"One more thing, since this is just a friendly spar, let's not overdo it. This battle shall last no more than five hundred rounds. If a victor isn't decided by then, we must cease fighting."
Chen Qingyuan only wanted to gauge Changsun Fengye's strength and wasn't yet ready to go all out against him.
Their inevitable true confrontation was bound to happen, but not just yet.
"Agreed, I accept."
Changsun Fengye, not wishing to reveal too much, gladly consented.
Thus, the two proceeded to the Song Family's front hall.
The news of Chen Qingyuan agreeing to a fight had already spread inside the hall, causing a stir of excitement among everyone. A clash between two of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness was a rare spectacle, especially between the two most controversial figures.
The higher-ups of the Misty Sacred Ground no longer interfered, allowing Changsun Fengye to proceed. After all, they too were curious to see what made Chen Qingyuan worthy of the vice dean of Dao Yi Academy's attention.
As Chen Qingyuan stepped into the hall, all eyes turned to him.
"Elemental Infant Realm cultivation, not bad at all."
"It's said that Chen Qingyuan's cultivation was completely wasted, and he managed to reach the Elemental Infant stage again in just a few decades, which is quite impressive. However, if he thinks he can compete with the renowned Changsun Fengye, he's still lacking."
"This battle will not only showcase Changsun Fengye's capabilities but also reveal the depth of Chen Qingyuan's abilities."
The people from the Song Family and Misty Sacred Ground were greatly interested, their gazes constantly shifting between the two figures on the stage, full of anticipation.
Song Ningyan, seated to one side, pursed her lips, looking somewhat nervous.
In her memory, she had never seen Chen Qingyuan in action and instinctively felt that he couldn't possibly match the long-established Changsun Fengye.
Back in the days at Dao Yi Academy, when he was beaten up by the Black Python, it was a one-sided affair, and his strength couldn't be discerned. Besides, Song Ningyan was too preoccupied with her own troubles to pay attention to Chen Qingyuan.
"Would the Song Family please adjust the stage's prohibitions to the early stage of the Elemental Infant Realm?"
Changsun Fengye bowed respectfully towards the Song Family's elders, making this request.
"Oh?" The Song Family elders were slightly taken aback, admiring Changsun Fengye's wish to fight Chen Qingyuan on equal footing: "Very well."
An elder then made a slight adjustment to the stage's prohibitions.
Following that, Changsun Fengye released the unique secret technique on his body, exuding the aura of the early Elemental Infant Realm.
As for his true realm, ordinary cultivators couldn't see through it, but there were many powerful figures present who could guess his approximate level through certain clues, estimating that Changsun Fengye had already reached the Divine Transformation Realm.
Chen Qingyuan didn't deliberately conceal his cultivation level, only using a jade bracelet to mask the true form of his Golden Elixir.
The matter of the three sacred-grade Golden Elixirs must not be revealed to the world, at least not until Chen Qingyuan had sufficient strength to protect himself.
"A battle on equal grounds is somewhat interesting."
The friendly exchanges between the two families were just for show, full of mutual flattery. But this upcoming battle truly ignited everyone's anticipation, and they watched with bated breath.
In the crowd, the old patriarch Song Wenxian remained hidden, unnoticed by anyone.
"This young fellow is the heir of the Qing Sect; surely he's not as simple as he appears on the surface!"
Song Wenxian's gaze stayed on Chen Qingyuan, murmuring to himself.
On the stage, Chen Qingyuan and Changsun Fengye locked eyes, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.
"Where is your spirit weapon Dao Treasure?"
Out of respect for Chen Qingyuan, Changsun Fengye drew a cyan longsword.
Chen Qingyuan, empty-handed, spoke softly, "I don't have a suitable weapon at hand, so let's just make do."
He dared not carelessly reveal the silver spear of unknown origin. According to his conjecture, the spear was tied to significant karma and should not be used unless necessary.
As for the various weapons inside his Sumeru ring, they were not presentable and unsuitable for this occasion.
Speaking of spirit treasures, Chen Qingyuan felt that upon returning to Dao Yi Academy, he should indeed ask his Master for one. Previously, he had been focused on cultivating Dao techniques and improving his cultivation level, without taking the time to select a spirit weapon Dao Treasure.
"What weapon will you use?"
Changsun Fengye had finally persuaded Chen Qingyuan to spar with him and couldn't let it be so rudimentary; he had to take it seriously.
"Anything will do."
Over a hundred years ago, Chen Qingyuan practiced fist techniques and was not well-versed in the way of weapons. After being trained by the Red-Dressed Girl, he had mastered various weapons such as knives, swords, spears, and halberds.
"Sword, will that do?"
Changsun Fengye inquired.
"Yes."
Chen Qingyuan nodded lightly.
Years ago, in the Flow Star Domain, Chen Qingyuan had a battle with Qin Yutang of the Heavenly Jade Sect, where he used sword techniques. However, that incident was insignificant to the great figures of the Northern Wilderness and naturally went unnoticed.
"I'll lend you a sword." Changsun Fengye took out a black three-foot sword from his spatial treasure and tossed it to Chen Qingyuan, "Remember to return it after the fight."
This sword was one of Changsun Fengye's treasured swords, extremely precious. Moreover, the sword still required a long period of refinement and had not been bound to a master.
Seeing the black sword land in Chen Qingyuan's hands, the higher-ups of Misty Palace's expressions shifted slightly.
The sword, from a secret realm, could become one of the sharpest treasures in the world if restored.
Changsun Fengye lending this sword to Chen Qingyuan indicated his high regard for him.
For many years, numerous sword cultivation elders within Misty Palace had requested to borrow the sword for observation, all of which were refused by Changsun Fengye.
"This sword is quite good."
Chen Qingyuan gripped the three-foot black sword in his right hand, looking down at the deep marks on the blade, which spoke of its long history.
"Show me your true skills; don't disappoint me."
As the battle was about to begin, Changsun Fengye shed his usual scholarly demeanor, the smile on his lips vanished, replaced by a serious expression and sharp eyes.
Chen Qingyuan swung the black sword in his hand a few times, his carefree demeanor suddenly gone, his expression solemn, as if he had become another person.
Song Ningyan, seeing such a serious Chen Qingyuan for the first time, was momentarily stunned.
Clang—
As Chen Qingyuan slowly raised the three-foot sword, a sound of sword cry echoed, the surrounding void twisted, and the sword's momentum surged towards Changsun Fengye.
"A return to simplicity and truth, rare among peers of the same age."
Changsun Fengye recognized Chen Qingyuan's Sword Dao realm at a glance, his eyes eager to test it.
Sword Dao realms: Mastery, Unity of Man and Sword, Return to Simplicity, and the Formless Sword.
For the younger generation of sword cultivators, reaching Unity of Man and Sword was already a sign of exceptional talent. To comprehend the sword intent of Return to Simplicity in mere hundreds of years was extremely difficult.
Looking across the Northern Wilderness, the number of young sword cultivators who had reached this realm would not exceed the fingers on one hand.
"Swish"
Changsun Fengye's treasured sword trembled with excitement. Then, he charged at Chen Qingyuan, leaving a residual image in his place.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas