The grounds of the Mount Shu training arena were teeming with people, countless martial artists gathered for a single purpose: to witness the crowning of the current martial world's foremost expert.

Li Xuan and Ye Wen stood facing each other in the center of the arena, separated by a distance of about two zhang. Ye Wen sized up Li Xuan, while Li Xuan continuously scrutinized him in return.

“Ye Beimen!”

“Sect Master Li!”

Both men were renowned masters in the martial world, and both held the esteemed position of leading their respective sects.

Compared to the Tianshan Sect, which had been established for much longer, the Mount Shu Sect was undeniably weaker in depth and prestige. However, in recent years, Ye Wen’s surging prominence made it feel entirely appropriate to place the two on the same level; everyone believed both men stood at the absolute apex of the current martial sphere.

Looking at Ye Wen, Li Xuan felt that this Mount Shu Sect Master was vastly different from the Ye Wen he knew, not just compared to the first time they met, but even compared to the Ye Wen of just a few months ago—the Ye Wen before him felt like an entirely different person.

Although Li Xuan couldn't fathom why he felt this way, he understood that such feelings didn't arise without reason. Since they had appeared, there must be a cause.

“Sect Master Ye’s cultivation seems to have advanced again!” With a tremor of his palm, a cold aura gradually coalesced in his hand.

Ye Wen chuckled and waved his hand dismissively: “Sect Master Li has sharp eyes!”

He made no attempt to conceal the improvement in his power. Since Li Xuan had come to challenge him, there was no need for him to feign modesty. Now that the martial world regarded him as a top-tier expert, acting coy would only lead to him being underestimated. Furthermore, Ye Wen’s reputation represented not just himself, but as the Sect Master of Mount Shu, every word and action spoke for the entire sect!

Li Xuan was slightly surprised by Ye Wen’s confident reply, but the scene that unfolded before him caused his pupils to contract violently, every hair on his body standing on end.

With that casual wave of his hand, Ye Wen had manifested three purple swords out of thin air.

These three purple swords were different from the ones Li Xuan had seen several months prior. While the purple swords Ye Wen had previously conjured were indistinguishable from real swords, one could still discern that they were formed from pure internal energy (jinqi) and were entirely purple, lacking any secondary colors.

Now, with that single wave, the three flying swords floating before Ye Wen were identical to genuine longswords forged by a master smith. Although they still shimmered with a faint purple glow, and the blades themselves carried a slight violet hue, anyone looking at them would believe them to be real swords; no one would easily accept they were shaped from qi.

As the three longswords hung suspended, Li Xuan could even make out the intricate huā patterns on the hilts. The entire swords looked as exquisite as display pieces, revealing the mastery Ye Wen had achieved in manipulating his true essence (zhenqi).

What shocked Li Xuan even more was that Ye Wen had summoned these three longswords merely in a wave of his hand—effortlessly, his face uncolored, his breathing even. After manifesting the three swords, he naturally rested his hands behind his back, gazing calmly at Li Xuan with a smile, while emitting an indescribable, profound aura.

Li Xuan had once felt this exact kind of presence from the Nine Sword Immortal, and he never expected to feel it emanating from Ye Wen today.

The mass of cold energy already condensed in Li Xuan’s palm spun rapidly, stirring up a flurry of glittering, dancing ice crystals. But no matter how fast the energy mass rotated or how dense the resulting ice crystals became, the Ye Wen standing nearby didn't spare it a single glance.

Simultaneously, the three flying swords slowly ascended above Ye Wen’s head, pointing directly toward Li Xuan from a distance.

The moment Ye Wen conjured the three longswords, the entire arena erupted in a roar of discussion. Many were astonished and bewildered that Ye Wen could pull three swords from nothing, especially as they hung suspended and then slowly rose above his head, aimed at Li Xuan.

“What… what kind of technique is this?”

“Heavens! Has Sect Master Ye already achieved ascension? Is this an immortal spell? Otherwise, where did those three swords come from?” Many believed Ye Wen’s feat had transcended martial arts and entered the realm of true immortal sorcery. Conjuring objects from thin air and controlling swords remotely—was this not the legendary means of a Sword Immortal?

The Nine Sword Immortal earned his fame by controlling nine longswords; now Ye Wen had conjured three with a wave, controlling them remotely, a skill certainly no less profound than the Nine Sword Immortal’s.

Among those better informed, some had gleaned details of Ye Wen’s exploits overseas and now put on airs of complete knowledge: “What is this? Those who participated in the campaign against the Demonic Cult heard that Sect Master Ye can command not just three flying swords, but over a hundred at once! None of the Demonic Cult masters could withstand a single move from him…”

“Whoa…”

“That powerful…”

“Over a hundred flying swords? How could Sect Master Ye possibly carry that many?”

“Idiot, didn’t you see him conjure three swords from thin air? If he can make three, what’s strange about making a hundred?”

“Is that so?”

The crowd buzzed with speculation. Ning Ruxue and Huayi, however, watched the arena situation with a distinct tension. They thought they understood Ye Wen’s power thoroughly, but the sheer ease of his recent wave startled them, causing them to exchange glances.

“Could it be that Crimson Fruit?”

Both women recalled the Crimson Fruit Ye Wen had mentioned. They reasoned that his ability to instantly condense three longswords with such composure must stem from consuming the fruit, further boosting his power. They only wondered if it would be enough to overcome Li Xuan. While they hadn't witnessed Li Xuan’s full capabilities, the partial techniques he’d displayed confirmed that the Tianshan Sect Master truly deserved the reputation of being the foremost expert beneath the Nine Sword Immortal.

If Ye Wen won, not only would his personal prestige reach its zenith, but the fame of the Mount Shu Sect would also soar to new heights. Considering the current martial landscape, becoming the premier sect in the world would become highly probable.

All eyes were fixed on the two figures. The cold energy in Li Xuan’s palm spun slower and slower, finally coming to a near standstill. The countless ice crystals that had surrounded him vanished. Suddenly, Li Xuan’s eyes snapped open, and he roared: “Even if you have reached that realm, I, Li, must see it for myself before yielding!” With that, he clenched his fist, and the cold energy in his palm shattered like an ice block, transforming into a storm of shimmering ice crystals that adhered to his fist. Even from that distance, Ye Wen could feel the potent coldness radiating from that punch, testifying to its immense power.

Yet, Ye Wen judged that such a strike could not harm him, nor would he need effort to defend against it. At that moment, he had the presence of mind to grumble internally: Damn, do you think you're Aquarius Camus? Pulling out a Diamond Dust Fist?

Seeing the direction Li Xuan charged from, Ye Wen merely thought, and one of the three swords hovering above his head flashed violently. The surrounding spectators suddenly saw a sweep of purple before a streak of violet light vanished in an instant. The sudden brilliance nearly blinded them, and many took a moment to recover their sight.

When everyone’s vision cleared, they looked toward the center of the arena and collectively gasped. Many drew sharp intakes of breath; some of the more timid actually lost strength in their legs and sank to the ground…

Upon the vast training grounds of Mount Shu, a trench—over a zhang deep, about three chi wide, and extending more than ten zhang long—had appeared as if carved by an invisible force.

One end of this trench was occupied by Ye Wen, two swords still hovering above his head, his hands clasped behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Li Xuan, who had been standing opposite him, was now at least two zhang further away from his original position, having been thrown sideways. The distance between him and Ye Wen had not decreased. The Tianshan Sect Master stared blankly at the deepest and widest point of the trench, which was precisely where he had been standing moments before.

The biting cold energy coating his fist had long dissipated. Li Xuan didn't even wipe the blood trickling from his forehead and arm, merely gazing fixedly at the massive gouge. After a long silence, he finally turned his head to look again at the two swords still floating above Ye Wen’s head.

“Sect Master Ye… perhaps he is ready to shatter the void…” If anyone had uttered such a thing under normal circumstances, it would have caused an uproar. But now, after witnessing the trench, not a single person in the crowd made a sound. They suddenly felt that this conclusion was the only logical one. If someone with Ye Wen’s power wasn't qualified to shatter the void, then the implications were terrifying. Moreover, looking at Ye Wen—still utterly relaxed, with two swords still hovering above him—it conveyed a clear message to everyone: I still have plenty of strength left. Anyone unconvinced can try me themselves!

Li Xuan opened his mouth but ultimately kept his words back, sighing deeply instead.

“Sect Master Li, why be so dismayed?” Ye Wen had anticipated many possible reactions: Li Xuan refusing to concede and insisting on fighting, or perhaps accepting defeat cleanly. He truly had not expected the Tianshan Sect Master to sigh with such visible disappointment.

Unexpectedly, Li Xuan shook his head: “I, Li, consider myself blessed with rare talent, and I trained diligently. Before reaching fifty, I touched the threshold of shattering the void—a rare prodigy in the world. Only upon seeing Sect Master Ye today do I realize how limited my previous perspective was…”

Hearing this, Ye Wen actually felt a little sheepish: “I was just fortunate to reach this level!” He knew that without the protection of the ring, the assistance of fortuitous encounters like the Cold Pool and the Azure Fruit, and having recently consumed that monstrous Crimson Fruit, it might have taken him eons to reach his current state.

Li Xuan, appearing deflated moments before, suddenly lifted his head, regaining his proud demeanor, and smiled: “Sect Master Ye need not be so humble. Some people, even with luck, cannot achieve greatness! Sect Master Ye’s ability to reach this realm cannot be explained merely by luck!”

With that, he clasped his fists: “I am utterly convinced by Sect Master Ye’s skill. This time, I, Li, have lost!” He then murmured to himself, “A pity. If Tianshan Sect had someone capable to take charge, I would have relished a real fight with Sect Master Ye!”

Though he believed he couldn't withstand that single sword strike, he didn't think he’d be utterly defeated in one blow. He was confident that with his skill and experience, he could have held out against Ye Wen for a while, which would have been immensely helpful for him to comprehend that higher realm.

If only…

Unfortunately, the Tianshan Sect suffered significant losses returning from the campaign against the Demonic Cult, and the next generation of disciples had not truly matured. If he were to die here carelessly, the Tianshan Sect, lacking a master expert, would be finished. As Sect Master, he could not knowingly lead his sect into ruin for personal gain; otherwise, even if he shattered the void, he would never consider himself a successful man.

At this, Ye Wen moved his thoughts, and the two flying swords dissolved into motes of starlight before vanishing. His power reserves were abundant, so there was no need to disassemble the swords and reclaim them into his body, making the act feel costless. Every time he did this, Ning Ruxue’s cheeks would twitch slightly.

Ye Wen’s action drew another wave of awe from the martial artists in the arena, who couldn't fathom how the two longswords had suddenly disappeared.

“Immortal technique! It must be an immortal technique!” Ye Wen then gestured toward Li Xuan, inviting him. The two walked to the edge of the arena, and many rushed forward to examine the long trench in detail.

“The might of a single sword strike can reach such a degree! Moreover, it was sword control from a distance. Sect Master Ye truly deserves the title of Sword Immortal!”

“Well said!” Amidst the discussions, Ye Wen’s title as Sword Immortal was universally accepted. In the time that followed, tales of “Mount Shu’s Ye Wen defeating Li Xuan with one sword, displaying the divine power of sword control,” circulated incessantly throughout the martial world, and his title of ‘Gentleman Sword’ gradually yielded to ‘Sword Immortal.’

Of course, these stories were interspersed with rumors like: “The Mount Shu Sect is a sect of cultivation!” and “The Mount Shu Sect possesses numerous miraculous methods; mastery leads to immortality!” These claims attracted many aspiring disciples to Mount Shu. The most vexing aspect for the sect was that many of these applicants were solitary Daoist practitioners, and some even small Daoist sects arrived collectively, eager to investigate what the Mount Shu Sect was truly about. However, that was a matter for later.

Turning back to Li Xuan and Ye Wen, having settled the outcome in a single move, they no longer mentioned the duel, as if it had never happened. Li Xuan merely wiped the cuts on his forehead and arm casually and paid them no further mind.

“A few superficial wounds, hardly worth mentioning,” Seeing that Li Xuan was unconcerned, Ye Wen also said no more. The two retreated to the back courtyard, where Ye Wen set out fruits and wine in the room he occupied to entertain Li Xuan, whose status certainly warranted such hospitality.

Ye Wen and Li Xuan settled down, seated as host and guest. Ning Ruxue sat nearby, while Huayi continued her duties as a maid, pouring drinks for everyone and standing quietly aside.

Li Xuan first glanced at Ning Ruxue, then at Huayi, before his gaze settled on Ye Wen and he suddenly asked: “Sect Master Ye… are you willing to part with it?”

If this had been yesterday, no one would have understood the meaning of his question. But today, especially after Li Xuan’s declaration in the arena, everyone present understood what he was asking.

Ye Wen smiled, drained the wine before him: “This is no longer a matter I decide alone!” Upon hearing this, Li Xuan’s eyelid twitched instantly, and he immediately understood Ye Wen’s intended meaning.

He had intended to ask if, having reached such a level, Ye Wen would still pursue further cultivation, inevitably leading to shattering the void. Now that he had his beloved wife and concubines, his sect had finally become a first-rate power, and his prestige had peaked—could he truly abandon all that he had just gained for the ethereal uncertainty of shattering the void?

Yet, Ye Wen’s answer clearly told Li Xuan that the question wasn't if he could shatter the void, but when. Ye Wen was deliberately suppressing his progress, just like the Nine Sword Immortal, waiting until all matters were settled before ascending. This situation was far worse than Li Xuan had anticipated. He realized his defeat was not unjust; in fact, he suspected that if Ye Wen hadn't suppressed his power and held back, he might already be dead on Mount Shu.

Looking up again, he saw Ye Wen clasping Ning Ruxue’s hand behind him, smiling: “I have decided. I will take my Junior Sister with me when I shatter the void!”

That morning, the question he had posed to her on the bed was whether she was willing to risk the adventure with him. The confused Ning Ruxue at the time had no idea what Ye Wen meant. Now, she finally understood the intent of his morning words. As Ye Wen held her hand, Ning Ruxue immediately replied: “I am willing to accompany my Senior Brother, even if…” She didn’t finish, nor did Ye Wen let her; he interrupted immediately: “What are you saying? Our Senior Brother and Sister will join forces; what danger is there in shattering the void? We will surely be fine.” “Yes!”

Li Xuan looked at the pair, then raised his head and drained his cup. He clasped his fists and offered: “In that case, I wish Sect Master Ye and Madam success in shattering the void! I shall take my leave now!” With that, he stood and started toward the door, pausing only at the threshold: “If there truly is another world beyond the void, I, Li, will certainly seek out Sect Master Ye!” With that, he left without looking back. Soon after, a disciple reported that the Tianshan group had already departed the mountain.

“Master… this servant also wants to go with Master…”

With outsiders gone, Huayi softly called out. Ye Wen stood up and stroked her head, laughing: “Silly girl, how could your Master leave you behind?” Since he had decided to take his Junior Sister, how could he abandon Huayi? Both were dear to him; both were his women, and he would take them both when shattering the void.

Whether it would succeed, Ye Wen couldn't be certain. What he needed to do now was help both women increase their power as much as possible, at least bringing them close to his own level.

“There is still much essence left from the Crimson Fruit inside. That should be enough to boost both of their powers!” As for the method of increasing it… hehe…

Huayi saw the expression on Ye Wen’s face and immediately said: “Master is thinking of mischief again!”

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