Everlasting Renown Chapter 337: Defeating Chiguang with a Single Sword (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 337: Defeating Chiguang with a Single Sword (Part 1)

Chapter 337: Defeating Chiguang with a Single Sword (Monthly Votes Request) (Part 1)

"If these two clash, it might reveal something interesting."

The Holy Son Hao Yue’s eyes were cold, showing no interest in the others. He barely even glanced at them, but he couldn’t shake off the memory of Li Hao’s sword strike.

If not for his Master’s calming influence, his Dao Heart might have fractured.

Apart from these Holy Sons, many Elders from major powers had also come to watch the battle.

They had no chance to witness the Holy Land selection battles, so this clash among the wandering geniuses from dozens of Dynasties had become a grand event in the Canglan World.

Emperor Canghai personally came to observe, sitting on a cloud carriage in a relatively low profile.

"Qin Shuang mentioned that Clear Wind has joined the Flower Touring Society, thanks to her introduction. It’s a good start for him to become a butterfly in the Flower Touring Society."

Emperor Canghai chuckled to the elegant and beautiful woman beside him, his aged hand gently caressing her smooth, white hand like fine jade.

This woman was one of the most favored among his concubines. Her daughter was Gui Qinshuang, and she had risen in status because of her daughter.

"Qin Shuang is working for Your Majesty. She was thinking of you yesterday and said the tea flowers have bloomed in March. She wants to send you some."

The elegant and beautiful woman said with a gentle smile.

Emperor Canghai nodded slightly, "I haven’t seen her in a long time. I’ll have her come and see me when I have the chance."

The elegant and beautiful woman smiled faintly, then looked at the Battle Platform and asked, "If Chiguang and Elder Qingfeng were to clash, it would certainly be a fierce battle, wouldn’t it? I hope they don’t end up as enemies over this."

Emperor Canghai gazed at the Battle Platform, a hint of worry in his eyes.

As more and more people gathered, the Top Ten battles officially began.

After announcing the rules, the matches were randomly paired, with ten Semi-Saints from the Divine Dynasties witnessing the prodigy competition.

The atmosphere was grand. Li Hao sat in the waiting area, his mind as calm as still water, feeling a sense of tranquility amidst the excitement.

To him, this battle was just a formality. The rankings didn’t matter much; the crucial part was the upcoming battles with the Three Great Holy Lands to secure a place in the Canglan World’s team. This was more of a warm-up.

Soon, the result of Li Hao’s opponent was announced.

Li Hao looked and was somewhat surprised to see it was the woman he had met at the Imperial Hall, whose name was Su Yun.

Su Yun also noticed her first opponent was Li Hao. Her expression changed slightly. She still remembered Li Hao receiving the Incense from the Ten Cities at the Imperial Hall. She had observed him afterward and learned about his Sword Technique Enlightenment, realizing he was beyond her level.

As the other battles concluded, Li Hao and Su Yun were up in the third match.

On the Battle Platform, Su Yun looked at Li Hao as he approached and said, "I’ve heard about your Sword Technique Enlightenment, but I want to test it myself."

"Alright", Li Hao nodded.

Su Yun’s expression grew serious. As the array solidified, she immediately erupted into the Four Extremes Realm and suddenly swung a Cloud Sleeve.

The Cloud Sleeve, like a whip, was a Supreme Treasure. Cloud shadows drifted from it, carrying some kind of Divine Power.

Li Hao felt the Battle Platform enveloped in a cloud-like mist, which carried an eroding power that seemed to want to corrode his body.

However, his physique had been cultivated to its ultimate limit, the pinnacle of limits. The mist was blocked at his skin, unable to cause any harm.

Seeing her Divine Power fail, Su Yun’s pupils constricted. She could feel that her Divine Power, when it touched Li Hao’s physical body, was like hitting a Vajra stone, completely immovable.

"How is this possible?"

Su Yun was momentarily dazed. She had never seen her Divine Power fail before, especially not with her ultimate move.

Li Hao didn’t hesitate. He lifted a wisp of the mist, channeling his Soul Spirit force into it, transforming it into misty Sword Qi. With a casual swing, he cut through Su Yun’s Dao Domain, slicing through her hair near her ear and severing dozens of strands that gently fell onto her shoulder.

Su Yun was stunned. Although her Dao Domain wasn’t at its limit, it had failed to provide any resistance. This Sword Qi had already transcended the suppression of the Dao Domain’s laws.

Unless her Dao Domain is numerous enough, she simply can't withstand it.

Su Yun’s expression changed, a hint of struggle in her eyes. But in the end, she fell into dejection and whispered, "I lost."

She had anticipated losing, but she hadn’t expected to lose so easily.

Li Hao gave a slight bow and then turned to leave the stage, as if he had merely taken a leisurely stroll up there.

The cheering from the crowd had just started to build when the battle ended, leaving many people in shock and disbelief. Earlier, Su Yun’s battles had been extremely intense, especially when she used her Cloud Mist Divine Powers, which had left her opponents struggling and feeling helpless. Yet, against Li Hao, her Divine Powers seemed to have no effect before he defeated her.

"That Clear Wind’s sword is so powerful!"

"I noticed him during the Ten Thousand Man Battle. In all his fights, it seems a single burst of Sword Qi is enough to resolve them."

"What a terrifying Sword Dao. Could he be from the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary?"

"How could that be? While those in the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary all use swords, not everyone who uses a sword is from there. I use a sword too, does that make me one of them?"

"Get real, your Sword Dao is a joke compared to his."

"You—"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, while a few individuals, like Li Qingyi, had a more serious expression.

Although Li Hao had once again resolved the battle with his Sword Dao, he hadn’t even used his most potent Sword Dao techniques, clearly holding back a lot. Moreover, they noticed something else: the Cloud Mist Divine Powers seemed to have a significant impact on the Physical Body, but Li Hao had resisted it, indicating that his physique was exceptionally strong.

"An Ultimate Force State physique is usually at the Divine Power State, but he doesn’t seem to have entered the Divine Power State. Could it be that the Divine Powers hadn’t taken effect yet?"

Some wondered, but they concluded that must be the case.

While other Martial Artists might have varying physiques, the physiques of Prodigies were generally similar, all at the Ultimate Force State.

Although there were differences within the Ultimate Force State, they weren’t significant. Moreover, Prodigies had too many things to cultivate. Besides the Realm, techniques, Divine Powers, and other Ultimate Realms were more worthy of their attention.

"Too weak."

The Holy Son Hao Yue’s eyes were cold. Although the Yunshang Woman had Holy Maiden-level combat power, she was far inferior to Li Hao. Even he could easily defeat her.

In the crowd, Lin Qingying saw that Li Hao was using his Sword Dao, the Utmost Softness Sword Dao, and her eyes lit up with understanding.

Li Hao had guided her in Sword Dao, but comprehending it was another matter. Unless there was a sudden enlightenment, it couldn’t be achieved overnight. Otherwise, a Sage could teach a Disciple to mastery in a single day.

After the battle with Su Yun, Li Hao advanced smoothly and then waited for his next opponent to be assigned.

Su Yun, on the other hand, entered the loser’s group and continued fighting, eventually winning after an intense battle.

While Li Hao watched the fights, he quietly recorded the cultivation techniques of these Prodigies and took out his painting board to grind ink and paint.

His actions caught the attention of some, and many were surprised. In such a tense and intense battle, he was actually painting?

Was he deliberately showing off, or was he just too confident?

But when countless Divine Senses converged and saw Li Hao’s painting, they were speechless. The figure in the painting was vivid and flexible, as if performing a move right before their eyes, filled with a sharp and fierce attack. It was far from a simple show.

"This Qingfeng’s painting skills are truly remarkable!"

"Such a prodigy, not only in Martial Dao but also in other arts, surpassing ordinary people."

"With such painting skills, he could become the chief painter in the Divine Dynasty."

Many people whispered, but Li Hao remained unaffected by the comments, his mindset relaxed as he painted casually.

As the Art Dao experience notifications appeared one by one, the experience bar gradually filled up...

It wasn’t long before it was Li Hao’s turn again. He set his brush aside on the inkstone and then stood up, instantly teleporting to the Battle Platform.

This time, his opponent was a young man from the winner’s group. The young man had noticed Li Hao painting below the stage and was now serious. Among the top ten opponents, Li Hao, besides Chiguang, was a formidable and unpredictable presence.

Just his displayed Sword Dao was already terrifying, and no one knew what other tricks he might have up his sleeve.

"You seem confident that you’ll win."

The young man gazed at Li Hao and said, "The outcome here is just a formality; it doesn't really matter."

Li Hao was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "The wins and losses here are just a show, not important."

The young man's eyes narrowed, instantly understanding Li Hao's meaning. The real goal was the spot in the Canglan World competition, and he didn't take the current match seriously at all.

But, he wasn't any different in his heart.

As a prodigy, who didn't have a bit of that all-encompassing arrogance?

"I'm really looking forward to seeing you and Chiguang clash, to see what cards you both have up your sleeves."

The young man's eyes narrowed further. "Meeting me, you might have to reveal a bit more than you intended."

As he spoke, an Array condensed, and he suddenly erupted, summoning the Heaven and Earth Dharma Body. The blade in his hand burst into a raging black flame, and he slashed fiercely at Li Hao.

The Dharma Image in his hand also formed a blade, chopping down alongside him. The space seemed to crack slightly, the blade's intent so powerful that it seemed capable of cleaving the earth itself.

Feeling the vast power, Li Hao's Heaven and Earth Pulse subtly activated, manifesting behind him. It instantly drew upon the vast power of Heaven and Earth, transforming into a Sword Qi in his hand, which he casually slashed out.

Utmost Softness breaks Utmost Hardness; the Sword Qi, like a soft thread, quickly adhered to the blade, piercing through the Dharma Image.

With a loud crack, the Dharma Image shattered, and the Sword Qi grazed the young man's neck, leaving a blood trail.

Li Hao retracted his hand, and the web-like Heaven and Earth Pulse behind him also withdrew and hid.

The young man, standing within the Dharma Image, froze, his face turning pale and somewhat ugly.

He had wanted to force Li Hao to reveal some of his true abilities, but the Sword Dao was more terrifying than he had imagined. Li Hao had indeed displayed the Heaven and Earth Pulse he hadn't shown in previous battles, but it was only a slight activation, drawing a bit of power. It didn't count as a trump card.

Once the young man conceded, Li Hao bowed and turned to leave the stage.

Back at his seat, he noticed the ink on the tip of the brush, about to drip. He quickly picked it up, swirled it in the inkstone, adjusted the brush tip, and then resumed his painting.

This fluid motion left many who had been watching Li Hao speechless.

Compared to the fight, he seemed more concerned about his painting.

"Another match ended with just one sword. Who can force him to draw a second one?"

"He's too strong. I think only Chiguang can hold him back."

"Who would have thought that among us Wanderers, such monsters could emerge. Master said cultivation depends on the individual. Even with mediocre talent, joining a Holy Land might not lead to great achievements. I believe that now!"

"Looking at him, it seems he hasn't even warmed up yet. That's a bit exaggerated."

Whispers filled the crowd below.

Lin Qingying, seeing Li Hao's focused expression, was reminded of his daily routine in the small courtyard, where he would sculpt and paint. A smile, like a flower blooming on a snowy mountain, appeared on her beautiful, cold face.

She knew Li Hao wasn't pretending to be relaxed; he genuinely enjoyed these pursuits.

Others might not understand, but she had seen it often and knew his nature.

"His behavior really reminds me of an old acquaintance."

Not far away, Bian Ruxue spoke softly.

As fellow Holy Maidens of the Sword Ancestor Sanctuary, they stood close together to watch the match.

Lin Qingying was somewhat surprised and looked at her. "What do you mean?"

Bian Ruxue's eyes reflected distant memories as she whispered, "When I was a child, there was a prodigy who loved to paint and play chess but had no interest in the Martial Dao. His talent in the Martial Dao was terrifying, even rivaling the Holy Sons of the Holy Lands. Unfortunately, he had too much of a playful heart."

Lin Qingying was taken aback. She knew Bian Ruxue came from the Mortal World, but to have such a monster there?

"That's not just a playful heart."

Lin Qingying continued, "He's just doing what he loves. Isn't what we seek in cultivation to follow our hearts and live freely? He has already achieved that."

As she said this, she glanced at Li Hao, her eyes filled with envy.

Bian Ruxue looked at her. "Aren't you seeking the Ascension of the Sword Dao?"

"Yes, and no", Lin Qingying replied, her gaze fixed on Li Hao's figure. "If I have someone to accompany me, the Sword Dao isn't something I must pursue. After all, what we seek in cultivation is freedom and ease."

Bian Ruxue's eyes showed a hint of disappointment as she withdrew her gaze. "I am different. I want to see the highest view, even if it means death!"

Lin Qingying looked at her, sensing the other woman's coldness, as if she didn't take her words seriously. She didn't mind, smiling faintly.

"Perhaps the most beautiful scenery lies at the foot of the mountain. Standing high only allows one to see farther, but true beauty isn't found at the summit."

"You haven't seen it, so how would you know? With your character, if not for his guidance, your Sword Dao would never achieve Perfection."

Bian Ruxue said, no longer willing to continue the conversation.

Lin Qingying smiled and replied, "But with my character, I can receive his guidance. This is my Channeling Qi. Master said that Channeling Qi is also a part of one's strength. Prodigies have Heavenly Dao Fortune, which shows that my fate is not bad."

Bian Ruxue frowned, recalling that her Master, the Sword Saint, had also said something similar, leaving her with no counterargument.

"You said your friend from the Mortal World is the same. How did he fare later? Could he be Clear Wind?"

Lin Qingying's eyes twinkled with interest as she asked.

It was hard for her to imagine that there could be another person like Clear Wind in the world.

Bian Ruxue's thoughts drifted, but she quickly pulled them back and shook her head. "I was brought here by my Master, so I don't know much about the Mortal World anymore. He can't be Clear Wind; their auras are completely different, and that cannot be hidden or changed."

Hearing this, Lin Qingying didn't think much more about it. She glanced at Li Hao and whispered, "Don't you envy him?"

Envy? Bian Ruxue looked at her in surprise. When she saw the hint of tenderness in her eyes, she suddenly understood something. Her gaze grew colder, and she said, "Your Sword Dao won't go far."

With that, she no longer intended to continue the conversation.

Lin Qingying perceived her thoughts, smiled faintly, and didn't get angry. She knew they had different personalities and weren't on the same path.

As the intense battles on the Battle Platform continued, everyone except Li Hao and Chiguang also showcased their remarkable skills. The top ten matches gradually came to a close, and the anticipated clash between Li Hao and Chiguang didn't happen until both advanced to the final round.

"I thought they would meet earlier, but it turns out they only face each other in the final."

"This seems like a fated confrontation!"

"Will Divine Powers or Sword Dao prove stronger? The debate over the superiority of Divine Powers and Sword Dao has been ongoing for ages. This battle should finally settle the matter."

The audience's eyes grew intense as the final match approached.

Li Hao had completed the portraits of the nine prodigies. Now that it was the final, he put away his Painting Board and ink.

This action caught the attention of many, who felt that Li Hao was getting serious.

Chiguang was the first to step onto the Battle Platform. Seeing Li Hao put away his Painting Board, a smile appeared on his lips. In previous matches, Li Hao seemed preoccupied with his artwork, but now he was taking it seriously.

(End of Chapter)

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