Book 2 : The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash Chapter 104

Cang Zhengchu’s voice resounded like a thunderclap, stunning everyone.

*The Third Realm of Sword Intent: Sword Heart Connection!*

Sword Intent has three realms: Mind Synchronization, Manifestation, and Sword Heart Connection.

Many cultivators cannot grasp Sword Intent before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, but once they do, they usually attain the second realm, Manifestation, due to their comprehension of the Dao.

However, the third realm, Sword Heart Connection, cannot be achieved by mere understanding of the Dao. Reaching this level requires innate talent and a unique encounter.

This realm touches upon the essence of the Dao itself. Not even Cang Zhengchu, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, had reached such a level. He was truly shaken.

Cang Zhengchu knew Ji Yan’s talent was extraordinary, but he never expected it to be so exceptional that Ji Yan could grasp a trace of the Dao at his current level.

If the Dao realized by ordinary Nascent Souls was as simple as “one plus one,” then Ji Yan’s understanding was more akin to the complexities of “one multiplied by one.” Such an understanding typically required not just the Nascent Soul level but rather a realm higher, such as Soul Transformation.

Xiao Yi’s jaw dropped, her eyes shining with admiration. Her senior brother was that incredible? She was in awe of Ji Yan’s talent and power.

But then she noticed her second senior brother, Lu Shaoqing, gripping his sword and readying a talisman, as if preparing for a fight.

“Second Brother, what are you—?”

Before she could finish, Cang Zhengchu’s voice echoed across the sky.

"Fine, Ji Yan, if you insist on going all out, then I will have to accompany you—even if it means risking my life!"

Though his words seemed polite, Cang Zhengchu showed no mercy in his actions. His figure appeared in the night sky, looking down from above. He raised his palm, gathering spiritual energy until it seemed to collapse the heavens around it, trapping Ji Yan and the ship in a crushing grip.

Xiao Yi’s pupils dilated with fear. She felt the breath of death as Cang Zhengchu unleashed a devastating strike filled with lethal intent. Now she understood why her second senior brother was preparing for a fight—Cang Zhengchu had decided to kill Ji Yan.

High in the sky, Ji Yan’s sword shot forward. Though it appeared simple and unadorned, the threat it posed made Cang Zhengchu hesitate. Ji Yan’s recent breakthrough to Sword Heart Connection had given him the power to wound even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator like Cang Zhengchu.

But Cang Zhengchu, knowing what such a talent could mean, was resolute in his decision. If Ji Yan continued to grow, he would push the Lingxiao Sect to dominate for centuries, casting a shadow over all other sects, including Guiyuan Pavilion.

While Guiyuan Pavilion’s Zhang Conglong was an outstanding disciple, he had always been defeated by Ji Yan, unable to claim even a single draw. Moreover, his position as the “second best in Qizhou” was unstable, with Xia Yu from Shuangyue Valley challenging his place. With Ji Yan’s new abilities, he had left Zhang Conglong far behind.

Cang Zhengchu, seasoned and strategic, knew that the only way to protect his sect’s future was to eliminate Ji Yan here and now.

Only a Nascent Soul’s mastery of the laws of heaven and earth could fully suppress Ji Yan’s sword. He struck out with his palm, the pressure in the air intensifying and warping space itself.

As his powerful strike landed on Ji Yan’s sword, the blade trembled and was knocked back, disappearing into the night.

“Ugh!” Ji Yan coughed up blood as his sword suffered damage. Seeing this, Cang Zhengchu’s eyes flashed with vicious intent. Ji Yan’s defiance only strengthened his resolve. He struck again, this time with all his might, determined to finish Ji Yan in one decisive blow.

A surge of force shattered the air, the surrounding spiritual energy forming a terrifying vortex. The space around them felt as if it were breaking apart.

Xiao Yi clung tightly to the edge of the cabin, terrified yet filled with hope that her second senior brother could somehow turn the tide. She watched as Lu Shaoqing’s talisman glowed, preparing for battle.

Above, Cang Zhengchu’s aura grew stronger, a smug look in his eyes. Victory over Ji Yan would secure Guiyuan Pavilion’s dominance for centuries. But just as Lu Shaoqing was about to release his talisman, a thunderous voice rang out.

“Enough!”

The voice rolled over them like a storm, scattering Cang Zhengchu’s attack instantly and restoring the ship’s stability.

Xiao Yi looked up in confusion. Her second senior brother had already sheathed his sword, his face calm once more. Ji Yan, meanwhile, had seated himself cross-legged, closing his eyes as he began to meditate, intent on refining his understanding of Sword Heart Connection.

Xiao Yi blinked, baffled, as the small red bird atop her head also peeked out, equally bewildered.

“Second Senior Brother…” she began, but before she could finish, someone landed on the deck of the ship.

She turned and gasped with joy. “Master!”

It was Shao Cheng. He scanned his disciples, relief flooding his face as he confirmed they were unharmed.

Thank goodness. If Cang Zhengchu had killed all three of them, Tianyu Peak would be finished. Now assured of their safety, Shao Cheng’s expression darkened with fury.

For him, always mild-tempered and kind-hearted, this was the breaking point. His anger surged, his voice a roar that echoed across the skies.

“Cang Zhengchu, you’re dead!”

With a fierce shout, Shao Cheng shot into the sky, unleashing his powerful aura as he slashed down with his sword toward the Guiyuan Pavilion’s ship.