Chapter 1074: Life Sword Triumphs

"Who's that? Just a Golden Core stage cultivator, daring to be so arrogant? Didn't he see Senior Brother Hua, a late Nascent Soul cultivator, defeated in a single move?"

"It's the inner disciple Ji Zhaoxuan! Usually quiet and unremarkable. I can't believe he'd step forward at a time like this!"

"Good! Truly a disciple of my Heavenly Sword Sect. Even knowing he's outmatched, he still dares to draw his sword! For that alone, he's one of the best among the inner disciples!"

The Heavenly Sword Sect disciples watching from the sidelines conversed animatedly, some scornful, others admiring, and some even reverent.

Li Fan, however, paid no mind to the surrounding chatter. He simply fixed his gaze on Mr. Bai. "Your strength, sir, surely far surpasses mine. But if we only speak of the comprehension of the Way of the Sword, I doubt you are necessarily stronger than I."

Li Fan spoke with utter confidence, while Mr. Bai merely smiled faintly, offering no rebuttal.

"Therefore, in today's match, we shall only compete on whose Way of the Sword is superior, not on the level of our cultivation!"

At these words, everyone present was stunned.

"Is he asking the opponent to maintain his cultivation realm at the Golden Core stage for the match?"

"Is that even possible?"

"Pah! How shameless!"

"I don't see why not. After all, this guest's cultivation is unfathomable. If he truly exerted his full power, perhaps only our Chief Disciple could defeat him."

Mr. Bai did not seem to mind Li Fan's somewhat impolite request. He nodded and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I never bully the weaker."

With that, the profound aura that had originally emanated from him instantly subsided. He became like Ji Zhaoxuan, whom Li Fan possessed, with only late Golden Core stage cultivation.

Li Fan cupped his hands, his expression solemn. "Since that is the case..."

"See my sword!"

Before the words "See my sword" had even left his lips, Li Fan had already made his move. By the time the onlookers heard Li Fan's roar, a phantom image of a colossal sword had already descended upon the world.

It plummeted from the sky, its tip aimed directly at Mr. Bai's head. Around the giant sword, countless different divine swords seemed to be embedded. The colossal sword itself was like the emperor of swords, drawing forth countless streaks of sword energy that intertwined and shone brightly.

At the scene, all the Heavenly Sword Sect disciples watching were unable to control their natal swords the moment the giant sword appeared. They flew out in succession, hovering in the air, their blades humming softly, as if paying homage.

Not only that, but the entire Heavenly Sword Sect trembled slightly. It was as if something deep within the sect was awakening.

This earth-shattering spectacle instantly caught the attention of all cultivators in the Heavenly Sword Sect. Countless figures rushed to the scene. The arrival of a tipsy cultivator with a wine gourd prompted a collective gasp from the crowd: "Is that Chief Disciple?!"

"The Chief Disciple is here!"

Heavenly Sword Sect's Situ Yao, unlike his usual carefree self, now wore a grave expression, staring intently at Li Fan and Mr. Bai who were locked in combat.

The changes outside the arena seemed to have no effect on the two combatants whatsoever.

The moment the phantom giant sword appeared, accompanied by myriad other swords, a flicker of surprise crossed Mr. Bai's eyes. He sensed that the wooden sword in his hand had suddenly become much lighter. It was as if... the Way of the Sword condensed within his wooden sword had instantly transferred to his opponent!

*False Heaven's Deception Art, combined with my understanding of the Heavenly Marvel of the Wooden Sword. Caught off guard, it should be enough to instantly seize control of the Xuanhuang Sword Dao! However, Mr. Bai is an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao after all; this False Heaven's Deception Art can only be used once. So, I have only one chance!*

Li Fan's mind was unprecedentedly calm. Under his control, the giant sword solidified from its phantom state, and the myriad surrounding swords also manifested.

Like a sudden torrential downpour, countless sharp swords tore through space, forming a terrifying storm that swept across the surroundings. All the spectators present paled and quickly scrambled backward to dodge. Still, many Nascent Soul, and even Soul Transformation cultivators, were buffeted and thrown off balance by the sudden surge of the myriad sword storm, unable to control their movements. Not to mention the disciples with lower cultivation levels.

"What kind of joke is this? Is this something a Golden Core cultivator can unleash?"

"Could it be that Ji Zhaoxuan has been hiding his cultivation all this time?"

"Monsters! Today, we are fortunate enough to witness a duel between two monsters!"

The rampant sword energy obscured the view of most people. However, Dao Integration cultivators and those above that realm still stared intently at the center of the storm. They watched in awe as Mr. Bai, facing this world-destroying killing move, neither dodged nor retreated. He allowed the countless sharp swords to whistle and strike him.

Yet, strangely, these swords caused no harm to Mr. Bai whatsoever. Instead, they vanished silently, like stones sinking into the sea or snow melting into water. Only the wooden sword in Mr. Bai's hand seemed to have regained its vitality.

The myriad sword storm was endless, showing no signs of abating anytime soon. Li Fan, however, had quietly disappeared within the storm. Mr. Bai showed no intention of counterattacking, simply standing quietly in the center of the storm.

"The Sword of Xuanhuang..."

"I never expected someone in this world could grasp it to such an extent. Remarkable!" Mr. Bai praised sincerely. "It's a pity, though, that this alone cannot defeat me."

Mr. Bai's words echoed within the myriad sword storm. His gaze flickered, trying to pinpoint Li Fan's location. However, Li Fan had now transformed his body into a sword, merging into the myriad Ways of the Sword. Even Mr. Bai, as an incarnation of the Heavenly Dao, could not locate Li Fan for a moment.

The myriad swords roared, finally reaching their most tumultuous peak before settling. At the moment countless sword lights bloomed simultaneously, a seemingly ordinary wooden sword, hidden among them, appeared.

It flew silently towards Mr. Bai, advancing with unwavering resolve! Initially, it was just like any ordinary sword technique. However, as the wooden sword's speed increased, its momentum grew stronger. It was like a blazing inferno spreading across the horizon, or a meteor illuminating the darkness. Compared to it, all other sharp swords in the storm seemed dull and dim.

"This is..." Situ Yao and the other Heavenly Sword Sect elders watching were all filled with shock and regret. For this was the strongest sword, unleashed by sacrificing one's own life. It was also the final sword.

The Life Sword!

Mr. Bai naturally saw through the essence of this sword. He couldn't help but hesitate. It was just a match; there was no need to take the young man's life for the sake of victory. Moreover... the opponent's comprehension of the Way of the Sword was indeed rare in the world, and certainly not inferior to his own.

At this critical juncture, every additional talent was beneficial for the Xuanhuang World. It would be truly regrettable if he died in vain. As his thoughts raced, Mr. Bai made a decision.

"I concede."

The moment he spoke, he lifted his cultivation restriction. Using the power of the Longevity stage, he forcefully reversed Li Fan's life-burning process.

But... Li Fan had no intention of stopping at all. Even though his sword momentum was completely lost, his speed remained undiminished. In the end, the wooden sword in his hand still lightly pierced Mr. Bai.