Chapter 341: The Challenge of the Proud Son of the Azure Sea, and Xie Lingfeng's Breakthrough

Chapter 341: The Challenge of the Proud Son of the Azure Sea, and Xie Lingfeng's Breakthrough

With the arrival of Xu Yan, Cloud Heaven Azure Sea City was filled with commotion.

Standing in the corridor of a tall building in the City Lord's Mansion was Fu Tianhai, flanked by Xie Tianheng and Fu Yun.

Fu Yun had originally intended to go and help, but was stopped by Fu Tianhai.

"As expected of Xu Yan!" Xie Tianheng exclaimed.

Then, glancing at his father-in-law, he said, "See? Now the City Lord's Mansion is losing face because you didn't let me go and help."

Fu Tianhai's face darkened as he placed his hand on Xie Tianheng's shoulder and smiled, "Are you questioning my decision? Who gave you the courage? Just because you bear the name of the Sword King doesn't mean you're so incredible.

"In my eyes, you're still not worth much."

Xie Tianheng grimaced, feeling as if he were being crushed by a mountain, his whole body about to fall apart. His father-in-law's strength was truly formidable.

However, he remained defiant, grumbling, "If I were at the same level as you, you definitely wouldn't be my match!"

"Using your realm to pressure others is also a display of strength!" Fu Tianhai retorted with a cold smile.

"Hmph, if I were your age, my realm would have surpassed yours by far. With all the cultivation resources at your disposal and the amount of time you've spent cultivating, your current strength is pathetic. I would be ashamed if I were you," Xie Tianheng retorted stubbornly.

Fu Tianhai clenched his fist and remained silent for a moment before saying, "You are truly unfilial!"

Boom!

"Old bully! Are you not ashamed of using your higher realm against me?" Xie Tianheng exclaimed.

"What's shameful about a father-in-law teaching his son-in-law a lesson?" Fu Yun said helplessly. When Xie Tianheng had first arrived, he had been very low-key and obedient to his father-in-law, doing everything he was told.

This had caused Fu Yun to suspect if he was even the same person she had known before. Had he changed his temperament? But now that his strength had improved, he had reverted to his arrogant self.

"Dad, go easy on me!" Xie Tianheng pleaded.

However, upon hearing this, Fu Tianhai only increased the force of his blows.

In the courtyard, after catching up with Xie Lingfeng, Xu Yan proceeded to impart the Godly Yuan Realm martial arts to him and provided him with pills to aid in his cultivation.

"Brother Xie, you've been polishing your foundation at the perfect Godly Intent Realm for a long time, and your depth has increased somewhat, but it's still insufficient. Accumulate a little more depth, and when you break through, transform and sublimated yourself. Once you enter the Godly Yuan Realm, your strength will become even more formidable." Xu Yan instructed.

For the next half month, Xu Yan guided Xie Lingfeng in his cultivation and sword techniques.

It wasn't until Xie Lingfeng had accumulated sufficient depth and was about to seclude himself to break through to the Godly Yuan Realm that Xu Yan finally met with the long-absent Xie Tianheng and Xie Lingfeng's mother, the City Lord's daughter, Fu Yun.

However, Xie Tianheng's face was bruised and swollen as if he had been badly beaten.

Xu Yan couldn't help but be curious as to who had beaten the Azure Sea Sword King like this.

"Do you have any healing pills? Give me one. That old man hit me too hard!" Xie Tianheng said, covering his face.

It had been several days, and a force lingered on his face, preventing him from recovering from his injuries.

With his face in such a state, he naturally couldn't go out, or else wouldn't it damage the Sword King's prestige?

Xu Yan understood. So it was his father-in-law who had beaten him up.

He handed a bottle of pills to Xie Tianheng.

After some more catching up, Xie Tianheng introduced Fu Yun. Whenever he spoke of Fu Yun, he couldn't help but feel proud.

Back when he was in the Inner Realm, he had married Fu Yun, the revered Heavenly Pride of the Spirit Realm, a status that was unmatched throughout the Inner Realm. This was also the reason why he had looked down on everyone in the Inner Realm as waste.

"My sword path has been somewhat stagnant lately. I always feel like I'm missing something to achieve a breakthrough," Xie Tianheng sighed.

He had come to seek guidance from Xu Yan regarding his insights into the sword path.

Xu Yan proceeded to impart some insights into the sword path to Xie Tianheng.

Just as he finished guiding Xie Tianheng, a steward hurried over and said, "Miss, Lei Shao of the Myriad Stars Martial Court has specifically requested to challenge Young Master Xu Yan!"

"Lei Shao?" Fu Yun was surprised.

Xie Tianheng frowned and said, "What's this guy doing, challenging us?"

Xu Yan raised an eyebrow, curious, "What's Lei Shao's strength like?"

"Lei Shao is renowned as the number one Heavenly Pride of the Myriad Stars Martial Court, and even the Azure Sea's first Heavenly Pride. It is said that he has already refined three strands of Heaven and Earth's law aura," Fu Yun introduced.

Xie Tianheng added, "There are rumors that Lei Shao possesses a Spirit Body."

Xu Yan's interest was piqued. He had always heard about the legendary Spirit Body Heavenly Pride but had never had the chance to battle one. Could this Lei Shao be a Spirit Body Heavenly Pride? No wonder he had already refined three strands of Heaven and Earth's law aura.

Spirit Bodies were more attuned to the mysteries of Heaven and Earth, making it easier for them to refine the mysteries and auras of Heaven and Earth's laws.

Xu Yan looked at the steward and said, "Tell Lei Shao that if he wants to challenge me, he's welcome to, but he must defeat that Grand Commander first. Otherwise, he's not qualified to challenge me!"

Although he was curious about the Spirit Body Heavenly Pride, that didn't mean anyone had the qualifications to challenge him.

Only after defeating the Grand Commander could he challenge Xu Yan. If he couldn't even defeat the Grand Commander, then he shouldn't bother challenging Xu Yan.

Not long after, the steward rushed back.

"Miss, Haibo'er of the Sea Spirit Tribe has specifically requested to challenge Young Master Xu!"

Once again, Fu Yun was taken by surprise.

"Haibo'er is the strongest genius of the Sea Spirit Tribe. It is said that she has an extraordinary bloodline and is the granddaughter of the current Sea Spirit Tribe Leader. She has refined three strands of Heaven and Earth's law aura, and is known as one of the Twin Pride of the Azure Sea, alongside Lei Shao," Fu Yun introduced.

"The old rules apply. Defeat the Grand Commander first, and then I will accept the challenge!" Xu Yan waved his hand and declared.

The steward hurried off once more.

The Grand Commander's face turned grim as he watched the arrogant young man and woman who had come to challenge him. He felt like spitting blood.

They had originally come to challenge Xu Yan, but Xu Yan had set a condition that they must defeat him first before they could challenge Xu Yan.

This made the Grand Commander feel very frustrated.

In his heart, he even regretted taking action earlier.

Now, it seemed that everyone knew that he, the Grand Commander, was not a match for Xu Yan in a single exchange.

"Grand Commander, please teach me!" Lei Shao said, holding a spear and speaking in a deep voice.

The Grand Commander glared at Lei Shao and said, "I concede. Now you can go and challenge Xu Yan."

However, Lei Shao shook his head and said, "I, Lei Shao, would never resort to such deceitful tactics. A battle between geniuses should be conducted fairly and squarely. If I can't defeat the Grand Commander, then it means I am not qualified to challenge Xu Yan.

"Grand Commander, please respect me!"

Looking at Lei Shao's unkempt appearance, with his short and thick hair and short beard, the Grand Commander felt like spitting blood. Couldn't he be a little less serious?!

Damn it!

He glared at Haibo'er and said, "I concede. Now you can go and challenge Xu Yan."

"You're talking nonsense! I, Haibo'er, am destined to become the Sea Spirit King. How could I resort to deceit? You, Grand Commander, have no shame, but I, Haibo'er, do!" Haibo'er retorted angrily.

Damn it!

The Grand Commander's face turned even darker.

Haibo'er was the Sea Spirit Tribe's treasure, and he could do nothing even if she spoke rudely. This girl's temper was well-known throughout the Azure Sea.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Since that's the case, you may begin your attack."

Haibo'er held a azure-colored fork, one of the Sea Spirit Tribe's divine artifacts known as the Sea-Parting Fork. Her delicate face wore an angry expression as she said, "Grand Commander, who do you think you are to look down on? Do you have the qualifications to make me team up with Lei Shao?"

Lei Shao nodded in agreement.

The Grand Commander was so angry that his nose almost twisted. He raised his hand, holding a sword, and said with a dark face, "Who will make the first move?"

Lei Shao glanced at Haibo'er and said, "I'll make the first move. After I defeat him, you can attack, and our chances of victory will be higher!"

"Nonsense! I, Haibo'er, would never seek such an advantage!" Haibo'er retorted.

However, because of the dispute over who should make the first move, Lei Shao and Haibo'er started fighting each other.

The Grand Commander felt like spitting blood. Did these two even have any respect for him as the Grand Commander?!

Ever since Xu Yan's arrival, his authority as the Grand Commander seemed to be continuously slipping away.

...

Xie Lingfeng had broken through to the Godly Yuan Realm. Xu Yan did not receive the challenge from Lei Shao and Haibo'er, nor did he pay any attention to the two. Perhaps they had failed to defeat the Grand Commander.

Since they couldn't defeat the Grand Commander, they were not qualified to challenge him.

When Xie Lingfeng broke through, he also transformed and sublimated himself, truly solidifying his foundation in the Grand Desolation Martial Way and obtaining a Spirit Bone.

Although Xie Lingfeng, who had just entered the Godly Yuan Realm, was far from Xu Yan's strength at the same stage, he could still easily defeat a peak Godly Spirit Realm warrior.

Even a warrior who had refined a wisp of Heaven and Earth's spirit machine would be no match for him.

His current strength was not much weaker than Xie Tianheng's.

The mysteries of the Godly Yuan Realm didn't stop there. Xie Lingfeng's strength would continue to grow stronger, allowing him to once again trample his former opponents underfoot.

As Xie Lingfeng's understanding of the sword path improved, once he reached the peak of the Godly Yuan Realm, his strength would surpass that of the Cloud Heaven City Lord, perhaps even exceeding him.

Regardless, Xie Lingfeng was still a genius, and his strength could not be compared to that of ordinary warriors.

Xu Yan began to impart the Godly Transcendence Realm martial arts to Xie Lingfeng. This would take some time to explain in detail, allowing Xie Lingfeng to not only memorize the martial arts but also to understand them thoroughly.

After teaching the Godly Transcendence Realm martial arts, Xu Yan also taught Xie Lingfeng the Godly Image Realm martial arts. As for the Broken Void Realm martial arts, he had not yet comprehended them himself, so he naturally couldn't teach them.

Moreover, for Xie Lingfeng, the Godly Transcendence Realm was still a distant goal, let alone the Godly Image Realm.

What Xu Yan had taught him would be sufficient for a long time.

There was no need to rush the teaching of the Broken Void Realm martial arts.

After imparting the martial arts, providing guidance in the sword path, and leaving some pills, Xu Yan's trip to Cloud Heaven Azure Sea City came to an end.

Xu Yan's next plan was to explore the Azure Sea and search for divine objects.

Fu Yun gave Xu Yan a map of the Azure Sea, which marked some of the dangerous areas, treasure sites, and possible locations of divine objects within the Azure Sea.

They had to recuperate for a few days before they could defeat the Grand Commander and challenge him.

"Then let me see what the proud sons of the Azure Sea are capable of."

Xu Yan smiled.

The battleground was chosen to be at sea outside of Cloud Heaven Azure Sea City, and news of it spread like wildfire, causing quite a stir.

Countless martial artists gathered in the waters where the battle would take place, awaiting the arrival of the proud sons.

On one side was the strongest Heavenly Pride of the Azure Sea, and on the other was the Sword God, Xu Yan, from the Eighteen Prefectures—both renowned figures.

Xu Yan stood proudly on the sea's surface, gazing at the two opponents.

Lei Shao gave off the impression of a vagabond, with unkempt hair and a short beard, holding a spear in his hand.

Haibo'er, on the other hand, was a beautiful young woman with a petite figure, yet her chest was impressive. She held a sea-parting fork in her hand.

"Why don't you two attack together? I'm in a hurry!"

Xu Yan said casually, his sword in hand.

"Xu Yan, you are indeed arrogant, but I, Lei Shao, refuse to stoop to such underhanded tactics. I will win or lose with honor and integrity. I am not one of those despicable cultivators from the Superb Spirit Sect in the Eighteen Prefectures."

Lei Shao's voice was deep as he strode forward on the waves, his gun at the ready. As he advanced, his aura surged.

Boom!

The sea roared, as if transforming into a giant spear.

Lei Shao's body glowed with spiritual light, and the power of heaven and earth's laws converged, merging with his spiritual body.

"So this is a spiritual body."

Xu Yan exclaimed, impressed. Spiritual bodies were naturally attuned to the mysteries of the spiritual energy and the laws of heaven and earth, making it easier for them to refine and merge with those laws.

Lei Shao had refined three strands of the laws of heaven and earth, which explained why he was stronger than the Grand Commander.

Xu Yan slashed with his sword, and the azure sea transformed into mountains and rivers, the waves turning into countless swords. In an instant, the mountains and rivers churned, and countless swords danced.

"Kill!"

Lei Shao's expression turned solemn as he swung his spear, shattering the waves that had turned into swords. He strode forward, unstoppable, as if he would pierce through the mountains and rivers and destroy the myriad swords!

Boom!

Xu Yan raised his hand, and the surrounding waves rose, transforming into giant swords. In the blink of an eye, a sword formation took shape, trapping Lei Shao within.

But only for a moment, as Lei Shao found himself hard-pressed to break free.

"Aren't you going to make a move?"

Xu Yan turned to Haibo'er.

"Hmph, I'll take care of you later!"

Haibo'er's expression turned solemn, and with a point of her sea-parting fork, the sea parted. Suddenly, a tremendous wave surged from the Azure Sea.

The Sea Spirit Tribe was the ruler of the sea, and the Azure Sea was their home turf.

Haibo'er borrowed the might of the Azure Sea, enveloping herself within it, concealing her movements as she launched an attack on Xu Yan.

Xu Yan smiled faintly and stepped on the sea's surface. With a thunderous roar, a golden dragon emerged from the waves, forcing Haibo'er out of the Azure Sea.

She had even lost the ability to borrow the power of the sea.

It was as if the ownership of this stretch of sea had changed in that instant!

The spectators were stunned. What kind of technique was this? Was he summoning a real dragon?

The True Dragon Form emulated the power of a true dragon and granted the user some of its abilities, such as controlling the sea. How could the Sea Spirit Tribe compare to the might of a true dragon?

The moment the golden dragon appeared, the outcome of the battle was already decided.

"The winner is clear."

Fu Tianhai sighed.

Beside him stood the leader of the Sea Spirit Tribe, who shook his head helplessly. "Xu Yan's technique is indeed divine. Is he mimicking the might of a true dragon?"

"The Heavenly Pride of the Spirit Realm, Xu Yan, is unparalleled. No one can challenge him."

Fu Tianhai smiled.

"What about the Superb Spirit Sect in the Eighteen Prefectures? Can they not challenge him?"

The leader of the Sea Spirit Tribe asked, intrigued.

"Do you think Lei Shao and Haibo'er would lose to them?"

Fu Tianhai countered with a smile.

He, as the city lord, was well aware of the Superb Spirit Sect's mission.

Cloud Heaven Azure Sea City was also aligned with the Superb Spirit Sect.

The leader of the Sea Spirit Tribe nodded, changing the subject. "Will the Azure Sea be participating in the Heavenly Pride Competition?"

"Let the youngsters decide for themselves if they want to participate. The Divine Bridge will open soon, bringing new opportunities. It's time for us to ascend the Divine Bridge and reach the other side."

Fu Tianhai replied with a smile.

The leader of the Sea Spirit Tribe nodded and turned his attention back to the battlefield.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end