Chapter 94: The Struggle for Position How Could It Be Him!

Just then, within the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, a crisp sword cry reverberated, ringing in everyone’s ears.

Clang~~!

A terrifying surge of sword light erupted, its sharp edge shaking the heavens. An infinite brilliance shattered the firmament one sword strike, carrying a might like a prison of despair.

The instant this dreadful sword light appeared, Marquis Tianhai’s expression changed abruptly. A trace of solemnity and shock emerged upon his face.

This sword light had sealed off his falling position. If he dared move forward, he would surely be struck, perhaps even gravely wounded or killed!

At this critical moment, he could no longer restrain himself. His body soared into the air.

Whoosh~~!

Twisting violently midair, he forced his position to shift, then his divine fist rose high, smashing toward the direction from which the sword strike had come.

“Scoundrel! To raise your hand against this Marquis you court death!”

Rumble~~!

A terrifying gale of fists howled forth, the might of this punch awe-inspiring, suffocating.

“Marquis Tianhai—his cultivation must be at the very peak among half-step Kings!”

“No wonder he was a legendary figure fifty years ago, this strength is understandable!”

“Indeed, his fist force is terrifying beyond comparison. Whoever dared draw their sword beware!”

Just as the crowd anticipated how his opponent would respond, a faint, detached voice returned:

“Courting death? After so many years, you’re still this blind. Roll!”

With that single word Roll

a flawless sword light surged forth, sweeping across like a tidal wave of radiance, its dreadful aura enough to bring despair.

Fist and sword collided directly, their overwhelming auras surging like thunder.

Boom~!

After an earth-shaking impact, a shocking scene unfolded.

Marquis Tianhai’s expression froze, as if struck by lightning. His body was blasted backward, crashing to the ground. A mouthful of blood spurted out, and his aura plummeted.

Hiss~!

The spectators were stunned, secretly horrified, their hearts chilled to the extreme.

Who would have thought this invincible Tianhai Marquis, so overbearing in strength could not withstand even a single sword strike?

At this moment, clutching his chest with one trembling hand, his other hand quivered uncontrollably. His face revealed fear mixed with bitter unwillingness.

“Marquis of the Soaring Sword Wang Chang, your swordsmanship has reached such terrifying heights!”

As his words fell, all eyes turned toward the entrance.

There, a gray-robed man of thirty-some years appeared silently. He cradled a long, slender sword, his expression indifferent, gaze faint.

If not for the sword intent flowing from his body, many would have thought the strike could not have come from such a calm figure.

“It’s the Soaring Sword Marquis, Wang Chang! A giant of fifty years past his swordsmanship pierced the heavens, none could withstand him!”

“Wang Chang’s sword is unmatched, his blade roaring like a dragon. Among sword cultivators, he stood alone majestic and peerless!”

Wang Chang’s eyes fell upon the Tianhai Marquis. His tone was cold, his gaze detached:

“So many years have passed, and yet you are still pathetically fragile.”

Faced with his mockery, Marquis Tianhai seemed not to hear. Instead, he stared blankly, words trembling from his lips.

“If even you are here could it be that the Marquis of the Severing Rivers Jiang Lingxiao has also arrived?”

The moment Jiang Lingxiao’s name was uttered, the crowd’s expressions changed dramatically. Even many veteran powerhouses beyond the pavilion shuddered, as if long-buried memories were suddenly unearthed.

“Marquis of Severing Rivers he hasn’t appeared in nearly fifty years, has he?”

“Yes, indeed! The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion truly has a face to invite even him!”

“Rumor says he’s long pursued the Starsea Realm of Kingship, though it seems he still has not succeeded.”

“Elder, who exactly is this Jiang Lingxiao?”

“You’re too young. It’s normal you haven’t heard of it.”

That speaker sighed, eyes misty with nostalgia.

“Jiang Lingxiao, of the Jiang Clan from the North Sea. A peerless child of heaven his blade path swept across the eight directions, none could oppose him. Wherever he went, he defeated all who stood before him.”

“Among his peers, save for two figures, none could withstand three of his cuts. Tell me was he strong?”

“Back then, fifty years ago he was on the same level as Ye Wushang himself!”

Hiss~~!

Hearing this, those with knowledge of Ye Wushang were inwardly aghast, deeply shaken.

The man went on, smiling faintly.

“And Wang Chang? Today, even Marquis Tianhai cannot take a single strike from him, terrifying, is it not? Yet I tell you, this very Wang Chang could not withstand three cuts of Jiang Lingxiao!”

“Once, claiming the sword supreme, he challenged Jiang Lingxiao to prove whether sword or blade reigned at the pinnacle. Yet alas he could not even endure the third strike. From then on, he declared, until the day he could withstand that cut, he would remain Jiang Lingxiao’s follower, his life bound in loyalty!”

Wow~~!

The crowd gasped, astonished by this revelation.

To think this unmatched swordsman had been so utterly crushed, left to live in another’s shadow.

And Jiang Lingxiao, just how terrifying was his power?

At this, Wang Chang snorted coldly.

“Indeed. The Marquis of Severing Rivers has already arrived.”

Then, with deep reverence, he bowed slightly, as though welcoming a supreme figure.

In that instant, a dreadful knife aura swept in, oppressive as the firmament itself, suffocating all. Even through the Pavilion’s mirrored projection, the crowd felt as though they stood before it breathless, powerless to resist.

And then he appeared.

A youth-like man in violet robes, thirty-some years old, walked calmly within. His eyes swept past Wang Chang, not sparing him a glance, striding forward directly.

Behind him, Wang Chang followed, posture deferential, his eyes utterly free of resentment only rightful devotion.

At this sight, the Pavilion’s host hurried forward, bowing respectfully.

“So it is the Marquis of Severing Rivers himself. Your presence brings unparalleled honor to our Heavenly Secrets Pavilion. Please, take your seat!”

He led Jiang Lingxiao toward the ten seats prepared at the fore.

When Jiang Lingxiao sat at the far right, the fifth position, the crowd was once more stunned.

“To think of a figure of such invincibility, consigned to the last seat?!”

Gasps rippled. If he were the weakest among ten, then what monsters sat before him?

And yet—though Jiang Lingxiao’s gaze tightened, he said nothing, merely sitting quietly, closing his eyes as though in meditation.

This silence left the crowd shaken.

Even the four Heavenly Marquises titans of the previous age entered later, yet they too sat without complaint.

Finally, as anticipation mounted, a white-robed woman appeared silently. Without hesitation, she took the foremost right seat.

The hall fell into shocked silence.

Who dared such audacity? To seat herself ahead of the four Heavenly Marquises?

Yet the Marquises did not react with fury. Instead, after a brief change in expression, they fell utterly silent.

The reason soon broke forth in whispers.

“Could it be that she is that one Princess of the Enchanting Clan, Jiang Yue’er?”

Gasps—!

Indeed. If it were she, the four Marquises’ silence was not forbearance but fear.

For once, long ago, this woman had defeated all four of them together!

The First Marquis of her age. The peerless heavenly maiden of the Enchanting Clan.

And now even she sat only second from the foremost position.

Who, then who could claim the first seat?

The crowd barely had time to speculate when, suddenly, their vision blurred.

On that first seat sometime, somehow there already sat a black-robed youth.

When his face was revealed, countless hearts froze.

“Impossible!!”