"There's another one here!" Ye Xiu's voice suddenly came from behind Jian Hongchen, though everything was due to the Ghost Step, making it impossible for others to discern Ye Xiu's movements.

"Clang..." The brilliant stream of sword light plunged down once more, striking something in the air with a flash of sparks. The crowd below was utterly bewildered, but Jian Hongchen on the stage discerned the trick: the attack from behind was clearly Ye Xiu. Hadn't this fellow been lying down honestly on the ground? Why could he still be present here? A hallucination.

"Ah..." Before Jian Hongchen could react, Ye Xiu's aura manifested in yet another corner, launching another fierce rush towards him. As before, the protective Sword-Colored Stream of Light sprang to his defense, and the two clashed again, sparks flying wildly.

Jian Hongchen let out a long sigh, slowly realizing that everything was real—the Ye Xiu lying on the ground was real, and the Ye Xiu who had just attacked him inexplicably was also real. This was a manifestation of a single body, a sword technique so fast that onlookers couldn't catch his trail.

"What was the meaning of those last few strikes?" Wan Jian Xuanhu, despite considering himself a master martial artist, could not comprehend the situation. "That Ye Xiu has clearly fallen; what is Jian Hongchen hesitating about, what is he still fighting against?"

Wan Jian Canglong gripped his Peerless Heaven Astonishing Light with one hand. For the first time, he felt a sword expert's aura stirring deep within him. In that moment, he yearned to abandon his identity as the Great City Lord of Ten Thousand Swords City and leap down to spar with the warriors on the stage.

At this point, Jian Hongchen also slowly let out a breath, closed his eyes, and spread his palms. The two beams of sword light resting on his hands seemed to have lost their previous fierceness, becoming gentle and serene.

Hmph! Got any more ultimate moves? Ye Xiu moved his body at high speed, relying on the Ghost Step. Regardless of whether anyone noticed, the entire space above the arena was now filled with Ye Xiu's clones. This was the first time he had combined the Myriad Slashes with the Ghost Step; no one had detected it—what a fantastically cool technique.

"Ye Xiu, I know you are up there, and you should be able to hear me now. I am Jian Hongchen." A deep voice resonated from an unknown source, startling Ye Xiu into a cold sweat.

"This is the Blood-Hidden Sound Art. During the previous attacks, I mixed my blood into your body, which is why you can hear me speak. You can use the same method to converse with me."

"Jian Hongchen, you are Jian Hongchen! Why are you looking for me?" Ye Xiu could hardly believe such profound martial arts existed in this world. With something like this, perhaps he truly didn't need to bother with mobile phones anymore.

A slight murmur began to rise in the arena. People wondered what the motionless Jian Hongchen was waiting for, when he could clearly finish off the prone Ye Xiu with a single strike.

"Your speed is indeed fast, but you haven't witnessed the true Sword-Colored Stream of Light yet," Jian Hongchen's voice clearly carried a touch of arrogance. He stated plainly, "The Sword-Colored Stream of Light is far more than just these two light beams. However, our duel ends here today."

"What? What are you saying? It's over just like that?" Ye Xiu was confused. "Why? Haven't you been holding back your ultimate move? Let me have a proper look."

"Heh heh, I'd like to as well, but I suppose it will have to wait for another time," Jian Hongchen's laugh was soft, devoid of its earlier hostility. "Because of the Third City Lord, Wan Jian Qinglin."

"Wan Jian Qinglin!" Ye Xiu never imagined that the famed expert among the Three Great Swordsmen would be connected to the Third City Lord, Wan Jian Qinglin.

"Correct. We both serve the Third City Lord, which is why I have decided not to fight you," Jian Hongchen's tone was firm, showing no sign of deception toward Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu continued to utilize the Ghost Step, glancing briefly at the grim-faced Qinglin atop the high platform before bowing his head slightly: "What benefits can the Third City Lord offer to make even a Soul-Draining Youth like you willingly serve him."

Jian Hongchen slightly raised his head and glanced toward the sky: "The Third City Lord is a shrewd individual who naturally knows everyone's innermost weaknesses. I trust Young Hero Ye also swore allegiance to the Third City Lord for certain reasons."

Ye Xiu merely laughed, feeling that he and Jian Hongchen were kindred spirits, though he still held a slight question in his heart: "In that case, does the dreaded Soul-Draining Youth concede because he feels he is no match for me?"

"Hahahaha, then how much certainty of victory does Young Hero Ye estimate he has?" Jian Hongchen gently urged the sword light in his palm, his smile fading slightly.

Ye Xiu sucked in a sharp breath and considered carefully. Although he hadn't unleashed his full capability, according to Jian Hongchen, his Sword-Colored Stream of Light hadn't reached its peak state either. If these two truly let their hostility erupt and fought to the death, it was likely everyone present would perish as a result.

Seeing Ye Xiu remain silent for a long moment, Jian Hongchen stepped forward to explain: "This is all the Third City Lord's arrangement. Comparatively, your victory as an outsider will arouse the least suspicion; if suspicion arises, it won't fall upon the Third City Lord. I deliberately lost to you today not because I was outmatched; a duel between us is inevitable, and I eagerly await it."

"Heh heh, since you put it that way, I have no further questions. But tell me, Jian Hongchen, do you know how many swords are hanging above your head?" Ye Xiu was willing to follow the Third City Lord's plan, but he was still somewhat displeased by Jian Hongchen's arrogance.

"Then tell me, how many currents of air are there in this sky?" Jian Hongchen yielded not an inch. In terms of sheer arrogance, these two truly shared a certain understanding.

Ye Xiu was indeed momentarily deceived by Jian Hongchen. While moving, he couldn't help but look up at the sky, sensing only a faint, subtle breeze gathering in his direction. Was it an illusion, or Jian Hongchen's power?

"Alright, now is not the time for word battles. Haven't you noticed the Third City Lord is growing restless? What you need to do is defeat me without revealing your true strength, and I cannot lose too obviously either. We should discuss how to put on a good show for those on the platform."

"I think this way won't expose my full power, and you won't lose too much face," Ye Xiu understood Jian Hongchen's intention. Before Jian Hongchen could finish speaking, Ye Xiu let out a sudden roar, immediately revealing his multitude of forms across the entire expanse to everyone’s view.

"Look up quickly, everyone look up! Why is the sky full of people, all of that guy? How can there be so many? It’s sorcery, sorcery!" Everyone present was stunned by Ye Xiu's technique. Even Ah Jiao, who usually loved to oppose Ye Xiu, now had her mouth wide open, eyes staring. They simply could not accept the overwhelming sea of phantom figures.

"An illusionary technique?" Both Wan Jian Xuanhu and Wan Jian Qinglin were so startled they rose from their seats. "What kind of move is this? How can one person create so many phantoms?"