Chapter 62 – Challenge Letter!

Jianghai Martial Arts Hall.

Inside a special training room.

Fluorescent lamps cast soft light across the spacious, tidy square room.

Beneath the illumination, Li Zixuan sat cross-legged on the floor, her white robes pure as moonlight.

Before her stood a stone statue engraved with star patterns, faint celestial energy radiating around it.

“Huu~”

Li Zixuan exhaled softly, Sword Intent swirling around her body.

Instantly.

The air in the room vibrated as sharp Sword Qi erupted, producing clear, sword-like chimes.

“This is the final stage of comprehending One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.”

With this thought.

Li Zixuan calmed her mind, carefully guiding the bursting Sword Qi according to her memories.

Buzz buzz buzz!

The sword chimes in the room grew clearer, connecting into a continuous stream like someone plucking sword strings in song.

Yet in reality.

Li Zixuan hadn’t brought a sword into the hall, choosing instead to use her body as a sword to comprehend the perfected essence of One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.

With a mind vast as the sky, all things could become swords.

During this precious moment of enlightenment, the concept of time became fleeting and indistinct.

Unaware of how much time had passed.

Li Zixuan slowly opened her eyes, looking again at the stone statue before her as she raised two fingers.

In that instant, the wild Sword Qi in the room settled, then concentrated entirely at her fingertips, all sharpness contained, ready to strike.

“Cut.”

Li Zixuan murmured, pointing directly at the stone statue’s brow.

The air boiled momentarily as the Sword Qi gathered at her fingertips shot forth like white rainbow piercing the sun, transforming into a thin white line that gracefully pierced through the statue’s center.

One sword opens Heaven’s Gate!

Crack!

After the Sword Qi penetrated, a fine line appeared on the statue’s surface, immediately splitting it into two halves that crashed to the floor on either side!

“Success!”

Seeing this.

Li Zixuan felt thrilled, quickly pushing herself up to examine the shattered statue.

The cross-section of the divided statue was perfectly even, smooth as a mirror, somewhat resembling the cut on Broken Peak Mountain.

“Excellent.”

Li Zixuan reached out, gently tracing the cross-section, a smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Finally…

I too have reached the perfected realm of Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.

“One step closer to teacher’s sword technique that severed the peak…”

Thinking this, Li Zixuan suppressed her excitement, quickly went to the storage cabinet to retrieve her phone, then returned to take photos of the statue.

Such a historic moment naturally needed proper documentation!

After taking several photos.

Li Zixuan contentedly exited the album, then opened a webpage to read news about the Grassland master and disciple.

“They’ve arrived. The challenge will probably begin in a few days.”

Looking at Huyan Jian’s formidable figure, Li Zixuan’s gaze turned resolute, fierce fighting spirit blazing in her eyes like unquenchable flames.

This battle was crucially important.

Not only did it concern Jianghai City’s reputation, but it was also a contest between disciples of two Sword Dao masters.

“Teacher, I definitely won’t let you down!”

……

……

Two days later, at Jianghai Martial Arts Academy’s entrance.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, onlookers chattering noisily while official media reporters stood at the forefront, cameras ready to capture this historic moment.

Elder Li wore a Chinese tunic suit, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Zixuan before the main gate.

Ready to welcome the Grassland Sword Saint’s arrival.

Before long.At the end of the road, a black stretch Lincoln pulled up and came to a steady stop in front of the Martial Arts Academy.

The driver stepped out first, respectfully opening the car door for Yuwen Xuan.

Tap, tap!

Yuwen Xuan stepped out slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as if a highland shepherd were inspecting his flock.

“I have long admired the reputation of the Sword Saint, and today I finally have the honor of meeting you. It is a pleasure.”

Elder Li stepped forward without arrogance or humility, offering a basic greeting.

“Hmm.”

Yuwen Xuan nodded tersely, sparing only a glance at Elder Li before suddenly flicking a document through the air.

Whoosh!

A sharp whistling sound cut through the air, accompanied by faint traces of Sword Intent.

Clearly, his intentions were far from friendly.

Seeing this, Elder Li frowned, his quick reflexes allowing him to immediately release Star Power to intercept the flying letter.

After this initial probe, the crowd fell silent, the atmosphere growing tense like underwater currents, ready to erupt at any moment.

“Not bad. Though you’re only at Peak Innate Realm, you’re not far from the Grandmaster Realm.”

Yuwen Xuan spoke coldly, then turned his gaze to Li Zixuan beside Elder Li. “This is a challenge letter. In three days, my disciple will personally challenge the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy. Be prepared.”

His indifferent words fell like an ordinary command, devoid of any emotion.

“We will be here, awaiting the arrival of your esteemed disciple.”

Elder Li replied calmly, his expression composed and unwavering.

In this world, strength was what commanded respect.

Experts like Yuwen Xuan, who had reached Peak Grandmaster Realm, were often eccentric and unconventional, wholly devoted to their cultivation.

“Good.”

Yuwen Xuan nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly condensed his Star Power and sent another challenge letter flying toward Elder Li.

“What is this?”

Elder Li caught the challenge letter, his face showing confusion.

The first challenge letter was for the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.

But what was the purpose of this second one?

Could it be…

For him?

Yuwen Xuan, seeing the confusion on Elder Li’s face, immediately discerned his thoughts and explained directly:

“This is my challenge letter to the Jianghai Sword God. Ten days from now, I wish to face him in Sword Valley and experience the Sword God’s Swordplay.”

As his words fell.

The surrounding crowd erupted in an uproar!

“Outrageous! He actually wants to challenge the Sword God?”

“See, I told you! He’s aiming to sweep everything—both the old and the young have ulterior motives!”

“If he wins, where will the face of Jianghai City be?”

Hearing this.

Elder Li could only sigh helplessly, cupping his hands toward Yuwen Xuan:

“Lord Sword Saint, it’s not that I refuse to help, but we have no way to contact the Sword God. It’s simply beyond our capabilities…”

“No matter!”

Yuwen Xuan waved his hand dismissively. “You need only make this challenge public. I believe he will come.”

“Well…”

Elder Li shook his head with a sigh. “In that case, we have no choice but to comply. As for whether the Sword God wishes to come, that will be up to him.”

“He will come.”

Yuwen Xuan repeated coldly, then turned and returned to the stretch Lincoln without looking back.

Having accomplished his task, he departed, leaving only a crowd of onlookers buzzing with discussion.

“Tsk, tsk.”In the crowd, Xia He watched the departing vehicle and shook his head with a sigh:

“This Grassland Sword Saint acts as arrogant as a fool, but he truly has the strength to back it up.”

As he spoke, he nudged Qin Yang beside him: “Don’t you think so, Old Qin!”

Meanwhile, Qin Yang wore a peculiar expression, for he hadn’t heard the system’s notification sound just now…

(End of Chapter)