89: He won easily again in the second round of the competition.

The Sword Discussion Platform of the Heavenly Sword Divine Sect was even more lively on the second day than the first.

Fifty down to twenty-five meant that half of the participants would be eliminated today.

Those who could make it to this round were no amateurs; the intensity of the battles had visibly stepped up a level.

By the time Lu Yu arrived, the spectator stands were already packed.

He scanned the crowd and noticed Li Miaoer and Mu Lingxi sitting far away from him. One was huffily munching on a spiritual fruit, while the other was looking down and playing her zither, both acting as if they hadn't seen him.

Liu Yunshu, on the other hand, sat beside him with an elegant Aura, a far cry from the seductive and uninhibited way she had behaved when calling out to him last night.

Only Yun Guying remained in her usual spot, eyes closed as she rested, looking like someone who wouldn't let anyone get close.

However, Lu Yu couldn't help but feel that the air pressure around his Fourth Senior Sister was particularly low today; no one dared to approach within three zhang of her.

Then, the drawing of lots began.

Before long, Lu Yu returned with his draw.

“The results are out. I'm in the third match, and my opponent is Zhou Yue from the Great Yin Dynasty, at the ninth level of the Nascent Soul stage.”

Yun Guying nodded, not paying it much mind.

Lu Yu was currently at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage, but his true combat power had long since surpassed that scope.

Yesterday's Gu Yan was at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage, and Lu Yu had won without even using his sword. Today's Zhou Yue would likely be the same.

However, since he intended to showcase his sword dao, he had to be a bit more serious.

Soon, the first two matches concluded.

The Presiding Elder's voice rang out: “Third match: Lu Yu of the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect versus Zhou Yue of the Great Yin Dynasty!”

Lu Yu stood up, and Liu Yunshu gave him a gentle smile.

“Be careful.”

“Don't worry.”

Lu Yu smiled and looked at Yun Guying. “Fourth Senior Sister, I'm heading up.”

Yun Guying opened her eyes, gave him a cold glance, and spat out two words: “Don't dawdle.”

“...Alright.”

Lu Yu turned and walked onto the arena stage.

Opposite him, Zhou Yue was already waiting.

He was a young man who looked to be in his thirties, wearing a long black robe, with a steady expression and sharp eyes.

He held a sword in his hand; the blade was entirely silver-white and inlaid with seven gemstones, looking quite magnificent.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, please.”

Zhou Yue cupped his fists, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, please.”

Lu Yu returned the gesture.

He retrieved a sword from his storage ring.

The blade was a pale gold, and the hilt was carved with flowing cloud patterns. It felt warm to the touch, yet the edge emitted a piercing chill.

The sword's name was flowing cloud sword, a peak-grade Spiritual Artifact. Since his opponent's weapon was also a peak-grade Spiritual Artifact, he would use a weapon of the corresponding grade.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, please make your move.”

Zhou Yue wasted no time. With a flick of his wrist, his long sword transformed into seven starlight beams, striking toward Lu Yu's seven major acupoints.

Seven Star Sword Art, Seven Stars Linked!

The seven sword beams were as fast as lightning, each containing vast astral power, sealing off all of Lu Yu's space to dodge.

Lu Yu's gaze sharpened as he lightly turned the flowing cloud sword, the blade tracing a soft arc.

“Spring Birth.”

The first form of the Four Seasons Sword Art: Spring Birth Sword.

The sword light was like water, gentle and continuous, carrying a sense of vibrant vitality.

When the seven starlight beams crashed into this sword light, it was like a clay ox entering the sea; they were silently neutralized and swallowed up.

Zhou Yue's expression changed. “Excellent sword technique!”

He didn't dare be careless and retreated rapidly, while simultaneously raising his long sword high. The seven astral gemstones on the blade lit up at once.

“Seven Star Sword Art, Falling Meteor!”

Boom—!!!

A thick, silver sword beam descended from the sky as if a real star were crashing down, carrying an Aura that could destroy everything.

Lu Yu neither dodged nor avoided it. He swung the flowing cloud sword upward from below, a single strike aimed at the heavens.

“Summer Growth.”

The second form of the Four Seasons Sword Art: Summer Growth Sword.

The sword light was blazing like the scorching summer sun, carrying a burning and overbearing power as it met the silver sword beam.

The two forces collided in mid-air, producing a deafening roar.

The silver sword beam was forcibly shattered, dissipating into a sky full of stardust.

Lu Yu's Summer Growth sword light, however, didn't lose its momentum and continued toward Zhou Yue.

Zhou Yue retreated hastily, while tapping his long sword repeatedly to lay down a starlight barrier in front of him.

The sword light slammed into the barrier, which trembled violently before finally shattering with a crack. Zhou Yue was shaken back three steps, his face turning pale.

“Fellow Daoist Lu's sword techniques are profound; I am impressed. This next strike is my strongest move. Please grant me your guidance, Fellow Daoist Lu.”

Zhou Yue took a deep breath. After he spoke, his entire Aura suddenly shifted.

The light from the seven astral gemstones on his sword flared brilliantly, and they actually detached from the blade, hovering in mid-air to form a mysterious formation.

“Seven Star Sword Art, Big Dipper Demon Slayer!”

The seven gemstones turned into seven streaks of light, descending from the sky and trapping Lu Yu in the center.

Each streak of light contained terrifying astral power, and they linked together to form a lethal sword array.

In the spectator stands, many people cried out in alarm.

Both the Great Yin Dynasty and the Star Holy Land possessed the Seven Star Sword Art. They were both sword paths that leaned toward astral power, and their grades were not low. To be able to Cultivate this move meant its power was absolutely formidable!

Mu Lingxi stared at the arena without blinking.

Meanwhile, Yun Guying still had her eyes closed, seemingly not worried at all.

On the stage, Lu Yu looked at the seven streaks of light around him, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

“Interesting.”

He turned his wrist, and the flowing cloud sword traced a perfect circle in front of him.

“Autumn Harvest.”

The third form of the Four Seasons Sword Art: Autumn Harvest Sword.

The sword light was harmonious and complete, carrying a murderous intent that seemed to harvest all things.

The Sword Qi swept out like an autumn wind!

When the seven streaks of light crashed into this sword light, they were pulled by an invisible force, deviating from their original trajectories and colliding with each other until they were worn away.

Zhou Yue's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly pushed his spiritual power to stabilize the formation, but it was already too late.

Lu Yu took a step forward, and the flowing cloud sword pierced toward the weakest point of the formation.

“Break.”

Crack—!!!

The formation composed of seven streaks of light shattered upon impact. The light of the seven astral gemstones dimmed as they flew back to Zhou Yue's sword.

Zhou Yue let out a muffled groan, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He staggered back, barely managing to stay upright by leaning on his sword.

He looked up at Lu Yu, his eyes filled with shock.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, this sword technique... what is it called?”

“Four Seasons Sword Art.”

Lu Yu sheathed his sword and smiled.

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, thank you for the match.”

Zhou Yue smiled bitterly. “I have lost. Fellow Daoist Lu's sword skills are transcendent; I am truly convinced.”

The Presiding Elder stepped onto the stage: “Zhou Yue concedes. In this battle, Lu Yu of the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect wins!”

The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.

Although the fight hadn't lasted very long, the sword techniques Lu Yu displayed were indeed stunning.

Especially that last Autumn Harvest Sword move, which used skill to overcome brute force, deflecting a thousand catties with four taels. It left many Sword Cultivators lost in thought.

Lu Yu stepped down from the stage and returned to the spectator stands.

Liu Yunshu immediately handed him a cup of spiritual tea, looking very obedient and virtuous.

“Are you tired?”

Lu Yu took the tea and took a sip.

“Not tired; I only just warmed up.”

Liu Yunshu's gentle and considerate manner made Mu Lingxi, who was nearby, clench her fists. She felt a bit helpless; was this the advantage of age? She was so good at being considerate!

“Junior Martial Brother, that sword technique just now was really good!”

Li Miaoer had somehow leaned over. Her morning embarrassment was gone; after all, her first kiss had been given to her Junior Martial Brother, so so be it.

Lu Yu smiled. “Fifth Senior Sister, you flatter me.”

Lu Yu watched the next few matches intently.

Xiao Wuqing took the stage. His opponent was a Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Perfection stage from the Blazing Sun Domain.

Xiao Wuqing still only used one strike. As the Ruthless Sword Intent slashed out, the opponent couldn't even last three breaths before kneeling and conceding.

Clean, efficient, and cold to the core.

Lu Yu could feel that Xiao Wuqing's Ruthless Sword Intent had already been condensed to a very powerful level.

Someone like this was either a true sword dao Genius or... had experienced something that had completely chilled his heart.

Tang Jia Third Young Master also took the stage.

His opponent was a legitimate daughter of a Sword Cultivator clan, at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage, with sword techniques that were agile and elegant.

This time, Tang Jia Third Young Master didn't use that Bone-Eroding Sword. Instead, he switched to an ordinary black long sword, but his sword techniques remained sinister and tricky.

The two exchanged over fifty moves. In the end, the female Cultivator was stabbed in the shoulder by his sword, and the sinister cold Sword Qi attached to the blade invaded her Meridians, causing her to lose her combat strength on the spot.

“Tang Jia Third Young Master wins!”

As Tang Jia Third Young Master stepped down, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept toward Lu Yu's side, and a cold smile curled on his lips.

Lu Yu returned the smile.

Their eyes collided in the air, thick with the scent of gunpowder.

Mu Lingxi muttered in a small voice: “This guy, no matter how I look at him, he's just unpleasant.”