Chapter 557: A Terrifying Sword Strike
"This battle marks the end of the top twenty-five selection. Congratulations to all twenty-five of you—but don't celebrate too early."
The Immortal Guard Commander swept his sharp gaze across the twenty-five victors, including Li Hao, and declared:
"Those in the losing group have the right to challenge one member from the winner group. If they win, they take that person's spot. Each winner can only be challenged twice. This is the losing group's second chance!"
At these words, everyone in the losing group was stunned. Then their eyes lit up with excitement.
The winners showed mixed reactions. Some frowned and looked displeased, while most remained calm—after all, it was just an extra round of fighting.
"The losers get another shot? Actually, that's fair."
"Perfect. I just had the misfortune of facing that guy from the Di Clan—no way I was beating him. He's a guaranteed top-three. I could've made top ten, but that matchup was just bad luck."
"So the Hundred Strong format hasn't changed from before."
The news thrilled the losing disciples. Even the major sects let out sighs of relief—this rule had always existed.
"Seems I've still got a shot," murmured Gui Lingyue. Her eyes gleamed as she studied the golden silhouettes of the top twenty-five hovering over the platform.
She wasn't about to challenge Li Hao again. That battle had been decisive—no excuses, no flukes. She had lost completely, and in the short term, there was no way she could beat him.
But apart from him, there weren't many others she truly feared.
"Wonderful, miss! You can still aim for the top five!" said one of the ghost clan elders, visibly relieved by the fairness of the rules.
All across the mountain peaks, those who had lost were now studying the twenty-five golden projections, carefully choosing their targets.
Gu Yan was among them. He was pleasantly surprised by the rule and began scanning for his chance.
Not far away, the green-robed girl who had lost to Yuexi was also searching for a new target—naturally avoiding Yuexi altogether.
Three incense sticks' worth of time passed before the Immortal Guard Commander stepped forward again and asked, "Who will challenge first?"
The peaks went silent. The losing group hesitated for a moment.
"I will."
Someone finally stepped out. Since each victor could only be challenged twice, it was better to act quickly before the 'easier' ones were taken.
"It's someone from the Tai Kun Clan. If they challenge, they'll probably make it into the top ten. Who's the unlucky target?"
"Damn… he chose Akai Xuan Yu from the Chi Jiang Immortal Dynasty's royal family!"
"That's not exactly a pushover. Akai Xuan Yu is from the Xuan Yang Lineage, ranked in the top fifty among the Hundred Clans."
"Still, the Tai Kun Clan is one of the top ten. If they targeted someone weak, they'd be a laughingstock."
While people debated, chaos broke out in the Chi Jiang camp. But there was nothing they could do.
Akai Xuan Yu, tall and handsome, looked absolutely grim. He'd seen his opponent fight before and knew the odds weren't in his favor.
'Damn it. I'm not weak, but I'm not terrifying either?'
Furious, he stepped onto the platform.
Their battle erupted instantly. Though Akai Xuan Yu fought hard, even damaging his bloodline roots to unleash a secret technique, the Tai Kun youth's raw strength and invincible immortal body overwhelmed him.
He was forced down, his spot taken.
With that, the first reversal was complete.
Next came Gui Lingyue. She also didn't go for the weakest target but chose someone from a top-thirty clan.
Her fight ended quickly. Using her Ghost Moon Shadow footwork, she closed in and ripped her opponent's Yuan Spirit from their body in a single move. Just as she was about to destroy it, her foe begged for mercy, and the Immortal Guard Commander stepped in to save them.
Seeing how fierce the losing group challengers were, the victors grew uneasy—except a few calm ones. Shen Wuji of the Ancient God Clan even looked eager, as if hoping someone would challenge him.
More and more from the losing group stepped forward, but not everyone had Gui Lingyue's strength. Some defenders held their spots.
As time passed and more challengers failed, the remaining choices became even more cautious.
From his place beside the Da Meng Master, Li Hao saw a few of the challengers glance at his golden silhouette—only to immediately look away. He relaxed and sat down, pulling out the pastries he'd bought earlier and offering some to Da Meng Master.
Old man Li sniffed the sweet aroma and came over asking for a bite. Li Hao told him he'd have to trade for it—with wine.
"Why do I have to give up wine when she gets it for free?" grumbled Li.
"She's the sect master. Are you?" Li Hao replied flatly.
Da Meng Master gave him a knowing look, and Li Tie Mu instantly fell silent, grumbling in his heart at how shameless Li Hao was.
Soon, Gu Yan made his move.
The Da Meng Master had selected a relatively weak target for him, a soft pick among the top twenty-five. But Gu Yan refused it.
Instead, he chose… Jianxin.
The entire arena went silent. Countless eyes turned toward this bold youth.
Jianxin was the personal disciple of a Supreme—considered by most to be one of the top contenders for the championship.
"Is he crazy? Does he have a death wish?"
"He's not even trying to win?"
"Throwing away this chance… what is he thinking?"
Confusion spread through the crowd.
Li Hao glanced at Gu Yan and saw the resolve in his eyes. He understood immediately.
That was the spirit of a true chess player—someone who, upon meeting a master of the game, would risk everything for just one match.
Letting this chance slip might mean never getting to face Jianxin.
After all, even if Gu Yan had rejoined the top twenty-five, he wasn't guaranteed a match against him.
"Gu Yan, why him?" asked Li Tie Mu, nearly shouting. Such a rare second chance—completely wasted!
"Even if I make it into the top twenty-five, that's my limit," Gu Yan said quietly. "If I had a shot at top ten, I'd fight for it. But twenty-five? That's meaningless."
"Rather than squeeze through and still lose later, I'd rather…" He didn't finish. He flew straight toward the platform.
Li Tie Mu stood dumbfounded, unsure what to say.
While the Da Meng Master was surprised, she watched the young man's silhouette and smiled. "Such conviction… perhaps one day, he really will carve out his own path. This is a good thing. Temporary rankings mean nothing. He's already done everything for the sect—now he should fight for himself."
Her words changed others' perspectives as well. Instead of seeing Gu Yan's challenge as foolish, they now viewed it as rare courage.
"Hmph, courting death," sneered many disciples from Wanshan Jianlou.
Elsewhere, Jianxin, who had been resting with his arms folded and eyes closed, slowly opened them as he sensed someone selecting him. When he saw who it was, a flicker passed through his eyes—he understood what was in Gu Yan's heart.
"Seems he wants to test your sword," Mingyue said with a faint smile.
"One sword is enough to teach him," Jianxin replied calmly, and his figure flashed up onto the platform.
The defensive formation sealed shut.
"That brat really challenged Jianxin? Does he not know that Jianxin is the most monstrous talent our clan has seen in ten thousand years?"
On a distant sword peak, members of the Gu Jianxian Clan had gathered. When they saw what was happening, some couldn't help but curse.
"He thinks comprehending the Sword Immortal's true intent makes him Jianxin's equal?"
"Jianxin grasped that intent before a hundred years old, then became a Supreme's disciple! He might lead our clan to greatness in the future—and this guy thinks he can match him?"
"Reckless fool!"
Mockery and scorn filled the peak as they all ridiculed the clan member who had left them.
On the platform, silence reigned.
Gu Yan and Jianxin faced off, both clearly sensing each other's shared bloodline.
"I've been away from the clan a long time. I joined my master's sect and trained under them. I don't recognize you—what branch are you from?" Jianxin asked calmly.
Gu Yan's eyes turned cold. "It doesn't matter. This battle is only about the sword—nothing else."
Jianxin raised a brow slightly and began gathering immortal Power in his palm, slowly forming a sword. "Since you've just awakened the Sword Immortal's true intent, you qualify as a top-tier talent. As a fellow clansman, I'll grant you one sword."
"Let me see how sharp our clan's strongest sword really is!" Gu Yan's eyes narrowed with fierce resolve. He had grown up hearing of this Supreme disciple, the pride of their clan, lauded by his parents, grandfather, and even the clan patriarch.
Now he wanted to see how far he still had to go.
Jianxin said no more. By nature, he wasn't talkative. Even facing a fellow clansman, he felt no ripple of emotion.
"This sword is called Wushuang."
The sword in his palm released a chilling white aura. The temperature on the entire platform plummeted as if it were being frozen solid.
Gu Yan immediately unleashed his full strength. He knew only by doing so would he be worthy of witnessing this sword.
His extreme-stage power and Sword Immortal's true intent all poured into his blade.
In his peak state, as he faced the overwhelming sword intent emanating from Jianxin, it felt like facing a towering, heaven-reaching blade. The pressure crushed down on him. Even with the Sword Immortal's true intent, his heart clenched.
For a moment, it was as if the clan's tallest sword peak stood before him—imposing and eternal.
Then… it fell.
Frost spread. All life withered. It felt like reincarnation.
The sword didn't seem fast or slow, but in Gu Yan's eyes, it twisted space and time, casting infinite afterimages.
He froze.
Only when the blade neared his skull and death gripped his Yuan Spirit did he awaken. He burned divine blood instantly and unleashed his strongest attack.
But his sword aura shattered instantly—like thin ice before a furnace.
His body was flung away, slamming into the platform. His limbs went numb. His Yuan Spirit was frozen—he couldn't even feel pain.
His head rang. In his vision, only that descending sword remained.
It took a long time before he snapped out of it. He wasn't dead. A horrific wound slashed across his chest, cold mist still seeping from it.
There was no doubt. He had lost this exchange—utterly.
Outside the platform, many of the twenty-five winners looked grim.
That sword… was terrifying. Most of them knew they couldn't withstand it.
Even among the Immortal Lord group of participants, expressions turned wary.
"That sword Dao is terrifying," someone whispered. Even they felt threatened.
"Water Dao fifth level, sword Dao fifth level…"
Boyaxuejian's eyes narrowed. He whispered, and his usually composed face changed completely.
His fingers clenched slightly. This young man was in the same great realm as him—True Immortal—but had both Water and Sword Daos at the fifth level!
That was nearly impossible for someone in the True Immortal realm!
Reaching fourth level was already absurd. Fifth level? That was monstrous beyond monsters.
"So this is what it means to be a Supreme's personal disciple… and that wasn't even his full strength," murmured Chu Tianhuang, now visibly serious. That youth on the platform made even them—members of the Immortal Lord group—feel threatened.
If Jianxin broke through into the Immortal Lord realm, he'd be on equal footing with them. At that point, their advantage in realm would disappear—and then, who could say who'd win?
"Fifth-level sword Dao…" Li Hao's expression turned serious as well. It was the strongest sword Dao he'd seen among his peers.
His own sword Dao was at the fourth level.
He'd refined it to the eleventh stage of perfection, the highest. Only by breaking through to the twelfth stage could it leap to the sixth level of Dao origin.
At that point, he could add a little and directly ascend to the Immortal Lord realm.
But right now, Jianxin was beyond what a True Immortal should be capable of.
"What a sword," said Shen Wuji, eyes flashing with battle lust. Jianxin had always struck fast and clean, and while his sword intent had felt deep, it had never revealed such terror.
"So that's the personal disciple of the Southern Region's Supreme? Miss, if you ever meet him—don't fight him head-on," muttered the ghost clan elder, his face darkening.
Gui Lingyue stared at Jianxin. That one simple sword had left all twenty-five winners shaken. Even she knew—if she fought him, she'd have to rely entirely on her Yuan Spirit.
"Looks like his match against the Di Clan youth will be something to see," Gui Lingshuang said softly.
For now, they were all still within the True Immortal group. But once Jianxin crossed into the Immortal Lord realm… she wouldn't mind having a proper duel.