Chapter 75: Battling Liu Ruyan

Liu Ruyan stood amidst surging waves of black energy. An exceptionally powerful aura, laced with a hint of the uncanny, radiated in all directions. It immediately drew gasps of alarm from the massive crowd of disciples.

Her strength was far greater than before. Those disciples who had personally witnessed Lu Jin nearly kill her previously were now staring with wide, shocked eyes.

“The Saintess’s cultivation… it has actually improved this much in such a short time!”

“It is too terrifying. With such talent, advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm is only a matter of time!”

“The disciple selected by Elder Chi Yu is truly extraordinary!”

“Lu Jin returned after three years, but it looks like he might suffer a crushing defeat once again!”

“The Saintess’s current cultivation is likely no lower than the 6th-grade Jindan. She is already comparable to Peak Master Ji Yaoyue!”

“It is hard to say who will win this one…”

Amidst the discussions, Chu Tianxiong’s eyes shifted slightly. As the Saintess of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, he had once appreciated her talent, but she was treacherous by nature. She had stolen Lu Jin’s Supreme Bone, colluded with Blood Messengers, and even practiced demonic arts. He no longer held any hope for her.

Furthermore, recalling the scene where Lu Jin decapitated Mo Linghan with a single strike, he simply smiled and shook his head, his gaze meaningful. The person he, Chu Tianxiong, had chosen would not be so easily suppressed!

Sensing the aura radiating from Liu Ruyan, Lu Jin gave a cold, dismissive laugh.

The fact that her cultivation had reached the 6th-grade Jindan so quickly was indeed beyond his expectations. He could sense a strange aura within her energy: something neither human nor demon. It was clear she had used extraordinary means during her recent cultivation.

Still, he did not fear this level of combat power.

“Lu Jin, this Saintess has already reached the 6th-grade Jindan! Furthermore, I am now a disciple under Elder Chi Yu of the Blood Moon Holy Land. How can you possibly contend with me?”

Liu Ruyan’s form flickered within the gray waves of energy. Her words carried a high and mighty authority. Her soul-shaking presence made many disciples feel their skin crawl.

Lu Jin’s aura was strong enough, but the moment Liu Ruyan’s energy erupted, it seemed to press him down instantly. It appeared as though the two were not even in the same league!

When Liu Ruyan announced she was at the 6th-grade Jindan, it triggered another wave of shock. Lu Jin had hidden his cultivation: as long as he was unwilling, no one could probe his true level. But the power of a 6th-grade Jindan was enough to rival a Peak Master. Her performance today left the disciples deeply impressed.

“Sixth-grade? Is that supposed to be strong?”

Lu Jin’s words were indifferent. His aura remained as it was before, seemingly suppressed. Looking at him, one couldn’t help but feel a shred of worry.

Watching this, Long Xiwei’s brow knitted. Even though she knew Lu Jin possessed powerful methods, her fingers still curled around a cluster of swirling spiritual energy. She looked at that light and muttered to herself:

“Liu Ruyan, what does a 6th-grade Jindan matter? The Thunder-Devouring Mist Demon Lu Jin gave me is enough to kill you a hundred times over!”

She made a silent resolution. If Lu Jin were truly in danger, she wouldn’t mind summoning the beast to obliterate Liu Ruyan. Even if it caused a massive shockwave, even if it put her in danger, she was willing to do it for him.

“Heh. Lu Jin, before I kill you, this Saintess will let you experience the meaning of absolute suppression!”

Buzz!

As her words fell, the gray aura around her surged. She stepped up into the air, her feet landing on spiritual Qi that had condensed into physical clouds. She drifted forward with her robes fluttering until she was only thirty feet away from Lu Jin.

Facing the roiling pressure, Lu Jin sneered. “Do not worry. I won’t let you die too quickly.”

Boom!

Spiritual power erupted from Lu Jin’s body and shot into the void above. In an instant, a brilliant array of flying swords condensed in the sky!

The horrific aura saturated the area. Everyone who saw the vast cloud of swords was left speechless with awe. The Ten Thousand Swords Sect focused on sword cultivation, yet most disciples could never reach such a level of mastery.

The number of swords Lu Jin had summoned was not in the hundreds: it was a massive sword array containing no less than a thousand blades.

Liu Ruyan’s expression changed. Although she had the confidence to challenge a 9th-grade Jindan, the strength Lu Jin had consistently shown made her wary.

“Hmph. Mere bluster!”

Buzz!

With a cold shout, she waved her arm. Within that gray mist, a three-foot blade: pitch black as ink: condensed into form.

A crisp sword hum rang out. The very soundwaves felt like sharp blades cutting through the void, making everyone’s hearts tremble.

“Wait. What kind of martial art produces that kind of spiritual manifestation?”

“That black sword… it doesn’t look like any technique from our Ten Thousand Swords Sect!”

“The Saintess’s black energy is strange. It must be a technique gifted by Elder Chi Yu!”

“What a terrifying aura. One sword can rival a thousand. I wonder if Senior Brother Lu Jin can hold his ground!”

Amidst the shock, Liu Ruyan’s gaze turned freezing. The black blade expanded rapidly, absorbing streams of spiritual Qi. Under her command, the gargantuan blade slashed down directly toward Lu Jin’s sword array!

A thunderous roar followed. The strike made the void tremble and drew forth a whistling hurricane!

“Heh.”

Lu Jin gave a casual smile and crooked his finger. The sword array behind him shot forward. A thousand blades let out a simultaneous whistle that pierced the eardrums.

Under the shocked gazes of the onlookers, the flood of a thousand swords collided with Liu Ruyan’s massive black blade.

The moment they crashed, a deafening explosion erupted. The shockwave shattered the clouds in the sky. Trees on the plaza: even those a thousand yards away: were snapped in half, their leaves ground to powder.

The sword stream shattered, but the black blade only glowed with a more intense light, its killing intent growing fiercer.

Lu Jin’s form was forced back. It seemed that in this opening exchange, he had fallen into a disadvantageous position!

“What? Senior Brother Lu Jin’s sword stream couldn’t block a single strike from the Saintess?”

“Her strength has increased too much. Lu Jin is no longer her match!”

“Is he really going to fall on this stage today?”

“No… this isn’t his true power…”

While the crowd discussed the fight, many looked on with malicious glee. Since Lu Jin’s return, he had suppressed and even killed many elders and disciples from various peaks. They had been forced to endure his strength in silence. Now that Liu Ruyan was winning, they were secretly thrilled.

“Lu Jin, this Saintess has no time to play games. Use your final trump card, or you won’t survive three more moves!”

Having pushed him back, Liu Ruyan’s gaze was icy. Her overbearing momentum grew even stronger.