An extraordinarily sharp invisible force shot out, spanning the entire stone stage in an instant!
The many Golden Core Perfected Ones who were fighting sensed the danger and hurried to dodge. More than ten could not withstand it and were immediately knocked from the stage!
So fast!
Those who had barely escaped the sword intent were still shaken and filled with astonishment.
They hurriedly turned to see a plain-robed sword cultivator standing with an icy expression, his magnificent sword qi piercing the heavens.
Someone exclaimed softly, “That’s Yun Lie, the Slaughter Sword!”
The remaining perfected ones all drew sharp breaths.
Before the competition, they had known they would face dozens of opponents. They had not expected one of them to be such a troublesome figure. Some had not recognized Yun Lie earlier, though they had avoided him because of his imposing aura, intending to eliminate weaker opponents first and contend with him later. But the fight had barely begun before they found themselves in this alarming situation.
Without realizing it, the thirty-odd cultivators who remained gradually drew together.
One Golden Core Perfected One said, “I’ve heard of the Slaughter Sword’s reputation for years. Seeing him today, I know the stories weren’t exaggerated.”
Another said, “But isn’t he rumored to have formed his Golden Core only recently? How could he possess such might already? I used to think the rumors overstated his ability, but…”
The perfected ones exchanged glances and reached an understanding.
“Someone ranked fifth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking won’t be easy to defeat. Why don’t we join forces to knock him off the stage first, then settle matters among ourselves?”
“Agreed! Let us face the formidable enemy together and decide the rest afterward!”
“No one hold anything back. Use your strongest techniques!”
“In that case, I’ll join you too!”
Their discussion through spiritual-sense transmissions took no more than a moment.
In the next instant, countless divine abilities erupted, releasing radiance ten thousand zhang high. Those abilities contained vast comprehension and innumerable intentions, gathering into an overwhelming flood that surged forward!
Numerous powerful magical techniques were also unleashed.
Some produced a scarlet claw of energy seemingly capable of tearing apart heaven and earth, diving downward from the sky. Others formed enormous earth-colored palms rising from below to crush an enemy with a single movement. A great seal covered in crackling lightning emitted a hundred thunder pillars in successive waves. Another pearl disgorged a hundred-zhang gale that twisted without end like a tornado!
In the hands of Golden Core Perfected Ones, such moves possessed immeasurable force. The entire stone stage was filled with attacks capable of claiming lives.
Against such power, even the strongest opponent would surely be overwhelmed. One lapse, one direct hit, and still more divine abilities would follow to grind that person into dust!
The assembled perfected ones believed that if the Slaughter Sword had any sense, he ought to concede immediately. Under so violent an assault, dying would be his own fault.
But they never imagined that something far more dangerous would rise in their hearts just as their attacks raced toward him.
Yun Lie did not move a single step.
He stood like a solitary mountain that had endured unchanged since ancient times, unmoved by the transformation of seas into fields or all the vicissitudes of the mortal world.
Then a faint golden marking emerged between his brows.
A terrifying power lay hidden within that golden trace.
Yun Lie’s eyes opened wide and closed in a flash.
Swish!
A golden sword radiance shot skyward. A gigantic golden sword burst out fiercely from between his brows!
The enormous sword was as vast as a mountain. The instant it appeared, it slashed downward with a thunderous crash!
In the next instant, sword astral qi raged across the stage. Wherever the golden sword passed, it destroyed everything in its path, shattering the force and techniques of every divine ability and magical artifact. It even carved a deep sword scar into the stone itself!
Yet the sword did not disappear after that strike. Having destroyed the powers released by the thirty-odd perfected ones, it instantly flew back to stand upright behind Yun Lie, towering toward the sky!
The Golden Core cultivators stared in disbelief, and the atmosphere seemed to freeze.
Only when someone cried, “…My magical artifact!” did the world seem to move again.
It turned out that the giant sword had not merely annihilated the attacks. The magical artifacts that had blazed so brightly before it were now scattered on the ground. Their spiritual radiance had been extinguished by sword qi, gravely damaging their very foundations and leaving them dim.
The perfected ones hurried to form hand seals and retrieve their treasures, but the extent of the damage made their hearts ache.
Restoring the artifacts to their former condition would probably require several more years of effort.
A sword scar now ran across the stone stage, almost splitting it in two.
Having gathered their damaged artifacts, the Golden Core Perfected Ones could not hide their shock. They had intended to eliminate their opponent in one overwhelming attack, yet it had achieved nothing.
The might of that single sword was truly domineering!
At once, more than ten perfected ones cupped their hands and conceded defeat.
So many had joined forces against a single opponent, an unfair tactic in itself, yet even that assault had been blocked. What dignity remained for them to stay?
After conceding, they rode the wind off the stage.
Fewer than twenty people remained.
Their true essence reserves were still abundant. They could not bear to surrender without further effort.
Besides, Yun Lie was only at early Golden Core. No matter how formidable the move he had used, it must have consumed most of his true essence. After such a strike, surely he would lack the strength to continue.
A second assault might yet succeed.
With that decision, they began transmitting messages to one another again.
Yun Lie did not wait for them to finish. He merely raised a finger and said, “Go.”
The giant sword displayed its might again. Golden radiance streamed over its surface as it rose and swept across the stage!
The remaining Golden Core cultivators hurriedly summoned protective robes and true essence barriers against it.
But the sword astral qi was unstoppable. It tore through the protective true essence and struck their robes with crushing force!
The impact nearly penetrated their bodies. They no longer dared hesitate, releasing every defensive method they possessed and barely managing to dispel the sword astral qi.
Yet the icy killing intent within it remained engraved in their bones, making them feel as though they had been plunged into a pool of freezing, dark ice water, chilled to their very marrow.
Thus, in the space of only a few breaths, the vast stone stage held just one figure: the sword cultivator in plain white.
Below, Xu Ziqing sat beside Perfected Qiu He, staring openmouthed. “Master, Senior Brother is incredible!”
When dozens of perfected ones had attacked Yun Lie together, Xu Ziqing had been worried. He never imagined his senior brother would sweep the stage with only two sword strikes, knocking every opponent down!
Perfected Qiu He lowered his hand. Earlier he had raised a defensive barrier, but the tremendous force of those attacks had almost overwhelmed it. Now that he could finally speak, he said, “Even I am surprised by how quickly Yun’er has advanced. Ziqing, observe that golden sword. It is one of the divine abilities your senior brother has condensed.”
Xu Ziqing drew a deep breath and nodded.
Yun Lie’s earlier actions had seemed simple enough. First, a thread of sword intent had swept outward, shaking the souls of more than ten perfected ones and robbing them of their footing. Then he had used a divine ability to destroy divine abilities, easily defeating those who remained.
But while describing it was easy, Xu Ziqing did not know whether his senior brother had actually found it so effortless.
With his first match finished, Yun Lie extended his sword intent beneath his feet, allowing it to carry him back. Neither his clothing nor the ends of his hair stirred, yet he was suddenly standing quietly before them.
Xu Ziqing hurried to meet him. “Senior Brother Yun, how… how do you feel?”
Although Xu Ziqing knew something of his senior brother’s abilities, Yun Lie had been attacked by dozens of people and had used a powerful divine ability. Who knew how much true essence he had consumed? Worse, his expression never betrayed anything, making it impossible for Xu Ziqing to tell whether he was suffering.
Seeing his concern, Yun Lie’s gaze softened slightly. “I’m fine.”
Xu Ziqing still could not set his mind at ease. “Truly? Senior Brother, you mustn’t lie to me.”
Yun Lie shook his head. “I haven’t lied.”
Xu Ziqing frowned faintly and took hold of the hem of Yun Lie’s sleeve, pulling him aside to sit. He had never doubted his senior brother’s words before, but after his own many battles he understood just how many powerful experts filled the Wuling Immortal Sect. Concern now overcame his usual composure, making him somewhat impulsive.
After thinking for a while, he spoke again. “Ziqing has a rather presumptuous request. I hope Senior Brother will agree.”
Yun Lie said, “Speak.”
Xu Ziqing became solemn. “I wish to send a trace of my true essence into Senior Brother’s body to examine your condition…” He paused, then persisted. “It isn’t that I mistrust you. I’m simply worried. Please allow me.”
Yun Lie looked at him. His expression remained unchanged, but he held out his hand. “Then examine it.”
Xu Ziqing froze, then felt a rush of delight.
When he made the request, he had been prepared to be scolded. His mind had even prepared many arguments with which to persuade Yun Lie. He needed to see with his own eyes that his senior brother was unharmed before he could relax. To his surprise, Yun Lie had agreed immediately. It was an unexpected joy.
Holding down his happiness, Xu Ziqing smiled and clasped Yun Lie’s wrist.
Beneath his fingers, Yun Lie’s arm was warm, not cold like his aura. His skin was smooth, the muscles beneath it even and firm, as though they contained tremendous power.
Being so close to Yun Lie for the first time left Xu Ziqing briefly dazed. He quickly recovered, drew a trace of true essence from his dantian, guided it along his meridians, and sent it through his fingertips into Yun Lie’s body.
Xu Ziqing’s true essence carried the qualities of wood. It was peaceful and accommodating, filled with vitality. Yet true essence was still true essence, and it contained considerable power that could not be ignored. Nevertheless, the instant this slender current entered Yun Lie’s body through the pulse point, it vanished without a trace.
“Huh?” Xu Ziqing exclaimed softly.
Yun Lie said, “You may use more true essence.”
Xu Ziqing’s expression grew serious. “Yes, Senior Brother Yun.”
This time he did not test the waters. He directly circulated ten percent of his true essence and poured it into Yun Lie’s body.
He realized he had been overly cautious. Even if his senior brother was weakened, he was still a Golden Core Perfected One. With such an enormous difference between their cultivation levels, Xu Ziqing probably could not injure Yun Lie even if he used all his true essence.
Sure enough, this stronger current could be perceived more clearly. After entering through the pulse point, it immediately flowed into Yun Lie’s meridians and began circulating along them.
Elio’s Notes: The supplied mirror renders Yun Lie as an “early Foundation Establishment Perfected One” in one sentence, which contradicts his Golden Core status throughout the scene. Another preserved edition reads “early Golden Core,” matching the narrative context. The translation uses the latter.