On the arena stage, Mo Lingfeng stood lost and dispirited. He knew very clearly—the outcome had already been decided.
And moreover, he had lost in the most humiliating way possible.
With just a flick of the other’s finger, his sword had flown away.
Chu Huaixu’s words, each one like a hammer, struck upon his heart.
"My sword… is afraid of you?"
He really wanted to curse out loud and say: "What kind of bullshit are you spouting!"
However, everything that had just happened was far too direct and far too clear.
In his heart, he understood well—that at the very moment the opponent’s fingers touched the sword’s body, his Sword Spirit had been utterly terrified!
A sword cultivator and his Life-bound Sword Spirit shared a mutual connection, each influencing the other.
Because the Sword Spirit felt fear, in that instant, even his own hair had stood on end, his heart chilled to the core!Rather than saying the Heavenly Stone Sword was flicked away by the other’s finger, it was better to say that his Sword Spirit had lost all will to fight and fled in panic.
Evil! Too evil!
How could a body cultivator possibly achieve such a thing!
This method of his was fatal to a sword cultivator!
Such a blow to a sword cultivator’s combat strength was terrifying.
Chu Huaixu was indeed a Swordless One. Because of the Heart Sword, he could never have his own Life-bound Sword.
But—if I hold no sword in hand, then you shall not think to wield one either!
The audience fell into dead silence, before exploding into a commotion like boiling oil, all whispering in shock.
Kui Muquan and Zhao Xinghan stood at Geng Tianhe’s side, unable to hold back from asking this Sword Sect genius:
"What is going on here?"
At half a step into Sword Intent Realm, Geng Tianhe’s brows furrowed tightly. He opened his mouth, but did not know what to say.
In the end, he only shook his head.
He could not see through it! He simply could not see through it!
He could not understand why Junior Brother Mo could not draw his sword at the beginning.
Even less could he understand why, when the sword had been drawn out by just an inch, Chu Huaixu merely took one step forward, and the instant his foot landed, the sword returned to its scabbard once more!
As for that casual flick of his finger, with almost no strength at all, sending the Heavenly Stone Sword flying—Geng Tianhe understood even less.
Chu Huaixu’s peculiarity left even the higher-ups of the Dao Gate astonished.
If even Chu Yinyin’s divine sense could be blocked by the Heart Sword, then with his half-step Sword Intent Realm, how could he possibly comprehend it?
What’s more, Lu Pan had previously set up a formation around Chu Huaixu, preventing his Sword Heart Clarity from being exposed too early, lest it attract disaster.
In truth, not just Geng Tianhe—even those few Fifth Realm major cultivators watching from above the clouds were utterly puzzled.
Among them, Mo Tenglong of Wuyou Valley was the highest in realm. The others could not help but ask him:
"Brother Mo, this junior’s trick—have you discerned anything?"
Mo Tenglong shook his head. "It is very strange."
To them, this was an incomprehensible experience.
A group of Fifth Realm major cultivators, yet they could not see through a mere First Realm junior?
At this moment, however, Mo Tenglong no longer blamed his disciples for losing to this body cultivator in the earlier rounds.
"It seems, this old man wronged him," he thought in his heart.
On the arena, Mo Lingfeng’s face turned deathly pale.
He too began to feel fear toward Chu Huaixu. How could he still have any will to fight?
Just now, he had felt utterly dominated.
The sensation was unbearable.
Mo Lingfeng finally spoke in a dispirited tone: "I… I lost."
The next moment, he cupped his fists and bowed, asking: "May I ask, how did you do it?"
His attitude was humble, his voice sincere.
Because he knew very well—if he could not figure this out, it would absolutely become a nightmare on his sword cultivation path!
A Life-bound Sword was the most precious thing to a sword cultivator.
And it had been utterly suppressed!
After this battle, Mo Lingfeng might never again fully trust his own Life-bound Sword. This could even become his Heart Demon!
Chu Huaixu looked at him, and did appreciate his willingness to lower his pride.
But in front of all these people, you want me to reveal my secret to you?
"This fellow is as naive as Little Xu?" he laughed in his heart.
Still, Chu Huaixu felt he needed to give an answer.
The Dao Gate was the host, and he was its disciple. He had to uphold its dignity.
Thus, he spoke in a deep voice:
"Rather than ask me, why not return and ask your sword?"
Chu Huaixu stepped down from the arena, leaving side by side with Han Shuangjiang.
The crowd parted, all eyes fixed on the backs of this Dao couple.
"The man is an eerie body cultivator, his physical strength astonishing. Today, he is even more unfathomable."
"The woman, so young, yet already comprehending Sword Intent, and even wielding a Supreme-grade Spiritual Artifact!"
This pair of matched immortals was truly terrifying.
Geng Tianhe’s gaze fixed rigidly upon Chu Huaixu.
Now, he began to understand Elder Situ’s true intention, why he insisted on having him personally observe the match.
Today, out of jealousy, he had wanted to see for himself what kind of man had seemingly won Han Shuangjiang’s heart.
Now, he had seen.
Yet it was as if he had not.
For he still could not understand.
As Senior Brother, watching his Junior Brother Mo leave the stage lost and broken, muttering ceaselessly under his breath, Geng Tianhe felt he had to offer some comfort, to at least fulfill his duty.
"My sword is afraid. My sword is afraid…"
As a Sword Sect cultivator who poured his all into the sword, he felt this was even more unbearable than if his Dao Companion had run away with Chu Huaixu!
Geng Tianhe sighed, then lightly patted his shoulder.
"Junior Brother Mo, don’t show such an expression, or others around will laugh at you."
"Come back with me. We’ll ask Elder Situ. He will naturally resolve this confusion for us," he said in a low voice.
Hearing this, Mo Lingfeng’s eyes immediately lit up!
That’s right, Elder Situ was one of the Four Great Divine Swords, the Sword Sovereign’s junior brother, an unparalleled expert of the Eighth Realm!
He would definitely be able to tell him why this had happened!
At this thought, he lowered his head and glanced at the Heavenly Stone Sword in his hand.
The Sword Spirit had once again become lively, even transmitting feelings of intimacy toward him.
Yet, the more affectionate and eager it acted now, the more uneasy he felt, his heart a tangled mess.
"Sigh一一Senior Brother Geng, let’s go," Mo Lingfeng said.
After the two left, Kui Muquan and Zhao Xinghan exchanged a glance, then hurriedly rushed back as well, eager to report to their sect elders.
They too were quite worried.
"If this eerie body cultivator can influence all types of Spiritual Artifacts… that would be very troublesome!"
The audience beneath the arena gradually dispersed, though all left in small groups, discussing animatedly as they walked.
It was clear—Chu Huaixu would once again become the subject of heated discussion among everyone.
All had believed body cultivators to be crude, rarely possessing any profound methods.
But today had truly opened their eyes!
——Inner Sect, Elegant Courtyard.
Situ Cheng listened to the accounts of Geng Tianhe and Mo Lingfeng, then slowly set down the jade gourd in his hand.
"You’re saying… your sword couldn’t be drawn at all, from the very start?"
"And this Chu Huaixu said it was because the Heavenly Stone Sword feared him?"
Even this Eighth Realm sword cultivator showed some confusion.
If the opponent had been overwhelmingly powerful, crushing Mo Lingfeng in all aspects, that could be explained.
But for a mere First Realm cultivator to produce such a mystical effect? Impossible.
This was not only about cultivation realm—it was about status and rank!
Still, Situ Cheng’s thoughts remained clear. Since they could not see through it at the time, then questioning further now would also be useless.
"Better to test it directly!"
The middle-aged man, with graying temples, gestured: "Mo Lingfeng, step before me. Let us attempt to recreate the scene."
Situ Cheng knew well—if he did not dispel this shadow, then this fine seedling Mo Lingfeng might never recover in the coming years.
A sword cultivator betrayed by his own Life-bound Sword?
Then what was the point of practicing the sword at all? Would he still revere the Way of the Sword?
He must shatter the strange demonic trick that youth had left behind!
Geng Tianhe stood off to the side, watching curiously.
Situ Cheng raised a single finger, lightly pointing into the air, channeling his Spiritual Energy into the Heavenly Stone Sword. He said: "Draw your sword."
Mo Lingfeng nodded, exerted himself with all his strength, but no matter what, he could not draw it.
"Was this the feeling you had then—that your sword was sealed by Spiritual Energy?" Situ Cheng asked.
"No," Mo Lingfeng answered immediately.
He did not know how to describe it.
At that moment, it had not felt like another’s power was stopping him from drawing the sword.
Situ Cheng fell into thought. Then, forming a seal with his right hand, he performed a sealing technique in midair.
"Try again. Is this the feeling?" he asked.
"Alright!" Mo Lingfeng held the sword before him and once more attempted to draw it.
The Heavenly Stone Sword remained unmoved, firmly sealed.
"No," the youth replied.
He recalled carefully, then said: "Elder, I felt it wasn’t Chu Huaixu resisting me, but the Heavenly Stone Sword itself. It didn’t want to be drawn—it refused to be drawn!"
At these words, the Sword Spirit of the Heavenly Stone Sword instantly grew animated.
Since Chu Huaixu was not present, it frantically transmitted its stance to its master.
I didn’t! I would never! How could I betray you!
But in the end, it simply refused to admit it.
Situ Cheng frowned slightly, lowering his head in deep thought: "How could a sword cultivator’s Life-bound Sword ever betray its master?"
He had already considered several possibilities, one of which he least wished to accept.
Yet, listening to Mo Lingfeng’s description, this seemed the closest match.
Situ Cheng began circulating his Sword Heart. With his realm of Sword Heart Clarity, he pressed down upon the Heavenly Stone Sword’s Sword Spirit.
In an instant, the Sword Spirit was like a quail in winter.
It no longer attempted to argue in its defense, trembling faintly instead.
Such an overwhelming difference in rank naturally instilled fear!
"Try again," Situ Cheng said.
Mo Lingfeng once more drew the sword, and his eyes brightened.
"This is it!" he said.
But the moment his words fell, he quickly added: "No, not right! This isn’t it!"
"But… it does feel a little similar."
"No! Still not right!"
Situ Cheng grew muddled listening to this, his temper rising.
"So is it or is it not!" His voice rose slightly.
This child was hopeless!
Mo Lingfeng shrank his neck, carefully sensing once more, then replied: "Elder, it’s somewhat similar, but also different."
"Different how?" Situ Cheng glared, speaking loudly, his mouth reeking of wine.
This was, in truth, the result he least wanted to believe.
A First Realm body cultivator, causing… a rank suppression over the Life-bound Sword of a First Realm peak sword cultivator?
Utterly inconceivable!
Even if, taking Chu Yinyin’s words as truth, that body cultivator indeed held Sword Intent…
Even then, it was impossible to suppress to this degree! Sword Intent alone could not do it!
Yet Mo Lingfeng’s next answer made him almost want to slap the boy dead on the spot!
He was convinced the problem lay with Mo Lingfeng himself—that this blockheaded disciple had misperceived things, his thoughts in complete disarray.
For, under Elder Situ’s relentless questioning, Mo Lingfeng finally spoke with cautious uncertainty, tentatively answering:
"It seemed… the Sword Spirit feared Chu Huaixu more?"