Chapter 449

412. Chapter 411: Sword Cultivator

A red dragon scale floated silently within the golden hall, emitting a powerful energy field that extended for at least several kilometers; after this field appeared, both the students inside the golden hall and those outside all felt the concentration of cosmic energy rapidly increasing.

Even the cultivators from the Xuan Immortal Continent could not help but change color abruptly.

"That's a dragon scale? What kind of joke is this? Are there dragons on Earth? And this is definitely a scale shed by a dragon that has ascended to immortality—this spiritual energy is astonishing; even here I can sense its powerful fluctuations. If used to forge a magical treasure, it could produce an absolute supreme-grade treasure."

"I didn't expect the Golden Academy to possess such a treasure. Here they call it a 'curio'—extremely rare and precious."

"Putting this dragon scale as the prize—that's a bold move by the Golden Academy. But to me, it smells like they're acting like a benefactor; their evolvers aren't strong, and they'll lose if they fight. I wonder who's lucky enough to win this scale."

Soon after, these cultivators all fixed their eyes with burning desire, eager to seize the scale immediately—even if they couldn't use it themselves, they could easily trade it for a magic treasure.

Tai Tai Xianweng now narrowed his eyes, studying the dragon scale.

No mistake.

This is truly a genuine dragon scale, with pure bloodline—far beyond any Li Jiao, qiu, or chi. The dragon that shed this scale was no ordinary being; it had certainly achieved True Immortal status, possibly even higher, for no mere scale could possess such power.

Earth has only just begun cultivating for about ten years, a barren land, yet it still harbors treasures.

Indeed, the Heaven's Tilt Region is special.

"This is a dragon scale—a complete curio. If my disciple wins the duel, the Golden Academy will present it to you without hesitation," Sun Sun Boxiu said solemnly.

Tai Tai Xianweng said: "This dragon scale is extraordinary. If used as a prize, I'd be gaining an advantage. Then I'll add an immortal elixir—this one is called the Creation Immortal Elixir, capable of regenerating flesh from bone and reviving the dead, its mysteries boundless. It was forged five hundred years ago by a True Immortal of my sect."

As he spoke, he pulled out a jade box, its surface shimmering with talismanic runes, inside which rested an elixir resembling green jade.

This elixir was awarded to him by his sect as protection for this journey.

But to show sincerity and avoid future complaints over claiming the scale, he still produced it willingly—he had good judgment of people and was certain he wouldn't lose the duel.

Sun Sun Boxiu did not refuse, nodding immediately: "Tai Tai Xianweng, you're too kind. But may I ask what level of disciple you intend to send for the duel?"

"Guests follow the host's lead. Any cultivator from Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Jin Dan, even Nascent Soul is acceptable. My accompanying disciples are well-rounded," Tai Tai Xianweng smiled, stroking his beard. He had come prepared, bringing disciples from every realm, each an elite of their respective sects.

If he lost even then, he'd accept it.

Pressure fell on Sun Sun Boxiu. He glanced at the Soul Realm students outside the hall, then at the Spirit Power experts behind him.

Clearly, the duel must be fought by someone from these two realms.

"Dean Sun, let me go. I'll face a Jin Dan cultivator."

Wu Wu Zuohua, a security officer clad in ancient armor like a fierce general, stepped forward, his voice deep and resolute.

Sun Sun Boxiu glanced at him but said nothing. He knew Wu Wu Zuohua's strength—he could dominate other students to hold his position as security officer—but he wasn't among the top fighters. His gaze shifted to Luo Luo Tianyou beside him.

Luo Luo Tianyou trained both martial arts and cultivation, his combat prowess extreme—he could create miracles in life-or-death battles.

Yet martial artists were too extreme.

He then looked at Ouyang Bing, Cui San, Wang Hu, Zhang Zhang Tianxing, and finally turned his eyes to those outside the hall.

Should he trust the Soul Realm prodigy or the Spirit Power prodigy?

"Luo Luo Tianyou, you go." After a moment's deliberation, Sun Sun Boxiu placed the outcome of this duel on Luo Luo Tianyou.

"Alright." Luo Luo Tianyou stepped forward, fists clenched, his blazing blood qi surging forward like a burning flame.

His battle intent was fierce; his heartbeat echoed like war drums.

Seeing Dean Sun choose Luo Luo Tianyou, Wu Wu Zuohua fell silent and retreated. He knew Luo Luo Tianyou's strength—in life-or-death combat, he was undefeated among the Spirit Power students of the Golden Academy. If even he couldn't defeat the opponent, no one else could.

Tai Tai Xianweng now narrowed his eyes, studying Luo Luo Tianyou, and inwardly praised him: truly a fine piece of jade.

With no master, no top-tier cultivation methods, yet his physique was extraordinarily powerful—like a legendary beast, utterly unlike any cultivator this world should produce. Too bad—he didn't cultivate the Dao, and thus would never rise to true prominence.

"Tai Tai Xianweng, let me fight," said an ordinary-looking cultivator, eager and eyes fixed on the dragon scale.

"I'll fight—I specialize in thunder arts, I'll surely win," another cultivator spoke up impatiently, unwilling to miss this opportunity.

Tai Tai Xianweng scanned these Jin Dan cultivators, but for combat power, only a sword cultivator would do.

He spoke slowly: "Li Li Chengyu, you go. Remember—don't break the rules."

Li Li Chengyu was a young man in a long robe, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, strikingly handsome, his back bearing a precious sword, his aura sharp and piercing—a Jin Dan sword cultivator with astonishing combat power.

Called out, he smiled faintly and bowed: "I obey Tai Tai Xianweng's command. I will not break the rules."

"Go," Tai Tai Xianweng nodded.

Li Li Chengyu took a few steps forward, his gaze locking onto Luo Luo Tianyou.

Their eyes met—battle intent erupted.

"Fight outside the hall," Li Li Chengyu immediately leapt into the air, transforming into a sharp blade that shot out of the golden hall, soaring toward the clouds.

"I'm not afraid of you."

Luo Luo Tianyou, the martial artist, clenched his fists and stepped forward, leaping out as well, his mighty blood qi swirling around him like a blazing fire.

"So it's finally starting. Of course—without a fight, how can we know the gap between realms?"

"It's Luo Luo Tianyou. Of course Dean Sun chose him—he's a martial artist, trained in martial arts, his combat power extreme. In life-or-death battles, few can match him. No wonder Dean Sun risked the curio—he's certain Luo Luo Tianyou will win."

"I back Luo Luo Tianyou too. He's never lost in the Golden Academy. Even if we don't know who the opponent is, he's surely no match for Luo Luo Tianyou."

Outside the golden hall.

The students erupted into murmurs.

Li Yi blended in, his silver eyes flickering with curiosity—wondering who would win: the Jin Dan cultivator or the martial-arts-trained Luo Luo Tianyou.

"Do you think Luo Luo Tianyou can win?" asked Di Di Zhuan'an beside him, frowning.

"Unclear. Their cultivation systems differ; combat power is hard to judge. Our evolution method is crude, but it allows cross-training—perfectly compatible with martial arts or gene warriors. So this isn't evolution versus cultivation—it's Luo Luo Tianyou's martial arts versus cultivation."

Li Yi said: "Watch closely. I'm curious too. I'm sure other Spirit Power experts want to understand the strength of Jin Dan cultivators."

Di Di Zhuan'an nodded, fell silent, ready to observe the battle carefully.

The cultivators from the Xuan Immortal Continent also exchanged whispers via spiritual sense.

"Li Li Chengyu from the Sword Controlling Sect is lucky—chosen by Tai Tai Xianweng. I thought they'd pick Zhang Zhang Yihua from the Purple Thunder Sect. That sect nearly got wiped out recently, its temple destroyed, but their Immortal still lives, issuing edicts to summon wandering disciples and merge branches to rebuild. Zhang Zhang Yihua, as a long-established Jin Dan cultivator of Purple Thunder, should've been favored."

"Zhang Zhang Yihua's thunder arts are refined, but he's fought few life-or-death battles. He can't match Li Li Chengyu—who's traveled far and wide, flying his sword to slay demons and monsters, enduring countless battles. Now he's the chief of Sword Controlling Sect. For this first exchange, Tai Tai Xianweng favors sword cultivators."

"No matter which Jin Dan cultivator steps up, the opponent will lose. They're ignorant—they've never fought a Jin Dan cultivator, unaware of their power."

"True. A Spirit Power evolver dares challenge a Jin Dan? One Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily subdue him."

Meanwhile,

In the sky above,

Li Li Chengyu, the Jin Dan sword cultivator, spoke coldly: "You have no weapon. You plan to fight me bare-handed?"

"What else?" Luo Luo Tianyou stood firm, fists clenched, eyebrow raised.

"Fine. Then I won't take advantage."

Li Li Chengyu immediately sheathed his life-sword and chose not to use any protective magic treasure—he understood the rules Tai Tai Xianweng had just stated.

If they fight, it must be fair.

If he used magic treasures, it would seem like winning by unfair means. More importantly, it would appear as bullying the weak—even if he won, it would bring trouble.

"Without weapons, you'll lose badly," Luo Luo Tianyou stared at him.

"No matter. You use no weapon, I use none. We're equal. If I lose, I'll accept it wholeheartedly," Li Li Chengyu said with supreme arrogance. "Begin. I hope you give your all—this battle will end quickly."

"You ask for death."

Enraged by the contempt, Luo Luo Tianyou let out a long roar that echoed around him. His blood qi surged skyward like a crimson pillar, staining half the sky red. Merely the ripple of his aura shattered the surrounding air into fragments.

The ferocity of the martial artist was laid bare.

His blood qi poured from his mighty frame, coiling like a blood dragon around his arms.

He didn't care about the opponent's strength—he would unleash his full power.

Sensing this aura, the sword cultivator Li Li Chengyu's expression changed.

Even the other spectators could no longer dismiss him lightly.

"Kill!"

Luo Luo Tianyou's eyes snapped open. He stomped forward, stepping on empty air, transmitting force that could shake the earth, then punched—blood-red light erupted, his fist wind howling like a true dragon roaring, ready to obliterate everything before him.

Yet at the same time,

A sword's hum echoed through heaven and earth. A brilliant emerald light burst from Li Li Chengyu's body, like cold radiance illuminating the world. Then, with a finger pointed to the heavens, he transformed instantly into an invincible sword.

Though the sword was insubstantial, its edge was terrifying. Merely the scattered sword qi tore the surrounding space, leaving behind clear, visible sword scars.

As a Jin Dan sword cultivator, Li Li Chengyu, even without magic treasures, was himself a mighty sword.