142: Prepare

'You don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!' the sinister-looking youth let out a low shout. The cyan light at his fingertips surged, and three crescent-shaped Sword Qi slashes were unleashed one after another. Just as the first two Sword Qi reached Yang Kai, the third one suddenly exploded in the middle, transforming into a sky full of fine sword threads that sprinkled towards Yang Kai's vital points like spring rain. This was the killing Move of the 'Surging Wave Sword,' the 'Wave-Shattering Style.'

Among the watching Disciples, someone whispered, 'That is Zhao Qing's signature Move! If those sword threads touch you, they will tear through your protective Qi! Yang Kai is going to suffer!' Zi Ning, having great confidence in Yang Kai's strength, looked at the martial arts arena with the expression of someone watching a show.

Yang Kai's expression remained calm. He gently pressed his left hand against the storage ring at his waist. With a thought, a long sword, white all over, shot out through the air. Faint cloud patterns flowed across the sword's body; it was the Azure Dragon Sword he had used before his Foundation Establishment.

'Flowing Cloud Swordplay, Second Form: Moonfall.' Yang Kai shouted softly. The pure white Dao Foundation within his Dantian spun rapidly, and the gold and silver intermingled Qi flowed along the 'shortest closed loop,' instantly surging throughout his entire body and pouring entirely into the Flowing Cloud Sword. Suddenly, the sword body lit up with a clear radiance like bright moonlight. The sword shadow flickered, transforming into three moon shadows. Like a waning moon falling from the horizon, they slashed towards the sky full of sword threads with chilling Sword Qi.

'Ding! Ding! Ding!' A series of dense collision sounds rang out. Wherever the moon shadows passed, the fine cyan sword threads melted like snow meeting the sun. The three moon shadows did not stop, heading straight for the sinister-looking youth, Zhao Qing. The sword momentum seemed slow, but it sealed off all directions for him to dodge. Zhao Qing's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly circulated all his Qi, his hands forming the seal for the 'Qingyun Jade-Shattering Hand.' The light cyan Qi condensed into a jade-like shield in his palms, attempting to block the moon shadow Sword Qi.

'Bang!' The first moon shadow collided with the shield. Zhao Qing felt a bone-chilling coldness coming from his palms, and cracks instantly covered the shield. The second moon shadow followed immediately, and the shield shattered in response. The remaining force knocked him back repeatedly. The third moon shadow transformed into a streak of light, grazing his shoulder and bringing up a spray of blood, tearing a long opening in the robe on his back.

'Impossible! How can you have practiced the Flowing Cloud Swordplay to such a level?' Zhao Qing clutched his bleeding shoulder, his eyes filled with disbelief. The 'Flowing Cloud Swordplay' was a core Cultivation Technique of Qingyun Peak. An ordinary Inner Sect Disciple needed to practice for half a year to barely execute the second form, 'Moonfall,' and its power was far less sharp than Yang Kai's, let alone manifesting three moon shadows simultaneously.

Yang Kai did not explain. He was able to master the sword technique so quickly, firstly because Flowing Cloud Zhenren had personally taught him, and secondly, because his Heavenly Foundation Establishment gave him an understanding of the 'Heavenly Dao' that far exceeded those of the same Realm. Moreover, the 'Flowing Cloud Swordplay' already contained the Ancestral Master's understanding of heaven and earth; with his Dao Foundation resonating with the sword technique, it was naturally twice the result with half the effort.

'There is one last Move, get ready.' Yang Kai's eyes narrowed. His right hand formed a sword seal, and the Flowing Cloud Sword traced a golden arc in the air. The light on the sword body suddenly intensified, no longer the cold moonlight, but golden flames as scorching as the midday sun. 'Flowing Cloud Swordplay, Third Form: Solar Flare.'

As his voice fell, the golden flames spread along the sword body, transforming into a firebird with wings spread, rushing towards Zhao Qing with the momentum to incinerate everything. This Move was completely different from the chilling nature of 'Moonfall.' Before the scorching, masculine Sword Qi even approached, Zhao Qing felt a stinging pain on his skin, and the Qi within his body became restless. He knew he was definitely not an opponent, but if he admitted defeat, he would have no place in the Qingyun Peak Inner Sect in the future. He could only grit his teeth, circulate his last bit of Qi, and form the 'Qingyun Jade-Shattering Hand' once again.

'Boom!' The golden firebird collided with the protective Qi shield, like a spark falling into a pan of oil, instantly igniting the shield. The scorching Sword Qi surged into Zhao Qing's body along with his Qi. He let out a muffled groan, spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the ground outside the martial arts arena. He struggled several times but could not get up.

Yang Kai raised his hand in a summoning gesture, and the Flowing Cloud Sword transformed into a streak of light, flying back into his hand. He looked at the disheveled Zhao Qing on the ground, his tone flat: 'Do you still want to fight?'

Zhao Qing's face was pale, his eyes filled with resentment, but he dared not act tough anymore. He could only grit his teeth and say, 'Yang Kai, don't get cocky! My cousin Lin Hao is the ninth-ranked elite Disciple of the Qingyun Peak Inner Sect. He will never let you off!' After saying this, he left the martial arts arena in a sorry state, supported by his two companions.

Seeing Yang Kai easily defeat the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Stage Zhao Qing, the watching Disciples looked at him with a bit more awe. No one dared to look down on this 'exceptionally promoted' Inner Sect Disciple anymore. Yang Kai ignored the gazes of the crowd, turned, and walked to Meng Yun's side, helping him up: 'How is it? Can you walk?'

Meng Yun leaned on Yang Kai and smiled bitterly: 'I'm okay, just exhausted my Qi and my internal organs suffered some shock. I didn't expect the Inner Sect Disciples to be so ruthless; they even try to kill when they lose.'

'Let's go back to my place to heal first.' Yang Kai supported Meng Yun and looked at Zi Ning, who was on the side. 'Let's go together.'

The three returned to Yang Kai's courtyard. Yang Kai helped Meng Yun to the meditation cushion in the quiet room, took out a Medicinal Pill to heal him, and handed it to him. Then he sat cross-legged opposite Meng Yun, his hands forming a seal. Gold and silver intermingled Qi surged from his palms, slowly pouring into Meng Yun's body. The Qi from the Heavenly Foundation Establishment was not only pure but also carried a trace of the power of the Heavenly Dao, having the miraculous effect of nourishing the Meridians and healing injuries. Meng Yun felt a warm force surge into his body; his originally restless Meridians gradually calmed down, and the pain in his internal organs was alleviated quite a bit.

Half an hour later, Yang Kai withdrew his hand. The injuries in Meng Yun's body were seventy to eighty percent healed. He moved his body and said happily, 'Yang Kai, thank you.'

'We are all friends, no need to be so polite.' Yang Kai waved his hand. 'However, after this incident, you should understand that the competition among Inner Sect Disciples is far more intense than in the Outer Sect. Only if your strength is strong enough can you avoid being bullied.'

Meng Yun nodded heavily, a flash of determination in his eyes: 'You are right, I was too slack before. From today on, I will go into seclusion to Cultivate, striving to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage as soon as possible. Next time someone dares to cause trouble, I will be able to handle it myself!'

Zi Ning also said from the side: 'I am also going back to Cultivate with my father. He said before that I am only one step away from Foundation Establishment. This time in seclusion, I will definitely be able to break through!'

Seeing their determination, Yang Kai smiled with relief: 'Good, then let us each go into seclusion. When we meet next time, I hope we will all have made a Breakthrough.'

Subsequently, Meng Yun and Zi Ning returned to their respective courtyards. Yang Kai entered the quiet room again, starting a half-month-long seclusion. What he needed to do was not only to consolidate the Realm of his Heavenly Foundation Establishment but also to thoroughly master his surging strength, preparing for the upcoming Inner Sect Competition.