Chapter 528 - 538: A Wooden Strip in Place of a Sword

Huang En stepped forward and roared with laughter. "Qii Yue, what a disappointment! Your Sword Technique Cultivation can’t even match a disciple from my Sword Sect. It seems the Sword Dao of your Celestial Profound Sect is destined for decline."

Qii Yue’s face darkened when he heard Huang En’s words, and he clenched his fists.

It wasn’t just him. Everyone from the Celestial Profound Sect looked absolutely grim.

Zheng Shui, the master of One Sword Tower, sighed helplessly. "This Liu Xiaomo is simply a monster. In the entire history of the Eastern Profound Domain, you’d be hard-pressed to find even three people with such terrifying talent."

A hush fell over the surrounding crowd, and many sighed in despair.

The reason was simple: Liu Xiaomo was just too much of a monster. Qii Yue was an expert from the older generation, a master whose Sword Technique Cultivation ranked among the best in the Eastern Profound Domain. Yet, even he was no match for the boy. If that was the case, how many people in the entire Eastern Profound Domain could possibly be his opponent?

And he, Liu Xiaomo, had a Bone Age of only sixteen!

Yum Baobao watched the smug, preening, and unbelievably arrogant Liu Xiaomo, and a fire of rage ignited in her heart. She couldn’t stop herself from shouting, "What are you so arrogant for? My Brother Wen hasn’t even fought yet!"

Hearing Yum Baobao’s sharp cry, Liu Xiaomo couldn’t help but turn his head. The moment he saw her, it felt as though his heart had stopped beating, as if he’d forgotten how to breathe.

’So beautiful!’

Huang En couldn’t help but sneer. "Wen Qingye? You think he’s a match for your Peak Master Qii?"

"Exactly. Wen Qingye’s Sword Dao is impressive, but there’s no way he’s even better than Qii Yue."

"Even Qii Yue lost. I don’t think anyone in the Celestial Profound Sect is a match for Liu Xiaomo now."

"When it comes to the Sword Dao, I don’t think Wen Qingye is a match for Liu Xiaomo either."

Huang En’s words immediately drew a chorus of agreement from the crowd, and many voiced their doubts.

However, the members of the Celestial Profound Sect didn’t think so.

’Wen Qingye made it to the 6th Layer of the Sword Forest. That’s a realm even Qii Yue couldn’t reach. Maybe... maybe Wen Qingye really is stronger than him.’

「The next moment!」

Everyone from the Celestial Profound Sect turned to look at Wen Qingye, a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

Yum Baobao waved her small fists in front of Wen Qingye and grinned. "Brother Wen, go beat that brat! I can’t stand the sight of him."

Sunx Li also whispered, "Junior Brother, why don’t you go up and give it a shot? There’s no shame in losing. After all, even Peak Master Qii was defeated."

"Wen Qingye, get up here!" Snapping back to his senses, Liu Xiaomo heard Yum Baobao’s words and flew into a rage, directly challenging Wen Qingye.

Wen Qingye looked at the jealous, hot-headed Liu Xiaomo and chuckled. "Alright, I’ll have a match with you. To make it fair, I won’t use a sword. I’ll just use this wooden strip."

WHOOSH!

A three-foot-long wooden strip appeared in Wen Qingye’s hand, quivering slightly.

Situ Yun asked doubtfully, "Can Wen Qingye really be a match for Liu Xiaomo?"

Tangg Guanzhong said slowly, "He’s probably the person here with the best chance of defeating Liu Xiaomo. If he loses, then I doubt anyone else present is a match for him."

Qii Yue also nodded. "Yes, Wen Qingye is indeed our best hope here of defeating Liu Xiaomo."

’Others might not know, but how could I not? Wen Qingye didn’t just *reach* the 6th Layer—he *cleared* it.’

Situ Yun’s expression grew serious, and he felt a pang of doubt. ’Why do they have so much faith in Wen Qingye?’

Liu Xiaomo stared at the wooden strip in Wen Qingye’s hand, forcing down his rage. He sneered, "Wen Qingye, you think you can give *me* a handicap? What a joke. You’re completely delusional."

As if he hadn’t heard a word, Wen Qingye slowly walked up to Liu Xiaomo, his lips parting slightly.

"Seeing as you’re young, I’ll overlook your words. I can even offer you some guidance."

Liu Xiaomo’s anger flared even hotter at Wen Qingye’s words, but he immediately burst out laughing. "Are you trying to mess with my head? If so, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. I couldn’t care less."

Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "You’re overthinking things. To deal with you, this wooden strip is more than enough."

The moment he finished speaking, the entire Absolute Peak Hall erupted in an uproar.

Moo Luo sneered, "This Wen Qingye’s arrogance knows no bounds."

Huang En said dismissively, "In front of Xiaomo, he’s just asking to be humiliated."

"Wen Qingye, who gave you the nerve?" Liu Xiaomo’s eyes narrowed. "Before me, you won’t even get the chance to draw your sword. Believe it."

Wen Qingye smiled and shook his head. "Enough. Make your move. Stop wasting words. I’m worried you won’t get another chance to."

"You’re telling *me* to make the first move?" A cold glint flashed in Liu Xiaomo’s eyes. "Fine, Wen Qingye! I’ll finish you in a single strike and show you the insurmountable gap between us!"

Liu Xiaomo moved, and his sword instantly became an arc of light.

SWISH!

In the blink of an eye, Liu Xiaomo was right in front of Wen Qingye, his lips curling into a cold smirk.

He swung his sword, aiming to slice Wen Qingye in two at the waist. It had to be said that both the speed and angle of Liu Xiaomo’s strike were exceptionally refined.

Wen Qingye watched the strike, which carried a Thunderous Force, come slashing toward him. As casually as if taking a stroll, he drifted to the side, effortlessly dodging Liu Xiaomo’s sword.

"Your sword was a breath too fast. The perfect angle would have been half an inch lower. And you used a touch too much force."

Liu Xiaomo was stunned to see his strike miss. Hearing Wen Qingye’s critique, he scowled. "I was too hasty just now. Stop your pretentious nonsense! This next strike will defeat you!"

With that, Liu Xiaomo charged at Wen Qingye again. His sword moved like a flitting butterfly, seemingly sealing off every path of retreat.

"Your Body Technique is too fast; your Swordsmanship can’t keep up. That’s your opening!"

SWIPE!

The crowd saw only a casual flick of Wen Qingye’s wooden strip toward Liu Xiaomo. Instantly, Liu Xiaomo’s face went white, and he stumbled back several steps.

"This..."

The onlookers stared at the scene, unable to process what had just happened.

’Is Liu Xiaomo... at a disadvantage?’

Youu Junlian looked as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. "Is Wen Qingye... giving Liu Xiaomo pointers?"

Su Zixin’s eyes were wide and red-rimmed with shock. "My god," she stammered, staring at Wen Qingye. "Who *is* he? He’s an absolute monster."

"Brother Wen, you’re amazing!" Yum Baobao shouted with a cheer, completely ignoring the effect she was having on the crowd.

"Wen Qingye, you dare to lecture me?"

Hearing Yum Baobao’s cheer, Liu Xiaomo let out a furious roar and charged at Wen Qingye once again.

But what happened next left everyone petrified. No matter how refined Liu Xiaomo’s Swordsmanship was, he couldn’t even touch the hem of Wen Qingye’s clothes.

"Your breath is unsteady. When you strike, you must focus your Essence, Qi, and Spirit. The moment your breath is in disarray, your sword will stray."

"That strike wasn’t bad, but it lacked power."

...