"Jing Yuan!!"

Seeing Jing Yuan, Wang Junze's heart suddenly skipped a beat, an intense feeling of unease arising within him.

Even though he had previously defeated Jing Yuan twice, upon actually seeing the other person, Wang Junze felt a deep sense of apprehension.

"Brother Wang, we meet again."

Glancing at Wang Junze on the Sword Platform, Jing Yuan smiled, seemingly unsurprised by Wang Junze's presence.

"If I could break through the Sword Array, why wouldn't the Saintess be able to? Brother Jing Yuan, you don't seem like such an arrogant person,"

Looking down from above at Jing Yuan, Wang Junze lightly asked.

"Brother Wang, do not belittle yourself. You are a Sword Path Genius among ten thousand, having even achieved the legendary Hundred Meridians Opening. Not just in the Northern Domain, but across the entire world, you are among the finest." Jing Yuan smiled lightly and replied, "Moreover, you have obtained the Sword Dao legacy within this relic; within the same Realm, I can't think of anyone who could do better than you."

"???"

This statement from Jing Yuan caused everyone to slightly change color.

Even among geniuses, there are differences. A Sword Path Genius with Hundred Meridians Opening holds a truly terrifying significance.

Even Su Yuwei only had some speculations before, unable to confirm that Wang Junze had achieved Hundred Meridians Opening. Yet now, Jing Yuan uncovered it with a single statement.

Unconcerned with the reactions of others, Jing Yuan continued, "As for Luo Qingxuan, she is undoubtedly an outstanding genius, but... her strength is too great. In the trials of the relic, this is not an advantage but rather a disadvantage."

"Do you know why those entering the relic are at most Heaven-Stepping? It's not that the Divine Court or Profound Moon Sword Sect lack stronger powerhouses, but because the limit of obtaining the legacy in the relic is Heaven-Stepping. Anything stronger would be repelled by the relic, unable to progress."

"Even for Heaven-Stepping... it's much more difficult to obtain the legacy in the relic. At this level, the foundation and potential are almost set in stone, making it difficult to achieve any qualitative transformation."

Jing Yuan shook his head slightly and continued, "So for the same Sword Array, her difficulty in breaking through is at least ten times greater than yours!"

"But that's just your conjecture," Wang Junze's heart raced, but he forced himself to remain calm, coldly answering.

Of course, he understood that Jing Yuan was speaking the truth. Previously, in the Sword Array, the remnant soul had shown Wang Junze the battle scenes between Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing, but under these circumstances, Wang Junze naturally wouldn't admit it.

"Luo Qingxuan entered the Sword Array at least half a day before you, and she still hasn't broken through... Isn't that proof enough?" Jing Yuan answered calmly with a smile.

Since entering the relic, much had happened, making it seem like a long time had passed, but in reality, it was just because everything was happening so fast. Time-wise, it had only been around a day.

Of course, this was actually an extremely exaggerated number for Luo Qingxuan.

"Aside from whether you're right or not..." Su Yuwei suddenly interjected with a cold laugh, "What gives you the courage to appear in front of me?"

Currently, Wang Junze was on the Sword Platform, protected by rules, so the Heaven-Stepping powerhouses of the Deserters couldn't do anything to him. However, Jing Yuan didn't have such protection. If he truly angered Su Yuwei, if she abandoned the Sword Platform and attacked Jing Yuan directly, even two Heaven-Stepping powerhouses of the Deserters working together might not be able to protect Jing Yuan.

Hearing Su Yuwei's words, the two Heaven-Stepping powerhouses of the Deserters couldn't help but reveal a trace of vigilance in their eyes.

Regardless of their greater strength, their status in the Divine Court was actually lower than that of Jing Yuan and Nini. If Jing Yuan and Nini died here, even if they won the relic, they would find it hard to explain upon their return.

"The Commandery Princess can certainly kill me, but... in doing so, both the Commandery Princess and Brother Wang would have to be buried with me. In exchanging my life for yours, I think it's worth it," Jing Yuan said nonchalantly with a shrug.

"Or, perhaps we could consider another approach... there's no need for mutual destruction!" Jing Yuan continued with a smile, "If the Commandery Princess and Brother Wang are willing to relinquish the Sword Platform and abandon the competition for the relic, I can guarantee your safe departure."

"In reality, you've already gained plenty of benefits in the relic, and even if you leave now... it wouldn't be a loss. Why stake your lives on a certain defeat?"

Every word struck at the heart!

Both Su Yuwei and Wang Junze knew full well that Jing Yuan's true objective was to force them to relinquish the relic, claiming it with minimal loss. Yet, at this moment, both couldn't help but feel slightly swayed.

It's because, as Jing Yuan said, Wang Junze and the others stood very little chance of winning.

Retreating, forsaking benefits to preserve themselves, seemed indeed the better choice.

Instinctively, Su Yuwei's gaze fell on Wang Junze, as if to consult him on his stance.

Escape?

Wang Junze never genuinely considered it.

Not that he couldn't part with the legacy or fortune within the relic, but because of Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing!

If they gave up now, while perhaps they could save themselves, it would undoubtedly mean abandoning Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing. Once he and Su Yuwei left, Jing Yuan, securing the relic, would never spare Lu Qing or Luo Qingxuan.

This was an outcome Wang Junze could not accept.

After all, both Lu Qing and Luo Qingxuan had extended kindness to him. To forsake them for his own survival would be akin to betrayal, wouldn't it?

However, Wang Junze didn't immediately respond, but rather feigned hesitation and struggle.

Because, in his mind, he recalled what the remnant soul had told him.

Ascend the Sword Platform, claim the Divine Sword!

According to what was said, if he could achieve these two tasks, he would become the heir of Yijian Sect, disperse the Sword Array, and ensure Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing's safety.

By then, with Luo Qingxuan and Lu Qing at his side, the situation would inevitably be reversed.

But... while the Sword Platform had appeared, what did claiming the Divine Sword mean?

Glancing upwards instinctively, Wang Junze peered at the sky to notice a vague silhouette of a sword above, yet its position was remarkably high, requiring at least another hundred meters to reach.

In an instant, a spark of insight flashed through Wang Junze's mind.

A hundred meters... wasn't that precisely the height of another Sword Platform?

When combined with the phrase 'Sword Ascension Platform', could it be possible that the Sword Platforms could challenge each other and rise in height?!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.