Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Su Han stepped down from the Arena of Sword Discourse, yielding it to Li Qingyue and her first opponent.

”Zhou Mingkui of the Haojian Sect, if you please!”

A handsome youth with an extraordinary temperament became Li Qingyue’s first opponent. Although he did not hail from a sacred land, the Haojian Sect was a second-tier power, and his cultivation was also at the Ninth Layer of the Phenomenon Realm, the same as Li Qingyue. At this moment, all eyes were on her. Everyone wanted to know if her recent Enlightenment had granted her truly formidable power, or if she was just an empty shell with a high Realm but no real strength.

”Go, Qingyue!” Li Mingliang pumped his fist, cheering for his granddaughter. Su Han simply smiled and gave Li Qingyue a slight nod of encouragement.

Hearing her grandfather’s cheers and seeing Su Han’s encouragement, Li Qingyue suppressed the unease in her heart. She took a deep breath and turned to face Zhou Mingkui.

I must not disappoint Grandpa and Mr. Su!

Li Qingyue mentally bolstered her courage, her gaze turning resolute. She longed to become stronger; only then would she be worthy of being Mr. Su’s follower. Therefore, she could not back down. Not only must she win this battle, but she had to win it beautifully.

”Phenomenon: Moon Rising Over the Sea!”

Li Qingyue decided to go all out to defeat Zhou Mingkui. She immediately activated her Yin Sword Body and unleashed her Phenomenon. A bright moon slowly rose above a dark sea. Its cold, clear light sprinkled across the Arena of Sword Discourse, carrying a unique, chilling Moon Sword Intent that made Zhou Mingkui shiver uncontrollably.

”My apologies for the offense!”

Zhou Mingkui dared not be careless. He drew his sword and manifested his own Phenomenon to contend with Moon Rising Over the Sea. However, despite both being at the Ninth Layer of the Phenomenon Realm, he felt his Phenomenon being utterly suppressed by Li Qingyue’s. This wasn’t merely because her Phenomenon, originating from the Yin Sword Body, was a more powerful Innate Phenomenon. It was also because the chilling Moon Sword Intent integrated within it made him feel cold to the bone, as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar.

”Earth-Rank, High-Level Martial Technique: Wind and Cloud in a Single Line!”

Unable to withstand the pressure from Moon Rising Over the Sea, Zhou Mingkui raised his Spiritual Energy, gripped his sword, and took the initiative, unleashing his most powerful swordsmanship. With a single slash, heaven and earth roared. A fierce wind howled and white clouds surged. Hidden within the gales and clouds was a beam of Sword Radiance that used the chaos as cover, shooting straight for Li Qingyue’s brow. The power of this strike was immense, causing space itself to tremble. While not as ferocious as Su Han’s previous battles, it still possessed an impressive aura.

Across from him, Li Qingyue saw him make his move. Her jade-like hand clenched her sword’s hilt as she activated the Myriad Swords Returning Origin Technique. However, she didn’t use her Lifebound Sword Qi, opting instead for the Origin Technique she had just acquired.

”Origin Technique: Layers of Sword Shadows!”

With a single slash from Li Qingyue, hundreds of sword shadows suddenly filled the air. Each was so vivid it seemed real, as if a hundred blades were truly slashing toward Zhou Mingkui. His pupils contracted sharply. An unprecedented sense of crisis washed over him as he realized he was completely unable to distinguish the real sword shadows from the fake ones. As the sword shadows closed in, he found himself surrounded. Gritting his teeth, he gripped his sword and slashed continuously, sending out a web of sword light as he tried to carve a path to survival.

Unfortunately, he chose poorly. The shadows he attacked were all illusions. The moment his Heart Spirit wavered and exposed a flaw, a sword beam as cold as frost appeared before him. To his shocked and terrified gaze, it accurately pierced his shoulder, defeating him in a single strike.

THUD!

Zhou Mingkui was sent flying, landing on the edge of the Arena of Sword Discourse. A small, bloody hole in his shoulder bled profusely.

”I am defeated!” Zhou Mingkui’s face was pale, his expression downcast. He knew Li Qingyue had shown mercy. If that sword had pierced his throat or heart, he would be dead or gravely injured.

”Thank you for the match,” Li Qingyue replied, sheathing her sword. She stood victorious, having won with ease.

This outcome didn’t surprise anyone. After all, not only was Li Qingyue a Descendant of the Myriad Swords Sect, but she had also just undergone Enlightenment, greatly increasing her strength. Although Zhou Mingkui was also a martial artist at the Ninth Layer of the Phenomenon Realm, his defeat was expected. What no one had anticipated was that it would be so quick and so thorough.

”What a formidable Origin Technique. If one can’t see through those hundreds of sword shadows, they are forced into a passive position.”

As Zhou Mingkui walked off the Arena of Sword Discourse, no one thought him weak. Instead, they marveled at Li Qingyue’s power and the impressive might of her Origin Technique, Layers of Sword Shadows.

”Next!” Su Han nodded in satisfaction and promptly called for the next challenger.

The Origin Technique, Layers of Sword Shadows, was indeed remarkable. The hundreds of sword shadows left its targets with no viable options. With this technique, Li Qingyue’s Combat Power had greatly improved. This series of practice duels should go smoothly.

As expected, her subsequent opponents were unable to see through Layers of Sword Shadows and were all defeated by her blade. Eventually, every genius Sword Cultivator in the Phenomenon Realm had been beaten.

”Those at the First Layer of the Physique Realm may also come to the stage,” Su Han announced, relaxing the conditions to let Li Qingyue attempt fighting opponents of a higher Realm.

Everyone had seen Li Qingyue’s strength, but the gap between the Physique and Phenomenon Realms was massive. Many talented Sword Cultivators from the Physique Realm were eager to try their luck. Soon, a woman stepped up to challenge. The moment she was on stage, she condensed her Physique and immediately initiated Physique Fusion. Her speed exploded as she closed the distance, aiming to win with pure velocity and prevent Li Qingyue from using her Origin Technique.

”Ice Snow Sword Qi!”

Although Li Qingyue couldn’t use her Origin Technique in time, she still had her Lifebound Sword Qi. The Ice Snow Sword Qi was unbearably cold and incomparably sharp, like a blade of frozen steel slicing toward the woman. The challenger was ultimately wounded by the Ice Snow Sword Qi, her wounds coated in a thick layer of frost that inhibited healing. At the same time, Li Qingyue unleashed her Origin Technique again, combining it with her chilling Moon Sword Intent and the power of her Moon Rising Over the Sea Phenomenon to successfully defeat the woman.

A successful challenge across Realms!

”Next!” Su Han was very satisfied with Li Qingyue’s performance and continued to select opponents for her to practice against.

As the battles continued, Li Qingyue’s movements went from stiff to fluid. Her Combat Power and experience grew rapidly, until she had finally defeated all opponents at the First Layer of the Physique Realm.

”Those at the Second Layer of the Physique Realm may also come to the stage.”

Su Han continued to relax the conditions, planning to push Li Qingyue’s potential to its limit all at once. This time, her battles were visibly more strenuous, but she ultimately managed to defeat all her opponents. However, when facing an opponent at the Third Layer of the Physique Realm, she was finally defeated due to the gap in their cultivation.

Although he lost a drop of Life Spring Water in the wager, Su Han was quite satisfied with the outcome, as it signified the success of Li Qingyue’s sword training.

With the conclusion of Li Qingyue’s practice duels, the Sword Discourse on Mount Hua was also drawing to a close. Su Han looked up toward the mountain peak. Next would be the Sword Intent baptism.