201: My child, I am proud of you!

Before his fingertip arrived, a formless, intangible, yet vast and powerful intent had already enveloped him!

A Fei stiffened, as if bound by invisible ropes, his tragic and resolute Sword Intent abruptly halted.

He could feel that the power contained within that single finger was enough to easily pierce his skull.

But what shocked him more was that intent.

It was not killing intent, but a grand, profound, inclusive, yet irresistible "Aura";

It was as if the entire world pressed down with that one finger, making him unable to muster the slightest will to resist, and even moving a single finger became incredibly difficult.

This kind of grand Aura, he had only felt it from Lu Jiuyuan before. This was a majestic Aura that could only be cultivated after becoming unrivaled under Heaven.

I am the peak when I reach the summit!

When encountering various Sword Intents and Saber Intents, one's spiritual will is naturally superior.

Time seemed to stop at this moment.

A Fei's sword hung in mid-air, clamped between two fingers. Shen Lang's fingertip stopped an inch before A Fei's glabella, held firm and unreleased.

A Fei's pupils contracted violently, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead. He looked at Shen Lang, who was so close, at those deep, calm eyes with a hint of complex emotion.

He lost.

Lost completely.

Not because his sword wasn't fast enough, not because his heart wasn't ruthless enough, but because of his Realm, and his moves!

Shen Lang slowly withdrew his finger, and the immense pressure dissipated with it.

He looked at A Fei and sighed softly, his voice gentle: "Your sword is fast.

But a sword is not just about speed. While taking a dangerous path can make one strong, it cannot make one the strongest!

I'm sorry, child, these past years, I didn't know of your existence!

But you are very good, very outstanding! I am proud of you!"

A Fei stood rigidly in place, his knuckles white from gripping the sword.

He gritted his teeth, his lips trembling slightly, tears uncontrollably streaming down, yet he couldn't utter a single word.

The power, anger, and grievances accumulated over more than ten years seemed to be utterly shattered by these words.

The broken piece of iron that had never left his hand now felt as heavy as a thousand jun, making it almost impossible for him to hold.

More than ten years of obsession, swordplay practiced day and night, seemed so fragile in the face of that casually delivered finger.

What stirred his heart even more was the phrase "I am proud of you." These five words were like a heavy hammer, shattering his seemingly hard shell,

revealing the young man inside who had always longed for recognition.

Shen Lang withdrew his finger, looking with complex emotions at the young man connected to him by Bloodline.

He said nothing more, just stood quietly, his gaze filled with apology, relief, and a silent inclusiveness.

The trio squatting nearby also quieted down.

Xiongmao Er smacked his lips, pouring the last few peanuts into his mouth, mumbling: "Damn, it's making my nose a bit sore."

Wang Lianhua closed his folding fan, gently tapping his palm, and shook his head lightly, "Alas, my little brother Xun Huan, returning this time, will not have the chance to meet again!"

Lu Jiuyuan stood up, brushed off imaginary dust from his robe, and slowly walked into the arena.

He first glanced at A Fei, who was still in the throes of intense emotion, and said indifferently: "A knot in the heart must be untied by oneself.

There are many paths to the pinnacle of the Dao of the Sword, whether it is with emotion or without emotion, broad or refined.

Only by recognizing where you came from can you find your way forward."

His words seemed to carry a power that calmed people's hearts. A Fei took a deep breath, abruptly raised his sleeve to wipe away his tears. Although his eyes were still red, his gaze had become firm again.

He nodded slightly to Lu Jiuyuan, then silently retreated to the side, needing time to process everything.

Only then did Lu Jiuyuan turn his gaze to Shen Lang, Wang Lianhua, and Xiongmao Er.

"A Fei's challenge is over," Lu Jiuyuan's tone remained calm. "Now, it's your turn. All of you, come at once!"

These six words echoed in the silent garden, eliciting vastly different reactions.

Xiongmao Er suddenly straightened his burly frame, his tiger eyes wide open, and a fierce, explosive Aura erupted, completely washing away the previous sentimentality.

He laughed heartily, his voice like a booming bell: "Good! Good, Lu Jiuyuan! You're arrogant enough! I like your arrogance!

But liking it is one thing, I still have to beat you!"

Wang Lianhua opened his folding fan with a 'swish', covering half his face, revealing only a pair of peach blossom eyes, which shimmered with a hint of stirred competitiveness.

He chuckled: "One against three? Gang Leader Lu, we can admit that you are unrivaled among men, unmatched under Heaven.

But if it's one against three, that's not something that can be achieved with just a small difference."

Shen Lang's expression was the most solemn.

Having just witnessed his battle with A Fei, Lu Jiuyuan must have seen through his true strength. Under such circumstances, to still dare to face three opponents at once was truly terrifying.

He slowly exhaled a turbid breath, and that reassuring smile reappeared on his face, only this smile held ten parts more solemnity as he slowly drew the precious sword he hadn't used in many years.

His Realm had reached the point where no sword was better than having a sword. However, when facing a stronger master, having a sword was definitely better than empty hands!

"Since Gang Leader Lu has such an elegant interest, if we were to decline further, it would be pretentious. Please!"

As the word "Please" left his lips, the Qi of the three instantly fused!

Without prior discussion, years of unspoken understanding allowed them to form the optimal combined attack formation in an instant.

Xiongmao Er was the first to attack!

He knew well that against an unfathomable opponent like Lu Jiuyuan, any probing was superfluous. He unleashed his ultimate technique from the very start!

"God of Wine Movement — Roaring Nine Heavens!"

He roared, his voice like a thunderclap, shaking the surrounding bamboo leaves down!

His burly body shot out like a cannonball, both fists striking simultaneously. The fist winds were fierce and violent, faintly carrying the sound of wind and thunder, as if to crush everything in front of him!

This was his ultimate killing move, created by integrating all his life's learning and twenty years of experience overseas, charging forward relentlessly, with ultimate might and rigidity!

Almost at the same moment Xiongmao Er attacked, Wang Lianhua moved.

He made no sound, his figure like willow catkins merging with the wind, appearing silently at Lu Jiuyuan's side and rear.

His folding fan closed in his hand, using the fan as a sword, he swiftly struck Lu Jiuyuan's back at the three major acupoints: "Lingtai," "Shendao," and "Zhiyang"!

The fingertip's force was insidious and vicious, specifically designed to break internal True Qi. A strange force field that could bewitch the mind also spread, precisely his unique technique created by integrating various schools' strengths.

As for Shen Lang, he did not rush to attack. Instead, his sword tip pointed diagonally at the ground, his entire body's Aura perfectly integrated. Man and sword seemed to transform into a constantly flowing, flawless entity.

His gaze was clear and focused, firmly locked onto Lu Jiuyuan.

He was waiting, waiting for that one fleeting opportunity for a fatal strike, created by Xiongmao Er's fierce fist power and Wang Lianhua's Weird (devious) acupoint strikes!

At that time, his sword would be like a startled swan from the Nine Heavens, arriving later but striking first, delivering a fatal blow to Lu Jiuyuan!