Chapter 124: Master and Senior Sister Accompany Cao Xuan in Sword Practice?

A sword cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage possesses peerless combat prowess, capable of challenging those in the early Golden Core stage. However, the outcome remains unpredictable, for in the world of cultivation, every realm is a world unto itself.

What others did not realize was that the Profound Armor Talisman and the Tortoise Shell Talisman Yun Fanyou employed were far more than mere top-tier defensive talismans of the Foundation Establishment stage. Each possessed the power to withstand a single strike from a Golden Core cultivator. More importantly, before arriving, the Master of Eagle Nine Peak had imparted a technique that allowed these two talismans to be fused. Though they appeared as two separate charms, they effectively functioned as a single Golden Core-grade Black Tortoise Talisman.

A sword cultivator’s strength lies in their Sword Intent, Sword Momentum, and sword techniques—essentially a method of wielding a blade, much like a chainsaw increasing its lethality through high-speed strikes. Yet, at its core, it remained the power of the Foundation Establishment peak; no matter how much that power was amplified, the foundation did not change. While a sword cultivator could certainly trade blows with an early Golden Core practitioner, once Yun Fanyou activated his secret technique to merge the talismans into a Golden Core-grade defense, he could diffuse the sword’s lethality, spreading it across his shield to turn every strike back into a basic Foundation Establishment-level attack. This was the source of Yun Fanyou’s confidence: if every one of your sword qi strikes is merely at the Foundation Establishment peak, why should my defense be any different?

However, as Cao Xuan cleaved through the curtain of light with a single stroke, Yun Fanyou froze. This proved that every one of Cao Xuan’s strikes possessed power comparable to the early Golden Core stage.

High above, the Blood Drop Ancestor watched and chuckled, "That boy down there must be dumbfounded!"

"Both are at the Foundation Establishment peak, yet this single strike reveals just how solid young Cao’s foundations are!"

Previously, Cao Xuan had only displayed Sword Intent; this was the first time he had unleashed a truly symbolic strike. Seeing a promising talent, the usually reserved Qing Xuzi remarked, "His essence, energy, and spirit are fully refined; he is but a hair's breadth away from the Golden Core stage, and a sword cultivator's killing power will rise another level once he crosses it."

"This strike is, in truth, an authentic early Golden Core blow! If that boy hadn't used the talisman-merging secret technique, he would have been cleaved in two by the very first hit!"

The Sword Immortal Qinyin’s beautiful eyes shifted as she hummed softly, her expression one of pleasant satisfaction. She did not speak, simply listening to the others analyze Cao Xuan’s strength as if they were discussing her own disciple. In her mind, how could any sword cultivator in the world not yearn for their Ziyang Sword Sect? They were not merely strong; in the eyes of any sword cultivator, they were the true holy land of the blade.

Yun Fanyou was both shocked and enraged, having gained a profound realization of Cao Xuan’s lethality. Unlike Cao Xuan, who had never ventured out and remained unaware of his true strength, Yun Fanyou had earned his place as a focal disciple among thousands in the Central Plains through sheer grit. He was proficient in many arts and understood his own methods deeply, yet against a sword cultivator, he was forced into a purely defensive stance. While others might doubt their own defense, Yun Fanyou did not.

As he faced Cao Xuan’s strike, an internal war raged within him. If he surrendered now, the minor injuries he had sustained earlier due to his own "underestimation" would have been for nothing. But to continue meant risking injuries far beyond his anticipation.

"Clang!"

The sound was like a tolling bell. Cao Xuan showed no intention of stopping while Yun Fanyou deliberated; he brought his sword down again. The result was the same: one layer of the light barrier shattered, and the other cracked. Because Yun Fanyou was prepared this time, the barrier was more resilient, causing the bell-like chime, but his true essence depleted rapidly as he scrambled to mend the light.

Cao Xuan had no intention of probing further; he struck again and again!

Yun Fanyou’s face went bitter. Watching the effortless Cao Xuan, he suddenly understood the meaning of "lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own feet." He had underestimated Cao Xuan’s strength while simultaneously overestimating his own. Despite his grim expression, he was a man of resolve. While maintaining the two talismans, he retreated and shouted, "I concede!"

Even upon hearing the surrender, Cao Xuan did not hold back, smoothly unleashing several hundred more strikes! Faced with such an unreasonable assault, Yun Fanyou could do nothing. To make matters worse, his opponent remained utterly composed, showing no signs of exhaustion.

In the viewing stands, the audience saw only Cao Xuan drawing his Azure Cloud Sword, followed by a flurry of sword qi, and then Yun Fanyou’s sudden concession. Although Yun Fanyou had activated two legendary Foundation Establishment talismans, no one found his quick surrender unreasonable.

"Is this what a sword cultivator is? It’s just too unreasonable!"

Though the audience called it unreasonable, the envy in their eyes was plain to see.

"Ten years to sharpen a sword—do you think a sword cultivator’s glory comes without grueling practice?"

"But the person in front of us looks to be about our age!"

"Heh, you’ve been cultivating for a few years, and he’s likely been practicing the sword for just as long. How can you compare?"

"Sigh, I lack a master. I wonder if I could have become a sword cultivator if I had started training with a sword as a child!"

"Dream on. Even if you start as a child, this stuff depends on talent!"

Yu Wan sat in the audience, and the various Peak Masters nearby heard these comments, feeling equally awkward. In the eyes of the spectators, Cao Xuan had become a paragon of diligent sword training. Yet, they knew Cao Xuan had only been a personal disciple for a year; whether he was diligent or not, he certainly hadn’t been training for years as everyone assumed.

As a Peak Master, Yu Wan had spent long periods in seclusion, but she still kept an eye on the movements of Cao Xuan and Li Yao. She believed he spent his nights "practicing sword" with Li Yao, but she certainly didn't believe he had practiced at the Talisman Peak. A strange thought crossed her mind, and her expression turned bizarre. *Wait, my disciple... he wouldn't actually be using Yao'er and me for his "sword practice," would he?*

Her face flushed slightly. It had to be said, the sharpness Cao Xuan displayed on the ring was no different from his performance during their nightly "two-on-one" sessions.

The other Peak Masters, such as Yuan Dan, did not grasp the subtext of Li Yao’s earlier remarks, interpreting them literally. Peak Master Li Zhiyun added with a strange expression, "I never expected that besides arduous talisman crafting, Senior Sister Yu had also delved into swordsmanship? Since you and Xiao Yao have both accompanied Cao Xuan in 'sword practice,' has Li Yao also grasped Sword Intent?"

Hearing her earnest words, Yu Wan blushed deeply, knowing full well the misunderstanding. "It’s not what you think... cough, Junior Sister Li... well, in short, while we do 'practice' with him, his insights into the Dao of the sword are entirely his own!"

Li Zhiyun felt there was more to Yu Wan’s words but couldn't quite fathom it. She simply nodded and turned to Xing Mengfan. "In the future, when you are in the Central Plains, take the time to practice your swordplay with Senior Brother Cao! The Dao of the blade and the Dao of the sword share many similarities. Look at that young man in the black robe on the stage; his blade momentum is extraordinary, and he clearly wishes to cross swords with your Senior Brother Cao as well."