Chapter 186: Evaluations of the Immortals

Is this the Sword Intent Spirit of the Xiang Jianzong? The Chairman stared at the sword-wielding figure on the arena, its features blurred, and a flicker of doubt arose in his heart.

It does resemble one, yet something feels off—he even felt an inexplicable chill crawling up his spine.

The Xiang Jianzong's envoy for this year's ceremony…

He opened the guest list again to confirm.

No error—it's definitely a Return to Void Realm cultivator! Emm…

I, a full-fledged Tongxuan Realm cultivator, cannot fathom the principle behind that sword-light-formed figure? Is this reasonable?!

He glanced sideways at the Founding Chairman and found him also staring at the arena, fixed on the blurred sword-wielding figure.

…Fine, I'll ask later.

Then he turned his attention back to the arena.

At this moment, upon the arena.

The sword-wielding figure stood silently, waiting for Chen Yuanlin to finish his recuperation—he had expended considerable magic power fighting that Soul Transformation automaton.

Soul Transformation cultivators require considerable time to restore their magic power.

Fortunately, the arena was inscribed with a grand array, and after swallowing a pill, he quickly returned to his peak state.

He rose to his full height, bowed with clasped hands: "Please instruct me!"

"Proceed."

With a soft utterance, the sword-wielding figure instantly transformed into a streak of gray light.

Unlike the thunderous hammer strikes of the automaton giant, only a hissing sound filled the air, countless tiny sword shadows flickering in and out of view.

The piercing sword intent made Chen Yuanlin's pupils contract sharply, his scalp prickling.

Third eye, throat, heart, dantian…

The stinging pain across his entire body reminded him of his dire situation.

"Come on!"

He roared aloud, brilliant golden light flaring as his body turned as if cast in molten gold; his right hand shot forward in a clawing grasp.

If I can't even pass this test from the Xiang Jianzong's envoy, how can I possibly have the face to seek guidance from the Founding Chairman?!

Hssss!

Air currents on the arena churned and spiraled, visibly forming a hundred-meter vortex that perfectly engulfed the countless tiny sword shadows.

At the vortex's center, Chen Yuanlin's palm had seized it.

Cloud-Grasping Hand! Given His Realm, if unleashed among the stars, a single grasp could shatter an entire asteroid.

Yet now, the tiny sword shadows flickered—and tore the vortex apart outright.

Chen Yuanlin's heart jolted.

So strong!

No wonder sword cultivators are the foremost in offensive power! The sword shadows pierced through the vortex, striking his golden-cast palm and sparking clusters of fine golden sparks—then countless sword shadows pierced through him, forcing him to retract his hands and cross his arms before his chest.

Ding ding ding ding!

Sword shadows rained like a storm, whistled like a gale, unceasing.

Like a hurricane sweeping through, the whistling of sword shadows around his ears turned into a continuous hum—he himself lost count of how many times he'd been slashed.

Huh~ After several breaths, his arms had dimmed to dull gold, drenched in blood, trembling uncontrollably.

His armor, once possessing moderate defensive capability, now hung on him like tattered rags.

The sword-wielding figure stood before him, refraining from pressing the attack, as this was merely a lesson.

Chen Yuanlin looked up—the sword-wielding figure's features were blurred, yet he could feel a calm gaze fixed upon him.

"Continue. This time, it's your turn."

Still that same faint voice.

"…" After a two-second pause, Chen Yuanlin tore off his tattered armor.

"Good!"

In an instant, his torn, bloody arms restored to their original state.

Golden light flared again, revealing carved runes upon his chiseled, muscular torso.

Step forward! Clench fist! The other hand formed a seal—purple flames leapt and coiled around his fists and palms.

…………

On the Cloud Platform, watching Chen Yuanlin being effortlessly pushed back by another single sword strike.

The Chairman fell silent.

His control of power was flawless, his timing exquisite—even he found it astonishing.

Although Yuanlin is not among the absolute top of early Soul Transformation cultivators, he still ranks among the elite. Yet before this sword-shadow, he seemed like a child.

And this sword technique…

Why does it carry a sense of returning to simplicity? Yuan, beside him, silently marveled inwardly.

'To seek guidance from a fellow villager—his discernment is quite sharp.'

Meanwhile.

On Xu Xing's phone screen.

Since Meng Xuan's match had ended, and with Xu Xing's sword-light figure now active, the others had also taken a passing interest in Chen Yuanlin.

Emperor of Might: "Not a true fist technique, not a true spell, Golden Body impure, grasping too many methods without mastering any."

Emperor of Might: "And he rushes forward recklessly, spirit weak, magic power shallow."

Emperor of Might: "Brother deliberately left so many openings, yet he failed to exploit even one—still far behind the Sword Sovereign's disciple."

Emperor of Might delivered his evaluation.

Seeing Hong Zun: "But he is Soul Transformation; at his age, overcoming these issues isn't difficult."

Seeing Hong Zun: "Your standards are too high."

Seeing Hong Zun: "Let's see if he can grasp this point."

He actually has high hopes—after all, a Soul Transformation at twenty-four is itself an advantage.

Ba Zun: "Such greed for merit and reckless advancement—his heart can't settle, let alone understand this point."

Seeing Hong Zun: "No need to worry about that; Elder Brother will guide him next."

Ba Zun: "True enough—let's see if he'll listen."

Elder Brother's guidance is still casual, just like how he likes to bestow opportunities upon the younger generation."

How far one achieves depends entirely on how far one can walk on one's own."

Now offering guidance, it'll likely be the same—listen if you can, ignore if you can't."

Ba Zun: "By the way, why are only the two of us discussing this? Where are the others?"

Dan Zu: "You've said everything that needed saying—what's left for us to say?"

Qi Zun: "Exactly!"

……

……

Several minutes later, Chen Yuanlin on the arena was gasping for breath.

His golden light dimmed; he could no longer maintain the Golden Body.

His soul felt sharp, stabbing pains, as if pierced by countless needles.

Immovable Golden Body, Grasping Cloud Hands, Scorching Heaven Flame, Divine Thunder Art…

As the top young cultivator of the Alliance, he had access to too many techniques and divine arts.

Possessing so many techniques and divine arts had always been his advantage.

But now, no matter how profound or powerful the technique he unleashed, the sword-wielding figure struck only once.

Not any specific sword technique—just a plain, unremarkable swing of the sword, yet it shattered his powerful and intricate arts with ease.

"You're too eager."

The calm words made Chen Yuanlin freeze.

"Your cultivation advanced too fast, leaving your spirit weak and your magic power thin; you've dabbled in too many arts, so none are mastered."

It was exactly what the two elders had said.

Xu Xing didn't bother thinking—he simply took it and used it.

"Merging ten thousand arts into one body is still too early for you."

Hearing this, the persistent agony in his soul filled him with irritation.

"I'm number one on the Heavenly Prodigy List!"

His lifelong admiration for Yuan, the image he'd dreamed of for countless nights, burst out of him in a shout.

Boom! He drained his last remaining magic power—golden light flared, blazing white lightning wove with Xiong Xiong's purple flame, and he charged toward the sword-wielding figure, engulfed in endless radiance.

Facing this, the sword-wielding figure still spoke in that same calm tone.

"Watch this sword."

Hum~ A flicker of red light passed along the blade.

First chapter update.

(End of chapter)