Chapter 86: The Song of the Sword

Duanya, who had suddenly burst forth, sent a flash of solemnity through Ye Jiuyao’s eyes. That surging sense of danger made him treat his opponent as a mortal enemy, and he retreated at once, his figure exploding backward.

He tightened his grip on the long staff in his hands, his gaze fixed on Duanya, guarding against him at every moment. In the next instant, Duanya moved.

A dazzling radiance erupted from Duanya’s sword, while boundless divine thunder crashed across the heavens. The air crackled with the essence of lightning, and in a heartbeat a terrifying force took shape, blasting toward Ye Jiuyao to kill him.

Almost at that very instant, everyone’s gaze was drawn to that single sword, as though in that moment heaven and earth contained nothing else.

Sword Thunder.

Starry Staff Style.

Boom, boom, boom.

Bolts of divine thunder descended one after another, encircling Ye Jiuyao like the end of the world. Endless brilliance fell from above, a scene of dreadful majesty.

Yet behind Ye Jiuyao, the power of the stars rose to fill the sky. Each star seemed like a dantian of its own, sending an unbroken stream of star energy into the long staff in his hand.

Only now did the Starry Staff Style truly become the Starry Staff Style.

Staff shadows filled the void, dancing through the heavens. It was as if myriad things were galloping forth, as if a hidden dragon had surged from the abyss; boundless power burst out from between heaven and earth, racing toward the sky before crashing toward the sword thunder. The spectacle shook all who watched.

The moment the staff shadows and the sword thunder met, it felt as though even the heavens were about to collapse. Though they fought high above the steps, everyone below could still feel the earth trembling beneath them.

After a long while, when the aftershocks of battle finally faded, the truth within was laid bare, and all present stared in stunned silence.

The two figures seemed frozen in the sky, and in that instant time itself appeared endless.

Their eyes locked on one another, each gaze filled with an overbearing, arrogant light.

Their robes howled in the wind, while two terrifying surges of power seemed to fuse their bodies with this world itself. It was as if the boundless strength of the nine heavens could be used at their command. Utterly fearsome.

"What... are they still only at the mortal-sovereign level?"

"Such terrifying power!"

"If these two continue to grow, they will surely become among the leaders of this generation!"

"Leaffall Sect? We ought to make sure relations are handled properly..."

Though the battle had not yet ended, everyone’s thoughts had already shifted. Some looked at Duanya, some at Ye Jiuyao, each with calculating eyes.

"Duanya of the Leaffall Sect, I grant you one place."

Though Zhu Qing did not know where Ye Jiuyao had come from, the power the two of them had just unleashed left him shocked beyond measure.

Especially after learning that Duanya came from a ninth-rank sect, he had developed a fondness for talent. Even if Luo Qingyu might not look favorably upon him, the Heavenly Jade Sect lacked no female disciples; by arranging things later, they could absorb him into the sect all the same.

At this moment, on the Leaffall Sect’s side, the person who had come was another elder of the sect, and unfortunately he had not recognized Ye Jiuyao’s appearance.

Right now he was rejoicing over Duanya’s performance. Hearing the voices of congratulations around him, his heart was bursting with delight, though his face remained calm and composed.

He kept responding to the well-wishers beside him. Though nothing showed on his face, the corners of his mouth betrayed him, lifting ever so slightly.

On the side of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the leader was still Jian Yunzi, with two oddities standing behind him.

The man on the left held a sword upright at his side, while the one on the right glared angrily at him and even mocked him from time to time.

"If you’re so capable, then go ahead and do it. What’s the big deal about beating me..."

Jian Yunzi looked utterly embarrassed, but when he saw that proud figure standing alone, excitement flickered in his eyes.

His breakthrough into the Sage Monarch Realm was entirely due to the young man standing so arrogantly before him, yet he did not dare step forward to thank him.

After all, upon emerging from seclusion, he had heard of the Transcendent Sect’s reckless conduct. They had made enemies on all sides, even offending several eighth-rank sects, who were already dissatisfied and intended to wipe out the Transcendent Sect after this grand gathering.

If he rashly went over now, perhaps Ye Jiuyao would lose his life.

Elsewhere, other prodigies were also stirring, all watching the two proud figures standing there, each pair of eyes shining with the arrogance that belonged only to true heavens-entrenched geniuses.

"Many thanks, Sect Master of Heavenly Jade."

Duanya cupped his fists and bowed before retreating to the Leaffall Sect’s seats, though it was clear he was not in a good mood.

"Then let us continue."

"You may step down. Leave this matter to Qingyu..."

Though Zhu Qing did not know Ye Jiuyao’s identity, he recalled that earlier Ye Jiuyao had addressed Luo Qingyu as "Saintess," and thus assumed he was one of the sect’s disciples.

Ye Jiuyao was also sensible enough to withdraw to Luo Qingyu’s side. Zhu Qing frowned slightly; clearly, seeing Luo Qingyu standing together with a man displeased him greatly, though he said nothing.

"Heavenly Sword Sect’s Jian Ming, I ask for guidance."

Suddenly, a figure from the Heavenly Sword Sect soared upward. It was none other than Jian Ming, the very man willing to go through fire and water for his brother.

"Can you still hold on?" Luo Qingyu asked the female disciples.

"For the Saintess, how could we lack strength?"

"Qingyu thanks all senior and junior sisters." Luo Qingyu rose and bowed in gratitude, then sat back down and once again began to play her zither.

A clear and melodious zither note rang out, and everyone’s power was once again bound together. Ye Jiuyao watched as Luo Qingyu played.

"Looks like I’ll have to work harder, or I really won’t be able to protect you..."

As he watched Luo Qingyu playing the zither, tenderness filled Ye Jiuyao’s eyes, and the corners of his eyes curved into a crescent smile.

"Ha!"

"Draw-Sword Technique!"

Jian Ming suddenly spat out the three words in a cold voice, and the long sword in his hand erupted without warning into a brilliant white light.

Before anyone could even clearly see how Jian Ming had drawn his sword, the several hundred female disciples were already blasted by the overwhelming sword energy and sent tumbling off the steps.

The women were all stunned, but the most shocked of all were the spectators below.

That sword strike had been far too fast, faster than lightning, swifter than sound, so quick that the naked eye could hardly catch it.

"What a fast sword!"

"In a fight of equal cultivation, I couldn’t survive three moves."

"My swordsmanship falls far short of his."

Only Jian Yunzi and Ye Jiuyao could see it clearly. Fast as it seemed, in their eyes it was still too slow.

The instant Jian Ming drew his sword, he hesitated for the briefest moment. Though this strengthened his attack, it also caused a slight injury to his right hand.

In a prolonged battle, the one to lose would surely be Jian Ming.

Jian Ming swept a glance around, then stepped forward, his eyes filled with indifference, as though these delicate young women were nothing more than painted bones beneath crimson skin.

Seeing Jian Ming ascend the steps and head straight for her, Luo Qingyu played her zither once more, intending to temper her own skill, after all, this was a long-range attack.

Seeing this, Ye Jiuyao said softly, "Let me do it..." No one understood the power of the Draw-Sword Technique better than he did.

Luo Qingyu gave a slight nod. Ye Jiuyao stepped forward once more, instantly drawing the dissatisfaction of the assembled sects.

"Didn’t they say Luo Qingyu would guard the arena and the others would support her?"

"Exactly. The Saintess is looking for a dao companion, so why are some half-man, half-woman thing getting involved too..."

"Could it be... they are..."

"Mind your words!"

The crowd below erupted into discussion. Zhu Qing’s expression darkened, but Ye Jiuyao’s voice rang out.