The wind surged and the clouds roiled; the sun and moon lost their light!

The roiling clouds overhead seemed to congeal, gathering into dark thunderheads that promised a storm of violent lightning!

"What a terrifying phenomenon. Is this the power of a top-tier Sword Dao expert?" In the crowd, many Sword Dao practitioners held their breath, their faces paling in horror as they stared at the sky.

"This Young Master Ao is truly extraordinary!" Yu Hong’s lovely eyes landed on Ao Fang, a peculiar glint flashing within them.

’Legend says a true expert can trigger a Ninefold Phenomenon. This Ao Fang can only manage two. He’s nothing more than a third-class Sword Dao practitioner.’

’And to think he was arrogant enough to challenge the Four Great Elders. I don’t know whether to call him proud or just plain stupid!’

Zhao Zhijing grumbled internally, though he wore a smile on his face. ’This is not the time to offend a woman, especially one who’s clearly smitten.’

A hundred paces away, Tuoba Ye watched the scene coldly.

Yuan Daozhen stared straight ahead, as motionless as a stone statue.

The two brothers, Wan Jiansheng and Wan Guiyi, exchanged a look and, as if sharing a single mind, both shook their heads.

...

In the sky, a Third Layer phenomenon condensed for a moment before instantly collapsing.

At the same time, two or three streaks of light flew in from the horizon. A closer look revealed that they were Spirit Swords, flying from Sword Mountain.

Three Spirit Swords appeared in midair, one after another. Like swimming dragons, they circled Ao Fang with Spiritual awareness.

This was the Spirit Sword choosing its master!

Ao Fang’s aptitude for the Sword Dao was remarkable, having actually attracted the attention of three Spirit Swords.

All eyes fell upon the three Spirit Swords. The quality of Spirit Swords was also divided into various classes.

The higher the tier of a Spirit Sword, the stronger its Spiritual nature. When it flew, the light it emitted was purer and more brilliant.

The Spiritual Light from these three Spirit Swords was faint; they were likely Initial-stage Spirit Swords.

However, even Initial-stage Spirit Swords were rare treasures one could only stumble upon by chance. If nurtured by a Sword Master, these swords could even be upgraded.

Ao Fang’s expression was grave. He did his utmost to release his Sword Qi, probing each sword to see which was most suitable for him.

But in the next moment, Ao Fang’s expression changed drastically. Two of the sword-lights in the sky flew away, one after the other.

The Spirit Swords returned to their sheaths!

These two Spirit Swords had clearly looked down on Ao Fang!

Many of the experts who saw this couldn’t help but offer a moment of silence for Ao Fang!

Only the last Spirit Sword remained in midair, shimmering with a faint golden light. It swam around Ao Fang, still hesitating.

Ao Fang grew anxious. This was the last Spirit Sword. If it flew away, he would leave today with nothing!

Ao Fang pushed his Sword Qi to its limits. Amplified by his Black Sword, his Sword Qi condensed into a tangible, Light Gold sword-light.

He looked like a Celestial Sword of Light Gold!

After a long moment of hesitation, the final Spirit Sword stopped circling and transformed into a streak of light, landing in Ao Fang’s hand.

CLANG!

At the same time, the Qimen Greatsword on Ao Fang’s back flew out. The Spirit Sword shot from Ao Fang’s hand and, with a thunderous strike, shattered the Qimen Long Sword into several pieces!

One mountain cannot house two masters; one master cannot choose two swords!

Such was the domineering nature of a Spirit Sword!

Instead of being angry at this, Ao Fang was overjoyed.

All eyes watched Ao Fang with envy. That was a Spirit Sword that couldn’t be bought even for a mountain of gold.

A Spirit Sword has only one master in its lifetime. Unless its Sword Master dies, it will never serve another.

For the new students of All Stars Academy, an opportunity to obtain such a Treasure was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

To acquire another Spirit Sword would require some other special, fortuitous encounter.

Ao Fang walked down.

Blushing, the girl in the colorful robe suppressed her shyness and was the first to step forward and congratulate him. "Congratulations, Young Master Ao, on obtaining your new sword!"

Ao Fang’s gaze was fixed entirely on his new Spirit Sword. He cradled it, his eyes filled with obsession, and completely failed to notice the girl’s greeting.

As Ao Fang walked past Lû Chunyang, he shot him a cold, arrogant smile. "Well?"

Lû Chunyang retorted sharply, "Well what? What’s so great about a mere Low-Tier Spirit Sword? When my brother gets here, he’ll stomp you like a dog!"

"Your brother? And where is this brother of yours?" Ao Fang sneered, his hawk-like eyes glancing around, radiating a chilling aura.

"Don’t you worry, he’ll be here when he gets here. He wouldn’t deign to bother with a small fry like you!" A fiery light burned in Lû Chunyang’s eyes. If it weren’t for the rules of All Stars Academy, he would have beaten the man to a pulp right then and there.

Ao Fang laughed heartily. "I think he’s just scared, hiding in some hole, afraid to show his face!"

Lû Chunyang flew into a rage. "You..."

Seeing that Lû Chunyang was about to explode, Du Pingxia stepped forward and held him back. "You can’t fight here!"

Ao Fang glanced at Du Pingxia, swept his gaze over the others who were glaring at him, and with a cold smirk, turned and walked away.

Yu Yao came over as well. She glanced at Ao Fang’s retreating figure, then her gaze finally settled on the dejected girl in the colorful robe.

"Cousin? Are you alright?"

"I’m fine!" Yu Hong replied, shaking her head and swallowing her disappointment.

Yu Yao followed her cousin’s gaze to the distant figure. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally tried to reason with her. "Cousin, that man is too arrogant and condescending. He’s not right for you!"

Yu Hong’s fine brows furrowed, and a trace of displeasure crossed her face. "Seventh Sister, what nonsense are you talking about? Young Master Ao isn’t like that. That’s just everyone else’s prejudice against him!"

Seeing Yu Hong’s expression, Yu Yao swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Back on the Sword Testing Platform, seeing Ao Fang successfully have a Spirit Sword acknowledge him as its master, the gazes from the crowd grew fervent.

An exceptionally handsome Martial Artist stepped out.

He was dressed in white, with the noble bearing of a gentleman of jade. His features were dashing and handsome, and a gentle smile graced his lips. Many of the young women watching called out his name.

"Shangguan Yun!"

Shangguan Yun’s performance was even more astonishing. His Sword Qi was filled with a Vast Righteous Qi, like that of a true and virtuous gentleman.

One after another, a full Three Layers of phenomena appeared.

He attracted a total of six Spirit Swords, their Spiritual Light faint!

In the end, a Bai Yu Spirit Sword inlaid with a gemstone chose him.

The Spiritual Light and Spiritual Qi emanating from this Spirit Sword were overpowering, open and honorable—a perfect match for Shangguan Yun.

Once this Spirit Sword had chosen its master, the other five flew away one by one.

Shangguan Yun had obtained his most desired and suitable Spirit Sword!

This made many of the other geniuses eager to try their luck!

This was a true feast; obtaining a suitable Spirit Sword meant a massive increase in strength!

Several youths who were confident in their Sword Dao cultivation stepped out from the crowd and walked toward the Sword Testing Platform. The next moment, with several heavy THUDS, a few dark figures were sent flying back, spitting blood as they fell.

The youths lay sprawled on the ground, groaning and whimpering, unable to get up.

This snapped many people out of their fervent haze.

These few geniuses were not unknown nobodies. Every one of them was quite famous at All Stars Academy, and the best among them was even hailed as one of the strongest of the younger generation.

And yet, the outcome was still lamentable!

"These few all had high Sword Dao Realms. One of them had even touched the threshold of the Sword Dao Second Realm, the Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Sect, but alas, it still wasn’t enough!"

Zhao Zhijing shook his head.

Getting onto the Sword Testing Platform was no simple feat.

’To comprehend the Sword Dao Second Realm at such a young age is incredibly rare!’

’An ordinary Swordsman would find it difficult to reach this stage without decades, or even centuries, of accumulated foundation.’

’Only true prodigies could step onto that Sword Testing Platform! Ao Fang really did have the capital to be arrogant!’

After nearly ten more Sword Dao experts had successively obtained a Spirit Sword’s acknowledgment, Du Pingxia stepped onto the Sword Testing Platform under everyone’s watchful gaze.

The phenomenon Du Pingxia triggered was astounding. It actually reached the Fourth Layer! Seven-Colored Sword Qi shot to the heavens, the wind and clouds surged, ten thousand bolts of thunder roared, and countless streams of Sword Qi smelted together, transforming into a rain of glimmering motes of light. Nearly eight Spirit Swords were drawn out.

The eight Spirit Swords even began to fight amongst themselves to claim this Sword Master. Only after the strongest of them, a Seven-colored Spirit Sword, defeated the others did the rest depart reluctantly.

This scene left everyone utterly stunned!

(There will be another Chapter later around one o’clock. Please recommend and add to your library~)