Immortal Soaring Blade

After everything calmed down, the shocking sense of 100 rays of sword energy caused all the onlookers to feel their scalps tingle.

The Silver Moon formed by hundreds of rays of sword energy was able to tear apart the terrifying formation. Presumably, this Star River would not be any weaker.

Who would expect the battle to take such a drastic turn? After that first attack, everyone thought Zhao Jiuge had used up all his attacks. Who would have thought he would still have this final move left?

Seeing Zhou Hongyong’s gloomy expression, Luo Xie couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This caused a lot of disciples to look at him angrily.

Zhou Hongyong was naturally a person who would not give up so easily. At this point of the battle, his mind was even more calm. Although he felt a bit uneasy while facing the hundred rays of sword energy, he could do nothing but face it head on.

He let out a mouthful of foul air and his gloomy face was replaced by a calm expression.

The sword in his hand let out a sky-piercing hum. Spirit treasures were linked with their owners, and this one seemed to know its master’s intent.

Zhou Hongyong’s little remaining spirit force surged into the Eternal Bell above his head. The last protective layer around him became brighter and made him feel a bit safer.

The Eternal Bell was his greatest tool. Generally, it would take time to set up a spirit formation, and during a life or death battle, who would give him the chance? The Eternal Bell was his greatest protection.

He clenched the sword in his hand and prepared himself to deal with any situation.

He was most efficient in setting up spirit formations, but he had no chance to set up another one.

Zhao Jiuge finally remembered what Master Moon had told him. Improving his own strength was the correct path, and it would allow him to walk further.

From the view of an outsider, Zhao Jiuge had a relaxed expression, but only he knew that he was as uncertain as Zhou Hongyong. He had no spirit force left, so this was his final attack. Even if he took some pills now, there would be no time for them to take effect.

Battles were cruel like this; the enemy would not give you extra time to prepare.

A constantly humming sound echoed before it suddenly stopped. After a brief moment of silence, the 100 rays of sword energy shined brightly.

Zhou Hongyong’s heart seemed to stop for a moment and his right hand trembled. He waved the sword in his hand, creating rays of sword energy to deal with the rays of sword energy from Zhao Jiuge.

This was the only resistance he could put up. With the help of the Eternal Bell, he might be able to endure this attack, and victory would be his! But there was nothing he could do right now, and what he could do with a bit more time wouldn’t have much effect.

It has to be said that Zhou Hongyong’s battle experience was much richer than Zhao Jiuge’s. Even his understanding of the sword art was much deeper than Zhao Jiuge’s.

The rays of sword energy formed by Zhou Hongyong would fly out and destroy a few each. However, there were simply too many rays of sword energy—100 of them!

Small collisions echoed across the sky. Zhou Hongyong’s sword energy collided with the sword energy from Star River.

However, Zhao Jiuge’s Star River held the upper hand in the end. No matter how powerful Zhou Hongyong’s sword energy was, he couldn’t release enough before Star River arrived before him. He could only rely on the Eternal Bell to face it.

A sound of rapid, consecutive impacts echoed when Star River collided with the light yellow light.

It sounded like rain falling on the yellow light.

Aside from Elder Wu, everyone, including Zhao Jiuge and Zhou Hongyong, held their breath while they watched this strange scene.

This situation only lasted for a moment before a crack rang out. The noise wasn’t loud, but it was very ear-piercing in the quiet Alert Spirit Peak.

Zhong Hongyong panicked and his spirit force surged out of his body into a protective light. Feeling the spirit force leave his body, he knew the Eternal Bell’s defense was about to break. After withstanding a severe blow, how would he be able to resist the violent attack of Star River?

At first, there was only a small crack on the light curtain. Then the crack grew larger and larger, and a few more cracks appeared.

The cracking sounds became even louder. The Eternal Bell was about to break, while Star River had only been reduced by ⅔ . 

Boom!

A fierce aura erupted from outside the stone platform. Everyone looked over and saw spirit force erupt from Elder Wu’s body. They didn’t see him move at all, but the next moment, he was beside Zhou Hongyong.

At this moment, the light from the Eternal Bell shattered and dissipated. The Eternal Bell floating above Zhou Hongyong dimmed and fell to the ground.

Losing the protection of the light curtain, the remaining 20 to 30 rays of sword energy rushed toward Zhou Hongyong. Even though he had instinctively released his spirit force to protect himself, he still felt a stabbing pain on his skin. Zhou Hongyong’s face turned white; it was unknown if it was from fear or because he had exhausted his spirit force.

At this moment, Elder Wu had appeared beside Zhou Hongyong covered in a bright light. A blue and white mass of spirit force appeared in his palm and he waved it forward.

This blue and white spirit force immediately flew toward the 20 to 30 rays of sword energy. There was no sound, but all the rays of sword energy disappeared without a trace. The blue and white spirit force also disappeared completely.

Elder Wu easily stopped Zhao Jiuge’s attack without injuring Zhao Jiuge at all.

His strength was on full display!

Everyone was silent—even the sound of breathing could be heard. No one broke this silence, and everyone looked at the strange scene on the stone platform.

On one side, Zhao Jiuge’s expression was as calm as water. However, his eyes contained a meaningful light while he looked toward the other side of the stone platform.

Elder Wu had already withdrawn his right hand and placed his hands behind his back. He had a playful expression and was looking at Zhao Jiuge meaningfully.

To the left of Elder Wu was the dazed Zhou Hongyong. His eyes were dull, without any luster, and filled with disbelief.

Elder Wu had blocked the last attack and Zhou Hongyong hadn’t suffered any injuries, but Zhou Hongyong understood that since Elder Wu made a move, he had already lost. Elder Wu would only make a move if he believed that Zhou Hongyong had no chance of resisting.

Zhou Hongyong silently bowed his head. He felt like the countless people watching were all looking at him with gazes of mockery and ridicule. He hadn’t expected to lose to Zhao Jiuge, who had just entered the inner sect. This was a fair battle, and he had lost completely.

Both Zhao Jiuge’s spirit force and spells had shocked him. A complicated feeling surged inside Zhou Hongyong’s heart. His mouth moved, but he didn’t say a word.

The disciples watching were not fools. Being able to enter the inner sect meant that their strength and perception were not ordinary. They understood the situation on the stone platform at a glance. They hadn’t expected this outcome, where even Elder Wu had to make a move.

They also never expected Zhao Jiuge, who they had mocked, to win against Zhou Hongyong. The biggest reason for the silence was Zhao Jiuge’s victory.

Zhou Hongyong could be considered top among this group of disciples that hadn’t gone out to experience the world yet. Since even Zhou Hongyong was defeated, most of them knew they were no match for Zhao Jiuge.

Many people secretly looked at the pale-faced yet proud Zhao Jiuge with admiration and other complicated emotions mixed in.

Zhao Jiuge had taken his first step in the inner sect and gained a firm foothold among the inner sect disciples that hadn’t gone out yet, gaining some fame. Although he had a dazzling performance in the outer sect, it was still just the outer sect. In the end, whoever was stronger was respected, and Zhao Jiuge’s performance had convinced the majority of these people, aside from a few.

Zhao Jiuge had gained both fame and fortune. He now had an extra 5,000 spirit stones and 4,000 sect contributions.

The most important thing he had gained was fame and prestige! As soon as he entered the inner sect, he became the disciple of the Head Teacher and disappeared for half a year. When he reappeared, he mercilessly suppressed everyone by using Zhou Hongyong’s reputation.

Jiulian’s face was filled with excitement and had turned a little red. She shined brightly while she looked at the handsome and somewhat otherworldly young man.

“I declare Zhao Jiuge the winner of this fight!”

After a while, Elder Wu faintly smiled and finally declared a winner. Even he didn’t think this stubborn young man would win in this fashion. Although the young man’s talent was lacking, he somewhat understood why the Head Teacher had accepted Zhao Jiuge as a disciple.

He knew about Zhou Hongyong’s strength. When the Buddhist Green Lotus Spirit Formation appeared, he was prepared to intercept the attack. However, he hesitated and saw Zhao Jiuge’s calm gaze, so he didn’t interject. Sure enough, Zhao Jiuge still had an ace up his sleeve.

He also knew the name of Zhao Jiuge’s last attack, Moon Dance, Star River. It was Elder Waning Moon’s famous spell, and he didn’t expect Zhao Jiuge to also know it. It seemed like the relationship between the two of them was not simple.

As one of the top three experts of the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect, her status and strength were far above other elders. He felt like this young couldn’t be underestimated. With this relationship, it was almost certain he would rise up within the sect in the future.