Chapter 263: Conceding Defeat

"Tianyu, is that No. 52 using the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art? It looks somewhat off to me." Tang Yuer's pretty face was full of confusion.

Tianyu's eyes were now filled with shock!

When it came to understanding the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art, none among the younger generation could surpass him.

Although Ti Wujiu was the top elite disciple, his forte was fist techniques, not the sect's foundational Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art.

In this technique, Tianyu, who had returned from the Nine Heavens Path, was undoubtedly the best!

But limited by his cultivation level, his strength still fell short of the elite disciples.

Yet watching Ye Yuan and Zhang Jing's battle, he felt something mysterious and unfathomable.

That feeling was like facing the final sword strike on the Nine Heavens Path. No, it seemed even more profound than that strike!

Could this be what Ye Yuan meant by forging one's own path?

Tianyu shook his head and said, "I don't know either! All I know is that his understanding of the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art has reached a level where he can wield it effortlessly! Throughout his match with Zhang Jing, he never used a single formal move, yet he triumphed without a move!"

"How do you compare?" Tang Yuer asked.

Tang Yuer didn't cultivate the sword path, so she wasn't sensitive to sword intent.

Tianyu smiled bitterly and said, "There's simply no comparison."

Tang Yuer didn't notice Tianyu's expression and said with relief, "I knew it. How could a Liquid Realm fourth layer be a match for you? He and Zhang Jing are about evenly matched; there's no comparison with you!"

For the proud sons of heaven, their greatest fear was being replaced by a sudden newcomer like Ye Yuan. Even a beauty like Tang Yuer was no exception.

Geniuses like Tianyu and Tang Yuer were used to surpassing others, never being surpassed.

Now, the sudden appearance of the mysterious No. 52 was a huge shock to them.

Instinctively, Tang Yuer didn't want Ye Yuan to surpass her.

Even if she were surpassed, it should at least be after some time.

Ye Yuan was only at the Liquid Realm fourth layer, participating in his first Grand Competition since joining the sect. Being surpassed by him would be too humiliating!

This wasn't because Tang Yuer was narrow-minded, but a common human sentiment.

Not just her, but Tianyu, Luo Chengfeng, and the others felt the same way. Otherwise, why would they end their own matches to come watch?

Tianyu was startled, then laughed wryly, "Not at all! Ye Yuan's comprehension of the sword path far surpasses mine! Even though I'm stronger than Zhang Jing, if I were on that stage, the situation wouldn't be much better."

Tang Yuer's eyes widened in disbelief. "How is that possible? You're clearly so much stronger than Zhang Jing!"

Tang Yuer meant that Ye Yuan and Zhang Jing were roughly equal in strength, and since Tianyu was far stronger than Zhang Jing, he should naturally be far stronger than Ye Yuan.

Tianyu shook his head and said, "Ye Yuan can fight Zhang Jing to a draw at the Liquid Realm fourth layer. What do you think is the reason?"

Tang Yuer thought for a moment and said, "Should be his sword intent?"

Tianyu nodded. "I'm stronger than Zhang Jing because my understanding of the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art is deeper. But Ye Yuan's comprehension of sword intent far surpasses mine. No matter what sword move I use, he can easily counter it. So how can we fight?"

Tang Yuer retorted, "Does that mean no one in the sect who cultivates the sword path can defeat him?"

Tianyu said, "At least among the disciples, that's the case."

"This... how is this possible? Hmph, I don't believe it! I will defeat him!" Tang Yuer refused to concede.

Tianyu smiled and said nothing more. To be honest, he was looking forward to the clash between Tang Yuer and Ye Yuan.

Tang Yuer didn't cultivate the sword path, so Ye Yuan's sword intent couldn't affect her performance.

Tang Yuer was at the half-step Crystal Formation stage. How would Ye Yuan deal with that?

...

On the stage, the battle between Ye Yuan and Zhang Jing had reached a fever pitch.

Suddenly, Zhang Jing withdrew his sword and stood still, saying to Ye Yuan, "Wait!"

Ye Yuan also stopped and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, what advice do you have?"

Zhang Jing smiled frankly and said, "I never expected Junior Brother Ye's sword path attainments to be so high. I concede defeat! Next, I will use my strongest strike. If Junior Brother Ye can withstand it, I will directly admit defeat!"

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, please!"

Zhang Jing closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and raised his sword.

Suddenly, purple electric sparks flickered on Zhang Jing's sword blade, and a powerful aura spread out!

"It's Purple Lightning Azure Frost! Senior Brother Zhang has mastered Purple Lightning Azure Frost!" someone exclaimed excitedly from below the stage.

"This is the second strongest move in the second layer. Very few in the sect can comprehend it! Senior Brother Zhang has mastered Purple Lightning Azure Frost; he should be aiming for the top ten this time!"

"But... will it work against No. 52?"

"..."

Everyone was speechless!

Ye Yuan's effortless swordplay had shaken everyone's hearts!

Throughout the long battle, Ye Yuan gave everyone the feeling that no matter what sword move came at him, he could counter it!

He was invincible!

"Purple Lightning Azure Frost!" Zhang Jing shouted softly, and purple electric sparks mixed with cyan sword light sped toward Ye Yuan.

But Zhang Jing's so-called strongest move posed little threat to Ye Yuan.

Any sword move based on the Azure Firmament Purple Sun Sword Art was ineffective against Ye Yuan!

Only a martial artist like Mo Yuntian, who was a whole major realm ahead of Ye Yuan, could overwhelm him with absolute strength.

Ye Yuan simply thrust his sword straight ahead, directly meeting the attack.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the violent purple electric sparks and cyan sword energy vanished into the tip of Ye Yuan's sword, disappearing without a trace.

The strongest move didn't even raise a ripple!

Zhang Jing showed no sign of disappointment; instead, he smiled faintly and said, "I lose."

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Senior Brother Zhang, you yielded."

"Not at all! I didn't yield at all! I gave it my all, but I couldn't do anything to you. If we were at the same cultivation level, I'd probably be defeated in seconds. I really didn't expect Junior Brother Ye to be so powerful!" Zhang Jing said with some emotion.

Ye Yuan smiled but didn't respond.

Ye Yuan wouldn't be arrogant, but he wouldn't sell himself short either. If they were at the same level, he could easily defeat Zhang Jing in seconds.

But Ye Yuan naturally wouldn't say such things out loud.

"I've gained a lot from this battle. While the feeling from the fight is still fresh, I'm going into seclusion. Junior Brother Ye, I wish you success in the remaining matches. Farewell!"

With that, Zhang Jing leaped down gracefully and left without looking back.

"Platform 14, No. 52 wins!" Elder Feng's voice rang out abruptly, breaking the silence.

Ti Wujiu looked at the figure on the stage and said to Cheng Wu with a smile, "Looks like this Grand Competition has gained an interesting opponent."

Cheng Wu grimaced and said, "Interesting? Why are there more and more freaks?"