"Brother Du, well done! Unleash your most profound, hidden techniques and show this kid what we cultivators from the Immortal Palaces are made of. We are not some common riffraff that anyone can compare with."

On the plaza before the main hall of the Purple Sword Palace, numerous Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come from various Immortal Palaces shouted encouragement for Du Qingliang.

After all, the fame of Du Qingliang, the genius Wind Element Golden Core cultivator, was already well-known among the cultivators of every Immortal Palace. Ye Qin, however, was an unknown quantity. Many Golden Core cultivators didn't even know where he had sprung from, nor what luck had propelled him to become an Elder of the Purple Sword Immortal Palace overnight. Naturally, most cultivators favored Du Qingliang. Even the Nascent Soul cultivators, those ancestors with millennia of lifespan, placed their bets on Du Qingliang. Only a sparse few favored Ye Qin's strength. Huangfu Bing'er was among the unconditional supporters of Ye Qin, never once considering that Ye Qin couldn't defeat Du Qingliang.

Additionally, in a distant corner, several aloof Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer cultivators were conferring in low voices, clearly unimpressed with Du Qingliang.

"Du Qingliang? What is he! The direct descendant of the Grand Elder of the Upper Soup Palace, a mere second-layer Golden Core cultivator, heralded as a genius Wind Element cultivator. In truth, his cultivation is only slightly better than mine, and his reputation is only marginally higher than mine. How can he compare to Yu Weifeng, the direct descendant of the Sect Master? Think about Yu Weifeng's fate, hmph, hmph..." Du Qingliang thinks he has some standing in the Upper Soup Palace and some renown in White Float City, so he dares to challenge Brother Ye—truly seeking death!"

Jin Zhongshan scoffed quietly, "When I was a noted Golden Core cultivator in the Treasure Gathering Palace, I didn't take Brother Ye seriously. But after a trip to the sea, didn't I end up meekly submitting and recognizing him as a younger brother? After Du Qingliang spars with Brother Ye, he’ll realize how short-sighted he is."

"Brother Jin speaks truly. You, I, and the two junior sisters Zhou and Liao are all noted Golden Core cultivators in our respective Immortal Palaces, not much inferior to Du Qingliang. Yet, none of us dare to harbor the thought of competing with Brother Ye. Brother Ye has always been low-key; few people have seen him fight. Even a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator might not be his match."

"It shouldn't be a major issue for Brother Ye to defeat Du Qingliang. The real question is whether it will take the time of one stick of incense or two." Pan Lin said, lightly fanning himself with a jade fan artifact, his expression quite serious. "One stick of incense will suffice," Jin Zhongshan replied immediately without hesitation.

He muttered internally that if Ye Qin were dealing with him, it probably wouldn't even take one stick of incense; taking a full stick against Du Qingliang already showed great consideration. These words drew glances and eye-rolls from some surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, seeing that Jin Zhongshan and Pan Lin were only Foundation Establishment cultivators, the crowd dismissed the comments as mere jokes; no one took them seriously. They were quickly drowned out by the surrounding clamor. The noise in the plaza before the hall did not affect the two about to fight at all. A vast, open area of several hundred zhang was cleared above the plaza. "Brother Du, please proceed!"

Ye Qin had already stepped onto the plaza. He said little, merely forming hand seals, spitting out five small swords, and conjuring a yellow Earth Element defensive light shield, before calmly gazing at Du Qingliang opposite him.

Ancestor Hong Mo’s eyelids suddenly twitched, his expression subtly changing. He inwardly groaned a warning: "Five Nascent Soul artifacts, covering the five elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth! Could this kid have mastered the Purple Sword Palace’s true sword technique, the 'Grand Five Elements Sword Formation'?! Damn it, if it is the Grand Five Elements Sword Formation, Qingliang might not be his match!"

In reality, the true Grand Five Elements Sword Formation of the Purple Sword Palace had not been mastered by any cultivator for several millennia because the required spiritual root conditions were too demanding. The invincible might of the Grand Five Elements Sword Formation had become a legend in the East Sea. Lower-tier cultivators didn't even know that the Purple Sword Palace possessed such an almost unbeatable sword art. Only some of the older generation cultivators had learned more about the prestige of the Grand Five Elements Sword Formation from their ancestors.

How could Ancestor Hong Mo have anticipated that the newly appointed first-layer Golden Core Elder of the Purple Sword Palace possessed five complete elemental Nascent Soul artifacts, very likely forming the rumored Grand Five Elements Sword Formation? He was filled with regret, wishing he hadn't sent his direct disciple to challenge the opponent without fully understanding his strength.

However, the duel was about to begin, observed by cultivators from all the major Immortal Palaces. Nascent Soul Ancestors like Zhou Yu and Zhou Hong seemed to wear smiles, clearly waiting to see the Upper Soup Palace cultivators embarrassed. Ancestor Hong Mo couldn't utter his regrets aloud.

Du Qingliang saw Ye Qin's rather casual attitude toward the duel, and a surge of anger inexplicably flared in his heart. The calmer Ye Qin appeared, the angrier it made him. Such nonchalance was clearly contempt toward him, the Wind Element genius cultivator of the Upper Soup Palace. "Five Nascent Soul artifacts—he indeed has some strength!"

Though enraged, Du Qingliang remained cautious. He added a Wind Element defensive shield around himself and flew into the air. However, the Purple Sword Immortal Palace had restrictive formations, preventing him from flying too high, only a few zhang.

Du Qingliang suddenly clapped his hands, unleashing powerful magical energy to command his dozen or so Cicada Wing Flying Swords. These top-tier Wind Element artifacts spun furiously, swelling in the wind to become Wind Element greatswords ten zhang long.

The speed of the Wind Element flying swords was so great that the blades themselves were indistinct; only countless faint red wind blades streaked across the air, forming a ferocious, faint red vortex centered on Du Qingliang, spanning a hundred zhang.

The thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators watching were blown off balance by this vortex, nearly sucked into it, their faces turning ashen with horror. Fortunately, many Golden Core cultivators were present to observe; they quickly unleashed light shields, protecting the surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators.

If those cultivators had been caught in that savage flying sword cyclone, they likely wouldn't have lasted a moment before being shredded into nothing but dust and scraps.

Before coming to the Purple Sword Palace, Ancestor Hong Mo had explicitly ordered that they must not lose any duel against a Purple Sword Palace disciple. Otherwise, causing the Upper Soup Palace to lose face before the Purple Sword Palace would have severe consequences. Thus, as soon as Du Qingliang made his move, he employed his strongest attack. "Wind Arc Slash Storm, go!" Du Qingliang roared, waving his right hand. The vortex formed by over a dozen top-tier flying swords unleashed thousands of one-foot-long Wind Arc Slashes, creating a faint red torrent that poured toward Ye Qin. "Grand Five Elements Sword Formation!"

Ye Qin also shouted, controlling his five Nascent Soul artifacts, which transformed into five streaks of rainbow light, instantly enclosing him within half a zhang, coalescing into a tight Grand Five Elements Sword Formation.

The opponent’s wind blades were too numerous, attacking from all directions, pervasive and inescapable. He did not attack but focused entirely on shrinking the formation’s area to resist the wind blades.

The Grand Five Elements Sword Formation used the Yellow Heaven Thick Dust Sword—the Earth Sword with the strongest defense—as its core, supplemented by the Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire swords. It defended with full force, shrinking to the smallest possible configuration, emitting streams of five-colored, murmuring light. "Swish! Swish!..." The torrent of wind shaped by thousands of Wind Arc Slashes whistled as it completely enveloped Ye Qin and his Grand Five Elements formation. "Clang, clang..." A dense sound of metal clashing erupted, executing thousands of attacks in the blink of an eye, kicking up countless dazzling beams of light, the noise piercingly loud. Each of these Wind Arc Slashes carried the attack equivalent of a mid-tier Wind Element magical technique. This was akin to over a thousand early-stage Foundation Establishment Wind Element cultivators simultaneously unleashing the Wind Arc Slash. The sheer number and terrifying power were immense. Even a swarm of leeches can bite a monstrous beast to death; how much more so thousands of Wind Arc Slashes? A Foundation Establishment cultivator hit by an attack of this magnitude would surely die without exception. Ordinary Golden Core cultivators, taking even one blast from such a storm, would likely vomit blood or be severely injured, and top-tier artifacts would suffer heavy damage from such an assault.

From outside the storm torrent, one could see nothing of Ye Qin or his sword formation. It was like a boundless flood rushing past a dead tree—in an instant, the tree vanished without a trace. "Du Qingliang’s Wind Element Sword Art is indeed extraordinary."

"Could Elder Ye have been killed by those thousands of Wind Arc Slashes?"

"He wouldn't die so easily. It’s not that easy for a Golden Core cultivator to perish. Besides, there are more than ten Nascent Soul cultivators from various Immortal Palaces observing; if there were real danger of death, they would surely intervene to save him."

"The destructive power displayed by Elder Du’s Wind Element Sword Formation far surpasses Elder Ye’s Five Elements Sword Formation. The outcome is settled; the victory for Du Qingliang, the genius Golden Core cultivator of the Upper Soup Palace, is certain, with no suspense." The thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the plaza exclaimed in shock and discussion. "Elder Ye possesses five uniform Nascent Soul artifacts, whose power surpasses Du Qingliang's dozen-plus top-tier artifacts. The winner won't be decided so quickly." "Now it seems Elder Ye has a greater chance of winning. The judgment of Golden Core cultivators is far sharper than that of Foundation Establishment cultivators."

Indeed, the thousands of violent wind blades shot out by the Cicada Wing Wind Evasion Sword Formation came quickly and dissipated just as fast into the air.

The Grand Five Elements Sword Formation, which had been swallowed by the storm, reappeared. The light of the Grand Five Elements Sword Formation was slightly dimmer but still intact, clearly showing that the Wind Arc Slash Storm had failed to breach the formation. This result caused the Foundation Establishment cultivators to gasp, and even many Golden Core cultivators who favored Du Qingliang found it unbelievable. "How can this be? Thousands of Wind Arc Slashes struck the sword formation, yet they couldn't even shake his Nascent Soul..."

Du Qingliang's expression was clearly stunned, unable to believe that the extremely powerful Wind Arc Slashes cast by his Cicada Wing Wind Evasion Sword Formation couldn't even shake Ye Qin's sword formation. "Is this your strongest move?"

Ye Qin emerged from within the Grand Five Elements Sword Formation, looking coldly at Du Qingliang. "Since that is the case, this duel can end now!" Saying this, he wasted no time, pointing his right hand. "Heavenly One Dark Water Sword, vanish!"

Among the five Nascent Soul flying swords, the Heavenly One Dark Water Sword, which emanated a dark, gloomy light, suddenly grew thinner and thinner until it vanished into thin air under the public gaze. "Where did that Water Sword go! I can’t sense any trace of it!"

Du Qingliang’s eyes narrowed, and he scanned the spot where the Water Sword had disappeared with all his divine sense, but he found no trace or aura of it. His expression immediately changed, chills running down his spine. "No, that Water Sword must have disappeared to attack me!"

Just as Du Qingliang reacted and was about to use a Wind Evasion magical technique to dodge—

"Shhh!"

The Heavenly One Dark Water Sword reappeared, crossing a hundred zhang distance silently, flashing across Du Qingliang’s Wind Element defensive shield.

With a crisp "Chichi" sound, Du Qingliang’s Wind Element defensive shield disintegrated. A Water Sword artifact, radiating an aura of absolute annihilation, hovered less than half a foot from Du Qingliang's neck, freezing him rigid and daring him not to move. "You lost!" Ye Qin stated calmly, controlling the Heavenly One Dark Water Sword. The outcome of this duel was exactly as he expected; he felt neither surprise nor joy.

However, now that he was promoted to an Elder of the Purple Sword Palace, it was appropriate to demonstrate a little strength and boost the prestige of the Purple Sword Palace. Otherwise, few Golden Core cultivators inside or outside the Immortal Palace would take him seriously. Du Qingliang looked vacant, the faint wisps of annihilation aura from the Water Sword causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.

If Ye Qin had harbored killing intent, this sword strike, so close, might not have allowed even a Nascent Soul Ancestor time to intervene. It was obvious Ye Qin had shown mercy. Otherwise, he would be seriously injured if not dead. "I admit defeat!" Ye Qin retracted his flying sword. Du Qingliang said nothing, bowed his acknowledgment, and retreated to the ranks of the Upper Soup Palace cultivators.

In front of the Purple Sword Palace hall, thousands of cultivators were deathly silent. The observing cultivators—the Zhou family disciples of the Purple Sword Palace and the guests—were utterly astonished. No one had anticipated this outcome.

Even the Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Purple Sword Palace, like Zhou Yu and Zhou Hong, showed looks of surprise, equally unable to understand how the Heavenly One Dark Water Sword had suddenly disappeared and reappeared.

This was because Ye Qin’s Heavenly One Dark Water Sword had incorporated the essence derived from the demonic core of a Phantom Demon Shrimp, granting it the special effect of concealing its aura. The Heavenly One Dark Water Sword forged by the Purple Sword Divine Monarch back then used the essence left behind by a seated Golden Core cultivator after death, not demonic essence, so the effects naturally differed.

Since Ye Qin didn't possess the residual essence left by a Golden Core cultivator, he was forced to alter the refining recipe from the Purple Jade Ancient Scroll. The resulting Nascent Soul artifact possessed a unique effect.

Thus, the few Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Purple Sword Palace exchanged glances, not fully grasping what had happened, only showing a degree of surprise. The Golden Core cultivators of the Upper Soup Palace were even more dumbfounded, speechless for a long time.

Du Qingliang was defeated in the span of a single moment, unable to counterattack or defend. While this was partly due to the Heavenly One Dark Water Sword's peculiar ability to hide its form, preventing Du Qingliang from guarding against the sneak attack, defeat was defeat, and he couldn't blame the opponent’s powerful Nascent Soul artifact. Even a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator might have been defeated here, unless it was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator with deep cultivation and access to numerous Nascent Soul artifacts and treasures that could defeat Ye Qin.

But could they send a late-stage Golden Core cultivator to fight a first-layer Golden Core cultivator of the Purple Sword Palace? Even if they won, the reputation of the Upper Soup Palace would be ruined. The entire East Sea cultivation world would know that it took a late-stage Golden Core cultivator from the Upper Soup Palace to defeat an early-stage Golden Core cultivator from the Purple Sword Palace—that was incompetence! "The Grand Five Elements Sword Formation established by the Purple Sword Divine Monarch is truly unmatched among cultivators of the same rank; it's no false boast! This True Person has misjudged things, looking down on this new junior elder. I concede!"

Ancestor Hong Mo paused for a short moment, staring fiercely at Ye Qin, memorizing the young cultivator's unfamiliar face. He then rolled his eyes at Du Qingliang and roared in his fiery temper, "Get back to the palace immediately for secluded meditation and bitter cultivation! Don't come out to embarrass yourself within ten years!" Ancestor Hong Mo angrily flicked his sleeve and departed on his crimson cloud.

He had come full of excitement, intending to find an opportunity to slap the face of the Purple Sword Palace and embarrass the new Purple Sword Palace Elder. He never expected Du Qingliang, the genius Wind Element cultivator of the Upper Soup Palace, to be defeated so quickly. His own face felt scorched, and he couldn't remain at the Purple Sword Palace.

The dozens of Golden Core cultivators from the Upper Soup Palace hung their heads in dejection, their arrogance completely gone. They scurried after Ancestor Hong Mo as if their tails were on fire. Their attempt to steal a chicken only resulted in losing the bait; they had been utterly disgraced. They would have to figure out how to make amends when they got back.