Sword Aura soaring skyward—a chorus of three sword chants in harmony.

The crowd’s expressions shifted dramatically, stunned by the sight before them. Their gaze toward Ke Junlin brimmed with astonishment. As they looked back at Han Zhong, traces of pity flickered in their eyes.

*Sword cultivators across the world proved that the exceptional were not confined to Chi Xiao City alone.*

*Foreign Sword Dao prodigies also shone brilliantly.*

Ke Junlin—he sought to challenge Ying Ze.