They believed that even if Li Jianxing was stronger, it was only by a sliver compared to Lin Yexing.
But Changyang Gushuo was different. He was the foremost heavenly talent, not only of Shenxiao Palace, the top among the Five Great Sacred Lands, but also the young lord of the Changyang family.
Coupled with his previous easy victory over Xuan Yihan, another peerless heavenly talent, Changyang Gushuo's strength had already proven to be far superior to other peerless heavenly talents.
Having experienced the humiliation of a swift defeat last time, Changyang Gushuo had learned to be smarter this time and did not choose to make a grand entrance as he had before.
Li Jianxing maintained his deep and steady demeanor, walking slowly onto the Immortal Martial Stage.
Even though his opponent was Changyang Gushuo, Li Jianxing's gaze showed no change, and his heart was as calm as still water.
Changyang Gushuo made the first move, seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls were casually flicked towards Li Jianxing under his control.
In this Sacred Land Grand Competition, Changyang Gushuo was the only disciple of a Sacred Land to possess a Sacred Artifact.
The power of the Immortal Essence Pearls was something the crowd had already witnessed; even Xuan Yihan, the peerless heavenly talent of Xuankong Mountain, could not withstand them.
Would Li Jianxing be able to receive them safely?
But what was unexpected was that facing the Sacred Artifact-level Immortal Essence Pearls, Li Jianxing did not even draw his sword.
He merely pointed the tip of his sword at the seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls and flicked them away with a light touch.
Using a subtle technique, he neutralized the impact force of the seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls.
And Li Jianxing's sword seemed to possess a peculiar magnetic pull, drawing the Immortal Essence Pearls towards it. Finally, effortlessly and skillfully, he returned the seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls, shooting them back towards Changyang Gushuo.
Changyang Gushuo froze for a moment, not expecting Li Jianxing to resolve the attack of the Immortal Essence Pearls in such a manner.
The flying Immortal Essence Pearls also stopped in front of Changyang Gushuo under his control.
"You do have some skill," Changyang Gushuo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "But if you think you can defeat me with just this rudimentary skill, you are far too naive."
Changyang Gushuo looked at Li Jianxing with full confidence.
But Li Jianxing remained as motionless as a wooden block, standing still without uttering a word.
This caused Changyang Gushuo to frown.
This Li Jianxing should at least respond; it's awkward for me, your young lord, to be talking alone.
He assumed Li Jianxing hadn't heard him and repeated himself in a louder voice.
But this time, the one who responded was a sword energy, like a white rainbow piercing the sun, slashed out by Li Jianxing!
"Hey, at least let me finish speaking,"
Changyang Gushuo, who had not anticipated Li Jianxing's sudden attack, quickly manipulated the seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls to form a defensive barrier in front of him.
But Li Jianxing's sword strike was powerful. Although the Immortal Essence Pearls could withstand the damage, the fierce sword wind still forced Changyang Gushuo back more than ten steps.
This scene stunned many Sacred Land disciples.
"Damn, this Li Jianxing is strong. He forced Changyang Gushuo back with just one sword strike right from the start."
"Yeah, it's my first time seeing Changyang Gushuo at a disadvantage."
"Then, in that case, doesn't Li Jianxing have a chance to defeat Changyang Gushuo?"
"Not necessarily. Changyang Gushuo was just caught off guard. If he gets serious, Li Jianxing might not be his opponent."
...
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Changyang Gushuo didn't expect his opponent to be such a ruthless and taciturn fellow.
He attacked without a word. Fortunately, his reaction was timely, or he would have lost face.
In Li Jianxing's view, was this person named Changyang Gushuo mentally ill?
The duel had already begun, yet this guy was still babbling on, talking for so long without resuming the fight, forcing him to make a move.
Xin Ci and Mu Qingqing, standing below the Immortal Martial Stage, had the same thought as Li Jianxing.
They suspected if Changyang Gushuo's strength was inversely proportional to his brainpower.
How did this guy become the foremost heavenly talent?
Li Jianxing wasted no more words. Although Changyang Gushuo seemed mentally unstable, his strength was undeniable, and he had to treat him seriously.
Thus, Li Jianxing's long sword was unsheathed for the first time in front of the crowd, a sharp sword intent soaring into the sky.
A towering sword silhouette appeared in the sky, its sword wind sweeping across the entire Immortal Martial Stage.
The Burial Annihilation Sword Style, one strike to bury all!
"No way, you're using your ultimate move right at the start!"
Changyang Gushuo and many of the watching Sacred Land disciples widened their eyes in astonishment, exclaiming.
Did this Li Jianxing really not even want to test the waters?
This Burial Annihilation Sword Style had been used before by Lin Yexing, who was also from the Burial Sword Pavilion.
Compared to Lin Yexing who used it with all his might, Li Jianxing appeared much more relaxed and his power was even greater.
This Li Jianxing was indeed worthy of having comprehended the foremost sword art in the world.
Seeing the towering sword silhouette approaching, Changyang Gushuo couldn't help but curse, "Why are you pushing me to this point right from the start? What kind of grudge do you have?"
Even though Changyang Gushuo was not weak, he dared not be careless now and hastily mobilized a large amount of his true essence.
The seventeen Immortal Essence Pearls were connected together, forming a staff-shaped Immortal Essence Staff.
The Xuanyuan Staff Style, one strike to shatter mountains and rivers!
Changyang Gushuo gripped the Immortal Essence Staff, radiating immortal essence energy, his aura soaring, like an immortal king descending.
The Immortal Essence Staff rapidly enlarged under the infusion of true essence, emitting a dazzling and scorching crimson light.
With a sweep of the staff, heaven and earth, mountains and rivers were all shattered!
It met Li Jianxing's towering sword silhouette.
With a thunderous roar, the collision of the two supreme true meanings instantly erupted with destructive energy fluctuations. This energy was so immense that even a Saint Emperor below the two-star level would be annihilated if caught in it.
If it weren't for the defensive barrier set up on the Immortal Martial Stage, capable of withstanding attacks from Great Emperor level cultivators, this strike would have turned the Immortal Martial Stage to dust and killed the Sacred Land disciples in the audience with its residual waves.
After a moment, the terrifying energy on the Immortal Martial Stage gradually dissipated.
Changyang Gushuo and Li Jianxing stood tens of meters apart.
Both of their clothes were somewhat tattered, and they had sustained some injuries, but overall, neither had suffered any major harm.
Li Jianxing maintained his sword-holding posture, his expression as serene as ever.
Changyang Gushuo, on the other hand, looked dejected.
What kind of monster had he encountered?
Although the Burial Annihilation Sword Style was powerful, it shouldn't be inferior to the supreme true meaning of the Changyang family, the Xuanyuan Staff Style.
Could it be that this guy had elevated the power of the Burial Annihilation Sword Style to another level solely through his comprehension of sword intent?
He had thought that no one in this Sacred Land Grand Competition would be his match, but this Li Jianxing from the Burial Sword Pavilion was truly terrifying.
If they were at the same cultivation level, the outcome of this battle would be uncertain.
Changyang Gushuo sighed inwardly and looked at Li Jianxing, saying, "You are strong, but you are still not my match!"
As soon as he said this, the disciples of the various Sacred Lands were stunned.
"What does Changyang Gushuo mean by that? Does he still have any hidden cards?"
"That's unlikely. Changyang Gushuo has already used the supreme true meaning of the Xuanyuan Staff Style."
"One must know that supreme true meanings consume a significant amount of true essence. Even though the heavenly talents are incredibly monstrous, they are only at the peak Heavenly Venerable realm."