35: The blade's edge is first revealed, its power shaking the heavens!

The voice was not loud, yet it resonated like a great bell, instantly shattering the clamor of the martial arts field.

Several Disciples who were practicing martial arts stopped one after another, looking toward the center of the Martial Arts Stage.

"What? Fu Lei is challenging Zhang Yang? That Fu Lei who has been immersed in the Ninth Spirit Aperture for many years?" someone exclaimed in shock.

He was very familiar with Fu Lei, who held some fame within the Clear Wind Sect.

"It seems it's for Wang Ming. This Fu Lei joined Wang Ming's faction long ago. This challenge is likely meant to scout Zhang Yang's strength for Wang Ming."

"If possible, he might even clear the obstacles for Wang Ming."

Another person analyzed calmly, exposing eighty to ninety percent of the underlying reasons.

"Utterly foolish! Utterly foolish! Even if he wins this battle, most of his strength will have been observed by others!"

"If he gets injured in the fight, wouldn't he be ruining his own prospects for the Inner Sect Grand Competition!"

"How could this Zhang Yang be so unwise as to accept such a challenge?"

"How much did Wang Ming give to make Zhang Yang agree to this challenge?"

Some people shook their heads repeatedly. Though their tone reprimanded Zhang Yang for being stupid, a hint of envy was hard to hide in the depths of their eyes.

After all, being regarded as an opponent by a figure like Wang Ming and having him pay a price to test one's strength was itself a proof of strength.

Ordinary people wouldn't even get the chance to be challenged!

"Zhang Yang is fighting Fu Lei! I must report this to Big Brother immediately."

In an instant, many people around the Martial Arts Stage turned and left quickly, intending to notify those who might be interested in this battle.

"When do we start?"

Fu Lei looked at Zhang Yang and spoke, his tone somewhat impatient, as if he wanted to fight Zhang Yang immediately.

The long saber at his waist seemed to sense its master's Battle Intent, emitting a low hum.

"No rush, let's wait a bit longer."

Zhang Yang's gaze swept across the growing crowd below the stage, his expression composed.

He had already seen people leaving to call others, which was exactly the effect he wanted.

The stage was set; naturally, the more spectators, the better.

"Fine." Fu Lei's mind whirled, instantly understanding Zhang Yang's intention.

He only came to test him. Whether Zhang Yang wanted to "make a name for himself" or "make a fool of himself" in front of everyone, he was happy to see it happen and would not stop him.

Before long, the area around the Martial Arts Stage was bustling with noise, and the dark mass of people surrounded the arena so tightly that not even water could leak through.

From several high platforms or treetops in the distance, several gazes—some sharp, some deep, some playful—were locked onto the center of the Martial Arts Stage.

The owners of these gazes were all strong contenders for the top twenty seats in this Inner Sect Grand Competition.

This morning, after learning of Fierce Savage's strength, they had intended to send someone to test Zhang Yang's reality tonight.

They hadn't expected someone to beat them to it!

This battle suited their intentions perfectly!

"Do you guys think Zhang Yang can win this match?"

"He can't win, he simply can't win! Don't forget, Fu Lei is someone who was on the war dragon ranking before!"

"His rank wasn't inferior to the current Zhang Yang's, and now that several years have passed, Fu Lei's strength can no longer be compared to what it was back then."

"How could Zhang Yang possibly withstand these extra nearly ten years of Cultivate time?"

A Disciple shook his head repeatedly, his tone certain, extremely pessimistic about Zhang Yang.

"All I can say is that if he isn't injured, it'll be a success. Otherwise, if it affects the subsequent Inner Sect Grand Competition, Zhang Yang won't even be able to cry even if he wanted to."

Another person agreed, also not favoring Zhang Yang.

The barriers of cultivation Realm and the chasm of years spent practicing were not easily overcome. The extra years of martial arts tempering made Zhang Yang appear far too naive in front of Fu Lei.

"How about it? Can we start?"

Fu Lei looked around, then stared at Zhang Yang and spoke slowly. He didn't take the surrounding comments to heart.

In this fight, he only sought to force out Zhang Yang's full strength!

"Yes, we can."

A faint, indifferent smile played on Zhang Yang's lips as he turned a deaf ear to the surrounding pessimism.

It was just a few more years of cultivation.

If he couldn't even make up for this small gap in time, wouldn't his cheats be for nothing?

Moreover, Fu Lei hadn't even touched upon Saber Intent. Under Zhang Yang's hand, he probably wouldn't even last a single move.

"The usual rules: after three counts, the duel begins!"

After Elder Wang finished speaking, his figure drifted up like a light feather and hovered in the air above the Martial Arts Stage. His voice, infused with True Essence, spread clearly throughout the entire martial arts field.

"One!"

"Two!"

"Three!"

While the final echo of "Three" still lingered, Fu Lei, who had already pushed his blood and True Essence to their Peak state, felt the nine great Spirit Apertures in his body shake violently!

Within the apertures, dazzling light suddenly erupted like nine miniature blazing suns, and his entire being was shrouded in a layer of radiance!

Surging True Essence, like a river bursting its banks, roared and instantly poured into the long saber he held tightly in his palm.

Clang!

The blade was unsheathed, bringing with it an ear-piercing, sharp whistle!

Fu Lei moved with his blade, man and saber becoming one, transforming into a streak of chilling light. Wrapped in a frigid gale capable of splitting stone and gold, he slashed straight down!

As the saber wind passed, the air let out an overburdened wail. The hard-as-iron bluestone ground of the Martial Arts Stage was even plowed open in advance by the escaping Saber Qi, leaving a faint white mark!

However, at the moment the blade reached his body, Zhang Yang's figure flickered like a ghost, nonchalantly dodging that deadly edge in the blink of an eye.

Ssh!

A streak of condensed, snow-white Saber Qi flew through the air, making a piercing cutting sound. it slammed heavily into the bluestone at the edge of the Martial Arts Stage, leaving a startling trench several inches deep, with stone fragments flying everywhere!

That Zhang Yang could avoid this probing strike was already within Fu Lei's expectations.

His intention was to increase the pressure layer by layer, pressing step by step until all of Zhang Yang's hidden cards were revealed!

Just as Fu Lei was about to flip his wrist and change his move to attack again, his vision suddenly blurred!

Zhang Yang's figure had actually closed in. A fair palm that contained terrifying power, with five fingers spread like giant pincers, did not dodge or avoid, but boldly grabbed toward the cold, flickering blade!

Zheng!

The ear-piercing sound of metal clashing and grinding rang out!

Zhang Yang's five fingers had firmly gripped the cold spine of the blade!

Where the knuckles met the blade, tiny, almost imperceptible sparks actually flew!

Fu Lei's pupils suddenly contracted!

The True Essence in his body circulated frantically like a volcano, his muscles knotted, and a vast force surged through his arms into the hilt, attempting to pull back the locked precious saber!

However!

The blade remained absolutely motionless!

Incredible shock and horror instantly crawled across Fu Lei's face!

He, Fu Lei, had also practiced Body Refining Cultivation Techniques. Although it was only a Profound Rank Medium Grade, it had already reached the Perfection Realm. His Physical Body strength was considered top-notch among those of the same rank.

This Zhang Yang... how could he possess such inhuman, terrifyingly massive strength?!

To the point where he couldn't move the blade even a fraction despite exhausting all his strength?!

Gripping the blade, Zhang Yang looked calmly at Fu Lei, whose forehead was bulging with veins just inches away. That indifferent smile remained on his lips:

"For the next move, give it your all. Otherwise... you won't have another chance!"

As the words fell, Zhang Yang's five fingers suddenly released.

Caught off guard, Fu Lei felt the weight on the blade vanish. The massive momentum of his own strength caused his figure to stumble violently.

He retreated more than a dozen steps before stabilizing himself, each step leaving a deep footprint on the bluestone. His face had already turned ashen.

Zhang Yang had intentionally used True Essence to assist his words. Though the voice wasn't high, it was transmitted with absolute clarity to the ears of every spectating Disciple around the martial arts field.

"Hiss... what's going on? Senior Brother Fu actually seems to be at a disadvantage?"

"Arrogant! This Zhang Yang is too arrogant! He hasn't even finished one move and he dares to tell Senior Brother Fu to use his full strength? This is clearly not taking him seriously at all!"

"We're in for a good show! Senior Brother Fu's Nine Slashes of the Void is a Xuan-rank Upper-grade Saber Technique, and it reached Perfection long ago!"

"If he exerts his full power, where the blade points, its power is enough to split mountains and stop rivers! Zhang Yang being so overconfident, he might be in mortal danger!"

"It looks like the Martial Arts Stage is about to be stained with blood!"

In the distance, several figures with heavy auras and sharp gazes had been staring intently at the Martial Arts Stage.

Hearing Zhang Yang's arrogant words now, they couldn't help but look at each other, their eyes flashing with surprise and solemnity.

"What do you all think?"

"Hard to say. All I can see is that Zhang Yang's physical strength is simply unimaginably strong!"

"To be able to forcibly suppress Fu Lei's blade with a body of flesh and blood, making him unable to break free. Such a physique is definitely not something a common Body Refining Cultivation Technique can achieve."

One person slowly shook his head, his tone carrying deep wariness.

"He is a bit arrogant... but if Fu Lei truly uses his strongest strike, its power is so immense that even if I were to take it head-on, I would have to pay a significant price."

"Unless Zhang Yang has gone mad, it must be that... he still has some reliance we don't know about?"

Another person frowned, his gaze repeatedly scanning Zhang Yang's seemingly thin frame.

"Quiet! Fu Lei is about to make his move!" Everyone's gaze instantly focused back on the center of the Martial Arts Stage.