“Junior Sister Ji, we still have matters to attend to, please don’t block the way,” Rock Solid said calmly.

When it came to matters concerning the Stone Race, he wasn’t going to be polite to anyone.

“This is between me and him,” Ji Ruobing said flatly, her sword pointing at Xu Zimo.

Seeing that Rock Solid was about to say something else, Xu Zimo waved his hand and said with a smile, “Senior Brother, wait here for a bit, I’ll be right back.”

“Can you handle it?” Rock Solid asked. “She’s the Saintess of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground.”

“If I can’t even deal with her, how could I possibly talk about dealing with the Feather Race with you?” Xu Zimo replied with a smile.

“Let’s go to the dueling stage. Fighting isn’t allowed in other areas of the Heavenly Dao Academy,” Xu Zimo said to Ji Ruobing.

“That’s exactly what I had in mind,” Ji Ruobing nodded.

The three of them stepped into the air toward the dueling stage, their imposing aura soaring, their figures turning into streaks of flowing light.

They landed on the dueling stage.

Seeing that a great battle was about to start, some students at the Ten Thousand Martial Stage and other onlookers began spreading the word again.

More and more students gathered.

The Saintess of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground was challenging someone again.

And after defeating Mo Tianming yesterday, today she was challenging the other person who had once ascended to the tenth floor of the Heavenly Dao Tower alongside Mo Tianming.

This was certainly a spectacle worth watching.

Xu Zimo even saw Mo Tianming in the crowd, as well as the woman in the white dress who had borrowed his token earlier.

“Good luck, young master,” Ren Pingsheng and Monk Great Wisdom cheered for him from below the stage.

Xu Zimo shook his head with a helpless smile.

He had thought it would be just an ordinary sparring match, but these people were making a big deal out of it.

Sure enough, the world never lacked idle onlookers who loved a spectacle.

...

“Who do you think will win?”

“Of course it’s Ji Ruobing, no question.”

“But that Xu Zimo guy killed Ao Nan before. He’s not simple. Don’t be so sure.”

“So what? Can Ao Nan even be compared to Ji Ruobing? It’s like a sparrow compared to a grand aspiration.”

“Well, let’s just wait and see. I’m more optimistic about Xu Zimo.”

The crowd was split into two camps, though ninety percent still supported Ji Ruobing.

After all, the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground’s reputation was far too great.

“Draw your blade,” Ji Ruobing said indifferently.

The sword energy in her hand radiated astonishing intent, an endless sword will rising like purgatory.

“The first form of the Ancient Sword Style, Cloud-Piercing Form.”

As her words fell, clusters of white clouds descended from the horizon.

A sharp sword pierced through the clouds, carrying a lofty aura as it thrust toward him.

If it were an ordinary person, they would already be confused by the clouds and unable to see the sword energy clearly.

Xu Zimo lightly flicked his fingers, striking the incoming sword tip precisely.

The once-rigid blade wavered, and Ji Ruobing was forced back several steps.

“The second form of the Ancient Sword Style, Withering Form.”

The long sword struck again, carrying an aura of destruction and decay.

At this moment, it seemed the very void itself was infected, crumbling apart in withering decline.

Xu Zimo smiled faintly. This kind of move was child’s play to him.

He reached out with his right hand again, his index and middle fingers pinching the sword before flicking it.

The resulting shock forced Ji Ruobing’s hands to tremble, and without warning, her grip loosened.

With a crisp clang, the sword fell to the ground.

...

“If this so-called duel of yours is all there is, I’ll be bored,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

“What’s the rush? That was just an appetizer,” Ji Ruobing snorted coldly.

She beckoned with her right hand, and the trembling sword flew back into her grasp.

“I don’t believe I can’t force you to use your meridian techniques,” Ji Ruobing said, as if in defiance. “The third form of the Ancient Sword Style, Eternal Form.”

There is nothing eternal in this world, but there is an eternal intent.

Even an emperor cannot be eternal, but my sword can.

The long sword split the silent sky, carrying the might of eternal endurance, stirring up a hurricane that filled the air.

The void was neatly cleaved in two.

With unstoppable momentum, the sword became illusory and unfathomable, impossible to see through.

“Talk to me about eternity when you’ve stepped into the immortal path,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

He waved his right hand, and vast spiritual energy surged, crackling under the pressure.

This palm descended like the coming of a storm; the so-called Eternal Form was nothing more than a lone skiff struggling in a tempest.

Seeing this, Ji Ruobing’s expression changed slightly.

She quickly shifted her sword techniques.

“The fourth form of the Ancient Sword Style, Truth-Seeking Form.”

The eternal sword intent transformed, no longer so illusory, but instead carrying the rhythm of the Dao.

Piercing through all fog and frost, the sword tip erupted with astonishing intent, gathering endlessly as it stabbed toward Xu Zimo.

The sound of the great Dao seemed to echo in their ears.

“Child’s play. This should stop now,” Xu Zimo said impatiently.

Shadow Tyrant on his back unsheathed itself, bringing with it a storm of blade shadows that split the air.

With several loud clashes, Shadow Tyrant’s sheer power knocked the opposing sword away.

The sword intent was overwhelmed, and the entire void was left as a sea of blades like purgatory.

“Show your True Fate now, otherwise you won’t even have a chance to strike,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“It seems my judgment was right. You really are a worthy opponent,” Ji Ruobing said with anticipation, showing no panic despite her broken sword forms.

A powerful aura surged behind her as the Myriad Tribulation Cone shattered the void and slowly rose.

“Violet Annihilation Thunder Tribulation, Heaven-Earth Thunder Tribulation.”

Ji Ruobing did not hold back, right away, she summoned two great calamities.

As the Myriad Tribulation Cone spun, it seemed to resonate with the Heavenly Dao.

The sky above was filled with thick clouds.

From within them, lightning split the heavens, crashing down toward Xu Zimo with rolling might.

“Now this is more like it,” Xu Zimo grinned.

Without dodging, he let the lightning strike his body.

Bathed in thunderlight, he twisted his neck and said to Ji Ruobing with a smile, “They say lightning can temper the body, but this isn’t enough.”

Only then did Ji Ruobing’s expression grow solemn.

She fixed her gaze on Xu Zimo, her aura growing even stronger.

“I want to see how long your body can withstand tribulation lightning.”

“Heavenly Fire, Mystic Water, Ethereal Wood, Thick Earth, Radiant Metal, Five Elements Thunder Tribulation.”

The Myriad Tribulation Cone behind her was clearly spinning at full speed.

“Soul-Extinguishing Divine Thunder.”

She unleashed all six lightning tribulations in succession.

The first five of the Five Elements Thunder Tribulation targeted the body, while the last Soul-Extinguishing Divine Thunder struck at the soul.

One must know that the soul is of yin nature, and it fears lightning, which is the most pure and yang force of all.