Chapter 33: Sword Qi Taking Shape

“Sword Qi Manifestation!”

The moment the sky-filling sword dance unfolded, Hao Lan's face was completely filled with astonishment.

He was also a sword cultivator, so he naturally understood this realm of sword intent. To comprehend the entry level of the Way of the Sword was already extremely difficult; everything following that was merely the tempering of sword techniques.

However, this "Sword Qi Manifestation" was an entirely different realm. The sword intent condensed and transformed into physical substance—a feat only achieved by great masters of the sword with exceptionally high attainments in sword intent.

Looking across Wusheng Academy, there were at most three such people, and they were all elders of the academy.

Among the generation of disciples, there had never been anyone.

Yet now, the sword edge Chu Fengmian had just unleashed was a perfect manifestation of Sword Qi Manifestation.

Facing this Deep Water Cold Snake, Chu Fengmian could no longer continue to hide his strength; he unleashed the most powerful sword intent from his previous life.

"Since we are to fight, then let us fight to our heart's content!"

Chu Fengmian let out a great shout, gripping his Black Azure Sword as he lunged toward the Deep Water Cold Snake.

The moment Chu Fengmian drew his sword, several strands of sword qi solidified, transforming into distinct blades of light that surged violently toward the Deep Water Cold Snake.

They struck the snake's scales with a crisp, clanging sound.

"Roar!"

A hint of surprise appeared in the Deep Water Cold Snake's eyes as it looked at Chu Fengmian.

It had not expected that this person, whom it had viewed as nothing more than an ant, would suddenly exhibit such terrifying sword intent.

But following that surprise, there was even more battle intent.

The instinct of a demonic beast is to fight; when encountering a strong opponent, they do not retreat, they only fight.

Two figures intertwined by the edge of the pool, sword edges and the body of the Deep Water Cold Snake colliding incessantly.

"This kind of battle is no longer something we can participate in. If we join in, it will only distract Brother Chu," Mo Changhen said with a sigh from the side.

He was also unwilling. As inner disciples of Wusheng Academy, they were all considered geniuses within the academy.

But now, watching the battle between Chu Fengmian and the Deep Water Cold Snake, they were completely unable to intervene—they couldn't even offer help.

Even a single stray strike from the Deep Water Cold Snake was enough to leave them heavily injured or even kill them.

"Is this really an eighth-level Bone Tempering Realm martial artist?"

Yun Jialan stared blankly at the battle before her. Could such a fight truly be performed by an eighth-level Bone Tempering Realm martial artist?

Even a third-level Body Forging Realm martial artist wouldn't be able to fight this Deep Water Cold Snake to a standstill.

"I fear the 'geniuses' among the core disciples of our Wusheng Academy are all unworthy of the name," Hao Lan muttered to himself.

Wusheng Academy was known as the gathering place for all geniuses, yet compared to Chu Fengmian, those geniuses were like mere blocks of wood.

"How can this be?"

Wang He's expression was extremely grim.

The more he watched Chu Fengmian fight the Deep Water Cold Snake, the more jealousy welled up in his heart.

He was an inner disciple of Wusheng Academy, a genius who had always been flattered and praised by countless people, yet in front of Chu Fengmian, his existence seemed worthless.

How could Wang He accept this? A local from a remote land, whom he had always looked down upon, possessed power sufficient to overwhelm him.

Looking at the Imperial Phoenix Grass on the island, greed filled Wang He's mind.

"Strength! As long as I can obtain that Imperial Phoenix Grass to improve my aptitude, what does Chu Fengmian matter! No! I must have that Imperial Phoenix Grass!"

"Sword Without Limit!"

Since his Sword Qi Manifestation had been exposed, Chu Fengmian no longer held back.

The current Chu Fengmian looked entirely different from just a moment ago. If the previous Chu Fengmian still possessed a hint of youthful innocence, the current Chu Fengmian looked like an invincible, ancient powerhouse.

This level of sword intent could be released at any moment; this was the former Chu Fengmian, the former number one in sword intent.

Countless strands of sword qi were condensed by Chu Fengmian and slashed toward the Deep Water Cold Snake.

*Clang! Clang!*

Several scales on the Deep Water Cold Snake's body were struck by the sword qi, immediately developing cracks, and purple blood began to leak out.

No matter how hard the Deep Water Cold Snake's scales were, they were being shattered one after another under this sword qi.

"Roar!"

The Deep Water Cold Snake cried out in pain. It suddenly realized that Chu Fengmian's strength was far from the weakness it had initially perceived.

It had already sensed the danger of death.

The massive body of the Deep Water Cold Snake lunged toward Chu Fengmian, but almost simultaneously, the snake twisted its body.

It began to flee rapidly toward the pool.

The Deep Water Cold Snake was, after all, an aquatic beast. On land, it could utilize less than thirty percent of its strength. If not for the fact that Chu Fengmian had seemed extremely weak, it would not have chosen to pursue him onto the shore.

The intelligence of this Deep Water Cold Snake was not much inferior to that of humans; upon sensing danger, its first instinct was to return to the pool.

If the Deep Water Cold Snake reached the water, even if Chu Fengmian had stepped into the Body Forging Realm, he might not necessarily be able to kill it.

After all, the snake could dive into the pool instantly, and if Chu Fengmian pursued it into the water, the snake could easily kill him.

"Stop him!"

Chu Fengmian let out a thunderous roar.

Mo Changhen and Hao Lan reacted instantly, both drawing their swords.

They charged forward, slashing directly at the Deep Water Cold Snake.

They both understood clearly that they could not allow the Deep Water Cold Snake to escape into the pool today.

Now that the snake was on land and wounded by Chu Fengmian's sword qi, this was the best opportunity to slay it.

If it returned to the pool, it would be nearly impossible to lure it out again.

They had to strike while the iron was hot; they could not miss this chance.

*Thud! Thud!*

However, the Deep Water Cold Snake was, after all, a third-level Body Forging Realm demonic beast. Even with injuries, it was not something that Mo Changhen and Hao Lan—two peak Bone Tempering Realm martial artists—could contend with.

In a single clash, the two were sent flying by the massive body of the snake.

Even so, it was enough to buy a little time.

"Today, you shall surely be slain!"

Chu Fengmian looked at the Deep Water Cold Snake and let out a cold snort.

His figure had already caught up. The delay caused by Mo Changhen and Hao Lan had given Chu Fengmian the opening he needed.

"Ninefold Sword Strike!"

A piercing, sharp sword intent instantly filled the edge of Chu Fengmian's blade.

The Black Azure Sword thrust directly into the body of the Deep Water Cold Snake.

As the sword pierced in, it was as if countless currents of spiritual energy were churning within the snake's body.

The force violently twisted the snake's body, and blood poured out from the wounds.

With a heavy *thud*, the body of the Deep Water Cold Snake fell into the pool and gradually sank beneath the surface.

(End of Chapter)