192: Singing the sword

“No rush,” Xu Sanyan shook his head. Exploring the Secret Realm was more important; such matters could be set aside for now. His liking for her, while present, wouldn't sway any of his decisions.

“Let’s see what’s on it,” Xu Sanyan said, pointing at the stone table that had risen.

Xiang Tan stepped forward, picked it up, and exclaimed with delight, “Senior Brother, it’s a Cultivation Technique.”

Xu Sanyan took it and glanced at it. This item was useless to him; he already possessed the Duo Dao Qi Yuan Scripture, which was arguably the most suitable Cultivation Technique for him, making any change unnecessary.

“You keep it,” Xu Sanyan waved his hand casually and walked towards the eighth floor.

Xiang Tan’s smile widened as she happily put it away. Ever since she followed her Senior Brother, her wealth had more than doubled, and her Senior Brother was very generous, often bestowing treasures upon them.

The two Elders didn't care either. They were already in the Mystic Path Realm, and their Cultivation Techniques had long been decided. This item was useless to them as well.

All this way, Xu Sanyan hadn't even made a move; he had reached this point relying solely on the two Elders.

But the eighth floor was different. This time, he might have to make a move.

“Brother Fang,” Xu Sanyan cupped his hands.

“Brother Xu, I didn’t expect us to meet so soon,” Fang Qingge put away his folding fan, his expression serious.

“Indeed.”

Xu Sanyan had initially thought they would meet on the ninth or tenth floor, but he didn't expect it so soon. This made him even more curious about what the next two floors would hold.

“Has your journey been smooth, Brother Xu?” Fang Qingge stood with one hand behind his back, signaling Junior Sister Yu to keep her distance. The upcoming battle was not something she could get involved in.

“It's been alright,” Xu Sanyan nodded.

“Oh, right…”

Fang Qingge seemed to suddenly remember something. “Earlier, I met a woman traveling with two of the Huai Lake Seven Heroes. Judging by her Qi, she should be from your sect, Brother Xu. Do you know her?”

Zuoqiu Hui thought that by concealing Qin Manyang's identity, he wouldn't be able to guess, but little did she know that he had already discovered it the moment he saw her.

When Sword Intent was cultivated to his level, even with closed eyes, one could perceive the unique Qi characteristics of others merely by 'Intent.'

Zuoqiu Hui's strength was insufficient to comprehend this ability, and Fang Qingge, to save her Face, didn't expose her. Now, bringing it up, he hoped Xu Sanyan would consider this matter and not harm Junior Sister Yu.

Xu Sanyan was slightly surprised, not expecting Qin Manyang to have run into him. He nodded in acknowledgment, “I know her. She is indeed an Elder of my lineage. Is she still alive?”

“Of course she is alive, and quite well at that.”

“Then thank you very much.” Xu Sanyan wasn't overly concerned about Qin Manyang's life or death; he merely asked out of politeness.

Fang Qingge pointed to an empty space nearby. “Today, allow me to experience Brother Xu’s methods. Please.”

“Please.”

The two had no enmity between them and didn't intend to fight to the death. As for Venerable He Yu's earlier words about “eliminating Fang Qingge and Net Intent by any means necessary,” Xu Sanyan merely took them as a joke.

He wasn't a fool; why would he do such thankless things?

If he truly killed Fang Qingge, would Siyuan Sect simply let it go? In the end, he would bear the consequences alone.

Venerable He Yu appeared amiable and like a good-natured old man on the surface, but in reality, he was the most sinister at heart.

“Brother Xu, be careful!”

Fang Qingge flipped his hand, retracting his folding fan. A clear green longsword materialized in his hand. His figure flickered, and he had already appeared before Xu Sanyan.

The clear green longsword seemed forged from water, rippling slightly as it swung, captivating the eye.

Wei Xunzhu’s eyes narrowed. This was Fang Qingge’s true strength; he hadn’t even drawn his longsword when fighting the corpse demon earlier.

Xu Sanyan’s robes fluttered, and a gentle breeze stirred beneath his feet as he suddenly rose into mid-air. He clasped his hands, and a long halberd materialized in the Void Realm, descending with immense power.

Fang Qingge dared not be careless. Sword Intent swirled around him, forming a transparent shield of water ripples that protected him.

“Boom!”

The great halberd crashed down, and the water ripple shield surged wildly. A violent wave of Qi swept out, knocking Junior Sister Yu and Xiang Tan off their feet.

“This…”

Junior Sister Yu sat on the ground, dumbfounded. She hadn't expected anyone among the younger generation to be able to contend equally with her Senior Brother.

Wei Xunzhu was also filled with admiration. She could withstand such a powerful clash, but she would have to use all her strength to meet it. Compared to the effortless demeanor of the two in the arena, the difference in skill was immediately apparent.

“Is this the peak competition among the younger generation…?”

Xu Sanyan and Fang Qingge had no time to observe them. Even though both were holding back, they dared not be distracted.

The shield shattered instantly. Fang Qingge lightly tapped his foot, soaring upwards like a swimming Dragon. His longsword transformed into a cyan meteor, directly charging at Xu Sanyan.

Its momentum was fierce. Xu Sanyan swung his great halberd, tearing through the air with such speed that only a dark blur could be seen.

“Clang!”

Weapons clashed, and magical power surged. Their gazes met, and both could see the blazing Battle Intent in the other’s eyes.

“Good!”

Xu Sanyan laughed loudly. Only an equally matched opponent could ignite the heroic spirit deep within him.

“Brother Xu, be careful. Next, try my self-created Qingge Sword Intent!” Fang Qingge retreated, his longsword suspended before him, vibrating incessantly.

“Come on!”

Xu Sanyan was eager to witness his prowess.

“Swish!”

The clear green longsword inverted, its sharp tip pointing at Xu Sanyan. Streaks of cyan light emanated from the sword body, forming a picture in mid-air.

Xu Sanyan's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the image. At first glance, it seemed like a landscape painting, but then it looked like a beautiful woman dressing up.

“So beautiful…” Xiang Tan and the others all exclaimed in admiration.

“Boom!”

The image shattered, the landscape crumbled, and the beauty's bones were ground away. Looking closely again, there was no painting at all; it was countless sharp Sword Intents!

A painting composed of Sword Intent!

Qingge Sword Intent!

Wei Xunzhu was secretly alarmed. Could a Mystic Path Realm cultivator already unleash such powerful spells?

“What a Qingge Sword Intent!”

Xu Sanyan praised loudly, but his actions were without hesitation. He gripped the great halberd tightly with both hands, his magical power surging around him. His light cyan robe was torn apart by his bulging muscles, revealing his bare Physical Body.

His entire body was covered in dark red patterns, a pair of arms stretched out from beneath his ribs, and a vertical eye on his forehead slightly opened.

Since his Breakthrough to the Mystic Path Realm, this was the first time he had condensed his Dao Body. Six tenths of Xu Sanyan's power resided in this Physical Body.

No sooner said than done, the endless Sword Intent had already reached him. Red mist emanated from Xu Sanyan’s body. With continuous muffled thuds, the Sword Intent completely dissipated the moment it touched the red mist.

However, the Sword Intent was endless, and the red mist was limited. If this continued, Xu Sanyan would undoubtedly be defeated.

“Hmph!”

With a loud roar, Xu Sanyan wielded his giant halberd, forming an impenetrable wall in front of him, blocking all the Sword Intent, and charged rapidly towards Fang Qingge.

The cyan Sword Intent was like a jade green celestial river, rushing down with overwhelming heavenly might, while Xu Sanyan was like a small boat in the turbulent river, defying fate, going against the current, determined to shatter this cyan galaxy in one fell swoop.

“What a strong Physical Body!”

Fang Qingge admired inwardly. To be able to become the Demon Sect Saint, he truly had extraordinary qualities. This physical strength alone was beyond reach.

Although he also had a Dao Body, and it was also a high-grade Dao Body, it definitely did not possess the same power as Xu Sanyan's.

He must have had another fortuitous encounter!