Chapter 356 – I Am at the Peak of Innate

“All of you, step back!”

Daoist Qianming abruptly stopped his disciples who were eager to make a move, then said coldly, “What a cunning young man pretending to be weak. I originally thought you were merely at the Innate Stage, relying on the advantage of that Heavy Edge to successively defeat three Innate sword cultivators of Mount Shu…”

Before he could finish, Daoist Qianming suddenly realized something and declared with certainty, “Little did I know, you have already reached the Late Innate Stage! No wonder they were no match for you.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but sigh, “Ah, your words are truly impressive, but I can’t help feeling a bit troubled.”

As he spoke, he flicked his wrist, forming a sword blossom, and followed up with a strike of Afterimage Sword Bloom.

Clang!

In an instant, the sudden tremor of the sword fluctuated dramatically, causing everyone present to become inexplicably stunned.

Crack, crack!

At that moment, the solid ground seemed as fragile as paper, ruthlessly torn by the interweaving sharp sword energy, stirring up layers of dust and gravel.

After exchanging a single blow, both Ye Kuang and Daoist Qianming were forced to retreat several steps.

A faint tremor could be seen in Daoist Qianming’s palm, and traces of blood trickled down his sword blade.

“Your strength is considerable, but nothing extraordinary!”

“Is that so?”

The moment Ye Kuang’s words fell, he took a forceful step back, assuming a reckless and aggressive stance.

Seeing the incoming attack, Daoist Qianming took a deep breath, his expression turning grave.

“In the past, there were those from Mount Shu who dared to provoke us. Do you know what became of them?”

As he spoke, Daoist Qianming’s movements remained swift, and he swung his sword toward the sky with a surge of energy.

Bang!

A thunderous roar pierced the air, deafening to the ears.

Ye Kuang charged forward with astonishing speed but retreated even faster.

Meanwhile, Daoist Qianming’s entire aura underwent a sudden transformation, as if he had become a completely different person!

Ye Kuang planted his rear foot firmly on the ground, shattering the earth within a three-zhang radius around him.

His gaze growing increasingly solemn, he planted the Heavy Edge into the ground, exhaled slowly, and said calmly, “I don’t know, nor do I wish to find out. As I stated earlier, my purpose in coming today is twofold: first, to test my sword, and second… naturally, to issue a challenge.”

Clang!

Hearing this, Daoist Qianming felt the trembling force in his palm intensify, and his expression grew even more stern.

At that moment, Ye Kuang gripped the Heavy Edge once more and launched a swift, fierce assault.

Instantly, the onlookers couldn’t help but gasp in shock, not only astonished by Ye Kuang’s combat prowess but also deeply concerned for their mentor.

Unbeknownst to them, as Ye Kuang advanced, his movements were bold and unrestrained, carving deep trenches across the ground in his wake.

The battle grew increasingly intense. Though the two appeared to banter casually, the slightest misstep by either could lead to a tragic outcome.

“Forgive my audacity, but dare you engage in a fair duel with me? The loser shall forfeit their cultivation!”

“How presumptuous! Do you truly believe that with your mere Late Innate Stage cultivation, you can defeat me?”

“Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Who told you I’m only at the Late Innate Stage…”

Before he could finish, Ye Kuang burst into wild laughter, his arrogance unrestrained. “Let me enlighten you—I am at the Peak Innate Stage!”

“Peak?” Daoist Qianming was momentarily stunned by these words, but then he calmly stated a fact:”So what if that’s the case? You surely don’t think the chasm of Innate Dao Inquiry is this simple? Descend for this lord!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In that instant, Ye Kuang felt tremors shooting through his palms, while thunderous roars seemed to pierce through his eardrums, leaving a relentless ringing.

He was forced into rapid retreat, each step cratering the ground beneath him with countless holes.

“Exhilarating! Again!!”

“I must admit, your strength coupled with that Heavy Edge indeed makes you unmatched among the Innate realm. Pity…”

“Enough nonsense!” Ye Kuang roared, stomping the ground and leaping mid-air.

Daoist Qianming’s chest heaved uncontrollably, as if containing torrential momentum ready to surge forth.

Ignoring this, Ye Kuang reversed his grip and descended sword-first with crushing force.

A brilliant light silently bloomed, dazzling to the eyes.

Yet unexpectedly, Daoist Qianming’s blade traced an arc like a rainbow piercing the sun, following an inexplicable trajectory as it swept upward.

Bang!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thunderous collisions erupted continuously, the ground beneath both combatants bearing the brunt.

Under that colossal force—exceeding ten thousand jun—boundless, mountain-toppling power erupted.

As sword energy flooded the skies, strands of Ye Kuang’s hair fluttered and drifted loose.

He landed heavily, immediately following with another powerful horizontal slash.

Daoist Qianming: “Your strength is passable, but still leagues beneath this lord!”

As he spoke, Daoist Qianming exhaled a breath of True Qi, his sword straightening like Wandering Dragons revealing their majestic form.

Just then, Ye Kuang’s blade arrived without warning.

Wham-bzzzt!

The ensuing vibrations swept through like the Thunder God’s wrath.

This forced Daoist Qianming into unsteady footing, clearly compelled to sidestep repeatedly by the sword’s momentum.

Unbeknownst to him, a glint flashed in Ye Kuang’s eyes before he closed in again, executing a vertical slash.

“Boy, your speed and power are admittedly astonishing, but you’ve made a grave error!” Daoist Qianming’s tone carried instructive nuance.

Ye Kuang paid no heed, accelerating his vertical strike into a gale-force descent.

Daoist Qianming: “This technique is the Mount Shu Collapse Thunder Art—cosmic grandeur unifying all under heaven.”

The declaration manifested in Shocking Hundred Li spectacle.

Before any disciples could exclaim, their ears were flooded with lingering tremors.

They witnessed Ye Kuang gripping his sword with both hands, retreating step by step, blood already streaking his lips, his expression disbelieving.

Only now did he realize Daoist Qianming hadn’t retreated an inch, appearing completely at ease.

Daoist Qianming stood with tranquil poise, man and sword merging into one, exuding an aura that inspired awe and reverence.

“Have you comprehended now?”

“This… what sword art is this? Why do I feel my previous force was absorbed and reflected back at me?”

To his surprise, Ye Kuang’s question was drowned by waves of laughter.

“Hahaha! Quite unexpected, isn’t it? Our Mount Shu Sword techniques embody either the weight of ten thousand thunderbolts or lightning’s devastating fury—who dares contend against them?””As for this lightness, it embodies the profound mystery of using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds. No matter how overwhelmingly strong the opponent’s force may be, it ultimately cannot withstand the subtle devastation of such agility.”

“Senior Martial Uncle is mighty, strengthening the divine aura of Mount Shu!!”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but fall into inexplicable contemplation: “Heavy as ten thousand jun, light as devastating subtlety—truly living up to its reputation.”

Yet in the very next moment, as he abruptly raised his head, his eyes could no longer conceal a sharp, bone-piercing intensity.

“In that case, this junior shall no longer hold back.”

“Hah? What did you say? Don’t tell me you’re claiming you haven’t gone all out yet—what sheer arrogance!”

“If you ask me, this lad probably hasn’t truly grasped the subtleties of the Mount Shu Sword. Senior Martial Uncle’s swordsmanship is unparalleled—please make him understand it deeply!!”

“…”

“Give him a sword strike to remember!!”

“Give him a sword strike to remember!!”