The sword is a weapon associated with the element of metal and represents killing and destruction.
Jiang Yun possessed exceptional talent, and his comprehension of Sword Intent made him even more formidable. However, at the stage where Jiang Yun had just achieved a rudimentary understanding of Sword Intent, his overall cultivation level was not yet stable. Moreover, upon learning of his father's death, his heart was temporarily clouded by a surge of killing intent. Sword Intent itself is easily influenced by such killing intent, and in a state of mental vulnerability, Jiang Yun fell into the path of darkness.
This is also why very few warriors comprehend Sword Intent. The path of Sword Intent requires an unwavering and resolute heart. Without it, one can easily be controlled by external emotions, especially the killing intent inherent in Sword Intent. If the practitioner fails to maintain their mental focus and falls under the control of the killing intent, they become a mindless killing machine, devoid of all emotions.
Throughout the centuries, there have been many individuals who comprehended Sword Intent, but few of them met a good end. Most only gained temporary fame, only to be forgotten in the river of history as time went on.
Jiang Yun was currently under the influence of the killing intent, although his descent into darkness was not yet profound. If he couldn't break free from the grip of the killing intent in the coming days, he would fully succumb to the path of darkness.
Entering the path of darkness usually exhibits two characteristics: a surge in cultivation and a deviation from the norm. This is why Lin Feier felt a sense of unfamiliarity when she saw Jiang Yun in his current state.
Jiang Yun turned around to face Elder Qin, his gaze cold and his tone indifferent. "Are you also here to stop me?"
"Take your life as repayment for killing my beloved disciple," Elder Qin replied.
Before his words had even finished, Elder Qin was already in mid-air, unleashing seven palm strikes. Each strike was stronger than the previous, and the force engulfed Jiang Yun like a tidal wave.
Jiang Yun dared not be careless. It was evident that Elder Qin's seven palm strikes were filled with killing intent, indicating that Xiao Dong held great importance in Elder Qin's heart. Employing the Four Images Steps, Jiang Yun moved freely and avoided the strongest part of Elder Qin's palm strikes. With his Qingping Sword imbued with Sword Intent, he targeted the weakest point of Elder Qin's palm strikes.
"Bang!"
The clash of sword and palm produced a metallic clang. Elder Qin's true martial strength at the seventh level was indeed formidable. Despite Jiang Yun's Sword Intent-enhanced attack being more than ten times stronger than an ordinary Yuanwu Realm warrior, it only matched the weakest point of Elder Qin's strike.
Elder Qin's astonishment was no less than Jiang Yun's. At a glance, he could tell that Jiang Yun was merely at the first level of the Yuanwu Realm. Yet, after comprehending Sword Intent, Jiang Yun was able to withstand seventy percent of his full-strength palm strike. Sword Intent was truly extraordinary, an art that only a rare few could comprehend.
In that moment, Elder Qin unexpectedly felt a sense of jealousy towards Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun knew that Elder Qin's strength far surpassed his own. If he allowed Elder Qin to seize the initiative, he would be at an even greater disadvantage. Therefore, Jiang Yun took the initiative and unleashed the continuous attacks of the River Flowing into Sunset Sword Technique.
Momentarily distracted, Elder Qin was caught off guard by Jiang Yun's swift attack. He felt annoyed internally, but Jiang Yun's sword technique was unpredictable and elusive. A slight mistake could result in falling into Jiang Yun's trap. Thus, Elder Qin had no choice but to focus on defense, using his own sword intent to counter the attacks. Even someone as powerful as him did not dare to directly face them.
Jiang Yun gained the upper hand with his first strike. The Qingping Sword moved like a nimble snake, with its angles and sword techniques constantly changing—sometimes direct, sometimes circular. Elder Qin had never expected Jiang Yun's swordsmanship to be so exquisite. He could only dodge and defend with all his might. In the eyes of onlookers, Elder Qin, a true martial expert, was actually being forced into a defensive position by Jiang Yun's swordsmanship.
"Oh my God, am I seeing things right? This Elder Qin is a true martial expert at the Earth Martial Realm, yet he can only defend against the Sword God's attacks."
"I used to think that the Peerless Sword of Yanjing Martial Meet was the pinnacle of swordsmanship. But now, witnessing the Sword God's techniques, I finally understand what it means to have a narrow vision."
"It's terrifying. It's hard to imagine that a human could wield such swordsmanship. In my imagination, only gods or ghosts could control such techniques."
The spectators exclaimed in astonishment. While many were aware of Jiang Yun's extraordinary swordsmanship, they had never expected it to be this formidable. With the strength of the Yuanwu Realm, Jiang Yun was suppressing a true martial expert.
However, among the onlookers, few were true experts who could discern the true reason why Jiang Yun could overpower Elder Qin. One reason was that Jiang Yun had seized the initiative, but more importantly, since Jiang Yun had fallen into darkness, it was now the Sword Intent that was guiding him, rather than Jiang Yun guiding the Sword Intent.
This inversion of cause and effect represented the difference between using the sword to control oneself and using oneself to control the sword. While using the sword to control oneself might possess great power, it was ultimately not a sustainable approach. Over time, it would lose its essence. On the other hand, using oneself to control the sword was the righteous path, allowing the sword to adapt to the person, resulting in a more harmonious and integrated practice.
"Sshh!"
Elder Qin hastily retreated, but he couldn't avoid Jiang Yun's strike. A long gash was left on Elder Qin's chest, tearing his clothes apart and revealing his muscles.
If it weren't for Elder Qin's timely retreat, he would have been seriously injured by that strike. Elder Qin looked at the wound on his chest, a mix of shock and anger filling his heart. How could a young brat like Jiang Yun, who was far below his level as a true martial expert at the Earth Martial Realm, have stabbed him? How could he not be furious?
Elder Qin's anger erupted, and he attacked Jiang Yun with both palms, carrying the momentum of wind and thunder. Faintly, the onlookers seemed to hear thunder rumbling in their ears. However, when they looked up, the sky was clear and serene, with no signs of thunder.
Elder Qin's anger was a great taboo in martial arts combat. The most dangerous thing in a battle between warriors was the eruption of anger, as it would inevitably leave behind many openings that wouldn't normally exist.
Jiang Yun's eyes brightened, with only the whites visible. The Qingping Sword trembled, and at the moment Elder Qin leaped into the air, Jiang Yun made his move. The attack was extremely fast, and the onlookers only saw a flash of sword light before it disappeared, accompanied by Elder Qin's agonized cry.
By the time the crowd looked again, Jiang Yun had already sheathed his sword and taken two steps back, walking toward Xiao Wanshan. At the same time, Elder Qin fell to the ground, blood gushing from his chest like a fountain. It was only when Jiang Yun approached Xiao Wanshan that Elder Qin's life came to an end, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Now, who can save you?"
Jiang Yun looked at the dumbfounded Xiao Wanshan, who was huddled in a corner, and thrust the Qingping Sword into his chest. Then he withdrew the sword, turned around, and executed a seamless series of movements, without lingering for a moment.
"Ugh."
Before his death, Xiao Wanshan seemed to have wanted to retaliate against Jiang Yun, but in the end, he couldn't muster the strength to strike back. He fell to the ground, and the patriarch of a generation died on the spot. From then on, the Xiao family ceased to exist in Yanjing City.
As Jiang Yun walked towards the main gate of the Xiao residence, the crowd made way for him. When they got closer, they could feel the sharp killing intent emanating from him. Those who stood closest involuntarily shivered, feeling as if they were in the depths of winter rather than the middle of July.
As Jiang Yun left the Xiao residence and walked out onto the street, no one dared to follow him anymore. Perhaps some had sensed something unusual about Jiang Yun.
"Brother Yun!"
Lin Feier and others finally reacted and chased after Jiang Yun, calling out to him from behind.
Jiang Yun ignored them, not even turning his head. He continued walking towards the outskirts of the city, regardless of Lin Feier's desperate expression. Even though Lin Feier had fallen multiple times along the way, her determination did not waver, but Jiang Yun's pace remained unyielding.