Chapter 394 – Innate Sword Dance Moves Across the Nine Provinces

“Considering my current path—long and arduous, with heavy responsibilities—the present circumstances force our generation into dire straits, leaving us unable to extricate ourselves.”

For a moment, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but inwardly lament the predicament of being trapped between a rock and a hard place, pursued relentlessly by countless martial artists.

One could easily imagine how crushing this pressure was.

At this thought, his figure abruptly pivoted sideways, his gaze fixed on a cold gleam that shot past his eyes like lightning, instantly reflecting his icy pupils and stern expression.

Guardian Elder, seeing his first strike miss, suddenly released his grip on the sword with his right hand, then forcefully pushed the hilt.

The sweeping sword momentum, like a biting cold wind that sent chills down one’s spine, also resembled a circling swallow, weaving unpredictably in all directions.

Clearly, it was a first-rate sword technique!

Ye Kuang repeatedly evaded the dazzling assaults, appearing like a lone leaf boat beneath a curtain of blades, perpetually on the verge of capsizing. Yet in reality, he moved with the ease of a wild steed in a leisurely stroll—now shifting nimbly, now blocking with his scabbard.

To Guardian Elder, this scene appeared extraordinary: it seemed as though Ye Kuang was countering every move without launching a single counterattack, a situation as ironic as it could be.

After all, Guardian Elder had continuously unleashed his Wandering Dragons stance, not only failing to achieve any significant effect but also being passively subjected to silent provocation by the youth’s swift movements.

“Junior, draw your sword for this old man!”

“Senior, are you certain?”

“Enough nonsense! When I say draw, you draw!”

In an instant, Ye Kuang acted decisively, sharply shaking his long blade with a cold and fierce demeanor, as if he had become a different person in the blink of an eye.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

Before their eyes, the Heavy Edge began dancing without any wind, as if pulled by an invisible force, spinning rapidly in mid-air.

Humming keen!

As Guardian Elder charged forth with his sword, their vision was completely obscured by a chilling radiance.

In that moment, Guardian Elder didn’t hesitate, immediately countering with a straightforward thrust aimed directly at the heart.

“Draw, draw, draw…” But unexpectedly, Ye Kuang sidestepped while gripping his sword, abruptly drawing countless ethereal blades!

At a glance, the scattered cold gleams resembled an endless flowing river, intertwining to form a silvery ribbon.

Witnessing this, Guardian Elder couldn’t help but be utterly astounded, subsequently roaring repeatedly in response.

“The sword of Tianshan, soaring for ten thousand miles. See how this old man’s sword technique fares now!”

Clash, clang, clang!

In an instant, the curtain of blades and snow-white sword shadows became indistinguishable, frequently clashing and colliding, filling the air with deafening reverberations.

So engrossed were the combatants that they forgot everything around them, immersing themselves in the mutual exchange of techniques that resonated from within, performing a “Mortal’s Entry into the Battle Array Melody.”

The sounds were like wandering dragons howling at the moon, akin to the startling of hibernation, or the ups and downs of life—bumpy and tumultuous.

Just then, under the watchful eyes of all, Ye Kuang decisively retreated a step. As he turned, he abruptly sheathed his long blade.

But as he lifted his gaze, his entire spirit surged as if infused into the vast sky.

“Innate Sword Inquiry!”

“Haha, exhilarating… truly exhilarating! This old man shall now experience your prowess!!”

The sword of Tianshan, the long river at sunset.

Whisper, keen, whisper, keen!

In that instant, facing the sudden arrival of the sword tip, Ye Kuang appeared oblivious, casually brandishing his sword to disrupt the universe, a second strike that shocked a hundred li, and a third unleashed simultaneously—all amounting to a dance that stirred the mountains and rivers.

His seemingly ordinary sword movements, in reality, shattered the scene like a broken painting, delivering an inexplicably intense visual impact.That sword’s fierce momentum was so palpable that even the surrounding crowd felt it vicariously, forcing them to retreat hastily.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three streaks of Sword Light shot forth, coalescing into an invisible gust of sharp wind that whipped up layers of sand, resembling crisscrossing sword energies.

Guardian Elder, facing the dazzling brilliance descending upon him, finally understood deeply that Ye Kuang’s earlier words were far from empty boasts.

This must be mentioned: while it’s true that those in the Innate Realm can project True Qi externally and utilize objects as lethal means, the current Sword Inquiry technique was entirely different. It clearly transcended physical substance, employing formless wind to carry its own True Qi, thereby unleashing a terrifyingly lethal move.

“Sword of Tianshan, descended from heaven! Body like willow, man and sword as one!” In that instant, Guardian Elder’s entire body erupted with a rapidly swelling white radiance, which then vanished in a flash.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The successive collisions were visibly intertwined, resembling dancing blades and flashing swords, with brilliant lights darting and weaving.

Little did anyone realize—in the time it takes to speak, it was already over!

Guardian Elder shattered three sword energies in succession, swiftly turning back. Though his face was pale as paper, his relentless sword momentum remained undiminished.

Conversely, Ye Kuang also recognized the dreadfulness of this technique.

It should be known that ever since his breakthrough into the Dao Inquiry Realm, he too had comprehended the essence of “man and sword as one.” As for why he hadn’t employed it first, it was because…

“Senior, you’ve lost! Hahaha…”

As Ye Kuang’s words fell, it was as fleeting as a glimpse of a startling beauty—a mere blink in time.

His feet rapidly stamped in place, leaving numerous afterimages across the ground.

This was precisely the “Dragon Shadow Step, Shadows Alike” that only those in the Dao Inquiry Realm could execute—now manifesting as a swarm of rampaging dragon-like phantoms closing in.

Just as Guardian Elder appeared, shattering one of the phantoms, he immediately continued his assault.

But who could have guessed? Ye Kuang had been waiting for this very moment!

Swoosh!

He burst forth, merging with his sword, gathering and dispersing countless afterimages, thrusting straight toward the heart of the defense.

“Ah?” Witnessing this, Guardian Elder couldn’t help but inwardly tremble with fear.

Only at this moment did Guardian Elder realize why Ye Kuang hadn’t used “man and sword as one” earlier—it was clearly a strategy of withholding until the decisive strike, ensuring maximum impact.

Now, if Guardian Elder chose to evade the attack, he would inevitably plunge himself into irretrievable ruin.

And how could Ye Kuang let such an opportunity slip?

As that gleam of brilliance intensified dramatically, the sword in his hand mirrored its wielder—sharp and fully exposed.

In panic, Guardian Elder could only raise his iron blade, visibly shaken and fearful.

Clang!

Thus, the thunderous crack that erupted mid-air decisively determined the outcome.

Not only did Ye Kuang’s sword deflect his opponent’s blade, but it followed through with a smooth, sweeping slash.

The speed was so extreme—honed through years of comprehending sword-drawing techniques—that it approached the minor mastery level of the Dao Inquiry Realm.

In the time it takes to speak, it was already over.

Swoosh!

Following the flash of light, Ye Kuang materialized right behind Guardian Elder.

This horrifying scene, witnessed by the crowd, struck them with belated terror.

One by one, they stared wide-eyed, beholding an outcome that should never have occurred.

Guardian Elder had actually lost!

Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!

For a moment, waves of astonished gasps rose and fell, clamoring through the scene.

If one were to name the most disheartened by the defeat, it would undoubtedly be Guardian Elder himself.At that moment, a section of Guardian Elder’s collar fluttered in the wind, abruptly catching the eyes of all onlookers present.

Was it shocking?

The answer was self-evident.

Bitter smiles?

As that piece of collar silently landed on the ground, the crowd erupted in astonished exclamations, with some even wearing unmistakable bitter smiles.

In that instant, needless to mention Tianshan Matriarch—she naturally understood deeply that Ye Kuang had already shown mercy earlier.

Had it been otherwise, that section of collar would likely not have been so simple, but rather…

Just as Ye Kuang had declared earlier, the third sword determined life and death, and now the “Innate Sword” was fully capable of “shaking the nine realms”!