The Meaning of the Sword! The Meaning of the Saber!
The moment Dongfang Hanshan saw Zhang Lingxiao unleash Sword Intent while Zhan Wuji completely sealed off the Third Prince's retreat, he could no longer remain seated on the viewing platform.
A friendly spar was one thing.
But if the Third Prince were seriously injured within Qingyun Sect, and the Emperor of the Tianhuo Kingdom came demanding an explanation, even he would not be able to shoulder the consequences.
Everyone in the Tianhuo Kingdom knew just how favored the Third Prince was.
"Your Highness, be careful!"
Dongfang Hanshan shouted as he suddenly rose to his feet.
With a wave of his sleeve, an immense force surged forth, instantly retracting the formation that surrounded the battlefield.
Taking advantage of the opening, the Third Prince hurriedly activated his movement technique and retreated.
Meanwhile, Zhan Wuji's eyes shone brightly.
When he saw the Sword Qi released by Zhang Lingxiao carrying a trace of Sword Intent, his heart trembled.
In the eyes of true experts, someone who merely wielded a sword was nothing more than a swordsman.
Only after comprehending Sword Intent could one truly be called a Sword Cultivator.
The gap between an ordinary swordsman and a Sword Cultivator was as vast as the difference between a child and a fully grown adult.
Although Zhang Lingxiao had only grasped a trace of Sword Intent, his cultivation was merely at the Fifth Heaven of the Spiritual Martial Realm.
That was astonishing.
Normally, only Earth Martial Realm experts began to comprehend Intent.
Those capable of doing so in the Xuanwu Realm were already considered exceptional geniuses.
For someone in the Spiritual Martial Realm to touch the threshold of Sword Intent...
That was the mark of a peerless prodigy.
Even Dongfang Hanshan himself had yet to fully comprehend Sword Intent.
Yet, at that very moment...
Watching Zhang Lingxiao's sword strike and the Third Prince's frantic evasion, Zhan Wuji suddenly felt his own saber tremble.
A flash of enlightenment appeared in his mind.
He slowly closed his eyes.
What is the Saber?
What is Saber Intent?
Is it absolute dominance?
Absolute slaughter?
No...
It is the unwavering will to dominate the battlefield... the unyielding resolve to cut down every enemy that stands before me.
Buzz—
The battle saber in his hand vibrated softly, as though responding to his newfound understanding.
Zhan Wuji's eyes snapped open.
A sharp light flashed within them.
Without the slightest hesitation, he swung his saber.
A brilliant Saber Qi shot toward the Third Prince.
Dongfang Hanshan's pupils contracted once more.
"Saber Intent!"
Although it was only a faint trace, the Saber Qi undoubtedly carried the aura of Saber Intent.
While it wasn't quite as refined as Zhang Lingxiao's Sword Intent, it was genuine nonetheless.
Even the slightest comprehension of Saber Intent was enough to elevate one's combat strength to an entirely different level.
This little fatty...
Had actually achieved enlightenment in the middle of battle!
The younger generation truly was becoming more terrifying with each passing year.
Boom!
Within the battlefield, Zhang Lingxiao's Sword Qi, imbued with Sword Intent, narrowly missed the Third Prince as he dodged at the last possible moment.
The attack continued unabated.
Slash!
The Sword Qi carved into a massive stone pillar behind him, leaving behind a deep sword scar.
The Third Prince's pupils shrank.
The destructive power of that strike far exceeded his expectations.
Still, he refused to admit it.
"Hmph! So what if you've comprehended Sword Intent?"
"You couldn't even touch me!"
The words had barely left his mouth—
Whoosh!
A blazing Saber Qi suddenly arrived.
It was Zhan Wuji's attack.
Caught completely off guard, the Third Prince had no time to evade.
Bang!
The Saber Qi struck him directly.
A crimson protective light instantly erupted from within his body, completely blocking the attack.
Seeing this, Zhang Lingxiao narrowed his eyes.
Another protective treasure.
Moreover, the defensive barrier protecting the Third Prince was clearly much stronger than the protective divine light he had seen on Ma Ying'er and Long Quanya.
A fierce fighting spirit rose within Zhang Lingxiao.
He wanted to see whether his Sword Intent could shatter that protective barrier.
Just as he raised the Tianji Sword to attack once more—
A figure descended from the sky.
Dongfang Hanshan landed between the three, bringing the battle to an abrupt halt.
"In this Sect Master's opinion..."
"The outcome of this spar has already been decided."
He looked toward the Third Prince with a faint smile.
"Your Highness..."
"You have lost."
The Third Prince's face darkened instantly.
"Lost?"
"When did this Prince lose?"
"They haven't even touched a single hair on my head!"
Dongfang Hanshan smiled calmly.
"Your Highness suppressed your cultivation to ensure a fair fight."
"You also fought two opponents by yourself."
"They were able to take advantage of their superior numbers."
"If Your Highness had fought without suppressing your cultivation, the outcome would naturally have been different."
"In that sense, Your Highness merely lost because you were outnumbered."
Hearing this, the Third Prince's expression eased somewhat.
Although he was still dissatisfied, he couldn't very well continue arguing.
After letting out a cold snort, he turned to leave.
Just before departing, he stopped and spoke without looking back.
"Three months."
"In three months, this Prince will formally come to propose marriage."
"Sect Master Dongfang... make your preparations."
With those words, he departed.
The smile on Dongfang Hanshan's face disappeared completely.
Elder Han also sighed inwardly.
Only Zhang Lingxiao and Zhan Wuji looked at one another with expressions full of curiosity.
A marriage proposal?
To whom?
Could it be... the Sect Master's daughter?
The Sect Master actually has a daughter?
And she has caught the eye of the Third Prince?
Seeing the two youngsters' curious expressions, Dongfang Hanshan waved his hand helplessly.
"Elder Han."
"Take them away first."
He paused before continuing.
"And spread the news."
"One of these two has comprehended Sword Intent."
"The other has comprehended Saber Intent."
"Inform the Peak Masters."
"Let them decide who will take these two as Personal Disciples."
"As for this Sect Master..."
"I will enter secluded cultivation for a period of time."
"During my absence, all major sect affairs shall be jointly handled by the six Peak Masters."
"Understood, Sect Master."
Elder Han respectfully cupped his fists before leading Zhang Lingxiao and Zhan Wuji out of the main hall.
Once outside, he retrieved a Sound Transmission Talisman from his sleeve and quietly spoke a few words into it.
Before long, four figures descended from the sky while riding Xuan Leaves.
Three were male, and one was female.
The three young men were the Personal Disciples of the Peak Masters of Alchemy Peak, Myriad Sword Peak, and Wandao Peak.
The young woman was the Personal Disciple of the Lingxiu Peak Master.
"Elder Han."
The four bowed respectfully in unison.
As one of the senior Inner Sect Elders responsible for the entrance examinations over the years, Elder Han held considerable prestige within Qingyun Sect.
Many disciples had entered the Sect under his supervision, so they naturally treated him with great respect.
Elder Han stroked his beard with a smile.
"I've already explained everything through the Sound Transmission Talisman."
"I'll leave these two youngsters in your care."
"This old man must return to preside over the entrance examination."
After speaking, he stepped onto his Xuan Leaf and flew back toward the foot of Qingyun Mountain.
The four Personal Disciples then turned their curious gazes toward Zhang Lingxiao and Zhan Wuji.
After all...
These were the two monstrous geniuses who had each comprehended a trace of Intent before even reaching the Xuanwu Realm.