Below the stage, the assembled cultivators cheered and boiled with excitement.

Wushuang stood atop the high platform, staring directly at Gu Changqing, a meaningfully amused smile playing on his face.

He was gifted in cultivation and the disciple with the greatest talent in the Sword Sect.

But even so, no matter how hard he tried, he never managed to earn his master’s high regard.

The loft he dreamed of entering was occupied by Gu Changqing, who would sit inside for an entire year at a time.

He wanted to see what was so special about this youth who enjoyed the master’s favor.

He also wanted to prove to the gathered cultivators and to the master that he was the Sword Sect’s finest disciple.

The Sword Saint frowned. Wushuang’s public provocation displeased him.

According to the sect’s rules, a disciple must train in the sect for ten years before taking part in the sect’s debate.

He wished to protect Gu Changqing, but with Wushuang saying such things in front of all Sword Sect disciples, he found himself in an awkward position.

“Alright Changqing, you go up and show your skill. That way, your master can see the results of your year’s cultivation,” the Sword Saint said.

After speaking, the Sword Saint fixed his gaze on Wushuang, an undisguised warning in his eyes. “You are fellow disciples, so make sure you don’t cross the line unnecessarily!”

From beginning to end, Gu Changqing remained expressionless.

As if the matter had nothing to do with him, he only slowly rose and responded with a single “yes” after the Sword Saint spoke to him.

He leapt into the sky with one step and landed on the platform.

At this moment, thousands of cultivators were watching him, yet he still wore tattered clothes and carried that heavy axe of his, showing none of the bearing expected of a Sword Saint’s disciple.

“Senior brother, you make the first move, I won’t harm you,” Wushuang said, cupping his fist toward Gu Changqing.

Wushuang cupped his fist respectfully toward Gu Changqing, but the way he said “senior brother” definitely sounded awkward.

Gu Changqing gazed steadily at him and said lightly, “You strike first. If I strike, you will have no chance to strike.”

The crowd fell suddenly silent and Wushuang’s expression turned to astonishment.

Even the Sword Saint’s eyes were filled with deep bewilderment.

His original intention was merely to let Gu Changqing show the results of a year’s cultivation so others could see his potential. Where did this boy find the courage to say such a thing to the winner of the debate?

He wanted to say something, but ultimately did not. To say anything now in front of the entire Sword Sect would be to humiliate Gu Changqing—how could he then justify treating this pupil as his own?

After a moment of brief shock, Wushuang’s expression showed not anger but pleasure. “Senior brother, since that is so, your junior will respectfully follow orders. If I injure you, do not blame me.”

He himself did not understand where Gu Changqing found the courage either.

Wushuang was a man who could suppress even a Half-Saint with a single hand. Even if Gu Changqing were exceptionally gifted, one year of cultivation was hardly enough to enter the first level of sword dao, let alone surpass him.

Wushuang focused his gaze. Today he intended to thoroughly humble this brat’s pride.

It didn’t matter if he crippled Gu Changqing. Since his opponent provoked him first, his own master could not blame him.

Kang!

Wushuang drew his sword and the long blade rang with a sharp metallic cry, the blast ear-piercing and making ears buzz.

“Senior brother, sorry in advance!”

Wushuang leapt into the sky with his sword, and without hesitation brought the long blade down.

Riiiip!

A cold gleam tore open space-time. At first the tear was like a silver thread, but in an instant it stretched like a river of stars across the sky.

Space-time collapsed, ten thousand paths fell silent!

Even the great sun dimmed. This sword stroke had become the brightest spectacle across the entire Beixuan Continent.

The cold radiance it unleashed made countless onlookers’ feel like their insides were being torn apart.

“Hmph!” The Sword Saint narrowed his eyes, a murderous intent lurking within them.

He never expected that Wushuang would so blatantly disregard his earlier warning.

He stared at Gu Changqing, worry thick in his eyes.

If Gu Changqing could not stop that attack, he would not hesitate to intervene and save him.

Clang!

But just as the old Sword Saint was about to act, he saw Gu Changqing move abruptly.

That unremarkable axe trembled and a wave of sword qi erupted thunderously.

This sword qi was terrifying, its sword momentum in no way inferior to Wushuang’s.

It was as if the ancient progenitor who split heaven and earth had descended, drawing a sword from the distant river of time.

Under that one sword, heaven and earth opened wide.

Mountains and rivers shattered, the firmament tore apart, as if the entire Beixuan Continent would be split in two by that stroke!

Even more terrifying was the sword intent!

When it struck, it carried the great currents of heaven and earth, severing a span of space-time, obliterating myriad heavens, extinguishing star rivers, making the sun and moon tremble.

Beneath the sword momentum seemed to be a long river of the sword dao, within which was mingled with an undying will, as if countless ancient terrifying gods and demons had awakened, their world-shattering martial rage erupting.

In all heaven and earth, no sword qi could compare to it.

There was no sword qi that could contend with it.

All things were being obliterated beneath that single sword.

All who watched that sword felt their hearts infected by its boundless will, awakening a desire to submit.