Although after one move, both were unharmed, anyone could see that Wan Lei’s attack was broken first, and after unleashing another move, he managed to neutralize Jian Fanchen’s assault.
The crowd was surprised.
Some were astonished that Wan Lei could withstand Jian Fanchen’s sword strike without being defeated or harmed. After all, previous elite disciples had all fallen to this very sword.
Others were surprised that Wan Lei was at a disadvantage in the very first round. This was merely Jian Fanchen’s routine opening move, the one he always used against any challenger.
From this first exchange, everyone could tell that Jian Fanchen, a sword cultivator, held an edge in offensive power over Wan Lei.
It was known that among all cultivators, sword cultivators were always the strongest in terms of attack power. While lightning attributes were also adept at offense, they were more suited for area-of-effect attacks and possessed greater overall strength.
In this battle, unless Wan Lei could exploit the sword cultivator’s weaker defense, it would be difficult for him to turn the tide.
Wan Lei, naturally, was aware of these facts, just like everyone else.
Jian Fanchen gave Wan Lei no chance to counter. Seizing the initiative, he immediately charged towards Wan Lei.
Before Jian Fanchen arrived, streaks of sword energy began to lash out towards Wan Lei.
These hundreds of sword energies, each capable of easily killing a cultivator in the Taixu realm, were all directed at Wan Lei.
Instead of dissecting them one by one, Wan Lei directly unleashed his Sea of Lightning to counter the sword energy.
The sword energies were significantly slowed within the Sea of Lightning, their power considerably diminished. Wan Lei’s internal Earth Lightning erupted, dissipating all of them.
At this moment, Jian Fanchen’s next ultimate move was already prepared.
“Sword Technique, Dawn Breaks!”
Jian Fanchen was honorable in combat, announcing the name of his divine ability with each strike to allow his opponent to prepare.
A crescent-shaped sword energy, emitting a blinding red glow, slashed towards the Sea of Lightning.
Wherever the sword energy passed, the Sea of Lightning dissipated and retreated.
Soon, the sword energy reached Wan Lei.
Wan Lei deployed his Lightning Defense and, at the same time, produced his Magnetic Shield. He intended to withstand this move head-on.
There was no rule in the competition forbidding the use of magical treasures.
The crescent slash of sword energy crashed onto Wan Lei’s energy magnetic shield. Even though it could weaken attacks by ninety percent, Wan Lei still felt his cultivation shake uncontrollably.
However, he had managed to block the opponent's attack.
“Tai Chi Magnetic Shield? The Tai Chi Magnetic Shield worth fifteen hundred merit points? Why does he have it? Didn’t he never spend any merit points?”
“Where did he acquire it?”
“I’ve wanted this thing for so long, but I’ve always been reluctant to buy it.”
“With this shield, Wan Lei has the capital to contend with Jian Fanchen.”
The crowd murmured amongst themselves. Xiao Jin had to step forward and explain that it was a reward from the sect leader after Wan Lei completed his last mission.
Only then did everyone understand, and simultaneously, some felt a pang of envy.
After blocking the opponent’s attack, Wan Lei also understood the formidable power of the sword immortal and immediately charged forward.
Facing a sword immortal, one could only seize the initiative, set the pace of the attack, and engage in close-quarters combat. One must never allow distance to open, giving the opponent space to cast spells.
He knew the sword immortal’s weakness, and Jian Fanchen was aware of his as well. Seeing Wan Lei charge at him, Jian Fanchen immediately retreated, simultaneously flicking out several sword energies to impede Wan Lei’s speed.
As those sword energies were about to reach Wan Lei, he directly used Lightning Evasion. With a burst of thunder, Wan Lei appeared behind Jian Fanchen, his heavy hammer smashing directly towards Jian Fanchen’s head.
The moment Wan Lei vanished from his sight, Jian Fanchen knew he was being ambushed. Without hesitation, he spun around and unleashed a sword strike. The long sword clashed with the hammer, scattering sparks and lightning that dissipated in the air.
They both retreated several steps. Blood seeped from the tiger’s mouth on Wan Lei’s grip, a testament to the immense power of Jian Fanchen’s casual sword strike.
Wan Lei immediately pressed his offensive. Against such an enemy, he could not afford to let them seize an opening.
He swung his great hammer rapidly, launching a series of rapid attacks at Jian Fanchen. Jian Fanchen’s swordsmanship was impeccable. No matter how fast Wan Lei attacked, he defended flawlessly, parrying every strike.
Wan Lei’s attacks grew faster and faster, and Jian Fanchen maintained his guard with utmost caution. Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from Wan Lei. He broke through the containment line formed by Jian Fanchen’s sword, standing almost face-to-face with Jian Fanchen.
Simultaneously, the colossal hammer in his hand mysteriously dissolved into nano-particles, enveloping his palm. Wan Lei’s entire forearm and hand transformed into a sharp blade, imbued with Golden Lightning.
Wan Lei unleashed his Lightning Rend, stabbing towards Jian Fanchen’s chest.
Jian Fanchen’s eyes widened in alarm. It was too late to retreat. Gritting his teeth, he unleashed a life-for-life technique.
He completely abandoned defense, raising his sword, and thrusting it towards Wan Lei’s left waist.
Their battle concluded in an instant. In the blink of an eye, they separated.
Now, a bloody, gaping hole appeared on Jian Fanchen’s left chest, and Wan Lei’s waist was pierced by Jian Fanchen’s sword.
The Innate Thunder Body and the Haotian Battle Body were as fragile as paper under Jian Fanchen’s sword.
Witnessing their injuries, the people outside the Creation Tower collectively gasped. The scene just moments ago was incredibly perilous, and Jian Fanchen’s reaction was exceptionally swift.
What shocked people the most was that this was the first time Jian Fanchen had been injured since arriving at the Five Elements Hall.
More accurately, it was the first time someone had managed to wound Jian Fanchen.
Although it appeared to be a mutual exchange of blows, who was Jian Fanchen? He was the strongest elite disciple, undefeated since his debut, who had always defeated his enemies with overwhelming force.
In the eyes of the Five Elements Hall disciples, Jian Fanchen was a god-like existence.
Yet, now, the god was bleeding.
At this moment, they also recalled that since Wan Lei arrived at the Five Elements Hall, he had also defeated his enemies with overwhelming force. Except for the time he was blasted out by the Water Hall Master's pressure, he hadn’t sustained any injuries.
A war between two gods…
Wan Lei healed his wounds using the Wood Lightning within his body, while Jian Fanchen sealed his injury with sword energy.
They looked at each other, their gazes filled with unprecedented solemnity.
Jian Fanchen was proud, but he felt no shame or rage at being wounded by Wan Lei. After all, Sword Sage had told him beforehand that even if Wan Lei couldn't unleash his full strength due to certain reasons, he might still defeat him.
He was a true powerhouse.
Jian Fanchen raised his sword and drew it across the sky. In the pitch-black, void-like sky, a sky full of starlight appeared.
Unlike Xing Chen's River of Stars, this expanse of starlight was genuine stellar power.
The stellar power of the Starry Sky Sword Saint!
Specks of starlight danced with Jian Fanchen’s sword tip, like fireflies on a summer night, serene yet vibrant.
“Sword Technique, Star River Burns.”