Saint Who Lay Low

In the Outer Sect city, the Heavenly Sword Daoist stood motionless atop the giant sword of white light. The autumn wind fluttered his robes, white hair, and beard, giving him an ethereal aura, as if he might ascend to immortality at any moment.

Every rooftop in the city was packed with figures—Tai Xuan Sect disciples, cultivators from other sects, and noble families. They had all come to witness who was truly the world's greatest swordmaster!

Dark clouds rolled in from the horizon, quickly covering the entire city, intensifying the tension. No one dared to speak loudly, only whispers could be heard.

Wu Jue stood on a rooftop, letting the wind blow against him.

The wind grew stronger, forcing him to activate his cultivation to prevent his hair from covering his eyes.

"What an incredible aura, truly like that of an immortal."

"Why hasn't Sword Master Of Dao appeared yet?"

"This battle can't be avoided. The prince of Tian Wei has come to challenge us on our own doorstep!"

"Don't worry, the Sword Master will definitely come. When the Sword Maniac of Great Yu came to challenge him, he had to wait for a while too."

"Why the rush? A good show takes time to build up!"

Listening to the discussions around him, Wu Jue's eyes filled with admiration. He wondered when he might one day possess such awe-inspiring prestige.

One day, he too would have a battle like this, watched by all the top experts of the world!

And his ideal opponent? Sword Master Of Dao.

Rumble—!

The dark clouds suddenly shifted, and thunder erupted as a mighty heavenly force descended, enveloping the entire Outer Sect city.

"He's here," Elder Xuanquan murmured softly, causing those around him to look up. An Hao clenched his fists in excitement.

The Heavenly Sword Daoist, still standing on his sword of light, opened his eyes and gazed up at the vast thunderclouds.

The thunderclouds covered the entire sky, and bolts of lightning snaked through the clouds like celestial dragons, creating an oppressive atmosphere, as if a terrifying disaster was about to befall them.

The thunder rolled, and violent winds swept across the land.

The Heavenly Sword Daoist stood firm, his white robes billowing like flames in the wind.

"Sword Master Of Dao, why do you not show yourself? Is this how the Tai Xuan Sect treats its guests?" The Heavenly Sword Daoist's voice was cold, reverberating across the sky.

Han Ming, standing on the Heaven Mending Platform, sneered. I didn't get to meet Sword Master Of Dao when I challenged him. What makes you think you will?

Just wait for your defeat!

Shen Zhen had already captured the image of the Heavenly Sword Daoist in her drawing. She now began sketching the oppressive thunderclouds above, portraying the tension in the air.

"Face your downfall with your strongest sword!"

A deep, raspy voice echoed through the heavens, filling Li Ya and An Hao with overwhelming excitement.

It's the voice of the Ancestor!

It's the voice of my master!

Every cultivator in the city held their breath. For the first time, they heard the voice of Sword Master Of Dao, and its power left them in awe.

Absolute confidence, absolute dominance—this was the Sword Master of the Tai Xuan Sect!

The Heavenly Sword Daoist's gaze sharpened, and a vast sword intent erupted from his body, sweeping across the sky above the Outer Sect city. It formed a vast sea of swords, the light from countless sword beams hanging in the air like stars, illuminating everyone's faces.

At a glance, it looked like a galaxy spanning the sky above the city, leaving everyone in shock.

What kind of sword intent was this?

Was such a level of cultivation even possible?

In the galaxy of sword intent, countless sword shadows began to form, all pointing upwards, radiating deadly sharpness.

At the same time—

The thunderclouds above intensified, swirling faster and faster until they formed a colossal face. The face had discernible features but no clear form, as if a deity had descended to overlook the entire Outer Sect city.

In front of this massive face, everyone seemed insignificant, even the Heavenly Sword Daoist's galaxy of sword intent.

Everyone's hearts raced. Staring at this face that dominated the sky, they felt an involuntary sense of reverence.

The Heavenly Sword Daoist frowned. He raised his right hand, placing two fingers at his lips as he gathered his power. White flames of sword energy began to gather around him, the force of the wind swirling at his feet. His aura reached its peak, so powerful that the city's protective formation was triggered, forming a massive barrier that encased the entire city. The Heavenly Sword Daoist floated right at the edge of this barrier.

The earth trembled, and the mountains quaked.

Far away in Xuan Valley, the commotion drew the attention of the disciples, who all turned to look.

Chu Jingfeng quickly rushed to the mountain's peak, where he gazed at the horizon. Thunderclouds rolled, and it seemed as if a calamity was approaching.

Not only Xuan Valley—Tianya Valley, thousands of miles away, was also stirred.

Yi Liuyun sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, squinting at the distant sky. His hands clenched tightly within his sleeves as he, a pursuer of the Dao of the sword, felt his own insignificance at that moment.

On the Heaven Mending Platform, Prince Si Zhe of Tian Wei grew increasingly nervous. Sword Master Of Dao had yet to show himself, but the giant face in the sky was terrifying enough. Even Si Zhe couldn't imagine what kind of power it would take to overcome the pressure from that face.

"Sword, rise!"

The Heavenly Sword Daoist's voice suddenly rang out, piercing the oppressive silence like the first ray of light breaking through chaos. Everyone felt a surge of energy.

The Heavenly Sword Daoist thrust his right hand toward the heavens, and the countless sword shadows in the galaxy of sword intent shot upwards, converging into one grand, overwhelming strike.

At that moment, the giant face in the sky opened a third eye on its forehead. From that eye, a sword beam shot forth, as if it were the light of the heavens, carrying an unparalleled divine power!

Boom!

The two terrifying forces collided in the sky, shaking the heavens and the earth. Every cultivator felt their senses tremble as their vision blurred, ears filled with a cacophony of noise, and divine senses recoiled from the burning intensity of the clash.

"Profound Heart…" Lü Baitian whispered as he gazed up at the sky in awe.

His face was illuminated by two lights: the silver-white glow below and the darker light above. But the darker light was quickly devouring the silver-white glow.

The Heavenly Sword Daoist's face twisted in shock. His opponent's sword intent far surpassed his expectations.

Impossible… How can this be? Is he not in the Profound Heart Realm?

His thoughts were filled with disbelief.

Suddenly, the sword beam from the giant face's third eye surged with renewed strength, shattering the Heavenly Sword Daoist's sword intent and rushing toward him at a speed faster than lightning.

His white hair and robes billowed outward as his eyes widened in shock. His body stiffened.

Within his pupils, he could faintly see a figure looking down at him from above, like a celestial god gazing down upon an ant.

To all the onlookers, the Heavenly Sword Daoist's sword intent only lasted for two breaths before it was completely obliterated.

The vast galaxy of sword beams scattered like fragments of silver light, floating inside and outside the city. The scene was so stunning that even cultivators of the highest realms were left deeply moved.

Elder Xuanquan's eyes widened, his heart surging with waves of shock.

His cultivation was the highest among them, and he understood the vast gap between Sword Master Of Dao and the Heavenly Sword Daoist. The latter was not even remotely a match for the former.

He could even confirm that Sword Master Of Dao had deliberately held back when he first attacked. Otherwise, he could have killed the Heavenly Sword Daoist in an instant!

The Heavenly Sword Daoist had only displayed his strength so that the terrifying power of Sword Master Of Dao's sword could truly be appreciated.

Even Elder Xuanquan, with his vast experience, couldn't fathom the full extent of Sword Master Of Dao's strength.

Si Zhe stared at the Heavenly Sword Daoist, his pupils dilating in disbelief.

Before Sword Master Of Dao struck, the Heavenly Sword Daoist had been the world's number one in his eyes.

But now, this so-called world's number one had been utterly crushed without even putting up a fight...

Han Ming, the Sword Maniac of Great Yu, stood in a daze.

The overwhelming power displayed by Sword Master Of Dao made him feel utterly ashamed, realizing how foolish he had been in the past to challenge such a being.

An Hao smiled, struggling to suppress his urge to cheer.

Li Ya stood on the rooftop, his mouth agape in shock.

Shen Zhen, quickly recovering, picked up her brush again and swiftly sketched the scene of the Heavenly Sword Daoist's crushing defeat.

The wind blew as the Heavenly Sword Daoist fell backward. His Profound Heart had been shattered, and his soul was breaking apart. He had no chance of recovery, nor could he even speak.

Yet, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"The world's number one… sword… I have witnessed it…"

The Heavenly Sword Daoist's eyelids grew heavier. His gaze remained locked on the giant face in the sky. Even as his eyes closed, the corners of his mouth still curved upward.

Thud!

The Heavenly Sword Daoist's body fell in front of the South City Gate, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The immense pressure that had enveloped the world dissipated, and the colossal face in the sky dissolved along with the thunderclouds.

Boom!

The entire city erupted in a roar of excitement, like thunder splitting the sky.

Everyone was exhilarated, their cheers, shouts, and gasps of amazement blending together in a deafening chorus.

"My heavens! It was over in a single strike?"

"Hahaha! I told you, Sword Master Of Dao cannot be defeated!"

"The difference in power is just too vast…"

"In truth, the Heavenly Sword Daoist was very strong. Before Sword Master Of Dao struck, I truly believed he was the world's number one…"

"Indeed, that vast sword intent made my own sword yearn to leave its sheath…"

Wu Jue, listening to the voices around him, was equally excited. Unfortunately, Gu An wasn't with him, so he couldn't express his emotions openly.

Just then, Wu Jue spotted Gu An leaping from a street below, quickly running toward him. Seeing this, Wu Jue's face lit up with excitement.

"My goodness, did you see that? It was unbelievable!"

Gu An arrived in front of Wu Jue, excitedly exclaiming.

Wu Jue, equally thrilled, replied, "I saw it! I saw it!"

He pulled Gu An aside, sharing in the amazement, as the rest of the city continued to celebrate.

On the Heaven Mending Platform—

Lü Baitian turned to Gu Zong and instructed, "Increase the publicity for the Gold List Tournament. The champion will receive a secret scroll of the Tai Xuan Sect's divine techniques!"

Gu Zong nodded, unable to suppress his grin.

Lü Baitian turned to another elder and said, "Begin preparations for the World's Number One Sword Tournament. Spread the news that the top ten will have the opportunity to witness Sword Master Of Dao's sword intent and receive his swordsmanship legacy."

The elder nodded but seemed hesitant to speak.

There were too many people around, and some things couldn't be said openly!

The Outer Sect city had become livelier than it ever had been, even more so than during the Spring Festival. In fact, the city had never been this lively before.

Elder Xuanquan gazed out at the scene, stroking his beard with a sigh, "The Tai Xuan Sect shall rise."

An Hao closed his eyes, carefully reflecting on Sword Master Of Dao's strike.

In a trance, he seemed to grasp something, immersing himself completely in the moment.

Elder Xuanquan appeared to sense something and quickly turned to look at An Hao. The others followed suit, and upon seeing An Hao's state, they were all moved.

This kid…