The long, wide bolts of silver lightning seemed poised to cleave heaven and earth, the thunderous roar threatening to shatter the cosmos. After several terrifying flashes of silver lightning and a few dreadful claps of thunder, the lightning seemed to abate slightly.

Yet the torrential rain descended like pillars, its intensity greater than before. Those pillars of rain hammered down, kicking up separate bursts of spray from the ground, causing the leaves to thrash incessantly.

This downpour was like the Milky Way inverted, threatening to extinguish all creation; the distant peaks of Mount Hua were completely obscured within the blinding white columns of rain. The raindrops struck with enough force to sting the skin, yet the spectators watching this battle continued to stand their ground.

This fight was essentially a clash between the two strongest direct disciples of the tenth generation. This contest would have a monumental impact on the future of the Huashan Immortal Sect.

Naturally, those watching now began to reveal the disparities in their cultivation. The renowned Sword Immortals of the ninth generation remained unperturbed, their demeanor unruffled; the raindrops vanished automatically above their heads, never managing to touch them.

Every single renowned Sword Immortal of the ninth generation stood with robes perfectly dry, not a single drop clinging to them. Among the general elders, there were distinctions based on the depth of their magic.

Some whose cultivation was supreme could cause the rain to dissipate on its own, while those less potent could only endure the beating of the storm. As for the direct disciples, they, too, were largely left to the mercy of the downpour.

This clearly indicated that the strength of the direct disciples still lagged far behind, inferior even to many general elders of the ninth generation, suggesting they still needed considerable tempering. As for the ordinary disciples over there, there was no need to even consider; they were all drenched to the bone.

Of course, regardless of one's magic or status at this moment, every eye was intensely focused on the battle unfolding. Standing nearby, Shi Chaoyang and Mo Qianbian could only sigh, realizing their own battles had commanded nowhere near the attention garnered by Lu Yuan and Song Nanshan.

The stone of the arena was originally forged from Hundred-Year Profound Azure Stone, a rare and exceptionally hard material among bluestones. Its surface resembled common bluestone, uniformly dense, capable of resisting damage even from fights involving Qi Condensation cultivators.

Now, however, this Hundred-Year Profound Azure Stone was overgrown with vibrant green vegetation. This plant life was the result of Song Nanshan's wood-element spells landing on the stone.

The spells of others did not possess this characteristic, but Song Nanshan’s wood magic was most insidious because wherever his spells rooted, they could immediately take hold, sprout buds, and grow leaves, thereby harassing his opponents. Once he established his root-and-sprout spells on the ground, Lu Yuan could not dare to step upon them, lest he become ensnared.

And now, the habitable space for Lu Yuan upon the Profound Azure Stone was shrinking rapidly. Of course, Lu Yuan's Ten Thousand Li Solitary Movement was indeed remarkably swift.

Song Nanshan remained suspended three zhang high in the air, ceaselessly raining down spell after spell. One technique followed another—he felt no concern for the expenditure, as the remaining essence of his cultivation was more than sufficient to handle a Qi Condensation opponent.

Unfortunately for Lu Yuan, he was precisely in the Qi Condensation stage. The battle was fierce at this juncture.

However, once the Profound Azure Stone was carpeted with the root-and-sprout spells, most observers believed Lu Yuan would soon be forced to yield. Venerable Zixia stroked his beard with an air of satisfaction.

Song Nanshan remained unperturbed, viewing this outcome as inevitable. Just as victory seemed all but assured for Song Nanshan, the blue-robed youth on the platform smiled and said, "Actually, it's not just you who can fly.

I can fly too." The voice delivering this statement was not loud, but it was amplified by spiritual power, making it perfectly audible even amidst the downpour. The moment these words were spoken, the entire crowd fell silent—an absolute, profound stillness.

Hearing this, the renowned Sword Immortals of the ninth generation managed to maintain a semblance of composure, their expressions unchanging. But the general elders, the direct disciples, and the ordinary disciples—some’s eyes widened, others’ jaws dropped.

What was Lu Yuan saying? Was he certain of his declaration?

Flight! This was an ability reserved for the Body Tempering stage; to fly before reaching Body Tempering was essentially a fundamental law.

While there were wind-element spells that could grant momentary levitation, true flight required reaching Body Tempering. Lu Yuan claimed he could fly!

Short bursts using wind spells didn't count; did he truly believe he could ascend into the heavens? Lu Yuan—a mere nineteen-year-old youth—possessed the capability of flight?

Impossible. To possess the ability to fly meant one had entered the Body Tempering stage.

This was utterly inconceivable! A nineteen-year-old could not possibly have reached Body Tempering; the vast majority believed it impossible.

He flew! Lu Yuan soared into the air!

To the disbelief of the multitude, Lu Yuan lifted off the ground. His speed wasn't exceptionally fast, but his flight was remarkably stable.

He ascended steadily until he reached the same altitude as Song Nanshan, positioning himself in the void opposite him: "I told you, I can fly too." Flight! Genuine flight!

This was unequivocally Body Tempering flight, not the temporary levitation afforded by wind spells, which tended to be erratic and quick, lacking the effortless grace of Body Tempering ascent. Utter silence descended.

During Lu Yuan’s ascent, absolute stillness reigned, as if the sounds of wind and rain had momentarily vanished. Even the expressions of the renowned Sword Immortals of the ninth generation betrayed subtle shifts; they could no longer remain completely composed.

Had Lu Yuan reached Body Tempering? This seemed unlikely.

A nineteen-year-old reaching Body Tempering—it simply defied probability. The ninth-generation Sword Immortals looked from the floating Lu Yuan to Venerable Yuanyuan and the other distinguished Sword Immortals hailing from the Northern Peak, only to notice that the latter group wore expressions suggesting they had known all along.

Venerable Yuanyuan smiled faintly, then glanced toward Venerable Zixia, whose earlier smugness had completely evaporated. After a prolonged silence, the renowned Sword Immortals of the ninth generation were left to process the news of Lu Yuan reaching Body Tempering.

After a long pause, Venerable Yuanyang spoke, "Nineteen years old, having attained Body Tempering, and having comprehended Sword Intent. Brother Yuanyuan, your Northern Peak has nurtured a true prodigy." Venerable Yuanyang’s utterance drew the attention of the other ninth-generation Sword Immortals, who, shaken by Lu Yuan’s age and Body Tempering breakthrough, had almost forgotten that Lu Yuan had also grasped Sword Intent.

For a standard tenth-generation direct disciple, achieving either comprehending Sword Intent or reaching Body Tempering would mark them as exceptional. Who could have anticipated that Lu Yuan had accomplished both simultaneously?

He was the pinnacle of prodigies. Venerable Yuanyuan smiled: "It's really nothing much, just a few minor fortunate encounters.

As for the path ahead, that remains for him to walk himself." While this sounded like modesty, the manner in which he spoke betrayed that it was not false humility. Two individuals among the ninth-generation Sword Immortals felt the sharpest sting of irritation: Sima Changbai and Zhao Cangzhi.

The most conspicuous ninth-generation Sword Immortal at this moment was Li Yuanbai; the others looked upon him with eyes laced with envy. How could Li Yuanbai’s disciple be so outstanding?

Even if Li Yuanbai’s lifespan were to end a year from now, he could depart smiling, with little regret. Li Yuanbai stroked his beard; he felt a surge of minor triumph.

To experience such pride in the final year of his life was certainly not a bad thing. Li Yuanbai couldn't help but recall his youth—this small sense of satisfaction was akin to when he had secured a top-thirteen ranking in the Five Peaks Grand Competition back then, when he was young and everything he pursued was filled with ambition.

He felt as if he had recaptured that youthful feeling, stroking his beard and smiling. Wind, rain, thunder, lightning!

The heavy rain poured down ceaselessly! Song Nanshan, too, was stunned for a long moment.

He had never imagined his junior brother Lu Yuan possessed such terrifying strength, reaching Body Tempering at such a tender age. Song Nanshan himself had only attained Body Tempering through cultivating the Purple Qi Coming from the East Heart Method combined with fortuitous encounters, yet here was Lu Yuan, achieving it so much younger.

"Junior brother certainly possesses great skill," Song Nanshan remarked, though he maintained his composure. "However, defeating me remains extremely difficult, as my experience far outstrips yours." Song Nanshan prided himself on his deep combat experience, believing he could eventually wear down his opponent through accumulated technique.

Song Nanshan raised his hand and unleashed the Leaf Burst Spell, the Leaf Technique, the Leaf Dance Spell, the Branch Dance Spell, and the Branch Net. Among these, the Leaf Dance Spell involved directing leaves in irregular attacks, making it notoriously hard to defend against.

The Branch Net spell was even more formidable. This technique could conjure hundreds of branches that intertwined to form a massive net, enveloping the opponent.

This was considered a secret move, far more potent than his other spells. Song Nanshan was confident this Branch Net would cause his opponent considerable trouble.

But then, Lu Yuan turned his Yangwu Sword, and a sharp gleam of sword energy pulverized the entire Branch Net into dust. While the Branch Net spell was not easily destroyed, Lu Yuan’s sword speed was too great, allowing him to perfectly shatter it.

Having neutralized this move, Lu Yuan smiled with easy confidence: "Senior Brother Song mentioned winning through experience. Perhaps Senior Brother has forgotten that my swordsmanship has reached the level of Sword Intent.

It is time you experienced the mastery of my sword arts." He navigated through the air, closing the distance toward Song Nanshan. Song Nanshan paused briefly.

He realized that being shocked by Lu Yuan’s Body Tempering breakthrough had made him almost forget that his junior brother was already at the level of Sword Intent mastery. This meant his rich experience was no longer the ultimate advantage.

This battle would be arduous. Song Nanshan had never anticipated such difficulty before the fight began.

Seeing Lu Yuan advance upon him, Song Nanshan shifted his stance, attempting to create space. Lu Yuan shook his head.

His Yangwu Sword emitted a zhang of misty white sword energy. The sword, trailing this energy, swept in a complete circle, unleashing a torrential, overwhelming sword technique—it was time to show Song Nanshan what Sword Intent-level swordsmanship truly meant.

Sword Intent level—a state eagerly anticipated by many ninth-generation Sword Immortals. This was also the opportunity for them to witness the reality of Sword Intent firsthand.

The youth in blue robes easily gripped the cool, smooth hilt of his sword.