Chapter 39: My Sword Path Surpasses Yours! Rain of Swords, Scattering Petals!

The fierce wind howled, causing Ye Changsheng’s robes to snap and flutter. He stood tall and steady as a mountain, his presence radiating a sharp, piercing aura. Sword energy surged from him like a rising tide, tumultuous and overwhelming, striking fear into the hearts of those who beheld it.

Seeing this, Jiang Tian narrowed his eyes, a flicker of apprehension crossing his gaze.

"I underestimated you. To think that you are actually a sword cultivator!"

Ye Changsheng sneered in response, "Your eyes must be blinded by your own arrogance. Fist fighting is merely my hobby; the Way of the Sword is my true expertise."

"I have no patience to waste words on a fool like you. Taste my blade!"

He held his sword in his right hand, his fingers tightened firmly around the hilt. In an instant, rolling sword energy surged along his arm, swirling around him. Wherever it passed, the air itself emitted a sizzling sound, twisting and warping under the pressure. The formidable sword energy gathered upon the blade like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. The slender sword began to vibrate, emitting a clear, ringing chime.

"Slash!"

Ye Changsheng raised his sword and let out a thunderous shout. "One Slash of Ten Thousand Tons!"

In the next second, he exerted his full strength and swung. The strike was blindingly fast, executed without a hint of hesitation. The sharp edge cut through the air, carving a long, graceful arc. Instantly, a crimson-gold gleam of sword light burst forth, tearing through the sky like a violent golden lightning bolt. The radiance was so dazzling that it stung the eyes of those watching. Where the sword light passed, the void was violently rent asunder, leaving a chasm in the firmament. The blade energy expanded, rushing toward Jiang Tian like a golden torrent. Before this terrifying power, everything around seemed fragile; the winds and clouds shifted, and all creation dimmed beneath its majesty.

Observing this, Dongfang Ting’s expression shifted, and he exclaimed, "This boy’s mastery of the sword has actually reached such a level!"

Jiang Tian had underestimated Ye Changsheng. Faced with such a ferocious strike, he did not dare to hesitate, drawing his own sword to meet the attack. He thrust his blade forward, pointing it sharply into the void. A violent, silver-white arc of sword energy erupted from his weapon.

The crimson-gold radiance and the silver-white arc collided heavily, triggering an instantaneous explosion of sharp energy.

"Clang!"

At the point of impact, the void distorted wildly, and dazzling sparks showered in all directions—a truly shocking spectacle.

"Boom!"

A deafening roar erupted as the surrounding space was ruthlessly crushed. A visible shockwave of powerful energy surged upward, spreading outward like a raging river. The outcome was decided; Jiang Tian was sent flying like a cannonball, slamming into the ground and gouging out a deep crater. Ye Changsheng, however, stood firmly in place as if his feet were rooted to the earth. He slowly lifted his head and looked forward.

***

Jiang Tian lay on the ground, his chest tightening as a mouthful of blood threatened to surge up. For the sake of his pride, he forced it back down.

"How was that? What do you think of my swordsmanship? Are you feeling the humiliation of your own hubris?" Ye Changsheng asked with a mocking smile.

Though he was severely injured, Jiang Tian kept a stiff face, stubbornly retorting, "And what of it? It was nothing more than a mere scratch."

Ye Changsheng chuckled. "You really are a master of bragging without even blinking. Before you say such things, could you perhaps take a look at the blood running from the corner of your mouth?"

Hearing this, Jiang Tian reached up, only to realize that blood had indeed been trickling down his chin.

"It was just a fluke," Jiang Tian said, looking embarrassed and giving a soft cough.

"A fluke, you say? Well, how fortunate—I’m in a bad mood today, and I’d like to finish you off."

*Whoosh!*

Ye Changsheng’s figure flickered, darting forward like a streak of lightning. Before Jiang Tian could recover, Ye Changsheng was already upon him, his sword thrusting directly toward a vital spot.

"Damn it!"

Jiang Tian’s brow furrowed, his teeth clenched, his expression unsightly. Having learned his lesson, he dared not be arrogant and hurriedly raised his sword to parry.

"Clang!"

A crisp, metallic clash rang out, and the two separated as quickly as they had engaged. Ye Changsheng landed, his own sword rapidly disintegrating into a pile of scattered fragments on the ground.

"Boy, this blade of mine is a sixth-tier magical treasure. How can that piece of junk you’re holding compare to it?" Jiang Tian laughed triumphantly. "I repeat: your challenge today is nothing but self-inflicted humiliation!"

"Pfft!"

Seeing Jiang Tian’s arrogant display, Ye Changsheng couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Jiang Tian’s expression hardened. "What are you laughing at? Your sword is shattered—how can you still find it funny?"

"This was just something I picked up at random. But tell me, how is your sword doing?"

*Crack!*

As the words fell, a sharp, crisp sound of shattering echoed through the air. Hearing it, Jiang Tian looked down abruptly. His heart skipped a beat—the sword in his hand was trembling violently and had snapped clean in two.

Ye Changsheng sneered, "Hey, buddy, is this your 'sixth-tier magical treasure'? It doesn't seem to be up to the task!"

"How is this possible?" Jiang Tian gasped in shock. This sword had been with him for years, and he knew its power better than anyone.

"How is it impossible? Tell me, is there a possibility that..." Ye Changsheng paused, "My mastery of the sword is simply above yours!"

Jiang Tian was a sword cultivator, and as a Holy Son, he could not accept defeat so easily. Gritting his teeth, he roared, "Impossible! You must have used some devious trick. My swordsmanship could never lose to a half-baked amateur like you!"

Ye Changsheng laughed, "It’s not even night yet, and you’re already dreaming?"

"Since you enjoy proving yourself so much, why don't I use you to test my skills and practice my swordplay!"

With no sword in his hand, Ye Changsheng formed a seal with one hand. Rolling waves of sword energy surged upward, circling around him. Seeing this, Dongfang Ting completely lost his composure.

"What is the background of this boy? To reach the Realm of 'Swordless' at such a young age!"

High up in a tree, Wan Jianyi sat upright, watching Ye Changsheng with a grin. "It seems my little brother has even more secrets than I do!"

"Heaven and Earth Sword Art, Second Form..."

"Rain of Swords, Flying Blossoms!"

At that moment, the sky was filled with thousands of sword auras. The energy was razor-sharp, sweeping outward like a storm, causing the void to twist violently wherever it touched. The piercing sound of air being torn apart echoed across the land.

"Condense!"

At Ye Changsheng’s command, the sword energy moved in unison, taking shape in mid-air and transforming into countless phantom blades. Jiang Tian looked up slowly, only to realize he was completely surrounded by thousands of sword shadows.

"This..." Jiang Tian was stunned. This was a technique he could only dream of, yet Ye Changsheng wielded it as easily as breathing.

"Kill!"

Ye Changsheng pointed a finger, and the countless sword shadows rained down like a torrential downpour. Seeing this, Jiang Tian bit his tongue, spitting out a spray of blood. A scarlet aura of sword energy erupted, forming a crimson barrier that rose from the ground to shield him.

*Pitter-patter!*

The sword shadows struck incessantly, sending sparks showering off the barrier. Surrounded by the flickering light of the sword rain, Jiang Tian struggled desperately to hold his ground.