65: Chapter 65 Sword Duel: Sorry, Your Sword Intent is Kneeling Before Me

On the Sword Sect Plaza, the cold wind howled.

All the Sword Sect disciples held their breath, forming a massive circle. Their gazes were fixed intently on the two figures in the center of the field, filled with both tension and excitement.

On one side was their own exceptionally talented Chief Senior Sister, hailed as the future of the Sword Sect. Holding the Earth-grade divine weapon, the "Azure Lotus Sword," her sword intent was as radiant as a rainbow, her aura imposing.

On the other side was the legendary Young Master of the Imperial Clan, known only for his pursuit of pleasure. He held a rusted iron sword and stood loosely, as if he were taking a stroll in his own backyard.

No matter how one looked at it, this duel seemed like a joke.

"Supreme Elder, do you really think... Young Master Xu can win?"

On the viewing platform, Jian Wuchen asked in a low, worried voice.

Ye Qingwu's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze never leaving Xu Chen.

"Whether he can win, I do not know."

"But I know that just a moment ago, my Falling Flower Sword Intent truly felt fear toward him."

"Keep watching."

...

In the center of the field.

Nangong Waner took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the restless sword heart within her body, entering an ethereal state of "mind like still water."

Although she looked down on Xu Chen, since a wager had been made, she would give it her all—if only to avoid warming that bastard's bed!

"Xu Chen, draw your sword!"

Nangong Waner shouted, and the Azure Lotus Sword in her hand let out a clear, dragon-like cry.

"No need."

Xu Chen picked his ear with his pinky and casually performed an extremely ugly sword flourish.

"I'll just use this broken iron sword, lest you say I'm bullying you when you lose."

"Arrogant!"

Nangong Waner's gaze turned sharp, and she no longer hesitated.

"Azure Lotus Sword Art, First Form—Lotus Growing with Every Step!"

Shua!

Her figure instantly turned into an afterimage, and where she had originally stood, a phantom of a green lotus condensed from sword qi actually remained. Then came a second lotus, a third...

In the blink of an eye, the area around Xu Chen was filled with these deadly green lotuses. Each one contained sharp sword qi capable of cutting through metal and jade, blocking all his paths of retreat.

"Good!"

The surrounding Sword Sect disciples couldn't help but cheer loudly.

"Senior Sister has already mastered 'Lotus Growing with Every Step' to the Great Success stage! Even a sword cultivator of the same rank would be instantly shredded if they were unprepared!"

"That Xu Chen is finished! Not using his cultivation? How is he going to block that?"

However, Xu Chen, standing in the center of the sword qi storm, acted as if he didn't see those deadly green lotuses.

He merely glanced at them indifferently and even had the leisure to comment:

"Flashy."

"Swords are for killing, not for planting flowers."

Before his voice had even faded.

Nangong Waner's figure abruptly appeared behind Xu Chen.

"Accept defeat!"

The sky full of green lotus sword qi instantly contracted, converging onto the longsword in her hand, transforming into a brilliant green rainbow that pierced directly toward the back of Xu Chen's heart!

This strike was as fast as lightning, impossible to dodge!

Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats.

"Is it over?"

Just as the tip of the sword was less than an inch from Xu Chen's back, and even the fabric of his purple-gold robe was being torn by the sword qi.

Xu Chen moved.

Or rather, he didn't move at all.

He simply tilted his head slightly, glancing at the nearby Azure Lotus Sword out of the corner of his eye.

Then, his lips moved slightly, and he spat out a single word:

"Kneel."

This word was not infused with any spiritual power.

But the moment it left his mouth, an indescribable supreme will, seemingly from the very source of the Sword Dao, erupted from Xu Chen's slender body.

If Nangong Waner's sword intent was a rushing stream.

Then what Xu Chen released at this moment was a vast, boundless ocean! It was the high and mighty Heavenly Dao of the Firmament!

"Weng—!!!"

The Azure Lotus Sword, which had been unstoppable and full of momentum, suddenly let out an extremely shrill wail the moment that will descended.

Like a small beast encountering its natural predator, or a subject seeing their emperor.

That fear and submission, originating from the weapon's instinct, instantly crushed all the spirituality contained within the blade.

"Crack!"

Nangong Waner felt the longsword in her hand suddenly become as heavy as a thousand pounds, completely beyond her control.

Then.

A massive force pulled her wrist down violently.

"No—!"

Nangong Waner screamed in terror, desperately trying to grip the hilt, trying to maintain the collapsing offensive.

But it was useless.

"Clang!"

The Azure Lotus Sword, an Earth-grade divine weapon regarded as a treasure by the Sword Sect, actually flew out of her hand.

Moreover, it didn't fly far; it simply plunged straight into the stone slab by Xu Chen's feet.

The blade was bent, and the hilt was facing Xu Chen.

That posture...

Was like a devout believer kneeling and kowtowing to their god!

Due to inertia, Nangong Waner also lunged forward, looking like she was about to fall flat on her face.

Xu Chen stepped aside slightly, very gentlemanly... making way.

"Bang!"

Nangong Waner slammed hard onto the ground, landing right next to the "kneeling" Azure Lotus Sword.

This scene was incredibly vivid.

One person and one sword, both lying neatly at Xu Chen's feet.

The entire field fell silent.

All cheers and discussions were choked off in everyone's throats by this sight.

The Sword Sect disciples' mouths hung open, their eyes nearly popping out.

Lost?

Senior Sister lost?

And lost in such a... bizarre way?

Xu Chen hadn't even swung that broken iron sword; with just a glance and a single word, he made Senior Sister's sword fly out and kneel?

What kind of sorcery is this?!

"This... this is..."

On the high platform, Ye Qingwu suddenly stood up, her usually rock-steady body now trembling violently.

She stared fixedly at Xu Chen, her eyes filled with unbelievable shock.

"Supreme Sword Heart... All Swords Submit..."

"A realm that legends say only the Ancient Sword Emperor could reach..."

"He... he actually achieved it?"

In the center of the field.

Xu Chen looked down at the trembling Nangong Waner on the ground, a faint sneer playing on his lips.

"This is your Sword Dao?"

"It seems your sword is much more honest than you are."

"At least it knows what kind of greeting to give when meeting this Young Master."

Nangong Waner lay on the ground, her mind a complete blank.

The sense of despair from her beliefs collapsing was even harder to accept than the physical pain.

Her sword... betrayed her?

No, it wasn't betrayal.

It was fear.

Absolute fear of the man before her.

"No... this is impossible..."

Nangong Waner struggled to lift her head. Her once cold and proud face was now covered in dust, her eyes filled with tears and confusion.

"You clearly didn't use any cultivation... why..."

"Why?"

Xu Chen casually tossed aside the rusted iron sword, crouched down, and reached out a finger to gently lift her chin.

"Because the Sword Dao has never been about who has more tricks."

"You only learned how to use a sword."

"But I..."

Xu Chen pointed to his own heart.

"I am the sword."

These words were like a thunderclap, striking hard into Nangong Waner's heart.

Though it sounded profound and mysterious, combined with the scene just now, it carried an irrefutable persuasiveness.

"Alright, Miss Nangong."

Xu Chen stood up, brushed the dust off his hem, and returned to his lazy smile.

"If you bet, you must accept the loss."

"Remember to wash up well tonight."

"My Personal Sword Attendant."