Chapter 64 – The Challenge Begins!

During the following day.

News of the Jianghai City academy challenge spread rapidly across the internet.

It continuously dominated the top search rankings, becoming a popular topic of conversation during people’s leisure time.

“Who do you think Jianghai Martial Arts Academy will send to accept the challenge?”

“Obviously, aside from Li Zixuan, their top genius, who else would be worthy?”

“This Grassland Sword Saint truly lives up to his title—how audacious to publicly challenge our Jianghai Sword God Senior.”

“Do you think Sword God Senior will accept the challenge?”

……….

Rumors and gossip spread like wildfire online.

With so much anticipation, everyone’s attention was focused on the event.

People from all over the country traveled to Jianghai City just to witness this duel.

Ticket prices for the spectator seats at Jianghai Martial Arts Academy soared, reaching astronomical prices online, to the point where they became priceless treasures.

However, no matter how much commotion there was outside, it had nothing to do with Li Zixuan.

Under Elder Li’s deliberate arrangements, all external disturbances were kept away from her, allowing her to focus entirely on preparing for the competition.

In the evening, Li Zixuan took some time to visit Sword Valley, quietly listening to Qin Yang’s teachings and comprehending various profound insights into the Sword Dao. Her understanding of “One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate” had reached an almost transcendent level.

…………

Sword Valley.

The moon was bright, the stars sparse, and a gentle breeze blew.

Li Zixuan sat cross-legged on a smooth rock, her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling gently.

At this moment, she was entering a deeper state of enlightenment. The Sword Qi around her was gently released, and the nearby Sword Intent harmonized with her thoughts, creating a natural connection between heaven and humanity, as if it were all one.

Sword Qi brewed within her meridians, flowing steadily and surging at an astonishing speed.

“This speed is still a bit too slow.”

Qin Yang, standing nearby, shook his head inwardly upon seeing this.

As the Empress, Li Zixuan’s talent was unquestionably superior, surpassing all her peers.

But the problem was…

The competition was tomorrow.

At her current pace, she would definitely not make it in time.

“Tsk, my disciple, it seems I must find a way to get you an acceleration membership.”

Thinking of this.

Qin Yang closed his eyes and released his spiritual sense to perceive the distribution of Sword Qi in Sword Valley.

Scattered and chaotic.

Ever since he left Sword Valley that day.

The Sword Qi, no longer restrained, had spread to every corner of the valley, making it difficult to gather.

At this thought.

Qin Yang suddenly had a bold idea.

In the path of cultivation, timing, location, and harmony are crucial.

Now, Li Zixuan was intelligent and talented—”harmony” was not an issue.

And Sword Valley, with its pervasive Sword Intent, was a precious “location.”

What she lacked now was only “timing.”

“What if… I gather all the Sword Intent around my disciple? Would that speed up her progress?”

With this thought, Qin Yang felt enlightened and gained confidence.

Artificial rain is still rain.

If I manually gather Qi, why shouldn’t it count as heavenly harmony?!

This makes perfect sense!

“Master?”

Hearing Qin Yang’s pacing footsteps, Li Zixuan slowly opened her eyes and saw him standing at the entrance to Sword Valley. She asked softly, “Are you leaving?”

“It’s nothing, disciple. Close your eyes and focus on your comprehension. I will lend you a hand.”

Qin Yang spoke calmly, raising his hand lightly as he began to guide the Sword Qi in Sword Valley, gathering it around Li Zixuan.

Li Zixuan watched Qin Yang suddenly raise his hand high, feeling somewhat puzzled.

What was he doing?However, just as she was feeling perplexed, she saw Qin Yang gazing at the tranquil pine forest in the valley and suddenly utter a soft word—

“Come.”

As his voice fell.

Rustling leaves swayed, and the sea of trees instantly surged and churned like roaring waves.

“Is it windy?”

Li Zixuan was slightly taken aback.

But then she sensed something was amiss.

No…

This wasn’t the wind.

It was the scattered Sword Qi within the Sword Valley!

In an instant, the Sword Qi responded to Qin Yang’s call, piercing through the forest leaves, traversing the cliffs and precipices of the canyon, and converging around Li Zixuan.

In no time, it formed a Sword Intent vortex with a radius of two meters.

And at the center of this vortex was Li Zixuan, who was in a state of enlightenment.

“How is this possible?!”

Feeling the Sword Intent surrounding her, Li Zixuan’s pupils trembled in shock, and she was utterly dumbfounded.

He actually stirred the Sword Qi in the Sword Valley just like that?

Unbelievable!

Master’s strength is truly terrifying…

But why did he suddenly do this…

Could it be that he thinks I’m too foolish?!

Li Zixuan stared at Qin Yang, frozen in place, sinking into deep self-doubt and a hint of grievance.

“Disciple, why are you standing there in a daze?”

Seeing this, Qin Yang was puzzled.

Gathering the Sword Qi in the Sword Valley wasn’t easy.

He couldn’t maintain it for too long either—at most, the Sword Qi would disperse after half an hour and return to its original positions.

If he had to gather it again later, it would be quite troublesome.

Thinking of this, Qin Yang fixed his gaze on Li Zixuan and quickly urged, “Continue to deepen your comprehension of the Sword Dao I taught you.”

“Oh, I understand, Master.”

Li Zixuan pouted, feeling somewhat aggrieved as she replied, “I will do my best.”

As her words fell.

She closed her eyes and carefully sensed the Sword Qi around her.

Vast and boundless.

Nurtured by this Sword Intent, Li Zixuan felt as if she were immersed in a warm hot spring, and all her confusion about Sword Intent was instantly resolved.

The moment her thoughts cleared, a sharp Sword Intent erupted from her body.

“Finally succeeded.”

Qin Yang smiled with relief, looking at Li Zixuan with considerable satisfaction.

“Thank you for your assistance, Master.”

Li Zixuan rose and immediately knelt to kowtow in gratitude to Qin Yang.

“No need for that. Go back and rest well.”

Qin Yang spoke slowly, “Tomorrow is the day of your sword duel with Huyan Jian. Do not disappoint me.”

At this thought, Qin Yang’s heart swelled with anticipation.

Now that the disciple he had taught had grasped his foundational Sword Intent, what kind of reward would that damn system yield when she defeated the so-called Emperor-Class powerhouse, the “Sword Demon,” tomorrow?

…

…

The next day, Xia He and Qin Yang specifically took leave.

Then, leveraging Xia He’s financial prowess, the two of them obtained passes and arrived at the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy.

At this moment.

Jianghai Martial Arts Academy, Martial Arts Plaza.

The spectator stands were adorned with colorful flags, and the temporarily erected seating resembled towering walls, completely filled with eagerly awaiting audiences.

Both external and internal personnel were present, a mix of all sorts, as the teachers and students of Jianghai Martial Arts Academy discussed animatedly.

Elder Li and Li Zixuan stood waiting in the Martial Arts Plaza.

“Xuan Xuan, if you truly cannot match his strength, you must not be foolishly stubborn.”

Elder Li cautioned Li Zixuan.

“Yes, Teacher, I understand.”

Thinking of the progress she had made over the past three days, Li Zixuan was full of confidence.

“Sigh.”Elder Li shook his head at the sight, hesitating to speak, afraid of crushing Li Zixuan’s confidence.

Yet he also worried she might push herself too hard and ruin herself.

………

A moment later.

Gasps of surprise arose from the spectator stands.

“He’s here!”

“The Grassland Sword Saint is here!”

In the crowd, Qin Yang, holding popcorn, immediately followed the voices and looked over.

He saw Yuwen Xuan walking slowly into the arena with his hands clasped behind his back.

Following closely behind him was Huyan Jian.

His muscles bulged, his upper body bare, and his long hair danced in the wind like wild horses galloping across the grassland.

Just then, the system emitted a prompt tone…

“Ding! Emperor-Class detected…”

Qin Yang fixed his gaze on Huyan Jian as a light screen appeared.

Name: Huyan Jian

Age: 517

Cultivation: Early-stage Emperor Venerable Realm

Martial Arts: Demon Soul Slash, Necromantic Swordplay…

Lifespan: 4500

(End of Chapter)