Chapter 29: Foes Cross Paths!

Returning once more to the familiar slopes of the mountain behind his home, Yang Yan could not help but feel a touch of sentiment. In the span of just over two months, he had undergone a complete transformation here. Night after night of arduous cultivation had turned this place into another home for him.

Slowly suppressing the unusual emotions in his heart, Yang Yan reached into the Universe Pouch at his waist. With a swift motion, he drew forth "Moonshadow Frost," its blade shimmering with silver light, mercury cascading, real and illusory, all at once.

The "broken sword" he once owned had, under the nurturing influence of his spiritual energy, undergone its own metamorphosis. Yet, when his gaze rested upon the straight groove running down the middle of the blade, Yang Yan always felt something was missing. It seemed that "Moonshadow Frost" was still incomplete.

Once more, he gathered spiritual energy into his palm and channeled it into the sword's hilt, but at this moment, the blade could absorb only a limited amount. Clearly, the seemingly damaged sword could not be restored through spiritual energy alone.

Now, "Moonshadow Frost" was a vital asset for Yang Yan. In today’s contest, though no one had used magical treasures, Yang Yan was not naive enough to think that the Xu and Sun families, who, alongside the Zhangs, formed the three great clans of Jinhuan City, lacked advanced artifacts. Ultimately, today’s trial was merely an appetizer; the most powerful contenders for the first place in the clan martial tournament would not foolishly reveal all their trump cards on the first day.

Although "Moonshadow Frost" had not yet regained its peak condition, Yang Yan could feel that, in terms of artifact grade, it was certainly not inferior to a mid-level spiritual weapon! He dared not imagine what rank it might reach if he found a way to fully restore it in the future.

Of course, for Yang Yan at this moment, such thoughts were distant. What mattered most now was the second round of the clan martial tournament. He immediately cleared his mind of distractions, waved his arm, and the blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle.

After some time, he withdrew the sword and wiped the sweat from his forehead. His expression was relaxed and content.

As time passed, Yang Yan realized that his connection with "Moonshadow Frost" was growing ever clearer—not vague and elusive as before. Coupled with the subtle insights gained from his recent battle with Li Yang, Yang Yan’s swordsmanship had greatly improved.

Each move he made seemed simple on the surface, yet within it lay endless transformations and mysteries. The highest realm of sword mastery was not wielding the sword with strength, but with intention—where mind and sword intent were one.

At that level, the person became the sword, and the sword became the person. No distinction remained between the two; they merged seamlessly. Thus, the sword would obey the slightest impulse, every move flowing like water, the blade moving with the heart, invincible.

Naturally, Yang Yan was only at the threshold of that understanding, not truly initiated. Even so, this epiphany in the way of the sword would benefit him endlessly, both now and in the future.

Next, Yang Yan sat cross-legged to cultivate, intent on restoring his spiritual energy to its fullest state, especially that unique pale blue energy.

During today’s match against Li Yang, Yang Yan had tested his strength by secretly channeling five strands of pale blue spiritual energy into Li Yang’s spiritual core. First, because Li Yang had shown no mercy during their bout, his every move ruthless, Yang Yan intended to teach him a lesson. Second, he wanted to test the lethality of that pale blue energy in real combat. The result did not disappoint.

Judging by Li Yang’s miserable state after being struck, his years of diligent cultivation were likely reduced to ashes. Whether he could ever step into the Spirit Sense Realm again was uncertain.

Of course, a clown like Li Yang was destined to become nothing more than a minor stepping stone on Yang Yan’s path to martial supremacy!

The next morning, as blinding sunlight poured through the window, Yang Yan slowly climbed out of bed. After washing up, he headed outside.

The moment the door creaked open, Yang Yan was stunned. More than twenty members of the Zhang family stood outside his door, as motionless as statues. Even the mischievous Zi Ling stood obediently beside Zhang Tai, her face flushed red from the cold—she had clearly been waiting outside for a considerable time.

"Yan’er, how did you sleep last night? If you didn’t wake up soon, I’d have come to rouse you myself..." Zhang Tai said.

"Uh... I slept alright..." Yang Yan replied, scratching his head in embarrassment. He glanced around, seeing those clansmen who usually ignored him now standing respectfully behind Zhang Tai, their faces showing no displeasure. He sighed inwardly, "No wonder everyone wants to be a genius—the difference in treatment is just too great..."

Today, the Martial Arena of Jinhuan City was even livelier than yesterday, for the results of today’s contests would directly determine which families would occupy the top three positions in this year’s clan martial tournament.

The preliminary procedures were naturally the same as yesterday. The first step was to draw lots to determine opponents and the order of appearance.

As before, Yang Yan was the first to step forward and draw a bamboo slip.

"Number two..."

Everyone had witnessed Yang Yan’s match yesterday. Now, no one regarded drawing him as an opponent as a stroke of luck.

As the drawing concluded, Yang Yan suddenly sensed a gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, fixed upon him. He turned his head, and their eyes met.

Where their gazes intersected, the crowd could almost sense invisible sparks; the atmosphere was thick with tension.

Xu Shaoguang waved his bamboo slip bearing the number two at Yang Yan, then strode over with a cold smile curling on his lips.

"A waste will always be a waste. Even if you’ve cultivated spiritual energy and stepped into the Spirit Sense Realm, don’t dream of turning your fortunes around. I’ll show you the gap between us!"

"Oh? Then now, I’ll return those words to you exactly as you said them."

Yang Yan gazed at the shadowy-faced Xu Shaoguang, a faint smile playing on his lips. With that, he ignored him and walked to his seat.

The events on the stone platform were witnessed by all present. Just over a month ago, many had seen Yang Yan and Xu Shaoguang’s duel firsthand. Later, the confrontation between the heads of the Zhang and Xu clans in public had stirred the whole city, becoming common knowledge.

Many understood that the feud between the Zhangs and the Xus had reached an irreconcilable point. Restricted by the threat of the Qingxuan Sect, the two clans could not openly wage war, but would seize the clan martial tournament as an opportunity to assert their dominance.

Thus, Yang Yan and Xu Shaoguang’s match was not merely a matter of individual strength and winning or losing—it was tied to the dignity and pride of Jinhuan City’s two great families.

It was easy to imagine how spectacular their confrontation would be.