The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother Yan Tian, do you think that Lin family's disciple truly has the ability to defeat Wang Li Jiao with just one strike?" Yun Yan Shuang asked, her clear eyes fixed on the match unfolding before her.

"Perhaps he can. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to boast so boldly in front of this audience," Yun Yan Tian replied, his tone measured.

"But from what I can see, Lin Tian Sheng's cultivation level is on par with Wang Li Jiao's—both are at the sixth layer of the Embryo Breath realm. It seems difficult for him to achieve such a decisive victory," she said thoughtfully.

"Master always says that in battles between cultivators, one's cultivation level is not the sole determinant of victory. Lin Tian Sheng's confidence suggests he has something extraordinary up his sleeve. Let's watch closely; this could be a valuable lesson for us," Yun Yan Tian responded calmly.@@novelbin@@

The onlookers around them, including representatives from various families, sat upright, their attention riveted on the two combatants. They were eager to see how Lin Tian Sheng would deliver his promised single-strike defeat.

"Come at me. Don't hold back. Whatever you do, you won't even graze me," Lin Tian Sheng taunted, his voice laced with arrogance. His relaxed posture only heightened the disdain in his gaze.

Wang Li Jiao's expression darkened, and with a cold glint in his eyes, he lunged forward. His sword shot out, its tip flashing like a streak of moonlight, aiming straight for Lin Tian Sheng's brow.

The strike was swift and precise, yet Lin Tian Sheng sidestepped with uncanny ease, leaving Wang's blade slicing through nothing but air.

"You're holding back," Lin Tian Sheng said mockingly. "I've heard of your Wang family's famed Jade Forest Sleeve Sword. Why not show me its true might? Or are you too afraid?"

"Someone like you doesn't deserve to see it," Wang Li Jiao retorted, unleashing a horizontal slash with a surge of energy. The blade's arc generated a powerful gust of wind that roared toward Lin Tian Sheng.

But Lin Tian Sheng merely flickered out of the attack's path, his movements fluid and ghostly. Every attempt by Wang Li Jiao to land a blow was effortlessly evaded, leaving the latter frustrated and breathless.

"Lin family possesses a movement technique called Spring Rain's Silent Grace," Li Qing, seated at the banquet table, observed. "It's said to be a top-tier skill from the Yellow Rank, one that allows the user to move as silently and subtly as spring rain nurturing the earth. Unless one's cultivation is significantly higher, it's nearly impossible to track its movements."

Yun Yan Shuang and Yun Yan Tian listened intently, their focus unwavering.

"So long as Wang Li Jiao cannot outmaneuver Lin Tian Sheng, this fight is already decided," Li Qing added.

"Look—Wang Li Jiao's energy flow is becoming erratic," Yun Yan Shuang pointed out.

"Yes," Yun Yan Tian agreed. "But perhaps it's a ruse. If he's feigning weakness to lure Lin Tian Sheng into an opening, he may be preparing to use the Wang family's Jade Forest Sleeve Sword. I've heard it's a fearsome technique—sharp, swift, and almost predatory in its precision."

As the observers analyzed the situation, Wang Li Jiao sneered at his opponent. "All you do is dodge. Are you too scared to face me head-on?"

"Scared? Hardly," Lin Tian Sheng replied, his lips curling into a smirk. "You think your little act of feigned instability fools me? I've seen through your petty trick. Your so-called mighty Jade Forest Sleeve Sword means nothing to me."

Wang Li Jiao's eyes narrowed. "Then stop running and fight me properly."

Lin Tian Sheng's figure blurred again, appearing behind Wang Li Jiao in an instant. His sword flashed—a silent, imperceptible strike.

Wang Li Jiao whirled around, narrowly avoiding what he thought was a direct attack. Yet Lin Tian Sheng only chuckled. "Check your back. You've already lost."

"What nonsense—" Wang Li Jiao began, but before he could finish, Wang Qing Shan's voice thundered from the head table.

"Li Jiao, withdraw!"

"But Old Ancestor, I—"

"You've lost. Stand down." Wang Qing Shan's tone was unyielding, his gaze somber.

Wang Li Jiao hesitated before he felt a sharp, burning pain across his back. As he reached behind, his hand came away sticky with blood. A diagonal gash stretched across his back, tearing through his robe and flesh.

"When... when did this happen?" Wang Li Jiao whispered, his strength leaving him as he fell to his knees. His eyes darted toward Lin Tian Sheng, who had already returned to his seat, his face calm and untroubled.

"That," Li Qing said quietly, "was sword intent."

Yun Yan Shuang's breath caught. Her master had once explained that sword intent was the mark of a prodigy, a rare and powerful manifestation of a swordsman's mastery.

"It's no wonder Lin Tian Sheng dared to claim he'd win with one strike," she murmured. "Sword intent transcends ordinary techniques. It's not something Wang Li Jiao could hope to contend with."

"A bitter defeat, but not an undeserved one," Li Qing agreed.

On the battlefield, Wang Li Jiao stared at the ground, his spirit crushed. I've lost... utterly.

The realization was too much. His body trembled, blood spilled from his lips, and his world turned black as he collapsed into unconsciousness.

"Look at that external protective aura on Ye Xiaolin," Li Qing remarked as he observed the ongoing match. "It's undoubtedly a result of cultivating the Primordial Infinite Scripture."

The battlefield was tense. Wang Lizhu, spear in hand, unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks. However, no matter how fierce her strikes, they failed to pierce through Ye Xiaolin's formidable defense.

"This Primordial Infinite Scripture is truly something. Its protective aura alone makes breaking through it an almost insurmountable challenge for anyone of the same level," Yun Yantian said, his tone laced with concern. "If this continues, Wang Lizhu won't stand a chance."

His prediction proved accurate. Wang Lizhu's offensive began to falter as her spiritual energy drained. Attempting to retreat and regroup, she moved to create distance. But Ye Xiaolin seized the opportunity, unleashing a thunderous palm strike infused with the Primordial Infinite Scripture's overwhelming force.

The blow landed squarely on her chest.

A sharp crack resounded. Wang Lizhu was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, a spray of blood escaping her lips. Her body hurtled toward the edge of the field, but before she could crash to the ground, Wang Liyuan leaped forward to catch her.

"Concede," Ye Xiaolin said, offering a polite bow before returning to his seat. Calmly, he picked up his wine, sipping it as though nothing had happened.

In Wang Liyuan's arms, Wang Lizhu's pale face betrayed her frustration. "I'm sorry... I couldn't defeat him."

"Don't blame yourself, cousin. You fought bravely. That Primordial Infinite Scripture is notoriously impenetrable, and few can rival its power," Wang Liyuan reassured her, gently wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth.

"But this is the second loss for our family," Wang Liyuan muttered under his breath. His expression darkened as he contemplated their precarious situation. "If we lose the third match, Grandfather's ambitions will be dashed. The Wang family will remain under the shadow of the Three Great Families, and there will be no rising above them. I can't let that happen."

Placing Wang Lizhu in the care of other family members, Wang Liyuan turned to face the field. His eyes locked onto the representatives of the Lu family. "It's your turn now. Let me see what your disciple is capable of," he said, striding into the center of the arena.

The crowd buzzed with whispers.

"Finally, Wang Liyuan is stepping up. I hear he's the strongest talent in the Wang family. Perhaps he'll be able to turn the tide."

"I wouldn't count on it," another voice replied. "The Lu family's disciple is Lu Shanglin. He's around the same age as Wang Liyuan but said to be equally gifted, if not more so. And with the Lu family's resources behind him, I doubt Wang Liyuan can match his skillset."

"It seems the Wang family's rise to become the Fourth Great Family is still too ambitious. Their foundation just doesn't compare to the Three Great Families."

Lu Shanglin rose from his seat with a chuckle, gripping a black-gold short staff adorned with intricate divine patterns. His smirk carried a mix of disdain and confidence. "So, you still dare challenge us, even after watching your brother and sister fall?"

"We'll see what happens," Wang Liyuan said coolly. A flick of his wrist brought forth a gleaming azure sword from his storage ring, its edge glowing faintly with energy.

"You're still dreaming of making the Wang family the Fourth Great Family? Don't waste your effort. You're doomed to fail," Lu Shanglin sneered, rushing forward with his short staff raised.

But before Lu Shanglin could close the distance, Wang Liyuan made his move.

A single swing of his sword sent a pale blue arc of energy slicing through the air. The blade's strike carried a chilling intent and deadly precision.

Lu Shanglin barely had time to react. His short staff shattered into pieces under the onslaught of the sword qi, and the residual energy slammed into his chest, hurling him backward. He crashed into the ground, his body motionless.

The crowd erupted into murmurs of shock and disbelief.

"That was..."

"Sword intent!"

"Wang Liyuan has also comprehended sword intent!"

Yun Yan Shuang and Yun Yan Tian exchanged astonished glances.

"To think that someone else here has mastered sword intent... This changes everything," Yun Yan Tian said quietly.

At the banquet, the representatives of the other families sat up straighter. The Wang family's defeat seemed inevitable just moments ago, but Wang Liyuan's unexpected display of sword intent turned the tables.

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Wang Qing Shan, seated at the head of the table, allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. His eyes glimmered with a mixture of pride and anticipation. This match isn't over yet.