At this time, the sword dance performance of Montano and Aurora also concluded, with the two of them not fighting to the death, naturally ending in a draw.

"Montano is so handsome!"

"I heard he's still the most valued disciple of the Liechtenwana Goman Sword Saint, might even inherit the Sword Saint's mantle in the future."

"Goman's two-handed swordsmanship really has that masculine flair."

In the audience, many women's eyes were drawn to Montano, while his vigorous and powerful Goman two-handed swordsmanship performance also sparked the interest of many male spectators, who took out their phones to search for how to join Rapids Castle and learn this martial technique.

Aurora's elegance and beauty also attracted a large audience who became enamored with the Martial Arts Holy Land Winter Palace of the Northern Alliance, inquiring about how to join the Steel Heart Stream.

Clearly, this was the intention of both of them, as the Coexistence Faction of the Western world took power, and various 'demons' gaining strength through bloodline modification began to run rampant.

In such a social atmosphere, the overall decline of the martial arts world is inevitable.

After all, how can one whose spirit has been castrated become an indomitable martial artist who tirelessly strives for greatness?

To ensure their schools could continue, both Rapids Castle and Winter Palace had to attempt to recruit talents from Dongji Kingdom here; even second and third-rate talents are far better than those local failures in Europe.

......

Backstage at the competition, Montano strode in with a great sword on his back.

"Senior Brother."

"Luo Jue, you must perform well in this Celestial Sword Cup."

"Yes!"

Luo Jue was overjoyed. For the past ten years, he had traveled to Europe to learn, enduring over three thousand days and nights of arduous training, and finally became a powerful silver-level swordsman within Rapids Castle.

Now, returning with honors, he intended to prove his strength to everyone.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother, I will definitely promote Rapids Castle's swordsmanship in Dongji Kingdom and make everyone know that my master's two-handed swordsmanship is the world's best!"

"Haha, very good, young people should have such fighting spirit."

Montano patted Luo Jue's shoulder, offering him some words of encouragement.

In truth, Luo Jue was already thirty-two years old, four or five years older than Montano, having stepped into middle age.

However, in the martial arts world, this age is considered prime, still fairly young, given that most Outstanding Youth Awards are awarded to entrepreneurs and martial artists over forty.

"By the way."

Montano asked, "Your draw should be settled, right? Which group are you in?"

"Group four."

"Who's your opponent?"

"Let me see, oh, an eighteen-year-old young man, I have the advantage."

Luo Jue grinned: "Ye Qingzhou? I haven't heard of this name, probably not very strong."

He smiled confidently, as if victory was already assured before the fight even started.

However, Montano, standing across from him, his expression changed, urgently asked: "Who!?"

"Ye Qingzhou."

"..."

Montano first felt suffocated, then sighed: "Why don't you just concede directly."

"Why?"

Luo Jue was instantly anxious.

Since childhood, he had been deeply fascinated by European culture. After revealing his martial talent in middle school, he immediately accepted Rapids Castle's invitation, going abroad for further study.

Now, having completed his studies, he wanted to return gloriously and prove that his choices were absolutely correct.

Seeing this, Montano didn't continue to persuade too much. After all, as a disciple of Rapids Castle, having confidence and fighting spirit was a good thing for Luo Jue, and he couldn't overly dampen his enthusiasm.

"Forget it, if you want to fight, then fight, just do your best, don't push yourself too hard."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother, I will surely win a round of applause, showcasing the prestige of Rapids Castle! My master's two-handed swordsmanship is the world's best!"

"..."

At this point, Montano didn't know what to say anymore.

'Sigh, I hope Ye Qingzhou doesn't hit too hard, affecting Luo Jue's subsequent competition status.'

Montano didn't care about Luo Jue's life or death; he cared whether the prestige of Rapids Castle could spread widely in Dongji Kingdom through this sword fighting competition.

That is why he was willing to act as a guest and perform the sword dance publically at the opening ceremony.

Otherwise, how could a distinguished European silver powerhouse, martial arts grandmaster, demean himself to perform like a monkey in a foreign land for a crowd of ordinary people?

......

"Sister Yunxi, how did your draw turn out?"

"Group number two."

"What do you think, confident about advancing?"

"Do you think I'm like you?"

Xu Yunxi rarely showed her charming, girlish side, as she usually displayed a mature, composed, and gentle demeanor like a neighboring big sister in front of Ye Qingzhou.

Unexpectedly, when she acted coy now, it was so natural and lively.

Ye Qingzhou's gaze seemed to penetrate Xu Yunxi's exterior and reach her inner heart, lips slightly curling: "But your heart tells me you long for battle, yearning for victory."

"Hmm hmm, you can't look at a girl's heart randomly!"

Xu Yunxi raised her hand to cover her swelling heart, leaving a bell-like laughter behind as she turned away.

Ye Qingzhou sensed the stirring Sword Intent within her: "Innate Metal Sword Qi, indeed incredible, once it erupts, may encounter storm and transform into a dragon."

Since learning that Xu Yunxi and Xu Yuebing were chosen by the Divine Feather Sword Emperor, Ye Qingzhou no longer had any doubts about their talents.

If not for inheriting the celestial destiny meant for them, perhaps the sisters would have already shone prominently in the martial arts world of Dongji Kingdom.

Even so, what is meant to come will inevitably arrive.

Xu Yunxi's Innate Metal Sword Qi was already beginning to manifest, in this state, she would fight to strengthen herself, growing increasingly powerful as the battles ensue.

"The trajectory of destiny, the traces of time, indeed fascinating."

Using his Celestial Eye and Divine Eye, Ye Qingzhou foresaw a thread of the Path of Time on Xu Yunxi: "Both Sword Emperor and Cyan Emperor are skilled in the path of time, only the Sword Emperor focused on 'the past', while Cyan Emperor specialized in 'the future'. If these forces could be harmonized, a complete Path of Time would be achieved…"

Undoubtedly, even among the great paths, there are distinctions in strength.

Among the three thousand pathways, "space" represented by 'universe' and "time" represented by 'eternity' are the ultimate paths, having irresistible allure to Ye Qingzhou.

"To reach the pinnacle of Martial Dao, I must master the complete paths of space and time, both are indispensable."

At this moment, Ye Qingzhou's mind was already awash with thoughts.

The Innate Five Greats Heart Image encompasses the understanding of the universe and the recognition of the path of space-time; aspiring to reach unparalleled heights is a necessary path.

And observing Xu Yunxi proved to be the best sample for observation.

She carried the power of 'time' left by the Sword Emperor.

With the sound indicating its beginning, the main competition of the Celestial Sword Cup commenced.

As the number one seed contestant in this round, Ye Qingzhou was first to ascend the stage, then saw his first opponent.

"Meeting me is your misfortune."

The slightly slender Luo Jue held a great sword taller than himself with both hands, a confident smile on his face: "I will use an unstoppable torrent to engulf you."

"Interesting."

Ye Qingzhou sensed the provocation in the opponent's words: "Trying to manipulate my emotions in this way, causing me to lose calm judgment, thus creating an advantage for yourself. Truly a clever thought…"

"But..."

"If you can't bear my wrath, such provocation only courts death, don't you think?"

When the word 'think' entered Luo Jue's ears, his chest suddenly throbbed with pain. Looking down, he was shocked to find a deep sword mark, through to the bone, on his chest.

Amidst the splattering of blood, Luo Jue lost consciousness, his entire face still bewildered.

"What happened?"

"When was I struck?"

The crashed body on the stage declared that the match had just begun, yet it was already over.

Even the vast majority of spectators could not discern when Ye Qingzhou had drawn his sword, nor how he wielded it.