Chapter 439: The Rules of the Sword Dao Academy
In the crowd of the Sword Dao Academy, an old man with disheveled hair stood sternly before Prodigy Xiao and his companions.
He looked exceedingly rigid and old-fashioned. Just by standing there, he gave others the feeling of a towering mountain blocking their way.
Seeing this, the dean of the Sword Dao Academy quickly said, “Elder Ku, Prodigy Xiao is a disciple of our Wendao Academy, not an outsider. There’s no need to bring up the rules.”
Elder Ku, however, did not compromise and continued, “Dean, rules must not be abolished—unless they enter the mountain without their swords.”
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people exchanged looks. Though they said nothing, their bodies instinctively aligned with Elder Ku.
Xiao Chen did not get angry but smiled slightly. “Since the Sword Dao Academy has its rules, as the Holy Son of Wendao Academy, I cannot break them. Senior, please explain your rules.”
“Very well,” the dean said. “The rule of our Sword Dao Academy is that those who wish to enter the mountain with their swords must pass the Ten Swords Formation. Otherwise, they must disarm.
This is to prevent conflicts among visiting cultivators that could lead to great disaster.”
Xiao Chen nodded lightly. “Then let us follow the rules.”
As soon as he spoke, ten titled lords of the academy stepped forward, each holding a long sword.
Though none had drawn their blades, the sword intent from their bodies was already radiating outward.
Every one of them had reached the great perfection of sword intent, and behind each stood a sword formed purely from sword will.
All gazes turned toward Xiao Chen, and the ten lords spoke in unison, “Holy Son Xiao, please enlighten us.”
The rest of the Sword Dao Academy wore expressions of schadenfreude.
The dean added, “Virtuous nephew Xiao, our Ten Absolute Sword Formation is invincible among equals—none below a Great Sage can break it. It’s still not too late to disarm.”
Though he said this, curiosity filled his heart. He truly wished to see how strong this Holy Son of Wendao Academy was.
“Invincible among equals? That’s rather interesting,” Xiao Chen said calmly. Then his tone shifted. “But if that’s all, there’s no need to bother challenging this Ten Absolute Sword Formation.”
Before his words faded, the Sword Son sneered from the side. “I thought the Holy Son from Wendao Academy would be far stronger. It seems that’s not the case after all.”
The surrounding elders remained silent, but their eyes brimmed with disdain.
The ten titled lords also spoke together, “Since that is the case, Holy Son Xiao, please lay down your sword.”
Still smiling, Xiao Chen replied, “You misunderstand. What I mean is—if we are to fight, then send out a Sword Dao Great Sage to face me. The ten of you together wouldn’t withstand even one of my strikes.”
His words instantly caused an uproar.
The ten lords burst into fury, shouting in anger.
“Holy Son Xiao, even if you come from Wendao Academy, you should know that Sword Continent is the true land of the sword! You may be unmatched in Xuan Continent, but here, you are not necessarily the strongest!”
“Holy Son Xiao, if you have such confidence, why not challenge our formation? Or are you afraid?”
“…!”
Even the Sword Son spoke again. “Senior brother, if you are truly that strong, why come to Sword Continent to learn the sword?”
The once-kindly old dean now looked displeased.
His face hardened. “Holy Son Xiao, Sword Continent is not a place for boasting. If you are truly powerful, then let us witness it.”
The smile faded from Xiao Chen’s face. He took a single step forward, and his aura changed completely.
Just by standing there, he seemed like an invincible swordsman overlooking all heroes of the world.
With his hands behind his back, he said calmly, “I shall stand right here. Do any of you dare draw your sword against me?”
As his words fell, the Dao truth of invincible sword dao erupted from his body, and a divine sword manifestation appeared behind him.
The ten lords trembled uncontrollably, their swords quivering in their hands.
Clang!
With a resounding sword cry, their blades flew from their scabbards of their own accord, falling to the ground.
“The Dao truth of Sword Dao!”
The cultivators of the Sword Dao Academy were not ignorant. Seeing the divine sword manifestation behind Xiao Chen, they could not help but exclaim in shock.
The Sword Son involuntarily took half a step back, murmuring, “How… how is this possible? He’s clearly only at the level of a titled lord—how could he have comprehended the Dao truth of Sword Dao?”
At that moment, a familiar voice broke the suffocating silence.
“Nephew Xiao’s sword dao is unparalleled. Allow this old man to experience the Dao truth of your sword.”
Accompanied by the sound of that voice, Elder Ku stepped out from the crowd and cupped his hands slightly toward Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen looked at him and smiled. “Since senior is interested, let us exchange a few moves then. Please.”
“Please.”
Elder Ku showed no change in expression despite Xiao Chen’s release of the Dao truth of Sword Dao. His face remained as stiff and solemn as before.
Xiao Chen glanced around. “There are too many people here. If we fight on the ground, someone might get hurt. Let us battle in the air.”
“I was thinking the same,” Elder Ku replied.
As soon as his voice fell, the two of them leapt into the sky.
Clang!
Both drew their treasured swords at the same time.
Elder Ku said calmly, “Two hundred years ago, this old man broke through to the Great Sage Realm. I have comprehended four points of the Dao truth of Sword Dao. What I cultivate is the Withered Wood Sword Dao—one sword, and all things wither.”
This was not a battle of life and death, and since both belonged to the same lineage, some polite exchange before fighting was only natural.
Xiao Chen smiled. “I broke through the Nirvana Realm several years ago. The path I walk is the Invincible Sword Dao, and I have now comprehended five points of the Dao truth of Sword Dao.”
At these words, everyone on Sword-Wielding Peak gasped involuntarily.
The Sword Son approached the dean and whispered, “Master, will Uncle Kumu be alright?”
The dean’s expression turned solemn. “Hard to say. Junior Brother Kumu’s cultivation is higher than Nephew Xiao’s, but his progress on the path of Sword Dao is not as deep. Even if he wins, it will be a pyrrhic victory.”
As they spoke, the auras of Elder Ku and Xiao Chen had already enveloped the entire Sword Dao Academy.
Disciples throughout the academy stopped their work and looked up toward the two figures in the sky.
“Who is that person, daring to fight Elder Ku?”
“Could he be a Great Sage from the Xuantian Sword Sect?”
“…”
Silence fell over Sword-Wielding Peak.
Every cultivator present held their breath, watching the duel in full concentration.
Although Sword Continent cultivators were accustomed to settling disputes with the sword, a battle between Great Sages was still a rare learning opportunity for many.
Whoosh…
A gust of wind blew past.
It was not cold, yet it stirred the depths of Elder Ku’s still heart.
He thrust his sword forward. “One Sword of Withering!”
Clang!
With a sharp sword cry, a terrifying sword aura tore through half the sky.
Where the sword light passed, all things withered; its brilliance alone was enough to make hearts tremble.
“Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin!”
Xiao Chen did not hold back either. He drew his sword and swung.
Instantly, countless sword energies filled the heavens.
Boom!
A deafening explosion followed.
The crowd saw a figure fall from the sky.
In the blink of an eye, they recognized who it was, and many gasped aloud.
“Elder Ku!”
The dean raised his hand, stopping those who wanted to rush forward.
Fortunately, before hitting the ground, Elder Ku managed to steady himself and landed safely—though barely.
Even so, he was in a wretched state. His robe was torn to shreds, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Pfft—
Elder Ku felt a sweetness rise in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood. His body trembled, nearly losing balance.
Quickly steadying himself with his sword, he took a breath and cupped his hands toward Xiao Chen, who still hovered in the sky. “Many thanks, Holy Son Xiao, for showing mercy. This old man admits defeat.”
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