After Yu Shaoqing's failure, everyone else thought it was normal, given that the gap in strength was right there. However, they were all astonished by Lin Shimeng's sword technique just now.
Generally, group sword techniques would not have very high damage because Spiritual Qi would be dispersed. Yet Lin Shimeng's technique just now was not only a group attack sword technique, but also possessed extremely high damage. If Yu Shaoqing had not possessed numerous protective treasures, he might even have been killed.
This technique was naturally the last sword technique Qin Xiao had bid on yesterday. Since he had no use for it, he gave it to Yun Man and Lin Shimeng. Although they had only practiced it for a single night and were not yet very proficient, the damage was still quite impressive.
"Twenty-seventh brother, you go up. Finish it quickly."
Yu Chengfeng did not send another disciple. That man was even less capable than his own son, and going up would only bring further shame, so he simply ordered his twenty-seventh brother onto the stage.
"Fifth brother, do not worry."
With those words, Yu Heguang strode onto the platform, gripping a large saber.
He was different from ordinary sword cultivators. His weapon was a massive saber, and its grade had reached a Middle Grade Dharma Treasure. The technique he practiced was likewise a saber technique.
If his fifth brother had not managed to secure this Middle Grade Dharma Treasure saber, he would never have come here. Sabers were already uncommon, and higher-grade treasure sabers were notoriously difficult to find. Previously, he had only ever used Low Grade Dharma Treasure weapons.
"He actually cultivates the saber! This is completely different from conventional sword cultivator duels. Saber techniques are generally known for their fierce, unyielding momentum. If one is struck, escaping unscathed will be difficult."
"Indeed, few cultivate the saber. Lacking sufficient opponents to spar with, he might be at a disadvantage in actual combat."
"You worry too much. The Tianyuan Sect has saber cultivators as well. Do you think this is some insignificant family of yours?"
Seeing that Yu Heguang used a saber, many spectators began murmuring among themselves. After all, the cultivation world remained dominated by sword cultivators, while other paths were comparatively rare.
"Meng'er, do your best and do not push yourself beyond your limits."
Although the Tianyuan Sect also had saber cultivators, her practical combat experience was still limited, prompting Lin Tiancheng to transmit a worried message to Lin Shimeng.
"Still not making a move? If you do not act now, you will not get another chance."
Yu Heguang hoisted his treasure saber and stared at Lin Shimeng.
Being at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, he naturally disdained to strike first. He still had to maintain his prestige; after all, he hailed from the Central Province Yu Family.
"Then pardon my offense."
Knowing that her opponent's cultivation realm surpassed her own, Lin Shimeng abandoned all reservation and directly unleashed her full strength.
Even so, the gap in cultivation was real. No matter how fiercely Lin Shimeng attacked, she could not pierce his defenses, and she had to expend all her energy merely to ward off his sweeping strikes.
In the end, she even unleashed her previous trump card, Mountain Severance, only for Yu Heguang to bat it aside effortlessly.
"This style of attrition will not work. He is not even using his full strength and is simply wearing me down."
Lin Shimeng knew he was holding back, but even so, she found the battle arduous, struggling to drain even a fraction of his stamina.
"I have no other choice."
Spotting a fleeting opening, Lin Shimeng pulled back and rapidly surged the Spiritual Qi within her Dantian, channeling every ounce of power into the treasured sword in her grip. She prepared to unleash her final trump card.
"Tianyuan Sword Strike!"
Once the Spiritual Qi was fully gathered, Lin Shimeng vaulted into the air, gripping her sword with both hands and raising it high. A massive sword shadow materialized, slashing viciously toward Yu Heguang.
"So this is the famed Tianyuan Sword Strike of the Tianyuan Sect? It appears rather ordinary."
Yu Heguang had prepared his own counter while she was charging her attack. He wished to test his saber technique, and since his opponent had unleashed her ultimate move, he decided to put in some actual effort.
"Thousand Saber Slash, first form: Hundred-Shadow Slash!"
Yu Heguang deployed his own secret technique. Though it was only the first form, he deemed it more than sufficient.
Two towering shadows-one of a saber, one of a sword-collided violently in mid-air. The immense shockwave swept straight across the entire arena.
Fortunately, the dueling platform was reinforced by a sturdy Formation that contained the destructive blast. Even so, the fierce spiritual wind leaking through the barrier whipped the hair of the surrounding spectators into disarray.
"What a terrifying collision! Who won?"
"It has to be Pure Yang City. The opponent is in the late Nascent Soul stage, after all."
"Stop guessing, the result is out."
As the dust kicked up by the spiritual shockwave settled, Lin Shimeng knelt on one knee, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
She had borne the brunt of the backlash directly. Never had she imagined that even her Tianyuan Sword Strike would be completely blocked. She had lost.
"Disciple, step down. You have already done your best."
Seeing this, Qin Xiao called out for her to withdraw.
"I have lost. Thank you for your restraint."
Knowing that her opponent had deliberately refrained from pursuing an attack, Lin Shimeng bowed her head and obediently stepped off the stage.
"You did well. The opponent was indeed formidable. Calm your mind and focus on recovery first."
Seeing Lin Shimeng return with a crestfallen expression, Qin Xiao quickly tossed her a vial of Spirit Liquid, telling her not to overthink things and to tend to her injuries.
"Understood. Thank you, Master."
Lin Shimeng accepted the Spirit Liquid and retreated to her seat to meditate.
"Yun Man, are you confident? If you are uncertain, Master will go up instead. His attacks are exceptionally fierce and overbearing."
Qin Xiao turned to Yun Man with a hint of concern.
"Master, rest easy. While I cannot guarantee victory, he will find it equally difficult to harm me."
Yun Man replied with absolute confidence.
"Very well. Put on these boots first. Do not worry, Master does not have foot odor."
With that, Qin Xiao kicked off the Middle Grade Dharma Treasure boots he had obtained from the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion treasury.
"What is foot odor?"
Yun Man asked with a puzzled blink.
"Never mind that. Even if there were any, it would not matter. This Middle Grade Dharma Treasure possesses self-cleaning functions and automatically adjusts to fit the wearer. His cultivation is higher than yours, so a head-on clash leaves you at a disadvantage. You must rely on speed to outmaneuver and defeat him."
Qin Xiao smoothly glossed over the topic of foot odor and dove straight into tactical arrangements.
"Rest assured, Master, I understand. At first, I was slightly uncertain, but with these boots, I am fully confident of victory."
Yun Man was well aware of how terrifying those boots were. When Qin Xiao wore them, he could match a late Nascent Soul cultivator; with her wearing them, her speed would easily surpass that tier, giving her immense assurance.
"Do your best, but do not grow careless. Master is here to back you up."
It was a pity that his Heart-Protecting Turtle Shell and protective inner armor had been sent to the Immortal Dao Merchant Association for repairs; otherwise, handing those over to Yun Man as well would have made this foolproof.
"Understood, Disciple will keep that in mind."
After pulling on the boots, Yun Man gave a light leap and landed gracefully on the dueling platform.
"You truly are different. You feel even stronger than that Holy Maiden."
Having close contact with Yun Man for the first time, Yu Heguang could clearly sense her extraordinary aura.
"You are not bad either, though still weaker than my Master."
Displeased by his condescending tone, Yun Man shot right back at him.
Though both hailed from Central Province, the Yu Family and the Yun Family were located in entirely different regions, meaning Yun Man had no need to conceal her background.
"The Master you speak of... is that the person who appears to possess zero cultivation whatsoever?"
Yu Heguang asked without a hint of mockery, purely out of genuine curiosity.
The young woman before him already exerted formidable pressure upon him. He simply could not believe that her master was a mere ordinary mortal devoid of cultivation.
"Indeed. If you wish to challenge my Master, you must get past me first."
Yun Man openly admitted.
"Good. How interesting. I certainly wouldn't mind meeting your master. Make your move."
Though his tone sounded casual, Yu Heguang did not let down his guard in the slightest, locking his full focus onto Yun Man.
Seeing that the formalities had concluded, Yun Man wasted no more words. Drawing her sword, she charged directly toward Yu Heguang.
"Then receive my attack!"
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