Chapter 674: Brothers, The Sword Comes

"So, a sword can be used like *that*!"

Just as he had been completely engrossed and lost after first encountering Mr. Bai's perfect version of the "Forging Furnace Technique," Li Fan now found himself similarly immersed in the endless mysteries of the "Breaking Heaven Heart Sword" after Mr. Bai's recent guidance, unable to extricate himself. He was so dazed that he didn't even utter a polite "Thank you for your guidance, senior," and didn't even know how he left the competition ground.

It was only after an unknown period, when the collective shouts of "Great Senior Brother" from outside jolted Li Fan awake from his epiphany. Li Fan followed the gazes of the crowd and saw Situ Yao, still appearing unsteady and not fully sober, being practically carried into the arena by two disciples of the Tianjian Sect.

"Wine, where's the wine?" Situ Yao hiccuped, seemingly oblivious to Mr. Bai opposite him, and vaguely asked those beside him.

"Situ, why pretend to be drunk?" Mr. Bai, however, wasn't annoyed; he said with a faint smile.

Upon hearing this, Situ Yao found it awkward to continue feigning ignorance. He lightly coughed, straightened his posture, and looked at Mr. Bai. A hint of helplessness appeared on his face: "Honestly, I was hoping to preserve my dignity as the Tianjian Sect's Great Senior Brother. But since you've seen through me, it seems I have no choice but to fight."

Situ Yao pulled out a wine gourd from somewhere and took a deep swig. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at Mr. Bai for a long moment. "Can't beat him, definitely can't beat him," he muttered softly to himself.

Though Situ Yao's words were quiet, they caused an uproar among the cultivators watching. It was well known that Situ Yao's true combat prowess was arguably the greatest in the Tianjian Sect. He hadn't seriously engaged in combat for many years, and no one knew the extent of his power. Yet, such an undisputed powerhouse of the Xuanhuang Realm, when facing Mr. Bai, had already openly admitted defeat before the battle even began!

Given Situ Yao's character, if he couldn't win, he simply couldn't; he disdained lying. What was the true identity of this seemingly ordinary man, and where did he come from? Instantly, the gazes of everyone in the Tianjian Sect, from top to bottom, converged on Mr. Bai, filled with doubt and astonishment.

"To act even when you know it's impossible – isn't that your life's motto, Situ?" Seeing Situ Yao's reluctance to make a move, Mr. Bai instead encouraged him. "That sword of yours has been hidden for a long time; it's time to bring it out and test it." His tone was light, but to Situ Yao's ears, it was like a clap of thunder. A strange aura suddenly surged from Situ Yao. He narrowed his eyes, staring at Mr. Bai, a hint of confusion flashing through them.

However, befitting a top-tier expert, he quickly composed himself, calming the doubts and surprise in his heart. "Since that is the case, it would be disrespectful to decline," Situ Yao said with a serious tone.

Stepping forward, Situ Yao extended his right hand and surveyed the Tianjian Sect disciples watching around him. He spoke with solemnity: "Junior brothers, bring forth your swords!"

Every cultivator in the Tianjian Sect, high and low, instantly heard Situ Yao's words, no matter where they were at that moment. They paused for a brief moment, then, without the slightest hesitation, cast their innate flying swords towards the sky.

As the Tianjian Sect's Great Senior Brother, Situ Yao had always been exceptionally caring towards every new disciple, never putting on airs as a senior expert. Whenever disciples faced difficulties, he would always step forward to help, even to the point of being biased towards his own. Situ Yao had served as Great Senior Brother for an unknown number of years, and there was hardly a disciple in the sect who hadn't directly or indirectly benefited from his kindness. At such a moment, how could anyone refuse the Great Senior Brother's request to borrow their sword? Thus, in an instant, thousands upon thousands of flying swords majestically soared into the sky, converging on Situ Yao.

For a Tianjian Sect disciple, the majority of their cultivation and combat power resided in their innate flying sword. From the Foundation Establishment stage onward, they would pour their heart and soul into forging their own flying swords, relentlessly enhancing their strength and lethality while gradually achieving perfect synchronization with them. Therefore, at this moment, with Situ Yao's command, "Bring forth your swords!" it wasn't merely thousands of flying swords being deployed. It was nearly half of the Tianjian Sect's total fighting strength. Thousands of sword energies crisscrossed, emitting various brilliant lights. As Situ Yao turned his palm into a pointing gesture, they whistled towards his target, Mr. Bai, to strike.

Countless flying swords converged into one, seemingly forming a colossal sword that spanned the heavens and earth in the void. It locked onto Mr. Bai from afar and arrived in an instant. It seemed as though in the next second, Mr. Bai would be pierced by a thousand swords and die a tragic death on the spot.

However, there was not the slightest trace of panic on Mr. Bai's face. He merely showed a faint smile, then raised the wooden sword in his hand. He confronted the myriad swords.

*Ohm...*

A sword's hum emanated from the wooden sword. Time seemed to freeze in that instant. Wherever the sword hum passed, the thousands of flying swords first halted their flight, suspended in mid-air. Then, their blades trembled violently, as if fiercely struggling against something.

Finally...

The first flying sword lost control and fell from the sky. It plunged into the ground, its blade shaking slightly. Then came the second, and the third. In an instant, thousands of flying swords rained down from the heavens, descending upon the earth like a storm. They densely covered the small area, forming an incredibly compact sword-tomb. Situ Yao's ultimate killing move, which he had cultivated for most of his life, was neutralized without even touching Mr. Bai's clothes.

At this moment, the Tianjian Sect fell into a deathly silence.

The wooden sword in Mr. Bai's hand hummed again. Afterward, all the disciples, including Li Fan, witnessed a scene that would be etched in their memories forever. All the flying swords stuck in the ground now voluntarily bent their blades towards Mr. Bai's direction. It was as if they were respectfully bowing to their emperor. Mr. Bai stood holding his sword, his expression serene.

"You are..." At this moment, Situ Yao seemed to finally recall something. His pupils contracted sharply, and he blurted out.

Mr. Bai smiled faintly and lightly waved the wooden sword again. Instantly, the thousands of flying swords returned to their owners.

"I came today with a request," said Mr. Bai, who had resolved the conflict, as he casually tossed the wooden sword aside and smiled at Situ Yao.

"Please speak," Situ Yao replied, his voice filled with deference.

Mr. Bai looked around but didn't speak immediately. Situ Yao slapped his forehead: "Please, follow me."

With that, he led Mr. Bai towards the Tianjian Sect's main hall, leaving behind the cultivators, still reeling in shock and not yet fully recovered.

"Is this the power of true experts from the ancient cultivation world?" Li Fan was also stunned by the might of Situ Yao's earlier sword strike. He had a faint feeling that if that colossal sword, formed by combining the power of the vast majority of Tianjian Sect cultivators, had successfully struck, it might have been enough to tear open a rift in the Xuanhuang Realm. However, regarding Mr. Bai effortlessly neutralizing that sword, Li Fan felt little surprise.