300 - Made-Up Martial Arts, Have You Really Mastered Them, Disciple?

Chapter 300: Against Five, One Sword Vanquishes the Celestial Giants Xu Yan looked up and saw a young man clad in a golden robe, wielding a long spear. Judging by his attire, the man was from one of the three countries, seven sects, and eight noble families, specifically the State of Wei. According to the notes of the Mu family patriarch, there was a mention of the State of Wei. The current royal family of Wei had produced two prodigies, of which Wei Yuan, a spear practitioner, was one. At the pinnacle of the early Refining Divine Heavenly Being stage, just a hair's breadth away from the mid-level, Wei Yuan's realm was quite stable. His cultivation method came from the Thousand Martial Hall, making him quite formidable. However, an early Refining Divine Heavenly Being stage, even as a prodigy, was nothing in Xu Yan's eyes. Only the legendary prodigies with spiritual physiques would make Xu Yan pay slightly more attention, but even then, it was only a little. "Xu Yan, you're too arrogant!" Following Wei Yuan's appearance, two more figures with great momentum rushed over. "From the Seven Sects' Hundred Blade Sect and among the Eight Noble Families, the Wei family — three prodigies, this should be it," Xu Yan muttered to himself. Pointing his sword, he said, "All three of you at once, let's not waste time." "I've heard of your arrogance, Xu Yan. And today, I witness it firsthand!" Wei Yuan said with a gloomy face. "Arrogance is an ignorant person's impression of me. I, Xu Yan, never boast; I speak through my strength," Xu Yan responded calmly. The gathering crowd of martial artists, increasing by the moment, included not just those from the Thousand Martial State but also from other regions, attracted to the challenge posed in front of Thousand Martial Hall's gates — an unprecedented event. These martial artists, be they wandering cultivators or from spiritual sect families, were excited at the prospect of witnessing history and the opportunity to boast later that they were participants or witnesses in a historical event! News of Thousand Martial Hall's grand reward spread among spiritual sect families, prompting many prodigies across Thousand Martial State to see this as an opportunity to enter Thousand Martial Hall and head over. "Let's see how strong you truly are!" Wei Yuan charged in, his spear thrusting forward like a giant serpent, aiming directly for Xu Yan. "Is this a contest to decide victory, or is it a deathmatch?" Xu Yan asked in a deep voice, breaking Wei Yuan's attack with a single sword. "A deathmatch!" Wei Yuan replied coldly. "If you're scared, kneel and beg for Thousand Martial Supreme's mercy, maybe you'll survive!" Xu Yan sneered disdainfully, responding coldly, "If you wish to seek death, I shall oblige." He turned to the other two, "What about you?" "A deathmatch!" the other two replied grimly. Xu Yan sighed, "Spiritual sect prodigies, all too familiar with courting death!" The watching martial artists couldn't help but twitch their mouths. Xu Yan, that rascal, was truly arrogant. Boom! Xu Yan's eyes turned cold as he struck with another sword, killing Wei Yuan in merely three blows, leaving him retreating and miserable. "You alone are not qualified to duel me, Xu Yan. I'll give you all a chance — all three at once," Xu Yan said coldly. Wei Yuan's face turned exceedingly grim. Xu Yan's strength was beyond his imagination; he, alone, was no match. The other two's expressions shifted too. Exchanging a glance, they nodded and descended onto the platform, joining Wei Yuan. "Xu Yan, your arrogance will be your downfall!" Although prodigies should have pride, before this opportunity to gain Thousand Martial Hall's favor, and upon facing death's door, how many can maintain it? Boom! Three auras, three qi mechanisms harmonized, and on the platform rose a powerful force instantly. "Xu Yan underestimated. The cultivation techniques of the three countries, seven sects, and eight noble families originate from the Thousand Martial Hall. When they combine, their strength doubles." "Indeed. It's much stronger than just three martial artists working together. It may seem like three, but it's more like combining three into one, like one martial artist wielding three different martial arts." Among the observing martial artists were those familiar with Thousand Martial Hall's martial paths. They shook their heads, thinking Xu Yan had been too careless. This isn't just a simple joint effort of three martial artists. It’s more like forming one cohesive force, not scattered. Xu Yan, seeking to fight one against three, dismantling the force, cannot be achieved. "Xu Yan will inevitably lose!" an elder martial artist declared solemnly. On the platform, Xu Yan, encircled by sword intent, faced Wei Yuan and the other two prodigies. Even he was taken aback by their seamless harmony, merging as if three had become one. "This is also well. After this battle, it might be time for me to break through," Xu Yan thought silently. "Xu Yan, today is your day of death!" Boom! Wei Yuan made the first move, spear flashing with a cold light, tearing through the air. As Wei Yuan struck, the other two simultaneously attacked Xu Yan from the sides. It seemed as though a single martial artist attacked from three directions, with no space for Xu Yan to dodge or flee, the murderous intent engulfing him. Buzz! Suddenly, sword light burst forth! Xu Yan remained calm, sword light swirling. In an instant, a nearby tree uprooted itself, transforming into a sword, thrusting at Wei Yuan and his companions. In a blink, plants turned into sharp killing swords, glistening with cold light. The sword intent surged and formed a pattern, resembling mountains and rivers. Around Xu Yan, sword light emerged, surrounding him with mountains and rivers, the intent to kill radiating in all directions! Mountain and River Sword Array! "What kind of Sword Dao is this?!" "Turning plants into swords, a thousand swords raining down?" "No, it’s not just a thousand swords; there's a distinct order, creating a stronger strike technique." The Mountain and River Sword Array shocked all around. Even Wu Tiannan, floating above the clouds, was captivated, "What Sword Dao is this? When has the Spiritual Domain ever seen such a Sword Dao?" Atop Thousand Martial Hall, the sect master and others appeared exceptionally stern and serious. Xu Yan's Sword Dao was too profound, too unbelievable! "Transforming mountains into swords, it seems to be true!" a certain elder remarked. "How did Wu Tiannan create such a Sword Dao?" the Sword Elder exclaimed in awe. Wei Yuan and the others felt a chill, faces changing drastically as they howled, combining their martial forces into one. Booming sounds erupted as the sword light shot down, the array surrounded, mountains and rivers transformed, merciless and fierce. "Sword Dao across the world bows to me. Let those hiding in Thousand Martial Hall witness what true Sword Dao is!" Xu Yan stated coldly. Boom! "Kill!" Despite Wei Yuan's group's not insubstantial strength, the three as one unleashed formidable power, repelling the plant swords and holding the array at bay. Mountains shifted, layers of sword light continued their relentless attack. Xu Yan wielded his sword, striking down with each change as if life and death interchanged. Though the high platform was fortified by formations, it began to crack under combat pressure. Xu Yan frowned, forcing Wei Yuan and others into the air to continue the fight. Below, a tree shattered into countless gleaming swords, charged with sword intent, and ascended, enveloping Wei Yuan and his companions. Swoosh! Two more figures arrived, also prodigies from the State of Wei and the larger factions. "What is this?" The newcomers were awestruck by the indescribable Sword Dao before them. Remarkable and unfathomable! The martial artists watching were astounded. The elder who had declared Xu Yan's defeat earlier felt his face burn with embarrassment, as the surrounding gazes mocked him. Unfazed, he quietly left for another crowd where he was unknown, declaring, "Xu Yan truly is a peerless prodigy, the current top wandering cultivator. Wei Yuan and his group are doomed to fail!" As if he hadn't been the one to judge Xu Yan's inevitable defeat! "You two, here to challenge me too? Come at once!" Xu Yan said calmly to the two arriving young men. "Arrogance!" one coldly spoke, yet gritted his teeth and charged with a blade. The other man looked exceptionally troubled, holding a sword that seemed to whisper a ludicrous thought that it might rebel at any time. "Xu Yan's Sword Dao is strong, but if I retreat, I'll never progress!" He took a deep breath and let out a low roar, his sword energy surging as he charged at Xu Yan. At this moment, five prodigies were engaging in battle against Xu Yan alone! The onlookers were completely shocked, their hearts brimming with an inexplicable excitement as they realized they were about to witness history being made. A lone wandering cultivator prodigy, facing five and suppressing the spiritual sect's prodigies—a historical event that would shake the martial arts world—was about to occur today. And they would be witnesses to it! More martial artists continued to gather to watch the battle. There were independent cultivators among them, filled with enthusiasm, hoping to see Xu Yan suppress the spiritual sect prodigies all on his own. Many of the spiritual sect family martial artists had somber expressions. If Xu Yan won this battle, it would shatter the established notion that spiritual sect prodigies always overshadowed their wandering cultivator counterparts. This would not be a favorable outcome for the spiritual sects. Xu Yan slightly squinted, his sword intent surging as he activated his sword array. The Mountain and River Sword Dao and the Wheel of Life and Death Sword were also continuously unleashed. Facing five at once, he could indeed feel the pressure. Despite the formidable power of his sword array, Wei Yuan and his four companions were still prodigies. Their combined harmonized qi and martial strength released an incredibly fierce power. It was as if one individual were executing five entirely different offensive techniques, perfectly integrating them together. Moreover, in terms of realms, Wei Yuan and the others surpassed Xu Yan by two major levels. "Heart Sword Realm, where my heart holds a sword, and all things can be swords; the sword is my heart, and my mind's thought is where the sword resides..." Amidst the heated battle, Xu Yan finally closed his eyes. In that instant, he had a profound epiphany. Each sword seemed to be his eyes, revealing different paths of attack in his mind. The Heart Sword Realm had gained new insights. Invisibly, the sword intent seemed to undergo subtle changes. The Mountain and River Sword Intent and the Xun Annihilation Sword Intent shifted at an instant, hinting at the possibility of transforming into another sword intent at any moment. It felt as though the sword intent he imagined in his heart could emerge as he wished. "Still missing something," Xu Yan thought to himself. He had attained new insights, elevating his Sword Dao to the next level. Glancing back at Thousand Martial Hall, he felt a tinge of regret at his current lack of strength. Otherwise, he could have turned the entire Thousand Martial Hall into a giant sword for his use, breaking it in an instant. "My strength is still lacking," Xu Yan lamented internally. What realm does one have to reach to transform a sect into a sword in a mere thought—Divine Arts Realm, perhaps? The master of Thousand Martial Hall and others displayed grim expressions, their eyes flickering with greed. Such a powerful and profound Sword Dao—why couldn't it belong to Thousand Martial Hall? No! In the end, it must become part of Thousand Martial Hall! Unaware, Xu Yan toyed with the idea of turning the sect into his sword. The battle grew fiercer. Wei Yuan and the others exerted themselves fully, merging their martial power into a giant, facing the frenzied swords rushing toward them. Meanwhile, Xu Yan, with his eyes closed, was unraveling the Sword Dao, perceiving each sword's essence. Gradually, changes appeared in the sword array, and transformations emerged in his Sword Dao. One sword performed the "Mountain and River Dragon's Roar," while another executed the "Thunder Sword..." Every sword exhibited a different Sword Dao, collaboratively forming a sword array, attacking as a unified force. "It's nearly perfect; the foundational essence is nearly complete. It's time to break through to the Divine Essence Realm!" Xu Yan sensed the "Martial Momentum" within him had gathered almost to completion, reaching an impecable state. Wei Yuan and his companions' attack energies, after being converted through Xu Yan's Mountain and River Sword Intent, strengthened his Martial Momentum, enriching his understanding of various martial paths. More prodigies arrived, all of whom were shocked at Xu Yan's lone battle against five. How did all this sword light originate? It seemed anyone entering it faced inevitable death! Xu Yan remained silent; even if they wanted to act, they could only endure it. Personal pride was still a factor to be maintained. Moreover, the rules of contention among prodigies needed adherence! The powerhouses from the three countries, seven sects, and eight noble families, including the Wei emperors, had arrived, bearing somber expressions. Even with five of them combined, they couldn't take down Xu Yan? Thousand Martial Hall's current prodigies' prowess was unknown, but certainly, they couldn't face five like Xu Yan could, right? If so, wouldn't that imply Thousand Martial Hall's prodigies weren't Xu Yan's match? Xu Yan, a wandering cultivator, was indeed formidable to this extent? One man suppressing spiritual sect prodigies? Xu Yan's eyes opened, like sword beams shooting out. "It's time to end this!" Having gathered enough Martial Momentum in this battle, he was ready to break through to the Divine Essence Realm. With a gesture, the sword fell into his hand. Stepping forward, he slashed downwards. Boom! The Mountain and River Sword Array, as if each sword formed a person wielding a sword, collectively swung down! "Not good!" Wei Yuan and his companions sensed a strong crisis of life and death. "Kill!" At this moment, beams surged around the five, and their vital essence ignited, executing their ultimate life-risking martial secret technique. Boom! Amidst the shocked faces of the martial artists, Wei Yuan and his group seemed to merge into one. A strong, slightly blood-hued attack materialized suddenly. Boom! As the sword shattered, that attack barreled forward toward Xu Yan. Yet, as Xu Yan's sword slashed down, the sword from that attack suddenly turned around, striking back! With one swing, the prodigies fell! --- **Untranslated/New Terms:** - **Xun Annihilation Sword (巽滅劍)**: A type of sword intent or technique, suggesting annihilation associated with the Xun or Wind trigram. This emphasizes the elemental nature often associated with this attack. Alternatives: Xun Destruction Sword, Wind Destruction Blade. - **Mountain and River Dragon's Roar (山河龍吟)**: A sword technique linking natural landscapes with dragon imagery, reflecting power and majesty. Alternatives: River-Dragon Roar, Earth and Water Dragon Cry. - **Thunder Sword (震雷劍)**: A straightforward translation emphasizing lightning or thunder. This conveys an aspect of strength and sudden impact akin to thunder. Alternatives: Thunderbolt Blade, Lightning Slash. - **Martial Momentum (武道之勢)**: Represents accumulated strength or momentum in martial cultivation. Alternatives: Martial Force, Combat Potential. - **Vital Essence (精血)**: Denotes life force or energy, often associated with one's physical vitality. Alternatives: Life Blood, Essence Spirit.