C89 10 Sword Intent

Chen Xiao's voice resonated with a grave tone:

"Lin Xuan, your strength is formidable!

Once again, you've surpassed what I anticipated.

But if that's all the power you have, you're bound to lose this wager!"

"Give it a shot," Lin Xuan replied with a faint smile, his response deliberately vague.

At those words, Chen Xiao felt his heart skip, an ominous premonition washing over him. Yet, there was no turning back; he couldn't afford to hold anything back now. Regardless of Lin Xuan's hidden strength, he had to play his final hand to leave this fight without regrets.

"Fine! I'll take that challenge!" Chen Xiao bellowed, gripping his blade with both hands as a more fearsome edge radiated from him.

The disciples nearby winced from the piercing sensation, sensing a lethal threat and hastily retreating in alarm.

Several deacons at the edge of the platform couldn't contain their astonishment.

"This is the Artistic Conception of Creation!"

"5% Saber Intent!"

"I had no idea Chen Xiao had grasped the Artistic Conception of Creation!"

The Concept represented the most elementary manifestation of the cosmic laws, making it exceedingly challenging to grasp.

Within the Inner Sect's elite, it was rare for anyone to grasp the Artistic Conception of Creation during the early stages of the Condensation Spin Stage.

Most who succeeded were either in the late stages of the Condensation Spin Stage or had advanced to the Spirit Opening Stage.

Chen Xiao, however, was merely at the third level of the Condensation Spin Stage, still within the early phase, yet he had mastered both the Artistic Conception of Creation and 5% Saber Intent.

Among the Inner Sect's elite, he was indeed a notable talent, which explained the deacons' surprise.

But when compared to Lin Xuan, who had already understood the Artistic Conception of Creation and 5% Sword Intent during the Qi Gathering Stage, Chen Xiao seemed rather average.

Now, Lin Xuan faced Chen Xiao in a high-stakes duel on the platform.

The deacons felt a jolt of excitement but quickly regained their composure, their attention returning to the unfolding battle.

Initially, with Lin Xuan deploying his 5% Sword Intent, even Chen Xiao, an Inner Sect elite, found himself at a disadvantage.

Chen Xiao had now unleashed the Artistic Conception of Creation along with his 5% Saber Intent.

With a cultivation base a full realm above Lin Xuan's, Chen Xiao's techniques packed a considerably more potent punch.

The gambling duel took another thrilling turn, amping up the excitement.

Eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Such a matchup had been a rarity in the Fighting Arena for months.

The deacons' voices carried far, reaching the ears of disciples who had withdrawn hundreds of meters to the edge of the plaza.

A buzz of excitement swept through the crowd.

"Senior Brother Chen Xiao has mastered both the Artistic Conception of Creation and 5% Saber Intent!"

"A clash of intents: 5% Sword versus 5% Saber!"

"Senior Brother Lin Xuan's cultivation seems too weak. He might be defeated."

"That's not a given. Perhaps Senior Brother Lin Xuan has an ace in the hole?"

"Isn't 5% Sword Intent enough? How could he possibly have another trump card?"

The disciples buzzed with speculation.

Their confidence in Lin Xuan was shaky at best.

He was, after all, a newcomer who had only recently achieved beginner level.

Most disciples wouldn't even be well-acquainted with the Outer Sect by this stage.

Yet Lin Xuan had already advanced to the Inner Sect and had bested all these Inner Sect disciples.

The disciples were unsettled by this.

But in a world where power is paramount, they were compelled to address Lin Xuan as senior brother out of respect for his strength.

Deep down, they yearned to see him fall.

Lin Xuan's journey had been blindingly brilliant.

A single defeat might offer them some solace.

They clung to this hope for comfort.

Alas, it was mere wishful thinking.

Lin Xuan was not one to fall easily.

On the stage.

Chen Xiao, having manifested his 5% Saber Intent, wasted no time and launched his attack.

"Raging Flames!"

He stomped the ground, leaping into the air, saber in hand, and brought it down with a mighty slash.

A scarlet blade light burst forth, engulfed in rolling flames, hurtling towards Lin Xuan.

Bolstered by the 5% Saber Intent, his might surged, transforming into a colossal Scarlet Flame Blade Light that descended upon Lin Xuan.

Its might far exceeded anything previously witnessed.

The air temperature around surged, and the very fabric of the Void appeared to twist.

Even the disciples beyond the plaza were overcome with thirst, their vitality and True Qi seething as if on the brink of ignition.

Chen Xiao's formidable power left them in awe.

The deacons at the edge of the arena felt their skin scorching. Only by channeling their True Qi could they find relief.

Their astonishment at Chen Xiao's capabilities grew.

It seemed unlikely that an average warrior at Level 7 of the Condensation Spin Stage could best Chen Xiao.

The force behind his slash neared the combat prowess of someone in the late Condensation Spin Stage.

Chen Xiao had clearly been concealing much of his strength.

Now, he had laid it all bare for Lin Xuan.

His regard for Lin Xuan was evidently profound.

All eyes, disciples and deacons alike, turned to Lin Xuan.

Chen Xiao had unveiled a combat strength many times greater than before. What would Lin Xuan's response be?

Would he fall then and there, or would he unleash even greater power?

The anticipation was palpable.

Atop the arena.

"Not bad," Lin Xuan murmured, shaking his head. "Too bad you're up against me."

With those words, a beam of sword light shot forth.

"Gale!"

In a flash, a fearsome edge burst from within Lin Xuan, rocketing skyward—an extreme terror!

Boosted by this fearsome edge, the sword light swelled dramatically.

The swirling winds transformed into a violent storm, unstoppable in its path.

Even the spreading flames from the Scarlet Flame Blade Light were snuffed out.

Before the Gale Sword Light could fully unleash, the storm had already ravaged much of the Scarlet Flame Blade Light's ferocity.

Its power was unmatched!

In the blink of an eye!

The Gale Sword Light struck the Scarlet Flame Blade Light.

This time, there was no explosive sound—only a crisp snap.

The Scarlet Flame Blade Light couldn't withstand the impact and fractured instantly.

It dissipated into countless particles of spiritual energy.

Meanwhile, the Gale Sword Light, barely diminished in force, maintained its speed and continued its relentless advance toward Chen Xiao.

As the sword light swept through, it seemed to shatter the very space it cleaved.

"Is this a fully formed Artistic Conception, 10% sword intent?"

Chen Xiao was taken aback by the formidable sharpness that pierced the heavens, and he couldn't help but cry out in astonishment.

He never imagined that Lin Xuan had even more strength in reserve!

For an Inner Sect disciple in the Qi Transformation Stage to grasp even half of a Concept was already miraculous.

But Lin Xuan had gone even further!

He had mastered 10% sword intent!

This was beyond miraculous!

The rumors were true, and he had grossly underestimated Lin Xuan.

To think he could achieve 10% sword intent at the Qi Transformation Stage!