36: A crushing victory!

Fu Lei's expression had turned extremely ugly.

Only after personally experiencing that grab just now did he truly understand to what appalling extent Zhang Yang's physical strength had reached!

He used every ounce of his strength to struggle, but that saber was like it had been cast in place, not moving a single inch!

That irresistible force was like facing a legendary Primeval Vicious Beast!

"This Zhang Yang's Physical Body is so strong... it's likely comparable to the physique of a Profound Core Realm Middle Stage Cultivator! Otherwise, it could never be this terrifying!" A thought that chilled his heart rose uncontrollably.

"Fine! Then it shall be as you wish! One move to settle it!"

Fu Lei bit his teeth hard, a flash of determination crossing his eyes.

Based on his knowledge of Zhang Yang's terrifying strength, he surmised that his defensive power must also be extremely startling.

His strongest ultimate technique at the bottom of his barrel, though its power was heaven-shaking, shouldn't be enough to take his life, but a heavy injury... was inevitable!

He gripped the saber hilt tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white from excessive force.

Inside his body, the nine great Spirit Apertures were like ignited stars, erupting with an unprecedentedly piercing light, the radiance shining through his body and reflecting him like a man made of light!

Almost all the True Qi contained within the apertures was instantly drained, frantically poured into the long saber in his hands!

Buzz!

The blade vibrated violently, letting out a dragon-like hum. A sharp saber light nearly a foot long flickered at the edge, bone-chillingly cold, as if the air itself was being sliced apart by this sharpness!

"Zhang Yang! Take this! Don't you die!!"

Fu Lei's hair and beard stood on end as he let out a world-shaking roar!

The muscles on his arms bulged like dragons. He held the long saber high over his head, carrying an incomparable Aura capable of splitting mountains and cleaving Peaks. Without any fancy tricks, he hacked down fiercely at Zhang Yang in front of him!

Boom!

A visible wave of violent air exploded following the saber's momentum!

A violent gale swept out. The Disciples standing slightly closer around the Martial Arts Stage only felt as if their chests had been struck by a heavy hammer; their blood surged, and they couldn't stand steadily.

Crying out in alarm, they were forced to retreat repeatedly, their robes flapping loudly in the strong wind!

"What a strong saber Aura! This Fu Lei... is truly just one step away from comprehending true Saber Intent!"

The Core Disciples watching the battle from afar felt the terrifying power contained in this strike and couldn't help but collectively gasp!

In all those years Fu Lei spent polishing and settling himself at the Spirit Aperture Realm Ninth Level, he truly hadn't wasted his time!

He had actually pushed that profound rank, high grade Saber Technique to such a terrifying, near-divine state!

"Coming well!"

Facing this destructive saber strike that was enough to make an ordinary Spirit Aperture Realm Cultivator's heart and gall split with fear, there was no dread in Zhang Yang's eyes; instead, a dauntingly bright light burst forth!

A clear, low shout rang through the entire field!

He didn't dodge or avoid it. He actually used his right arm of flesh and blood as a blade, meeting that cold light that tore through heaven and earth, and resolutely struck out with a Palm-saber!

Palm wind whistled as True Qi surged!

This move was precisely that Xuan-rank Upper-grade Saber Technique Zhang Yang had selected after returning to the Sect.

It had long since been cultivated by him to the Perfection Realm of mastery. Executing it now, it was as smooth as flowing water, harmonious and flawless.

But this was only the beginning!

Just as the Palm-saber was about to collide with that void-cleaving saber light, a mysterious, domineering, and inexplicable Concept that seemed capable of cutting through everything in the world suddenly rose from Zhang Yang's body!

This Concept was formless and substanceless, yet it was real and undeniable, making everyone feel as if an invisible sharp blade was pressed against their hearts, chilling them to the bone!

It was Saber Intent!

Zhang Yang had fused the Saber Intent he had comprehended into this Palm-saber strike!

Hand-blade against precious saber!

Flesh and blood against tempered steel!

There was no deafening roar, only a crisp 'crack' that made one's heart palpitate!

Like shattered glass, or like breaking ice!

That precious saber, forged from hundred-refined iron mixed with rare Ore, capable of cutting through metal!

In front of the Palm-saber infused with Saber Intent, it was like rotten wood or a dry branch, shattering inch by inch starting from the point of impact! It instantly snapped into two!

And Zhang Yang's palm was completely unscathed! Not even a faint white mark was left behind!

The Palm-saber that broke through the blade edge did not lose its momentum. Carrying that brilliant Saber Intent that could cut through everything, it struck heavily against the chest of Fu Lei, who was completely defenseless and mentally shaken by the shattering of his precious saber!

Pffft!

Fu Lei suffered a massive shock, and a mouthful of blood sprayed out, drawing a startling bloodline in the air!

His eyes bulged, filled with boundless horror as he stared fixedly at Zhang Yang.

"Saber... Saber Intent!!"

He hoarsely spat out two words mixed with blood foam. This was exactly the Saber Intent he had dreamed of and bitterly pursued but failed to obtain!

Thud!

Before his words could finish, Fu Lei's entire strength completely dissipated. His legs went soft, and he knelt straight down on the cold Martial Arts Stage.

Then his vision went black, and he completely fainted.

"Defeated... he's defeated! Senior Brother Fu Lei has been defeated!"

"One move! Just one move! Senior Brother Fu actually couldn't even hold out for one move before being completely crushed by Zhang Yang!"

The surrounding Disciples watching the battle instantly boiled over! Deafening cries of alarm and clamor erupted!

Fu Lei's strength was obvious to all, and he could be called a standout among those at the Peak of the Spirit Aperture Realm. An ordinary Profound Core Realm first-level Cultivator from the outside world might not even be his match!

Now, in front of everyone, he had been defeated by Zhang Yang in such a crushing, almost overwhelming manner in a single move!

"Zhang Yang!"

"Zhang Yang!"

After a brief dead silence, the entire martial arts arena completely boiled!

A wave of cheers like a mountain cry or a sea roar rushed into the clouds!

Countless gazes of awe and fanaticism focused on that young figure standing proudly in the field!

The faces of those few watching the battle from afar were flickering with uncertainty, especially the leader, whose expression was so gloomy it almost seemed to drip water.

"Just now... what was that? Did you see clearly?" he asked in a strained tone, as if unwilling to believe his own eyes.

"It's Saber Intent... there's no mistake! I really didn't expect that this Zhang Yang... has actually already comprehended Saber Intent!"

Another person had a lonely expression, his tone carrying a deep bitterness.

With this Saber Intent boosting him, Zhang Yang's sharpness was so great that in this Inner Sect Grand Competition, he was afraid he was no longer his opponent.

"Saber Intent... I really didn't expect that a new Disciple who has been in the Sect for just over a year could actually step into such a Realm..."

The third person sighed lightly, his tone complex and hard to define.

"It seems that from today onwards, the name Zhang Yang will truly enter the vision of the Sect's upper echelons and even those true prodigies."

He had originally planned in his heart to send someone to challenge Zhang Yang tonight to test his depths.

But having witnessed the terrifying power of that brilliant Saber Intent with his own eyes, he knew that even if he glimpsed Zhang Yang's strength in advance, he would have absolutely no chance of victory on the stage of the Inner Sect Grand Competition.

"Then... do you think those few who are expected to rank in the top three during the competition... will take action in advance?" another person asked in a probing tone.

"Hard to say."

The person from before shook his head, his gaze looking toward the distant mountain Peaks shrouded in clouds and mist.

"That Du Qi... with his unfathomable strength, even if Zhang Yang has comprehended Saber Intent, in his eyes, it likely still... doesn't constitute the slightest threat."