Chapter 353: Chapter 230 A Promise_2
And what truly astonished the people of the world was the performance of the Sword Sect. Originally the least of the Ten Great Sects, it had unexpectedly surged forward like a dark horse on the Ascension Platform, charging ahead in a manner that left everyone in disbelief.
Determinedly, they had fought their way into the deciding battle of the Sects!
When anyone heard this news, astonishment and disbelief would inevitably spread across their faces.
In the streets and alleys, children and young people might not have understood its significance. However, those of a certain age watched the scene unfold with complex expressions. They gazed at the man in white, his hands behind his back, his face caressed by the breeze, and sighed,
"The Sword Sect of old might be returning..."
Atop Azure Cloud Mountain, all cultivators held their breath, clenching their fists tightly, silently waiting for the decisive battle to begin.
Elder Yang Tianqing of the Sacred Land rose to his feet alongside Second Elder Wei Nan. Looking ahead, he then spoke,
"The deciding battle can commence!"
As his words fell, a purple-cyan streak of cold sword light howled forth.
In front of Su Bei, the Sword Scabbard sprang open, and the Qingping Sword shot out instantly. The sword light exploded beneath the Ascension Platform, its whistling unceasing.
The huge disturbance even caused the lanterns below the Ascension Platform to shake incessantly, throwing light and shadows into chaos.
Seeing this, the eyes of all cultivators immediately fixed on the scene.
Had Elder Su made a move directly, without any exchange of pleasantries, to test his opponent?
Then, they saw Tong Xiu. He had his hands behind his back, still keeping one hand there while the other was thrust forward, palm out, as he gently said,
"Hold."
The trembling Ascension Platform abruptly stilled.
The Qingping Sword, which had been flickering with a chilling sword light, seemed to encounter some obstruction and hung motionless and silent in midair.
This scene instantly shocked all the onlookers.
Elder Tong Xiu merely extended his hand casually and blocked Elder Su’s probing attack!?
A Sect Elder’s eyes widened with shock. Su Bei’s simple act of drawing the sword from its scabbard contained terrifying Sword Qi that even a Late Stage Refining Void practitioner would have to treat with utmost seriousness.
And Tong Xiu had merely pushed it aside so casually!?
This gentle probe clearly showed Elder Su to be slightly inferior.
However, this was within expectations, as theoretically, Tong Xiu was no longer within the realm of Half-Step into Dao Integration.
Su Bei’s expression was grim as he silently observed the scene before him. He softly spoke,
"Elder Tong truly deserves the title of the strongest beneath Dao Integration."
"Su Mou’s purpose in ascending this high platform was not actually to contend with Elder Tong Xiu for the title of the world’s foremost Sect. However, if Su Mou were to say that, you surely wouldn’t believe Su Mou; you might even think Su Mou is afraid."
"Frankly, to be able to exchange moves with Elder Tong is a great fortune for Su Mou. Su Mou knows that Su Mou’s cultivation is far inferior to Elder Tong’s, but Su Mou is also unwilling to concede easily."
Su Bei likewise extended his palm, pressing down slightly.
In an instant, the Ascension Platform was filled with Sword Qi.
With no forewarning, and without anyone noticing any trace of Su Bei’s Spiritual Energy circulating, it seemed that with just a casual press, he had unleashed such an overwhelming, boundless torrent of Sword Qi.
The Sword Qi was oppressive but not harmful. It was like hundreds of swords not cutting or piercing, but simply weighing down upon a person, their sheer mass sufficient to completely crush them.
The Qingping Sword once again regained its previous chilling aura, as azure lotuses bloomed one after another.
The crowd of onlookers momentarily lost their focus.
Tong Xiu’s expression changed subtly. He could distinctly feel that the Qingping Sword he had suppressed was suddenly beyond his control. His other hand, which had been casually held behind his back earlier, lost its previous composure and was also brought forward.
Robust Spiritual Energy once more pressed down overwhelmingly upon the Qingping Sword.
Clearly, their first exchange centered on this Qingping Sword.
And what they were contesting was the purity of their Spiritual Energy!
The onlooking Sect Disciples were filled with puzzlement. The two cultivators appeared as still as wooden statues, not visibly making any moves. Only the Qingping Sword in the air bobbed up and down like a spring.
In the Elders’ seats above, the Sacred Land Elders watched the scene with narrowed eyes. One murmured,
"This Elder Su is merely in the Late Stage Refining Void, yet the purity of his Spiritual Energy is not in the slightest bit inferior to Tong Xiu’s."
Elder Wei Nan’s expression shifted slightly, then he laughed and said,
"For Elder Su to achieve this at the Late Stage Refining Void already makes him a true prodigy, the likes of which are seen once in a millennium. However, compared to Elder Tong Xiu, he still seems a bit young."
The South Emperor, who had not spoken until now, suddenly said in a quiet voice,
"I, however, have a different view."
"Elder Su not only matches Elder Tong but surpasses him."
As his words fell, Su Bei, on the high platform, was still seen maintaining the posture of pressing his palm downwards.
Looking at Tong Xiu, and then as if addressing the many Sects, Su Bei mused aloud,
"Many of you must be thinking, ’On what grounds does the Sword Sect stand here?’"
"’It’s merely at the bottom of the Ten Great Sects, yet it makes such grand claims, boasting about the Underworld Sword Sect. Isn’t that all in the past? Why try so hard?’"
"’Are they placing too much importance on this so-called reputation? Still living in the past?’"
"’This Elder Su... he’s rather baffling, isn’t he? Going on about ideals, about cultivating for the world?’"
Su Bei paused for a moment, then laughed and said,
"That is indeed amusing."
"Su Mou never imagined Su Mou would reach the final battle. But since Su Mou is here, if Su Mou doesn’t give it Su Mou’s all and see where Su Mou’s limits lie, life would ultimately feel somewhat incomplete, wouldn’t it?"