Chapter 470: Defeat, Sword Dao Ninth Segment (Combined)

The sword qi reflected into the 22nd layer of Dao domain, slicing directly across Bian Bian Ruxue's cheek, leaving a wound on her beautiful face.

But the wound healed instantly; Bian Bian Ruxue's body vanished into Guixu, avoiding the blade's edge at the very moment she was struck.

When she reappeared, her gaze had grown far more solemn.

"The Ultimate Softness Sword Intent has reached perfection!"

"Lin Qingying has already perfected her sword intent—was it a breakthrough after her battle with Zhan Long?"

On the Sacred Stage, many Sacred Sons and Sacred Daughters grew solemn.

Many among them had not yet perfected their sword intent; a perfected sword intent, pushed further, leads to Dao entry!

"Pity. Merely a minor path."

The Moonlight Sacred Son's eyes flickered with surprise, but he quickly shook his head—compared to his own Sun-Moon Dao, all were minor paths, even perfected ones were no cause for concern.

"This child Lin Qingying, since her master's misfortune, has cultivated her sword alone every day—she hasn't fallen behind. That incident clearly didn't affect her much."

Elder Yao Zu gazed intently; at such a young age, achieving perfect cultivation of sword intent, her sword comprehension was terrifying.

Give her a few centuries more, and she would become another Sword Half-Saint.

But prodigies who cultivate swiftly often perish in the relentless competition.

On the battlefield, Bian Bian Ruxue sensed that her opponent's sword intent was perfected—deeper than her own—and the previous advantage of suppression vanished.

She took a deep breath, gathering her internal strength into her spinal sword bone. This ice-and-snow sword bone was innate to her, but had lain dormant until her Sword Saint master awakened it. Now, as her strength flowed into the bone, her entire body radiated a chilling frost.

The surrounding temperature dropped further; Bian Bian Ruxue's aura steadily strengthened. Her original internal strength, transformed by the sword bone, became sword Gang!

Whoosh! She suddenly stepped forward, activating Guixu Instant Movement. To reach the Guixu Extreme Realm, one must cultivate countless object-control techniques and push them to their limits.

Bian Bian Ruxue, directly taught and guided by her Dao Master, received the complete Sword Saint's Yu Tian Jue, mastered it through transmission, and opened the Guixu Extreme Realm within half a year.

Thus, though her cultivation years were short, she had already opened nearly all possible Extreme Realms.

As she arrived via Guixu Instant Movement before Lin Lin Qingying, Bian Bian Ruxue condensed her vast sword Gang into a single strike—her sword slashed, and heaven and earth seemed to freeze.

Lin Lin Qingying's Dao domains unfolded layer by layer—28 in total—but now they were penetrated and frozen by the ice-and-snow chill. The sword principles within her domain were solidified, and with Bian Bian Ruxue's own Dao domain canceling them out, they shattered outright. As the biting sword Gang slashed toward her, Lin Lin Qingying turned her blade, and tidal-like currents spread around her, entwining the sword Gang, pulling it aside, then reversing in a wave-like surge to encircle Bian Bian Ruxue.

Bian Bian Ruxue's heart lurched; she let out a sharp cry, unleashing her sword intent, spreading ice and frost to freeze the tidal sword momentum.

Clang! The two blades clashed—the fierce sword Gang, like a great axe, sent Lin Lin Qingying reeling back.

"Ice-and-Snow Sword Bone—no wonder the Sword Saint took her as a direct disciple. I heard he encountered her by chance in the mortal realm."

"Combined with her sword cultivation, it's seamless."

"The Sword Saint taught her personally—how could she go wrong? Not a single misstep."

On the Sacred Stage, the Sacred Sons and Daughters exchanged glances—none expected the youngest Sacred Daughter to be so formidable. With her Ice-and-Snow Sword Bone, she had suppressed Lin Lin Qingying's perfected sword intent and 28 Dao domains! But all of them saw clearly: Lin Lin Qingying had not yet used her true power.

After all, perfected sword intent is not limited to this—and Lin Lin Qingying possesses a Dao Body, yet hasn't used it.

"Aren't you going to use your Heavenly Law Form?"

Bian Bian Ruxue looked at Lin Lin Qingying, her eyes calm.

Compared to other Sacred Sons and Daughters, her greatest weakness was the absence of a Heavenly Law Form.

Others were all at the Five Poles Realm; she was only at the Four Poles Realm. When she reached the Soul Succession Realm, her master Xue Jian Wu Dao took her away, using connections to send her to Qian Dao Palace, where the one she paid homage to was a True Person of Dao Law Realm.

This doomed her to never attain a Heavenly Law Form.

Yet, after meeting her current master, the Sword Saint, he told her: when she reaches her lifetime's bottleneck, she may reincarnate and re-cultivate—he will guard her, and her true peak lies in her next life!

Hearing her words, Lin Lin Qingying shook her head silently, her internal strength gradually shifting into her primordial Yin Dao Embryo. She possessed a primordial supreme Yin Dao Embryo; now, her strength coiled in her abdomen, her entire body seeming to transform into supple, watery power.

Only she knew the true extent of her strength after perfecting the Ultimate Softness Sword Intent.

Combined with her primordial supreme Yin Dao Embryo, she could push her sword intent to its utmost limit—she had planned to save this power for later, stronger foes—but now, she had to use it early.

As Lin Lin Qingying's aura shifted, Bian Bian Ruxue swiftly sensed it. Her gaze grew solemn; she said nothing, instead gathering the sword Gang within her sword bone, merging it with her ice-and-snow sword intent, raising her blade, and unleashing the sword technique she had cultivated since childhood, refined and elevated by her master to Dao-level.

Snow Realm!

Her blade did not move, yet piercing cold erupted like shattering ice.

She suddenly struck—One Sword, Snow Falls! Instantly, heaven and earth seemed blanketed in heavy snow.

Countless snowflakes transformed into ten thousand sword rays, all transported via Guixu Instant Movement directly before Lin Lin Qingying.

Equivalent to ten thousand sword strikes unleashed at once, freezing all.

But Lin Lin Qingying stood still, as if unable to react—the snowfall of sword rays converged, yet passed cleanly through her body.

Ultimate Softness!

Softness cannot be touched.

Dressed in green, she stood amid the blizzard, swirling sword Gang encircling her—yet not a single strand of her hair stirred.

She stood quietly, sword in hand, merely gazing at Bian Bian Ruxue.

Yet this terrifying sight left Bian Bian Ruxue pale.

Those watching outside were also stunned.

"How is this possible?!"

"Unharmed? Untouchable? Unselectable?!"

"Is this what perfected Ultimate Softness Sword Intent looks like?"

The Sacred Sons and Daughters on the stage were all shaken—Lin Lin Qingying's display left many of them heart-pounding and scalp-tightening.

"Primordial supreme Yin Dao Embryo, combined with perfected Ultimate Softness Sword Intent—this child Lin Qingying has already entered a half-step toward Dao."

"Impressive. Though Shuiyue erred, she brought us an exceptional disciple."

Elder Yao Zu and other Half-Saints, seeing this, showed approval in their eyes.

The Sword Saint standing at the center remained expressionless, unchanged.

Now, Lin Lin Qingying stood motionless in the storm for a moment, then suddenly used Guixu Instant Flash to appear before Bian Bian Ruxue.

Bian Bian Ruxue reacted instantly—her sword Gang roared out like a silver dragon, slashing toward Lin Lin Qingying.

But the silver dragon sword Gang passed through Lin Lin Qingying's body, while Lin Lin Qingying merely raised her hand, her blade sweeping past—Bian Bian Ruxue felt a faint chill at her throat, raised her hand to wipe it, and found a streak of blood on her fingertip, though the wound on her jade neck had already healed.

But she knew: if Lin Lin Qingying had used a killing move, it would not have been merely a scratch.

Bian Bian Ruxue was momentarily stunned; her sword Gang gradually dissipated, and the swirling blizzard around her slowly faded.

"I lost."

A complex flicker passed through her eyes. When she saw her opponent's perfected sword intent, she had Yinyin known this battle would be hard to win—after all, she had no Heavenly Law Form. But she never imagined her opponent hadn't used a Law Form either, and still defeated her with sword technique alone.

Lin Lin Qingying sheathed her blade, said nothing, and turned to glance toward the floating seats.

Without those three paintings, which allowed her sword intent to reach perfection, today's battle might have been extremely grueling, ending in an uncertain outcome.

Even with an additional Heavenly Law Form, its effect would be minimal when her sword intent was suppressed.

Noticing Lin Lin Qingying's gaze, Bian Bian Ruxue followed it—and when she saw Li Hao's appearance, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, but she did not dwell on it.

She had heard of this Sacred Daughter Lin Qingying's deeds: her master had erred and been imprisoned over a decade ago, and because of that, she had received no instruction for years, forced to cultivate alone.

"Was your sword intent self-taught? I am not your equal."

Bian Bian Ruxue fell silent, sighed softly. Only now, here, did she realize: beyond the heavens lie greater heavens; mortal splendor pales before this brilliance.

Lin Lin Qingying withdrew her gaze, hearing her words, replied calmly: "Someone spars with me—I didn't truly self-taught."

Sparring partner… Bian Bian Ruxue's eyes flickered. At their level, all cultivated alone, seeking only their master's guidance. To have someone spar with them—such a person must be at least their own level; otherwise, it was meaningless.

Bian Bian Ruxue did not press further—she did not ask which Sacred Son sparred with Lin Lin Qingying; that was another's privacy.

Yet those words stirred a memory in her mind—a scene from childhood in the courtyard.

It seemed… it had been so very, very long since anyone had sparred with her.

If she returned to the mortal world, could he still spar with her? Bian Bian Ruxue shook her head gently—back then, they were on different levels; childhood games were long gone.

She pulled her thoughts back, seeing Lin Lin Qingying had turned and descended the battlefield; she silently turned and flew away, returning to the Sacred Stage.

Watching the two return, the other Sacred Sons and Daughters' eyes flickered, weighing their own strength against what they had just witnessed.

The Zhan Long Sacred Son's expression darkened—he had hoped today to draw Lin Lin Qingying again, to erase his past shame—but this battle made him realize: thank heaven he hadn't faced her, or his humiliation would have been even greater.

Losing once, you could still claim it was luck. Losing twice? That's total defeat.

And this time, it would have been even faster.

Perfected sword intent, perfectly matched with a Dao Embryo—that state was invincible.

Lin Lin Qingying felt the gazes of others, but her expression remained calm, showing no reaction. She knew this battle had exposed her, and many would now see her as a formidable rival.

But the path of the strong never fears cold winds or biting frost.

…

"Lin Qingying won!"

"Incredible! What just happened? That blizzard of sword qi didn't even touch her!"

Lin Lin Shanhai and the alchemists were thrilled, faces alight with joy.

Though Bian Bian Ruxue was young, she was the Sword Saint's direct disciple—no one dared underestimate her.

And Bian Bian Ruxue had indeed shown formidable power—but Lin Lin Qingying seemed to have surpassed her entirely, winning decisively.

Many alchemists cheered, congratulating Lin Lin Shanhai.

Li Hao sat nearby, expression calm. He hadn't expected their first match to be between these two—but now, he regarded it as normal. Whoever she faced made no difference.

Winning and losing are commonplace. If you're outmatched, train harder.

"The Snow Maiden lost. Indeed, too young!"

"Still impressive—she's only 27 and reached this level. At 27, we were still stuck in True Person Realm!"

"What? You reached True Person Realm at 27? Then what does that make me, still in Four Standing Realm at 27?"

"Don't even talk—my cousin is still in Three Imperishable Realm at 27!"

"..."

Below the stage, the crowd buzzed with discussion; many saw this youngest Holy Maiden fight for the first time. Though she lost, several recognized Bian Bian Ruxue's formidable strength—never to be underestimated.

Lin Lin Qingying's performance brought immense surprise. Many top inner-disciple prodigies felt bitter realization: these Holy Sons and Daughters were monsters of another caliber. Aside from the Moonlit Holy Son, another Holy Maiden now possessed perfected sword intent.

That final move's special state was utterly insurmountable. Had they been in her place, they'd have surrendered without resistance.

With this victory, Lin Lin Qingying advanced to the Top Eight. Bian Bian Ruxue dropped to the Losers' Bracket, needing consecutive wins just to reach the Top Ten—far harder.

Soon, the next round of matches began.

This time, both Holy Sons were evenly matched, locked in fierce combat. They alternated use of the Five Polarities Realm, leaving spectators breathless. In sheer spectacle, it surpassed the prior two matches.

After all, the first two matches had clear superiority from one side, making them seem less intense.

When the battle ended, the entire arena was reduced to a deep pit. One Holy Son lay unconscious, drenched in blood; the other was equally gruesome, his body nearly shattered.

Such brutal combat left the outer-disciples trembling. This was the clash of Holy-grade disciples.

Li Hao watched silently, gradually recording the supreme arts these Holy Sons and Daughters had received from their masters—arts not cataloged in the Sword Tower, pioneered by Semi-Saints as their signature techniques.

Though now recorded on his panel, Li Hao knew he must not use them recklessly. This kind of theft was taboo.

Yet once recorded, these arts would merge with his other cultivation insights, eventually allowing him to deduce a new technique. Even if used, it would differ—so he wasn't worried about detection.

These recorded arts would also add several more Dao Domains to Li Hao's collection.

Not long after, the fierce Top Eight battle concluded, followed by a three-day break.

Next came the Losers' Bracket: eight competitors vying for two spots to enter the Top Ten, then the Top Ten finals.

After watching the entire day, Li Hao felt that if Lin Lin Qingying performed well, securing a top-three finish was no problem.

Aside from the Moonlit Holy Son, another Spirit Illusion Holy Son also possessed perfected sword intent—extremely formidable.

Naturally, Li Hao recorded his illusory sword art on his panel, and after pushing it to its peak, he comprehended it.

This sword intent merged into Li Hao's Sole Self Sword Intent, making his own even sharper by a fraction.

During the three-day break, Lin Lin Qingying still trained in the courtyard, sharpening her sword. Li Hao felt she was too tense. "You should rest these days. Relax a bit."

Li Hao noticed she spent every day—except eating and drinking—holding her sword, more absorbed than even he was in chess.

Lin Lin Qingying opened her eyes, seeing Li Hao about to leave. Rarely, she asked: "Where are you going?"

In the past, Li Hao often went out, but she never asked.

"To the Sword Tower. To go fishing. Want to come see?"

Li Hao smiled.

Lin Lin Qingying was startled. The Sword Tower? That was the sacred ground of the Sword Master.

She thought a moment, then rose. "Alright. I'll accompany you."

Li Hao was surprised—he'd only invited casually, never expecting her to accept.

"Then let's go together," Li Hao said, smiling. Constant sword training could lead to mental stagnation. Occasionally relaxing helped cultivation—just like his chess and painting. Switching between them prevented tunnel vision. Otherwise, one missed too many other vistas.

Occasionally seeing other vistas could spark new thoughts, trigger analogical insights, and yield fresh realizations.

Immediately, Li Hao flew through the air, leading the way.

Lin Lin Qingying followed behind, her expression slightly odd. Li Hao had only been in this sacred place for a year, yet now he moved like a regular—familiar, effortless.

Yet she, though trained here for years, had never fully seen the sacred grounds. Her days were mostly eating, drinking, and sword training—stuck in her courtyard.

Soon, Li Hao brought Lin Lin Qingying to Shengshan. Along the way, many disciples recognized her and gasped aloud.

Li Hao sighed. Bringing a Holy Maiden along was like escorting a celebrity—too conspicuous.

Fortunately, the Sword Tower was a sacred zone; disciples dared not linger. It was quiet here.

The Sword Attendant saw Li Hao arrive and noticed Lin Lin Qingying behind him. He was surprised. "What's this?"

Lin Lin Qingying recognized the Sword Attendant. When she first came to the Sword Tower to choose arts, she learned he was the Sword Master's disciple—immensely powerful, among the elite of Dao Law Realm. Even Holy Sons and Daughters might not match him.

After all, he was a Holy-grade disciple from the previous generation, hundreds of years older. His cultivation was naturally terrifying.

"Here to fish. Also bringing her for a walk."

Li Hao smiled.

The Sword Attendant glanced at Lin Lin Qingying. Her expression was calm, but her eyes subtly turned away, slightly uneasy.

The Sword Attendant chuckled. "Go ahead. The Sword Master is waiting for you. Said fishing without you is dull."

Li Hao smiled inwardly. Though he and the Sword Master fished in silence, when they hooked something, the thrill was different. After growing used to competing, fishing alone felt incomplete.

After greeting him, Li Hao led Lin Lin Qingying past the Sword Tower's bamboo grove toward Jianya.

Lin Lin Qingying followed, astonished and curious. He really fished with the Sword Master? And he seemed so familiar with the place. Had his frequent outings been here all along?

A strange feeling stirred in her. The Sword Master was a Saint-level being. Countless Holy Sons sought favor but found no path. Li Hao had only been here a year—and yet he seemed well-acquainted. Unbelievable.

Soon, they reached Jianya. Li Hao saw not only the Sword Master, but Qiu Qiu Wuhen as well.

Lin Lin Qingying also noticed Qiu Qiu Wuhen, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Sword Master Senior."

Li Hao stepped forward, bowing.

The Sword Master turned slightly, saw Li Hao—and naturally noticed Lin Lin Qingying. His brows lifted. "This little girl here to fish too?"

Under the Sword Master's gaze, Lin Lin Qingying's body hairs stood on end, overwhelmed by an indescribable pressure. She immediately bowed low.

When she heard his question, she shook her head slightly. "I just came along to watch. Didn't expect to meet Sword Master Senior."

"Then just look," the Sword Master said, and said no more.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen, however, turned to Lin Lin Qingying and nodded slightly. Then he said:

"I watched your match. Your sword intent is perfected. Very impressive!"

"I watched yours too. Thousand Threads Sword. Very impressive."

Lin Lin Qingying replied in kind.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen's lips twitched. He'd lost miserably to the Moonlit Holy Son.

Li Hao heard Lin Lin Qingying's words and pinched his brow. What kind of steel-nerved girl was this? Was this how they exchanged pleasantries?

Li Hao rubbed his temples at Lin Lin Qingying's words—what a stoic woman, was this how people made small talk?

Li Hao gestured for Lin Lin Qingying to sit by the cliff's edge, then returned to his usual spot. He gathered his power into a thread and cast it into Jianya.

Lin Lin Qingying watched the three anglers, curious. What purpose did this serve? To the Sword Master, perhaps it was a hobby. To Li Hao, too. But for Qiu Qiu Wuhen…?

"Are you using this to comprehend sword intent?" Lin Lin Qingying wasn't foolish. She sensed the true purpose.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen nodded slightly. "Correct."

Lin Lin Qingying's eyes narrowed in thought.

Li Hao smiled at Lin Lin Qingying. "Your Softest Sword Intent suits fishing well. You can feel subtle water currents, judge when a bite comes. Try it."

The Sword Master heard and scolded playfully: "You brat!"

Clearly implying: You're tempting someone to sin.

Li Hao chuckled sheepishly. He was speaking truth.

Lin Lin Qingying, however, shook her head slightly. She had no interest in this.

Yet she didn't leave. She sat quietly beside Li Hao, absorbing the tranquil naturalness.

Soon, Li Hao hooked something.

Lin Lin Qingying looked. The catch was a true dragon. She was startled.

Lin Lin Qingying looked over and saw that what had been caught was a true dragon; she could not help but be astonished.

Li Hao saw it was the dragon demon Ao Ao Jie, and glared.

Ao Ao Jie was stunned, immediately begging for mercy.

They were practically old acquaintances by now.

Li Hao sighed, unhooked him, and released him.

Hearing the dragon demon's words, Lin Lin Qingying realized Li Hao was a regular here. Her gaze settled on his profile—and suddenly, she recalled that day: returning from cultivation, hearing an earthquake, going to investigate, and finding Li Hao gravely wounded in a deep pit…

Upon hearing the dragon demon's words, Lin Lin Qingying realized Li Hao was already a regular here; her gaze settled on his profile, and suddenly, memories surfaced—the day she had returned from cultivation, suddenly hearing the ground rumble, rushing to investigate, and finding Li Hao gravely wounded at the bottom of a deep pit…

When the sun set, Li Hao bid farewell to the Sword Master and Qiu Qiu Wuhen, then returned with Lin Lin Qingying to the Alchemy Courtyard.

For the next two days, Lin Lin Qingying stopped sword training. Instead, she followed Li Hao daily to fish.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen didn't come—he seemed to have entered seclusion.

After all, he needed to compete in the Losers' Bracket in three days.

Lin Lin Qingying sat by the cliff, watching the deep pool's ripples, her thoughts drifting.

The Sword Master chatted casually, yet seemingly unintentionally, mentioned the Softest Sword Dao. Lin Lin Qingying caught the Dao's subtle resonance, glimpsing faintly the level beyond perfected sword intent.

But it was only a thread of direction. To truly reach it was still far off.

On the fourth day, the Losers' Bracket began. Lin Lin Qingying went to watch. Li Hao did not. He came alone to Jianya, continuing to fish.

For him, fishing was cultivation.

"They're fighting over there today. Why didn't you go?"

The Sword Master, seeing Li Hao again, asked curiously.

Li Hao smiled. "I've seen them all already."

"You brat. You didn't understand, or just found it boring?" The Sword Master smiled, his eyes seeming to pierce Li Hao's soul.

Since learning Li Hao was 28 and had cultivated 97 Dao Domains, he knew Li Hao's talent surpassed imagination—even among Holy Sons, he was top-tier.

"Didn't understand…" Li Hao chuckled sheepishly.

Saying "boring" would be too humiliating. After all, they were the Sacred Sword Sect's elite Holy Sons.

The Sword Master gave him a disapproving look. If you didn't understand, you'd go watch more. How could you have leisure to come here?

The Sword Master gave him an exasperated look— if you can't understand it, go study harder; how could you possibly have the leisure to come here?

He had been a Saint for so many years, yet he had never encountered someone as peculiar as Li Hao.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen came here to fish to attain insight into the Sword Dao, but Li Hao fished merely out of personal fondness, with no connection to the Sword Dao whatsoever.

Qiu Qiu Wuhen bit the hook, his expression blank, as if he had merely swallowed a stone.

But when Li Hao bit the hook, the excitement in his eyes was plainly visible.

Such emotion could not be concealed—only someone who truly loved fishing could display such feeling.

"If you feel watching the battle is disrespectful, you need not go. They will eventually have to contend with the prodigies of the other two Sacred Sects, even all the prodigies of the Thirty-Three Realms, for the title of the strongest. If mere glances expose their weaknesses, they deserve to lose."

The Sword Master said calmly.

Li Hao nodded. The Sword God Battle now served not only to select the strongest prodigy within the Sacred Sect, but also to determine the top ten names who would challenge the other two Sacred Sects for the title of the ten strongest in Canglan Realm.

Seeing Li Hao unmoved, the Sword Master did not press further. In his heart, he regarded Li Hao as a prodigy from another Supreme Saint's sect—someone who would inevitably meet his own sect's Holy Son on the stage of the Thirty-Three Realms' Prodigy War. Li Hao's reluctance to spy did not trouble him; he even admired this pride.

After half a day of fishing, Li Hao repeatedly caught Ao Ao Jie, and his fishing experience gains had diminished greatly.

He sighed helplessly, reeled in his line, and said to the Sword Master: "Master, may I paint you a portrait?"

The Sword Master raised an eyebrow, surprised, then recalled Li Hao's earlier masterpiece of the Sword God Battle. He smiled and said:

"If you wish to paint, do as you please."

Li Hao's heart leapt with joy. He immediately retrieved his painting board from the Heavenly Space and began painting before the Sword Cliff.

The roar of the waterfall, the Sword Master sitting silently in his bamboo hat at the cliff's edge, and the brilliant, profound sword mark on the opposite cliff—radiating heavenly sword qi—were all captured within Li Hao's painting.

Only when depicting the Saint did Li Hao feel the difficulty of the Painting Dao—it was entirely different from painting ordinary people.

His expression grew grave as he studied intently, yet he always sensed a mist-like veil around the man; careful observation while painting was not the same as ordinary viewing.

He sought to capture the man's spiritual essence, but that essence was elusive—like a divine dragon whose head vanished into clouds, ever-shifting and impossible to grasp.

When Li Hao faintly glimpsed it, a sharp, buzzing sword qi exploded beside his ear.

The Sword Master's expression flickered slightly in surprise. Had his inner Sword Dao been glimpsed? "Hm? Are you alright?"

He turned to Li Hao and saw golden blood seeping from his eyes, his pupils seemingly sliced open and blinded.

From those eyes, he sensed a faint sword intent—his own Sword Dao, reflected into Li Hao's gaze, had severed his eyes.

It was not his doing. He raised his hand to withdraw the sword force, lest it continue to fester in Li Hao's eyes and prevent healing.

"Master, don't concern yourself with me—I'm painting!"

Li Hao, sensing his movement, spoke at once.

The Sword Master froze, gazing at Li Hao. In that moment, he finally understood why this man had painted the legendary Sword God Battle.

He was not a Sword Obsessive—he was a Painting Obsessive!

His devotion to painting surpassed even many Holy Sons' devotion to the Sword Dao!

The Sword Master gazed at him deeply. One heart could hold only one passion. It was unimaginable that someone so utterly consumed by painting could also be so deeply absorbed in fishing—and even more terrifying was his cultivation: at twenty-eight, he had reached ninety-seven layers of Dao Domains. Such a prodigy, even a Saint reincarnated, could not fail to astonish.

At this moment, Li Hao's eyes were split, blood pouring continuously, yet his brush never paused.

He painted with his heart. As time passed, the outlines on the paper grew clearer; the profile of the seated Sword Master gradually acquired spiritual essence.

At first glance, he appeared an old man seated; upon closer look, he resembled a steep, sharp sword standing at the cliff's edge; look again, and he was once more an old man.

When the painting was complete, the two reflected sword forces in Li Hao's eyes were absorbed into the artwork through the Painting Dao.

As the painting took form, Li Hao's eyes regenerated.

Simultaneously, a system prompt appeared before him: 【Painting Section Experience +372742】

【Eighth Section Painting Dao experience is full】

【Congratulations. You have attained the Heart of Painting Dao. Painting Dao has advanced to Ninth Section】

(End of Chapter)