CHAPTER 215: CHAPTER 211 AMBUSH

How could Han Zhong endure this?

After that day, he kept a low profile, devoted himself to cultivation, and waited for this moment.

Yet, as soon as he appeared, Ke Junlin challenged three swords consecutively, showcasing his extraordinary talent.

Before him, Duan Feiyu, ranked second on the Green Cloud List, also only answered three swords and entered the dojo’s inner sect.

*So, was he cornered?*

With a tiger’s roar, Han Zhong unleashed his Dharma Form. Iron sword in hand, he rushed toward Ke Junlin.

Ke Junlin glanced at him, and with a deafening boom akin to divine thunder, an immensely violent thunderclap sword descended fiercely, heading straight for Han Zhong.

Han Zhong swung his iron sword and slashed forward.

The two large swords collided in midair, sword aura running rampant. Ke Junlin stepped on the sword aura as if floating, with several thunderclap swords towering before him, densely engraved with countless sword runes.

"Boom..." Thunder ripped through the skies, and sword after sword descended explosively. Han Zhong roared and slashed several domineering beams of sword light.

Yet, as Ke Junlin’s thunderclap sword descended, Han Zhong sensed not only the wildness of the thunder but also a weighty force.

Ke Junlin’s cultivated Sword Intent was the Heavy Thunder Sword Intent.

The Heavy Thunder Sword Intent possessed exceedingly explosive power.

His pupils seemed to hide thunder as well. With a thought, heavens thundered, sword aura roared, and above Han Zhong’s head, a massive thunder sword materialized.

Witnessing this sight, the crowd realized that Han Zhong was destined to play a supporting role.

This Sword Dao prodigy, whose allegiance remained unknown, displayed his brilliance here today.

Li Fan was somewhat surprised. Tian Chenzi’s young sword cultivator, though proud, possessed incredible strength and talent. *Indeed, the world’s Sword Dao geniuses couldn’t be underestimated; suppressing Han Zhong so steadily demonstrated the clear power gap.*

Ke Junlin seemed to rank at the same level as Ying Ze, first on the Green Cloud List. Yet without a direct confrontation, it was hard to determine who was superior.

If Ke Junlin was here, then surely there were other exceptional sword cultivators hidden within the crowd.

This Secret Realm expedition had drawn Sword Dao geniuses from across Da Li, making it imperative for him to remain vigilant.

The battle didn’t last long; Ke Junlin, with crushing dominance, defeated Han Zhong. Like Ying Ze, he also answered four swords, whereas Han Zhong, ranked seventh on the Green Cloud List, only elicited the sounds of two swords.

"Xuantian Sect, Ke Junlin," Ke Junlin announced to the crowd.

"Xuantian Sect," the crowd murmured in realization, identifying him as a disciple of the most prominent Western Sect, the Xuantian Sect, here to contend for supremacy.

Ke Junlin scanned the crowd, pausing briefly on Li Fan.

*The winds of the world rise among us, but among us, who can truly stir the storm?*

*He, Ke Junlin, would certainly claim his place.*

See you in the Secret Realm dojo.

Afterward, more participants appeared, sparking considerable waves. Several answered four swords, including some veterans from the Green Cloud List who had ranked highly, as well as outside peak Sword Dao talents.

Even current Green Cloud List members seemed less remarkable today, even those ranked within the top ten.

As for those outside the top ten on the Green Cloud List—even the highest-ranked Han Zhong—most were reduced to mere backdrop. How much less would others fare?

Most participants could only answer one sword to gain entry to the arena. However, attempting to shine in today’s setting proved extremely difficult.

If those from the Green Cloud List struggled, others wouldn’t even stand a chance.

Many sword cultivators came with lofty expectations, but seeing one Sword Dao genius after another make their moves, half of their confidence waned.

*If this was how it was now, how would they fare in the Secret Realm?*

"When do you plan to make your move?" Lu Yuan asked softly beside Li Fan.

"Soon," Li Fan replied. He wasn’t in a rush to act, wanting first to gauge the strength of the sword cultivators present. *In the Secret Realm, there would inevitably be fierce competition.*

"Shall I go first?" Lu Yuan asked Li Fan. As a loose cultivator, she needed to answer at least one sword to qualify.

This shouldn’t be particularly challenging for Lu Yuan.

Though her cultivation level lagged slightly behind Li Fan’s, the Seven Sword Inquiry didn’t test cultivation levels. Instead, it assessed talent in seven aspects of Sword Dao.

As the most outstanding disciple of Li Mountain Sword Mountain, Lu Yuan naturally had no issue with talent; she was merely overlooked due to her proximity to Li Fan.

"You go first; I’ll watch you and follow afterward," Li Fan said, intending to observe Lu Yuan enter the dojo first for peace of mind.

Given his poor reputation in Chi Xiao City, he worried someone might trouble Lu Yuan, and he wanted to keep an eye on her.

"Alright, enter after me then." As soon as Lu Yuan finished speaking, she controlled her sword and headed toward the Sword Domain.

"Hmm?"

The sight of Lu Yuan drew surprised looks from several people. She was the woman beside Zuo Tu.

Zuo Tu had two exceptionally beautiful women by his side, rumored to be demons. But this woman’s intent to enter Xuan Yuan Sword Dojo clearly indicated she wasn’t a demon.

"Buzz..."

A figure from Cang Yunxuan shot out of the crowd.

"Ren Yuzhi!"

All eyes turned to him—the third-ranked swordsman on the Green Cloud List and its fastest sword wielder. He had also cultivated at the Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo.

"This woman might be in trouble."

The crowd murmured.

Li Fan frowned, fixating on Ren Yuzhi. *As I suspected, someone is targeting me.*

Deciding not to confront him directly, Ren Yuzhi turned his sights on Lu Yuan instead.

"Ren Yuzhi, ranked third on the Green Cloud List. His sword is incredibly fast. If it becomes too much for her, Miss Lu should refrain from forcing herself," Lu Yuhuan whispered to Li Fan.

Even Li Fan would face challenges against Ren Yuzhi.

"Buzz..."

Cold light flashed; Lu Yuan saw a sword strike in an instant, like a fleeting shadow.

She instinctively retreated, slashing her sword to meet his. Their blades collided.

However, she barely had time to react before Ren Yuzhi’s second strike came. His sword moved so fast it defied human reflexes. Lu Yuan could only retreat and defend instinctively.

Light and shadow danced, swords filled the sky, and within an instant, Ren Yuzhi unleashed over ten strikes.

With a sound like flesh splitting, Lu Yuan was struck backward, her clothing slashed apart in one area as she fell through the air. Among the seven swords representing various aspects, the sword symbolizing swordsmanship emitted a faint hum.

"I only used thirty percent of my sword’s strength. Step down now, and have him take your place," Ren Yuzhi said, addressing Lu Yuan.

Li Fan had previously overshadowed the disciples of Shadow Bearing Sword Dojo with his arrogant inscription. Today, Ren Yuzhi wanted to witness Li Fan’s sword himself.

But since Li Fan had avoided battles before—refusing Ying Ze’s challenge—Ren Yuzhi chose to confront Lu Yuan instead.

Lu Yuan looked at Ren Yuzhi.

She was at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, while Ren Yuzhi was at the Late Stage, separated by two tiers. The opponent was a genius ranked third on the Green Cloud List; her chances of victory were slim.

However, she was Lu Yuan—Lu Yuan of Li Mountain Sword Mountain.

She recalled Li Fan’s gaze and his words to her.

*This generation of Li Mountain Sword Dao couldn’t rely on Li Fan alone.*

*Soon, their identities as Li Mountain disciples would be revealed to the world. Even in defeat, Lu Yuan couldn’t disgrace her sect’s reputation.*

Lu Yuan raised her arm, holding her sword horizontally. Sword Intent emanated from her core, the aura steeped in icy chill. The temperature in the Sword Domain plummeted.

Among the Seven Swords, the sword representing Sword Intent suddenly emitted a hum, catching the crowd’s attention.

The woman beside Li Fan could elicit a sword hum merely by releasing her Sword Intent?

Ren Yuzhi’s expression briefly showed surprise.

But only for a fleeting moment.

In the next instant, he moved his sword. The blade sang, its aura twisting wildly as the Sword Aura around him coiled into several swords that shot toward Lu Yuan.

These swords resembled streaks of light aimed at Lu Yuan, attacking her simultaneously.

But as the sword shadows neared Lu Yuan, their speed sharply declined. A Taiyin Sword Domain seemed to form around her, slowing everything within its reach to a crawl.

Lu Yuan stepped forward, swinging her sword down. With one strike, the approaching Sword Aura shattered completely.

"Hmm?"

Ren Yuzhi studied Lu Yuan. Clearly, he had underestimated the woman.

*Yet this wouldn’t change the outcome.*

He loosened his grip; the sword hovered before him, surrounded by whistling Sword Aura that transformed into multiple swords arranged in a row.

"Go."

Ren Yuzhi commanded. A sword shot forward explosively towards Lu Yuan.

The sword began to freeze over with ice upon approaching Lu Yuan. Nonetheless, it retained its momentum, piercing through the frosty veil with sharp cries, aiming straight for her.

But the closer it got, the slower its pace, and its power was continuously diminished.

"Interesting,"

Ren Yuzhi muttered under his breath, and then sent out a second sword—equally swift.

Following closely were a third, a fourth, one sword after another.

He wanted to see how many swords this Foundation Establishment Early Stage woman could handle.

As the numerous flying swords howled in fury, the crowd watched, eager to see how Lu Yuan would respond. Suddenly, an intense Taiyin storm surged from her, enveloping her entirely.

This battle awakened memories of her duel with Jiang Taie and rekindled the fighting spirit buried within her.