Chapter 1986: Thrashing the Elder Hall (Part 1)

What specific level lies beyond the Immortal Lord was not recorded in the books he had read, nor had Elder Lu Yun mentioned it, but the person before him had clearly reached it.

Such a person was unfathomable; if one truly intended to make a move against him, a single thought could annihilate them.

“Young friend Zhang Xuan, would it be convenient for you to demonstrate your swordsmanship for us to see?”

Just as he was shocked, the laughter of Sect Leader Han Jianqiu rang out.

“Sect Leader, how would you like me to demonstrate?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“Your cultivation is only at the initial stage of the Void Immortal Realm… you cannot enter the Elders’ Divine Communication Hall. How about this: we all enter the Core Disciples’ Divine Communication Hall, where everyone has equal power and cultivation, and have a sparring match. That way, your swordsmanship can be better displayed!”

Han Jianqiu said with a smile.

Elders had their own Divine Communication Hall, and core disciples had theirs. The other party’s cultivation was clearly not qualified to enter the Elder level; they could only enter a lower level.

“Enter the Divine Communication Hall… Forget it, why don’t you suppress your cultivation and spar with me right here?”

Seeing that the other party had not seen through his deliberately suppressed cultivation, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and said.

“Here? Are you sure?” Before the Sect Leader could speak, Elder He frowned and spoke up: “In the Divine Communication Hall, everyone has the same cultivation and the same true qi reserves—it’s the fairest… But here, even if we suppress our cultivation, our physical strength, soul strength, true qi purity, and reserves are uncontrollable…”

The Divine Communication Hall only involved a wisp of consciousness entering it; the bodies assigned had identical attributes, somewhat similar to puppet possession. Only then could a sparring match truly demonstrate the strength of swordsmanship.

But here, even if cultivation was suppressed, the physical body and soul of an Immortal Lord were still formidable, not something an initial-stage Void Immortal could contend with.

“No matter!” Zhang Xuan said.

Entering the Divine Communication Hall, although the Library could see through identities, it could only confirm the swordsmanship techniques used. Here, however, he could learn more details, even digging up the other’s ancestors for eighteen generations… If something unexpected happened, this information might become a life-saving trump card!

“Hmph, since you’ve decided, we also want to see just how powerful the Divine Sword Intent really is!”

An elder stood up first.

The Divine Sword Intent, comprehended by the founding patriarch, had been known to be unattainable upon entering the Sword Pavilion… Yet no one had ever comprehended it. Even the most powerful in the sect did not know where this sword intent’s strength lay or how powerful it truly was!

Since this young man wanted to spar here, that was perfect!

They could also experience it firsthand.

After all, with their strength, even if they suppressed their cultivation, it was impossible for the other party to harm them!

“I am Qiu Huo, Grand Elder of the Core Disciple Elder Hall, at the peak of the Immortal Lord Realm. Let me test your sword techniques!”

The elder named Qiu Huo came forward and quickly suppressed his cultivation to the same level as Zhang Xuan. He shook his longsword, producing a clear ring, and looked over calmly.

Their swords were all uniformly issued by the Elder Hall, from the same batch with identical attributes, so there was no advantage from a sharper weapon.

“You alone are not enough. All of you come down together!”

Glancing over, Zhang Xuan did not draw his sword but smiled lightly.

“Not enough?”

The several elders in the room all raised their eyebrows.

Especially Elder Bai Ye, who held his forehead.

This guy had the nickname… “I Am Very Low-Key.” Where the hell was he low-key?

Those present were not only the peak experts of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion; each was renowned across the continent. Even if your swordsmanship was strong, challenging one to test the waters was one thing… but asking everyone to come down, including the Sect Leader…

That was too arrogant!

“What, afraid?”

Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow.

“The Divine Sword Intent is powerful, but I did not become the Grand Elder of the Core Disciple Elder Hall for nothing. Besides, this is just suppressed cultivation, not the Divine Communication Hall… If you want to challenge others, defeat me first!”

Qiu Huo’s expression darkened.

He had stepped forward first, suppressing his cultivation to challenge an initial-stage Void Immortal—that was already somewhat beneath his dignity. Yet the other party… actually disdained to spar with him…

It was a direct slap in the face!

And a repeated, frantic slap at that!

“Defeat you first? Fine!”

Seeing that the others showed no intention of coming down, apparently having great confidence in the man before him, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and extended a finger.

“What do you mean? You want to defeat me with one move?”

Qiu Huo was stunned, then laughed in extreme anger: “Isn’t that a bit too arrogant?”

“One move? You’re overthinking it!”

Zhang Xuan shook his head: “I mean, without a sword, without using any other part of my body, with just one finger, I will defeat you within a single breath!”

“You…”

Qiu Huo was about to explode.

As the Grand Elder of the Core Disciple Elder Hall, he had cultivated his mind and nature over the years, reaching a state of unflappability. But… the other party’s words were simply infuriating!

More importantly, his eyes and movements… every gesture seemed to regard him as an ant…

He was a peak Immortal Lord!

One of the strongest on the continent…

How did it feel like the roles were reversed in the other’s eyes?

“Fine, then let me experience your brilliant technique. Let me see how, within a single breath, with just one finger, you can defeat me…”

Despite his fury, Elder Qiu Huo held back.

Having reached his level, he could easily control his temperament and was not swayed by emotions.

“A bit arrogant…”

“Arrogant? He’s outrageously arrogant!”

As the two murmured, Han Jianqiu and Elder He exchanged glances, each wearing a wry smile.

A young man at the Void Immortal Realm, faced with so many peak Immortal Lords, not only showed no fear but was so arrogant and overbearing…

Was he missing a screw, or was he skilled and bold?

“The Divine Sword Intent can contend with gods… I hope his strength truly impresses us!”

“Let’s watch!”

They turned their gaze forward again.

…

“What a pity…”

Seeing that even after saying all this, no one else came down, Zhang Xuan felt a bit disappointed.

It wasn’t that he was arrogant, but… he had done it deliberately.

If they all came down together and used their martial techniques, the Library could thoroughly investigate everyone’s flaws. If they came down one by one, and once they realized his swordsmanship was powerful, the rest might hold back for face and refuse to come out—then he wouldn’t be able to observe them.

Such things were not impossible.

“Forget it, I’ll deal with this one first, then continue challenging everyone. They should all come down eventually…”

Seeing everyone sitting steadily, Zhang Xuan knew it would be nearly impossible to get them down. He smiled faintly: “Begin!”

Whoosh!

As the words ended, Qiu Huo before him moved.

Although suppressed to the initial stage of the Void Immortal Realm, his speed was still as fast as a hurricane or lightning. Especially the longsword before him, which tore through spatial constraints and arrived before him in an instant.

Though at the same level, he was many times stronger than the previous He Jingxuan.

Just as the opponent’s longsword was about to reach his throat, Zhang Xuan raised his finger and pointed forward.

The movement was not fast, but it gave a feeling of growing larger and heavier, like a falling meteor. In an instant, it ignited in Qiu Huo’s heart an illusion of irresistibility.

“How is that possible?”

His pupils contracted, and Qiu Huo’s eyes widened.

He was a peak Immortal Lord. Although his cultivation was suppressed, his mental fortitude was still there. It was impossible for him to be pressured into hallucinations by mere aura. Yet… the other’s finger truly gave him a sense of irresistible power.

How was this done?

Crack! Crack!

Roaring inwardly, the oppressive force from the fingertip rushed toward him. The Void Immortal true qi could no longer bear it. The longsword involuntarily bent, and in the blink of an eye, cracks appeared, shattering into countless fragments.

His advancing body also seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move, as he could only watch the other’s finger point toward his brow.

“This guy… interesting!”

While he was shocked and incredulous, Han Jianqiu on the platform suddenly paused, then smiled slightly.

“Sect Leader, this…”

Seeing that he understood, Elder He was still full of confusion.

With equal strength, this Zhang Xuan, with just one finger, not only broke the sword but also sealed the other’s power… What was the principle?

“If I’m not mistaken, he is not only proficient in swordsmanship but also well-versed in formations!”

Han Jianqiu explained.

“Formations?” Elder He was even more puzzled.

“Yes. This finger of his not only used the sword but also drew on the formation of the entire Elder Hall, using the formation to nurture the sword intent, thus making the power so strong…” Sect Leader Han Jianqiu said. “Earlier, he deliberately provoked with words, actually stalling for time to conceal the sword intent within the formation…”

At this point, he couldn’t help but sigh: “No wonder he could comprehend the Divine Sword Intent. Such use of the environment is simply astounding!”

“This…”

Elder He’s face twitched.

How long had he been in this hall?

At most, no more than ten minutes…

Not only had he recognized the formations contained within, but he had also infused his sword intent into them, leveraging the formation’s momentum…

This… was too heaven-defying!

Earlier, he had thought that at the same level, one person couldn’t possibly defeat so many of them. Now it seemed, it might actually be possible!

Bang!

While they were too stunned to speak, the battle ahead had already concluded. Zhang Xuan’s finger landed, and Qiu Huo flew backward, releasing his cultivation seal mid-air.

Otherwise, he would surely have suffered severe internal injuries.

“How was that?”

Withdrawing his hand, Zhang Xuan stood proudly.

From the moment he extended his finger to the opponent being sent flying, it was exactly one breath.

“I… lost!”

His chest burning with pain, Qiu Huo felt that the other’s move was not purely swordsmanship, but he couldn’t say much.

Being defeated with a single finger by someone at the Void Immortal Realm was already humiliating; speaking further would only make him lose face.

“Heh!”

Seeing him admit defeat, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly, then suddenly looked around. His calm voice exploded in the ears of every elder.

“Would you all do me the honor of coming down together… so that I, one man with one sword, can give each of you a good thrashing… how about it?”