Let you simulate life, but you change fate every time?!

Chapter 916: Chapter 486: 8th Reincarnation: Inner Sect Top 10, Sword Cultivation Family! (Part 2)

"I don’t think so. Senior Brother Lei Heng and Senior Sister Su Rhyme also have considerable strength. Moreover, Senior Brother Lu Yuan hasn’t even used his full force yet. If they encounter Zhao Xu, who knows who will win?"

The crowd continued to argue endlessly. However, some shrewd disciples seized the opportunity to open betting pools, wagering on who would ultimately take first place in the inner sect.

Lu Yuan, however, paid no attention to the discussions around him, silently operating his cultivation technique, working hard to adjust his own status to its peak.

No one among the inner sect’s top ten was an easy opponent.

Let alone,

Zhao Xu, Su Rhyme, and Lei Heng all possessed battle power on par with Soul Palace realm experts.

If Lu Yuan encountered them, it would likely take some effort on his part to defeat them.

"First battle, Zhao Xu versus Lei Heng!"

Soon enough,

An inner sect elder announced the pairings for the first round of matches.

Hearing this, all the disciples erupted into exclamations.

"Senior Brother Lei Heng is facing Senior Brother Zhao Xu this early?"

"This is going to be a good show. Although Senior Brother Zhao Xu is very powerful, Senior Brother Lei Heng is a natural Martial Arts Fool."

"He’s already trained his Thunderbolt Fist to the pinnacle, and he’s even personally killed a genuine Soul Palace realm expert before."

"Their fight is bound to be extraordinary and could be the most exciting battle in this competition!"

The disciples shouted in surprise, and even the powerful figures from various major forces were quite intrigued.

"If I’m not mistaken, Zhao Xu is the direct grandson of Fellow Daoist Zhao, right?"

"That’s correct. I even attended his full-month celebration back then, and now, in the blink of an eye, he’s grown up this much."

"At such a young age, Zhao Xu has already reached the Soul Palace realm. His future is boundless. It seems the Zhao Family has indeed produced a Qilin Child."

Many experts showed slight changes in their expressions upon recognizing Zhao Xu’s identity.

Although a Soul Palace realm martial artist wasn’t enough to catch their attention,

the Zhao Family Ancestor was a renowned Nirvana realm expert with great prestige and standing in the entire Qingzhou Territory.

"This disciple, Lei Heng, possesses a sincere heart and decent talent, but unfortunately, his foundation is too weak. Compared to Zhao Xu, he falls slightly short."

Some experts expressed regret.

In the path of cultivation, wealth, partner, techniques, and location are all indispensable.

When two people’s talent and strength are similar, it ultimately comes down to foundation and resources.

Although Lei Heng has good aptitude, he’s (socially isolated) and has no background or support. How could he compete against Zhao Xu, who has the entire Zhao Family as his backing?

Sure enough,

As the elder gave the order, the match officially began.

Lei Heng activated his cultivation technique, and his entire body was surrounded by purple lightning, resembling the descent of an Ancient Thunder God, with an extremely fierce assault.

Zhao Xu, on the other hand, wielded a blood-red longsword, slicing apart all the purple lightning with a single stroke.

This saber was a top-grade spiritual artifact. Amidst the flashing saber light, there was a faint wailing of lost souls, capable of unsettling minds and even harming an enemy’s soul.

At the start,

Lei Heng, with his storm-like offensive, gained the upper hand, forcing Zhao Xu into a defensive position.

But after a while, Lei Heng noticed with a grim expression.

Every time his fist clashed with Zhao Xu’s blood-red saber, an evil qi would travel through the saber and invade his body.

It disturbed his mind, unsettled his soul, and gradually weakened his strength significantly.

Eventually, the situation reversed, and he fell into a disadvantageous position!

"What a fine Zhao Xu, I didn’t expect you to have cultivated the Blood Soul Saber to this extent."

Lei Heng, suffering from soul damage, became increasingly sluggish in his movements.

Yet he did not give up. Instead, he resisted with all his might, trying to find an opportunity for a comeback.

"Swoosh!"

However, in the next moment,

A blood-red saber light suddenly descended from the sky. Lei Heng couldn’t dodge in time and was instantly struck into severe injuries, losing all combat capability.

"Die!"

With a surge of killing intent, Zhao Xu was about to finish off Lei Heng when,

A green light suddenly crossed over from the Sect Hall above, immobilizing Zhao Xu.

"That’s enough. Lei Heng has lost, and this match ends here."

Han Qingxuan frowned slightly, glanced at the Zhao Family Ancestor nearby, and said with a hint of displeasure.

The Zhao Family Ancestor kept his eyes half-open, acting indifferent and detached.

It wasn’t until Han Qingxuan personally intervened that he slightly opened his eyes and casually said, "Xu’er, step down."

"Yes."

Zhao Xu cupped his fists in salute, put away the blood-red saber, and walked down from the stage.

Though this incident was just a minor episode, everyone present, strong figures from major forces, were crafty old foxes.

They perceived a hint of an unusual atmosphere from this event.

"It seems that while the Cyan Cloud Sect appears prosperous, its internal stability is questionable."

Many powerful figures glimpsed a flicker of a different light in their eyes.

The Cyan Cloud Sect, with the Supreme Profound Sect watching like a tiger, and internally having the Zhao Family growing in power with the Law Enforcement Hall, was actually as precarious as walking on thin ice.

Meanwhile,

The battle for the inner sect’s top ten continued.

As other inner sect prodigies successively took the stage, it finally came to Lu Yuan’s turn.

"Lu Yuan, Su Rhyme, fifth match!"

Upon hearing this announcement, Lu Yuan turned into a stream of light and swiftly ascended the stage.

"Buzz!"

Meanwhile,

A clear sword hum suddenly came from nearby, resonating throughout the space.

Subsequently,

A purple sword light tore through the air, arriving in an instant and landing on the other end of the stage.

The sword hum subsided, the light dissipated, revealing a woman’s silhouette.

The woman wore a purple dress, with an ethereal aura, cold and aloof as if she were an eternal iceberg, emitting an unapproachable vibe.

Surrounding her was formless sword qi, which could slice through the air, deterring others from nearing.

The disciples below just needed a glance to feel the piercing sharpness capable of cutting through iron like mud.

This woman was Su Rhyme, reputedly from a powerful cultivation family in Qingzhou, with unfathomable cultivation, making her a strong contender for the inner sect leader!

"Is this person also a sword cultivator?"

Lu Yuan glanced twice at her before withdrawing his gaze.

In his perception,

Su Rhyme was akin to a peerlessly sharp treasure sword, exuding fierce sword qi all over.

Anyone approaching her would be cut by the sword qi.

Clearly, she had cultivated her swordsmanship to an extremely advanced realm, faintly touching upon the threshold of the unity of man and sword.

However, in Lu Yuan’s opinion,

Despite the sharpness of Su Rhyme’s sword dao, it lacked the tempering and baptism of time.

Too rigid might break, too full might overflow.

Only by experiencing the vicissitudes of life and washing away the superficiality can one reach the realm of restrained sword intent, returning to simplicity.

"I’ve heard you’re skilled in swordsmanship and once killed Lin Hu with a single strike. I would like to learn from you today as well."

Su Rhyme said coldly, like a crisp sword hum, with a hint of killing intent in her voice.

"Alright, if you can withstand one of my sword strikes, you win this battle."

Lu Yuan replied calmly.

Since they were both sword cultivators, a single sword strike could determine the winner.

Besides, he didn’t believe Su Rhyme was qualified to make him use a second strike.

Yet, such a matter-of-fact tone came across as a huge mockery to Su Rhyme.

Not only to Su Rhyme but also to other elder disciples who were in an uproar, doubting if Lu Yuan had lost his mind.

Who was Su Rhyme?

She was the most talented descendant of the Su Family in a century.

Moreover, she was already at a half-step Soul Palace realm before, and now, after two months of arduous cultivation, she broke through the barrier to truly reach the Soul Palace realm.

Her relentless pursuit of breaking through was clearly for the inner sect leader position.

But Lu Yuan now dared to boast of defeating Su Rhyme with just one sword strike?

This was nothing short of arrogance!

Even Zhao Xu, with his first-layer Soul Palace cultivation, wouldn’t dare to make such claims!

"What’s the use of momentary verbal advantage?"

"We are both sword cultivators; eventually, it comes down to the sword in our hands!"

Su Rhyme said coldly.

With that,

The longsword at her waist was suddenly drawn, and in an instant, brilliance filled the sky.

A streak of piercing sword qi shot skyward, reflecting the sky into a purple hue!