Mortal: Junior Sister Song Yu

The first round has ended, and forty-five people have advanced.

Li Xiao and Song Yu passed the test and returned to their respective areas.

"Senior brother, my keen insight allows me to see through the opponent's weaknesses, and I feel that setting up formations is now exceptionally easy."

Excitement gleamed in Song Yu's eyes. "Every wisp of spiritual energy flowing through Chang Xing's puppet is clearly visible to me, like the lines on my palm."

"This is a good thing."

Li Xiao smiled indulgently, "But you can't trust everything. There are countless extraordinary skills and techniques in the world. Some top experts can conceal their spiritual energy fluctuations and even create fake weaknesses to lure the enemy. Remember, you must never let your guard down."

He thought of Bai Haozhi. The feeling that person gave him was like a deep, ancient well, calm on the surface, but seemingly hiding a raging storm within.

The second round of competition began in the afternoon.

The rules have changed. The winner will remain in the ring, like the reigning champion, to accept the next challenger until no one dares to challenge them.

The ten people who finally stand proudly on the ten arenas are the top ten of this tournament.

Song Yu was the first to take the stage.

Her opponent was Tong Yue from the Ancient Sword Sect, who was at the late Foundation Establishment stage and was skilled in the sharp dual sword techniques. She defeated her opponent in just two moves in the first round, demonstrating her formidable strength.

Tong Yue leaped onto the arena. Seeing that Song Yu only had a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation level, she frowned almost imperceptibly: "Junior Sister Song, your cultivation is lower than mine. If I go all out, I might hurt you. How about this: you set up the formation, and I'll break it. If I can't break it within an incense stick's time, I'll consider it a loss, how about it?"

His words carried a hint of arrogance befitting a chosen one, perhaps mixed with a touch of so-called chivalry.

In his view, although Song Yu performed well in the first round, the gap between the middle and later stages could not be easily bridged by formations alone.

Song Yu simply nodded calmly: "Okay."

With a gentle wave of her hand, eight azure array flags flew out silently like butterflies flitting among flowers, instantly setting up the "Water Moon Eight Gates Array".

As the formation was completed, the air was filled with mist, and the entire arena seemed to be shrouded in a thin veil.

Tong Yue carries two swords on her back, named "Dragon's Roar" and "Phoenix's Cry," both of which are rare and top-quality magical artifacts.

He took a deep breath, stepped into the formation, and drew both swords simultaneously!

In an instant, sword light intertwined like dragons and phoenixes dancing, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, and slashed precisely at the array node detected by his divine sense.

However, the nodes of the Water Moon Eight Gates Formation, under the blessing of the Clear and Bright Spiritual Connection, are like the moon in the water or a flower in a mirror.

As the sword light struck, the nodes spread out like ripples, and after the sword light passed, they quietly gathered again in another place.

Tong Yue unleashed twenty-seven consecutive sword strikes, each using seventy percent of his strength, yet it was as if he were hitting cotton. The formation remained completely unmoved, while he himself had consumed a considerable amount of spiritual energy.

"There's some skill involved."

He abandoned all his contempt and crossed his two swords in front of his chest.

"The dragon and phoenix sing in harmony!"

With a loud shout, the Dragon's Roar and Phoenix's Cry swords burst forth with dazzling light, and the sword light transformed into a huge dragon and phoenix phantom, violently impacting the core of the formation with the force of burning mountains and boiling seas!

Song Yu remained expressionless, and lightly tapped his jade finger in the air.

The formation suddenly reversed!

The eight gates shifted, the water flow reversed, forming a huge vortex that absorbed all the power of the dragon and phoenix phantoms. Then, it suddenly unleashed an even more surging attack, crashing back towards Tong Yue herself!

"Using their own methods against them?!" Tong Yue's expression changed drastically.

He launched a series of fierce attacks, consuming a great deal of spiritual energy, only to be horrified to discover that the formation was not weakening, but rather growing stronger!

He could clearly feel that every strike he made was cleverly stored and transformed by the formation, becoming a sharp blade aimed at him.

"The core of the formation...is there!"

He exerted all his strength to activate his divine sense, and finally caught a fleeting flaw amidst the myriad changes. He combined his two swords, transforming them into a dazzling rainbow, and simultaneously slashed towards that direction.

But just as the sword's edge was about to strike, the formation changed again.

The so-called "weakness" vanished instantly, replaced by a bottomless vortex of attack.

Tong Yue's sword strike missed its mark, but instead, the massive vortex sucked both swords into her grasp.

He desperately channeled his magic power, only to discover a terrifying tearing force emanating from the vortex, as if it were about to seize and refine his natal magic weapon!

"I give up!"

He made a decisive decision; if he had hesitated for even a moment longer, these precious twin swords would have changed hands.

Song Yu waved her hand to dispel the formation. Tong Yue awkwardly sheathed her twin swords, staggered to the ground, and looked at Song Yu with deep fear and lingering apprehension: "Junior Sister Song's formations are profound, and she has grasped the essence of the Dao of Formations. I, Tong... am ashamed of my inferiority."

Next, a disciple from the Hundred Crafts Institute, skilled in speed, and a senior brother, known for his defense, went up to challenge them. Without exception, one was trapped by the heavy water walls, and his speed advantage vanished.

The other, however, was constantly worn down by the attacks guided by the formation, which gradually eroded the spiritual light of all its defensive magic treasures, ultimately forcing it to admit defeat.

Song Yu fought three battles in a row, but his magical power was depleted by less than 30%.

Her keen intuition allows her to always find the most energy-efficient way to fight, and her magical power, which is three times greater than that of others of the same level after switching to the Water Moon Heavenly Heart Sutra, gives her the capital to be invincible.

Li Xiao watched from the audience with satisfaction, but also a pang of heartache.

When fighting that speed-type disciple just now, the opponent almost rushed in front of Song Yu before the formation was fully formed. If Song Yu hadn't reacted quickly and blocked it with a water shield, he would probably have been caught in a close-quarters battle.

This is the biggest weakness of formation masters.

"It's my turn."

With a light tap of his toes, he leaped onto another arena as nimbly as a wild goose.

His opponent in the second round was none other than his fellow disciple from the Falling Cloud Sect, the Hidden Sword Edge Greatsword Senior Brother, renowned for his strength.

The senior brother with the giant sword didn't win easily in the first round either. When he saw Li Xiao take the stage, he couldn't help but smile wryly: "Junior Brother Li, you'd better go easy on him."

"Senior brother is too kind. Please." Li Xiao bowed with his sword in hand, his eyes calm.

Without further ado, the senior brother with the giant sword let out a low shout and directly activated his natal magic weapon—a giant sword the size of a door panel.

The sword was five feet long, one foot wide, and weighed over a hundred pounds. Its blade was covered with thick spiritual patterns.

He gripped the sword hilt with both hands, unleashing his mid-Foundation Establishment spiritual power without reservation. The greatsword, accompanied by a whistling sound as it tore through the air, cleaved down!

"Greatsword Technique - Mountain Split!"

This sword strike was powerful and heavy; the wind it generated alone created a clear crack in the hard arena floor!

Faced with this earth-shattering attack, Li Xiao did not choose to take it head-on.

With a swift movement, he combined the Wild Goose Technique with Instant Step, transforming himself into a blurry afterimage. Just as the giant sword fell, he appeared like a ghost beside his senior brother, the one wielding the giant sword.

With a gentle flick of his Tang sword, he landed precisely on the broad spine of the greatsword.

"Ding!"

With a crisp clang of metal, the giant sword, weighing over a hundred pounds and carrying immense force, was effortlessly flicked upwards by three inches!

The senior swordsman felt an extremely subtle shock coming from the sword, which made his tiger's mouth numb. He was horrified and hurriedly swung his sword back.

But Li Xiao's knife was faster.

With a flash of light, the blade was sheathed, and the cold back of the sword had already gently tapped his shoulder.

"Thank you for your concession."

The senior brother with the greatsword staggered back two steps, his face turning pale and then red. Finally, he sighed and slammed his greatsword heavily into the ground: "Junior Brother Li's speed and skill, I... am completely convinced."

He jumped off the ring decisively.

Li Xiao won so easily that the audience erupted in uproar.

"Three moves! He defeated the greatsword, renowned for its strength, in just three moves!"

"That kid's swordsmanship has reached a high level, mastering the three techniques of 'fast, accurate, and ruthless'," Elder Dong praised, stroking his beard.

"That's not all,"

Elder Feng added, "What's even more commendable is his mastery of power, which has reached a state of perfection. That flick and strike—any more and Senior Brother Greatsword would have injured him; any less and he wouldn't have been able to subdue his opponent. He used only thirty percent of his strength, yet achieved the effect of ten percent, stopping precisely and with perfect control. This young man has limitless potential!"

The disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect looked at Li Xiao with an unprecedented solemnity.

After the second round, only ten figures remained standing proudly on the ten arenas.

Li Xiao, Song Yu, and Bai Haozhi were prominently listed.

The other seven were also top experts from various sects, all of whom were at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Li Xiao, being only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, stood out from the crowd, yet no one dared to underestimate him anymore.

Elder Dong flew onto the central arena and announced loudly, "The third round: the top ten ranking battle! The rules have changed; there will be no more drawing lots, but a final arena system. The winners stay, the losers retreat, and the one who ultimately stands on this arena will be the champion of this year's Sword Trial Tournament!"

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, and looked meaningfully at Bai Haozhi: "I, Bai Haozhi of the Ancient Sword Sect, am willing to defend this title of number one. Gentlemen, do you dare to challenge me?"

This is the undisguised confidence and domineering presence of the Ancient Sword Sect.

Bai Haozhi is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root and a sword prodigy. Everyone believes that it is well-deserved for him to defend the arena.

Bai Haozhi smiled slightly, gracefully leaped onto the central arena, carrying an ancient sword on his back, his white robes as pure as snow: "I, Bai, am not talented, but I am willing to learn from the superior skills of my fellow disciples."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly unleashed his aura, and the overwhelming pressure belonging to the late Foundation Establishment stage swept across the entire area, mixed with a sharp and unparalleled sword intent, which made many disciples with slightly weaker cultivation feel suffocated!

"So...so strong!"

The senior swordsman's face turned pale. "Is this the true strength of the Ancient Sword Sect's number one genius? Just his aura alone is suffocating me!"

"I'll do it!"

A late-stage Foundation Establishment weapon refiner from the Hundred Crafts Academy roared and jumped onto the arena.

He directly unleashed his prized magical artifact—a three-legged forging furnace that was half a person's height.

The furnace is made entirely of elite black iron, and its mouth spews out true fire of three colors: red, orange, and yellow. It can be used to refine weapons and burn enemies.

"Junior Brother Fu, please." Bai Haozhi remained calm and made a gesture of invitation.

The weapon refiner surnamed Fu dared not be negligent and activated the weapon refining furnace with all his might. The three-colored true fire instantly transformed into a ferocious fire dragon, roaring as it pounced towards Bai Haozhi.

This true fire is extremely hot, even distorting the air itself. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators would be injured or killed if they came into contact with it.

Bai Haozhi remained unmoved until the fire dragon, carrying an aura of destruction, lunged at his face, at which point he slowly drew his sword.

The sword was drawn, but there was no dazzling, earth-shattering flash of light; only a clear, melodious sword cry that seemed to cleanse the soul.

"One sword."

He spoke softly, casually swinging the ancient sword. A highly refined azure sword aura, like an inverted Milky Way, pierced the sky.

scoff!

The raging fire dragon was cleanly and decisively cleaved in two from head to tail by this sword energy!

The sword energy, still powerful, slashed directly at the furnace itself.

The weapon refiner surnamed Fu was shocked and hurriedly summoned his furnace to defend himself.

But the sword energy was too fast, and with a loud "clang!", a deep, bone-revealing sword mark was left on his indestructible furnace body.

His face turned deathly pale instantly. This furnace was connected to his mind and spirit; if one was damaged, the other would be damaged as well!

If the fight continues, his livelihood will be completely ruined.

"I...I give up." He gritted his teeth and managed to utter those three words.

Bai Haozhi sheathed his sword, his white robes still flowing and spotless, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust from the corner of his garment.

"Is this the swordsmanship of the Ancient Sword Sect?"

Li Xiao murmured, his eyes more solemn than ever before, "Returning to simplicity, what a pure sword strike."

Song Yu's expression was also extremely solemn: "His sword has no superfluous movements, abandoning all variations, pursuing only the ultimate sharpness and defense-breaking power. This is the supreme momentum of breaking through all laws with one sword."

"Are you confident you can beat him?" Li Xiao asked in a low voice.

"If I have enough time to set up the strongest formation, I can trap him for a while."

Song Yu honestly replied, "He... probably won't give me that time, but since it's a fighting arena, perhaps I can give it a try."

Indeed, Bai Haozhi's sword was too fast and too direct, giving the formation master no chance to set up the formation at will.

Next, three more people went on stage to challenge Bai Haozhi; all of them were well-known late-stage Foundation Establishment experts.

Without exception, they were all defeated by him with a single sword strike.

His sword seemed to have eyes, able to predict all of his opponent's movements.

Whether it's swift magic, unpredictable movement, or solid defense, he can always anticipate the attack and strike at the weakest point.

"Bai Haozhi's spiritual sense is also terrifyingly strong..."

Li Xiao suddenly said, "His swordsmanship is similar to your Tongming Lingxi, both of which can see through weaknesses."

"no the same."

Song Yu shook her head, her beautiful eyes filled with apprehension. "My penetrating insight allows me to 'see' the fluctuations in my opponent's magical power and changes in their mind. But his swordsmanship is pure experience and intuition, a fighting instinct ingrained in his bones and soul after countless sword swings!"

This is the most terrifying place.

When the fifth person was defeated in defeat, Elder Dong showed an extremely satisfied smile.

He deliberately glanced in the direction of the Falling Cloud Sect: "Fellow Daoist Feng, your sect is full of talented individuals. Is there anyone else who dares to step forward and fight?"

Elder Feng's face was extremely grim.

Bai Haozhi's strength has already surpassed the scope of ordinary Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Perhaps only the long-lost late-stage Foundation Establishment peak disciple of the Luoyun Sect could fight him, but alas...

Just as the entire arena fell into an atmosphere of "Bai Hao's invincibility," a clear and firm voice rang out: "I'll do it."

Song Yu walked out slowly and stepped onto the arena.

Today, she wore a light blue long dress with silver water ripples embroidered on the hem. As she walked, each step seemed to create a lotus flower, truly like a goddess gracefully treading on water, with unparalleled elegance.

Her stunning beauty, coupled with her ethereal and otherworldly voice, instantly silenced the entire audience.

"Junior Sister Song..."

A hint of surprise flashed in Bai Hao's eyes, then he smiled and said, "Are you sure you want to challenge me? My sword doesn't know how to be gentle with women."

"I don't need you to hold back."

Song Yu said calmly, his tone filled with unquestionable confidence, "You attack, I defend. If you can break my formation, then I will admit defeat."

With a wave of her hand, sixteen crystal-clear array flags flew out, setting up an array around the arena.

"The Water Moon Four Symbols Formation, please enlighten me."

Bai Haozhi raised an eyebrow slightly.

He could see that this formation was more than ten times more profound than the previous Water Moon Eight Gates Formation, and it could even subtly draw upon the water-based spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming its own world.

"it is good."

He said no more, and the ancient sword was drawn once more.

It was still that same ordinary yet supremely sharp sword strike, the cyan sword energy slashing straight at the core of the formation.

But this time, the sword energy entered the formation, only to be weakened and dissolved by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth drawn by the formation, and finally vanished without a trace.

"That's interesting." Bai Haozhi finally became completely serious.

With a swift movement, he appeared as if teleported to the Azure Dragon position on the left side of the formation, and in an instant, the ancient sword unleashed twelve consecutive strikes!

Each sword strike landed on a different node in the formation, precise and ruthless to the extreme.

However, with the help of Tongming Lingxi's prediction, all the nodes of Song Yu's formation were constantly moving and changing!

No matter how fast Bai Haozhi's sword was, it couldn't outrun the changes in the formation that Song Yu could make with a single thought.

"This is... a living formation?!"

Elder Dong exclaimed in surprise and suddenly stood up from his seat.

Live formation!

That's one of the highest realms of the art of formations!

The array nodes can move in real time according to the intention of the array setter, making it impossible for the array breaker to calculate or start!

For a time, even someone as powerful as Bai Haozhi was helpless against this formation.

But he did not become anxious. Instead, he became even calmer and slowly closed his eyes, no longer using his eyes to see, but immersing his mind in the sword intent and sensing the entire formation.

"Found it."

He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a sharp light. The ancient sword no longer slashed at the formation, but instead pointed directly at the back of the formation—Song Yu's true form!

"Man and formation become one, the formation's core moves with the mind's will, but man is the only weakness!"

An unprecedentedly dazzling sword aura, like a rainbow piercing the sun, ignored the layers of the array's obstruction, penetrated all the water curtain illusions, and went straight for Song Yu!

Song Yu's expression suddenly changed. She hadn't expected Bai Haozhi to be able to ignore the rules of the formation and forcibly lock onto her true form in such a domineering way.

In a moment of haste, she flipped her jade hand, and the Azure Wave Sword shot out to meet the deadly sword energy.

"clang!"

With a loud bang, Song Yu was struck as if by lightning, and was jolted back three steps. He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"I lost."

She said calmly, waving her hand to dispel the formation.

If the attack continues, the heart meridian will be damaged.

Although she was able to trap Bai Haozhi with her formation, his swordsmanship was simply too advanced. He had reached the level of "man and sword as one, where the mind goes, the sword energy follows," and could directly attack the person controlling the formation. Her formation became a burden instead.

Bai Haozhi sheathed his sword, a genuine admiration flashing in his eyes: "Junior Sister Song's mastery of formations is admirable. If we were of the same level, the outcome of this battle would be uncertain."

As Song Yu stepped off the stage, Li Xiao immediately went to her, took out a handkerchief, and tenderly wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth: "Are you alright?"

"It's alright." Song Yu shook his head and said softly, "His sword is indeed very fast and very strong!"

At this moment, on the stage, Bai Haozhi had won eight consecutive matches and his momentum was unstoppable, so no one dared to step onto the stage.

Elder Dong clapped his hands and laughed: "Hahaha, excellent! Is there anyone else who wants to challenge? If no one does, then the winner of this year's Sword Trial Tournament..."

"Wait." A calm voice interrupted him.

Li Xiao slowly walked onto the arena.

"Senior brother!"

Song Yu exclaimed in surprise, thinking that he was going to avenge him.

Li Xiao turned around and gave her a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, I'm not going to fight."

He turned to Bai Haozhi and said loudly, "Senior Brother Bai's swordsmanship is divine; I, Li, admit I am no match for him. My junior sister and I are both completely convinced of this."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

"but.............."

Li Xiao abruptly changed the subject, his voice carrying throughout the room, "I have a suggestion. Senior Brother Bai should also be able to sense that my junior sister was unable to fully display the wonders of the formation due to the difference in cultivation levels. How about my junior sister sets up another ultimate formation, and Senior Brother Bai enters to break it? If you can break it within an incense stick's time, then Senior Brother Bai's skill is naturally superior, and he should be considered number one. If you cannot break it, then it's a draw, what do you say?"

This is not only a provocation, but also a perfectly legitimate and aboveboard strategy!

If Bai Haozhi refused, it would appear that he was afraid of Song Yu's formation and would lose the demeanor of a genius.

If he accepts, it will be tantamount to giving Song Yu a chance to turn the tide!

"absurd!"

Elder Dong's face darkened. "This is against the rules! How can a competition be treated so lightly!"

"That's right, a loss is a loss, there's no reason to try again!" The disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect echoed.

"It's alright."

Just then, Bai Haozhi smiled, raising his hand to silence all the discussions. His gaze burned as he looked intently at Song Yu. "A true swordsman shouldn't be fixated on victory or defeat, but rather yearns to witness the pinnacle of other great paths. Junior Sister Song, I truly wish to experience your formation once more. Please!"

He looked at Song Yu with utmost sincerity in his eyes.

Song Yu was stunned. She hadn't expected Li Xiao to secure such an opportunity for her, and she was even more surprised that Bai Haozhi would agree so readily.

She gave Li Xiao a deep look, nodded heavily, and went back on stage.

This time, she lowered her head, formed hand seals, and chanted incantations, unleashing the strongest formation she had comprehended from the inheritance of Daoist Yunshui—the Water Moon Mirror Flower Formation—without reservation!

The moment the formation was complete, the entire arena was instantly enveloped in a thick mist, which reflected countless light and shadows, creating a dreamlike and illusory scene that made it impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.

As Bai Hao stepped into the formation, the scene before him suddenly changed.

He saw countless "Song Yu" figures, each one smiling charmingly, each one incredibly real, even their auras were identical.

His divine sense spread out, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, instantly torn apart and reflected by countless mirror-like spaces, and completely ineffective!

He tried to unleash a sword strike, and the sword energy pierced through the body of a "Song Yu." The phantom merely turned into a wisp of water vapor, which then condensed again in another location.

He unleashed dozens of sword strikes in succession, but the result was always the same.

He closed his eyes, trying to sense with his "sword heart," but all he felt was a boundless ocean, tranquil and profound, where he could not find any "real" existence.

"sharp."

After a long while, he sincerely exclaimed in admiration and opened his eyes, "This formation has already touched upon the profound principles of space and illusion, which my current swordsmanship cannot break through."

He swiftly sheathed his sword, sat cross-legged in the formation, and began to close his eyes to comprehend the profound mystery of the formation.

After an incense stick had burned, he slowly opened his eyes and said loudly, "I admit defeat."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell into a deathly silence!

Elder Dong's face instantly turned ashen, and the disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect were filled with disbelief.

Their proud, invincible genius actually... actually admitted defeat?

He lost to a formation master whose cultivation level was lower than his?

But Bai Haozhi paid no attention to the gazes of others. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Song Yu from afar and said, "Junior Sister Song's mastery of formations has reached a state of perfection. I am completely convinced. The first place in this Sword Trial Tournament is undoubtedly yours."

After saying that, he actually turned around and stepped off the stage, leaving gracefully and giving up the glory that was within his grasp.

Subsequently, Li Xiao stood on the arena and defeated the remaining two challengers in succession. He defeated them within three moves with absolute speed and exquisite swordsmanship, proving that he also had the strength to compete for the top three.

In the end, only Li Xiao and Song Yu remained on the stage.

Looking at his junior sister across from him, who was radiant and had regained her unparalleled confidence, Li Xiao felt extremely satisfied.

For my junior sister, this title of first place is more important than any other reward.

He smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the elder referee, and said, "I concede."

For him, empty fame was nothing compared to Yu'er's smile.

Finally, Elder Dong announced with a grim expression: "The winners of this Sword Trial Tournament are: First Place: Song Yu, Luoyun Sect; Second Place: Bai Haozhi, Gujian Sect; Third Place: Li Xiao, Luoyun Sect!"

This result shocked everyone and will surely spread throughout the entire cultivation world of Xi Kingdom!