Practice field.
As the news of Mu Jinyu challenging Wei Qingfeng spread, almost all the top experts on the List of Outstanding Talents came to watch, except for those who were out on training missions.
Most of the top ten also arrived.
When they learned that Mu Jinyu had already defeated Gu Qianqiu and became the eighth on the list before challenging Wei Qingfeng, their expressions grew complicated.
There was a bit of anger and a bit of relief.
Their anger stemmed from not being chosen by Mu Jinyu, feeling slighted by him, leading to a sense of unwillingness!
Their relief came from the fact that since even Gu Qianqiu was defeated by Mu Jinyu in three moves, they felt that if they had faced Mu Jinyu, it would have been difficult to emerge unscathed. Thus, they were somewhat thankful for preserving their dignity by not being chosen.
"Let's begin!"
Wei Qingfeng did not wait for more onlookers for the battle with Mu Jinyu; he was merely adjusting to his optimal state for the clash.
Thus, with many people gathered, he and Mu Jinyu had yet to start fighting.
At this moment, feeling he was in a good state, he opened his eyes and signaled to Mu Jinyu to commence.
"Then, pardon my offense."
Hearing this, Mu Jinyu was about to make his move.
Suddenly, from the direction of the onlookers, came exclamations of extreme surprise, causing their actions to pause.
"No way! Brother Yun actually came to watch!"
"Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I last saw Brother Yun. He's still as elegant and handsome as ever. If only I were a girl..."
Hearing these voices, Mu Jinyu and Wei Qingfeng instinctively halted their actions.
They turned their heads towards the direction from which the voices came.
There stood a man in white, elegant and handsome, like a peerless young master, holding a folding fan, leisurely appearing on the practice field.
It was none other than the foremost member of the younger generation of the Heavenly Sword Faction.
The only True Disciple of the first Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Sword Faction.
Yun Ge!
Yun Ge, with a faint smile, greeted everyone cordially while walking towards the practice field.
He showed no airs of being the top-rank Inner Gate member and the third-ranked on the Four Sects' Genius Ranking.
He appeared very affable, like an elder brother next door.
"So he is Yun Ge? The number one of the Heavenly Sword Faction."
Mu Jinyu paused, looking at this leading figure of the younger generation of the Heavenly Sword Faction, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Brother Yun, you actually came!"
Wei Qingfeng, respectful towards Yun Ge, was taken aback by his appearance and quickly greeted and saluted him respectfully.
Yun Ge, seeing this, waved his hand, a gentle stream of True Yuan lifting Wei Qingfeng as he said, "No need for such formalities. I just heard there was a duel here and came to take a look."
Saying so, he turned to look at Mu Jinyu with a warm smile, "You must be the renowned Mu Jinyu who refused to become the Sect Leader's disciple? Truly extraordinary!"
Hearing Yun Ge's words, Mu Jinyu unconsciously felt a good impression towards him from being addressed as Mu Jinyu, rather than a 'Spirit Root prodigy'.
Mu Jinyu nodded lightly and said, "Indeed, please excuse the embarrassment, Brother Yun."
Yun Ge waved his hand and then said, "Alright, you two continue. Don't waste time and delay the important matters because of me."
"Yes, Brother Yun," Wei Qingfeng said respectfully.
Then, Wei Qingfeng turned to Mu Jinyu, his previously indifferent eyes now blazing with the fire of combat, "Come, let me see what gives you the confidence to challenge me!"
Mu Jinyu withdrew his gaze from Yun Ge, looked at Wei Qingfeng, nodded and said solemnly, "Then, pardon my offense!"
"Hah!"
With that word,
Mu Jinyu immediately unleashed the "Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi," conjuring an endless barrage of giant wood swords crashing towards Wei Qingfeng, as if to crush him into pulp!
Then, he performed the "Ten Steps Move" to evade Wei Qingfeng's attack, seeking an opportunity to deliver a powerful punch!
"Hah!!"
Upon seeing Mu Jinyu unleash the Heavenly Wood Sword Qi, Wei Qingfeng gave a light shout, drew his sword, and its radiance instantly illuminated like a new moon rising, with moonlight scattering.
That endless Heavenly Wood Sword shattered like ice meeting the warm sun, melting in an instant.
"Scorching Sun Sword Intent!"
Wei Qingfeng shattered Mu Jinyu's "Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi" with a single strike, giving Mu Jinyu no chance to continue. He shouted loudly, raising his sword which emitted brilliant, dazzling light.
For a moment, his sword in hand seemed to become another sun hanging in the sky.
The brilliance was blinding, forcing everyone to look away, tears streaming from their eyes.
Onlookers, averting their gazes, murmured softly, "Wow, Brother Wei used his Sword Intent right from the start, he's taking Mu Jinyu very seriously!"
"How could he not take it seriously? With Brother Yun watching, if he carelessly lost to Mu Jinyu, he'd lose all face!"
"Did you notice? Brother Wei's Scorching Sun Sword Intent seems to have strengthened considerably, almost reaching the Completion Stage of Sword Intent!"
"Indeed, though the Scorching Sun Double-edged Sword Technique is only a Top Yellow Grade Sword Technique, he has trained it to a transcendent level. With the addition of near-completion level Scorching Sun Sword Intent, even a top-quality Profound Rank defense Divine Skill might not withstand it!"
In Martial Techniques, the rank alone does not always determine the actual power.
After all, Martial Techniques also vary in proficiency from Initial Insight to Transcendence stages.
If one masters a Yellow Grade Sword Technique to the level of Transcendence and adds almost completed Sword Intent, the opponent, even with an Earth Rank Sword Technique but only at an Initial Insight, has a higher chance of defeat!
Such was the case with Wei Qingfeng. His Scorching Sun Double-edged Sword Technique was of Top Yellow Grade, but he mastered it to a transcendental level. Coupled with near-completion level Scorching Sun Sword Intent, his sword strike was almost more powerful than an Earth Rank Sword Technique!
Yun Ge watched as Wei Qingfeng unleashed a near-completion Scorching Sun Sword Intent with a look of mild appreciation.
Then he looked at Mu Jinyu, curious to see how he would counter this attack.
"Using the 'Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi' again would clearly be ineffective, so will he break through directly with the sheer brute force of the 'Dragon-Elephant Prison Suppression Technique'?"
Yun Ge silently pondered, filled with anticipation and curiosity about Mu Jinyu's next move.
In the heat of battle, seeing Wei Qingfeng incessantly gathering energy, Mu Jinyu knew he must not let him accumulate strength, or the consequences would be dire. He attempted to throw several Heavenly Wood Sword Qi at him.
Unfortunately, it was to no avail.
After all, fire conquers wood. Moreover, his mastery of Heavenly Wood Sword Qi was only at a masterful skill level.
This juxtaposition weakened his Heavenly Wood Sword Qi, fueling the Scorching Sun Sword Intent to grow even stronger!
Yun Ge saw this, showing a trace of disappointment, thinking Mu Jinyu might be nothing more than what his reputation suggested.
However, at this instant, the scene that ensued made Yun Ge's pupils involuntarily constrict slightly.