Even facing an opponent with higher Cultivation, Jian Bufan was composed. He took a step forward, and with a RUMBLE, a powerful, sharp force began to rise from him.

This sharp force was filled with a murderous aura, indomitable and fearless!

It was as if Jian Bufan himself had become a sword—a sword of persistence. Having chosen to fight, he would not retreat but would only press bravely forward!

The crowd’s gazes instantly focused, watching intently. This sheer will left everyone amazed!

Ye Wushuang also stared at Jian Bufan, aware that he had changed once again. At this moment, he was like a drawn sword, poised and ready—even stronger than before!

This strength was a qualitative change, apparent in both his aura and his Sword Intent!

CLANG!

The expert opposite Jian Bufan also drew a Treasure Sword. Sword Qi crisscrossed the air as Sword Light raged, brilliant and dazzling!

Jian Bufan was challenging him in swordsmanship. In that case, this battle might just be interesting.

The expert channeled his power into the Treasure Sword in his hand. His Sword Momentum was like a rainbow, soaring into the heavens, instantly kicking up a storm filled with tyrannical power!

"Cultivation is a form of power stored within the body, like a dammed reservoir. Making full use of it is more substantial than merely possessing the power itself!"

Ignoring his opponent’s powerful technique, Jian Bufan took another step, his calm voice echoing through the storm.

The sharp aura around Jian Bufan intensified, then rapidly converged and condensed, forming a blade of pure edge.

Compared to the sky full of Sword Light, its presence seemed smaller, yet it exerted immense pressure on his opponent. That single blade looked as if it could pierce the Firmament.

Both were using swords, but compared to Jian Bufan’s, the opponent’s sky-filling Sword Light was missing something.

"Cultivation is like a Treasure Sword in hand. If you don’t use it well, don’t understand it, and wield it improperly, it remains just a Treasure Sword. Even if it erupts with power for a moment, it’s nothing but empty flashiness. But if you understand the sword and use it well, a single casual strike can sweep away all obstacles!"

Jian Bufan explained calmly, taking another step forward. As his foot landed, an intent of the sword burst forth from him.

This Invisible Sword collided with the storm in the void.

Instantly, the expert’s Sword Intent was suppressed. His aura weakened by thirty percent, a subtle change that made the crowd’s gazes sharpen.

"The sword is a tool, the person is the spirit, and the heart is the intent. To control the sword with the heart and imbue it with thought—from then on, it becomes a sword with a mind of its own. Where the heart desires, the sword points, and power follows. With one strike, you can slash the earth and destroy the heavens!"

Jian Bufan continued his explanation. The heart is the intent. Only by controlling the sword with the heart, by steering power and Cultivation with the heart, can one achieve true strength.

Hearing Jian Bufan’s lecture, the crowd fell into contemplation. ’If you guide your power with your heart, your Combat Power will naturally be immense. No matter how high your Cultivation, without a heart to guide it, it is all in vain.’

And for a Swordsman, to control the sword with the heart means that where the heart aims, the sword points. The target is condensed to a single point, and one strike can sweep away all resistance!

Listening to this explanation, the crowd actually gained a deeper understanding of power.

And as for the Swordsmen present, such as the Sword Cultivators from the Celestial Sword Sect, their comprehension of the sword had also deepened. This was guidance from a nobody!

Jian Bufan was a true prodigy!

Even Liuu Tianlan couldn’t help but be shocked. Jian Bufan’s few words had the effect of a morning bell and an evening drum, a true wake-up call!

Before, they had thought the gap in Cultivation would ensure Jian Bufan lost this duel. Now, however, their thinking had shifted. It seemed the victor of this battle might just be Jian Bufan, the one with the weaker Cultivation!

Meanwhile, the expert on the other side frowned, his aura weakening. His swordsmanship was flashy and ostentatious, but his strikes were now without purpose!

Without a purpose, his power scattered and diminished!

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

At the same time, the Flying Snow Sword in Jian Bufan’s hand seemed to have been infused with his heart. It understood his intent, ringing out with a clear hum as if eager to be drawn for battle.

That Battle Intent struck directly at his opponent’s weakness, piercing into his heart. His aura, like a gaudy facade, was being stripped away, and his once-strong confidence was crumbling.

SHING!

Seizing the opportunity, the Flying Snow Sword in Jian Bufan’s arms left its sheath. A single snowflake drifted down through the air, and a bone-chilling cold bloomed in all directions.

This time, it was a single snowflake—completely different from before!

SWISH!

The Flying Snow Sword, moving like Jian Bufan’s own heart, stabbed toward his opponent. The lone snowflake was pierced in two and absorbed into the blade.

The pervading chill had come quickly, and it vanished just as fast. But the edge of the Flying Snow Sword was now even sharper!

A simple, unadorned strike pierced into the sky full of Sword Light. The world flashed brightly, and the Sword Light shattered. The opponent’s aura collapsed, receding like a tide.

The battle stage trembled violently for a long moment before finally falling still.

And now, the tip of Jian Bufan’s sword was resting against his opponent’s throat, a hair’s breadth from piercing it.

Such control over a sword had reached a truly terrifying level.

Controlling the sword with the heart—this was the Sword Dao Realm!

"Cultivation does not equal strength. This is the principle," Jian Bufan stated, his voice still calm as he stared at his opponent, yet it carried a profound weight. Today, he had demonstrated this principle with his sword.

At this moment, the Treasure Sword in the opponent’s hand was motionless. His momentum had collapsed completely, his aura scattered, and all will to fight had vanished.

Those calm words still echoed in their ears. The crowd stared for a long time. The final result was in: the expert at the Spiritual Spring Fifth Layer had lost!

’What a beautiful strike!’

The man was at the Spiritual Spring Fifth Layer, yet the moment he attacked, his entire momentum was crushed. A single strike was pointed at his throat. Where the heart aimed, the sword followed.

If Jian Bufan had moved forward another inch, the man would surely have been obliterated!

SHINK!

Jian Bufan sheathed his blade and said, "When a sword is hidden, it is a gentleman’s sword. When it is used, it is a Killing Sword. Although it was drawn today, I will not kill you."

Jian Bufan’s sword was one that drew blood when unsheathed, but today, he would not kill his opponent.

"Do you wish to continue this fight?" Jian Bufan asked, without a hint of smugness, pride, or complacency.

The man sheathed his Treasure Sword and gave a bitter smile. He was utterly convinced by his defeat. Jian Bufan’s sword was truly strong, not some flashy display!

"I surrender!"

The man clasped his fist in a salute. This salute was to thank Jian Bufan for showing mercy. If he had intended to take his life, he would surely be dead.

Thus, he had lost this battle, and he accepted it completely.

He turned and walked off the battle stage. Although he had been defeated by Jian Bufan’s strike today, he had also gained a great deal from it, for it had shown him his own shortcomings.

In that sense, he had Jian Bufan to thank.

Below the stage, the smile on Ye Wushuang’s face widened. His heart filled with anticipation. ’This opponent is certainly full of surprises. That strike was truly beautiful!’

’I’m really looking forward to a fight with him!’

Ye Wushuang muttered to himself. ’To meet such an opponent... how rare!’

On the stage, Jian Bufan also fixed his gaze on Ye Wushuang, his eyes filled with Battle Intent.

He knew of Ye Wushuang’s strength—his Combat Power was even more terrifying. And so, he too looked forward to a battle!

Their gazes met in mid-air. Then, both of them broke into smiles—hearty and carefree.