Peng Wudi fixed his gaze on Lin Yu, gritting his teeth. "And you—today, I'll show you the true power of a sword cultivator!"
His longsword vibrated with a buzzing hum, the blade quivering as if alive, struggling to break free from his grasp. Peng Wudi slowly opened his hand, and the sword hovered before him, pointing at Lin Yu, silver thunder flowing along its edge.
"This... this is the Art of Sword Control!" The chief minister's face paled, shocked that Peng Wudi had mastered this profound technique.
"The Art of Sword Control fuses spiritual energy with the flying sword, making it invincible. I wonder if the National Protector can block this attack?" The Zhou Emperor watched Lin Yu with worry. Their relief had lasted mere seconds before the situation reversed again.
As Peng Wudi unleashed his sword control, seizing the initiative, the others paled. If Lin Yu couldn't block this, they would all die here.
"Die!" Peng Wudi grinned triumphantly, then urged his flying sword. It turned into a silver stream, hurtling toward Lin Yu at such speed that it left a lingering silver trail in everyone's vision.
"Sword control?" Lin Yu chuckled. "Coincidentally, so do I!"
He released the Wind Controlling Sword, which trembled and rose from his hand. Blazing flames ignited, merging with the intent of fire, transforming the sword into a soaring scarlet crane dancing around Lin Yu.
"Go!" Lin Yu snorted. The Wind Controlling Sword, ablaze with fire intent, whistled out to meet the silver stream that was moments from striking him.
Boom! The two flying swords collided ten zhang ahead of Lin Yu. The already cracked jade bricks on the street crumbled into powder, spraying outward. Spiritual energy ripples surged across the street, causing the newly standing Black Armor Cavalry to stagger and fall again, riders and mounts alike.
Everyone saw the silver light on Peng Wudi's sword dissipate. The thunder subsided, and the sword spun back to him, plunging into the ground before him, leaving only the hilt wobbling.
"Impossible... My sword control is inferior to yours..." Peng Wudi stared blankly at Lin Yu, unable to believe it. He was the only Profound Heaven Gate cultivator to master sword control, capable of flying thousands of li with a thought and slaying below Myriad Manifestations like cutting melons. That was why he despised the Great Zhou. To him, non-Myriad Manifestations cultivators were ants.
"The National Protector's sword control is stronger! He defeated the Profound Heaven Gate's sword cultivator!"
"Where does the protector come from? Such strength must hail from a hidden sect."
"Not only does he master sword control, but he's better than Peng! We're saved from fighting a Myriad Manifestations expert!"
The Zhou ministers relaxed, eyeing Lin Yu with curiosity, eager to see his true face beneath the veil.
"I won't lose! I can't lose to you!" Peng Wudi regained clarity, his eyes wild. The flying sword trembled, rising to hover before him as countless thunderbolts erupted, silver snakes dancing. His expression turned狰狞 (ferocious).
He took out a Demon Blood Devouring Pill, grinning wildly at Lin Yu. "You are strong, but you're still only Grade Seven. Taking this pill will raise me to Grade Eight. As sword cultivators, one rank above you, I'll crush you!" He turned to the emperor and others, cackling. "You forced me to take this pill, which will cost me a rank in the future. You all must die!"
He popped the pill into his mouth, and black demonic qi surged from his body, wrapping him like a cocoon. Pained moans emanated from the demon cocoon, demonic qi rippling outward.
"Your Majesty, that's a secret pill to forcibly boost cultivation! This is troublesome!" The chief minister paled. Who knew Peng Wudi had such a powerful pill?
"The Great Zhou's treasury has similar pills, but it's too late to give them to the protector," the emperor苦笑 (smiled bitterly). If only the protector had consulted him earlier. The treasury held ancient weapons and pills, but without Myriad Manifestations cultivators, they couldn't unleash their full power. For those of insufficient strength, the pills were poison, not elixirs.
Suddenly, the demon cocoon burst, and Peng Wudi emerged amid dissipating demonic qi. His eyes swirled with black qi like burning flames, exuding evil. The Coercion he released grew heavier, his strength indeed advanced to Myriad Manifestations Grade Eight with the pill's aid.
As Peng Wudi's gaze swept over the emperor and ministers, they felt a sharp edge in his eyes, so piercing that they averted their sights.
"So this is Grade Eight power. Truly strong!" Peng Wudi laughed triumphantly. The flying sword, crackling with silver thunder, returned before him, expanding into a silver dragon. Demonic qi coiled around it like black scales, making the sword's power enough to slay a Grade Seven with ease.
Lin Yu beckoned, and the Wind Controlling Sword returned to his hand. The raging red flames on the blade condensed, slowly turning gold.
"Die!" Peng Wudi thrust his palm, and the flying sword before him shrieked like a dragon, turning into a silver-black rainbow shooting at Lin Yu. The sword strike was so fierce that it cut the street into a deep trench, spreading toward Lin Yu. Sword qi sheared buildings on both sides in half, causing collapses and filling the capital with smoke and debris.