Chapter 181: The Top of Their Generation

Chapter 181: The Top of Their Generation

Just as Ke Pingluan and Qin Qing Jue arrived at Mu Juncheng's residence, many on this planet silently turned their attention to this location.

"Haha, I knew it. When it comes to a fight, there's no escaping it."

"Sparring in the middle of the night, this Ke Jia boy and Qin Jia girl are indeed in sync. Is this the common trait of the Heaven's Pride Warriors of this era?"

"It's time to determine who's superior. Eventually, the warriors of this generation in the Federation must settle their rivalry. In crucial moments on the ancient Nine Provinces path, it will be the basis for leadership decisions, avoiding unnecessary conflicts."

"But this battle is a bit hasty. To determine the top of their generation, it's us old folks who are merely spectators."

"Placing bets, placing bets, who do you think will win?"

"Hmm... If it were before, I'd say Ke Pingluan, but now, it's hard to say, truly hard to say!"

On the edge of the sword, it seemed to stir the heavens and earth, with a hint of illusion like azure void, and a profound essence like thick earth, all converging upon this sword.

[...]



Ji Jingqiu gently caressed Qingzhu, and a crack silently spread across the blade.

Under the power of the heavens and earth summoned by this sword, his figure seemed infinitely small.

Facing this blade, Ji Jingqiu's spirit merged with Qingzhu, once again sensing a vibrant and burgeoning will within it. The battle intent in his chest was like a raging fire.

"I don't know if Brother Ji is free today to give me some guidance," Ke Pingluan said calmly, with an extremely clear goal.

In a certain sense...

The Great Void, the reality of the heavens, fills the ten directions and the eight wastelands of the universe.

Ke Qianchi spoke softly, "Compared to our ancestors, what are you and I?"

[...]



The fundamental truth contained in this strike was something even they had to face head-on!

[...]



Ji Jingqiu withdrew his gaze and looked towards Ke Pingluan and Qin Qing Jue, who had come to challenge him in the courtyard. A hint of battle intent arose in his heart.

"If we don't die today, we'll die tomorrow, and more will die then. It's not just the Federation citizens who will perish, but the six great families will also undergo a cleansing. Can your Mu Family be exempt?" Ke Qianchi asked coldly.

The sword's momentum rose.

The old man remained silent for a moment, then said, "We're all people of the Federation. With the war on the front lines, do they still have the face to start fires from behind?"

But only after truly entering this realm did they realize just how vast the gap between them and their ancestors was.

In an instant...

Staring at the sword hilt, Ke Pingluan fell into a daze for the first time.

Ke Pingluan calmly spoke and drew his sword.

The upcoming battle would directly determine who among the young warriors of this generation in the Federation was the top of their generation!

He seemed to stand tall with his sword amidst the heavens and earth.

Someone noticed Ji Jingqiu's actions and became interested.

[...]



In the end, he didn't forget to remind them, "Both of you, please hold back and don't unleash your full power."

Ke Qianchi glanced at the half-step predecessor and said, "Although he has an ordinary background, his demeanor and manners are appropriate, showing a good family upbringing. He's not someone born with talent that can compare."

Ji Jingqiu was not surprised but rather pleased, and he raised his sword to meet the challenge.

The sword clashed with the sword, and Ke Pingluan's sword shattered under the overwhelming power, its fragments scattering.

"The tensions in the West have been building for too long. Instead of suppressing them, it's better to take this opportunity to resolve them. Before the Nine Provinces invade the Great Universe, let's kill those who need to be killed and settle the conflicts to avoid having a fire in the backyard when the front line erupts in battle."

Ke Qianchi scoffed, "The advice I can give you is to always underestimate the limits and vision of certain people."

After speaking, his body didn't move, his black hair danced without wind, and a lofty aura rose. He raised his sword, and the martial energy within his body circulated to its limit, with the sound of turbulent water echoing within the training ground.

They say there's no opportunity within the Demiplane, so let's give Ji Jingqiu a chance. The family will create a buzz around him, allowing him to step on Ji Jingqiu and claim the top spot of their generation under the watchful eyes of everyone.

Everyone's gaze focused on his sword.

After that, he simply practiced his sword.

This sword actually stirred the power of the heavens and earth! Truly worthy of the Azuregreen Lineage, as he could stir the power of the heavens and earth with just mystic arts and insights! "Heavenly Secrets!" he exclaimed, "Brother Ji, be careful!"

Meanwhile, Yue Yourong and the others had long gathered around the training ground, smiling and enjoying their snacks, eagerly anticipating this battle.

Ke Pingluan stood at one end of the training ground with his sword.

For this challenge, he had no reason to refuse.

"I heard that this guy has already formed the initial stage of 'Unbound Heart'?"

More importantly, within this sword, it contained the principle of 'Sword Roaming the Azure Void', with his sword intent filling the heavens and earth.

He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Brother Ji, I have a secret technique I'd like to ask for your guidance."

If Ji Jingqiu could truly sense their 'peeking', that would be interesting.

Qin Qing Jue looked at him once more and said softly, "What's the name of this technique?"

This was his first time witnessing a martial art inheritance at the level of the Seven Master!

"Since we're here, let's fight first," Ji Jingqiu said, looking at Mu Juncheng beside him, "Brother Mu, please lead us to the training ground."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Ke Qianchi glanced at someone and said, "This guy is indeed far superior to Ke Pingluan. I hope he can truly support the Federation and win more 'Heavenly Timing' for us on the ancient path."

So, he chose to challenge him tonight.

Qin Qing Jue was as straightforward as the knife in her hand, decisive and efficient. The long knife in her hand suddenly disappeared, and when it reappeared, a thin beam of light shone, like a crack in the darkness, the light blossomed, illuminating the vast earth, questioning who would lead in the turbulent river of the vast sea! In an instant...

Even the Celestials present couldn't help but fall silent.

"From this day forward, there is no dispute that the first in this generation of the Federation is none other than Ji Jingqiu of Dragon Tiger Dojo!" someone declared solemnly.

"Excellent!" Qin Qingjue nodded, her expression serious as she placed her hand on the hilt of her blade, "This blade is named 'Dong Hai Hengliu'."

This simple gesture seemed deceptively straightforward, but in Ji Jingqiu's eyes, it posed a significant threat, as if the sword's edge filled the entire world.

"One Line of Vitality..." someone murmured softly.

...

An elder sighed, "Regardless of anything else, if a fight truly breaks out, those desperate dogs will jump over the wall, and how many innocent civilians will the Federation lose? Will the Heavenly Road be thrown into chaos? If the Heavenly Road is in disarray, the defenses will be in jeopardy, and how many calamitous demons will take advantage of the situation? Do you really think you can guarantee victory?"

"Hey, if you use the secret techniques left by your ancestors to fight Ji Jingqiu to a mutual defeat, what's the difference between that and losing before the battle even begins?"

"Can your blade still hold up?" Qin Qingjue took a step forward, not rushing to make her move against Ji Jingqiu, her gaze fixed on Ji Jingqiu's Azure Sovereign.

As Celestial Human Warriors, their minds could resonate with the heavens and earth, allowing them to harness the power of a planet for their own use. With a mere thought, they could perceive everything happening within the planet.

Facing this seemingly overwhelming blade that seemed to encompass all of humanity, Ji Jingqiu raised his sword and slashed, accompanied by a sense of extinction.

This sword had been with him for fourteen years, ever since he first picked it up at the age of six, and it had never left his side.

The few Archdukes he had been fortunate enough to witness had never displayed a move of this caliber.

He was well aware that this was the profound mystery of the Martial Path to Divinity, and Ke Pingluan had developed a unique martial intuition, allowing him to vaguely capture Ji Jingqiu's attack trajectory before making his move, thus seizing the opportunity to exploit his weaknesses.

On the mountain peak, the moonlight poured down like water onto the sea of clouds.

Ke Pingluan saw his own reflection in the blade.

After exchanging greetings, Ke Pingluan's aura changed, and he raised his sword to strike.

The long sword that had accompanied him in his martial arts practice for many years shattered at that moment, along with the eager expectations ringing in his ears.

From a young age, he had set his sights on his ancestors as his goal, determined to reach the pinnacle of the Martial Path and become a Supreme Grandmaster, standing shoulder to shoulder with his ancestors.

This move already possessed a level of power akin to the Law Principle.

"If you can withstand another strike, let's settle this in one move," Ji Jingqiu said, looking up at the short-haired woman with whom he had once crossed paths on the Four Guardians Star.

This woman's martial prowess had exceeded his expectations.

The only law left by Mu Shuai was the 'Fire Mansion Hell Visualization Diagram'.

Seeing Ke Qianchi preparing to leave, the elder said, "Aren't you going to meet my grandson and Ji Jingqiu tomorrow?"

His opponent no longer seemed to be Ke Pingluan, but the vast and boundless heavens and earth itself.

Just as he had never been interested in the first among his peers, only in the practice of martial arts.

Both Ke Pingluan and Qin Qingjue cultivated the complete Martial Path left behind by Ke Shuai and Qin Shuai.

Ke Qianchi glanced at the elder and said, "As long as we are here, everything is under control. But if one day we are gone, whether the world falls into chaos or not will be up to certain people."

He no longer had to practice the sword for the sake of the vague and distant goal of being the first among his peers, as he had already lost to a peer, disqualifying him from the competition.

Ke Qianchi remained calm and composed, saying, "He Shuai once said that it's better to be a selfish sun that only shines on the inch of soil around you when your abilities are insufficient, rather than being a selfless saint who cares for the heavens and earth but lacks the ability to illuminate everyone."

The elder's lips curled, "A Supreme Grandmaster doesn't have enough ability?"

Ji Jingqiu's mind flashed back to the explanation of the 'Void Returner' within the Dragon Tiger Dojo:

Ji Jingqiu sheathed his sword, his expression calm, "This blade is named One Line of Vitality."

"A fine blade!" Ji Jingqiu couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes gleaming with admiration. He unsheathed his sword.

"After this child sees the divine, he may be able to challenge Baiyu Jing and ascend to the highest position of Ten Thousand Years..."

Upon learning that it was a secret technique left by Ke Shuai, the onlookers' expressions changed, especially Yin Wushuang's, whose eyes remained unwavering. As a sword user, even though their paths were different, he didn't want to miss any subtle changes.

Amidst a long whistle, Ji Jingqiu stood as if at the center of the heavens and earth, raising his sword to strike!

The two top Grandmasters among the Celestial Human Warriors wouldn't miss this Dragon Tiger clash.

Before this, he had only crossed blades with Mu Juncheng, but the 'Immovable Bright King Body' that Mu Juncheng cultivated was not part of Mu Shuai's legacy. Instead, it was a Martial Path independently developed by a descendant Grandmaster of the Mu family based on ancient methods.

Mu Juncheng knew that this battle was inevitable, and reluctantly led the way, bringing the group to his exclusive martial arts arena.

Ji Jingqiu narrowed his eyes, his expression calm as still water, and muttered to himself, 'Void Returning to Emptiness', indeed, the reputation was well-deserved.

Humm! His words resonated.

Among his peers, the power of this sword move currently ranked first!

"Ke, do you have anything else to say?"

"Heaven and Earth Silence... This is a secret technique passed down by Ke Shuai, and Ke Pingluan can already initially wield it in the True Seed Realm." Shi Xinjian said softly.

This sense of powerlessness, when planted deep in one's heart, would leave one with little chance of success.

"Thank you for your generosity, Ke," Ji Jingqiu said, returning the gesture. Although their exchange was brief, he had gained a lot, and just a glimpse of the Void Returning to Emptiness made this battle worthwhile.

The world seemed to tilt and collapse, and all creation seemed to crumble. Why?

'Dong Hai Hengliu' was the strongest sword technique she currently possessed, but Ji Jingqiu broke through it with sheer force, completely shattering both the sword technique and the true intent beneath it!

The onlookers felt as if they were standing amidst a surging tide, facing the overwhelming might of 'Dong Hai Hengliu', and they couldn't help but feel insignificant and humble.

A sharp sword cry rang out, and a peculiar and subtle sound echoed in the air, not the wind, but a deeper and sharper sound, as if the air itself was wailing.

"Although Ji Jingqiu's strike was stunning, if Ke Qianchi were to use the 'Heaven and Earth Silence' passed down by Ke Shuai, there might be a chance of mutual destruction."

The elder huffed, "You can't compare to me, as you only care about your Ke family's small territory."

In an instant, Ke Pingluan's gaze shifted from Ji Jingqiu to the sword in his hand.

"Brother Ji, Ke has no choice but to admit defeat!" Ke Pingluan bowed with a relieved expression.

These two inheritances, it is said, were initially left behind by the Azure Master, and only a few of the corresponding secret techniques and moves have been passed down.

...

Although he wanted to challenge Ji Jingqiu, he also felt it would be pointless.

"No need for words, Ke Pingluan has lost! Only one match remains."

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu was delighted, seizing the opportunity to hone his sword skills while also observing Ke Pingluan after a hundred rounds, naturally sensing that the latter was using him to sharpen his own skills.

I see nothing in the heavens and earth's spiritual essence.

In this strike, no matter how vast your sword intent, it is but a mirage in the sea of consciousness, all illusions!

"Brother Ji, I'm making my move."

A dazzling and brilliant sword radiance flashed, similarly stirring the power of the heavens, unhurried yet steady, slowly advancing, with an inner essence that cuts through everything.

Within the martial arena, a sword beam as sharp as a whip stirred the power of the heavens, breaking through the air like a startling phoenix, a flying cloud, or the radiant flare of a proud sun, incredibly dazzling.

...

This situation either indicates that one has traveled far on the path of seeing the divine and gained an almost instinctive martial intuition, or that one's spiritual realm has reached a certain height.

Ji Jingqiu's gaze fell upon Qin Qingjue.

In Ji Jingqiu's eyes, blurry divine principle runes flashed, like a clear mirror, reflecting Ke Pingluan's flowing energy and changing sword techniques.

The sword and blade clashed.

Qin Qingjue's aura suddenly changed, and before this strike landed, even those not targeted were affected by the overwhelming sword intent.

Ke Qianchi calmly stated, "I don't usually get involved in such matters. If I had truly joined the fight, would there have been any chance of survival for that young man?"

The atmosphere in the martial arena suddenly became stagnant.

He was trying to use his Bodhimanda Insight to understand Ke Qianchi's sword technique and capture a bit of the Great Thunder Zen Mind.

This strike seemed indifferent, unaffected by the mortal world, yet where the Azure Master's sword edge passed, it swept away all brilliance, scattering the divine principle.

The two forces collided.

Ke Pingluan's body retreated dozens of meters before gradually stabilizing.

The old man smiled with a hint of ridicule.

Previously, the Celestials were chatting and laughing, but at this moment, they all fell silent.

...

A trace left in the void!

Sizzle!

Ke Pingluan wasn't just entering the realm of seeing the divine; he had traveled a considerable distance on this path.

Sweep away everything!

The old man narrowed his eyes and said, "The matters of the Western Emperor and the Celestial Road should also be put on hold. With the great trouble in the Nine Provinces ahead, how long does the Ke Clan plan to cause trouble?"

At this moment, Ji Jingqiu was delighted, seizing the opportunity to hone his sword skills while also observing Ke Pingluan after a hundred rounds, naturally sensing that the latter was using him to sharpen his own skills.

He stood up with a carefree attitude and left with a sentence, "Wood Elder, you care too much about the Federation, always being cautious. In the future, you might end up hindering more than helping.

At this moment, he felt the "will" of the Azure Master.

The old man chuckled, "Speaking of which, this young man also has the surname Ji. Do you have anything to say?"

This strike spanned the heavens and earth, with a burning sword radiance, exuding dominance. The sword's intent was to sweep away all under heaven, and all dharmas were emptiness. Even the overwhelming power of the heavens stirred by Ke Pingluan was declared annihilated in this strike! A single strike suppressed the divine principle of this realm!

After ten rounds of sparring, Ke Pingluan's sword moves were grand and majestic, as if containing the heavens within. Each move aimed to dismantle Ji Jingqiu's sword technique, making Ji Jingqiu feel a rare sense of being suppressed.

Ke Qianchi's body paused, then he took another step forward and disappeared, leaving behind a single sentence.

"Pass on a message for me. Tell them to cultivate well and strive to be like you, with a mind that can let go of the Federation."

The old man shook his head and fixed his gaze on the distant Ji Jingqiu.

The Zen intent embodied by this young man was unparalleled in the world, perhaps capable of allowing him to attempt to comprehend the highest inheritance of the Mu Clan...

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end