Chapter 327
Chapter 327: Wang Jie’s Steadiness
Beneath the veil of rain, all the sword qi surged toward that single strike, yet it shattered effortlessly, crumbling without resistance. The six blades of the sword rain technique proved unbearably weak.
Wang Jie moved, merging the power of the Starry Finger, and tapped out lightly with a single finger.
Yuan Mu’s sword pierced into the finger’s energy, its blade slicing through the lock force and even breaking the skin of Wang Jie’s finger. Drops of blood fell gently to the ground. Without pausing, it continued through, piercing the next Thunder Pattern strike Wang Jie unleashed. The lock force roared, transforming into a massive shield—Shield Mountain—crashing downward.
The sword stabbed into Shield Mountain and continued penetrating forward.
At the moment Shield Mountain shattered, Wang Jie thrust out his own sword. The blades collided, and in that instant, he felt immense, unimaginable pressure, as if heaven itself had decreed that his sword should have never left its sheath.
The sword shattered.
Yuan Mu’s sword stabbed into Wang Jie’s body, yet Yuan Mu raised his head in astonishment. [Something’s wrong!] His target had been Wang Jie’s head. Why had the sword pierced only slightly into the body, failing even to penetrate completely?
Wang Jie had used his Guardian Qi. Moreover, his muscles and bones had been tempered relentlessly over many years, and his strength had reached the absolute limit of the Star Breaking Realm. His physical defense was extremely formidable.
The sword had already pierced through numerous layers of protection. Its strength was depleted, and no longer enough to pierce completely through him.
After all, Yuan Mu was merely at the Full Star Realm.
To have come this far against someone of Wang Jie’s strength was already remarkable. Before participating in the Martial Gathering, Wang Jie knew many powerful talents existed in the outside world, but never had he imagined anyone could actually pierce through so many of his defenses.
It was no wonder that many had protested when Yuan Mu was denied Enlightenment Tea.
Wang Jie pressed his palms together firmly, trapping the sword’s edge, and stared at Yuan Mu: “When I say I’ll beat you, I will beat you. Arrogance doesn’t enter into it.”
With a clang, Yuan Mu’s sword shattered. Wang Jie seized a shard of the blade and casually slashed. Blood splattered onto the stage.
Yuan Mu slowly lowered his head, watching the blood seep down his robes, his expression gradually becoming blank.
His name was Yuan Mu, and never once had he imagined defeat in this battle.
His opponent should have been Shao Gu Chen or Wu Ming.
But he had lost. The one who had won was named—Wang Jie.
The moment Wang Jie achieved victory, Star Dome Visage’s prestige reached its peak.
Who would have thought a cultivator of Lock Force, a native from a marginal land in the Fourth Star Cloud without even a proper bridge technique, could defeat a genius of the Yuan Clan from the illustrious Sword Court? Particularly when that genius had hidden sword arts even Sword Court itself did not know.
Only Star Dome Visage had foreseen this, choosing to grant Enlightenment Tea to Wang Jie instead of Yuan Mu.
Wang Jie’s victory was the most vivid affirmation of Star Dome Visage’s authority.
Similarly, Hou Qing Ge’s earlier victory against Qin Xiao Shu had served as further proof.
When the next arena match began, no one paid attention. They were still gazing toward Wang Jie, faces filled with astonishment.
In the Sword Court area, Yuan Mu sat quietly upon his meditation cushion, expression serene.
An Elder slowly emerged from behind and approached Yuan Mu quietly.
“This junior was incompetent. Ancestor, please punish me,” Yuan Mu rose, bowed deeply, and knelt respectfully before the Elder.
Yet the Elder gazed into the distance and, instead of anger, laughed softly—laughed with genuine joy.
Yuan Mu was confused.
“All this time, this old man favored Yuan Bai more.”
Yuan Mu was not surprised. Everyone in Sword Court knew this.
“Because he is ruthless enough. The Sword Heart Demon Seed and Guiding Sword are both secrets passed down in our Sword Court, yet they differ greatly.”
“The Guiding Sword seeks improvement through avoidance, while the Sword Heart Demon Seed forces oneself forward.”
“You and Yuan Bai are equally talented, but he was more ruthless, which is why this old man preferred him. But after today’s battle,” the Elder turned to Yuan Mu, smiling kindly, “this old man now favors you more.”
Yuan Mu was puzzled: “Is it because of this disciple’s Myriad Transformation Void Sword Technique?”
The Elder smiled gently, shaking his head: “You misunderstand. It’s because you have experienced defeat.”
“Defeat?”
“Yuan Bai has never tasted defeat. He longs to challenge the Four Traveling Gods, yet he knows he’s no match, so he cultivates, patiently waiting for the Wandering Star Realm Martial Gathering. Before that, he refuses to lose. Until today, you were just like him, certain you’d never lose at the same realm. But today’s battle has shattered your pride and awakened you. Now you understand—there are always those stronger than you. Only with this understanding can you truly travel farther on the Way of the Sword.” The Elder’s expression grew stern as he spoke: “The Way of the Sword has never been invincible.”
Yuan Mu’s body trembled as he stared in shock at the Elder.
Everyone in Sword Court firmly believed that the Way of the Sword was supreme.
The Elder sighed deeply, continuing: “No method remains invincible forever, not even the Star Dao Celestial Technique. Those who believe themselves unbeatable will suffer humiliating defeat. You have already lost once, so this old man believes you will not lose again at the Wandering Star Realm Martial Gathering. I hope you will travel even farther.”
Yuan Mu bowed again solemnly: “This junior will never lose again—especially not to Wang Jie.”
The Elder shook his head with a gentle chuckle: “He is merely a Lock Force cultivator. Rumors say he’s backed by a Star Path Master, but the stronger he grows now, the harder it becomes for him later. At most, he’ll reach Wandering Star Realm. Eventually, he’ll fade into obscurity. You need not see him as your target.”
Yuan Mu fell into deep thought. [Is that truly so?]
Wang Jie’s victory was not due to an invincible strength, but steadiness. No matter how strong Yuan Mu’s sword was, it could not pierce completely through Wang Jie’s body. This was true steadiness. Would such a person truly fade into obscurity?
The arena matches continued, and finally, the most anticipated third match was about to begin.
Hou Qing Ge and Wang Jie had both justified Star Dome Visage’s choice of granting Enlightenment Tea. What about Wen Qing? His opponent was Jing Hong.
That youth possessed incomprehensible power, and everyone was busy investigating his origins.
Standing opposite each other, Jing Hong smiled cheerfully at Wen Qing through the barrier.
Wen Qing was watching him as well.
As a descendant of Armor One Sect’s esteemed Wen family, and younger brother to Tian Cang’s Star Guardian, Wen Qing held enough confidence to compete for first place, striving to follow in his elder brother’s footsteps. No matter how strange this opponent was, he would prevail.
The barrier soon vanished.
Just as everyone had anticipated, Jing Hong moved toward Wen Qing, a red envelope in hand.
Without speaking, Wen Qing raised his hand and curled his fingers, instantly launching an attack.
One of Armor One Sect’s eighteen ultimate techniques—Empty Grasping Hands.
Starforce twisted the air, distorting vision and swiftly enveloping Jing Hong.
Jing Hong appeared displeased: “You could just refuse my gift without attacking. You’re even ruder than the last fellow.” As he spoke, he extended both his index and middle fingers. Visibly, the starforce of Empty Grasping Hands seemed suddenly restrained, its crushing force slowing moment by moment.
Wen Qing paid no mind and approached Jing Hong using Armor Eight Steps.
If a single Empty Grasping Hands could defeat this person, it would be disrespectful to Elder Du Mu. Xi Ci had already lost miserably.
Holding his fingers still restraining Empty Grasping Hands, Jing Hong’s eyes flickered, noticing Wen Qing appearing on his right. Smiling slightly, Jing Hong changed his fingers into an open palm and grasped outward.
Wen Qing instantly moved to dodge, but the distorted starforce forcibly trapped him.
The Armor One Sect disciples gasped, stunned: “Empty Grasping Hands?”
Wang Jie stared at Jing Hong intently. Empty Grasping Hands—indeed, it was the same Empty Grasping Hands, with starforce identical to Wen Qing’s. How could Jing Hong possibly know Empty Grasping Hands?
Wen Qing was equally astonished. He tried using Armor Eight Steps to break free, but Jing Hong’s Empty Grasping Hands surpassed his own, leaving him trapped even with Armor Eight Steps. Forced into desperation, Wen Qing’s figure flickered, leaving behind an afterimage as he reappeared a hundred meters away.
Jing Hong regarded this move in surprise: “Impressive movement technique. Yet, it’s not purely a movement skill. Excellent—is this another secret technique from Armor One Sect?”
Many disciples stared blankly, confused. Only a handful recognized this skill as not originating from Armor One Sect, but rather from Wen Ze—one of Tian Cang’s Star Guardians. It was called the Qi Yuan Nine Shifts, Wen Ze’s signature technique.
Jing Hong praised warmly: “Keep going—I’d like to learn it.”
Wen Qing’s gaze turned cold, feeling humiliated. He struck out again, and the void rippled like heavy droplets of falling water, each drop transforming into palm imprints hurtling toward Jing Hong.
Jing Hong simply smiled and, stepping forward with Armor Eight Steps, effortlessly evaded.
The disciples were shaken once more.
Another ultimate technique from Armor One Sect. Either Jing Hong came directly from Armor One Sect, or—he was learning these moves as he saw them.
The second possibility chilled everyone to their bones.
What kind of being could instantly learn Armor One Sect’s supreme techniques just by seeing them?
Even Wang Jie, who himself had mastered Armor Eight Steps, knew no one could grasp it instantly. Yet, Jing Hong appeared to be doing exactly that.
Wen Qing was powerful. He unleashed nearly ten different ultimate techniques, yet not one move touched Jing Hong.
Armor One Sect fell into absolute silence.
In distant Tian Cang, Wen Ze slowly closed his eyes.
Some differences between people could be seen in just a glance.
Those differences could never be overcome.
“You should use that earlier movement technique again. It was truly impressive—I genuinely want to learn,” Jing Hong called out.
Wen Qing grew even more still, attacking repeatedly while carefully tracking Jing Hong’s every move, attempting to predict his path.
Yet Jing Hong’s mastery of Armor Eight Steps surpassed even Wen Qing’s. No matter how Wen Qing struck, Jing Hong’s path could never be caught.
Suddenly, Jing Hong thrust a palm forward—White Dew South Sky—heavy water droplets transformed into a mighty palm strike, slamming into Wen Qing’s body.
Wen Qing staggered backward, coughing blood.
This was Jing Hong’s first actual attack, and already Wen Qing was wounded.
To outsiders, nothing special seemed to have happened. It appeared more as if Wen Qing had been flaunting his power, only to be easily wounded by his opponent.
Yet, only Wen Qing himself knew the true pressure he endured.
Jing Hong’s Armor Eight Steps and White Dew South Sky had originated from Wen Qing’s own hands—but had now surpassed him entirely. And Jing Hong hadn’t even bothered concealing the techniques’ origins.
Abruptly, Wen Qing halted his attacks, looking directly at Jing Hong. He asked a question no one had expected: “If I had accepted your gift before, what would have happened?”
Jing Hong’s eyes brightened instantly: “Nothing bad. It would have caused you no harm.”
“Very well. Give it to me,” Wen Qing said, holding out his hand.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
Who dared accept that envelope? Strange laws governed this cosmic bridge—the stranger the action, the greater the danger. Especially when Jing Hong wielded such terrifying power.
Yet Wen Qing wanted to accept it.
Jing Hong withdrew the red envelope, stepping steadily toward Wen Qing.
Wen Qing simply held his hand outstretched. As Jing Hong approached, Wen Qing calmly took the envelope and put it away.
He truly accepted it.
Jing Hong smiled in admiration: “You might not be particularly perceptive, but you’re bold enough. Tell me—why did you accept my gift?”
Wen Qing said nothing, responding only with, “Let’s continue.”
No one else could understand this baffling choice. Why had Wen Qing suddenly accepted Jing Hong’s envelope?
Far away, in Tian Cang, Wen Ze stared intently at the glowing screen. He alone knew what his younger brother was doing—Wen Qing was testing the path for him.
Jing Hong’s strength was overwhelming, his presence oppressive.
The greater the pressure Wen Qing faced, the more clearly he thought of his brother. Accepting the envelope was his way of exploring the risks. For Jing Hong would surely reach the Wandering Star Realm, the Hundred Star Realm, and would inevitably set his sights on the Star Guardians.
Wen Qing wished to experience Jing Hong’s strangeness in advance, to prepare his brother for what lay ahead.
Wen Ze exhaled deeply. Qi Yuan Nine Shifts—he would not use it again.
In the entire universe, only he and his brother knew that technique. He would never grant Jing Hong the chance to uncover its weaknesses early.