In the nameless grotto of the South Sea. Lu Yuan remained motionless within the Profound Nether Extreme Ice, with only two days remaining until the final moment.

During these two days, Xuan Huazi visited the site multiple times daily, each visit filled with rapturous glee: “The Extreme of Profundity, the Extreme of Profundity! Once I master the Extreme of Profundity, what difficulty will there be in surpassing Ming Jianzi?” “To seize sole control of the Profound Nether Sect and become its only Master.” He muttered to himself, occasionally letting out a few chuckles.

Xuan Huazi laughed heartily, a sound of indescribable elation. Within this grotto, aside from Xuan Huazi’s own laughter, there was no other sound; the quiet was terrifyingly absolute.

In such stillness, Xuan Huazi’s malice seemed only more pronounced. He chuckled slyly: “Lu Yuan, do not blame me.

To achieve success through any means necessary—that has always been the customary style for those of us who tread the demonic path.” Xuan Huazi felt utterly at ease. Ordinarily, he was not a man of many words, but at this peak of triumph, the elation bubbling within him compelled him to do things he never would otherwise.

Such was the case with Xuan Huazi. Faced with such a man, Lu Yuan could only manage a secret, wry smile.

Thankfully, being frozen by Xuan Huazi’s Profound Nether Extreme Ice, even his blood sealed, there was no need to maintain any facade. The time drew ever closer.

That final day, finally arrived. Xuan Huazi was exceptionally agitated that day; all the composure that should belong to a figure of the Grand Dao Realm had vanished.

At this moment, Lu Yuan grew increasingly calm, waiting only for the perfect opportunity to strike a fatal blow against Xuan Huazi—perhaps even completely shattering a Grand Dao Realm expert. If not, he still possessed a substitute magical artifact that would allow him to escape, ensuring he wouldn't perish here.

While both Xuan Huazi and Lu Yuan waited for the final moment, the grotto silent, a fierce shout echoed from outside: “Xuan Huazi, so you had a hideout here! You’ve been hiding in this lair recently, haven't you?

Come, let us fight!” Hearing this voice, Xuan Huazi’s expression shifted dramatically. It was the voice of his sworn enemy, Ming Jianzi.

Ming Jianzi had actually come. Damn it!

Xuan Huazi cursed inwardly. Seeing that he was on the verge of mastering the Extreme of Profundity, Ming Jianzi was interfering now.

Fortunately, he had already laid out some traps here in anticipation of such an event. With a flash, he moved, concealing the spot where Lu Yuan was held.

In the center now stood an alchemy furnace. Xuan Huazi rushed out, facing Ming Jianzi from a distance.

“Xuan Huazi, hiding here—what treasure are you cooking up?” Ming Jianzi asked with a hearty laugh. “None of your business,” Xuan Huazi sneered back.

Ming Jianzi laughed again: “Then let me investigate!” These two were old rivals who had clashed countless times. Once again, they engaged above the sea.

The clash between these two Grand Dao Realm experts caused the ocean to churn violently; fish and shrimp within a hundred miles perished, winds howled, and the skies warped unnaturally. Such was the might of the Grand Dao Realm!

———————— Xuan Huazi let out a brief breath. That exchange with Ming Jianzi had cost him considerable vital energy, and Ming Jianzi had taken advantage of the opening to rush into the grotto.

Luckily, he only saw the alchemy furnace Xuan Huazi was using for his cultivation, assuming he was merely preparing some bizarre elixir. Ming Jianzi finally retreated, satisfied that his objective had been achieved.

Seeing his ruse work and Ming Jianzi repelled, Xuan Huazi finally relaxed. Now, it was time.

Master the Extreme of Profundity, decisively eliminate Ming Jianzi, and perhaps even acquire the Extreme of Nether from him. With both the Extreme of Profundity and the Extreme of Nether in hand, who could oppose him?

He immediately sealed the grotto completely. Once sealed, this sanctuary could defend against Ming Jianzi for a long time.

Xuan Huazi instantly dropped his disguise: “Lu Yuan, the Water Elemental Immortal Bone is ready. It’s time to cultivate.” He was surprisingly exhilarated; he would soon be able to begin his practice.

With a movement of his hand, he plunged both hands into the Profound Nether Extreme Ice, reaching for Lu Yuan. At this very moment, Lu Yuan was also waiting for the optimal second.

Ming Jianzi’s disruptive visit had an upside: it had weakened Xuan Huazi’s power, increasing Lu Yuan’s chances of success. And now, Xuan Huazi’s hands were closing in.

Xuan Huazi’s hands shot toward Lu Yuan’s shoulders. In that instant!

A startling flash of sword intent ignited. This sword possessed only one characteristic—speed!

Speed beyond comparison. Xuan Huazi had just fought Ming Jianzi; his concentration was momentarily lax, unprepared for the frozen Lu Yuan to unleash a sword thrust with such sudden velocity.

Due to his overconfidence, the sword pierced through his right shoulder! A complication!

Xuan Huazi was a figure of immense power; he registered the danger in that single breath. He recoiled rapidly, and even while retreating, he used his body to clamp down on the spirit sword embedded in his right shoulder, pulling it back with him.

This instantly removed one weapon from his opponent’s arsenal. This instantaneous reaction was worthy of a Grand Dao Realm master.

Simultaneously, he unleashed his Profound Nether Extreme Ice! But Lu Yuan was faster!

Lu Yuan’s Reaching the Mountain Spirit Sword countered, slashing out with a single, magnificent, fiery stroke, wreathed in boundless heat and flames—Myriad Fires within the Heart, all under his absolute control—it swept toward Xuan Huazi. This cut was incredibly sharp; the Profound Nether Extreme Ice was shattered instantly.

Xuan Huazi was stunned that the very power he relied upon could be felled so swiftly. At that moment, pain flared in his right shoulder again: because the Nurturing Self Spirit Sword was a weapon of righteous energy, and Xuan Huazi practiced evil arts, it caused a backlash at the critical moment, striking his left shoulder instead, causing blood to pour forth.

However, Lu Yuan was simultaneously thrown back by the reverberation of the Grand Dao Realm’s spiritual force. The First Movement ended there.

In this opening exchange, Lu Yuan managed to strike Xuan Huazi once with his thrust and once with his slash, leaving Xuan Huazi severely wounded. But due to the spiritual recoil, his momentum halted, preventing him from capitalizing further.

Xuan Huazi, now fully alert, knew it was impossible to press his advantage. Therefore, a temporary stalemate ensued, with both Xuan Huazi and Lu Yuan pausing.

Xuan Huazi was simultaneously shocked and enraged. The person he had captured had broken free of the ice and wounded him—a serious injury indeed.

How could he not be furious? “You actually broke free of the Profound Nether Extreme Ice?” “Indeed,” Lu Yuan confirmed with a nod.

“Judging by that first sword strike, the one enveloped in Myriad Fires—the Profound Nether Extreme Ice shouldn’t have been able to hold you. It’s understandable,” Xuan Huazi mused over the swordplay.

“I didn’t expect you could break free of the Profound Nether Extreme Ice.” “Your Profound Nether Extreme Ice is nothing special,” Lu Yuan shrugged casually. Xuan Huazi sneered: “Your biggest mistake was breaking the Profound Nether Extreme Ice and not escaping.

Are you remaining here because you think stabbing me with such a blow is enough to overcome me?” Xuan Huazi shook his head, speaking mostly to himself. “It seems you still don’t grasp the gulf between the Grand Dao Realm and the Longevity Realm.

Very well, today I shall enlighten you.” Lu Yuan shrugged again: “It seems one of the two Masters of the Profound Nether Sect, Xuan Huazi, is invincible with words. Say it when you’ve actually done it.” ...

Lu Yuan’s composure at this moment had a solid basis. During his confrontation with the Black Water King Serpent, he had discovered that within the ocean, wielding the Water Emperor Sword Dao could unleash power far greater than usual.

The force of a single strike exceeded that of a Half-Step Grand Dao Realm expert by a significant margin—a terrifying level of strength. He rarely resorted to sneak attacks, and those two initial strikes represented the maximum advantage he could gain from one.

Now, it would be a direct confrontation. “Water Emperor Sword Dao: White Emperor Slash!” The surging seawater, channeled from secret passages he had already prepared, poured forth, all coalescing upon Lu Yuan’s sword.

The Reaching the Mountain Spirit Sword was now encased in a massive, cerulean longsword, just as it had been against the Black Water King Serpent. With overwhelming force, he cleaved the sword toward Xuan Huazi.

Xuan Huazi knew his Profound Nether Extreme Ice was useless. He brandished an Ice Soul Spirit Sword instead.

This blade unleashed a sword strike of profound momentum, as sharp and chilling as frozen essence, instantly turning half the surrounding space into solid ice. It slammed directly against Lu Yuan’s sword of seawater.

Lu Yuan’s greatest advantage here was the sea itself; its water was endless, and the Water Qi under his control was inexhaustible. Furthermore, his swordsmanship was exquisitely refined, far surpassing Xuan Huazi’s.

Xuan Huazi’s strength lay in his sheer, overwhelming power, far exceeding Lu Yuan’s, but his severe injuries prevented him from unleashing his full combat potential. When the two powers collided—the ice sword against the seawater sword—with a deafening bang, they canceled each other out, resulting in a draw.

Lu Yuan pressed his attack without hesitation: “Water Emperor Sword Dao: Ice Melting Slash!” This move unleashed the terrible might of the Water Emperor Sword Dao again. The scorching, bright blue water sword crashed toward Xuan Huazi, while Xuan Huazi’s ice sword met Lu Yuan’s attack.

The two blades clashed in mid-air again, crack! The seawater and ice dissipated.

This exchange was another draw. All or nothing!

Lu Yuan fought with reckless abandon now, unleashing the Water Emperor Sword Dao as if it were free, fighting with the desperation of a man staking his life. Though grievously wounded, Xuan Huazi, being a Grand Dao Realm master, naturally refused to show weakness and fought back with equal ferocity.

They exchanged blow after blow; the ice sword met the blue water sword again and again. Under this relentless barrage, both Lu Yuan’s and Xuan Huazi’s spiritual energy were draining at an alarming rate.

Lu Yuan’s consumption was faster, while Xuan Huazi’s injuries worsened incrementally. Now, it was a contest of endurance.

Whoever faltered first, lost. Crack!

Lu Yuan’s blue water sword finally could not sustain its form; it disintegrated to the side, reverting to ordinary seawater, stripped of all sharpness—his spiritual energy was depleted! Could it be that at this crucial juncture, Lu Yuan’s power would run out first?