Chapter 1284: All Swords Acknowledge Their Master

"It really is you!"

Watching Zhang Xuan walk out from inside, Sun Qian's eyes flickered.

Just now, the sword qi had shot straight into the sky, its force breaking the seal. It was obvious at a glance that a rare treasure had emerged—a treasure that, whoever obtained it, would rise to prominence and reach the heavens in a single step!

They absolutely could not let this fellow monopolize it.

"Hand over the treasure and split it evenly, and we'll spare you. Otherwise, don't think about leaving today..."

Surrounding Zhang Xuan in the middle, Sun Qian sneered.

"Treasure? What treasure?" Zhang Xuan said.

"Don't play dumb in front of us. This is the Sword Pool. The sword qi just shot into the sky, so naturally it's the inheritance of Sword Elder emerging... Hand it over quickly, and we might show leniency. Otherwise... you'll lose more than just your spot!"

A master teacher berated him.

As long as he didn't use his weapon, this fellow in front of them was nothing to fear!

Even if he did use his weapon... with so many of them joining forces, they could strike first and injure him before anything else.

"That's right. A wise man submits to circumstances. Teacher Zhang, you should know your situation!"

"Your strength is decent, and your weapon is powerful, but... if we really make a move, do you truly think you can withstand it?"

...

The other master teachers also looked over coldly.

Yesterday, this fellow had single-handedly made them lose face, which had already caused considerable resentment. Now that he had arrived here first, they could no longer hold back, their hostility evident.

"What? Ignoring your status as master teachers, you want to rob me by force?"

Zhang Xuan frowned.

Master teachers had status and dignity; they generally wouldn't do anything to burn bridges. Once a treasure was obtained, a contest was usually held to determine its owner... These people clearly had no intention of competing; they just wanted to force him to hand it over.

"Rob you by force? Treasures of heaven and earth go to those of virtue! If you want to keep it all for yourself, let's see if you have the strength..."

Waving his hand, Sun Qian shouted, "Enough talk. Attack together! Don't let him stall for time and activate the puppets!"

"Right!"

Swish!

With these words, the surrounding master teachers charged at Zhang Xuan in unison.

Knowing that he had countless puppets, which would be a huge nuisance once released, they didn't hesitate. Over twenty people struck together, and the entire Sword Pool was instantly enveloped in power, like a river bursting its banks, the surroundings filled with zhenqi.

Those chosen by Zhao Xingmo were all geniuses among geniuses, each possessing talent and strength no less than Zhang Jiuxiao's. Although this was their first time joining forces, they unleashed power beyond imagination.

Their surging zhenqi converged into a long river, sweeping down as if to crush everything.

Judging by its momentum, even a Half-Step Domain expert would be unable to withstand it head-on.

In other words, even a strong expert like Hall Master Yue would find it hard to resist such a ferocious attack.

"Impressive!"

Not expecting these people to act so decisively and with such power, Zhang Xuan raised his brows and activated the Sword Dao True Interpretation within him.

In an instant, his entire being transformed into a sharp longsword, his sword intent shooting into the sky as if to pierce through heaven and earth.

Wooom!

Summoned by the sword intent, the entire island of the Sword Pool echoed with countless wind chimes, as if countless longswords were flying toward him.

"Since you struck first, don't blame me..."

Whoosh!

With a cold snort, Zhang Xuan's body flickered. He executed Traveler Without Boundaries, his speed as ghostly as a phantom.

Whoosh!

Charging into the river of power like a sharp sword, he immediately split the river in two. Then, over twenty sword qis burst from his body, shooting toward each of the opponents.

Before, their combined might might have been difficult to counter, but now that he had comprehended the Sword Dao True Interpretation and could transform into a sword at any moment, Sun Qian and the others, despite their strength, were still somewhat inadequate before him.

Zzzz!

After a dozen breaths, all of them were struck by the sword qi, none spared.

However, the injuries were not severe. Zhang Xuan's intent was only to give them a minor punishment, not to kill.

He hadn't used his full strength, but the others didn't see it that way. Seeing their combined attack so easily broken and themselves injured, their eyes turned red.

"This fellow... has been hiding his true strength all along... With his power, even Hall Master Yue might not be able to match him..."

"Didn't he come from Qingyuan Empire? How can he be this strong? Did you notice? Yesterday he was only at mid-stage Primordial Spirit, but now he's reached the peak!"

"Not only that, it seems he's also comprehended the Sword Dao True Interpretation..."

"He must have obtained Sword Elder's inheritance in the Sword Pool just now, which is why he became so powerful..."

...

Yesterday, they had all fought him. Although he was not weak, he was definitely not as strong as he was now!

Improving by two minor levels overnight—if it had nothing to do with the Sword Pool, no one would believe it.

"If a treasure can make a person this strong in such a short time, the Sword Pool's inheritance truly lives up to its reputation... If we remain divided at heart, not only will we fail to obtain the treasure and inheritance, but we might even be wiped out!"

Gritting his teeth, Sun Qian roared.

"Yes!"

The others also snapped to attention.

Yesterday, they had to suppress their cultivation to win; today, he was this strong—it only further demonstrated the power of the Sword Pool.

"Attack!"

Roaring again, the many geniuses surged forward, their power roiling.

Previously, although they cooperated decently, there was still much discord. Now, united against a common enemy, their combined attack power became even greater.

Streams of zhenqi converged into clouds, enveloping an area of several hundred meters. The surrounding air became as thick as mud, making it difficult for even cultivators—let alone weapons—to move an inch.

Crack! Crack!

The immense force pressed down, and at the center, it felt like being in the core of a hurricane, about to be torn to shreds at any moment.

"Hmph!"

Zhang Xuan's eyes narrowed.

He had shown mercy, but instead of appreciating it, they became even more frenzied, which displeased him greatly.

Human greed, it seemed, was truly impossible to resolve.

It appeared that even if he taught them the Three Swords of Lingxu, they would still refuse to believe him and think he was holding back.

In that case, he would make them afraid!

Without another word, Zhang Xuan stepped forward, stamped his foot, and charged into the crowd again.

Activating his full power, the viscous space around him seemed to have no effect. Like a phantom, he reached out, grabbed, and pulled—a genius fell into his palm. With a light tap, the man flew backward, and a jade token landed in Zhang Xuan's hand.

Having defeated this one, he darted toward the next.

Although their combined might was formidable, under the illumination of the Eye of Insight, it was riddled with flaws, not worth mentioning!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Zhang Xuan was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep. Though the sheep were many, not one could last a single breath against him.

"My jade token..."

"Mine's been taken too..."

"He not only injured us but also stole our jade tokens. Everyone be careful..."

Before long, all of them were knocked to the ground, shouting loudly.

Zhang Xuan had guessed that hiding the jade tokens was part of the test, and the others naturally understood as well, so they had all carried them on their persons. But what they never expected was that they would be snatched away in a single encounter.

They had joined forces with all their might, yet before him, they couldn't even last a single move... How had this fellow cultivated?

Sun Qian and the others looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"You wanted to eliminate me, so I'm eliminating you. That's not breaking the rules, is it..."

Ignoring their shock, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, and over twenty jade tokens floated before him.

"You dare..."

The crowd was frantic.

The jade tokens represented their identities. Once destroyed, it meant they would fail the assessment. They had joined forces hoping to eliminate this Zhang Xuan in one go, never dreaming that he would be fine while they themselves were in danger.

"There's nothing I don't dare..."

Not bothering to waste words, Zhang Xuan clenched his hand.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

A series of crisp sounds rang out as the over twenty jade tokens in front of him shattered into powder and fell to the ground.

"Ah..."

Everyone froze on the spot, dumbfounded.

They had come to eliminate him, only to be eliminated by him instead... This guy was too monstrous!

"Damn... If we're all eliminated, doesn't that mean only he passed the assessment?"

Sun Qian was speechless.

There were thirty-three participants in the re-examination, and only thirteen needed to be eliminated. But now, they had all attacked him, and he came out unscathed while they were all eliminated...

Didn't that mean that after the re-examination, only Zhang Xuan would pass?

If that really happened, wouldn't it be too cruel!

Would Teacher Zhao Xingmo cry himself to death?

Wooom!

Just as they were reeling in disbelief, unsure what to do, a series of whistling sounds rang out. Then, they saw over a hundred middle-grade Saint-tier longswords fly over and surround Zhang Xuan.

"These are... the divine weapons left behind in the Sword Pool, attracted by the sword intent!"

A knowledgeable master teacher's pupils contracted.

The Sword Pool attracted countless sword cultivators every year. Almost all of them carried weapons, longswords... When they died, the swords were usually drawn by the sword intent here and remained behind.

Because of this, some cultivators from Qianchong Empire came to learn swordsmanship, while others came to try their luck and pick up some powerful weapons to enhance their strength.

"These longswords can devour sword intent and have always detested outsiders. That's why many people are ambushed... Haha, they've surrounded Zhang Xuan. He's in for trouble!"

Realizing this, the master teacher burst into laughter.

So what if he eliminated us?

Now that he's surrounded by so many middle-grade Saint-tier longswords, no matter how strong he is, he definitely can't withstand them!

"Let him be eliminated too, and we'll all go down together..."

His eyes gleaming, Sun Qian also roared through gritted teeth.

But before his roar could finish, they saw the countless longswords in the sky suddenly bow down in unison, each radiating reverence.

"Greetings, Master!"

Over a hundred longswords shouted simultaneously, their voices resounding through the sky.

"Master?"

"These weapons... have all acknowledged a master?"

Everyone was dumbfounded, their faces twisted in disbelief.