SWNOVELXO Chapter 19:
Chapter 19:
“Whoosh!”
A fierce wind surged, heading straight toward Murong Ya.
It was Mo Liusu, unable to hold back any longer, who made the first move.
She’s panicking. She’s panicking!
Murong Ya’s smile grew even brighter, her snowy-white hair flowing as she extended her palm.
“I know you’re anxious, but don’t rush!”
In a flash, the two exchanged blows. Mo Liusu’s assault was swift, but her retreat was even swifter. She was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the grand platform.
The nine-tiered platform collapsed in an instant.
A terrifying flow of energy rippled outward, stirring up dust and smoke. The eighty-one disciples on the platform seemed paralyzed, unable to escape.
“Save them, quickly!” Elder Baihe shouted, watching as the disciples were on the verge of being buried alive.
At that moment, Zhou Tong made his move.
“Merge!”
He clapped his hands, fusing the eighty-one sub-formations into the main formation. The aura sealing the disciples was instantly severed.
In that brief window of time, the disciples acted, breaking free from the suppression without a single casualty.
“Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving our lives!”
They knelt on one knee, bowing toward Zhou Tong with heartfelt gratitude.
“Don’t bother. I’m no longer your Senior Brother,” Zhou Tong said coldly, his words leaving the disciples with a hint of sorrow in their eyes. However, their gratitude remained unwavering and sincere.
The crowd was stunned. Zhou Tong’s swift actions, coupled with his profound skill, left everyone baffled.
What was even more shocking was that no one could discern Zhou Tong’s true cultivation. He seemed to lack any spiritual power, yet he exuded the strength of someone at the peak of the Soul Division realm. His abilities were enigmatic.
One thing was clear: Zhou Tong had no Dao injuries. His strength remained formidable.
This realization left the prodigies from other sects trembling. Could it be that Zhou Tong would once again overshadow everyone in the upcoming Grand Sect Assembly?
“Spineless fools! Your lives were endangered by his master. Why are you thanking him?”
A loud explosion interrupted the moment as the dust settled, revealing a disheveled figure.
Mo Liusu emerged, her hair in disarray, a trace of blood at the corner of her lips, her breath unsteady.
Once again, Murong Ya’s dominance was on full display. Even burdened by Dao injuries and her inner demons, she remained untouchable by her peers.
“Do you think you’ve won?” Mo Liusu said, her breath uneven but her defiance intact.
“You’re welcome to try again. I won’t even need both hands,” Murong Ya said with contempt, her words making Mo Liusu’s chest heave with fury.
“Wait!”
Tang Qi suddenly stepped between the two women.
“Tang Qi, step aside. This is dangerous,” Mo Liusu warned.
“Don’t worry, Master. I have a solution,” Tang Qi replied, flashing a harmless smile before turning to Murong Ya with a serious expression.
“Murong Senior, today is my induction ceremony as a personal disciple. Yet, you’ve barged into our sect and injured my master. Even if you are a great cultivator, I must demand justice.”
With those words, he raised the Heaven’s Path Sword, pointing it at Murong Ya.
“I challenge your disciple to a sword duel. If I win, you must apologize to my master.”
Murong Ya scoffed coldly. “Yue’er, show him what he’s worth!”
“Understood!”
The little enchantress stepped forward eagerly, her extraordinary aura causing Tang Qi’s expression to shift.
“I wasn’t referring to you. I challenge him!” Tang Qi pointed his sword at Zhou Tong. “I once respected you as my Senior Brother, but you’ve colluded with outsiders to harm my master. Today, I will seek justice for her. If you’re not a coward, face me in battle!”
“You’re hilarious!” The little enchantress sneered. “You just received the Heaven’s Path Baptism, and now you want to challenge someone whose cultivation was crippled? Who’s the coward here?”
“Hmph! Strength rules in this world. If he’s afraid, he should admit it instead of hiding behind a woman. It’s laughable!”
Mo Liusu chimed in, directing her disdain at Murong Ya. “You seem so proud of this disgraceful disciple. Is it because you’ve realized he’s nothing but rotten wood?”
Murong Ya’s aura surged, her patience wearing thin.
“You talk too much. Let’s see if your words are tougher than my fists!”
“Don’t push your luck. This is the Azure Purity Sect. If I summon the Grand Elder, you won’t leave here alive!” Mo Liusu threatened.
“Before that happens, I could crush you ten times over!”
“Master!” Zhou Tong suddenly grabbed Murong Ya’s arm, calming her rage.
“Little one, you—”
“It’s time I settled this. I’ll accept the sword duel,” Zhou Tong declared, his voice steady.
Tang Qi nearly burst into laughter. He hadn’t expected the “cripple” to fall into his trap. On the dueling stage, accidents could happen. Killing Zhou Tong there would be justified.
The crowd’s attention turned to the duel. While Zhou Tong’s cultivation was unclear, once the duel began, there would be no hiding his true strength.
“Be careful, little one,” Murong Ya said gently, sensing Zhou Tong’s determination.
“Don’t worry. I won’t lose.”
As Zhou Tong and Tang Qi stepped onto the stage, the tension grew. Tang Qi’s face twisted with confidence.
“From today onward, your era ends. I’ll show you what it means to be the number one swordsman of this generation!”
Zhou Tong smirked, but before he could respond, a spirited female voice echoed through the air.
“What bold words! Who dares claim invincibility? Let me test your mettle!”
The crowd turned to see a figure in purple descend gracefully onto the stage. The woman, armed with a sword, exuded an air of heroism that took everyone’s breath away.
“It’s Long Lingyun! She’s here!” someone exclaimed, sparking murmurs of awe and excitement.
“She’s said to have inherited the Sword Saint’s legacy and mastered it completely. Her strength is rumored to be unfathomable!”
Long Lingyun’s arrival added a new layer of excitement.
Facing both Zhou Tong and Tang Qi, she said confidently, “Are you two as impressive as they say? My hands are itching for a challenge. Will it be one at a time, or both of you together?”
The audience was captivated by her boldness. Her confidence hinted at extraordinary strength.
“I’ll go first. After I handle you, I’ll deal with him,” Tang Qi said smoothly.
“Do you think you can defeat me?”
“I don’t think I can lose. If I win, you’ll join the Azure Purity Sect. Deal?”
“Deal. I only hope you don’t lose too miserably.”
Long Lingyun’s confidence radiated as she took her position, ready for battle.
Zhou Tong, now offstage, furrowed his brows. Her sword aura felt oddly familiar.
“The Sword Saint… I remember now. She inherited his legacy,” Zhou Tong muttered as memories of a towering figure flooded his mind.
That figure was none other than the Sword Saint himself. Zhou Tong had faced him in his past life and defeated him after three moves—one of the rare opponents who had earned his respect.