CHAPTER 441: CHAPTER 441: THE PALACE-DRESSED BEAUTY

Swish!

A flash of light, and the Star Trace Sword instantly left its sheath. A dominating mix of red and golden light intertwined, its terrifying edge tearing through the air.

Hiss!

Slaughter Sword Intent, unleashed!

Immortal Sword Intent, unleashed!

The sword light blossomed, sweeping straight towards Mo Feng. The comprehension of the Flower of Realm had elevated the Immortal Sword Intent to Tier Five, making it just as formidable as the Slaughter Sword Intent. The two intents surged forth together.

Pfft...

Nearly at the moment when the blade light and sword aura collided, the blade light melted away rapidly, like snow in summer.

"What?!"

Mo Feng’s pupils contracted. Although he hadn’t used his full strength with the last strike, he had at least used eighty percent of his power. He hadn’t expected Chu Ming to dispel it so easily.

There was no time to think. The dominating sword aura had already reached him.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The black long saber in Mo Feng’s hand turned into a shadow, dancing wildly in the air. Blade shadows piled up, waves rolled, and dust flew as the dominating sword light clung to his saber, constantly rotating and slicing, sparking everywhere.

"Ice Soul Blade Technique!"

Mo Feng felt his scalp tingle. Only now did he realize he had completely underestimated Chu Ming. It was so arduous to block even a casual strike from the opponent.

Sharp blade edges erupted from the black long saber, filling the entire space, attempting to exhaust the terrifying sword aura on his saber. However, to his shock, these blade edges were all cut down by the sword aura. In the blink of an eye, the sword aura had already reached him.

Pfft...

Mo Feng was instantly blasted away by the sword aura. His clothes were shredded, and he spat a mouthful of fresh blood in mid-air, staining his gray robe conspicuously.

Swish!

Chu Ming flicked his left-hand finger lightly, and a thin strand of sword Qi shot out, striking the bubble that imprisoned Zi Xue, shattering it like a dream.

Zi Xue didn’t move. Instead, she stared at Chu Ming and Mo Feng in shock, with a wry smile on her face. She had urged Chu Ming to show leniency towards Mo Feng on their way here. Now it seemed she had completely misunderstood. Given the parity in strength between Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan, Chu Ming’s power was clearly on par with Feng Yuyan’s.

"What happened?"

At this moment, a red figure stepped out from the icy tree-lined path. It was none other than Feng Yuyan, having just completed her task.

Seeing Feng Yuyan, Mo Feng’s face turned pale. He had long admired her, but having been defeated by Chu Ming in front of her was undoubtedly humiliating.

"Senior Sister Feng, this is what happened..."

Zi Xue came to her senses, ran up to Feng Yuyan, and recounted the events without leaving anything out.

Taking advantage of this gap, Mo Feng climbed up from the ground, took out a healing elixir from his storage ring, and stuffed it into his mouth. He then looked at Chu Ming with hatred in his eyes before turning and leaving dejectedly.

As Zi Xue finished speaking, Feng Yuyan nodded lightly. In fact, there was no need for Zi Xue’s explanation, as she had already guessed most of what had transpired.

With a cold glance at the departing Mo Feng, Feng Yuyan walked up to Chu Ming, apologizing, "Brother Chu, I’m sorry for causing you trouble."

"It’s no bother!"

Chu Ming waved his hand carelessly. The previous sword strike had only used twenty percent of his strength. It was known that even before his Immortal Sword Intent reached Tier Five, his Sword Dao’s lethality was enough to dominate the Guiyuan Realm Sixth Layer. Now, with the Immortal Sword Intent at Tier Five, his Sword Dao’s power was nearly on par with Guiyuan Realm Seventh Layer Martial Artists. If he had gone all out, he could have instantly killed Mo Feng.

"Zi Xue, you may leave now!"

Feng Yuyan turned to Zi Xue gently, then personally led Chu Ming to her courtyard.

Calling it a courtyard was an understatement; it was more like a cluster of exquisite small palaces. Around the courtyard, streams of green light circulated, surrounding numerous Fourth Level Spirit Gathering Arrays, concentrating most of Ice Profound Hall’s spiritual power here, exponentially enhancing cultivation.

"This is my courtyard."

Feng Yuyan brought him to the gate and said softly to Chu Ming.

The yard comprised a dozen or so exquisite small rooms, surrounded by ice crystals, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight, with several ice trees blossoming with ice flowers in the courtyard.

"You can choose any room; I have some matters to attend to. Once I’m done, we can head to the Sword Domain together."

Feng Yuyan continued.

"No problem!"

Chu Ming nodded, picking one of the rooms at random. They were all quite similar, with little difference between them.

...

For several days, Chu Ming stayed in the Ice Profound Hall, cultivating at night and occasionally taking strolls during the day to explore the Ice Profound Hall’s scenery and its people.

"Today is the Sect Competition at the Ice Profound Hall. Do you want to take a look?"

On the third morning, Feng Yuyan opened Chu Ming’s door and asked softly.

"Sure, let’s check it out!"

After a brief contemplation, Chu Ming nodded. They walked together to the Ice Profound Square, which was already packed with people. Nearly all ten thousand Inner Sect Disciples of Ice Profound Hall had gathered.

On the ten arenas, pairs of disciples were locked in combat, with spiritual power surging and waves rolling, creating a lively spectacle.

"Let’s go over there!"

Being the top prodigy of Ice Profound Hall, Feng Yuyan’s status was higher even than some Elders. She had a special seat reserved for her at the Inner Sect Competition.

Feng Yuyan took her seat, with Chu Ming beside her. Coincidentally, Mo Feng was nearby. Seeing Chu Ming and Feng Yuyan, Mo Feng’s face twitched. He snorted coldly before turning away with a grim expression.

Feng Yuyan’s arrival instantly drew the attention of seventy percent of the male disciples present. Not only was she exceptionally talented, but her grace and beauty were also unparalleled, making her the goddess in the hearts of the Ice Profound Hall’s male disciples.

Countless ardent gazes fell on Feng Yuyan, but she remained unfazed, as if accustomed to such attention.

"Who’s that disciple next to Senior Sister Feng?"

"I haven’t seen him before. He must not be from our Ice Profound Hall."

"Haha, daring to sit beside Senior Sister Feng without being one of us, Senior Brother Mo Feng will surely blow his top. He’ll be in for it then."

In the audience stands below the arenas, the Inner Sect Disciples were buzzing with discussions, most of them centered around Chu Ming.

Chu Ming’s victory over Mo Feng took place three days ago. Since neither Chu Ming nor Feng Yuyan had spread the word, and Mo Feng was too ashamed to speak of it, others remained unaware.

"So that’s Feng’er’s friend, Chu Ming?"

Seated at the top of the audience section was a beautiful woman in a blue palace dress. Her face, like ice, was often shrouded in a layer of frost, projecting an unapproachable aura. Her deep blue eyes were profound, seemingly capable of seeing through everything.