Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Comprehending Sword Intent
"Han Yue has Innate Divine Power. His strength is among the absolute best for an Eighth Layer Acupoint Opening Realm Martial Artist. Even someone at the Ninth Layer couldn’t have handled that so easily."
Zhao Zicheng gently shook his head. "So he wasn’t using his full strength this entire time. Is he really only at the Seventh Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm?"
The scene was utterly shocking. Before, everyone had assumed the young man’s skill was limited to his superb Sword Technique.
No one could have imagined that his physical strength was also this terrifying.
He could contend with Han Yue on strength alone.
Shen Daoxing cultivated the Annihilation of Ten Thousand Swords Technique. This Invincible Technique not only greatly increased his cultivation speed and granted him his own Annihilation Sword Qi, but it also gave him strength far surpassing that of other Martial Artists at his level.
Though only at the Seventh Layer of the Acupoint Opening Realm, he possessed the strength of fourteen hundred catties.
"Not bad. I only used thirty percent of my strength for that last strike."
"Next, I’ll use eighty percent!"
Han Yue shot more than twenty feet into the air, raised the war axe with both hands, and brought it crashing down again.
Yellow Tier High-Grade Martial Technique! Gale War Axe!
The axe blade whistled through the air. This single strike carried over a thousand catties of force; anyone hit by it would be turned into a pile of mangled flesh.
SWISH.
The iron sword was finally drawn.
Shen Daoxing mobilized all the Primordial Energy in his body and infused it into the iron sword.
Four Symbols Sword Technique! Feng Buliu!
The flash of the sword was incredibly fast, like a Wind Blade, tearing through the scorching shockwave.
"BOOM!"
Han Yue’s axe struck the shockwave. He immediately felt a powerful recoil travel up his arms, sending him flying backward.
STOMP, STOMP, STOMP!
By the time Han Yue steadied himself, he felt his organs tremble violently. The blood and energy in his body roiled; he had actually suffered an internal injury.
One must remember that Shen Daoxing could exert fourteen hundred catties of force without using any Martial Techniques at all.
Now, with the addition of the high-grade Profound Tier Sword Technique, the Four Symbols Sword Technique, how could Han Yue possibly resist?
"Again!"
Han Yue’s eyes turned blood-red as he activated the Giant Bloodline within him. A large amount of white steam began to pour from his body.
"Han Yue is going berserk!"
"I heard that once his bloodline is activated, his strength can reach nine thousand catties."
The last time Han Yue went all out, he directly chopped a Ninth Layer Acupoint Opening Realm Martial Artist into a bloody pulp.
The memory was still a nightmare for many!
It’s well known that every advancement to a new layer in the Acupoint Opening Realm brings a significant increase in power.
And because Han Yue possessed the bloodline of the Giant Race, his path was exceptionally smooth. As long as he reached the Ninth Layer, he would be an invincible existence in the Acupoint Opening Realm.
The Shen Family had always considered Han Yue their trump card.
Shen Lin sneered, "For this kid to actually force Han Yue to use his full power... he does have some skill."
’Once Han Yue goes all out, even I might not be able to win, so what chance does that kid on the stage have?’
’To be defeated at Han Yue’s hands isn’t just a simple loss. It’s one word: death.’
"WHOOSH!"
Before the war axe had even descended, Shen Daoxing could clearly feel a wave of heat wash over him. He raised his iron sword to block.
"CLANG!"
The iron sword couldn’t withstand such a powerful blow and shattered instantly.
The hearts of everyone in the audience leaped into their throats.
Han Yue seized the opportunity and charged forward, swinging his axe down at Shen Daoxing’s head.
WHOOSH!
The wind from the axe carried a terrifying chill.
Shen Daoxing hurriedly retreated, barely dodging the blow.
Han Yue swung his war axe again and again. Shen Daoxing could only retreat, dodging constantly, each time by a hair’s breadth.
No one dared to imagine what would happen if that axe ever connected.
Soon, Shen Daoxing was forced into a corner of the arena with nowhere left to run.
Everyone shook their heads and sighed.
Shen Lin wore a smug expression. ’Killing this kid today will make an example of him and further spread the Shen Family’s renown.’
"What a pity."
Zhao Zicheng shook his head.
’If only he had a better sword, he might still stand a chance.’
"Die!"
Han Yue roared, the killing intent in his eyes reaching its peak. He gripped the axe with both hands and brought it down.
Instead of retreating, Shen Daoxing stepped forward, bringing two fingers together to form a sword gesture.
THWUMP!
A cold flash of light shot from his fingertips, piercing Han Yue’s throat!
"GURGLE—!"
Han Yue’s eyes went wide with disbelief before he fell to the ground with a THUD.
So fast!
The flash of the sword was just too fast!
It wasn’t just Han Yue; no one else present had time to react either.
How could Han Yue have had the upper hand one moment, only to be dead the next?
After a long moment of silence, the arena erupted like a volcano.
"Heavens! Han Yue is actually dead."
"How did he kill Han Yue? It was so fast!"
"The Shen Family really suffered a double loss this time."
....
Zhao Zicheng was inwardly shaken. ’This... Is this Sword Intent?’
Others might not have seen it, but he could feel it.
The move he had just used was none other than Gale Sword Intent!
Only one who has truly comprehended Sword Intent can be called a Swordsman.
Shen Lin’s expression was darker than night. He never imagined that Han Yue, in whom he had placed such high hopes, would die at the hands of that brat.
’So this is Sword Intent?’
Shen Daoxing looked at his fingers. In that final, desperate moment...
...he had finally achieved an epiphany and comprehended Gale Sword Intent, allowing him to kill Han Yue with such ease.
’Time to head back.’
Shen Daoxing glanced at the furious and humiliated Shen Lin, then calmly walked down from the stage.
Shen Lin clenched his fists, hissing, "Follow him. Don’t let him get away so easily."
Several Shen Family experts behind him moved at once, heading for the backstage area.
....
Shen Daoxing went backstage and found the Black Robe Steward.
The Black Robe Steward took out the pills. "Here are ten eighth-grade Nourishing Essence Pills and one seventh-grade Nourishing Essence Pill."
"Thank you," Shen Daoxing said with a smile, preparing to leave.
"Wait!"
At that moment, the Black Robe Steward called out to Shen Daoxing. "Sir, would you be willing to join the Martial Arts Arena? The pay is quite generous. You would receive three eighth-grade Nourishing Essence Pills a month. What do you say?"
Shen Daoxing refused outright. "No, thank you. I’m used to my freedom."
"Very well."
The Black Robe Steward chuckled and lowered his voice. "You’ve given the Shen Family a huge slap in the face this time, sir. You should be careful on your way out."
He didn’t seem to mind Shen Daoxing’s refusal.
After all, the Martial Arts Arena was full of talented individuals. While few at the same level could defeat Han Yue, they did exist.
"Thank you."
Shen Daoxing’s eyes narrowed. He had expected Shen Lin to cause trouble, but since he knew a Disguise Skill, he wasn’t worried about being found.
After leaving the Martial Arts Arena, Shen Daoxing ducked into an alley and used his Disguise Skill again before heading in the direction of the Shen Family estate.
The Shen Family experts would never have dreamed that the very person who had just publicly humiliated them was now heading straight for their home.
Not long after Shen Daoxing left, a frantic Zhao Zicheng rushed backstage and found the Black Robe Steward.
"Old Wu, where’s that man from just now?"
The Black Robe Steward replied, "He’s already gone."
Hearing this, Zhao Zicheng sighed. "Gone? What a shame."
A Swordsman who has comprehended Sword Intent is an extremely valuable talent, even for the Royal Academy.
The Black Robe Steward asked with a smile, "What’s the matter? Are you trying to get back in the Shen Family’s good graces because of the recruitment of Shen Shaotian? That doesn’t sound like you..."
Zhao Zicheng said grimly, "That man... he may have comprehended Sword Intent."
"What!?"
Hearing this, the Black Robe Steward’s eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
Zhao Zicheng said earnestly, "I am. Even though I’m not a Swordsman, I can still tell whether or not something is Sword Intent."
"This..."
After hearing this, the Black Robe Steward was filled with regret.
Zhao Zicheng was a teacher at the Royal Academy; there was almost no chance he had misjudged.
If he had known Shen Daoxing had comprehended Sword Intent, he never would have made such a ’humiliating’ offer.
