Early next morning, the entire arena was shrouded in an unprecedented atmosphere of tension.
The Nascent Soul stage finals, postponed for ten full days, had finally arrived. This peak duel between Mu Wenyan of the Five Elements Dao Sect and Qi Yunze of the Sword Heart Sect drew everyone's gaze.
The arena was already packed with people, disciples from various sects having arrived early to snatch the best viewing spots.
At the judges' bench, the various sect leaders looked solemn; even the usually composed Feng Yi leaned slightly forward.
The members of the Five Elements Dao Sect gathered in the best viewing spots. Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing stood at the very front, watching the field tensely.
"Eldest Senior Brother will definitely win!" Duan Xianxing declared confidently, but his clenched fists betrayed his nerves.
Li Nanzhu nodded slightly, her eyes never leaving Mu Wenyan's figure.
She could feel that her eldest senior brother's state today was exceptionally different; his aura was as heavy as an abyss, yet hidden within was an indescribable sharpness.
Opposite him, Qi Yunze was dressed in white, holding the Heart-Probing Sword. He was like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, his edge piercing.
Their gazes met in mid-air, and it was as if sparks were clashing between them.
The hall of discipline elder stepped onto the high platform, his voice resounding through the field: "The Nascent Soul stage finals begin now! Mu Wenyan of the Five Elements Dao Sect versus Qi Yunze of the Sword Heart Sect!"
As soon as the words fell, the two in the field surprisingly did not immediately activate their spiritual energy.
Mu Wenyan and Qi Yunze exchanged a look and tacitly withdrew their spiritual energy fluctuations simultaneously, engaging purely with sword moves.
"Eh? They're not using spiritual energy?" Duan Xianxing whispered in surprise.
In the arena, Mu Wenyan's sword momentum was long-reaching yet blazing, with the concept of the Five Elements overcoming and generating each other flowing ceaselessly within his moves.
Meanwhile, Qi Yunze's Heart-Probing Swordplay pointed directly at the core of the self; his moves were simple and fierce, each strike containing a sense of absolute determination.
"Clang— Clang— Clang—"
The sound of clashing swords was incessant, but there were no explosions from spiritual energy collisions—only the clear, pure ring of blade hitting blade. Their figures were like lightning as they shifted and turned within the arena, the flowing sword light manifesting the essence of the Dao of the sword.
At the judges' bench, the various sect leaders showed expressions of admiration.
Zhao Wufeng stroked his beard and sighed in praise. "Discussing the heart with the sword—this is a true duel between sword cultivators. I didn't expect Mu Wenyan to be able to use it to such a level. Remarkable!"
Although Ling Xiao's expression didn't change, the faint admiration in his eyes could not be hidden.
Qi Yunze also gained much from this contest of pure swordplay. Despite his dislike for the Five Elements Dao Sect for stealing the spotlight, he had to admit that Mu Wenyan was indeed a favored child of heaven.
What was even more rare was that his usually steady eldest disciple was now revealing a rare look of enjoyment during the match, clearly cherishing the opportunity to face a peer of equal standing.
Feng Yi's lips curled up slightly, a look of gratification in his eyes.
Li Nanzhu watched without blinking, whispering, "It seems a new concept has been integrated into Eldest Senior Brother's Five Elements swordplay..."
Duan Xianxing noticed it too. "Indeed! Although he's using our sect's swordplay, Eldest Senior Brother's sword intent seems even deeper."
In the field, Qi Yunze's sword momentum suddenly changed, deploying the clarity of mind and nature within his swordplay.
This strike seemed simple, but it pointed directly at the flaw in his opponent's move.
Mu Wenyan was unhurried, naturally wielding the Five Elements Sword Scripture. His sword momentum was heavy and stable, neutralizing the offensive perfectly.
The two dueled with pure sword moves for a full half-hour, sword light crisscrossing without a single fluctuation of spiritual energy.
The audience was silent, everyone captivated by this pure duel of sword dao.
The disciples of the Sword Heart Sect, in particular, had their eyes glued to the intersecting sword light. Even if they couldn't clearly see the specific changes in the moves, they still tried their hardest to keep their eyes wide, unwilling to miss any detail.
Pei Ji stood at the very front, his hands unconsciously balled into fists, his eyes shining with a fanatical light. He had a premonition that if he could participate in those moves, he would surely have another breakthrough.
"Eldest Senior Brother's clarity of mind and nature... was actually neutralized like that..." Qu Chen murmured to himself, his face full of disbelief.
Li Nanyi even took out a memory stone, wishing he could record every single moment.
Though Cang Dongqing remained expressionless, her slightly leaning posture and focused gaze betrayed her concern. Her slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the scabbard of her sword, as if simulating the changes of the moves in the arena.
As the match progressed, the contest in the field transcended pure swordplay and gradually ascended to the level of sword intent. The moves became faster, the sword light weaving into a net. The fierce sword intent surged in the arena, forcing many lower-cultivation disciples to circulate their power to resist.
At this moment, those who could truly understand this duel, besides the various sect leaders and elders, were only Duan Xianxing with his Natural Sword Physique and the top direct disciples of each sect.
Duan Xianxing's eyes sparkled as he excitedly grabbed Li Nanzhu's sleeve. "Little Junior Sister, look! Eldest Senior Brother's sword intent has integrated the principles of the Five Elements' generation and overcoming! This is no longer just the simple Five Elements Sword Scripture!"
Li Nanzhu gave a helpless, bitter smile. She had only entered the Dao of the sword for two years. At this level of contest, even if her divine sense far surpassed that of an ordinary person, she could only capture some trajectories, let alone see them clearly.
At the judges' bench, the sect leaders' expressions turned solemn.
Zhao Wufeng marveled, "Mu Wenyan has actually integrated the Five Elements Dao intent into his sword intent. Such talent is truly astonishing!"
Ling Xiao's face was complex, but he also had to admit, "Yunze's Heart-Probing sword intent is also becoming increasingly pure. Both of these children are using this duel to break through themselves."
"Clang—"
The swords met again, but this time an astonishing shockwave of sword intent exploded.
Both retreated several steps, the ground carved with deep marks by the intent.
Qi Yunze's eyes flashed with excitement. "Fellow Daoist Mu, this next strike is what I comprehended during three years of closed-door cultivation. Please advise!"
The Heart-Probing Sword shone brilliantly, and a sword intent pure to the extreme soared into the sky.
Mu Wenyan held his long sword across his chest, the Five Elements sword intent flowing ceaselessly. "Please!"
At this moment, everyone held their breath.
This Nascent Soul stage final had transcended a mere contest of victory and defeat; it had become a battle for the Dao of these two sword geniuses.
Qi Yunze's Heart-Probing sword intent condensed to the extreme; he seemed to transform into a clear, bright sword himself, the tip pointing straight at Mu Wenyan.
Mu Wenyan simultaneously circulated the Five Elements sword intent, his sword light flowing as he met the attack head-on without flinching.
The two sword intents crashed violently, the sound echoing through the clouds.
Amidst the exploding sword light, both retreated several steps, the ground once again carved with deep gouges.
The battle intent in Qi Yunze's eyes grew even stronger. "Good! Take another strike from me!"
Mu Wenyan's sword vibrated. "Just as I wished!"
This time, neither retreated.
Double swords met, and the sword intent burst forth with brilliant radiance, illuminating the entire arena as if it were broad daylight.
When the light gradually faded, the two were seen with their swords pressed against each other, the tips trembling slightly. They were actually evenly matched!
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