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"Ha!" Faced with such a ferocious attack, I also increased my strength, and the "Platinum Mirror Magic Armor" instantly appeared, then disintegrated itself, reassembling into a massive, ornate blade shadow on the "Heavenly Serpent Fang," temporarily elevating its power to that of an epic divine weapon. Then, combining it with potent Nine Yin True Qi and Moon Flame Battle Qi, I unleashed the "Hundred Blades Shatter Mountains."

"Clang~~~~~ Clang~~~~~ Clang~~~~~ Clang~~~~~"

The clash between the two Sword Sect masters was so powerful that even the aftermath could crush rocks within thirty feet. Despite magical suppression, the deafening sound nearly ruptured the eardrums of the spectators. In terms of swordsmanship, although I had not fully unlocked the mysteries of the "Heaven and Earth Silent Annihilation Blade," I still surpassed my opponent. However, I had to admit that true qi was indeed less formidable than battle qi in direct confrontation. My Seventh Level Moon Flame Battle Qi was suppressed by my opponent's Ninth Level cultivation plus lunar attribute enhancement, forcing me back step by step until I was pushed to the edge of the arena.

"Gao Bo, chop him up!" Elena, a disciple of the Sword Saint from the 16 Kingdoms Alliance, excitedly shouted upon seeing her fellow disciple gain the upper hand. Sigh, where is her princessly decorum?

Although my absolute strength was inferior to my opponent, if I merely wanted to win, I had at least a dozen ways to defeat Gao Bo. However, while practicing the "Heaven and Earth Silent Annihilation Blade," I encountered difficulties when trying to comprehend the "Ten Blades Annihilate the Mortal World." Although my internal energy had significantly improved over the past half year, I couldn't break through. The "Ten Blades Annihilate the Mortal World" is a transitional stage in the entire technique. To use an analogy, the first three realms are like the roots, stem, and leaves of a plant, while the "Ten Blades Annihilate the Mortal World" is the flower, necessary for producing the ultimate fruit, the "Single Blade Sever Heaven and Earth." When I observed the three Sword Saints sparring in the desert, I realized that the "Sky Splitting Sword Saint's" energy flow method was extremely helpful for breaking this barrier. Therefore, I used this match to engage Gao Bo fully, using the miraculous effects of Nine Yin True Qi to sense his power changes and compare them with the verses of the *Nine Yin Manual* to attempt a breakthrough.

Although Gao Bo's skills were inherited from the "Sky Splitting Sword Saint," the depth of his cultivation differed. When I observed the three Sword Saints' powers, I could only feel the characteristics of the Sword Saint's energy but couldn't understand its principles. Gao Bo's lower realm allowed me to gradually grasp the workings of this sword technique. Although the methods of running battle qi and true qi differ, what truly hindered my progress was not the use of internal energy but the difficulty in wielding the blade. Gao Bo's technique combined hand movements, force application, mental focus, and footwork, accumulated over centuries. These secrets far exceeded what I could learn from mere textual study, resolving many long-standing puzzles.

After exchanging a hundred blows with Gao Bo, I gained some insight into breaking through the "Ten Blades Annihilate the Mortal World." Seizing the opportunity, I tested my newfound understanding on him. As everyone saw me forced to the edge of the arena, the battle qi blade shadow around my "Heavenly Serpent Fang" suddenly dissipated, transforming into a lightning bolt that slashed diagonally across Gao Bo's glowing battle qi blade aura.

"Puff—" His continuous, unyielding light wheel, which had been steadily overpowering my "Hundred Blades Shatter Mountains," abruptly halted under my silent strike. Gao Bo's face turned pale, but he immediately roared and swung his blade again. This time, I struck his blade once more, causing him to retreat three steps, his face filled with shock. Before he could react, I struck again, disarming him and slashing his limbs, then withdrew.

A single blade with ten layers of force—this is the true essence of the "Ten Blades Annihilate the Mortal World." Initially, my first strike was only three layers strong, barely restraining Gao Bo's blade wheel. The second strike was six layers strong, forcing him back. By the third strike, I achieved ten layers of force, defeating him decisively. However, this was just my initial understanding; the full power would be unleashed when I integrate the variations of "Myriad Blades Divide the Sea," the sharpness of "Thousand Blades Slash Clouds," and the might of "Hundred Blades Shatter Mountains." Only then will this technique truly showcase its power and advance to the final realm of "Single Blade Sever Heaven and Earth."

Naturally, I emerged victorious in this match. The Red Jade Princess of the 16 Kingdoms Alliance, seeing Gao Bo's deep wounds, looked at me with burning hatred. If not for the lunar attribute "Mountain Giant Spirit" protecting him, his limbs would have been severed. However, this is the holy land of Light Divine Arts, where the Holy Spring can heal injuries, and even if I had severed his limbs, a high priest could regenerate them. Thus, Princess Elena's anger towards me was unjustified. However, if I were to inflict injuries that would enrage the Sword Saint, they must be beyond the reach of divine healing. With this thought, I glanced at the red-haired siblings from the Mercenary Empire.

"If you need rest, we don't mind waiting. But if you're ready, let me tell you that we will repay you tenfold for the humiliation and losses you've caused us today," Wright said loudly, igniting crimson flames around him, indicating the unique battle qi of Flame Saint Levis, the "Boil Sea Burn Heavens Technique." Simultaneously, his sister Xiyin burst into emerald green battle qi, devoid of any heat.

"I've long wanted to thank the Flame Saint for the two slashes he gave me. Since you're interested, let's see if my gratitude suits the taste of the Flame Saint Levis," I said with a smile.