219: Chapter 218 Liu Chengfeng

Inside the Sea of Consciousness, that dark-gold short blade floated quietly, the dark-gold dragon patterns on the blade's body flowing slowly.

But at this moment, those flowing dragon patterns showed a trace of disorder.

The lines that should have meandered forward along the blade's body had stagnated for a split second at a certain node, then bypassed that node to continue forward.

Although it was only an extremely subtle stagnation, although it was only for a split second, Jiang Hanzhou perceived it.

The position of that stagnation was precisely where the Metal Sharpness True Intent and Heavenly Fire True Intent had confronted each other across space while he was deducing the True Intent Fusion just now.

Was the Heart Blade repelling the Metal Sharpness True Intent?

No.

That's not right.

The Heart Blade itself was a blade of will forged using the Heart Furnace Artifact Forging Art, transformed from his Divine Soul Origin. It would not repel any power belonging to him.

What it repelled was that "conflict."

The Metal Sharpness True Intent and the divine fire power within the Heavenly Fire True Intent were essentially powers of will.

When the two powers of will confronted each other deep within the Dantian, although they did not collide, the aura of that confrontation passed through the Meridians and blood, entering the depths of the Sea of Consciousness.

The Heart Blade sensed that aura of confrontation.

It instinctively wanted to suppress it, to resolve it, to let those two powers of will return to tranquility.

But it could not be suppressed.

Because both powers belonged to Jiang Hanzhou himself.

The Heart Blade could not slash itself.

Therefore, it could only tremble and become unstable, using this method to issue a warning to him—

It could not go on like this.

If he continued to forcibly deduce and force those True Intents to conflict, the Heart Blade would be damaged.

Jiang Hanzhou opened his eyes.

In his eyes, a trace of complex light flashed.

He looked down at his hands; they were trembling slightly.

That was the effect brought by the instability of the Heart Blade.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

Then, he stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

The morning light spilled through the clouds, dyeing the entire Red Fire Peak a golden red.

In the distance, several bird calls could be faintly heard, crisp and pleasant.

He stood before the window, gazing at the gradually brightening sky, silent for a long time.

The Heart Blade was unstable.

This was a situation he had never encountered before.

The Heart Blade was his greatest trump card, a killing move for turning the tide at critical moments.

If the Heart Blade was damaged, his strength would be greatly diminished.

He needed to stop.

He needed to find a way to reconcile the conflicts between those True Intents, so they would no longer repel or resist each other.

But he didn't know the method.

Master Xue Mu had said that his Samadhi True Fire was different from others', with greater power and greater risk. A slight lapse would lead to an imbalance of the Three Fires and the complete destruction of his Meridians.

And at this moment, what he faced was not an imbalance of the Three Fires, but a conflict between four types of True Intent.

It was more complex and more dangerous than an imbalance of the Three Fires.

He closed his eyes, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

Suddenly—

A sharp sound of breaking wind came from outside the Immortal Cave!

The sound of breaking wind was extremely fast, so fast that before he could react, it was already before him!

He snapped his eyes open, his body twisting sharply!

A cyan sword light grazed past his cheek and slammed into the wall behind him with a "boom," exploding into a pit over a foot deep!

Rubble splashed and smoke filled the air!

Jiang Hanzhou stood in place, a dark-gold light suddenly flaring up around him!

His gaze pierced through the smoke, looking toward the entrance of the Immortal Cave.

There, a figure stood with hands behind his back.

It was a young man, about twenty years old, with a handsome face, sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes, dressed in the cyan and white martial attire unique to Heavenly Sword Peak.

A long sword hung at his waist, unsheathed by three inches, with a faint cyan light flowing over the blade.

A faint smile hung at the corners of his mouth. That smile seemed gentle, but deep in his eyes, there was a trace of arrogance that was hard to conceal.

"Jiang Hanzhou?" he spoke, his voice clear but carrying a condescending tone. "Not bad, to be able to dodge that sword strike of mine."

Jiang Hanzhou looked at him without speaking.

He simply raised his right hand and gave it a light wave.

The surrounding smoke was dispersed by the dark-gold light, revealing his calm face.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The young man smiled slightly, put away his long sword, and cupped his fists in greeting:

"Inner Sect Disciple of Heavenly Sword Peak, Liu Chengfeng. Senior Brother Ao Zhan's fellow Disciple."

Ao Zhan.

Jiang Hanzhou's eyebrows twitched slightly.

Liu Chengfeng looked at him, his gaze sizing him up, and a trace of peculiarity flashed in his eyes.

"I've long heard that Elder Xue's newly recruited Disciple is exceptionally gifted, promoted to the inner sect in less than half a year after entering, and even forced Senior Brother Ao Zhan back three steps in front of the Yuelong Hall," he said slowly. "Seeing you today, indeed... well, you are somewhat special."

His tone seemed polite, but that condescending undertone grew even stronger.

Jiang Hanzhou watched him quietly, saying nothing.

Liu Chengfeng waited for a few breaths, and seeing that he didn't respond, a flash of displeasure crossed his face.

But he quickly suppressed that displeasure and continued to smile:

"Junior Brother Jiang, do not take offense; this Senior Brother has come to inquire about something."

"Speak."

Liu Chengfeng smiled slightly:

"After Senior Brother Ao Zhan returned to the peak, he was full of praise for Junior Brother Jiang. He said that Junior Brother Jiang possesses four types of True Intent and has infinite potential, a rare Genius."

He paused, his gaze fixed directly on Jiang Hanzhou:

"But I, your Senior Brother, am somewhat skeptical."

Jiang Hanzhou looked at him, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Liu Chengfeng continued:

"Four types of True Intent? How could an Outer Sect Disciple who has been here for less than half a year possess four types of True Intent? Even if you do, I'm afraid it's just a superficial, empty facade."

He laughed, a laugh filled with sarcasm:

"Senior Brother Ao Zhan is proud and aloof, disdaining to associate with ordinary people. But sometimes, he's also too quick to think highly of others."

"A Loose Cultivator from the wilds with no background—even if he has a bit of talent, how strong can he be?"

"So, this Senior Brother has come today precisely to see for himself—"

He stared into Jiang Hanzhou's eyes and said word by word:

"Whether you are truly worthy of standing alongside Senior Brother Ao Zhan?"

As his voice fell, the aura around him suddenly changed!

The pressure that had been restrained earlier now erupted violently!

Late Yuanxiang Stage!

That pressure was like something physical, bearing down on Jiang Hanzhou's head!

Jiang Hanzhou stood in place, motionless.

He simply watched Liu Chengfeng quietly, without any ripple in his eyes.

"Whether I'm worthy or not isn't for you to decide," his voice was as calm as water. "Ao Zhan himself hasn't said anything, yet you've jumped out first."

Liu Chengfeng's expression changed slightly.

But he quickly regained his smile and said indifferently:

"Junior Brother Jiang is indeed sharp-tongued. I just wonder if your skills are as formidable as your words?"

With a flick of his right hand, the long sword at his waist clanged out of its sheath!

The moment the blade left the sheath, a cyan sword light shot out from the tip, heading straight for Jiang Hanzhou's throat!

This sword strike was as fast as lightning!

Ruthless, sharp, and without mercy!