WHOOSH!

The fierce wind howled, transforming into endless Sword Qi that blotted out the sky. In that moment, the entire, vast Dragon Tiger Mountain trembled with shock.

"Is this..."

"Has it started already?"

"Such terrifying Sword Qi!"

Countless people looked up at Dragon Tiger Mountain, their expressions a mix of shock, excitement, and fervor.

"It's a pity we can't watch the battle with our own eyes. A true lifelong regret!"

"Indeed. Who would have thought that Lin Wudi would really dare to keep the appointment? He is truly a leader of the younger generation!"

"Who do you think will win this battle?"

Listening to the challenge echoing from Dragon Tiger Mountain, everyone was exhilarated, yet they lamented being unable to witness this earth-shattering duel firsthand.

"Even though Lin Wudi is strong enough to be called the number one young Martial Artist, there is still a significant gap between him and a veteran Grandmaster like Zhang Daoyun from the Celestial Master Mansion."

"Exactly. Zhang Daoyun is a legendary figure. Even if Lin Wudi has an outstanding track record, defeating Zhang Daoyun is simply impossible!"

"Hmph. And he had the nerve to boast he'd defeat Master Zhang in one move. Such arrogance!"

"Let's just wait here. The news of Lin Wudi's instant defeat might arrive any second."

The Martial Artists who came to watch were unable to ascend Dragon Tiger Mountain and could only observe from its foot. Even so, this was enough for them. A battle between two Grandmasters was bound to shake the heavens and the earth, and getting too close could mean being caught in the crossfire.

"Such strong sword intent!"

Dongfang Potian and Yao Kuohai stood in a pavilion halfway up the mountain. Feeling the overwhelming Sword Qi, their expressions became extremely solemn.

"The Green Lotus Sword Technique is the strongest sword art of the Celestial Master Mansion. It is said that Zhang Daoyun was born with an innate understanding of it. He had memorized all the Taoist scriptures of Dragon Tiger Mountain and mastered the technique without a teacher. His execution of the Green Lotus Sword Technique will naturally be anything but weak."

Dongfang Potian's eyes also blazed with a fighting spirit, wishing he could ascend the mountain himself to cross swords with Zhang Daoyun.

"It looks like Lin Wudi is doomed then."

Yao Kuohai sneered. "That kid thinks he's invincible, but he has no idea how many true experts exist in this world. Dragon Tiger Mountain will be his grave!"

Dongfang Potian nodded in agreement. "The boy is a rare talent, but he is too young. Trying to defeat Zhang Daoyun in a single move is nothing but a fool's dream."

「Atop Dragon Tiger Mountain.」

Shen Lang stood a hundred meters away, his eyes sparkling as he watched the two men seated cross-legged in the plaza. A battle of wills!

Martial Artists at his and Zhang Daoyun's level indeed had minds powerful enough to fight outside their bodies.

However, even someone of Shen Lang's caliber, ranked within the top ten of the Heaven's List and considered a top-tier expert in the world, did not dare to truly fight with his will alone.

After all, a battle of wills was fraught with extreme danger. A single misstep could result in utter annihilation—the death of the body and the dissipation of the soul.

What shocked him was that Lin Mu had also chosen to fight with his will.

The two sat on the ground, their two divine weapons facing each other, emitting an earth-shattering Sword Qi.

The Green Lotus Sword Technique of Dragon Tiger Mountain! As the strongest sword art of the current age, and with Zhang Daoyun's mastery having reached the pinnacle, it was not to be underestimated.

But where did Lin Mu learn his sword technique? Shen Lang was filled with countless questions.

This young man had burst onto the scene, reputed for his profound techniques, including the Controlling Thunder Technique and his swordplay, both the likes of which are seen only once a century. But all these were ultimate techniques, jealously guarded and hidden away. How had Lin Mu learned them?

Moreover, to reach such a level of mastery before the age of thirty… this young man was practically a living deity. Shen Lang had to admit that at thirty years old, he had been nowhere near Lin Mu's level.

Watching Lin Mu engage Zhang Daoyun in a battle of wills, a single phrase inexplicably flashed through Shen Lang's mind. An unparalleled prodigy!

BUZZ!

At that moment, the entire space of Dragon Tiger Mountain subtly trembled. The majestic Sword Qi crisscrossing the sky began to surge chaotically, as if stirred by some unseen force. Yet, amidst the chaos, a discernible pattern could be seen.

The next moment, a shocked expression appeared on Shen Lang's face.

This is...

Before his very eyes, a colossal figure materialized behind Zhang Daoyun. This person looked identical to Zhang Daoyun, but his attire was vastly different. The figure was draped in a Seven-Star Taoist Robe and wore a Lotus Crown. It had a sword sheath on its back, held a horsetail whisk in its right hand, and its left hand was performing a Hand Sealing Technique.

Most importantly, this figure was immense, standing a full three meters tall.

A Manifestation of Will… the Divine Communion Realm!

Shen Lang's expression turned incredibly grave. He had never expected that Zhang Daoyun had already stepped into the Divine Communion Realm, and it seemed he had been at that level for some time. Although Shen Lang was also in the Divine Communion Realm, he knew he was incapable of achieving what Zhang Daoyun just had.

Well done, Zhang Daoyun. No wonder you claimed you could defeat me in one move. A sharp light gleamed in Shen Lang's eyes, and a powerful battle lust surged within him, but he ruthlessly suppressed it. If his aura were to stir, triggering the concentrated wills of the two combatants, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Zhang Daoyun's Manifestation of Will sat cross-legged in the air, its eyes as calm as still water as it gazed at Lin Mu.

"Lin Wudi, how about we settle this battle in a single move?"

His voice resonated like a great bell, as if a Heavenly God were imparting teachings, stirring the very fabric of heaven and earth. Dark clouds gathered, and lightning flickered. Above Dragon Tiger Mountain, thousands of thunderbolts roared to life, blotting out the sun. The Divine Communion Realm could indeed invoke the Heavenly Dao to manifest itself.

"That suits me just fine."

Lin Mu looked at Zhang Daoyun's physical body and then glanced at his Manifestation of Will. This manifestation was not a true Dharma Idol, because although Zhang Daoyun's Cultivation Level was extremely high, he had not yet reached the stage of forming one. He had merely touched upon a corner of the "Dao."

Lin Mu now finally understood. A Martial Arts Grandmaster could sense the Great Dao of heaven and earth. In the Divine Communion Realm, one had truly *touched* the "Dao." However, there was still a long way to go to truly comprehend and utilize it.

But he was different.

As the only cultivator on Earth and the reincarnation of an Emperor Zun, Lin Mu had long since committed the Great Dao of heaven and earth to memory. Furthermore, the Heavenly Dao Laws Record he cultivated was a method to achieve self-realization through the Great Dao itself. The higher his Cultivation Level, the more power from heaven and earth he could command.

Therefore, when facing Zhang Daoyun's challenge, Lin Mu dared to claim he could win in a single move.

"Excellent!"

Hearing Lin Mu's words, Zhang Daoyun's Manifestation of Will nodded in approval. It then extended a hand, palm facing upward.

"Come!"

The voice was clear and resonant, like that of a Heavenly God, echoing for thousands upon thousands of miles.

CRACK!

A purple thunderbolt suddenly fell into Zhang Daoyun's hand, solidifying into an Ancient Sword. Everyone on Dragon Tiger Mountain could hear the sound, but no one could see what was happening on the summit. At that moment, it was as if the workings of fate were obscured, hidden from mortal eyes.

Dongfang Potian's brow furrowed slightly. In that instant, he felt as though some force within him had been stirred, and a powerful sense of crisis bloomed in his heart.

"Lin Wudi, try and take this sword from me."

The Ancient Sword pointed at Lin Mu, and Zhang Daoyun's calm voice resounded across the land.

In an instant, Sword Qi flooded the heavens, and a murderous intent washed over the mortal realm

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