Chapter 716

Chapter 716: That One Sword

The largest dojo of the Qianling Sect.

Three Grand Elders were watching two individuals in the dojo.

“Second brother, how long do you think Zishi can hold out?” the Grand Elder of the Qianling Sect asked.

“Just a breath,” Master Qiannian thought for a moment before answering.

“Don’t try to measure the Grand Elder’s strength, and don’t compare him to that invincible respected elder in his youth.”

“If you want to make a comparison, you should look up to the Upper Zun. Back then, the Upper Zun might not have been as strong as the Grand Elder.”

“…”

The Grand Elder of the Qianling Sect felt a bit speechless and somewhat annoyed.

Over the years, I’ve shielded you from countless storms and cleaned up your messes more times than I can count.

Yet today, you’re praising someone else as if they’re flawless.

“Second brother, aren’t you going a bit too far?” The Third Grand Elder of the Qianling Sect noticed the Grand Elder’s expression and quickly interjected.

“I’m just telling the truth. In front of the eldest brother, how could I exaggerate about others?” Master Qianling replied seriously.

Seeing Master Qianling’s expression only made the Grand Elder of the Qianling Sect feel worse.

Meanwhile, in the dojo, Li Zishi was under immense pressure.

His eyes glowed with an unusual light, but his expression was cautious, even fearful.

Since childhood, he had possessed eyes that could perceive the mysteries of the heavens. Whenever he faced a powerful enemy, he could unlock insights to turn the tide of battle.

At advanced levels, he could even manipulate the path of space to slow time around him, enhancing his power and allowing him to navigate myriad paths.

However, each time he activated these eyes, it took years to recover, so he rarely used them. Even during his intense duel with Xu Gang, he hadn’t considered using them at the last moment.

Because deep down, he sensed that even if he opened his eyes, the outcome would likely remain the same.

But today, facing the legendary Grand Elder of the Hidden Spirit Sect, Li Zishi opened his eyes immediately.

When his gaze settled on Xu Fan, his expression became incredibly vivid.

One of the unique abilities of his eyes was to perceive the paths his enemies practiced.

Different paths corresponded to different colors—fire was red, wood was green, and elemental mastery displayed a spectrum of colors, which then took on various shapes.

Some looked like sharp swords, others like flames. Some resembled dharma wheels, while others appeared like ancient bells.

Over his few hundred years of life, he had faced numerous life-and-death trials and had mastered the use of these eyes to their fullest potential.

He had seen countless colors and felt countless shapes of energy with these eyes.

But today, as he looked at Xu Fan, he found himself at a loss for words to describe what he saw.

It was like staring into the abyss where all things and all paths converged.

It felt like the origin of myriad paths and their ultimate end, crushing his competitive spirit into nothingness.

Cold sweat poured from Li Zishi’s forehead, dripping down his cheeks to the ground. He felt like a harmless little beast staring at an ancient, savage giant beast that devoured everything in its path.

He trembled in fear, unable to move.

“Close those eyes of yours; if you keep them open, I’m afraid you’ll plant inner demons today.”

Xu Fan’s voice echoed softly in Li Zishi’s ear, carrying the tone of an elder advising a younger disciple.

Li Zishi strained every muscle in his body to finally shut his extraordinary eyes.

The three Grand Elders observing from the sidelines also took note of this moment.

“Eldest brother, are you feeling jealous?”

“Look at Zishi—he’s so overwhelmed by the Grand Elder’s aura that he’s frozen in place.”

“When I used these eyes to look at you, it was nothing more than a hint of admiration,” Master Qianling remarked with a smirk.

“Second brother, enough of that. You always seize any chance to mock the eldest brother; you’re asking for trouble,” the Third Grand Elder of Qianling Sect chimed in.

“I’m merely stating the truth.”

Master Qianling smiled faintly, thinking to himself, *With my sister-in-law around, no one dares lay a hand on me—no one!*

Whether or not the Grand Elder sensed Master Qianling’s inner defiance, he spoke calmly, “Youming mentioned to me recently that the Elder Council plans to send her to the extreme north to guard against the ice race for a few centuries.”

“That’s all I’ll say. Take care of yourself.”

“Eldest brother, I just remembered something—I need to head to the Extreme Void Domain,” Master Qianling said after a moment’s hesitation.

He tried to make an early exit, only to find himself completely sealed in by the Grand Elder.

“At least stay until the end. After their spar, I have a few things to discuss with you,” the Grand Elder said, his expression deceptively kind.

His gentle demeanor mirrored the times he’d cleaned up after Master Qianling’s messes—the kinder he looked, the harsher the punishment that followed.

“Eldest brother, can I take back what I just said?” Master Qianling inwardly regretted his words.

“Second brother, remember this: your sister-in-law can shield you for a while, but not forever,” the Third Grand Elder said with a chuckle, sensing his own moment of glee approaching.

Meanwhile, in the training ground, Li Zishi had regained his usual composure, though a faint trace of fear lingered in his eyes.

“What did you see with those eyes?” Xu Fan asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

The moment Li Zishi opened his eyes—capable of perceiving the mysteries of the heavens—Xu Fan sensed the profound opportunity to trace the essence of all things and paths.

“It felt like an abyss. Anyone who touches it would be dragged in by an overwhelming force.”

“Just a single glance made me feel as though my soul was being torn apart.”

“The Grand Elder’s power is like the blazing sun in the sky.”

“It’s beyond the reach of ordinary people,” Li Zishi replied respectfully, his awe unmistakable.

Xu Fan’s lips curled into a faint smile, and his gaze toward Li Zishi softened.

Those familiar with Xu Fan recognized this expression—someone had struck a chord deep within him.

“The blazing sun in the sky,” Xu Fan mused to himself.

Today, he had stumbled upon a particularly apt description.

“Attack me with everything you’ve got,” Xu Fan said, smiling at Li Zishi.

Seeing Xu Fan’s kind expression, reminiscent of an elder’s care for a junior, Li Zishi let go of his fear.

The spatial force began to churn within the training ground, and the power of the elements gathered.

Li Zishi unleashed his most powerful sword strike.

The sword carried the might of the elements and spatial force, as if it could slice through space itself, hurtling toward Xu Fan.

The three Grand Elders outside the training ground watched this strike with expressions of satisfaction.

No matter how formidable the Grand Elder was, this strike from Li Zishi—the future pillar of Qianling Sect—only solidified their confidence in him.

“To have grown to this level in such a short time is truly remarkable,” Master Qianling remarked.

“Perhaps in another thousand years, our sect will produce another invincible respected elder,” the Third Grand Elder said with a smile.

“Two invincible elders in one sect? The women of the Joyful Union Sacred Land will be green with envy,” the Grand Elder added with a laugh.

Inside the training ground, Xu Fan watched the strike with a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.