Firmament Sword

Xu Luo gazed at the top-tier Spirit Medicine, a helpless smile on his face. 'She was afraid I'd overthink it, so she even prepared an excuse for me beforehand... a beauty's favor is a heavy burden, just like this.'

With a soft sigh, Xu Luo sat down cross-legged and began to absorb and refine the Eastern Purple Qi.

The Shadow Shaking Heart Method began to circulate. A wisp of purple qi drifted from the Spirit Medicine floating before him and entered the space between his eyebrows.

Xu Luo's spirit was instantly jolted!

The sensation was like a man dying of thirst in the desert taking a huge gulp of cool, clear spring water, a refreshing feeling that spread from his head to his toes!

And the Shadow Shaking Heart Method truly lived up to its reputation as one of the world's finest Cultivation Techniques. As it refined the Spirit Medicine, there was almost no waste. Every wisp was converted into powerful energy that flowed into Xu Luo's body.

The hidden injuries he still carried began to slowly heal as this energy flowed in.

By the end, the Spirit Medicine had almost completely healed all the injuries in Xu Luo's body. Many parts were even better than they were before he was hurt!

His qi and blood also became much more abundant.

He seemed to be bathed in a purple glow, forming a mystical field of energy around him.

Over the course of his journey, Xu Luo had obtained many new Cultivation Techniques.

For example, the Tyrant Technique he acquired in the Earth Palace of the Small World years ago possessed an extremely ferocious power and immense destructive force when unleashed.

It was considered a top-tier Cultivation Technique obtained in the lower realms!

Later, the Yin-Yang Technique directly changed the very nature of the power within his body, making it even purer!

In terms of grade, the Yin-Yang Technique was far superior to the Tyrant Technique. But at times, gathering power with the Yin-Yang Technique and unleashing it with the Tyrant Technique could produce even better results!

As for the Soul Scripture... that had already reached another level entirely. It was the Great Dao!

Although Xu Luo had gained the recognition of the Soul Scripture Stele, it didn't mean he had completely comprehended the Soul Scripture. It could only be said that he had grasped a portion of its profound mysteries!

Therefore, over the years, the various Cultivation Techniques Xu Luo obtained didn't conflict with each other. Instead, they deepened the foundation of his strength.

This was just like the Heritage Clans of Celestial Brilliance, which grew stronger and stronger through the accumulation of countless generations!

Despite all this, the one that helped Xu Luo the most was still the Shadow Shaking Heart Method!

In Celestial Brilliance's Scripture Pavilion, Xu Luo had read countless top-tier Heart Methods. After comparing them one by one with the Shadow Shaking Heart Method, he ultimately discovered that the one he cultivated was still the strongest and most suitable for him.

'I will use these to forge my own path!'

'Every top-tier expert has a path that is entirely their own!'

'If I just blindly imitate my predecessors, I can only ever be an Inheritor, not a trailblazer.'

Xu Luo absorbed the last wisp of energy from the Eastern Purple Qi. When he opened his eyes, they flashed for an instant with a dazzling, brilliant light!

Like a deity!

The vast Divine Domain held too many unknowns. Before entering Celestial Brilliance, Xu Luo had thought it was already powerful enough!

A Supreme Great Sect, whose reputation inspired awe and fear.

However, after truly entering this Supreme Great Sect, he discovered there were many things in this world that left even its top-tier experts... feeling utterly helpless.

'So... the road ahead is still long and far from smooth. I must continue to work hard!' Xu Luo's heart gradually calmed, and eventually, he entered a state of complete ethereal tranquility once more.

This was an incredibly profound state, its wonders impossible to describe with words.

A mystical Dao rhythm emanated from Xu Luo's body. This rhythm... even passed through his room and spread outward.

Sun Xiaohong, who was cultivating with her eyes closed in the outer room, trembled slightly as this Dao rhythm enveloped her. A look of surprise appeared between her brows, and she immediately focused her mind, centered herself, and began to cultivate.

Although she didn't know what was happening, Sun Xiaohong understood that this was a rare and great opportunity!

Xu Luo, however, was unaware of all this.

He was completely immersed in this state, having forgotten everything else. At this moment, his Divine Sense... could even envelop the entirety of Jiulong Ridge's First Mountain and was still expanding outward!

He "saw" many disciples cultivating in silence, saw some Elders conducting experiments, and even saw a giant old turtle sleeping deep beneath First Mountain. As his Divine Sense swept past, the old turtle seemed to stir slightly before falling asleep again...

The cultivation path Xu Luo walked was one of cultivating the heart. To advance and break through, his state of mind had to continuously become more complete.

Encountering a terrifying assassin had brought him to the brink of life and death; the death of his attendant had filled him with righteous fury; slaying Jin Xian was the satisfaction of avenging a wrong!

All of these experiences were like trials, constantly filling the gaps in his state of mind.

Now, he had finally reached a critical point. Aided by the Eastern Purple Qi, Xu Luo's breakthrough was as natural as water carving a channel!

BOOM!

An even more powerful Dao rhythm erupted from Xu Luo's body, but instead of spreading outward, it tightly enveloped him.

It formed a field of condensed Dao rhythm, transforming into a great cocoon!

Xu Luo was like a chrysalis in a cocoon, motionless, undergoing a brand new baptism!

From his body to his qi and blood, from his spirit to his Divine Sense, he experienced a massive breakthrough in that single instant!

When Xu Luo opened his eyes again, they held something different.

It was the gaze that only one in the Great Saint Realm... would possess.

...

...

"The Celestial Brilliance Annual Competition, round of 32 to 16, first match: Luo Tian versus Nie Yunfeng! Begin!"

On the arena stage, Referee Jiang Botao's gaze fell upon Xu Luo and Nie Yunfeng. He said coolly, "Come on, you two youngsters. Show me what you've really got. Let me see just how strong you are!"

BOOM!

An earth-shattering roar of cheers erupted from the surrounding stands.

The most climatic stage of the Celestial Brilliance Annual Competition... had finally arrived!

Unlike other Referees, Jiang Botao didn't say things like 'this is a friendly spar, try not to hurt each other.' Instead, he used an almost inflammatory tone to incite the two combatants.

Nie Yunfeng and Xu Luo both clasped their fists in a salute to Jiang Botao, then bowed to each other.

Nie Yunfeng had long, silver hair and a virile, masculine aura. He held a long saber in his hand. The saber was simple and unadorned, its sharp edge concealed, its tip pointing downward.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing Nie Yunfeng's robes to flutter. He looked utterly domineering.

Xu Luo stood opposite Nie Yunfeng, handsome and poised. Holding the Beidou Sword, his presence was as deep as an abyss and as steady as a mountain.

Their auras alone were enough to move the countless spectators.

"As expected of experts in the top 32. The fight hasn't even started... but the tension is already palpable."

"This is a battle between a dragon and a tiger. The victor will become one of the top 16 of Celestial Brilliance's younger generation, but there's no shame... for the loser either."

"My money's on Nie Yunfeng. He's a true Martial Artist!"

"I'm betting on Luo Tian! He's fought his way here, making a name for himself throughout Celestial Brilliance. He's a true expert too!"

In the stands, many people were discussing in low voices.

As the auras of the two on stage spread, the clamor from the stands, filled with millions of people, gradually died down.

Nie Yunfeng looked at Xu Luo, his eyes flashing with an incredibly intense will to fight. He said in a deep voice, "I will win this battle!"

"I have never been defeated," Xu Luo replied calmly, his tone placid.

"Then fight!" The long saber in Nie Yunfeng's hand suddenly pointed at Xu Luo. A vast and peerless saber intent instantly erupted from the blade.

'If only all of Celestial Brilliance's disciples... were like this!' Even Jiang Botao, who wasn't standing very far away, couldn't help but be moved, sighing softly to himself.

This saber intent even penetrated the restrictive barriers around the stage, causing the spectators sitting nearby to break out in goosebumps.

The bone-chilling sensation that washed over them made many of the weaker cultivators want to leap to their feet and flee!

"How terrifying!"

"When did Nie Yunfeng become this strong?"

"Heavens... if his aura alone is like this, what will it be like when they actually start fighting?"

A commotion rippled through the stands.

"My saber intent... what do you think?" Nie Yunfeng didn't attack immediately. Instead, his eyes were fixed on Xu Luo, like a fierce beast staring down its prey.

BOOM!

An aura like a deep abyss erupted from Xu Luo's body. A brilliant starlight radiated out, instantly shattering Nie Yunfeng's saber intent and scattering it without a trace!

It was like a pavilion built of sand. It might look impressive, but a single flood would wash it away completely!

Nie Yunfeng's expression changed slightly. He let out a sudden roar, his body and saber merging into one as he slashed toward Xu Luo!

"Kill!"

His momentum was still overwhelming!

That first confrontation was just an appetizer. The main course had yet to be served!

A bolt of white light... shot upward, carrying an indomitable momentum as it slashed toward Xu Luo.

"Thirteen Tyrannical Sabers!"

A buzz went through the stands, and many people couldn't help but stand up.

SHIING!

The light of the saber was like a rainbow.

It sliced through the empty space above the stage, causing it to twist and distort.

The Beidou Sword in Xu Luo's hand met Nie Yunfeng's long saber.

The people in the stands could only see two long arcs of light slam violently into each other at incredible speed.

'Great Saint!' Nie Yunfeng exclaimed in his heart.

'Great Saint Realm!' At the same time, the same thought flashed through Xu Luo's mind.

SHRED!

A corner of Xu Luo's robe was sliced off by the saber, fluttering away in the wind.

A lock of Nie Yunfeng's silver hair was also cut from his forehead, drifting through the air.

In the first exchange, the two seemed to be... evenly matched!

CLANG!

Immediately after, Nie Yunfeng's second slash... arrived!

The Thirteen Tyrannical Sabers, Thirteen Consecutive Slashes. Among the entire younger generation of Celestial Brilliance, only Eldest Senior Brother Jin Ming could block all Thirteen Consecutive Slashes.

Few of the other peerless geniuses could even withstand ten slashes!

Xu Luo met the attack with his sword. A Sword Cultivator, who should have followed a light and agile path, was instead fighting with wide, powerful movements, taking a tyrannical and domineering route!

At first, many people frowned, thinking Luo Tian's actions were irrational.

But after Nie Yunfeng delivered ten consecutive slashes, those who initially had doubts were finally moved.

Because Luo Tian had actually managed to block ten of Nie Yunfeng's slashes in a row!

"Eleventh Tyrannical Saber!"

Nie Yunfeng leaped into the air and chopped down at Xu Luo, his aura rising to its absolute peak!

At that moment, the Beidou Sword in Xu Luo's hand actually let out a sound like a dragon's cry.

It erupted with... a brilliant, dazzling light!

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