Chapter 112
Chapter 112: sword stopping technique
With a sharp clang, Wang Jie’s sword was knocked aside. He swiftly spun his blade and thrust again, unsurprised that the elder could parry once more.
Yet his second strike was blocked as well.
Wang Jie flowed smoothly around his opponent, thrusting from every direction, but each strike was effortlessly deflected with gentle ringing echoes.
The elder stood rooted to the spot, his sword casually deflecting attacks from all sides, eyes calmly shut.
Wang Jie gradually increased his strength and speed, making each collision heavier. Sparks danced as swords clashed. Beneath the arena, the Outer Court disciples watched in hushed awe. They all knew this elder. Across the Outer Court, his fame was second only to Wu Ming.
Sword stopping technique.
This was the elder’s famous skill, renowned throughout the Outer Court. Even Inner Court disciples found it nearly impossible to break through. Elders themselves had come just to witness it.
Everyone had thought this technique would be the elder’s stepping stone. Yet, aside from becoming the second-most prominent figure in the Outer Court, beneath only Wu Ming, nothing else had changed. He still couldn’t enter the Inner Court. He still hadn’t even met the Sect Master.
Wang Jie’s astonishment deepened. He had already raised his sword techniques beyond the strength Wen Star Ru once displayed. Yet the elder still blocked each strike. That meant if placed on Blue Star, this elder would surpass even Wen Star Ru and Insect Xuan.
Those two were Heaven’s chosen prodigies of the Armor One Sect—any one of them could easily overwhelm their peers.
Yet the elder’s aura was steadily shrinking. Wang Jie knew he hadn’t reached his limit.
He increased his strength further, forcing the elder’s aura to contract from ten meters down to five, then three, and finally just around his body.
The elder’s eyes trembled, his blunt sword vibrating violently in his grip. His arm turned numb, losing strength. Though he could still deflect the strikes, his body was giving way. This was the brute force method of breaking a technique.
This youth possessed terrifying strength.
Suddenly, Wang Jie pulled back, standing calmly five meters away, watching curiously.
The elder exhaled deeply, his right arm trembling, barely able to hold his sword. Those watching beneath the arena felt their hearts shake. Most hadn’t even been able to see Wang Jie’s sword clearly, let alone understand how the elder defended.
All they knew was any of those strikes could have instantly killed them.
In the tower above, a man spoke solemnly: “Tell Junior Brother Lian not to come. He is no match for this one.”
The woman beside him didn’t disagree. Neither had been able to clearly see the sword exchanges just now.
Who would have thought such swordsmanship would appear in the Outer Court?
On the stage, the elder asked in confusion, “Why did you stop?”
Respect shone in Wang Jie’s eyes: “Senior has practiced this sword technique for a very long time.”
He had been observing if the elder knew how to cultivate or circulate qi. The result was clear: the elder did not. He only instinctively used his sword stopping technique, channeling his qi exclusively through it, with no conscious control.
Chu Yao had once said, “When a person punches millions, billions, even countless times, they naturally generate qi.”
Such qi could not be consciously controlled, but it became instinctual.
The elder was exactly like this.
To achieve this was no small feat.
Every swing of the sword required absolute sincerity, unwavering dedication. Without such resolve, even cultivating for an eternity would mean nothing.
That was what Wang Jie admired.
The elder gazed at his sword, eyes full of emotion: “Yes, a very, very long time.”
“Don’t laugh, little brother, but I came up with this technique when I was just a child,” he smiled bitterly, looking to the sky. “I must be a genius with the sword. The universe is vast; surely there must be a place for me. With ten-seal cultivation, I’ve surpassed them all, even star force practitioners. Yet lock force confines me. No matter how unwilling I am, there is nothing I can do.”
Wang Jie tightened his grip on his sword. In this elder, he saw his own future reflected.
[Is there truly no future?]
As the elder turned away, having reached his limit, he curiously asked, “Little brother, had you attacked again, I would have lost. How did you stop at exactly that moment?”
This was also the question of the man in the tower. None could clearly see the elder’s state during the duel, but afterward, seeing his trembling arm, everyone realized one or two more strikes would have finished it. Yet Wang Jie had stopped precisely then, an act stranger than winning itself.
Wang Jie replied softly, “I felt it in my heart. Perhaps I, too, am a sword genius.”
The elder laughed heartily, “Good, good! A sword genius indeed! Ha-ha-ha! Interesting!” His laughter faded as he walked away.
Of course, Wang Jie had known the elder’s limit clearly—because he had been controlling it.
At this moment, none of the Outer Court disciples dared mock Wang Jie anymore. They hadn’t even clearly seen his sword shadows. Silently, they drifted away.
Time passed slowly.
No one from the Outer Court dared challenge him again. That elder represented the very peak of Outer Court swordsmanship.
Wu Ming arrived soon after, hearing someone had dominated the Outer Court. He assumed it was an arrogant Inner Court disciple, never imagining it was Wang Jie.
“Honored guest, what is this about?”
“Training my sword through battle. Please forgive me.”
Wu Ming smiled bitterly, “Had I known it was honored guest, I wouldn’t have let those Outer Court fellows embarrass themselves.”
Wang Jie regarded Wu Ming seriously, “Do me a favor. Spread word of this to the Inner Court. I want them to know that even if lock force has no future, it can still possess the present.”
Wu Ming was astonished, then bowed gratefully, “Thank you, honored guest.”
Wang Jie wished to spread his sword’s fame, yet his heart also sought to change the fate of lock force practitioners. The elder had moved him deeply. If he was to become famous, he would go all the way. Moreover, he still owed Wu Ming gratitude for forging his sword.
Shortly after, Inner Court disciples arrived.
Inner Court disciples were all Star Breaking Realm, usually unwilling to involve themselves with Outer Court affairs. But hearing an Outer Court fighter regarded them as mere targets, unable to challenge directly only because of his status, how could they bear it?
The Outer Courts were done. Now it was the Inner Court’s turn.
In the tower, the woman asked, “Not stopping them? They have no idea what they’re facing. Going up is just embarrassing.”
The man shook his head, “Only Jin Chu could stop them here. She’s Inner Court’s number one—not me.”
The woman realized he was also hesitant, “What about you? Will you go?”
The man stayed quiet.
“You might have no choice, Senior Brother.”
Confused, the man turned to her.
She showed him a message: “Let Li Mo draw his sword.—Mu.”
The man was Li Mo.
He sighed helplessly, “Senior Brother Mu already knows about this?”
She smiled, “Probably Junior Brother Lian told him. I contacted Lian, telling him not to come, so he must have informed Mu.”
“That loudmouth.”
Their attention returned to the stage, respect deepening into fear.
Victory?
After witnessing those sword exchanges, victory seemed impossible. Why even try?
Yet Mu’s orders couldn’t be ignored.
Li Mo reluctantly descended the tower.
The woman watched eagerly, awaiting Senior Brother’s embarrassment.
Far away, atop Rainbow Peak, stood a mountain called Little Sword Mountain, owned by Mu, reserved for sword cultivators of the Inner Court. Legendary swords—even four-tribulation star artifacts—lay hidden there. Entry required Mu’s approval.
Mu stood atop the mountain’s sword-shaped peak, observing two Inner Court disciples sparring below, sword qi sweeping violently.
“I’ve sent Li Mo. We’ll see how long he lasts against this challenger.”
A voice behind warned, “That person is cunning and surely hides his true strength. Be careful, Junior Brother.” It was Yin Bei Yi speaking.
Mu ignored Yin Bei Yi. The man had come urging Mu to confront Wang Jie, driven by grudges from Green Mountain City. Mu disliked him deeply.
Meanwhile, at the Outer Court, Wang Jie faced an Inner Court woman whose sword was small and snow-white, almost like a dagger.
She teased playfully, “Junior Brother, I’m Star Breaking Realm. Be careful.”
Wang Jie gestured politely, “Swordplay only—no cultivation. Senior Sister, please hold back.”
The woman giggled, “Don’t worry, Junior Brother, I won’t hurt you. The Outer Court rarely sees such a cute junior.”
Wang Jie…
With a soft tap, her sword hilt gently knocked her off the stage.
Stunned, she stared up at Wang Jie, who waved her away kindly.
She stubbornly challenged again, and fell once more. Enraged, she prepared to unleash her star force, but a cold voice halted her: “Stop.”
Fuming, she turned sharply. Li Mo approached, gaze icy.
Wang Jie quietly watched as Li Mo stepped forward, blade radiating a bone-chilling frost.
A layer of ice spread around Wang Jie even before Li Mo’s blade arrived.