Chapter 1393: Nine Heavens Sword Array! When Did It Become So Strong?

Xu Jingming had long promised Luo Yi they would fight again after arriving at the Star Dome Academy.

So, when faced with his challenge, he did not refuse.

As for the others, they were naturally eager to watch the spectacle and rushed en masse to the training ground.

As the fourth-place finisher in the Talent War, Beth Island's training ground was inferior to Xu Jingming's.

Yet its length and width still spanned a full twenty kilometers, with Xu Jingming and Luo Yi standing ten kilometers apart.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Of course Luo Yi—he's the direct disciple of Sword Eternal Dominator."

"True, pity Xu Jingming isn't a direct disciple; otherwise his strength wouldn't be lacking."

"......"

Before the sparring even began, Lan Yu and the others were already guessing who would lose.

Naturally, Luo Yi was deemed to have an overwhelming advantage.

"I think Xu Jingming will win."

Yue Ying, the ever-cold-blooded elven princess, spoke up voluntarily, her voice carrying unwavering certainty.

"Oh?"

Everyone turned to her in surprise; Lan Yu couldn't help asking:

"You're sure? From his aura, Xu Jingming must have just broken through—he probably hasn't even stabilized his rank yet."

"Of course I'm sure. If you think it's impossible, how about we make a bet?"

Yue Ying lightly brushed a strand of silver hair from her ear, "I wager ten thousand points on Xu Jingming winning."

"Ten thousand points?"

Lan Yu's eyes widened, "That much?"

You should know that although these people had all become disciples of the Indestructible Sovereign.

They had each received some points from their teacher, more or less.

But generally only around forty to fifty thousand.

This extra ten thousand points was indeed a bit too much.

"If you don't want to bet, forget it. I was just acting on a whim," Moon Shadow said lightly.

"Bet? Why wouldn't I bet? If he doesn't dare to come, I will." Yan Ji snorted as she cut in. Compared to Moon Shadow, she was equally tall and slender with a graceful figure. But the two were complete opposites—Moon Shadow was cold and aloof, while she had a far more fiery personality. Faced with Moon Shadow's proposed wager, she naturally wouldn't back down. "Then I'll bet too!" Lan Yu gritted her teeth. "I choose Luo Yi to win!" "Hehe, then I'll join in for a round as well." Soon, apart from Moon Shadow, and Bess who served as referee and didn't participate, everyone else chose to support Luo Yi. Seeing this, the corners of Moon Shadow's red lips curved upward slightly. Back at the Starlight rank, Xu Jingming was already stronger than Luo Yi. Now that both had broken through to the Star rank, Xu Jingming had also grasped spear intent. In her view, this wager was simply delivering points to her. In the center of the training ground, Luo Yi stared at Xu Jingming across from him. His expression was stern, but a surge of intense confidence welled up in his heart. 'This past month, the teacher personally guided my swordsmanship, and my progress far exceeded imagination. The Nine Heavens Sword Formation's second layer is already at mastery, just one step away from comprehending sword intent.' He recalled Sword Eternal Sovereign's teachings—that soul-deep true understanding of the sword dao had brought his comprehension of the sword to an entirely new height. With the Supreme Sovereign's help, he had even touched the threshold of "sword intent," missing only the final push. 'Sword intent is something only peak Star rank warriors have a chance to glimpse its mysteries. Although I haven't formally comprehended it yet, for others, it is already an incomparable advantage!' Luo Yi's gaze grew sharper. In the Cosmic Human Genius Battle, across the countless high-level human cosmic nations. Among the endless prodigies, he alone had comprehended a higher law! This destined him to possess the capital to look down on all rivals! However, in the Genius Battle finals, Xu Jingming, who had not comprehended a higher law, defeated him through his bloodline. Losing is losing—he wouldn't make excuses. But he was indeed somewhat unconvinced. If he too possessed a special bloodline, the one who would have won the Genius Battle would definitely be him! 'Bloodline is a shortcut, but so what without one? The longsword in my hand will cut through every obstacle! Xu Jingming, this time, I will not lose to you again.' Luo Yi's battle intent grew thicker, and the primal energy throughout his body gradually boiled over.

He dares not come—I will.

Yan Ji let out a light hum and interjected.

Compared to Yueying, she was equally tall and gracefully built.

Yet the two were complete opposites: Yueying was cold and aloof, while she was fiery and passionate.

Faced with Yueying's wager, she would not back down.

"Then I'm in too!"

Lan Yu clenched her teeth. "I bet on Roy!"

"Hehe, then I'll join in too."

Soon, apart from Yueying—who served as referee—and Beth, everyone else chose to support Roy.

Seeing this, Yueying's crimson lips curled slightly upward.

At the Starlight Stage, Xu Jingming was already stronger than Roy.

Now that both have broken through to the Star Stage, Xu Jingming has even mastered the Spear Intent.

In her view, this wager was simply a gift of points to her.

In the center of the training ground, Roy stared at Xu Jingming across from him.

His expression was cold and stern, yet his heart surged with fierce confidence.

"This past month, my master personally trained me in swordplay—my progress far exceeded my expectations.

The Second Layer of the Nine Heavens Sword Array is now fully perfected; I am but one step away from comprehending Sword Intent."

He recalled the teachings of Sword Eternal Dominator—the profound, soul-deep truths of the Sword Dao that elevated his understanding to a new height.

With the aid of the Supreme Dominator, he had even touched the threshold of "Sword Intent," needing only one final step.

"Sword Intent—only those at the peak of the Star Stage may glimpse its mysteries.

Though I have not yet formally comprehended it, to others, this is already an unmatched advantage!"

Roy's gaze grew even sharper.

The Cosmic Human Race Talent War, a top-tier interstellar nation's competition.

Among countless prodigies, he alone had comprehended the Higher Law!

This assured him the capital to tower above all rivals!

Yet,

In the final of the Talent War, Xu Jingming—who had not comprehended the Higher Law—defeated him with his bloodline.

He lost, and he would not make excuses.

But he truly felt a twinge of resentment.

If he too had possessed a special bloodline, he would have won the Talent War!

"Bloodline is a shortcut—but what if you lack one?

My sword in hand shall cut through all obstacles!

Xu Jingming, this time, I will not lose to you again."

Roy's battle aura intensified, his entire body's Yuan Energy beginning to boil.

Compared to Roy's tense readiness, Xu Jingming on the other side appeared utterly relaxed.

Indeed, he had comprehended the Lightning Principle to the Third Layer, the Destruction Principle to the Second Layer, and mastered the Spear Intent.

Fighting Roy was as simple as a father beating his son.

"Since this isn't the Virtual Universe, we'll stop at a touch."

Beth, the referee, hovered midair, her voice crisp:

"Both sides, prepare... Begin!"

"Nine Skies Sword Array, activate!"

Roy roared, and his long sword instantly split into nine brilliant beams of light.

Each beam was as solid as reality, carving mysterious trajectories through the air, forming in an instant a sword array spanning over ten kilometers!

"Shhh-shhh-shhh—"

As soon as the array formed, the entire training ground was filled with sharp black light.

The nine sword beams moved like nine coiling dragons, weaving through the void, their piercing sword qi slicing the air with a hissing sound.

"This is the Nine Skies Sword Array! Lord Heng's signature technique!"

Lan Yu couldn't help but cry out.

Each layer of the Nine Skies Sword Array represents a different power.

To cultivate it to the Second Layer and unleash its full power is equivalent to a T4-level combat technique!

"Is this the strength of the Supreme Lord's direct disciple?"

The others stared in shock at the arena, the terrifying sword qi making their skin ache:

"Roy is several times stronger than during the Talent War—how can Xu Jingming block this?"

In the center of the sword array, Xu Jingming remained calm.

He held his spear in one hand, his gaze serene as he watched the circling sword beams, as if watching a performance.

"Xu Jingming, be careful!"

Roy pointed his right hand slightly toward Xu Jingming, and the nine sword beams suddenly contracted.

"Shhh-shhh-shhh—"

The nine sword beams became lethal streaks of light, striking Xu Jingming from every angle, sealing off all escape routes.

The power of this strike could severely injure some Star Rank Three prodigies of the academy!

Just as the sword beams were about to strike him, Xu Jingming finally moved.

"Clang—"

A clear spear cry echoed through the training ground, followed by a sudden burst of dark golden lightning!

Crackling—

Amid the deafening roar of lightning, Xu Jingming simply thrust his spear forward.

The thrust looked ordinary, yet seemed to contain some universal truth.

Where the spear tip passed, space rippled faintly; dark golden lightning flowed along the shaft, tracing mysterious patterns.

"Boom!"

The spear tip met the first approaching sword beam—no explosion occurred as expected.

The sharp sword beam shattered like fragile glass the instant the spear touched it!

Then came the second, the third...

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Like a chain reaction, the nine sword beams exploded one after another.

Not one of these sword beams could even approach within one meter of Xu Jingming!

This caused Roy's pupils to contract sharply, his face filled with shock.

How is this possible? Was the Nine Skies Sword Array broken so easily?

He didn't even use his Demon Bloodline!

No!

When did Xu Jingming become this strong?