Chapter 202: The Battle for number one under heaven

Shen Yue, dressed in the blue robes of the Qingxiao Sect, walked up the broad stone steps. A group of Qingxiao Sect Disciples followed closely behind him, and looking further down, there were even many Martial Forest figures following along.

These Martial Forest figures had all come to join the excitement. They guessed that the Qingxiao Sect would not let matters rest, and sure enough, they had actually waited until the Sword God himself came in person, which made them incredibly invigorated.

These broad steps numbered over a hundred, leading to the mountain gate of Tianxuan Mountain. The mountain gate stood tall against the sky, hanging a plaque carved with the four characters ‘Tianxuan Orthodox Sect’, the brushwork was grand, manifesting the heritage of a Holy Land.

Beneath the mountain gate, dozens of Tianxuan Mountain Disciples were already waiting.

Tianxuan Mountain was far removed from the secular world, so its Disciples were not numerous. However, it did have historical heritage after all; there were three to four hundred Disciples on the mountain. It was just that, relative to the magnificent Tianxuan Mountain, this number was not enough to sweep away the mountain’s cold desolation.

【Writing to this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name. Reading good Taiwan books is super worry-free.】

The gazes of the Tianxuan Mountain Disciples all fell upon Shen Yue, their expressions complex.

Although Shen Yue had not drawn his sword, his walk made him seem like a sharp, unsheathed precious sword. This was an Aura that Li Yang, Yang Dong, and others did not possess.

Tianxuan Mountain was far from the secular world, so their acquisition of Martial Forest news was somewhat delayed. But precisely because the news was delayed, the lingering prestige of the Sword God’s name still occupied their hearts.

This man was the closest person to a martial arts myth in a hundred years, and he had once been the undisputed number one under heaven.

Li Qingqiu was very powerful, but for many people, his title was too new. Shen Yue was different; he had awed the Martial Forest for decades, and his title of number one under heaven was more in line with people’s hearts. It was precisely because Shen Yue joined the Qingxiao Sect that the Qingxiao Sect’s title of number one under heaven was recognized by more and more people.

The Tianxuan Mountain Disciples all knew why Shen Yue had come. Regarding this battle, they were both expectant and apprehensive.

If the Sect Master was not a match for Shen Yue, then their last shred of faith in the Martial Dao would collapse.

However, at the thought of Yandao Sect’s strength, their eyes became burning hot.

If he defeated the Sword God, then Yandao Sect would be number two under heaven, and could even contend for number one under heaven!

If he even defeated Li Qingqiu, then… the more the Tianxuan Mountain Disciples thought, the more excited they became, and they stared intently at Shen Yue and the others.

The Qingxiao Sect Disciples likewise held absolute confidence in Shen Yue; they could not wait to see the Yandao Sect defeated.

Elder of Sword Cultivation appeared on the steps behind the mountain gate. From a distance, he raised his hand in greeting toward Shen Yue and said, “Senior Shen, our Sect Master is already waiting for you at the Seeking Dao Cliff. Please follow me.”

Shen Yue nodded slightly. Seeing this, Elder of Sword Cultivation then turned around.

The Seeking Dao Cliff was located on the back mountain. The grand procession walked for half an incense stick’s time before arriving.

The Qingxiao Sect Disciples walked out of the forest. Ahead was an upward slope, and the top of the slope was a cliff. Yandao Sect was standing on the mountain cliff, his back to them.

As if hearing footsteps, Yandao Sect turned to look. The two sides were nearly a hundred zhang apart.

Yandao Sect’s gaze immediately fell upon Shen Yue. Intuition told him that this person was Shen Yue; that terrifying Sword Intent simply could not be hidden.

With just one look, Yandao Sect could not help but sigh in his heart: “As expected of the Sword God, his reputation is well-deserved.”

Shen Yue raised his hand, signaling the Disciples to stop. He walked alone toward Yandao Sect on the Seeking Dao Cliff.

The gazes of the two collided across a hundred zhang. Without needing a word, they could both feel each other’s Battle Intent.

Those Martial Forest figures who had rushed from the forest immediately became excited.

“They’re going to start fighting as soon as they arrive?”

“This is what peerless experts are like. With one look, they know each other’s Battle Intent. If not for Li Qingqiu, this would likely be the battle for number one under heaven.”

“Indeed. Looking at the current Martial Forest, Tianxuan Mountain is the only School that can compete with the Qingxiao Sect. It’s said that this Yandao Sect is a genius unprecedented in history. If he wins, only Li Qingqiu within the Qingxiao Sect can stop him from reaching the top of number one under heaven.”

“The Sword God isn’t simple either, okay? If he hadn’t encountered Li Qingqiu, and if he were to pass away, future generations would also call him a martial arts myth.”

“Shen Yue has just killed too few people, making people feel he lacks the dominance of a martial arts myth. The martial arts myth from a hundred years ago built his reputation through killing.”

The Qingxiao Sect Disciples and Tianxuan Mountain Disciples were also discussing amongst themselves. Seeing Shen Yue approach Yandao Sect, they all grew tense.

Elder of Sword Cultivation stood alone at the edge of the forest. He looked at Shen Yue and Yandao Sect, his expression grim.

“Damn it, things have still reached this state…”

No matter who won or lost, this was not a situation Elder of Sword Cultivation wanted to see.

“Yandao Sect, you are the only martial artist in the current Martial Forest to have achieved Entering the Dao. Your talent and Comprehension Ability are second to none. But if you only remain at Tianxuan Mountain, it would be a bit of a pity.”

Shen Yue’s voice suddenly rang out. His voice was sonorous, echoing across the Seeking Dao Cliff, so that everyone could hear it clearly.

“For me, one leaf can reveal a thousand autumns, and one mountain can let me hear heaven and earth. It is the same everywhere.”

Yandao Sect opened his mouth to answer. His tone was not as indifferent as when he faced Elder of Sword Cultivation; this was respect for the Sword God.

When he was very young, he had heard his Master mention Shen Yue. His words were full of admiration, which he had never forgotten to this day.

Defeating Shen Yue was not just to prove how strong his Martial Dao was, but also to fulfill a wish.

Because his Master had wanted to see the day he challenged Shen Yue, but he just hadn’t lived to see it.

“Yandao Sect, why don’t you and I have a wager?”

Shen Yue asked again. His footsteps never faltered, getting closer and closer to Yandao Sect.

“What is the wager?”

“If I win, you follow me down the mountain and join the Qingxiao Sect. If I lose, I will leave all that I have learned at Tianxuan Mountain, including my Sword Intent.”

Hearing this, the Qingxiao Sect Disciples, Tianxuan Mountain Disciples, and Martial Forest figures were all in an uproar. They hadn’t expected Shen Yue to dare to bet so big.

At the same time, this also represented Shen Yue’s absolute confidence.

“Fine!”

Yandao Sect agreed without hesitation. His answer was powerful and resonant, letting everyone feel his determination and confidence.

The Tianxuan Mountain Disciples grew anxious. They felt the wager was unfair. If the Qingxiao Sect lost, what they lost was only the Sword God’s Legacy, but if they lost, what they lost was their Sect Master.

However, before they could speak to dissuade him, Shen Yue drew the sword at his waist. The sword’s hum was crisp, echoing between heaven and earth.

Everyone looked intently and was terrified. A wooden sword actually burst forth with the hum of an iron sword?

Shen Yue charged quickly toward the mountain cliff, his figure getting faster and faster, even producing afterimages.

Yandao Sect likewise drew his sword and charged down the slope.

As soon as he moved, Shen Yue’s speed increased sharply.

The two collided like two streaks of light, incredibly fast.

Clang—

The two swords struck, and two powerful bursts of Sword Qi erupted, making the cliff tremble. Even the forest a hundred zhang away was pressed backward by the wild wind.

The Aura of the two brought a great sense of pressure to everyone.

Li Yang watched this scene, secretly alarmed, nearly scared out of his dragon soul. Others one after another used their respective weapons to block in front of them, resisting this wave of air.

Under their gaze, Shen Yue and Yandao Sect jumped apart at the same time, actually turning into two sword lights that collided rapidly in the air. The speed was so fast that no one could fully see clearly.

The two went from sky to ground, even creating cracks on the slope, dust flying everywhere.

Shen Yue swung his sword rapidly, his sword momentum pressing toward Yandao Sect like a violent storm.

Although Yandao Sect’s movement technique was fast, his sword Moves seemed slow compared to Shen Yue’s. Yet, strangely, his slow sword could block every one of Shen Yue’s Moves.

After dozens of Moves, the two figures crossed. Shen Yue landed on the Seeking Dao Cliff, while Yandao Sect slid twenty zhang down the slope, a row of dust waves rising behind him.

The two stood with their backs to each other, the Sword Intent on their bodies already bursting forth.

It was said to be dozens of Moves, but for the onlookers, only a few breaths of time had passed.

“So fast!”

Yang Dong stared at Yandao Sect, cold sweat flowing. No wonder he couldn’t even withstand one Move from Yandao Sect.

Li Yang likewise thought of his own defeat. Even when he mobilized the power of the dragon soul, he hadn’t been able to see Yandao Sect’s Moves clearly back then.

Such fast movement and striking speed were indeed difficult to guard against.

Zhang Ping looked around nervously. He always felt something was watching this place, making his hair stand on end. He could only pray that Shen Yue would not lose. If he lost, something extremely terrifying would likely appear.

Shen Yue and Yandao Sect turned around at the same time. Their positions were exactly where they had stood before the exchange, only they had swapped directions.

Yandao Sect looked up at Shen Yue, a smile appearing on his face. He raised his sword with his right hand, and visible wind currents actually wound around the blade. His sideburns were tossed about, and his gaze became excited.

Shen Yue stood with his sword, looking down at him. His eyes were likewise full of excitement, even mixed with a look of appreciation.

Almost at the same instant, the two killed toward each other, fast as a thunderbolt. Dust rose from where they stood, and before it could rise half a zhang high, the two collided again.

This time, they were playing for real. Sword Qi overflowed, ravaging the Seeking Dao Cliff.

The mountain cliff here trembled more and more violently. At the edge, crushed stones constantly slid down. Meanwhile, the Qingxiao Sect Disciples, Tianxuan Mountain Disciples, and Martial Forest figures felt as if the entire Tianxuan Mountain was trembling.

Boom!

Shen Yue slashed out a vast Sword Qi with one sword, pressing Yandao Sect to slide back dozens of zhang. Just as he stabilized his figure, Shen Yue appeared beside him, slashing horizontally.

In an instant, Yandao Sect’s speed suddenly increased. His body bent backward, bending his waist at a speed faster than Shen Yue’s sword swing to dodge this strike. He followed the momentum to throw a kick, which Shen Yue raised his arm to block.

Bang—

Shen Yue was kicked flying. He quickly flipped in the air, landing to dissipate the force, but he still slid back a good distance.

He frowned, not expecting Yandao Sect’s physical strength to be so great.

This person was actually not just a swordsman!

Before he could think further, Yandao Sect had already approached. His right hand held his sword in front, while his left hand raised a palm from his waist. Sword Qi ran through, and palm force was ready to be unleashed.

Shen Yue had no time to dodge. A sword soul instantly rose from the wooden sword in his hand. The sword soul swung a sword shadow, blocking Yandao Sect’s irresistible Sword Qi.

Boom—

A series of cracks quickly appeared on the ground beneath their feet, and crushed stones flew up. Yet the two figures remained motionless, as if they were not stepping on the ground.

Their eyes met, and both were surprised by each other’s strength.

It was the first time Yandao Sect had seen a sword soul, and he was greatly astonished.

Shen Yue, meanwhile, felt that his palm force contained a momentum that could shake mountains and vibrate rivers, actually able to withstand the power of the sword soul.

If Yandao Sect could only do this much, it would not be enough!

Shen Yue’s gaze froze. He actually detached from the sword soul and swung his sword at Yandao Sect.

Yandao Sect, who was held in place by the sword soul, his pupils dilated. He slammed his foot down, shattering the cliff with one kick, then leaped up. The sword shadow in the sword soul’s hand followed and fell, cutting through the mountain body with one strike, severing the entire Seeking Dao Cliff. That terrifying Sword Qi left the distant cultivation Disciples and martial artists all terrified.

In mid-air, Yandao Sect caught a glimpse of his hair crown being severed. His gaze was drawn to the figure below.

Shen Yue, standing beneath the sword soul, seemed inconspicuous, yet he brought an immense sense of pressure to Yandao Sect.

A sword light suddenly pierced through the rolling dust, shattering the rocks along the way, and killed toward Yandao Sect.

Yandao Sect raised his sword to block, circulating his Mind-Cultivation Technique, internal Qi filling his muscles and bones, using internal Qi to protect his bones and Sword Qi to protect his body.

Puchi—

The sword light flashed in mid-air, and Yandao Sect was directly slashed flying, falling toward the ten-thousand-zhang abyss.

At this moment, Yandao Sect felt as if all the bones in his body were broken, making him incredibly terrified. He could not leap up and could only fall down along with the pieces of crushed stone.

He had lost!

What awaited him was the fate of being smashed to pieces!

Grab!

A hand suddenly grabbed his left wrist. Shen Yue appeared on a rock above his head, crouching down and holding him with one hand.

The sunlight spilled down, and Yandao Sect actually could not see Shen Yue’s face clearly, only hearing the other party say:

“This sword strike was originally intended to be saved for our Sect Leader. I didn’t expect to be forced to use it by you.”

Third update!

Although it’s a few minutes late, this chapter has a few hundred more words. I wanted to finish it in one go, so I didn’t break the chapter~