Ling Tian Sword God

"I didn't expect Wei Qingyi to have grasped Sword Intent. The scales of victory will surely tilt towards him now."

The judges of the fifth group finally composed themselves. In a Swordsman duel, if one had mastered Sword Intent and the other had not, the one without it would be at a significant disadvantage.

"Great! With the support of Sword Intent, Senior Brother Wei is sure to win!" the cyan-robed young woman watching from among the spectators also said with a joyful expression.

"Sword Intent is the standard of a Genius Swordsman. If a swordsman hasn't even comprehended Sword Intent, then he can't be considered a Genius Swordsman. What a pity," the judge from the fifth group shook his head again. He had originally thought Ling Chen held greater potential than Wei Qingyi, but it seemed he was mistaken.

"Ling Chen, try my Sword Intent," Wei Qingyi challenged. As he activated his Sword Intent, his Sword Momentum became incredibly focused and unstoppable, impervious to external interference, including Ling Chen's own Sword Momentum.

The next moment, Wei Qingyi instantly appeared before Ling Chen. The clash of metal rang out, and brilliant sparks scattered, flickering wildly.

Below the Dueling Platform, the spectators and watching warriors could only discern a blue and a cyan shadow flashing past one another. What captivated their attention most was the pervasive sword light; each gleam was breathtaking. Soon, shallow gashes began to appear on the Dueling Platform, so sharp they seemed capable of piercing one's very spirit upon sight.

Judging by the current situation, Wei Qingyi and Ling Chen seemed evenly matched. One had comprehended Minor Sword Intent, granting him a distinct advantage, yet the other, relying on the unparalleled sophistication of his Swordsmanship, was able to contend nonetheless.

On the vast Dueling Platform, the Long Sword in Wei Qingyi's hand moved unpredictably, its sword light sharp and deadly. Every slash and thrust carried immense menace. At times, when his True Qi surged powerfully, incandescent sparks would erupt between them even before his sword tip connected, leaving the spectators awestruck.

Compared to Wei Qingyi's unpredictable and fierce sword light, Ling Chen was clearly superior in this aspect. His Cloud-hidden Sword moved like a celestial steed soaring through the sky—traceless and unpredictable. Every angle of his attack was flawless, defying everyone's expectations and preventing Wei Qingyi from gaining any advantage, even with his Sword Intent active.

Of course, Ling Chen dared not be complacent. Without using Sword Intent, he would be at an absolute disadvantage. However, his Dragon Seeking Sword Technique was a King Level super Sword Technique, its subtlety far exceeding his opponent's. Furthermore, his Ling Tian Sword Scripture was currently at the Sword Spirit Universe level, granting a massive bonus to both his Swordsmanship and Sword Momentum. This combination allowed Ling Chen to face a Genius Swordsman like Wei Qingyi without activating his own Sword Intent, and still not fall into the slightest disadvantage.

Figures flickered across the Dueling Platform, sword lights weaving a dazzling web. Occasional wisps of residual sword qi spilled out from the periphery of their clash, etching cracks into the surrounding martial arts competition stage. The young prodigies near the fifth group's Dueling Platform were startled into retreating by the aftershocks of such a battle.

"How is this possible?" Wei Qingyi exclaimed, his Long Sword a blur of lightning-fast strikes. He grew increasingly astonished. "My Swordsmanship was taught by Sect Leader Qingyi! I've even comprehended Sword Intent, yet I can't gain any advantage at all! Just what level has this brat's Swordsmanship reached?" By the end, he was thoroughly impressed by Ling Chen's Swordsmanship.

He feared that even his Senior Brother, Xue Wu Ya, the "Northern Snow Divine Sword," might not be able to surpass Ling Chen in Swordsmanship.

As the battle intensified, the expression on Wei Qingyi's face grew intensely solemn. His eyes almost stopped blinking as he focused his spiritual sense intently on Ling Chen's most minute movements, hoping to find an opening. Even the slightest one would allow him to launch a fierce counterattack and reclaim the chance for victory.

However, after a moment more, Wei Qingyi abandoned the idea. He simply couldn't find any opening in Ling Chen. To him, Ling Chen was impeccable. Even if an apparent flaw emerged, it might be a deliberate feint by his opponent to disrupt his rhythm.

"No matter! I'll just overpower him through sheer force!"

Taking a step back, Wei Qingyi gripped his Long Sword with both hands and executed a sweeping horizontal slash.

"Blue Cloud Sword Technique—Wind Shadow!"

"If there's no opening, then I'll create one myself!" With this sword strike, Wei Qingyi used his full strength, completely concentrating his Sword Intent into the gale generated by his sword.

Sounds like the wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves echoed as the terrifying sword-gale intermittently condensed into sword qi before dissipating, making it untraceable.

His Sword Intent is passable, and his Swordsmanship isn't bad, Ling Chen assessed internally. Unfortunately, his Realm isn't profound enough.

Ling Chen was able to fight on par with his opponent without using Sword Intent. Beyond his powerful Sword Techniques and Sword Momentum, the crucial factor was the sophistication of his Realm of understanding. The combination of these aspects meant that even Wei Qingyi, who had comprehended Minor Sword Intent, couldn't force Ling Chen to use his own Sword Intent.

Or rather, he didn't need Sword Intent at all.

If one were to compare the Sword Realm, Sword Techniques, Sword Intent, and Sword Momentum to a physical sword, then the Sword Realm would be the hilt, Sword Momentum the body of the blade, Sword Techniques the cutting edge, and Sword Intent the very tip. Lacking the tip, a sword might be imperfect and duller. However, if the hilt itself is flawed, it's not merely a matter of dullness; the sword becomes unwieldy. No matter how sharp the blade, its true power cannot be unleashed.

As Wei Qingyi closed in, Ling Chen retreated a step, raised his Cloud-hidden Sword with both hands, and then suddenly chopped down.

"Seeing Dragon in the Field!"

CRACKLE! CRACKLE! A dragon's roar echoed in the Void. Wei Qingyi's sword-generated gale was instantly shattered, dispersing like splashing water, while Ling Chen's attack also dissipated into nothing.

When Ling Chen broke his Sword Technique with a single strike, Wei Qingyi's expression changed drastically. But in the next instant, his eyes filled with grim determination. "I was planning to reserve this move for the final moment, but you are now worthy of me using it."

Minor Sword Intent surged out, pushed to its absolute limit, and arrayed itself around Wei Qingyi. He gripped the hilt tightly with his right hand, his left hand bracing the pommel. The next moment, an incomparably sharp Sword Momentum erupted fiercely. Combined with his tall, slender frame, he himself seemed like a Peerless Treasure Sword about to be unsheathed.

"Hehe, this Wei Qingyi isn't bad at all, actually holding back an even stronger ultimate move. Ling Chen is going to lose," Baili Xuance remarked, crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk. "Too bad. I was hoping to trade a few more blows with him myself."

Facing Wei Qingyi's overwhelmingly fierce aura, Ling Chen shook his head. "So, this is your strongest move? In that case, it's time to end this match."

Ling Chen actually somewhat appreciated Wei Qingyi's Sword Techniques. Opponents like him were rare. He felt a hunter's thrill; only by clashing with such an opponent could his Swordsmanship improve. Otherwise, he wouldn't have wasted so much time; he would have defeated his opponent the moment he stepped onto the Dueling Platform. With his strength, Wei Qingyi would have been defeated long ago if Ling Chen had gone all out from the beginning.

"Has he given up?" Wei Qingyi thought, hearing Ling Chen's words. Believing Ling Chen had accepted defeat, he immediately accelerated his thrust, aiming a strike at Ling Chen's chest.

However, just as his Long Sword was about to connect, a terrifying Sword Intent erupted from Ling Chen's body. A formidable qi sword pierced the Void, tearing a large hole through the clouds, as if it would cleave the very sky above in two, piercing through the firmament.