Apotheosis

Sword intent was something that could not be expressed by words, only felt through other sensations, akin to some kind of ethereal power.

If one wanted to comprehend sword intent, one did not only have to spend decades practicing the sword but more importantly, one needed to have outstanding talents and remarkable opportunities.

That was why while there were many people who used swords, only a few of them had a deep understanding of sword intent. Those who could gain a good sense of its essence were in the good graces of the gods.

As he watched the battle, Rocher could see that there was no sword intent in Zen's Sword Step. Strangely, though, Zen's Sword Step looked very childish as if he was not skilled in the technique and only just began trying it out.

Rocher knew that the thought of Zen crudely imitating his Sword Step was untenable.

It was undeniable that the technique could only be performed under the premise that one had a true understanding of it. If the person did not fully understand it, imitating the movements would be fruitless as he would be unable to adapt to the trails and find the direction of the sword intent. Merely copying a stance should have meant nothing.

However, although Zen was unskilled in the area, his every step was not only close to that of Rocher's but exactly like it.

How was it possible?

It left Rocher deeply puzzled.

Unless… Zen had already understood the sword intent and was only hiding his capabilities.

Still, how could a disciple at the second-grade of nature level understand sword intent?

Reluctant to accept such an assumption, Rocher shook his head.

There was no doubt that Rocher was a talent. Although he might not be the strongest in Skytop Peak, he was the one who was the most favored. All talents were very arrogant and Rocher was no exception.

For Rocher, though, being arrogant was not a bad thing. With such an attitude, he could be driven to reach the top of the field of martial arts.

But if Zen really understood the sword intent and had a knack for the Sword Step as well…

It was a shocking idea. Looking at Zen's unmatured, rather awkward steps, Rocher sighed. 'This guy… Has he only just learned the Sword Step?

I haven't seen him employ this skill before. Did he get it after seeing my own Sword Step?'

As his thoughts stirred, Rocher didn't dare continue guessing. If his assumptions were right, it would mean a great blow to him.

Among everyone present, Rocher was not the only one to notice this.

Kenneth was also shooting strange looks at Zen.

Someone like Kenneth who had already reached a high level had the knowledge about the levels of the martial arts that the saints and elders of the Cloud Sect couldn't claim to have.

Although he wasn't a swordsman and didn't have an understanding of the sword intent, he also noticed a strangeness about Zen.

The disciple seemed to be demonstrating the Sword Step he just learned.

The more steps he advanced, the more skilled he became. But did such talent who could pick things up so quickly even exist? The competition became more interesting with this second-grade nature level guy.

As Kenneth pondered over it, he saw the respectable elder named Xu, who was standing beside him, stroke his beard and smile knowingly. "Xu, are you noticing anything odd?"

With a little chuckle, Xu said, "Are you asking if Zen learned the Sword Step just now?"

il was able to cultivate the black and white life vitality, it was either he had a special body that could accommodate multiple kinds of life vitality, or he had two bellies, each able to accommodate a single kind of life vitality. Or perhaps, it could also be that the Zhuge Clan had some kind of secret method that could use an enchanted barrier to partition the belly.

As soon as the black and white life vitality came out, it immediately rushed towards Cecil's fan and dove into the Eight Diagrams on the fan, making it begin to rapidly spin.

Flashing a cunning smile, Cecil lifted the fan and waved it harshly towards Zen.

"Twins Chaos Cyclone!"

The feather fan Cecil held was a top-grade spiritual weapon called "Twins Fan."

The said fan was a replica of an ancient fairy weapon called the Life Vitality Eight-Diagram Fan. A gentle wave of the fan could create terrifying and immense cyclones, capable of shaking the heavens and earth, turning everything to dust. As a replica, the Twins Fan was far from the capabilities of the Life Vitality Eight Diagram Fan, but it did inherit one-tenth of the power from the authentic piece.

With the bicolor vitality Cecil emitted, gales were blowing within the whole arena.

A tremendous cyclone formed, covering almost the entire area. The wind blade around the cyclone cut through the light curtain of enchanted barrier, crackling it with crisp noises.

"The Twins Chaos Cyclone can attack you from every angle. As long as you are within it, you will constantly suffer damage. I'll see how you can escape this time!"

As Cecil continued waving his Twins Fan, his movements turned harsher and the tremendous cyclone became more rapid in its speed.

It seemed that Zen had no way to escape as the cyclone engulfed the entire arena.

If he truly wanted to escape, he would have to find a way to leave the whole area.

Swoosh…

Because of carelessness, several winds blades grazed Zen's back. The sharp forces began scratching against his robe.

"Keep running! I want to see where you end up!"

As Cecil quickened the waving of his fan, the cyclone became more and more powerful.

Narrowing his eyes, Zen felt the wind blowing around him. Suddenly, he smiled terribly mischievously.

"Running? Why should I run?"