The academy elder’s expression grew grave; this was the reason behind his earlier hesitation.
Agreeing to this duel would result in the death of many people, all of whom were outstanding among humanity. On the other hand, refusing and going straight to battle would lead to even greater casualties and destruction. It was a true dilemma.
"You often venture to Yun ng Swamp to hunt demons, but you have yet to reach its core depths. The demons residing in the deepest parts of Yun ng Swamp are endowed with rare bloodlines and shocking talents. This Bull Demon, for instance, is unlike ordinary demons; it carries a golden bloodline. Therefore, if you are to fight next, you must consider this carefully. I will not force anyone; everything will proceed strictly on a voluntary basis."
The elder addressed the Bai Lu Academy disciples. Those who had been confident earlier now appeared subdued.
The first battle was a crucial fight for morale. The academy’s genius cultivator, Tang Mo, was hamred to death by demons on the battlefield. The loss dealt a severe blow to morale, and it also shattered their confidence.
*As the elder had said, they knew nothing of the demons within Yun ng Swamp’s deepest regions.*
However, in that battle, the Bull Demon was injured as well. Although its body carried golden blood, it was struck by Tang Mo’s sword. Without that strike, it likely wouldn’t have been so easy for him to kill Tang Mo. As a result, the Bull Demon retreated from the battlefield.
The sound of drums thundered, and the demons roared in unison.
This ti, the demons didn’t take the initiative to act; instead, they waited for the human cultivators to make the first move.
The human side fell into silence for a mont, their gazes shifting toward other directions, filled with anticipation: Could the second battle reclaim their morale?
Yet, the first to enter the fight faced a disadvantage. You wouldn’t know just how strong your opponent would be, leading to greater hesitation.
Li Fan glanced toward the battlefield but showed no intention of making a move.
If he were to join the battle, it was unlikely anyone within the sa realm from the Demon World would be able to stand against him. However, in the depths of Yun ng Swamp, there were demons with extraordinarily strong innate gifts. Should he take part, he might face successive battles as the demons would likely deploy wave attacks.
*Furthermore, he would have to display his true strength.*
*Doing so would attract attention—that would make him stand out. The people of Yun ng City would inevitably take note of his existence, and it was certain that powers would probe into his background. The Court might also take notice, introducing unknown risks.*
*Being alone out in the world without the company of his seniors from Li Mountain, he naturally had to exercise caution.*
The crowd’s focus shifted toward Bai Lu Academy; evidently, they still regarded the academy as the leader. Bai Lu Academy’s genius cultivators were many, and they were seen as having a stronger chance if they acted.
The academy’s cultivators also felt a looming, invisible pressure. Where they had once been assured, Tang Mo’s death served as a harsh wake-up call.
Ji Xue stood among the crowd and glanced around. Although she wished to step onto the battlefield, she was well aware of her own strength.
*On such a stage, she feared she wouldn’t asure up.*
Just then, Ji Xue caught sight of a figure stepping forward, her gaze freezing in place.
That quiet and graceful figure walked calmly out of the crowd and headed toward the battlefield. It wasn’t just Ji Xue; the attention of everyone at Bai Lu Academy turned to the woman as well.
Lu Yuan.
Among Bai Lu Academy’s many disciples, many of whom were Foundation Establishnt geniuses, Lu Yuan erged when no one expected it. After suffering defeat in the first battle, the person to step forward was a seemingly delicate woman now standing in the middle of the bloodstained battlefield.
This scene sent a shockwave through the human cultivator army.
"Such a beautiful young lady," so elder figures murmured as they caught sight of Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan’s beauty was serene, yet the battlefield was chillingly murderous. The pounding war drums rattled against eardrums, making even battle-hardened n’s scalps tingle. Yet, this seemingly fragile woman stood firmly at the center of it all and unsheathed the sword carried on her back.
Even amidst this suffocating atmosphere, Lu Yuan possessed an unearthly beauty. Voices began to ring out from the crowd—cheers and chants growing louder with each mont as people encouraged her.
Li Fan’s gaze flicked to Lu Yuan as well, surprised that she would represent Bai Lu Academy in the fight. Perhaps it was to repay so gratitude, given that she studied at Bai Lu Academy.
"Let take her head."
A White Tiger Demon strode forward onto the battlefield—a tiger-headed humanoid wielding a massive blade. The character for "king" was engraved on its forehead, and its body exuded an overwhelming aura of savagery.
This White Tiger Demon hailed from the depths of Yun ng Swamp and carried a rare bloodline.
"Such tender skin; it looks like a feast awaits."
The White Tiger Demon twisted its neck, eyes glowing with wicked light as it fixated on Lu Yuan’s neck.
"Boom..." Its body burst forward toward Lu Yuan at terrifying speed, a murderous intent emanating from it as it pounced. Flashing with chilling brilliance, the massive blade slashed downward with imnse force.
Lu Yuan raised her sword. Her seemingly frail figure suddenly unleashed shocking strength. The blade shimred coldly as Sword Aura surged like tides to et the attack head-on.
"Great swordsmanship!"
Many spectators exclaid in admiration as they saw Sword Aura rolling like waves in the face of the White Tiger Demon’s strike.
A deafening crash reverberated as the blade t the sword. The tiger demon’s enormous mouth suddenly opened wide, unleashing a piercing roar toward Lu Yuan—a terrifying sonic wave blasting outward like sword beams.
Lu Yuan felt a sharp pain in her head, as if being sliced by knives. Simultaneously, the tiger demon’s blade scraped against her sword, driving straight toward her head.
"The tiger’s roaring contains sound-based killing intent," soone observed.
Lu Yuan retreated several steps as the White Tiger Demon pressed forward, sweeping its blade horizontally with frightening montum.
"Blade techniques, blade intent."
The human cultivators remarked upon how most demons they’d encountered in Yun ng Swamp relied solely on their innate physical gifts. This demon, however, was clearly different—it wielded techniques akin to humans.
"Even demons are learning human techniques," the academy elder murmured.
Demons already possessed extraordinary innate abilities. Coupled with human thods, they were undeniably becoming far more formidable.
High-ranking demons exhibited exceptional intelligence, and there was little doubt that those from the depths of Yun ng Swamp had all learned human skills.
Li Fan kept his gaze on the battlefield. Though the White Tiger Demon was powerful, he still trusted in Lu Yuan.
*She had yet to exhibit her full strength. During the battle atop Li Mountain’s peak, she made even Chu Zili reluctant to engage. Her capability was beyond doubt.*
The tiger demon launched continuous, ferocious attacks in an attempt to end the fight quickly. The demon army’s chants grew louder, war drums thundering without pause. But Lu Yuan’s swordsmanship, though seemingly soft, was resilient, like the ocean itself. The tiger demon’s ruthless and domineering attacks could not pierce through her defense.
"Impressive," the academy elder praised, adding, "Lu Yuan will surely win this battle."
So academy disciples held doubts; watching the struggle on the battlefield, Lu Yuan seed to be at a disadvantage. Could victory truly be hers?
As the battle went on, the Tiger Demon’s relentless attacks began to wane—it could no longer sustain its ferocity. anwhile, its weakening allowed Lu Yuan’s sword strikes to flow like rising tides. Softness t strength as she launched a fierce counterattack.
As the battle progressed, an icy frost gradually enveloped the battlefield. The chill seeped into the Tiger Demon’s bones, slowing its movents.
With the shifting balance, the crowd began to see that Lu Yuan was turning the tide.
During her Sword Inquiry at Li Mountain Sword Valley, Lu Yuan inherited five swords, representing the sword dao legacies of five Li Mountain predecessors. During the battle atop Li Mountain’s peak, she hadn’t yet had the chance to fully digest the inheritance.
But through the trials since then and her studies at Bai Lu Academy, she had continually honed her understanding of the inherited sword dao, gaining mastery with each passing day.
At this mont, she demonstrated the sword dao passed down by one of her predecessors—a female cultivator. The swordsmanship resembled turbulent waves: strength within softness, combining offense and defense seamlessly, augnted by her natural talents to exceptional effect.
The demon army’s chants began to die down, although the war drums still beat. The killing intent in the air seed to fade.
Lu Yuan’s offensives grew sharper and more intense, turning the tables completely. Her sword strikes surged like crashing waves—now like a massive, unstoppable tsunami. Each strike stronger than the last, the tide of sword energy threatened to engulf the White Tiger Demon.
The White Tiger Demon’s blade was knocked from its grasp. It let out an enraged, earth-shaking roar as its body morphed into its true form. Its imnse fra radiated murderous energy, claws extending as it lunged down from above toward Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan bent slightly at the knees before spinning upward into the air. Torrential Sword Intent swirled around her like tempestuous waves as she swung her sword with full force.
A beam of sword light flashed—shing!—and the Tiger Demon’s claw and head went flying, blood spraying into the air.
Frost appeared in front of Lu Yuan, shielding her from the blood splatter as she descended gracefully to the ground. Watching her calm and elegant figure, many of the human cultivators were montarily awestruck.
The battlefield erupted into thunderous cheers.
"She’s so beautiful," voices marveled.
"Indeed. What’s her na? Why haven’t I heard of her before?"
All eyes focused on Lu Yuan. Many young n felt their hearts race; at that mont, she seed flawless, radiant as if glowing.
Li Fan gazed at the scene and sighed inwardly.
*Indeed, in a battlefield like this, it was impossible not to make a na for yourself.*
*This battle alone was enough to make Lu Yuan famous across Yun ng City. Everyone would know her na, and she would undoubtedly beco the object of admiration for countless people.*
After slaying the White Tiger Demon, Lu Yuan did not linger on the battlefield but turned and walked back silently.
As Lu Yuan stepped forward with quiet dignity, the people of Bai Lu Academy regarded her in a new light. They had always known of her extraordinary talent, but Lu Yuan had lived quietly and rarely displayed her power.
Only through this battle did others witness her brilliance.
Many young n looked at her with undisguised admiration.
Ji Xue’s gaze also fell upon Lu Yuan. Watching that serene figure, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of inferiority.
*Lu Yuan—she was the true Heavenly Pride Girl. Ji Xue realized now that her prior confidence was rely a self-delusion. Compared to Lu Yuan, she was far outmatched.*
*Neither in beauty, talent, nor courage could she compare.*
Ji Xue’s mind wandered to Li Fan, recalling Lu Yuan’s smile as she looked at him and said, "I can’t beat him."
*Then, just how strong was Li Fan?*
*Her thoughts darkened as her gaze drifted among the cheering human army.*
*Would he be here today?*
*Yang Qingshan!*
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