CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 197 ENGRAVING

"Such arrogance." Han Zhong stared at Li Fan, was he really no different from Chen Xiao and Su Chen?

"In that case, take my third sword." Han Zhong’s domineering voice echoed. As his words fell, a tiger’s roar erupted from within his body. Behind him, a massive tiger shadow emerged, roaring ferociously at Li Fan.

A surge of powerful earth-attribute mana burst forth from Han Zhong’s body—this was his Dharma Form.

Han Zhong was not only a Sword Cultivator but also practiced spells and possessed a Dharma Form. However, because Sword Dao attacks were more ferocious, he chose to specialize in Sword Dao, seldom relying on his Dharma Form to amplify his attacks.

Yet today, he was forced by a young upstart to utilize his Dharma Form.

If this sword couldn’t end things with Li Fan, it would surely be a hit to his reputation.

"So it’s true that Han Zhong possesses a Dharma Form; I’ve heard of it before, though he rarely uses it."

"Ranked seventh on the Green Cloud List, Iron Sword Han Zhong—his strength is beyond doubt."

"Aside from cultivating Sword Dao, Han Zhong also practices earth-element techniques, enabling him to comprehend Earth Sword Intent—sturdy and overpowering. This third sword, Li Fan will likely struggle to block."

"Han Zhong is using his Dharma Form now? That brat won’t be so arrogant anymore." Xia Yao smirked as she watched Li Fan. While the guy did have a striking appearance, his arrogance was his major flaw.

As the White Tiger Dharma Form manifested, an even fiercer oppressive force surged toward Li Fan. Han Zhong’s physique seemed like that of a raging beast, and his Earth Sword Intent intensified even further.

"This third sword—you need to be careful." Han Zhong addressed Li Fan.

"Strike." Li Fan, gripping his blade, dismissed Han Zhong’s words.

"Roar..."

Han Zhong had yet to move when the white tiger’s spectral shadow charged at Li Fan, roaring violently.

Li Fan stood tall, his body emanating the sound of dragon roars, almost as though a True Dragon were about to burst out from within. A faint dragon shadow materialized on his frame, seemingly ready to break free and clash with the incoming white tiger.

Suddenly, a storm of thunder and wind erupted, transforming the surrounding area into a domain of lightning. The onlookers backed away as the aura around Li Fan became abrupt and violent.

"Thunder-attribute mana?" Han Zhong darted his eyes toward Li Fan. That dragon shadow—what was it?

"You have a Dharma Form too?"

Dharma Form and Martial Spirit—one for Qi Cultivators to enhance mana, the other for Martial Artists to amplify martial force—were not fundamentally different in their manifestations. For instance, both could take the form of a white tiger.

Li Fan possessed a Martial Spirit, yet he also cultivated mana, leaving Han Zhong perplexed.

"You said I only have one sword, one sword to supreme mastery. Then how could I have used a second? You haven’t gone all out yet—do you honestly believe I have?"

Li Fan gazed at Han Zhong and said, "Ranked seventh on the Green Cloud List—is that supposed to be impressive? This third sword of yours better not let me down."

Li Fan, claiming not to have exerted his full strength...

Facing the seventh on the Green Cloud List, and he wasn’t going all out?

Insane.*

Could it be that not even the top twenty can stop him? The top ten cannot resist him anymore?*

If that’s true, then Li Fan’s previous arrogant remarks... his sword—what need has it for the Green Cloud List?*

Does he disdain rising to the upper echelon of the Green Cloud List?*

Is it arrogance or true ability? This third sword will reveal it.*

"Fine."

Han Zhong stepped forward, his momentum rising continuously. The white tiger roared and lunged, its massive figure clawing ferociously while Li Fan felt a crushing weight bearing down on him.

"The third sword: Dragon Slayer."

As the words fell, Han Zhong lunged toward Li Fan, his sword descending. The blade seemed magnified countless times, while above Li Fan’s head, a ferocious tiger charged forward alongside a colossal blade that split the sky in two.

A vertical fissure appeared in the heavens—formed by sword aura.

Dragon Slayer?

Within Li Fan’s body, dragon roars surged. A spectral True Dragon ascended, soaring into the heavens—Rising Dragon.

Gales howled as Li Fan’s hair whipped in the wind. He stepped forward, his sword’s intent reaching its peak; raging thunder gathered upon the blade, encircled by dragon shadows.

The blade radiated a wide sweep of sword light, transforming into the Sword of the Stars, with glowing runes glittering along its surface.

"Slash."

Li Fan unleashed his sword, the gigantic blade striking the heavens. Lightning engulfed the world, and the rising True Dragon clashed fiercely with the white tiger. The blade targeted Han Zhong’s sword directly.

As the sword light descended, the ground beneath them shattered violently. The resulting storm of sword aura forced people further back while the swords trembled midair before disintegrating and fading away.

Li Fan stood unyielding at the center of the storm, resolute.

Three swords had passed, yet Li Fan not only did not falter—there wasn’t even the slightest hint of weariness.

He had perfectly countered all three of Han Zhong’s swords.

Silence fell over the surrounding crowd as countless eyes were fixed on Li Fan, stunned.

Arrogance?*

As the youngest Sword Cultivator on the Green Cloud List, and ranked at its lower end, he had held his ground against Han Zhong. His combat prowess was pushing into the top ten.

Han Zhong was silent, standing still while gazing at Li Fan.

The three swords had failed to put an end to Li Fan.

"Not bad. No wonder you’re so conceited—to handle my three swords, you indeed have the right to be arrogant." Han Zhong remarked coldly, seemingly finding an excuse for himself.

It was he who came forward, demanding Li Fan to withstand his three swords.

Now that three swords had passed, Han Zhong was the one left humiliated.

Li Fan looked at Han Zhong—was this how he intended to conclude it?

"Your swords are finished. Now, it’s my turn to strike." Li Fan declared, leaving Han Zhong briefly stunned, while the surrounding crowd watched in disbelief.

"Today, you all stood here criticizing me. You asked me to take your three swords, and I did. Now, let me see what right you have to judge me." Li Fan continued, his sword intent flaring once more, as an invisible storm of sword aura arose, chilling everyone to the bone.

"I too will unleash three swords."

Li Fan declared boldly, his sword aura soaring higher than before.

Han Zhong narrowed his eyes.

The surrounding crowd fell deathly silent—even the Green Cloud List Sword Cultivators present now had solemn expressions.

At this moment, Li Fan seemed to have entered another realm entirely.

Man and sword as one—a unique state attained by Sword Cultivators through profound comprehension of the Sword Dao, enabling them to unleash even stronger sword intent.

Many of the Sword Cultivators on the Green Cloud List had reached this state.

Li Fan was no exception.

But now, the realm Li Fan had entered seemed to be a step deeper.

Every part of him emanated sharp, terrifying sword aura.

He and his sword, and the sword aura permeating heaven and earth, melded completely into one—a singular entity.

This was the Realm of Sword Dao Celestial.

Man and sword united, with spirit harmonized and resonating with the heavens.

Within this realm, one could unleash the Heavenly Human Nine Decays Sword.

Of course, Li Fan would not use the Heavenly Human Nine Decays Sword—and didn’t need to.

The Realm of Sword Dao Celestial was already enough.

"You claim I reach supreme mastery within one sword—only one? Well, watch carefully."

With those words, Li Fan moved with the wind, disappearing in an instant, leaving trails of afterimages.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Han Zhong. A single stroke of the Wind and Thunder Sword tore through the air, cutting toward Han Zhong with such speed that the spectators could barely track the blade.

"Boom..." Han Zhong raised his iron sword to block, but the devastating sword light swept past him, forcing him to stumble backward.

Yet Li Fan’s sword pursued relentlessly. Within the Wind and Thunder Sword lay parting sorrow, as he intertwined Wind and Thunder Sword Intent with the Li Hen Sword—a stroke brimming with grief.

"Roar!" The roaring tiger emerged once again behind Han Zhong, his sword intent rampaging as the iron blade swept outward. The domineering, piercing sword light clashed against Li Fan’s incoming strike.

Han Zhong’s released sword aura was sliced apart. The Earth Sword Intent roared to shield his body, but even that was shredded as Li Fan’s sword overwhelmed him, stripping away his defensive sword aura.

A storm of ruinous sword energy engulfed Han Zhong’s form. Underneath its relentless surge, he realized he was completely enveloped by Li Fan’s intent—a terrifying cyclone of sword force, its momentum still climbing.

Flying swords whirled through the air around them, orbiting Han Zhong as Li Fan advanced to deliver his third strike.

Han Zhong felt as though he was about to be drowned by swords—a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Sword Cultivator surpassing him in sword momentum.

Upon Li Fan’s third strike, the white tiger shadow was torn apart. Han Zhong’s iron sword was shaken, and before he could recover, Li Fan moved past him.

A chilling sensation swept through Han Zhong’s body. With a sickening "shlok," his clothes shredded, revealing trails of blood streaking across his skin.

Li Fan withdrew his sword, the piercing sword aura disappearing instantaneously, yet Han Zhong still felt frozen to his core.

"Ranked seventh on the Green Cloud List, is that all? There’s no need for a Sword Cultivator to climb the Green Cloud List."

Li Fan spoke coldly, stepping forward without sparing a glance at the stunned Han Zhong.

His eyes turned toward the arena’s edge, where Cang Yunxuan looked on, his gaze falling fixedly upon Li Fan.

Today marked the recruitment day for the Shadow Bearing Sword Arena, and this young man had made his mark here with his sword.

"I’ve heard that Mr. Cang carved symbols into the wall, letting the sword intent emanate through it. Though I missed the distinguished Shadow Inheritor Sword predecessors’ dojo, I wish to emulate their legacy. May I?" Li Fan asked, turning to Cang Yunxuan.

Cang Yunxuan looked at him.

This youth had left him slightly embarrassed too.

But now, with Li Fan basked in the glory of defeating Han Zhong, to stop him would be a sign of petty narrow-mindedness.

"You may." Cang Yunxuan replied.

"Thank you, sir."

Li Fan walked forward, heading for the stone wall outside the dojo, while the crowd erupted into commotion, staring at him in amazement.

To carve into the stone wall after defeating Han Zhong?

Li Fan stood beneath the stone wall, his sword intent still surging. Straight and upright like a blade himself, his aura seethed and overflowed as he leaped into the air, treading on his sword, carving symbols into the stone wall with his blade.