Chapter 852: Two Victories
The originally scheduled opening of the Myriad Sword Spiritual Domain was still days away, but a rift unexpectedly split open, revealing three figures. Each radiated an aura as deep and vast as an ocean.
After agreeing to a three stage contest, the Azure Clad Sword Saint asked Huang Qiu, "Shall we wait for the Myriad Sword Spiritual Domain to officially open, or begin our contest early?"
If they waited, the competition would unfold under the watchful eyes of many, turning it into a public spectacle.
Huang Qiu pondered briefly.
Though confident in his physical prowess, Huang Qiu knew that Xiao Ze's meteoric rise in the Great Thousand World defied conventional understanding. Should he lose to Xiao Ze in such a public setting, it could mirror Maha Tian's fate becoming a subject of widespread ridicule.
While a victory over Xiao Ze could elevate his already considerable reputation, as the leader of one of the Five Great Ancient Clans, Huang Qiu hardly needed to ride on Xiao Ze's fame.
Thus, Huang Qiu chose to have the contest early within the Myriad Sword Spiritual Domain, avoiding unnecessary attention.
Entering the Myriad Sword Spiritual Domain
Inside the Spiritual Domain, the Azure Clad Sword Saint turned to Xiao Ze and Huang Qiu.
"Since this contest is private, I will act as the witness," he said with a smile.
Both Xiao Ze and Huang Qiu nodded in agreement. As a mutual friend of both, the Sword Saint's impartiality was unquestionable. Furthermore, his status as one of the Great Thousand's apex powerhouses made bias beneath him.
As the trio walked through the domain, the Sword Saint explained to Xiao Ze, "Since it's your first time witnessing the Sword Qi Sea and Sword Edge Mountain, allow me to elaborate.
"The Sword Qi Sea is a boundless ocean, but instead of water, it is composed entirely of sword qi. It rejects all non sword energies. The deeper you go, the greater the pressure from the sword qi becomes.
"As for Sword Edge Mountain, it's a towering peak bristling with razor sharp sword edges. Its lethality is unmatched.
"Typically, challengers rely on their sword qi to traverse the sea and climb the mountain. However, your challenge will require crossing the sea and scaling the mountain using only your physical bodies raising the difficulty tenfold."
Xiao Ze's eyes gleamed with interest. "Is it true that even Saint tier Supreme Sovereigns can't cross them?"
Huang Qiu chuckled and shook his head. "Not exactly. Saints are the pinnacle of the Great Thousand World. While the trials are formidable, they cannot entirely block those of our level. That said, the time it takes to complete the trials becomes the deciding factor."
Xiao Ze nodded thoughtfully as they reached the first challenge: the Sword Qi Sea.
Before them stretched an ocean made not of water but of shimmering, razor sharp sword qi.
"This is the Sword Qi Sea," the Sword Saint announced. "Who will go first?"
Huang Qiu waved his hand. "I'll go first. Xiao Ze only just learned of the Sword Qi Sea. It wouldn't be fair for him to start."
Xiao Ze smiled. Huang Qiu's commitment to fairness was evident, even in a competition designed to test him.
Seeing Xiao Ze's agreement, Huang Qiu turned to the Sword Saint.
The Sword Saint produced a crystalline hourglass and nodded. "Begin."
The Sword Qi Sea
Huang Qiu's body glowed with golden light as he launched himself into the sea like a blazing comet.
The Sword Qi Sea roared to life, its razor sharp energy converging upon the intruder. But no matter how fierce the sword qi, it failed to pierce Huang Qiu's golden glow. He cut through the waves of sword energy like a blazing sun, driving ever deeper into the sea.
The Sword Saint and Xiao Ze observed calmly. While the Sword Qi Sea's energy was formidable, it paled in comparison to a Saint tier physique.
Moments later, the Sword Saint glanced at the hourglass, its crystalline grains nearly half drained.
Huang Qiu returned, his body wrapped in golden light, and glanced at the hourglass with a hint of dissatisfaction. "I thought I'd be faster."
The Sword Saint reset the hourglass, and Xiao Ze stepped forward.
Golden light surged as he entered the Sword Qi Sea. Immediately, the sea reacted violently, billions of sword qi strands converging on him. Xiao Ze ignored them, diving deeper into the sea at an incredible speed.
The Sword Saint frowned slightly. "He's not using spiritual energy, but his speed is extraordinary."
Huang Qiu nodded in agreement. "It must be the influence of divine beast bloodlines. Perhaps he absorbed the blood of avian beasts when forging his Saint tier physique, granting him unparalleled speed."
In truth, Xiao Ze had activated his Dragon Phoenix Bloodline, with the Phoenix's unmatched speed driving his advance.
Moments later, Xiao Ze emerged from the sea's far end and returned even faster, the hourglass showing only a third of its grains had fallen.
"Looks like I win this round, Huang Qiu," Xiao Ze said with a smile.
Huang Qiu sighed in defeat but chuckled good naturedly. "I concede. Let's see how you fare on Sword Edge Mountain."
Sword Edge Mountain
At the base of the towering peak, Huang Qiu went first. With every step, the jagged sword edges rang out, filling the air with the sound of clashing steel. Despite the mountain's challenges, Huang Qiu reached the summit swiftly.
He descended even faster, his landing marked by a triumphant smile as the hourglass showed only a third of its grains had fallen.
"Your turn, Xiao Ze. This round determines whether we'll need a tiebreaker," Huang Qiu said.
"Or whether we won't need one at all," Xiao Ze replied with a grin, stepping onto the first blade.
The mountain rang with metallic resonance as Xiao Ze ascended, his speed outpacing even Huang Qiu's.
Watching from below, Huang Qiu exhaled sharply. "No need for a third round. This man is a monster."
Even the Sword Saint nodded in agreement.
Minutes later, Xiao Ze descended, grinning.
"Two wins," he said. "Looks like I won't need to face you directly, Huang Qiu."
Huang Qiu laughed ruefully. "You've bested me, Xiao Ze. But that body refining pill you mentioned I expect it to live up to its reputation."
Xiao Ze smiled. "It won't disappoint. And in exchange, I trust you'll make a strong case to your Council of Elders."
With the competition decided, Huang Qiu now had the leverage he needed to argue for Xiao Ze's request to observe the Desolate God Physique.
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