Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Playing it safe, he opened with a defensive stance, his body seemingly veiled in mist. Yet, if one assumed the sword flourishes and flashes of light were mere feints, his blade would burst forth like a rainbow through heavy clouds in the next instant, ready to deliver a fatal strike to the throat.

This opening sequence was enough to display Xing Zhi’s prowess. He was truly worthy of his title as the foremost disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect in the Qi Blood First Transformation Realm, placing him among the elite of any Major Sect at the same level.

However, just as Xing Zhi’s Long Sword began its dance, a searing flash of light pierced through the mist, scattering his many feints and appearing right before his face!

Xing Zhi was greatly alarmed. He swept his Long Sword aside to parry Yao Tianchuan’s thrust, but it was as if Yao Tianchuan had anticipated the block. Following the force of the parry, his sword traced a circle and stabbed toward Xing Zhi’s lower torso.

Xing Zhi had never expected Yao Tianchuan’s Long Sword to be so fast. In his haste, he could only leap into the air, hoping to evade the attack and turn the tables from above. But he never imagined that Yao Tianchuan’s first two swift strikes weren’t even his full strength. Seizing the moment Xing Zhi was airborne and without leverage, Yao Tianchuan flicked his Long Sword upward like a bolt of lightning. Before Xing Zhi could even retract his own blade, it slashed across his abdomen.

A spray of blood erupted as Xing Zhi was sent flying backward to the ground. The entire arena fell utterly silent.

Defeated in three strikes.

The top disciple of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s Qi Blood First Transformation Realm had been defeated by Yao Tianchuan in just three strikes.

Even many of the Sword Storage Pavilion’s own disciples had likely not anticipated this outcome.

The spectators around the ring exchanged glances, momentarily speechless. The arena was deathly quiet.

They looked from Xing Zhi on the ground to Yao Tianchuan, their faces etched with pure astonishment.

No one in the crowd thought Xing Zhi was weak. His opening stance, perfectly balanced between offense and defense, had revealed his profound attainments in the Sword Dao to any expert eye. He was far from mediocre.

Many of the Sword Storage Pavilion disciples in the First Transformation Realm watched and silently admitted to themselves that if they were on that stage, they wouldn’t have been confident in dealing with that opening move. The outcome would have been uncertain.

But Yao Tianchuan’s sword was too fast and too powerful. Like a bolt of lightning, it gave Xing Zhi no chance whatsoever.

He and his sword moved as one; many people couldn’t even follow his movements. Under the assault of three strikes, Xing Zhi was completely overwhelmed, his defenses broke, and he was felled by the final blow.

There were many Martial Artists in the First Transformation Realm present. Watching Yao Tianchuan’s three strikes left them with a suffocating feeling, completely unsure of how they would ever counter them. Even many disciples of the Qi Blood Second Transformation and Third Transformation Realm watched with deeply furrowed brows, their expressions grave.

After a moment of silence, the disciples of the Sword Storage Pavilion erupted in cheers and applause, their morale clearly soaring.

The expressions of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect disciples turned bleak. Someone silently mounted the stage to help Xing Zhi to his feet.

Xing Zhi staggered to his feet, his face deathly pale. He managed to cup his hands in a fist and palm salute.

"Brother Yao, your Swordsmanship is piercingly sharp, and your fast-sword technique is unmatched. I willingly concede."

Yao Tianchuan remained silent, merely giving a perfunctory salute in return. He clearly hadn’t considered his opponent worth his attention.

Seeing this, Xing Zhi gave a bitter smile and allowed his sect brothers to help him off the ring.

Xie Yuan’s brow furrowed as he watched. ’No wonder this Yao Tianchuan can defeat opponents in higher realms based on technique alone,’ he thought. ’His fast-sword style doesn’t have an imposing aura, but its power is immense. His skill is truly extraordinary.’

He glanced over at Situ Qin and saw her casually nibbling on some candied fruit, her expression placid. She wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Xie Yuan then discreetly observed the expressions of the Sword Sect’s masters and elders. As expected, none of them looked pleased.

’To be defeated so decisively... It’s certainly a loss of face...’

He shook his head to himself, then suddenly noticed that Yao Tianchuan was still on the ring; he hadn’t stepped down.

Just as Xie Yuan was staring at him, he saw Yao Tianchuan turn his head and seem to glance in his direction. Xie Yuan froze for a moment.

’What’s he looking at? Why is he looking at me?’

Many people noticed that Yao Tianchuan wasn’t following the usual procedure and began to whisper among themselves.

The referee stepped forward and asked,

"Nephew Yao, the match is over. Why do you not step down?"

Yao Tianchuan shook his head and said coldly,

"A duel like this is utterly pointless. Over in three strikes? That’s not even enough for a warm-up. Did I travel all this way just for that? I might as well have stayed home and practiced on my own! Can it be that the great and mighty Cloud Mountain Sword Sect has no disciples who can at least give me a proper fight?"

His words sent the entire crowd into an uproar. The disciples of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect were instantly incensed.

"This guy is unbelievably arrogant!"

"Hmph, I’m going up there to see what he’s made of!"

"Junior Brother Wang, I’m angry too, but... just stay put."

The Sword Sect disciples grumbled and cursed, but their voices gradually died down. After all, without the strength to back up their words, their angry shouts were hollow.

The guests, for their part, all wore wonderfully entertained expressions, while the members of the Sword Storage Pavilion had mixed reactions.

Some cheered him on, while others showed expressions of disapproval. But Yao Tianchuan’s status was unique. With his high cultivation, exceptional talent, and top-tier family background, he had always been doted on by the elders of the Sword Storage Pavilion. Thus, for the moment, no one dared to speak out.

Just as one elder shook his head, preparing to call him down, a cold snort echoed.

"Hmph! I’ll take him on!"

The disciples of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, who had been stewing in humiliation, immediately turned their heads at the sound.

A young disciple from Ruyun Peak, dressed in white robes embroidered with a double-cloud pattern, strode into the arena, and everyone’s eyes lit up.

The direct disciple of the Sect Leader of the main peak, Zhou Xinhong!

His cultivation was on par with Xing Zhi’s, different by only the slightest margin, and he too was one of the elites among the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect’s First Transformation disciples. Seeing him leap onto the ring, the crowd’s spirits were instantly lifted, and they began to cheer loudly.

Seeing this, the referee consulted with a few of the elders before returning to the ring to announce that another match could proceed.

Seeing Yao Tianchuan’s arrogance, Xie Yuan also felt a surge of indignation. But as he watched Zhou Xinhong take the ring, he didn’t share the excitement of the surrounding disciples. Instead, he secretly shook his head.

’Senior Brother Zhou is strong, but against Yao Tianchuan... I’m afraid this won’t end well.’

With a command from the referee, the match began.

Unlike Xing Zhi, who had opened defensively, Zhou Xinhong went on the offensive. His first strike was like a cloud dragon rearing its head, fangs and claws bared, stirring up a gale that rushed toward Yao Tianchuan!