A sharp whistling sound pierced the air, accompanied by an overwhelming sword intent!
The crowd turned their heads and saw a young man soaring through the sky on his sword, moving at an astonishing speed.
"Is that Ye Zhiqiu?"
"So young!"
"Such terrifying sword intent! Who would have thought someone so young could possess such mastery?"
"I’ve heard rumors that Ye Zhiqiu is a genius in the sword path. Seeing him today, it’s clear they weren’t exaggerating."
"Right now, the only Sword Emperor in the Central Heaven Domain is the one from the Heavenly Sword Sect. Many believed Li Daoyi was the most likely to ascend to that title, but now it seems Ye Zhiqiu has the same potential."
"Of course! Ye Zhiqiu is ranked second on the Human Rankings—his potential surpasses even Li Daoyi’s."
"Don’t forget, Ye Zhiqiu is barely twenty, yet his cultivation has already reached the Void Comprehension Realm. He’ll likely break through to the Supreme Realm decades before Li Daoyi."
The murmurs of the crowd reached Li Daoyi’s ears.
At first, Li Daoyi hadn’t paid much attention to Ye Zhiqiu’s challenge—after all, in his eyes, Ye Zhiqiu was still a junior.
But now, seeing him in person, Li Daoyi discarded his dismissiveness. This young man was a formidable opponent.
"I can confirm—he’s definitely Chen Chang'an’s disciple."
The moment Xuan Wudao laid eyes on Ye Zhiqiu, he was certain.
"Why do you say that?" the Sect Master of Wuji Sect asked curiously.
"Little mannerisms."
"This kid has certain quirks that match Chen Chang'an’s. I suspect he’s unconsciously imitating him—probably out of admiration."
Having spent time with Chen Chang'an, Xuan Wudao recognized these subtle habits.
"What mannerisms? I didn’t notice anything," the Sect Master of Wuji Sect said, puzzled.
"Look at that eyebrow raise, the way the corner of his mouth quirks—it’s exactly like Chen Chang'an."
"Damn it, I tried copying those moves too, but I never looked as cool as Chen Chang'an. And now this kid pulls it off effortlessly? Unbelievable," Xuan Wudao grumbled.
"Well… maybe it’s a face thing?"
If not for the solemn occasion, Xuan Wudao might have exploded at that remark.
First, people called him sleazy in public—now, even at home, he was being called ugly?
"You’re Ye Zhiqiu?"
"Void Comprehension Realm, seventh level?"
"Truly monstrous talent."
"But do you know that my cultivation has already reached the fifth level of the Supreme Realm?" Li Daoyi asked coldly.
Fifth level of the Supreme Realm?
Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu smiled faintly. "That’s exactly why I’m challenging you."
"Ordinary opponents aren’t worth my time. But you… you are."
Oh?
What arrogance!
"So I should be flattered?" Li Daoyi sneered.
"No need. This is just a spar."
"A spar, yes—but swords have no eyes. You’d best be careful," Li Daoyi warned.
"Then I suggest you be careful as well."
Ye Zhiqiu’s retort darkened Li Daoyi’s expression. Ranked second on the Human Rankings—this kid really had no fear.
"Damn, the tension is already this high before they’ve even fought?"
"Both are geniuses—of course they’re proud."
"I can’t wait to see this battle."
"Who do you think will win?"
"Who will win? Obviously Li Daoyi—is there even a question?"
"Oh? So Ye Zhiqiu has no chance at all?"
"Even though the seventh level of the Void Comprehension Realm is impressive, it’s still not the Supreme Realm. Ye Zhiqiu isn’t quite there yet."
"True. Give him two more years, and he might stand a chance against Li Daoyi. But now? He’ll lose badly."
Despite Ye Zhiqiu’s monstrous talent, he was still too young, and his cultivation lagged far behind Li Daoyi’s.
No one believed Ye Zhiqiu could win—except Xuan Wudao.
As Chen Chang'an’s disciple, this kid was anything but ordinary. Otherwise, would someone as shrewd as Chen Chang'an take just anyone as his student?
"Got any spirit stones on you?" Xuan Wudao asked the Sect Master of Wuji Sect.
"I do. Why?"
"Why? To make you rich."
"Come on, let’s set up a betting pool. Everyone’s going to bet against Ye Zhiqiu," Xuan Wudao said with a grin.
"You think Ye Zhiqiu will win?"
"Absolutely. Trust me—you’ll be rolling in wealth."
Seeing the conviction in Xuan Wudao’s eyes, the Sect Master of Wuji Sect gritted his teeth. "Fine. I’ve got plenty of spirit stones—I can cover the losses."
"Losses? Pah! I’m telling you, this is a sure win."
Xuan Wudao and the Sect Master of Wuji Sect quickly set up the betting pool. With the latter’s status, many flocked to place their bets.
Just as Xuan Wudao predicted, no one backed Ye Zhiqiu—everyone was certain he would lose.
"They’re all betting on you. Do you think you can win?"
The commotion from the betting pool reached Ye Zhiqiu and Li Daoyi.
"What? You think I can’t?" Li Daoyi smirked.
"That’s exactly what I think."
"Enough!"
"Save your words for the fight."
"I’ve already set up a barrier. Nothing below the Emperor Realm can break it, so you two can go all out without worry."
"However, I must remind you—keep it civil. Don’t go too far."
"Daoyi, do you understand?" the Sect Master of Jiuxiao Sect cautioned.
"Understood, Sect Master," Li Daoyi replied with a nod.
Clearly, even the Sect Master of Jiuxiao Sect didn’t believe Ye Zhiqiu stood a chance. Ye Zhiqiu heard the implication but said nothing—strength would speak for itself.
"It’s starting!"
"Here we go!"
"Hahaha, who knew watching a spar could earn me some spirit stones? The Wuji Sect is too generous."
"Enough talk—let’s see what Ye Zhiqiu is really made of."
"Right. Maybe through him, we can gauge Chen Yunxuan’s strength too."
Ye Zhiqiu and Li Daoyi now stood within the barrier. The Sect Master of Jiuxiao Sect sealed it shut and gave them a nod.
"Make your move. Let’s see if a rising star like you is truly worthy of being my opponent," Li Daoyi said mockingly.
Oh?
Ye Zhiqiu’s brow furrowed. He had known Li Daoyi didn’t take him seriously—but to outright deny him as a worthy opponent?
"In that case…"
"I won’t hold back!"
Before the words faded, an overwhelming sword intent erupted from Ye Zhiqiu’s body!
The moment Li Daoyi sensed it, his face paled.
"Great Perfection Sword Intent?!"
"You… you’ve already reached Great Perfection in sword intent?!"