43: Chapter 43 The Legendary Peerless Sword Box!

Everyone's view was also completely obstructed.

Amidst the dust and smoke, the stone pillars at the four corners of the arena slowly cracked under the repeated impact of the sword shadows.

They collapsed with a thunderous roar, the four corners sliding down.

This scene shocked the entire audience!

Song Yanhui... there probably isn't even a bone left of him!

The entire Jingwu Platform seemed to be covered by a torrential rain of Sword Qi.

The sound of stone slabs shattering echoed continuously, one after another.

The experts on the front bleachers all widened their eyes, filled with inexplicable horror.

Especially Sikong Changfeng.

At this moment, he was shocked by the power of the Ten Thousand Swords Art.

That night at the martial arts hall, Su Rui had also performed a move of sword rain, covering hundreds of feet.

However, it was clearly restrained back then; although it damaged some buildings, it did not harm any innocents.

Only a few people who were frightened into falling suffered minor injuries.

But this time, Li Hanyi clearly did not hold back.

Besides being shocked by the power, Sikong Changfeng felt a pang of heartache.

If this continued, the entire Jingwu Platform would likely be destroyed!

This had taken several months and the labor of over ten thousand craftsmen to build.

Even if it wasn't a full renovation, just repairing the parts shattered by the sword shadows would cost tens of millions of taels of silver.

Thinking of this expense, Sikong Changfeng's eyes flickered as he began to look for a suitable "scapegoat."

His gaze swept back and forth, finally landing on one person.

Su Rui!

He nodded slightly, as if he had already decided who would bear this loss.

A trace of relief rose in his heart; it seemed Li Hanyi's Ten Thousand Swords Art had already reached a decent level of proficiency.

While he was lost in thought, Su Rui suddenly noticed someone looking at him and turned his head.

He saw Sikong Changfeng staring at him with a bitter expression, his lips trembling slightly.

Su Rui looked bewildered, gave him a smile, and turned his gaze back to the arena.

"..."

Sikong Changfeng's mood at this moment was somewhat complicated.

"What? Are you still expecting that one to pay out of his own pocket?"

Seeing Sikong Changfeng like this and considering his current identity, how could Baili Dongjun not understand his thoughts?

But when he noticed Sikong Changfeng's gaze falling on Su Rui once again,

"Forget about that. You should know that the most valuable thing he has left now is just a martial arts hall, not to mention your daughter is his Disciple!"

This single sentence woke the dreamer; Sikong Changfeng immediately snapped back to his senses.

As a doting father, the one he cared about most in his heart would always be his own daughter.

As for Snow Moon City and the Jingwu Platform, they all had to take a back seat.

"How about asking Yin Luoxia?"

Sikong Changfeng said, stroking his chin.

The daughter of the Gambling King, plus the status of the former Gambling King, she was no ordinary wealthy person.

No one could say for sure exactly how much money Yin Luoxia had.

She probably couldn't even count it all herself.

"Hmm... true. Why don't you go ask her then?"

Baili Dongjun had a hint of slyness in his eyes as he spoke with a smile.

"..."

"I was just speaking offhandedly."

Sikong Changfeng dropped those words and said no more.

The dense Sword Qi gradually thinned out.

The dust and smoke on the arena also slowly dissipated.

Once the smoke and dust cleared, although Sikong Changfeng felt the pinch, he also breathed a small sigh of relief.

The originally square arena had now been shaved into a circular disc.

Although the surface was severely damaged, after emergency repairs, the competition could still continue.

As for a complete restoration, it would have to wait until after the competition.

This was reasonable enough; since no specific person could be held responsible, Snow Moon City could only accept its bad luck.

After all, as the host, making the contestants pay for the arena's repairs would be somewhat inappropriate!

Sikong Changfeng had found such a reason for himself, and his mood immediately improved.

The dust settled, and Song Yanhui, whom everyone thought would have been smashed to pieces under the sword rain, was actually standing there unscathed.

It wasn't that his strength was superior, but rather that the arena stone slab beneath his feet remained intact, forming a sharp contrast with the shattered ground around it.

Only then did everyone realize that Li Hanyi had shown mercy.

"Sword Qi pouring down like rain, with an unstoppable momentum—it truly lives up to the name of the Ten Thousand Swords Art."

A middle-aged man dressed in scholar's robes said with a sigh of emotion.

"How does the Sword Immortal view this girl's future achievements?"

Someone beside him immediately followed up with a question.

"Well, to be honest, I can't say for sure either.

She has already exceeded the scope of my evaluation. If she truly steps into the Carefree Heaven Realm, she might become a new generation's Sword Immortal."

The speaker was none other than the Scholar Sword Immortal Xie Xuan, a recognized Master of the sword in the current world.

"Perhaps, she might even become stronger than Luo Qingyang."

Xie Xuan added with a light chuckle.

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped.

Who was Luo Qingyang?

The swordsman who guarded Muliang City in the north all by himself.

That desolate city, originally abandoned due to Northern Li moving its capital, had regained its place as one of the four great cities of Northern Li because of him alone, standing alongside Snow Moon City, Wushuang City, and Tianqi City.

And Muliang City was guarded by only one person.

The name of the Lone Sword Immortal was enough to strike fear into hearts.

Rumor had it that he had already stepped beyond the Great Carefree Realm into the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm.

Everyone was surprised that Xie Xuan would give Li Hanyi such a high evaluation.

"Brother Xie is absolutely right. It seems the young experts of this generation no longer need to compete for the top spot."

The Head of the Wen Family sighed.

"But this girl isn't even fifteen yet. This generation of young people really has it tough."

The Elder sent by the Lei Family remarked with emotion.

"Not necessarily. Li Hanyi's Master has opened a martial arts hall in the city that only accepts geniuses. If any of your juniors have good Aptitude, you might as well give it a try."

"That is indeed an idea."

At this time, Li Hanyi's true identity had not yet been exposed.

The Lei Family did not know her background.

"Once the grand tournament is over—my grandson's Aptitude is quite extraordinary."

The Head of the Wen Family was the first to speak.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

In the arena, Song Yanhui looked dejected, finding it difficult even to stand.

The gap was too vast.

This was an insurmountable chasm.

He felt that he might never be able to catch up to Li Hanyi's footsteps in this lifetime.

At this thought, Song Yanhui stood dazed on the spot, a myriad of emotions surging in his heart.

"The Ten Thousand Swords Art is indeed extraordinary, but the Sword Control Technique of my Wushuang City is by no means an empty reputation!"

Suddenly, an angry shout rolled in from the distance.

The dazed Song Yanhui was startled, snapped back to his senses, and looked toward the source of the sound.

His face carried a hint of pleasant surprise, mixed with shame.

"Master!"

A tall, elderly figure flew through the air, carrying a massive wooden casket on his back, which was particularly eye-catching.

"Zhao Guyan!"

Someone cried out in alarm.

"What? The City Lord of Wushuang City has come in person?"

"I didn't expect this old fellow to visit Snow Moon City personally. This is getting interesting."

"Is he planning to back up his Disciple?"

"Backing him up? Song Yanhui's sword heart is already shattered; what future could he possibly have!"

"It's just a deep bond between Master and Disciple."

Everyone looked up at the familiar figure in the sky.

Amidst the hubbub of discussion, someone noticed the massive wooden casket behind Zhao Guyan.

"That's... the peerless sword casket!"

Someone stood up excitedly, a burning light igniting in their eyes.

"What? This is the legendary peerless sword casket?"

"What is this old fellow doing bringing it to Snow Moon City?"

"I heard that no one has been able to open this sword casket for a hundred years. What a waste of a treasure."

"As if you could open it!"

The sounds of discussion rose and fell.

"City Lord Zhao of Wushuang City, I wonder what business brings you to Snow Moon City today?"

Baili Dongjun soared into the air, standing opposite Zhao Guyan in mid-air.

"It's nothing. My Disciple came to participate in the grand tournament, and as his Master, I was a bit worried, so I followed along to take a look."

Zhao Guyan looked at Baili Dongjun, a trace of wariness flashing in his eyes.

"In that case, since a distinguished guest has arrived, please take a seat and observe the ceremony!"

Baili Dongjun cupped his hands in invitation, his posture respectful.

"No need."

Zhao Guyan waved his hand and refused directly.

At this, Song Yanhui on the arena looked up at his Master, his eyes reddening, and he fell to his knees with a thud.

"Master, your Disciple has disappointed you!"

Hearing his Disciple's voice, Zhao Guyan's figure flickered as he landed on the arena and helped Song Yanhui up.

"Your natural talent is outstanding, but it does not lie in the Sword Control Technique. This path is not suitable for you."

Looking at his dejected Disciple, Zhao Guyan's tone carried a hint of pity.

Song Yanhui being called the number one Genius among his peers in Wushuang City was no empty title.

But what he was truly skilled in was not the way of sword control, but traditional swordsmanship.

It was just that the power in Wushuang City was currently held by several Elders who were single-mindedly focused on using the Sword Control Technique to recreate past glories.

However, saying that someone truly suited for sword control was one in ten thousand would be an understatement.

Now that Song Yanhui's sword heart was shattered, in Zhao Guyan's eyes, it was actually a good thing.

By focusing on the orthodox path of the sword, he might be able to carve out a new world for himself in the future.

After comforting Song Yanhui with a few words, Zhao Guyan's gaze shifted and landed on Li Hanyi, who had already sheathed her sword.

A look of amazement flashed in his eyes, and he was moved by her talent and innate potential.

If such a person were a Disciple of my Wushuang City, how wonderful it would be.

He felt a faint sense of regret in his heart.

"That sword art of yours just now was indeed stunning, but the Sword Control Technique of Wushuang City is famous throughout the world and is by no means comparable to ordinary techniques."

Although he admired Li Hanyi in his heart, as soon as Zhao Guyan spoke these words, everyone around frowned.

Although Zhao Guyan was an expert of the older generation, what did he mean by saying this on such an occasion?

Did he really intend to demand an explanation for his Disciple?

This was far too thick-skinned.

"City Lord Zhao, this is Snow Moon City's grand tournament. I ask Your Excellency not to interfere."

Baili Dongjun spoke up to remind him.

"My Disciple has already lost. I concede on his behalf."

Zhao Guyan waved his hand, then removed the sword casket from his back, propping it against the ground with one hand so it stood firmly beside him.

Kacha, kacha—

The sound of mechanical gears turning rang out.

Under everyone's astonished gazes, the legendary peerless sword casket, which supposedly had not been opened by anyone for a hundred years, slowly opened.

Twelve famous swords that had once shaken the world suddenly appeared before them.

These long-dormant divine weapons' blades trembled, as if they were about to burst out of the casket.

...

"Strange, didn't they say there are thirteen famous swords in the peerless sword casket? Why is one missing?"

"The famous sword ranked second is gone."

As soon as the voice fell, everyone couldn't help but think of that precious sword ranked second among famous swords.

Great Ming Vermilion Bird!

Unfortunately, it did not appear at this time.