Immortal Sword Master

Chapter 244: Chapter 240: Winter’s End

Waves of Sword Intent erupted from Jian Xinghe, soaring into the sky. Throughout the arena, the Treasure Swords of countless Sword Cultivators hummed and vibrated, as if Jian Xinghe were their King.

”Sword Intent... It’s actually Sword Intent.”

Countless experts at the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm were visibly moved, stunned by the young man on the stage.

”Among Sword Cultivators since ancient times, not even one in ten thousand has ever comprehended Sword Intent. For Jian Xinghe to achieve this at such a young age, with his aptitude, he’d be considered a top-level genius not just in Qing Province, but across the entire Six Eastern Provinces.”

”Even in the Celestial Sword Sect, one of the Seven Great Super Sects and a so-called Sword Dao Sacred Land, those who have comprehended Sword Intent are few and far between, right?”

For a Sword Cultivator, Sword Intent was a massive watershed.

Many Sword Cultivators went their entire lives without ever managing to comprehend Sword Intent.

But once one comprehended Sword Intent, they became a King among Sword Cultivators. With a single release of their Sword Intent, they could easily suppress a Sword Cultivator of the same level.

Even some incredibly powerful Sword Cultivators would have to retreat and avoid a direct confrontation with someone who had comprehended Sword Intent, even if that person’s cultivation was lower than their own.

”Now that he’s revealed his Sword Intent, Jian Xinghe is countless times stronger than he was just a moment ago.”

The moment his Sword Intent appeared, Jian Xinghe became terrifying in the eyes of the crowd.

”It looks like Jian Xinghe’s skill is superior after all. He’ll win this fight.”

”What a shame. I was actually starting to think Ning Jiang might pull off a miracle. Still, there’s no shame in losing to a Sword Cultivator who wields Sword Intent.”

The crowd buzzed with discussion. No one favored Ning Jiang anymore.

Even if they had never witnessed the power of Sword Intent firsthand, they had all heard the legends about it.

Especially now, with the release of his Sword Intent causing ten thousand swords to resonate in unison—such a display was enough to prove how extraordinary it was.

”So far, you are the only person in Qing Province who has managed to force me to use my Sword Intent. You should concede.”

Jian Xinghe’s tone was flat, as if this outcome was only natural.

He believed that in the face of his Sword Intent, Ning Jiang would know to back down.

”Sword Intent? Is that supposed to be rare?” Ning Jiang shook his head. ”Sorry, but as it happens, I have that too.”

As he spoke, a terrifying, sharp intent burst forth. Ning Jiang’s entire aura changed. His white robes whipped about, and every strand of his white hair stood on end, straight as a sword.

CRACKLE... FIZZ...

A sound like an electric current echoed across the stage as the two waves of Sword Intent clashed violently, battling for supremacy.

”What? He’s comprehended Sword Intent too?”

Everyone was flabbergasted, staring at Ning Jiang as if he were a monster.

’Just who in the world is this guy? What kind of background does he have?’ Shock filled every gaze fixed upon him.

It was as if there were no limits to Ning Jiang’s power; he shattered their understanding time and time again.

Jian Xinghe’s eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed solely on his enemy, Ning Jiang. Even when he had been bested in Sword Technique, he had remained calm and unfazed.

Because winning or losing a contest of Sword Technique meant nothing.

But Sword Intent was different!

Sword Intent was the standard for judging whether a Sword Cultivator was top-level. Anyone who could comprehend it was destined for a boundless future on the path of the sword.

”Good. Very good! I now acknowledge that you are truly worthy of being my opponent!”

Jian Xinghe spoke each word deliberately. He had finally accepted the fact that Ning Jiang was a formidable foe.

”But this is even better. By defeating you, perhaps my Sword Intent will break through and I’ll achieve complete Sword Intent.”

Jian Xinghe quickly adjusted his mindset. In truth, his current Sword Intent, like Ning Jiang’s, was only Half-Step Sword Intent—not yet complete.

The gap between Half-Step Sword Intent and complete Sword Intent was yet another threshold.

”Ning Jiang, take this!”

Jian Xinghe’s incomparably sharp Sword Intent erupted fiercely. Combined with his slender frame, he himself seemed like a peerless Treasure Sword about to be unsheathed.

Xinghe Shattered.

He brought his sword down in a chop. The terrifying Sword Intent was completely condensed within this single strike, multiplying its destructive power.

”Autumn Withered.”

Withered leaves seemed to dance in the air as a bleak, yellow Sword Aura swept out to meet Jian Xinghe’s attack, and the two strikes annihilated each other.

”Xinghe Sword Array.”

Jian Xinghe leaped into the air. With a shake of his longsword, he sent out streams of Sword Qi, one after another, until a total of nine lined up before him.

”The Xinghe Sword Array... That’s a Sword Array that requires at least three people working in concert to execute! I can’t believe Senior Brother Jian Xinghe can activate it all by himself.”

”Of course he can. He’s Senior Brother Jian Xinghe.”

A few disciples from the Star Sword Sect watched on in astonishment.

The Xinghe Sword Array was a famous and powerful Sword Array of the Star Sword Sect. Once deployed, it was enough to allow the weak to defeat the strong and the few to overcome the many.

”Ning Jiang, let’s see what other tricks you have up your sleeve!”

Jian Xinghe’s expression was grave. Activating the Xinghe Sword Array by himself was no small burden for him.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG—

The nine Sword Auras trembled, transforming into starlight and shooting toward Ning Jiang in a nine-palace formation.

”A petty trick.”

The fighting spirit in Ning Jiang’s eyes surged.

He activated his Ice Soul Sword and, with a gentle slash, condensed seven streams of Sword Qi. They were translucent and hovered in the air.

”This array is called the Seven Kills Sword Array. I’ll use it to meet your Xinghe Sword Array.”

As his voice fell, Ning Jiang swept his great sleeve, and the Seven Kills Sword Array shot forth, unleashing a monstrous killing aura.

One side had nine swords, the other only seven. In terms of numbers, Ning Jiang’s side seemed to hold no advantage whatsoever.

However, when the two Sword Arrays made contact, the result was utter, devastating destruction.

Before the Seven Kills Sword Array, the Xinghe Sword Array was utterly destroyed in less than three breaths.

”What?”

The members of the Star Sword Sect watched in shock. The Xinghe Sword Array was a top-level Sword Array in their Sect, yet it couldn’t defeat Ning Jiang?

”Hahaha! Good, good, good!”

Jian Xinghe said the word ”good” three times. ”Ning Jiang, you are indeed strong. If not for this final sword strike, I’m afraid I would have lost to you today.”

”Then let me show you my strongest strike.”

Streams of starlight emerged from Jian Xinghe’s body, enveloping him in a hazy glow.

’Oh? Interesting. Is that a Secret Technique for absorbing the Power of Stars and sealing it within the body?’

A strange look appeared on Ning Jiang’s face. Absorbing the Power of Stars wasn’t some impossible feat. For example, the Myriad Stars Flying Immortal Technique he had once cultivated drew upon the power of all the stars in the heavens.

Of course, this Secret Technique of Jian Xinghe’s was far inferior to his Myriad Stars Flying Immortal Technique.

This particular Secret Technique could only seal the absorbed star power within the body to be unleashed as a single, powerful killing move.

”I have been nurturing this strike for a full year. Today, it will finally be unsheathed! Ning Jiang, receive my Xinghe Sword!”

With that, a beam of starlight that seemed to pierce heaven and earth rose up, shocking the world.

He was completely submerged in starlight, holding his sword with both hands as he shot toward the heavens, tearing through the sky as he charged at Ning Jiang.

The sight was one that no one present would ever forget.

The strike was like a river of stars flowing past—unstoppable and magnificent beyond compare.

Even from a great distance, the crowd could feel the Sword Qi rushing toward them, stinging their faces. The many Sword Cultivators among them trembled with excitement, their eyes welling with tears.

”Such a powerful strike! Who below the Primordial Spirit Fourth Tribulation Realm could possibly block it?”

Even the Primordial Spirit Realm experts watched with extreme solemnity, their eyes glued to the stage.

As for the disciples of the Yanyue Sect, many had already closed their eyes, praying for Ning Jiang.

Facing this peerlessly terrifying strike, Ning Jiang’s slender figure remained motionless. His gaze was indifferent, devoid of all emotion. His lips parted slightly as he slowly breathed two words:

”Winter’s End!”