Eldritch Horror Theatre

What was going on... why the sudden challenge?

For a professor of Apocalypse, grasping sword intent was what was actually abnormal, right? Did being questioned really warrant such an intense reaction?

Most importantly, wasn’t his choice of opponent a bit off? The one who questioned him clearly wasn’t Dean Li.

Or did he simply have to challenge the strongest person present to prove himself?

The rapidly shifting situation finally shattered the calm of the eavesdropping spectators.

Amid a palpable sea of confusion, humanity’s innate love for a spectacle was once again on full display.

Realizing a duel might actually happen, the onlookers quickly dropped their pretenses and gathered around with subtle determination.

”Huh?”

As the target of this unprovoked disaster, Li Weixuan reacted rather quickly, summarizing his feelings with a single syllable.

”That’s right. I don’t believe anyone here is more qualified than Your Excellency to prove my talent in the sword path.”His eyes calm and tone firm, Fu Qian confirmed they hadn’t misheard. Yet, as he spoke, he was looking at Chang Mo beside him.

This...

She had clearly lost all control over her speech and expressions, standing frozen on the spot.

”Professor Fu...”

It wasn’t just her. Jian Jingzheng, who had just been forced to prove that Fu Qian possessed the True Intent of the Sword Dao, didn’t fare much better. He barely managed to squeeze the title from his throat, completely at a loss for words after that.

”What? Does Your Excellency wish to participate as well?”

Fu Qian merely shot him a glance.

”No problem. It will be a good chance for me to experience everyone’s brilliant techniques at once.”

...

Among those closest, Ji Liushuang, who had the lowest Rank, was ironically the calmest of them all.

Her slightly fatigued face had initially carried a trace of shame, but now her eyes brimmed with bright curiosity.

There was no way she believed Fu Qian cared about anyone’s evaluation. Professor Chang’s concerns were clearly just being used as a pretext.

”Haha... alright.”

Her emotion was so distinct that Li Weixuan easily caught it.

The next moment, he let out another hearty laugh, casually helping Jian Jingzheng out of his predicament.

”I have always been completely confident in Professor Fu. Since you’re in such high spirits, should I have someone prepare a venue right now?”

They’re actually going to spar... why is the Dean acting so impulsively today too?

This declaration instantly sparked confusion and anticipation among the spectators.

Regardless, such an opportunity to observe was absolutely rare—

”No need. Here is fine.”

Unexpectedly, despite being a Demigod Realm existence, the challenger was absurdly accommodating, directly indicating there was no need for such trouble.

Oh?

”Alright. Please.”

Li Weixuan was slightly surprised at first, but he quickly came to appreciate this easygoing attitude. After a brief pause, he agreed straight away.

In contrast, the spectators, completely unprepared for such efficiency, stood frozen for a few extra seconds before scattering to clear a space.

...

Tiered terraces stood amid winding corridors and pavilions with flying eaves.

Distinct from other areas of the Academy, even though this randomly chosen sparring ground was just a modest space in front of the White Stone Terrace, it was still brimming with an imposing atmosphere.

This was especially true after the two high-ranking Academy figures pulled apart to face each other in a standoff.

Truly fulfilling popular expectations of the Sword Comprehension Institute, Li Weixuan stood tall, leaning on his Longsword, standing like a mountain and calm as an abyss. The moment he offered a slight nod to signal the start, everyone had forgotten just how hastily this exchange had begun.

At the same time, though most were reluctant to admit it, the opponent on the other side didn’t lack a shred of momentum.

Although unarmed and standing with his hands behind his back, displaying no stance of the sword path whatsoever, he already exuded the ethereal grace of an immortal, even without a breeze to ruffle his robes.

In just a few breaths, the anticipation for this unexpected duel had been pushed to limitless heights.

The only problem was that, even after several more breaths passed, this pinnacle clash still hadn’t begun.

The Demigod Realm expert of Apocalypse, who was supposed to be demanding an explanation for himself, showed not a sliver of urgency.

However, anyone with accomplishments in cultivation could tell that, while he stood perfectly still, his aura was still climbing.

It was completely unimaginable how terrifying the momentum of his strike would be once it accumulated to its absolute peak.

In merely a brief moment, more than a few people subtly began to believe Jian Jingzheng’s claims.

Yet, opposite him, Li Weixuan fully displayed the bearing of the Grand Champion of Sword Comprehension. He showed no intention of striking first, truly taking the stance of someone who was there to prove the other’s sword path.

...

”Watch closely. I will only strike once.”

Finally, at a certain moment, the opposing Demigod spoke up.

Although his stance hadn’t changed at all, that didn’t stop Li Weixuan from holding his breath and adjusting his condition to its absolute limit.

”I have witnessed numerous indescribable things, but none of them have ever made me feel ashamed of my own insignificance.”

Despite this highest level of alert, the other man’s tone remained utterly emotionless. At the same time, his right hand reached out slowly, as if grabbing a Formless Blade from the void.

What was truly shocking was that, alongside this motion, a Formless Blade actually manifested out of thin air.

Strands of dim silver materialized in his grasp, outlining the shape of a Longsword.

Yet, that wasn’t the most astonishing part.

Even with his entire mind almost drawn to the weapon, Li Weixuan still noticed out of the corner of his eye that as the blade formed, the constantly growing crowd of spectators had completely vanished.

This wasn’t reality.

This helped him instantly make a judgment.

And obviously, the person opposite him didn’t mind him noticing, making no effort to hide it.

The key question was, what was the purpose of doing this—

”Don’t get distracted.”

Another reminder broke through his rising trace of stray thoughts.

And just as Li Weixuan was readily accepting good advice, the Etched Blade in the opponent’s hand swung out casually without the slightest hesitation.

It was lightless and soundless, but in that split second, both distance and the self seemed to lose all meaning.

Without a doubt, this was far from the Slaughter Sword Intent that had been displayed before; it was something far more astonishing.

Fortunately, thanks to Fu Qian’s reminder, the genius of the sword path discarded his pointless awe to the greatest extent in that moment, focusing his sheer will onto that strike.

Dodging was pointless.

This instinctive realization made him swing his Longsword out without hesitation, regardless of whether a counterattack held any meaning.

Just as expected, it was unstoppable. In the next moment, Li Weixuan’s movements froze in place.

He didn’t even need to look down to know that this sword strike had cleaved straight through his entire body, the stone platform beneath his feet, and even the ancient architecture split in two much farther away.

All of this happened silently. Under this incomprehensible strike, everything in the surroundings began to crumble and disintegrate from where it had been slashed apart.

This is the most I can replicate it—the ripple left behind by your Old Man transcending his limits.

At this moment, the sword in Fu Qian’s hand had already dispersed. He stood with his hands behind his back once again, as if he had just done something completely insignificant.

How much you comprehend is up to you now.