Yuyi stared at Cangying's sword momentum, his mind racing. The intricacy of the Hunyuan Sword Art far exceeded his imagination. Cangying's sword circles circulated like tai chi, openings constantly shifting, completely unpredictable. Each sword circle seemed like an independent world, yet was tightly connected to other sword circles, forming a perfect whole. This kind of sword technique had transcended mere moves, reaching the level of intent. As sword qi circulated, it was as if heaven and earth were just opening, yin and yang being born, containing infinite variations.
To break through, one would need speed fast enough to make the opponent unable to react before shifting openings, or be able to predict where the opening would shift next, or forcefully crash into the strongest center point of the sword circle. But each of these three methods was nearly impossible.
But Cangying's Hunyuan Sword Art was moveless, leaving no patterns. Predicting the position of openings was nearly impossible. And Yuyi's speed, though fast, hadn't yet reached the point where Cangying couldn't react. So only one method remained.
Yuyi took a deep breath. The Dream Sword's golden light greatly intensified, attacking into Cangying's sword momentum like a venomous snake. He didn't attack Cangying's sword circle head-on, but attacked the edge of the sword circle from the side. He knew that attacking head-on would only be dissolved by Cangying's sword circle—only by finding weaknesses from the side was there a possibility of breaking through.
Cangying constantly created sword circles, and Yuyi constantly shattered them one after another. His sword danced like a golden snake, every attack precisely shattering Cangying's sword circles. Cangying's sword circles circulated like tai chi—as one sword circle was shattered, another formed. The two's sword qi collided on the arena, sparking countless sparks. Yuyi seemed to be wrestling with endless waves, every attack consuming his spiritual power.
The watching cultivators were dumbfounded. They had never seen such exquisite sword technique duels. Cangying's Hunyuan Sword Art was like flowing clouds and flowing water, Yuyi's Golden Snake Sword Art was like a venomous snake emerging from its hole—two completely different sword techniques collided on the arena, sparking countless sparks.
"Is... is this what a true master duel looks like?"
"Cangying's Hunyuan Sword Art is actually this powerful!"
"Valley Master Yuyi's sword technique is also exquisitely superb—the two are evenly matched!"
Yuyi paid no attention to those sword circles meant to confuse enemies. His gaze locked onto Cangying's frontal sword circle. That was the core of Cangying's sword momentum, and also the strongest defense. Only by breaking through this core could he truly defeat Cangying.
Yuyi's sword grew faster and faster, golden qi surging toward Cangying like a vortex. He gradually dismantled Cangying's attacks, step by step approaching Cangying's core sword circle. Every attack made Cangying's sword circle show a crack. Though the cracks were quickly repaired, Yuyi knew he had found Cangying's weakness.
Finally, Yuyi's sword stopped three cun from Cangying's throat. Cangying froze, then smiled: "Senior Brother, you're still that powerful. I've been so diligent these years, yet still far from catching up to you."
Yuyi withdrew his sword, a trace of appreciation in his eyes: "Cangying, you've become very powerful. The bottom few of Xuantian Sect's top ten masters probably are far from your opponents. Your Hunyuan Sword Art has reached a very high realm—given time, you'll achieve great things."
mingjing sighed from the side: "To be able to spar with him for half an hour is truly remarkable. You should know, Yuyi's sword technique is among the top in the cultivation world."
Cangying shook her head: "Senior Brother, I won't take those five hundred Spirit Stones. I just wanted to practice sword with Senior Brother. Being able to spar with Senior Brother has already benefited me greatly."
Yuyi smiled: "Alright."
Just then, a cold voice rang out: "Valley Master Yuyi, I just heard you insulting our sect's masters—I'm extremely indignant."
Everyone looked toward the voice to see a green-robed man leap onto the arena, holding a long sword, his momentum sharp. Xuantian Sect's top ten masters ranked sixth—Buyan's name was also renowned in the cultivation world. His appearance made the watching cultivators discuss animatedly.
"It's Buyan! Xuantian Sect's top ten masters ranked sixth!"
"Why would he come to challenge Yuyi?"
"Just now Yuyi said Cangying is more powerful than the bottom few of the top ten masters—Buyan must be dissatisfied."
Cangying hurriedly explained: "Senior Brother Buyan, Senior Brother Yu was just joking—please don't take it to heart."
Buyan snorted coldly: "Joking? He, a Youyue Valley master,on what grounds looks down on our Xuantian Sect's masters? Today, I want to see just how powerful he is."
Cangying wanted to explain further, but Buyan waved her off. Buyan's eyes flashed with anger—he couldn't tolerate anyone looking down on Xuantian Sect.
Yuyi looked at Buyan indifferently: "You want to challenge me?"
Buyan drew his long sword: "Exactly."
Yuyi sighed: "Alright."
Buyan used the Hunyuan Sword Art, sword circles circulating like tai chi. But Yuyi saw at a glane the gap between Buyan and Cangying. Buyan's understanding of sword intent was completely different from Cangying's level. His sword circles, though seemingly exquisite, lacked that natural, seamless intent that Cangying possessed.
Yuyi's Dream Sword moved like a golden snake. Using only eight moves, he left seven shallow wounds on Buyan. Buyan's face turned pale, he stepped back several paces, his long sword falling from his hand. He couldn't keep up with Yuyi's speed at all—every attack was easily dissolved by Yuyi. Yuyi's sword technique had reached a nearly perfect realm, every sword precise, every sword pointing directly at vital points.
The crowd booed: "The top ten masters aren't as good as Cangying who's not in the top ten!"
"Buyan's Hunyuan Sword Art compared to Cangying's is simply heaven and earth!"
"Valley Master Yuyi's strength is truly terrifying!"
Buyan was ashamed beyond measure, turning to jump down from the arena. He knew the gap between himself and Yuyi wasn't just a matter of realm, but of understanding of the sword dao.
Yuyi shook his head, a trace of disappointment in his eyes. Such an opponent still couldn't make him feel excited. He began to doubt whether he could truly find a real opponent.
Just then, three figures leaped onto the arena. The leader was a red-robed woman with bewitching eyes and a charming smile. Behind her followed two women, one cold as ice, one smiling silently. The three's appearance made the watching cultivators gasp.
"It's the Tianyin Pavilion Three Sisters! Xuying, Hanshuang, Yanxue!"
"Why would they come?"
"Tianyin Pavilion's strength is unfathomable—now Valley Master Yuyi has met a real opponent!"
Xuying leaped into the arena, smiling: "Yuyi, isn't this obviously giving money to us three sisters?"
"Yuyi, you really are our god of wealth." The cold-as-ice woman also said.
Yuyi looked at the three, a trace of gravity in his eyes. Tianyin Pavilion's three sisters—Xuying, Hanshuang, Yanxue. Their names were thunderous in the cultivation world, their strength even more unfathomable. Especially Yanxue—rumor had it her strength was close to Feiyue, a top expert of Tianyin Pavilion.
Xuying leaped into the arena, smiling: "Defeated opponent Yuyi, come accept death!"
Yuyi drew the Dream Sword, saying indifferently: "Please."
Xuying threw a punch, the fist wind like thunder. Yuyi blocked hard with his sword sheath, the two clashing hard. Xuying used her fingers to deflect Yuyi's attack, double circles quickly building power to attack. Her moves were sharp, every strike carrying powerful spiritual power.
Yuyi's Dream Sword scattered golden qi, piercing into Xuying's body first. Xuyue's expression changed dramatically, cursing angrily: "You bastard, actually using such insidious and despicable weapons!"
Yuyi said indifferently: "This is an extremely orthodox weapon. The Dream Sword, though soft, is an extremely orthodox weapon."
Xuying covered her wound, stepping back, a trace of anger in her eyes. She knew she was no match for Yuyi.
Yanxue took off her outer robe, long hair scattering, a trace of killing aura in her eyes. Yuyi felt the dense killing aura on Yanxue and thought of Feiyue. He knew Yanxue was on the same level as Feiyue, with even deeper and more experienced internal power. He had to go all out, otherwise he would definitely lose. Her appearance made Yuyi feel a trace of pressure, but also stimulated the fighting spirit deep in his heart.
Yuyi's figure transformed into a shadow, pouncing toward Yanxue. The Dream Sword scattered a patch of light and shadow. Yanxue threw a punch through the air, qi surging toward Yuyi like a vortex. Yuyi leaped to dodge, the Dream Sword dancing like a golden snake. The two's exchange made the watching cultivators watch without blinking.
Yuyi used the peak work of the Golden Snake Sword Art, one sword enveloping all of Yanxue's openings from head to toe. This was a perfect sword, flawless. Sword light danced like a golden snake, every sword light pointing at Yanxue's vital points. Yuyi's sword intent reached its peak at this moment, his spiritual power circulating in the sword body, forming streams of golden sword qi.
Yanxue's double fists forcefully inserted into Yuyi's sword momentum. Yuyi felt his chest hit by a mountain, his whole body thrown seven zhang away. He spat blood wildly, spiritual power completely lost. Yanxue's left arm, left lower chest, and abdomen were hit by three swords, not entering deep. Her face paled slightly, but a trace of appreciation flashed in her eyes: "You're remarkable—that sword had flavor."
Hanshuang said from the side: "His internal power has declined, otherwise you two would have just drawn."
Yuyi struggled to stand, asking Yunzhi to send Spirit Stone vouchers to Yanxue. He knew he had lost. But this battle had let him find a true master, and also let him see his own deficiencies.
Xuying smiled: "In a while, Hanyin will definitely be very interested in sparring with you."
Hanshuang added: "Her cultivation, looking at Tianyin Pavilion, only Xueji can defeat her. Her most terrifying aspect isn't technique realm, nor spiritual power."
Yuyi was supported onto the flying boat by mingjing and Cangying, a complex look in his eyes. This battle had let him find a true master, but also cost him heavy injuries. He needed time to recover, and time to think. That punch from Yanxue made him understand his deficiencies. His internal power had declined—this was an indisputable fact. But he wouldn't give up; he would find a new path.
The flying boat slowly rose into the air, flying toward the distance. Yuyi leaned against the boat's cabin wall, closing his eyes, constantly replaying that one sword exchange with Yanxue in his mind. That was a perfect sword, but not enough. He needed to be stronger, faster, more perfect. He had lost the Hunyuan Mental Method, his internal power had declined—this was the pain in his heart. But he wouldn't give up; he would find a new path.
mingjing sat beside Yuyi, gently healing him. Cangying stood to the side, a trace of worry in her eyes.
"Senior Brother, your internal power has declined." Cangying said softly.
Yuyi opened his eyes, saying indifferently: "I know."
"Why?" Cangying asked.
Yuyi paused, not answering. He had lost the Hunyuan Mental Method, his internal power had declined—this was the pain in his heart. But he wouldn't give up; he would find a new path.
The flying boat passed through clouds, flying toward Xuantian City. Yuyi closed his eyes, constantly replaying that one sword exchange with Yanxue in his mind. That was a perfect sword, but not enough. He needed to be stronger, faster, more perfect. He had lost the Hunyuan Mental Method, his internal power had declined—this was the pain in his heart. But he wouldn't give up; he would find a new path.
The sun set in the west, the flying boat's shadow stretching long on the clouds. Yuyi's figure was lonely but determined. This was the path of a cultivator—full of thorns, but also full of hope. He would continue forward until he reached the realm he wanted.