She had unleashed the essence of the Thousand Layered Wave Sword Technique to its fullest potential. She had even incorporated insights gained during her seclusion, lending her Sword Techniques a more fluid and spiritual charm.

Gui Water True Qi permeated the arena, causing the temperature to drop slightly.

However, Xiao Bieli consistently met her attacks with calm composure.

His Flowing Cloud Sword Technique was flawlessly executed, perfectly balanced between offense and defense. More frighteningly, he seemed to have an intimate understanding of Nie Shanshan’s Swordsmanship. He often anticipated her moves before she even made them, preemptively shutting down her most powerful angles of attack.

His Langyue True Qi was not only incredibly pure, but also far more abundant. Every clash sent a numbing jolt through Nie Shanshan’s arm and made her blood roil.

On the high platform, Chu Jinyun’s brow furrowed ever more tightly.

Hong Yuandong couldn’t help but think, ’This kid’s Swordsmanship is really something. It looks like he’s approaching the Realm of Perfection, isn’t he? And it’s as if he’s made a special study of Miss Nie’s techniques!’

Peng Zhen and Tan Yang’s expressions were also incredibly grave.

There was something suspicious about this!

Unable to break through after a long assault, Nie Shanshan knew she couldn’t drag this out any longer. The Gui Water True Qi inside her body erupted to its peak.

Hundred Rivers Return to the Sea!

This was one of the killer moves of the Thousand Layered Wave Sword Technique. It was also a move she had modified herself after long, arduous practice, incorporating some of her understanding of the "Luomei Sword," Mei Yingxue.

She spun rapidly, her dancing Long Sword drawing upon all the Gui Water True Qi in the area. The energy coalesced into a massive, endlessly spinning, azure vortex of Sword Astral that swept toward Xiao Bieli, pulling and shredding like an abyss swallowing the sea.

Its power was staggering!

This move was extremely powerful and consumed a massive amount of True Qi. It was her trump card, one she was confident could turn the tide of battle! 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

However, facing this earth-shattering strike, not only was there no fear in Xiao Bieli’s eyes, but he instead let out a long laugh. "A fine move!"

Instead of retreating, he advanced. His figure moved like a phantom, cutting into the edge of the Sword Astral vortex—right at the node where the suction force shifted.

The Long Sword in his hand suddenly erupted with an unprecedentedly brilliant moonlight. His True Qi condensed to its absolute limit as he thrust his sword out!

The angle of this strike was exceptionally cunning, its timing perfect to the millisecond. It was a flawless technique, utterly untraceable!

PSST—!

There was no earth-shaking collision, only a faint tearing sound.

That raging vortex of Sword Qi collapsed in an instant, like a punctured balloon!

The sharp Langyue Sword Qi shot accurately through the dispersing True Qi and tapped against the spine of Nie Shanshan’s sword!

CLANG!

An irresistible, immense force traveled through the blade. The webbing between Nie Shanshan’s thumb and forefinger split open, trickling blood.

"How can this be!?"

’This move, Hundred Rivers Return to the Sea... I was sure that besides Master and Senior Mei Yingxue, who gave me pointers, no third person could possibly know its intricate variations and weaknesses.’

’How could Xiao Bieli have found its single weak point with such precision and shattered it in such an unbelievable manner?’

Nie Shanshan clenched her jaw, forcefully suppressing the roiling in her chest and the aching numbness in her arm. A glint of resolve flashed in her eyes.

She refused to believe it!

’I’ve trained bitterly for over a month! I even underwent Bone Marrow Cleansing with the Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk! My strength has improved far beyond what it used to be. How could I be defeated so easily?’

Thunderous Waves Breaking the Shore!

With a sharp cry, the Gui Water True Qi in her body began to frantically compress and vibrate. Her Long Sword hummed and trembled as a point of intensely cold and sharp, deep-blue light coalesced at its tip. It was as if the force of a thousand-fathom-deep wave had been condensed into a single point. She thrust it forward again, undaunted!

This was a desperate, all-or-nothing strike, far surpassing her usual level of skill!

A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Bieli’s eyes, which quickly turned into a look of deeper amusement.

"Interesting, but... not enough!"

With a flip of his wrist, his Long Sword floated up to meet hers. The moonlight flowing on the blade suddenly retracted, becoming simple and unadorned. But the moment it touched that deep-blue edge, it erupted with a continuous, vibrating power!

Flowing Clouds Layered Force! Ninth Layer!

TING TING TING TING TING—!

A series of crisp rings, so rapid they were nearly indistinguishable, burst forth!

Nie Shanshan’s strike, condensed to its limit and seemingly unbreakable, was forcibly vibrated apart and ground down by this seemingly gentle force that concealed an endless kinetic power.

With every crisp ring, Nie Shanshan’s arm trembled more violently, and her face grew a shade paler.

After the nine layers of Power, the hand she held her sword with was dripping with blood. The webbing between her thumb and forefinger was completely torn, and the Long Sword nearly fell from her grasp!

Pressing his advantage, Xiao Bieli’s Sword Momentum changed again, rolling and unfurling like flowing clouds, seeping in through every opening.

In an instant, the light from his sword became a torrential storm, completely enveloping Nie Shanshan!

Nie Shanshan could only rely on her Body Technique and her remaining Gui Water True Qi to desperately block and evade.

RIP!

Her sleeve was slashed by the sharp Sword Qi, revealing a section of her snow-white arm where a bloody line quickly appeared.

BANG!

She took an invisible Palm Force directly to her back. Although most of the impact was neutralized by her Protective True Qi, it still sent her blood roiling. A sweet taste filled her throat, and she nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

She was like a small boat in a violent storm, in danger of capsizing at any moment. The signs of her defeat were clear, and she was in imminent peril!

The hearts of the Wutai Sect disciples were in their throats. Many of them clenched their fists, their faces showing anxiety and pity.

On the high platform, Chu Jinyun’s face was ashen, her fingers gripping the armrest tightly.

He Yuzhou’s expression was calm, but his eyes were as deep as an abyss, his thoughts impossible to discern.

Shi Kaishan shook his head slightly and sighed.

He Yueting’s gaze was lowered, their thoughts unknown.

Over on the Cold Jade Valley’s side, the corner of Ye Qingyi’s mouth curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Leng Qianqiu remained expressionless, as if everything before him was completely under his control.

"It’s over."

Xiao Bieli’s indifferent voice rang out.

His figure suddenly accelerated, blurring into an afterimage. The Long Sword in his hand thrust straight for her Central Palace, its tip vibrating, locking onto the flow of qi around Nie Shanshan’s body and leaving her no room to escape!

This strike seemed simple, yet it condensed his strongest Sword Intent and True Qi of the moment, intended to utterly crush Nie Shanshan!

Just as Xiao Bieli, pressing his advantage, flicked his Long Sword, intending to follow up with another strike to completely shatter her morale—

"Enough!"

A clear, cold shout rang out. Chu Jinyun’s figure flickered. With a wave of her sleeve, a gentle yet majestic True Astral surged forth, softly pulling Nie Shanshan back to her side while simultaneously blocking Xiao Bieli’s potential follow-up attacks.

Her face was an icy mask as she looked at Leng Qianqiu and He Yuzhou and announced clearly, "My disciple has lost this battle. Sect Leader Leng, Nephew Xiao’s Swordsmanship is truly divine. I am impressed!"

"Master!"

Nie Shanshan grabbed Chu Jinyun’s arm, filled with both shame and unwillingness to accept defeat, wanting to say more.

Chu Jinyun squeezed her arm firmly and sent a voice transmission. "Be silent! Healing your injuries is what’s important! There is something suspicious about this matter. We will speak of it later!"

ROAR—!

Only then did the surrounding uproar finally erupt like a bursting dam.

.....