System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

31: The night before the finalMo Wen’s admission of defeat was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a boiling pan of oil, causing the uproar in the entire square to reach its Peak.

No one could understand what had happened in that split second; they only saw Mo Wen, known as the number one in the Outer Court’s Dao of the sword, take the initiative to admit defeat and drift away after a seemingly ordinary exchange of swords.

Ye Chen remained on the arena, the hand holding his sword slowly lowering. His aura was harmonious and restrained, appearing no different than before, yet giving off a sense of being reborn and unfathomable.

“Luminous Sword Heart...” On the high platform, Elder Liu Qingfeng stroked his beard and sighed, his eyes full of intense admiration. “A Realm that so many Sword Cultivators spend their entire lives searching for but never attain has actually appeared in this boy. Regardless of the outcome of this battle, he has benefited for a lifetime.”

Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy was also filled with emotion: “This boy’s Heart-Nature, talent, and Opportunity are all top-tier. In time, he will surely become a great talent!”

Although the audience below did not understand what the “Luminous Sword Heart” was, seeing the Elders praise him so much, their gazes toward Ye Chen were filled with even more fanaticism and worship. After this battle, Ye Chen’s prestige in the Outer Court had reached its Peak, even faintly surpassing all the Geniuses before him.

After the referee announced the result, Ye Chen slowly walked off the arena. He ignored the mountain-like cheers and discussions around him and went straight back to the rest area. He sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, carefully sensing that mysterious Epiphany state from just now.

“Luminous Sword Heart... So that’s how it is.” Ye Chen looked inward and could clearly “see” within his Divine Soul that the many fragments of Sword Intent, which were originally somewhat cluttered and independent, were now slowly circulating and blending in a marvelous way, as if forming a constantly evolving star map. With a thought, he could command various Sword Intents as easily as his own limbs, with perfect fluidity.

His understanding of the “Wind Shadow Sword Art” had also deepened. This set of sword techniques, born from his own insights and System optimization, finally had a “soul.” It was no longer confined to the forms of moves; whatever he did naturally was a profound truth.

“If I were to fight Mo Wen again, I am confident I could break his ‘Return to Truth’ strike within ten Moves.” An understanding arose in Ye Chen’s heart. It wasn’t that his strength had suddenly surged, but rather that his application of power had reached a completely new level.

The other three matches of the top four also ended one after another. Yun Ni narrowly defeated a Kaiyuan Realm Fifth Level powerhouse by relying on her elusive movement techniques and eerie musical illusions. The other two who advanced were both veteran Fifth Level Peak experts of the Outer Court, possessing formidable strength.

The final top four list was: Ye Chen, Yun Ni, Nie Feng, and Han Li.

By drawing lots, it was decided that Ye Chen’s opponent for the next round would be the young girl in the pale yellow dress, Yun Ni. Meanwhile, Nie Feng and Han Li would compete for the other final spot.

This result made many people breathe a sigh of relief, while also feeling somewhat disappointed. They were relieved because the battle between Ye Chen and Yun Ni might not be as brutally head-on as a fight against Nie Feng or Han Li; they were disappointed because they couldn’t see Ye Chen clash with the other two power-type top experts ahead of time.

As night fell, today’s events came to an end. Tomorrow, the semi-finals and finals would take place to determine the ultimate champion!

The entire Outer Court was immersed in intense discussion. The battle between Ye Chen and Mo Wen was repeatedly mentioned and analyzed; although no one could fully see through it, it didn’t stop it from becoming a legend that everyone talked about with relish.

Ye Chen returned to the Ding-Character Courtyard, not feeling the slightest bit of tension for tomorrow’s semi-finals. After achieving the Luminous Sword Heart, his state of mind became increasingly steady, difficult for external things to disturb.

He sat cross-legged in the quiet room, not continuing to Cultivate his Qi, but instead sinking his entire mind into consolidating and exploring the Luminous Sword Heart Realm. Observing internally with his Divine Sense, he could “see” his own Sword Intent flowing like a stream through his Meridians and Divine Soul, blending with each other in an endless cycle.

The qingfeng sword lay across his knees, its aura connected to his, resonating incessantly. The dark gold patterns on the sword blade seemed to become even more vivid under the moonlight.

“Knock, knock.”

A soft knocking sound rang out.

Ye Chen opened his eyes and swept with his Divine Sense; standing outside the courtyard gate was Uncle Fu.

He got up to open the door, and Uncle Fu respectfully handed over a brocade box: “Young Master, the Eldest Young Miss ordered this old servant to deliver this. It may be of some help to your battle tomorrow.”

Ye Chen took the brocade box and opened it. Inside was a pale blue Medicinal Pill the size of a longan, perfectly round and emitting a cool aura. The medicinal fragrance was refreshing.

“quiet heart enlightenment pill?” Ye Chen recognized this pill. It was a fourth-grade Spirit Pill of considerable value, capable of greatly enhancing Comprehension Ability in a short time and assisting a Cultivator in entering a deep state of perception. It was exceptionally effective for breaking through a Bottleneck or comprehending a Cultivation Technique. Ye Qingxue’s gift was indeed significant.

“The Eldest Young Miss said that after Young Master’s battle today, your Sword Heart has just begun to form. This pill may help you stabilize your Realm and clarify your nature,” Uncle Fu conveyed.

Ye Chen’s heart warmed slightly as he put away the box: “Thank my Cousin for me.”

Uncle Fu hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: “Young Master, this old servant also received news that there seems to be some movement from Lin Hong’s side in the Inner Court. He watched your match today and has been behind closed doors since then. His aura... seems to have become even deeper.”

Ye Chen’s eyes flashed, and he nodded: “I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Fu.”

After seeing Uncle Fu off, Ye Chen looked at the quiet heart enlightenment pill in his hand but did not take it immediately. Now that he had achieved the Luminous Sword Heart, he had a subtle grasp of his own state and did not need external items to stabilize his Realm for the time being. This pill could perhaps be saved for when he pushed for a higher Realm.

He put the pill away and sat back down cross-legged.

“Lin Hong...” He whispered the name, his gaze sharp. After the Minor Competition, a battle with Lin Hong was likely unavoidable. However, he felt no fear; instead, he was faintly looking forward to it. Clashing with the strong was the best way to temper his sword’s edge.

“The priority now is to take the top spot in the Minor Competition and enter the Sword Pool!” Ye Chen’s goal was clear. The baptism of the Sword Pool was rumored to be able to temper the sword body and purify Sword Intent; for him, it was a crucial step.

He stopped thinking and sank his mind once again into that mysterious Sword Heart Realm, carefully sensing the various changes in “Flowing Wind Fleeting Shadow,” “Immovable Rock Guarding Heart,” and that trace of “Extinction” Concept under the governance of the Luminous Sword Heart.

In his mind, the illusory “sword intent furnace” of the System also seemed to be nourished. Its smelting efficiency quietly improved, and new insights were constantly integrated into his sword Dao System.

Time passed quietly in silent perception.

The next day, the morning sun rose, casting thousands of rays of light.

The Tianfeng Academy Outer Court square was once again a sea of people, the atmosphere even more heated than yesterday. Today, the strongest Disciple of the Outer Court would be determined!

Ye Chen, dressed in a green robe with the qingfeng sword on his back, appeared in the competition area on time. His arrival immediately attracted the attention of the entire audience. After a night of settling, his aura was even more restrained, like a deep pond—calm and without ripples, yet making it impossible to see its depth.

Yun Ni had been waiting below the stage for a long time. Seeing Ye Chen, she smiled beautifully and walked over gracefully: “Senior Brother Ye, yesterday’s battle truly opened this Junior Sister’s eyes. The Luminous Sword Heart is a Realm that countless Sword Cultivators dream of.”

Her voice was crisp with a hint of playfulness, appearing harmless. But Ye Chen could feel what kind of eerie and unpredictable power was hidden within her seemingly weak body.

“Junior Sister Yun praises me too much,” Ye Chen responded calmly. “In a moment on the arena, I hope Junior Sister will show some mercy.”

“Senior Brother must be joking.” Yun Ni covered her mouth and chuckled, her beautiful eyes darting. “When we start fighting later, Senior Brother mustn’t be soft-hearted just because I am a woman.”

The two seemed to be exchanging pleasantries, but where their gazes met, invisible sparks were already flying.

On the high platform, Elders like Liu Qingfeng and the Outer Court Steward of Tianfeng Academy were already seated. Liu Qingfeng’s gaze lingered on Ye Chen for a moment, and he nodded slightly, clearly very satisfied with his state.

“Semi-finals, match one! Ye Chen versus Yun Ni!”

The referee’s loud announcement instantly ignited the passion of the entire crowd!

This duel between the dark horse and the mysterious girl was about to begin!

Ye Chen cupped his hands slightly toward Yun Ni, and with a movement of his body, he drifted onto the arena like green smoke.

Yun Ni also took light steps, her figure flickering a few times before landing opposite Ye Chen, her skirt fluttering in an elegant posture.

“Senior Brother Ye, please.” Yun Ni restrained her smile and flipped her jade-like hand; that seemingly ordinary jade hairpin appeared between her fingers, emitting a hazy glow.

Ye Chen slowly drew the qingfeng sword, the tip pointing diagonally toward the ground, his eyes as calm as an ancient well.

“Please.”

The great battle was on the verge of breaking out!