World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 531: Sword Cultivators Clash! A Hundred Swords Ring!

Chapter 531: Sword Cultivators Clash! A Hundred Swords Ring!

Smiling, Li Tianyiao gestured for Wang Sheng to step forward. "Daoist Friend, are you perhaps hoping to show me a few moves?"

Wang Sheng cleared his throat. "Ahem."

He unhurriedly walked out. Feeling all the gazes on him, he could only smile bitterly inside.

He actually didn't want to draw attention from the Celestial Wind Sect. However, Lishang had been outplayed and lost a round, and no one in the Xinghai Sect could step up to fight. Hence, he had no choice but to recover some face for the sect for one simple reason.

There were many cultivators with deep schemes, but there were just as many pure-minded ones—"hermit" immortals who focused only on cultivation.

The brilliance that Li Tianyao had shown was too dazzling. On the surface, he simply seemed like a young man flaunting a bit of pride. However, he clearly had another purpose: to use this moment to show the Celestial Wind Sect's strength before the Xinghai Sect.

If the Celestial Wind Sect achieved that goal today, then it would be far easier for them to secretly poach the Xinghai Sect's members or weaken and swallow the sect itself. Wang Sheng, who planned to take the Xinghai Sect for himself in the future, couldn't just sit back and watch.

Hence, he stepped out, walked forward two steps, and smiled. "Do you eat celestial fruit, Young Master?"

Li Tianyao frowned, unsure of what Wang Sheng was trying to do.

Wang Sheng walked to the broken sword stuck in the ground. He picked up the celestial fruit resting on the hilt, let out a light yelp of surprise, then flicked it behind him.

"Why is that fruit so prickly to the touch?"

The immortals of Xinghai Sect looked down, and the expressions of dozens among them darkened.

The celestial fruit quickly turned blue-green, releasing faint strands of immortal qi. The ground within three chi of it began to turn the same color.

The Xinghai Sect's elders, Protectors, and disciples were initially stunned, but they swiftly understood. One by one, they gave Li Tianyao complicated looks.

Due to her position and seniority, there were matters that Lishang couldn't speak of.

Hence, in her stead, Wang Sheng pointed out that the snake-marked immortal sword had not snapped because Li Tianyao had struck it too hard. Rather, Delicate Wind Rainbow was imbued with a strange force that had been eating away at it.

Lishang had not been careless or easily tricked. She simply had not expected Li Tianyao's immortal sword to be so "devilish." That was also the reason behind her closing remark.

"Your sword is formidable, Young Master."

Lishang naturally saw no need to explain what had happened further. She had lost as soon as she released the restraints on her cultivation, and that was all there was to it. Though she had been tricked, she could only accept it.

To prevent the Xinghai Sect's members from losing heart, Wang Sheng revealed the truth.

Seemingly unmoved, Li Tianyao merely watched Wang Sheng with a smile. "Delicate Wind Rainbow is certainly somewhat domineering. My six immortal swords all have uncommon origins, but I didn't intend to damage Senior Lishang's immortal sword. Anyway, are you a sword cultivator, Daoist Friend?"

"I'm not even sure if I count as one." Wang Sheng sighed. "To be honest, I'm not as wealthy as you, Young Master. I don't even have any reliable immortal weapon right now, and the sword art I know isn't that profound."

Still smiling, Li Tianyao replied. "My master once said that sword art is merely a way to wield the sword. None is ever superior or inferior to the rest. If a sword art is honed to perfection, one naturally comprehends the essence of its sword intent. May I ask how I should address you, Daoist Friend? Which of the three Dao of the Sword do you train in? Heavenly, Earth, or Human?"

Wang Sheng's eyes brightened. "The North-River Sword Sect also emphasizes the division between the Heavenly, Earth, and Human Dao of the Sword? I thought my master just made that up."

Li Tianyao was momentarily rendered speechless, though his eyes grew more serious.

Everyone else, including the few sword cultivators in the area, couldn't even understand what the two were talking about.

Wang Sheng added, "I only know the one sword art that my master taught me. It belongs to the Human Dao of the Sword, which governs oneself.

"The Earth Dao of the Sword borrows nature, while the Heavenly Dao of the Sword manifests heaven and earth. Considering the sword art you used earlier moved with and borrowed the wind, could it be from the rumored Earth Dao of the Sword?"

Finally, Li Tianyao showed some interest. "Correct. You still haven't given me your name, though, Daoist Friend."

Holding the broken sword, Wang Sheng answered flatly, "Kachew."

Pure Yang Enchanted Power flowed from his palm and quickly drove out the streaks of blue-green aura on the weapon.

"I'd rather not embarrass myself before you, Young Master, but hearing of the Earth Dao of the Sword truly makes my hands itch."

Li Tianyao frowned. "Do you not even have a personal sword, Daoist Friend Kachew?"

"I had one." Wang Sheng glanced toward Linyuan and sighed. "But an elder took it earlier, saying he would forge me another. It seems it is not finished yet."

Looking embarrassed, Linyuan stepped forward, held out Wang Sheng's greatsword, and handed it back to him. "We simply haven't found a master craftsman yet."

"No need. This one will do." Wang Sheng shook the broken sword in his hand and smiled. "The material of this immortal sword is far better than my previous one. It is shorter now, but it doesn't matter. I only wish to see your swordplay anyway, Young Master."

Li Tianyao looked a little helpless. Still, he didn't lend one of his six immortal swords. He formed a sword finger with his right hand and summoned Delicate Wind Rainbow back into his grasp.

Wang Sheng stood ten meters away. As though he knew he would likely lose, he was completely relaxed. His aura was loose yet faintly gathered, and his eyes were calm. It was as if he simply wished to witness a formidable sword art.

Linyuan transmitted to Wang Sheng, "No need to force yourself, Young Friend. You may concede later. Do not let pride sway you."

Wang Sheng nodded subtly enough to ensure it wouldn't be noticeable.

Deep down, he was extremely curious about the North-River Sword Sect. He wanted to know how Earth's sword sects compared to one of the Eastern Sky Region's top ten sects.

At first glance, the young sect master's floating willow footwork looked profound. However, after some thought, he realized it was simply clever.

Most of the Xinghai Sect's cultivators thought Wang Sheng had gone mad trying to show off, while some thought he could truly be trying to learn more about Li Tianyao's Dao of the Sword. Only a few, like Linyuan and Yao Xingzi, believed that he wasn't being reckless. Considering all that he had done so far, he was hardly an ordinary unaffiliated practitioner.

"Since we are exchanging pointers, I will follow Vice Sect Master Lishang's example and suppress my cultivation," Li Tianyao said. His aura then gradually dropped until it matched Wang Sheng's. "How about we set a limit of ten sword techniques? If you can withstand my sword art, I will concede. What do you say?"

Wang Sheng smiled gently, seemingly sighing in relief. "Very well. I will shamelessly accept this advantage, Young Master Li."

He then twirled the broken sword in his hand and sighed internally.

What a pity. This was such a fine sword.

Inside the palace, the two Heavenly Immortals let out a soft exclamation. They set down their teacups and focused on Wang Sheng, from whom a trace of a peculiar Dao Rhythm swept out.

A faint sword cry then echoed. Within several hundred meters, the swords that the dozens of immortals in the area had brought all simultaneously rang softly. The five immortal swords in the sword attendants' hands were no exception.

Li Tianyao immediately frowned a little.

A hundred swords resonating together? A venerable king's Dao of the Sword? Can his Dao of the Sword be... No, that's impossible. He doesn't seem that old. Although one's mere cultivation realm can't make a hundred swords resonate, he's only at the peak of the Primordial Immortal Realm, and he's half an unaffiliated practitioner. His Dao of the Sword can't possibly be this pure.

Wang Sheng gestured politely with his left hand. "Young Master Li, please make your move."

Li Tianyao, who had been wondering how Wang Sheng had made the swords resonate, subconsciously took half a step forward. Only then did he realize that taking the initiative to attack likely wouldn't be appropriate. However, he had already made the first move; he couldn't back out now.

Using Delicate Wind Rainbow, Li Tianyao casually unleashed a sword technique. The sword phantasm turned into dozens of wind blades slashing toward Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng drew in a sharp breath. "Hiss!"

His smile vanished. Instead of retreating, he calmly and steadily advanced two steps. He then lifted his broken sword and sliced downward. It looked just like a random hack, but if examined closely, it was far more profound; it was a basic sword technique of the Wudang Mountains, dismantled and used piece by piece.

The immortals in the area watched as Wang Sheng remarkably avoided most of the wind blades thanks to the two steps he had taken, which had seemed completely casual at the time. The few seemingly messy chops perfectly shattered the rest.

Li Tianyao narrowed his eyes slightly, and the corner of his lips curled with faint amusement.

Wang Sheng shook his broken sword. "Young Master Li, why not take one sword strike from me as well?"

Everyone knew that sword cultivators fought in a turn-based manner.

Wang Sheng tapped his foot. He leaned forward and, using the Taiyi Golden Immortal Sword Art's accompanying movement technique, shifted from utter stillness to extreme speed. Two afterimages trailed behind as he unleashed a sword technique from the same sword Art.

Although Wang Sheng wasn't that familiar with the sword technique since he rarely used it after gaining the Pure Yang Sword Song, it happened to be suitable for this match. After all, it closely resembled Lishang's first strike but had a completely different sword essence.

Lishang's sword art from the Ancient Era was strange and deceptive. Every step was a killing move. Meanwhile, Wang Sheng's Taiyi Golden Immortal Sword Art imbued a magnificent aura into his attack, which was locked onto Li Tianyao's entire qi circulation.

Li Tianyao didn't plan to step back or dodge at first. On the contrary, he instinctively tried to counterattack. However, as his sword momentum began to rise, he sensed how overbearing the attack was.

He didn't even have time to switch to another sword intent. Hence, he instead lightly tapped the ground, like a dragonfly skimming water. He then spread his arms, extended his left leg, and used the force of Wang Sheng's strike to gracefully back off.

An arrow released from its bow would gradually lose power.

When the force on Wang Sheng's sword began to weaken, he fluttered like willow fluff. He appeared at his opponent's left side and swung his sword at his chest.

As though anticipating this moment, Wang Sheng made his sword radiance suddenly scatter. He then casually transferred the broken sword into his left hand and thrust it straight into Li Tianyao's sword phantasm.

In the next instant, a crisp clang rang out. The broken sword's edge pressed exactly against the tip of Li Tianyao's sword.

Wang Sheng slowly turned his head and smiled faintly at him.

Li Tianyao's "willow fluff" sword technique relied mainly on footwork. It could be considered a wind-controlling Earth Dao of the Sword.

However, it was easy to counter because it had far too many flaws. Willow fluff was hard to catch because it always borrowed force cleverly, but he could not stay on the defensive forever. The moment he launched an attack, the sword technique would reveal its own openings. While borrowing force, he could not transform that force into power for his counterattack.

In essence, the sword technique itself could simply be unsophisticated, which would explain why it had so many weaknesses, or Li Tianyao had not mastered it yet and relied on Delicate Wind Rainbow to carry out hidden calculations.

As soon as the broken sword met the tip of his blade, Li Tianyao suddenly sensed two opposing forces simultaneously coming from the immortal sword in his hand. One pushed, while the other pulled.

The broken sword seemed sticky. Instead of being knocked aside, Delicate Wind Rainbow stuck to the broken sword for a moment.

Wang Sheng's left hand then trembled slightly, and his Dual-Polarity Sword Intent transformed into Tai Chi. Wang Sheng redirected most of the force coming from his opponent's strike onto the broken sword and combined it with his own power.

Delicate Wind Rainbow's blade bent slightly, then was flung away.

Li Tianyao staggered back several steps, and the ground cracked beneath him. Still, through his footwork, he quickly drifted back like willow fluff. Even his retreat appeared elegant.

Now, his eyes had a hint of wariness.

Wang Sheng felt slightly disappointed, but the North-River Sword Sect naturally couldn't compete with the Shu Sword Sect. After all, the latter's founder was the Wenqu Star, one of Ziwei's grand generals.

When it came to borrowing force and redirecting power, all kinds of flashy sword techniques were inferior to the Dual-Polarity Sword Intent.

As though recalling something, Wang Sheng did not pursue Li Tianyao. Instead, he stood in place and smiled. "Did that count as one technique or two?"